Chapter 1: The Man Without Soul Power (1 / 1)
Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Empire, Douluo Continent.
At the end of an obscure alleyway sat an unremarkable commission office. On a reclining chair by the entrance lay a young man about eighteen years old.
The youth had handsome features and a sharp brow, his upright, well-proportioned physique defined by a well-tailored black martial suit. His name was Jiang Li, and he was a transmigrator.
However, unlike other transmigrators, he didn't possess any formidable Martial Soul—in fact, he didn't even have Soul Power. This was because he had been born under the curse of a Heavenly Restriction.
Fortunately, in exchange for losing all innate Soul Power, he had gained an unparalleled physical talent. He felt that if the trade-off had been the other way around, he might as well have hit the "restart" button on life.
Despite his incredible physical gifts, Jiang Li felt a deep sense of regret living in a world where Soul Masters were supreme and godhood or immortality were possible. Still, he wasn't one to wallow in frustration. People need to eat, after all, so he chose the path of a bounty hunter. Even without Soul Power, his physical prowess allowed him to crush ordinary Soul Masters.
At first, he thought this was how his life would always be. But unexpectedly, a turning point arrived.
It was a rainy night. A twelve-year-old Jiang Li had just finished a commission and was on his way to deliver it when a system found him! After some investigation, he learned the system was called "Hunter." It didn't have any flashy combat abilities; its sole function was to sell items. As long as he earned enough Gold Soul Coins, Jiang Li could buy anything he wanted from the system.
He initially thought it was a bit useless, until he saw one specific item. Then, he was excited—completely electrified!
The item was called the [Limiter Breaker]. Once used, it could break the human body's limits. Just like Saitama, he would grow stronger every single second! However, the price was ridiculously high. Furthermore, every item sold by the system had to be purchased with money Jiang Li earned specifically through commissions. Thus, he was committed to the path of a bounty hunter for the long haul.
Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Jiang Li was currently bored out of his mind, waiting for business to walk through the door. Right then, a pleasant female voice reached his ears.
"Are you the bounty hunter who claims to never fail?"
Hearing the voice, Jiang Li sat bolt upright on his chair. He looked at the person standing before him and replied with a smile, "Young lady, is there something I can do for you?"
The speaker was a young girl, seemingly several years younger than Jiang Li. She was dressed in magnificent, expensive silks—clearly of noble birth. Beside her stood another girl of similar age with red hair.
Jiang Li knew their identities immediately; after all, he had lived in Heaven Dou City for nearly five years. These two were from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan: Ning Tian and Wu Feng.
Seeing Jiang Li's enthusiasm, Ning Tian didn't waste time and stated her request directly. "I want to commission you to help me obtain my third Soul Ring. The reward is 30,000 Gold Soul Coins."
Upon hearing the price, Jiang Li practically launched himself off the chair, his face full of pleasant surprise. "The Boss is generous! Never mind a mere third Soul Ring—I could help you get a fifth!"
"A fifth Soul Ring won't be necessary," Ning Tian replied with a gentle, elegant smile and a wave of her hand.
Jiang Li didn't take it to heart; he was just talking. He pulled out a piece of parchment and grinned. "In that case, Boss, please sign this contract. Once it's signed, we can set off immediately."
"Tsk, you need a contract for something so small? Are you worried we can't afford to pay?" Beside her, Wu Feng frowned slightly, speaking with clear dissatisfaction. She looked down on Jiang Li from the bottom of her heart. A commoner without Soul Power who happened to have a strong body? At most, he could fight a thousand-year Soul Beast. To shamelessly claim he could handle a fifth Soul Ring for her young mistress was simply laughable!
As soon as she finished speaking, Ning Tian spoke up with a hint of displeasure. "Wu Feng, what did I tell you before we came here?"
Wu Feng instantly withered, muttering quietly, "I know, Young Mistress. I won't speak out of turn again."
"Good that you know," Ning Tian scolded lightly. She then turned back to Jiang Li with a smile. "Let's sign the contract."
"Right away," Jiang Li said, ignoring Wu Feng's previous remarks, his smile unchanging.
The contract was soon finalized. Jiang Li shut the office door and hung up a wooden sign that read "On Commission." He then turned to Ning Tian. "Boss, shall we go?"
"Yes," Ning Tian nodded. The three of them departed together.
A few days later, in the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Boss, what type of third Soul Ring do you need?" Jiang Li asked with a smile as he led the way.
Ning Tian didn't hesitate long before replying, "Preferably a Power-type Soul Beast between 1,200 and 1,500 years old." She then asked, "Jiang Li, do you have any recommendations?"
Jiang Li thought for a moment and smiled. "For a Power-type in that range, I personally recommend the Great Strength Baboon. Of course, if we run into a Vigorous Vajra Bear or a Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear, that would be even better."
Ning Tian froze for a moment. Before she could speak, Wu Feng snapped, "A Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear? Do you even know those are Super Soul Beasts? A thousand-year-old one can fight a ten-thousand-year-old beast! You? Don't make me laugh."
"Wu Feng," Ning Tian frowned, her displeasure evident. Wu Feng went silent immediately, hanging her head low.
Jiang Li merely smiled without saying a word, continuing to clear the path. Ning Tian turned to Jiang Li and said apologetically, "I'm sorry."
"No worries, I'm used to it," Jiang Li waved it off. Seeing his nonchalance, Ning Tian sighed inwardly. Just as she was about to say more, Jiang Li suddenly came to a halt.
"It looks like the Boss has good luck," he chuckled.
Ning Tian was confused, but the meaning became clear almost instantly.
ROAR!
Accompanied by a deafening roar, a three-meter-tall giant bear emerged from behind a tree about a hundred meters ahead. A flash of joy appeared in Ning Tian's eyes.
"Boss," Jiang Li said, "A 1,300-year-old Vigorous Vajra Bear. How about it?"
Ning Tian nodded decisively. "Jiang Li, I'll leave it to you. Do you need my support?"
Jiang Li waved his hand. "No need. My constitution is unique; no support-type Soul Skills work on me."
As the words fell, a pitch-black, winged dragon-like creature quietly coiled around his upper body. Two fist-sized dragon heads rested on his left shoulder. In the next moment, one dragon head opened its maw, and a sword hilt emerged from within.
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