"Yuan'er, it is time for your Awakening."
Inside the spacious hall, six pitch-black stones had been arranged into the shape of a hexagram upon the floor. A middle-aged man looked over his handiwork before calling out toward the inner rooms for his son.
"Coming."
The door creaked open, and a handsome boy with dark hair stepped out. His eyes fell upon the ritual stones, and despite his best efforts to remain calm, a ripple of nervous anticipation stirred in his chest.
His name was Liu Yuan, born into the Liu family of Star Luo City.
What no one knew was that he was a transmigrator. In his previous life, during his senior year internship, he had been sent to this world after a fatal encounter with a runaway truck while saving a pedestrian. He had lived in this new world for six years now, carrying the memories of his past life like a hidden treasure.
In this life, his family was whole and happy. They owned an ancestral apothecary that, while modest, ensured they never wanted for food or comfort. More importantly, both of his parents were Spirit Masters. Though they were only Spirit Kings, their status guaranteed him the possibility of following in their footsteps.
As for reaching Godhood, Liu Yuan considered it a pipe dream. Having read the first two volumes of the Douluo series and skimmed through the third, he had easily deduced from the recent coronation of the Star Luo Emperor that he was in the era of the Peerless Tang Sect.
The era of the Peerless Tang Sect.
Tang San sat firmly in the Divine Realm, casting his line into the lower planes to fish for the world's providence. In such an age, trying to become a God was nothing short of a joke. Without a legendary "cheat" or a system, he told himself he would be satisfied just reaching the level of a Titled Douluo.
At that moment, Liu Yuan's mother entered holding a crystal ball. Sensing her son's unease, she spoke in a soft, soothing voice.
"Yuan'er, we are ready to begin."
"That's right. Just relax," his father added.
Nodding at their encouragement, Liu Yuan stepped forward into the center of the Awakening array. "I'm ready."
His parents wasted no more words. Beneath a shimmering green light, the phantom of a willow tree began to sway behind his father. Five Spirit Rings—two yellow, two purple, and one black—circled his body as he thrust his hands forward. Six streaks of faint green light shot into the stones on the floor. Instantly, a golden brilliance erupted, forming a pale gold barrier that enveloped Liu Yuan.
Specks of golden light drifted up from the stones, sinking into Liu Yuan's skin. Following an instinctive pull, he extended his right hand before his father could even prompt him.
A flash of emerald light followed.
A lush, vibrant green willow branch sprouted from his palm.
Did I inherit my father's Willow Soul?
No. The moment he connected with the power, Liu Yuan dismissed the thought. Or rather, it wasn't just his father's. Within this willow branch lay a dense, pulsing aura of vitality that was entirely different from his father's martial soul. It felt more like his mother's Primordial Water Lotus.
It was a mutation—and by the feel of it, a positive one.
"Good! Wonderful!" His father's face lit up with joy at the sight of the tree. "Yuan'er truly did inherit the Liu family soul!"
"Wait," his mother interjected, her keen eyes spotting the difference. She reached the same conclusion as her son. "This is a mutation. It has combined both of our traits!"
"What? A mutation?" His father's brow furrowed into a knot. However, seeing the healthy glow of the willow and the calm expression on his son's face, he and his wife quickly suppressed their worry. "Don't be afraid, Yuan'er. Your mutation looks like a very favorable one."
Despite his reassuring words, his father quickly took the crystal ball from his mother. Good or bad, the test would tell the truth.
"Yuan'er, retract your soul with your mind."
Liu Yuan complied, and once the emerald light faded, he pressed his palm against the crystal ball. A powerful suction force immediately took hold.
A dazzling blue light began to creep through the glass. In the blink of an eye, it filled more than half the sphere before the glow finally stabilized.
His parents gasped, their faces transforming into masks of pure ecstasy.
"Innate Spirit Power... Rank 7!"
It was a brilliant success. Not only was the mutation positive, but Rank 7 was higher than either of them had possessed at his age. Their family might finally produce a Spirit Saint. If they were lucky, perhaps even a Spirit Douluo.
"Good lad! You've made us proud!" His father pulled him into a crushing hug. "Come here, let your old man see you!"
"Get away from him!" Before Liu Yuan could struggle, his mother swatted his father aside. She leaned in close, her voice tender and full of wonder. "Yuan'er, let me see your martial soul again."
Liu Yuan held out his hand, and the small willow reappeared in his palm.
"I wasn't mistaken," she whispered, nodding toward her husband. "This willow has been influenced by my Primordial Water Lotus. Its life attribute is far more pronounced than a standard willow. It needs a new name."
She looked at her son expectantly.
"A new name..." Liu Yuan looked at the swaying green leaves and thought for a moment. "Let's call it the Origin Willow."
He simply took the first character from each of his parents' martial souls. It was easy to remember, meaningful, and sounded elegant enough.
"Perfect. The Origin Willow it is," they agreed, seeing right through his clever naming scheme but happy to indulge him.
To celebrate his Rank 7 talent, the family shared a lavish meal. Afterward, his father taught him the basic meditation techniques required to cultivate. In this world, an early start meant everything.
By the afternoon, Liu Yuan had retreated to his room. He didn't begin meditating immediately; instead, he studied the Origin Willow, contemplating his future path for Spirit Rings.
The Origin Willow... wood attribute, life attribute...
He observed the soul carefully. While its life attribute was stronger than a normal willow, it wasn't quite at the level of a dedicated healing soul yet. It was a jack-of-all-trades. He had to decide: should he focus on the wood attribute, which was easier to evolve, or the life attribute, which was difficult but held immense potential?
Suddenly, a crisp sound echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Douluo Multiverse Commission Platform has finished downloading.]
[Would you like to log in?]
Liu Yuan froze, his eyes widening.
What? Where did this come from?
His Spirit had barely awakened, and now his System had finally arrived. After the initial shock, a wave of pure, unadulterated joy washed over him. The "transmigrator's perk" had been late, but it was here.
Tang San? Liu Yuan smirked to himself. Sorry, but I'm not playing by your rules anymore.