Tianling City, Tiandou Empire
Tianling City is a relatively remote city in the Tiandou Empire, located near the border with the Xingluo Empire, close to the Lingdou Forest. It lies to the west of the Lingdou Forest, with Qiluo City to the east, a branch of the Martial Soul Hall to the south, and a desolate frozen grassland to the north — beyond which is said to be the forbidden extreme northern territory that no one dares to enter.
At nearly dusk, Mingtian arrived at this city — Tianling City. Looking at the bustling crowds, he couldn't help but feel emotional.
This was his first time leaving home and coming to such a big city, especially alone.
A six-year-old child having to live alone in Douluo Continent — it was nothing short of hardship.
Following the crowd, Mingtian entered the city.
After a full day of travel, Mingtian was extremely tired and urgently needed a place to rest. He also had to find a way to earn Gold Soul Coins, since he hadn't brought much money with him.
Mingtian didn't yet understand how important money was, especially living in a big city like this.
After searching for a while and with his stomach growling loudly, he decided to eat first.
He walked into a restaurant, pulled out his only fifteen Silver Soul Coins, and asked the waiter:
"Hello, what's the cheapest thing here? I only have fifteen Silver Soul Coins."
Mingtian asked the waiter pitifully.
The waiter sneered:
"Only fifteen Silver Soul Coins? Where did this country bumpkin come from? That's barely enough for a bowl of the most ordinary noodles. You want it or not?"
"Fifteen Silver Soul Coins only enough for a bowl of noodles? I'm also looking for a place to stay. Young man, can you make it cheaper?"
"Haha, are you joking? Fifteen Silver Soul Coins for food and lodging? Where in the world does that happen?"
"No can do?"
"Kid, you're from the countryside, right?"
"I can show you a way out. I'll get you two flatbreads and a piece of roasted beef — no charge. You give me your fifteen Silver Soul Coins, and I'll give you a way to make money. If you think it's worth it, shall we make the deal?"
"Really?!"
Mingtian looked at the waiter happily. At six years old, he lacked social experience and thought the waiter was a kind person.
"Alright, I'll give it to you. Please help me."
Mingtian said gratefully.
The waiter grabbed all of Mingtian's savings and chuckled:
"Just wait."
The waiter walked to the kitchen and asked:
"Are those two flatbreads and the leftover beef from Master Yan still there?"
"Still here. Why?"
"Reheat the flatbreads and beef, and send them to the little kid outside."
The waiter weighed the Silver Soul Coins in his hand, smiled, and said:
The cook understood and shook his head — this guy sure knew how to make a deal.
"From the tone, it must be a kid. How can a kid eat leftovers?"
The cook took out two flatbreads again, sprinkled leftover beef with seasonings, and put it back on the fire to roast.
After a while, Mingtian smelled the aroma of roasted meat and bread. The waiter brought the freshly cooked food over and put it in front of Mingtian.
"Here, eat up. You're lucky. If you came any later, it would be gone."
"Thank you, uncle!"
Mingtian took the bread and meat without hesitation, tasting no hint that it was leftovers.
"By the way, uncle, what's this way to make money you mentioned?"
"Kid, have you heard of the Great Douhun Arena?"
"Douhun Arena?"
"Exactly. The Douhun Arena is a place for Martial Soul practitioners to duel. As long as you participate and win battles there, you can earn ten Gold Soul Coins."
"Wow, ten Gold Soul Coins!!!"
"Heh, but there's a ten Gold Soul Coin registration fee."
"Ah? But I don't have money to pay the registration fee…"
"Don't worry, listen to me. Outside the Douhun Arena, there are special groups of people — some strong, some weak — who no one teams up with. These people have no shortage of money, and they offer huge rewards for teammates. You don't need to pay anything; if you win, they might even give you all the money because they're battle maniacs who don't want teammates."
"As long as you're a Martial Soul master, that's enough. How about it? Sounds good, right?"
"That's perfect! It's so useful for me! Thank you!"
Mingtian thanked the waiter happily.
"Ahem…"
"Heh, eat slowly. Seeing how innocent you are, I'll get you a drink."
What Mingtian didn't know was that this info was common knowledge — everyone in Tianling City knew it.
The waiter brought a drink, and after Mingtian ate and drank his fill, he thanked deeply and went to the Tianling Douhun Arena.
The Tianling Douhun Arena was quite famous, and after asking around, he quickly found the place.
Just as the waiter said, there was a long queue of people waiting to fight in the arena. One area had many people talking — presumably recruiting teammates.
Mingtian squeezed through the crowd and saw recruitment notices. Most wanted teammates with about three or two soul rings. Requirements varied — some wanted agile attackers, others strong attackers, and some specifically asked for female teammates!
"Ah, there's no one suitable for me. If I pick someone else, I'll expose my Dark Demon Evil God Tiger Martial Soul. But how do I explain being level twenty at six years old?"
Mingtian felt discouraged. Finding a suitable teammate was too difficult.
"Is there a one-soul-ring Martial Soul master under ten years old? I, Yan, offer a heavy reward!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out. The crowd buzzed. A red-haired, arrogant noble-looking young man walked forward.
He seemed about the same age as Mingtian.
"Hey, Young Master Yan, stop fooling around and go back."
"Hmph, if you want me to go back, then you all go back! I want to fight in the arena! I've already gotten my first soul ring and can fight!"
"But you're your family's only child! What if something happens? Didn't the boss say you should train well and only come to the Martial Soul Hall once you reach the recruitment standard?"
"Hmph, what's so great about the Martial Soul Hall? I have innate level 9 soul power. Are the Martial Soul Hall people stronger than me?"
This Yan was the very same young man who years later became the captain of the Martial Soul Hall's Golden Generation team, leading Hu Liena and others to fight the Shrek Seven Devils — Yan, the Flame Lord Martial Soul master!
Hearing Yan speak so arrogantly of the Martial Soul Hall, Mingtian felt an unexpected admiration and stepped out of the crowd, asking:
"Um, may I join?"
"Hmm?"
Yan didn't expect someone to step forward, and it seemed younger than him.
"You're also a Martial Soul master?"
"Yes! My name is Mingtian, seven years old, one soul ring Martial Soul master."
To avoid exposing his innate full soul power, Mingtian lied about being seven years old.
"Seven years old? One soul ring?"
Yan's eyes flashed sharply. He was also seven years old, which meant Mingtian's innate soul power was at least level seven.
This was a genius not inferior to him!
"Any proof?"
"Look."
Mingtian released his Three-Tailed Scorpion Martial Soul. A yellow soul ring appeared, and the crowd gasped.
"Mutated Martial Soul!"
Yan looked at the Three-Tailed Scorpion Martial Soul in surprise.
"Hahaha! Perfect! It's you! Come team up with me for the Douhun battle! If we win, you won't miss out on the benefits!"