NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Huànshēng
A small house sat tucked away in a forgotten corner of the Douluo Continent.
"Huànshēng! Where the heck are you?"
Giggle.
I stifled a laugh, perched high in a tree, watching a group of kids—bruised, muddy, and utterly furious—scour the ground below. They were all about my age, six or so, but far more annoying than I could tolerate. I could still feel the ache in my arms from digging that pothole all night, but oh, the joy of watching them fall one by one was worth every second.
Ah! Pardon my manners. I should introduce myself. But since there's an angry mob looking for me, let's postpone that for now.
"Just make sure you don't end up in my hands!" growled a plump boy as he twirled a sturdy wooden stick. That was Hua Pao, my partner-in-crime. Unlike the kids below, he was on my side. That stick-twirling was our signal—it meant the dogs were on their way, and I should trigger the trap.
Suppressing another chuckle, I leaped from tree to tree as silently as I could, sprinkling a handful of white powder over the mob's heads.
Bark! Bark!
Ah, music to my ears. A group of black, three-eyed dogs—loyal and intimidating spirit beasts around ten years old—charged toward the scene. I liked to call them three-eyed German Shepherds. The moment they appeared, I shook a branch to signal Pao.
Catching on, he melted into the bushes, vanishing from sight.
"Aye! The three-eyes are coming! Run!" someone screamed, panic breaking through their voice.
What followed was a work of art. A squad of six-year-olds scattered in terror. One got bitten, another had his pants pulled down, and one poor soul tried climbing a tree, only to be left in shambles by the beasts.
I nearly fell from my perch laughing. Pao wasn't faring much better; he was doubled over behind a rock, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
"What's going on here?!" A sharp voice rang out.
Damn, awful timing. I was looking forward to seeing just how much damage those dogs could do.
A young man, no older than sixteen, strode onto the scene, his presence alone enough to send the dogs scurrying away. His eyes scanned the chaos, landing suspiciously close to my hiding spot.
"Huànshēng!" he barked.
Tch. Hiding wouldn't do me much good now. I gestured for Pao to retreat before making my own getaway. Who? Me? I did nothing!
After about fifteen minutes, we met up again by the riverbank near our village.
"Did you see that, Shēng?!" Pao gasped between bouts of laughter.
"Indeed. After this, Chen will think a thousand times before acting up again," I chuckled, picturing his miserable state.
"Looking forward to tomorrow?" Pao asked, rubbing his stomach as he calmed down.
"Of course. I want to see what my spirit is."
Ah, I haven't properly introduced myself yet. My name is Huànshēng. I'm six years old, a reincarnator, an orphan, and the Soul Shrine Village's most famous troublemaker. Our village is a resting place for retired soul masters, people who have grown tired of war and now seek peace.
Life here is simple. The orphanage provides us with food, clothes, and shelter. Spirit devices are rare, but we get by.
"Hey, Huànshēng, stop daydreaming," Pao nudged me, heading back toward the village. "If you're late, Mother will be cruel."
Ah, yes. Mother. Have I mentioned her? Let's continue our chat as we walk.
Mother, the head of the orphanage, was once a powerful Spirit King and a food-type soul master. Rumors say she lost her son and daughter-in-law in a war. But she's anything but pitiful. She always wears a kind face—one that hides the terrifying authority she wields over us. I sometimes wonder, are all mothers like that?
Back at the orphanage, we tried sneaking in unnoticed.
"Huànshēng. Hua Pao."
We froze.
Mother stood by the entrance, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"Good evening, Mother!" Pao greeted cheerfully, pretending nothing was amiss.
"Don't 'good evening' me," she sighed. "I heard about your little… stunt today."
I swallowed. Who snitched?!
"Boys, sit. Now."
Obediently, we plopped onto the wooden floor.
"Do you realize how dangerous that was?" she began, voice calm—too calm. "Three-eyed dogs may be tamed, but they are still spirit beasts. If that young man hadn't arrived in time, one of your little 'victims' could have been seriously injured."
I opened my mouth to argue, but her sharp gaze silenced me.
"Huànshēng, you in particular. As clever as you are, your intelligence should not be wasted on causing trouble. One day, your actions will have real consequences."
I bit my lip. That was unfair. I only did it because those kids were being annoying!
Pao, sensing the mood, spoke up. "Mother, we were just playing—"
"I know, Pao." She sighed, massaging her temples. "That's why I'm not punishing you. This time. But I will not tolerate recklessness. Understood?"
"Yes, Mother," we mumbled.
"Good. Now eat dinner and get to bed. Tomorrow is an important day."
My heart leapt. The spirit awakening ceremony.
"Yes, Mother!" Pao and I bolted before she changed her mind about punishment.
The next morning, the entire village buzzed with excitement. Today, the retired soul masters would choose young disciples from among us. It wasn't a 'Spirit Hall' awakening—those didn't exist here. Instead, it was a tradition, an opportunity for the elderly masters to pass on their wisdom.
Pao and I joined the crowd of children gathered in the village square. Spirits stirred in the air. This was it. The moment of truth.
"So, you're finally here," a smug voice sneered.
I turned to see Chen standing there, his arms crossed, his chin tilted arrogantly. The same Chen who got his pants pulled down yesterday. The same Chen who ran screaming from three-eyed dogs and also the one whose parts were about be ripped off.
"Oh? And here I thought you'd still be hiding," I replied, smirking.
His face darkened. "Tch. I'll be chosen as a disciple for sure. Let's see what happens to a trickster like you."
Ah, I almost forgot about him. Would a third-rate villain be enough for an introduction?
Guess I'll find out soon.