It's been a little under a year since I met my grandfather, and I'm now approaching the age of three.
I naturally understand the language well enough to speak fluently now, which has been great—I can finally follow what people are saying.
Most of my days are spent with Mother. I think she's in charge of my early education—teaching me basic arithmetic and etiquette. Nothing too complicated, just enough to properly greet visiting guests and to slightly understand the business discussions my parents have.
A surprising development during this time has been Uncle Hao's frequent visits. For the past couple of months, he and Aunt Yin have been staying at the sect. She's been helping Mother take care of me, and her presence has been a blessing. I constantly ask her questions about cultivation—soul beasts, techniques, everything—and she answers them all with infinite patience.
Right now, I'm standing in front of my father's study. I can hear his and Uncle Hao's voices from behind the door, which is exactly why I've come now.
What I'm about to ask for?
Training.
After our first visit to the Breaking Clan, I began asking Mother to let me visit more often—not just to see Grandpa, but to observe their training. I'm no fighting expert, but the way the Breaking Clan fights is completely different from how the Clear Sky Sect disciples move. Their style is relentless and forceful—appropriate, considering they use spears.
But the more I watched, the more I started thinking: Which style is stronger?
Surprisingly, the answer seems to be the Breaking Clan's—at least in terms of fundamentals.
Their advanced techniques don't quite compare to the Clear Sky Sect's, which were developed by Tang Chen himself. But when it comes to the basics, the Clear Sky Sect is lacking. I noticed it while watching two sect disciples spar—they lean in too much during their swings. That overcommitment leaves them wide open to counters. For someone like Father, a Title Douluo, it might not matter. But for lower-ranked spirit masters, that kind of opening can be fatal.
Which brings me to now.
I plan to ask Father to let me train—both under Uncle Hao to learn the Clear Sky Sect's hammer techniques, and under Grandpa to learn the Breaking Clan's spear techniques. My goal is to combine the two—to create a new, stronger style. Maybe I can adjust the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique to incorporate the spear's flexibility.
I took a deep breath and knocked.
"Dad, it's me."
"Xiao Long? Come in," I heard Father say.
When I entered, both he and Uncle Hao turned toward me.
Father spoke first. "Xiao Long, is something wrong? Your uncle and I were in the middle of something."
"There's something I wanted to ask you, Dad."
"Well, go ahead."
"I want to train. Please let me join the other disciples."
I finished with a small bow—just as Mother taught me.
They looked at each other, surprised, before both smiled.
Uncle Hao burst out laughing. "You're truly my nephew. Barely three and already wanting to train—it makes your uncle proud, Xiao Long."
Father shook his head softly, a warm smile on his face. "I'm glad you're eager, but you're still too young. You haven't even awakened your martial spirit yet. For now, focus on what your mother's teaching you. When the time comes, I'll train you myself."
"But Dad, I want to start now. You don't have to train me like the older disciples—just let me use a wooden hammer or something. I want to learn the sect's techniques. Please."
I stared into his eyes. He stared right back. Uncle Hao stood off to the side, wearing a smirk he didn't bother hiding.
After what felt like forever, Father sighed.
"Alright, fine. I'll grant your request—but only under the supervision of me or your uncle. And you must follow everything we say. Understood?"
"Yes, Dad!!" I beamed.
And from that day forward, I began my training.
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A year passed quickly, and I've picked up a bit of a reputation in the sect. Apparently, seeing a small kid wielding a wooden hammer—which, while not the heaviest, is still bigger than me—gets you labeled a prodigy. During this time, it's been Uncle Hao, not Father, who's acted as my main tutor in sect techniques. Even though Father agreed to my request, he's still incredibly busy—understandable, given that he's the sect's heir.
I was a bit confused when I first found that out. Everyone says Uncle Hao is more talented than Father, so I always assumed he would be the next sect master. When I asked Mother, she explained that Uncle Hao is simply lazy and doesn't want the responsibility. Then she smacked me upside the head for "disrespecting my father."
Another thing she told me was that the sect's ultimate techniques are only passed down to the main family. So unlike the original sotry, both Father and Uncle Hao learned how to use Ring Explosion and the Great Sumeru Hammer.
Being trained by a Soul Douluo is a huge honor, but it's also made me a target. I can practically feel the disciples glaring at me every time I show up at the training grounds. I can smell the jealousy.
Sigh… The woes of the privileged.
Around 6 months after I started training with Uncle Hao, I brought up my desire to learn the Breaking Clan's techniques as well. I told my parents it was for experience—and because I wanted to be different. With the help of my sweet, childlike voice, they probably thought it was just a cute little tantrum, so they agreed.
I thought Grandpa would be the one to train me.
Reality had other plans.
"Get up. You wanted to train, didn't you? Then get up!"
I pushed myself off the ground, gripping my wooden spear. My instructor spun her weapon, lightning crackling along its shaft.
She charged—spear pointed straight at my stomach.
I couldn't block it, so I jumped back and counter-thrusted with my own.
The result?
Hello, mud and dust—my old friends.
And my instructor?
"Come on, Xiao Long. We've barely started," said my mother, standing over my battered form.
Sarcasm should've been my reaction. Or at least surprise. But honestly? I wasn't even shocked.
My father is the next sect master of the Clear Sky Sect. Whoever the elders approved as his wife had to be exceptional.
And exceptional she is.
My mother is an 84th-ranked Spirit Douluo. Her martial spirit, the Thunder Piercing Spear, is a mutation of the Soul Breaking Spear. It granted her innate level 8 soul power.
My potential is officially secure.
As I struggled to stand, a voice I hadn't heard in a long time rang out.
"Go easy on him, Lie'er. He said he wanted to be trained, not beaten to death."
All the pain in my body vanished at once. With a burst of strength I didn't know I had, I launched myself into the chest of the man who had just spoken.
"Grandpa!!!"
"Haha, I've missed you too, Xiao Long," said my grandfather, patting my back.
Tang Wei, my paternal grandfather, is usually too busy with sect affairs for us to meet often. His appearance today was a welcome surprise.
"What's wrong, Grandpa? Did something happen?" I asked.
"What? Can't I visit my grandson without a reason?"
"No, no, no. I'm happy to see you! It's just… you're always so busy, and I thought…"
"I know. I should try to see you more often, but I can't just shove all my duties onto the elders. You'll understand when you're older," he said with a sigh.
I didn't respond. I just nodded.
"Xiao Long," he continued, "the reason I came today is to talk about your training. You've progressed tremendously over the past year. Sometimes I forget you're barely four. I spoke with your father and uncle, and we've agreed—it's time for you to spend some time with the Breaking Clan. At your current stage, you won't improve much without awakening your martial spirit. We'll be entrusting you to your Grandpa Wudi's care. Both he and your mother will help improve your physique."
I took a moment to process everything, then nodded.
I don't have any secret arts or an otherworldly inheritance like Tang San.
So I'll have to work harder than anyone.
My father, my mother, my uncle, my aunt, my grandfathers—
They all believe in me.
So no matter what…
I will grow stronger—and surpass their expectations.
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Author's Notes:
There are a few things to address in this chapter, so I'll keep it short:
The MC's Insight into Sect Techniques
Yes, it's unusual for someone so young to notice flaws in such a renowned style. Don't worry—this will be explained in future chapters. It's not random genius or a plot hole.
Starting Training at Age Three
It fits the Soul Land universe. Tang San trained at a similar age (or even earlier), and people in this world are naturally stronger. It makes sense, especially since the MC is being taught rather than figuring it all out alone.
The MC's Mother
Until now, she hasn't had much spotlight. I wanted to showcase her strength. She's from the Breaking Clan—the strongest subordinate clan under the Clear Sky Sect—and has the potential to become a Title Douluo. She absolutely deserves to stand beside Tang Xiao.
Pacing Going Forward
I know some of you may be getting impatient, but don't worry—the action is about to begin soon. Things are going to get a lot more interesting, and I can't wait to share what's next.
Thank you for reading! Your support means a lot!