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Douluo Continent, Heaven Dou Empire's Southwest, Fasinuo Province.
Wang Family Village was an ordinary village, no different from any other village near Nuoding City. Its only source of income came from growing grain and vegetables, which were supplied to Nuoding City. Because of this, vast farmlands stretched in every direction around the village, and among the farmers working those fields, a half-grown child moved skillfully, wielding a hoe to weed. For the crops to thrive, weeding and pest control were essential.
His name was Wang Li, and he was six years old this year. He received this name because he was born unusually large. His mother lost her life giving birth to him, but he stubbornly survived. From the moment he entered the world, he was separated from his mother. Because of this, he was given the single character "Li" as his name, a symbol of the strength he showed from the very beginning.
A few years ago, wild boars from the mountain behind the village came down and destroyed the crops. The adults went to drive them away, but it was nearly impossible for ordinary people to handle such tough and powerful animals. In the end, there were many casualties, and Wang Li's father was among them. Now, Wang Li was truly alone in the world.
Despite being only six years old, Wang Li already had three years of experience working in the fields. His diligent efforts, along with occasional help from the village chief and other villagers, kept him from being overworked. Instead, he was even sturdier than other children his age.
At six, Wang Li had the physique of a ten-year-old. His skin was the color of ripe wheat, healthy and vibrant, with well-defined features, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. He might not have stood out in the city, but in the countryside, his looks and build promised that he would become a well-known and handsome young man in the area when he grew up.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was noon. The sun blazed overhead, the heat unbearable. Even the adults struggled in such weather, let alone a child like Wang Li.
He put away his tools and hurried home to the west end of the village. When he arrived, he saw that his doorstep was not empty. An elderly figure was seated there.
Seeing the old man, Wang Li smiled honestly and called out, "Village Chief Grandpa, why have you come?"
The old man was Wang Ping, the village chief. True to his name, he was known for his fairness. Wang Li, as an orphan, had received much care from Wang Ping over the years.
Wang Ping looked at Wang Li, his eyes full of warmth and satisfaction. More than half the villagers shared the surname Wang, so there was a distant blood connection among them, but that was not the most important thing.
What mattered most was that Wang Li was obedient, sensible, hardworking, and diligent. A farmer who toils in the fields will always find a way to survive as long as he is not lazy. Barring any misfortune, Wang Li would grow up to be a good young man, not a slacker or a burden.
Which village chief would not appreciate a good worker? Although Wang Li called Wang Ping "Grandpa," they were not directly related.
Wang Ping motioned for Wang Li to put down his tools and then said, "Xiao Li, you have a tough life, working in the fields every day at such a young age. But you do not need to go to the fields tomorrow. Tomorrow, a Spirit Master from Spirit Hall will come to our village to awaken the spirits of children who have turned six. If you can awaken a powerful spirit, you can become a Spirit Master in the future. You will rise above others and no longer need to work so hard in the fields."
At this, Wang Ping's eyes were filled with envy. In Douluo Continent, nothing compared to the status of a Spirit Master.
Wang Li smiled and replied, "I understand, Village Chief Grandpa. Spirit Hall is truly good. Even for a small village like ours, they send someone to awaken our spirits."
Wang Ping nodded in agreement. "That's right, so Xiao Li, come to the Spirit Hall in the village center early tomorrow. We cannot keep the Spirit Master waiting. Even though you do not have parents, you are the one I worry about the least. I believe you will definitely awaken a powerful spirit."
There was a thoughtful look in Wang Li's eyes. "Thank you, Village Chief Grandpa. Maybe I really can awaken a powerful spirit."
Wang Ping shook his head and smiled. As village chief, he had seen many children awaken their spirits, but never a truly powerful one. After so many disappointments, although he still hoped for a Spirit Master to emerge from the village, his heart had grown calm.
He stood up and said gently, "Then our village will have a powerful Spirit Master. I must go now, I still have to visit the next family."
Wang Li smiled and waved. "Grandpa, goodbye."
Watching Wang Ping walk away, Wang Li could not help but think, "It is finally starting, spirit awakening. What kind of spirit will I awaken to begin my journey as a Spirit Master?"
Wang Li was so confident because he came from another world. In his previous world, Douluo Continent was just a book, and he was very familiar with its contents.
He had awakened at the age of three. Memories from before that age quickly faded, while memories from his previous life surfaced in his mind.
Wang Li guessed that this was a protective mechanism of the brain, sealing away his original memories until he was three years old, when his body was developed enough to accept them.
After all, there is a saying that people cannot remember things before they are three. Even if they do, the memories are usually chaotic and blurry. Only after three years old can memories become permanent.
After awakening, Wang Li, who had been a wage earner in his previous life, quickly understood the change in the villagers' attitudes toward him.
While other children were still crying and playing, he was already using his small body to carry tools and work in the fields.
How much work he did didn't matter as much as his attitude. People are willing to help in times of true need, but not for those who always rely on others. By being obedient, sensible, and hardworking, and by never becoming a burden, he gained the goodwill of his neighbors. In difficult times, no one wants to take on another mouth to feed, so he made sure to stand on his own as much as possible.
Wang Li had worked the fields for three years, and now a brand new world was about to open up to him.
In a good mood, Wang Li pushed open the door and entered his house.
He walked into the kitchen, lifted the lid from the pot on the stove, and found a little less than half a pot of cold white porridge. Wang Li quickly served himself.
With pickled vegetables, he ate heartily behind the stove.
These were his main foods. He wanted to eat meat, but he did not have the means.
The white porridge gave him sugar, the pickled vegetables provided salt, and his hard work kept his body strong. Wang Li was satisfied with his sturdy frame, though he was not sure if it would help with his spirit awakening.
Still, being tall and strong was always better than being weak and thin.
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