Over four thousand years ago, a land known as the Sun-Moon Continent drifted across the western seas and collided with the Douluo Continent. With the continent's expansion came new races—and endless war.
Ten thousand years ago, when Tang San the God King and the first generation of Shrek's Seven Devils ruled supreme, there were only two great nations on the continent: the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire. Ten millennia later, the Star Luo Empire still stood, but the Heaven Dou Empire had fractured into the Heaven Soul Empire and the Dou Spirit Empire.
War erupted as soon as the continents collided. Ultimately, the original three nations of the Douluo Continent formed a coalition and defeated the Sun-Moon Empire. The united continent came to be known once again as Douluo.
Although the Sun-Moon Empire was defeated, it wasn't fully conquered. Thanks to its advanced technology and the underlying political tensions between the three Douluo nations, a fragile but enduring stalemate formed.
Martial Souls—or Wuhun—are the foundation of power on the Douluo Continent. Everyone is born with one, and they awaken it at age six. Martial souls can take many forms: animals, tools, even body parts. Animal types are known as Beast Souls, while all other types—including tools and special cases—are called Tool Souls. Rarely, there are even mutated souls.
Only a small portion of people awaken with innate soul power, a vital energy tied to the martial soul. These rare individuals can cultivate to become soul masters, the continent's most noble and powerful profession.
There are ten recognized soul master ranks, from lowest to highest:
Soul Scholar (Level 1–10)
Soul Master
Grand Soul Master
Soul Elder
Soul Ancestor
Soul King
Soul Emperor
Soul Sage
Soul Douluo
Titled Douluo
The higher the rank, the stronger the soul master. A Titled Douluo, at the pinnacle, can decimate armies of tens of thousands.
Innate soul power determines one's talent. Those born with Level 10 soul power at awakening are called Innate Full Soul Power Geniuses. In legend, there are even those with Innate Level 20, hailed as monstrous prodigies.
Though Huo Yuhao was born a duke's son, he did not inherit the White Tiger bloodline's powerful martial soul. As a result, both he and his mother's fate diverged drastically.
His martial soul mutated into something extremely rare: Spiritual Eyes.
According to ancient records, there exists a class of Body-Type Martial Souls—souls that are part of the user's body, such as hands, feet, or even eyes. Though rare, these are incredibly powerful, ranked above beast and tool souls.
But unfortunately, Huo Yuhao's soul was an exception.
His Spiritual Eyes were a mental-type soul, exceedingly rare. Two limitations held him back:
He awakened with only Level 1 soul power, considered near useless.
Mental-type soul beasts, necessary for obtaining compatible soul rings, were incredibly rare.
In Douluo, soul power hits bottlenecks at every ten levels. To break through, a soul master must kill a compatible soul beast and absorb its soul ring. Soul rings not only enable breakthroughs—they also grant unique soul skills, the source of a soul master's combat strength.
In the duke's estate, even a servant's child with decent talent could reach Level 10 within three years and challenge to become a soul master.
All this knowledge came to Huo Yuhao through the memories of this body after his transmigration.
Soul beasts are categorized by age and power:
Ten-year
Hundred-year
Thousand-year
Ten-thousand-year
Hundred-thousand-year
And the mythical Fierce Beasts
Just like in the original story, soul masters must hunt soul beasts themselves to obtain rings.
Originally, Huo Yuhao may have left the estate quietly at age eleven, burdened by grief and resentment. But this new Huo Yuhao—reborn with full knowledge of the Douluo series—would not follow that script.
He knew he'd reincarnated into the male protagonist of Douluo Dalu II. And that meant one thing: he would no longer be shackled by fate. He would write his own path.
And now, today was his tenth birthday.
Huo Yuhao's "celebration" was the destruction of the entire Duke's estate—a final salute to the original body's lingering regrets.
His Spiritual Eyes, now beyond his control, were ravenously devouring the lingering souls of the nearly 3,000-acre estate. He felt… elated.
Am I becoming an evil soul master?
Huo Yuhao was startled. He wanted to stop—but couldn't. He felt his soul power, once stagnant, now rising rapidly. In just minutes, he had reached Level 10.
As he hesitated, wondering whether to continue absorbing his enemies' souls, a sharp voice rang out across the sky—
"Evil soul master!"
Startled, Huo Yuhao turned his head and saw seven beams of light streaking toward him.
"Shrek Inspection Corps! Evil soul master, surrender at once!"
Evil soul master?
Huo Yuhao chuckled darkly.
They know nothing of my pain. Why should they speak of righteousness?
On this continent of divine right and noble rule, evil soul masters were reviled. No one cared about their suffering, their pasts.
Just like in the original story—if not for Tang San's daughter subtly guiding his mind, the original Huo Yuhao might have turned dark too. Instead, he became a lovestruck, selfless hero.
And that so-called God of Emotion? Just a fragile pawn polished for maximum narrative value.
The red figure at the lead moved like a fiery cloud, rushing toward him at incredible speed. Soon, she was nearly upon him.
Up close, Huo Yuhao could see her better—red uniform, blood-red hair, a tall and slender build, exuding overwhelming pressure like a soul beast. A red mask hid her face, and even her eyes were crimson.
She looks more like an evil soul master than I do…
He smirked inwardly.
So they were from the Shrek Academy's Inner Court, the fabled elite.
The air around her shimmered. A faint phoenix shadow manifested behind her, distorting the air with blazing heat.
Flame Phoenix martial soul?
Huo Yuhao thought, recalling the original plot.
Could it be… her?
"Evil soul master? You've got the wrong guy!"
He backed away. He had no illusions about defeating a high-level opponent—likely a Soul Emperor.
"If you're not, why run?"
Her pinkish-red eyes suddenly turned cold. She reached out—and with sheer force, dragged Huo Yuhao through the air toward her.
I'm done for!
That was his only thought. This woman, plagued by demonic flame, was known for holding back the least. He quickly gathered his limited soul power into his eyes—he didn't have his future OP spirit beasts like the Skydream Iceworm yet. If this didn't work, his story would end here.
Just then, the soul power gained from devouring souls suddenly surged. A translucent, gray-white soul ring emerged beneath his feet.
A strange sensation bloomed within him. His eyes finally had a proper outlet for his soul power. Without hesitation, he activated it.
The red-clad woman froze. Her gaze locked with Huo Yuhao's—and in an instant, her mind spiraled.
She felt like she was trapped in a cataclysmic storm, tossed helplessly like a leaf in a tidal wave.
"AHHHH—!!"
She screamed, clutching her head, collapsing as black flames erupted from the phoenix shadow behind her. The flames burned so hot that even the granite beneath them melted into molten slag.
"Not good! Xiao Tao's demonic fire is breaking loose!"
The Shrek team panicked. They rushed to restrain the red-haired woman, pouring soul power into her.
It really is her…
Huo Yuhao's mind snapped into focus.
Now's my only chance!
No time to study his new soul ring or skill—he turned and ran. The six inspectors were struggling to contain their comrade, leaving them no room to stop him.
But in the shadows, danger lurked.
Just as the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole watches behind.
Several black-robed figures who had been hiding finally revealed themselves.
The leader raised a hand—and Huo Yuhao froze in place.
The others instantly activated their martial souls. Countless soul rings rose from beneath their feet and launched skills at the Shrek team.
"Evil soul masters—Titled Douluo-level!"
"Help! AHHH—"
The one who had immobilized Huo Yuhao walked forward, licked his pale lips, and pressed a hand over his own belly. Then, he bowed slightly toward Huo Yuhao.
"We welcome the descent of our Holy Son. He has arrived—and even brought back our Saintess. What a glorious day!"
The timeline has changed. This time, the Holy Spirit Church shall have its wish fulfilled.
For thousands of years, they sought a Holy Son in vain.
Let this Huo Yuhao become the dark legacy they've waited for.
(End of Chapter)
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