Douluo Continent, Donghai City.
As a vital coastal hub of the Sun Moon Federation, Donghai City stood as a pinnacle of modern development, its skyline a testament to the marriage of soul technology and maritime commerce.
Deep within the opulent estate of the prestigious Xie Family, a boy of six years sat cross-legged in the center of a lush garden. He had just finished his morning physical regimen. Despite his youth, his features possessed a sharp, heroic edge—the kind of natural charisma that hinted at a future "god-tier" heartthrob. More striking, however, was his gaze: steady, piercing, and possessed of a clinical calm that no six-year-old should rightfully own.
His name was Xie Xie.
"Six years," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper against the morning breeze. "I've been in this world for six years. Today is the day of my Spirit Awakening, which means..."
A flicker of cold light crossed his eyes. "...the plot is about to begin."
He was a Transmigrator.
In his previous life, he had been an ordinary man who had succumbed to exhaustion after an all-night web novel marathon. He had woken up as the young master of the Xie Family in Donghai City. In the original trajectory of this world, he was destined to become one of the Shrek Seven Devils—the Time-Space Douluo—a genius with Innate Full Soul Power.
While that future was illustrious, Xie Xie was a pragmatist. He knew this era did not belong to him. This was the Legend of the Dragon King, an age dominated by the bloodlines of ancient sovereigns. Compared to a true Dragon, his original twin daggers—the Light and Shadow Dragon Daggers—were practically toys.
"As a transmigrator without a System," Xie Xie mused, a faint, self-deprecating smile playing on his lips, "my best bet was to cultivate like a madman and secure my position before the Child of Destiny took center stage."
He wasn't bitter. He knew the gap between a commoner's soul and the lineage of the Sea God, Tang Wulin. However, he had no intention of being anyone's lackey. As a man with the "foresight" of the future, he had his own ambitions.
Especially regarding certain regrets, he thought, his eyes narrowing with calculation. Na'er should be appearing in Aolai City soon. I need to move according to plan.
"Xiao Xie, I knew I'd find you here."
A gentle voice broke his reverie. Xie Xie turned to see a graceful woman approaching. It was his mother, Jiang Yun.
"It's the most important day of your life, and you're still out here training?" she asked, her voice a mix of exasperation and pride.
"Mom," Xie Xie stood up, brushing the dirt from his clothes. "I was just warming up. Excellence requires preparation."
"You're far too serious for your age," Jiang Yun sighed, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "Come. Your father has been waiting in the Main Hall. We shouldn't keep him."
Xie Xie nodded, his expression returning to its usual stoic mask. He followed her toward the manor's central hall, his mind already calculating the variables of the coming ceremony.
Inside the hall, a tall, imposing man stood waiting. This was Xie Tianhai, the head of the Xie Family. His cold, handsome face softened the moment he saw his wife and son.
"Honey, you didn't need to fetch him," Xie Tianhai said with a beaming smile, stepping forward to pull Jiang Yun into a warm embrace. "Xiao Xie knows the importance of today."
"What are you doing? Our son is right there..." Jiang Yun protested, her face flushing a deep crimson.
"He's just a kid, what does he know?" Xie Tianhai laughed, though he eventually pulled back, clearing his throat to regain his dignity.
Xie Xie remained silent, a mental "facepalm" occurring in his mind. If you two are going to be this affectionate in front of me, don't be surprised when I bring home several daughters-in-law later.
His gaze shifted to the center of the room. A Spirit Awakening Formation had already been meticulously laid out, surrounded by glowing Awakening Stones.
In this era, Spirit Awakening was a standardized procedure. Twenty thousand years ago, during the Spirit Hall era, even a low-level Spirit Grandmaster like Su Yuntao could perform it. For a clan like the Xie Family, which boasted a lineage of Titled Douluos, conducting their own awakening was a matter of pride and efficiency. They didn't need to wait for the Federation's public Awakening Day.
"Xie Xie, step into the center," Xie Tianhai commanded, his tone shifting to one of professional gravity.
As he spoke, a dark, draconic shadow flickered behind him. His hands elongated into sharp, obsidian Dragon Claws, and a suffocating pressure filled the room. Seven Spirit Rings rose from beneath his feet, dancing in the air:
Purple, Purple, Purple, Purple, Purple, Purple, Black!
At only thirty-five years old, Xie Tianhai was a Spirit Saint (Rank 70+). His Martial Soul, the Shadow Dragon, was a high-tier soul that commanded respect throughout Donghai City.
"Understood," Xie Xie said firmly. He stepped into the heart of the magic circle.
The moment he entered the formation, Xie Tianhai surged his Soul Power forward. Warm, golden energy flooded the runes, spiraling upward and into Xie Xie's pores.
It's coming, Xie Xie thought, his heart racing despite his efforts to remain clinical.
In the original story, he would awaken twin daggers and Innate Full Soul Power. Compared to Tang Wulin, who at this stage would only have a pathetic Rank 3 Soul Power with Blue Silver Grass, Xie Xie was starting with a massive lead.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Xie Xie's pupils dilated. A sensation he hadn't expected—a cold, digital clarity—sliced through the warmth of the awakening energy.
"What's happening?" Jiang Yun whispered, her hands clenched to her chest.
A blinding explosion of golden light erupted from the formation, completely swallowing Xie Xie's figure. The sheer intensity of the light forced Xie Tianhai to shield his eyes. Behind the boy, an illusory dragon shadow began to manifest. It wasn't the lithe, shadowy form of the Xie lineage. It was a shimmering, Blue-Gold Giant Dragon that seemed to exist across multiple dimensions at once.
"This... this isn't the Shadow Dragon," Xie Tianhai gasped, his voice trembling.
Inside the pillar of light, Xie Xie stared at his hands. They had transformed into iridescent dragon claws, humming with the power of the void. But it was the voice in his head that truly froze his soul.
[Binding Successful. Unparalleled System, Code Name: 001, is now online.]
[Detected Host Awakening: Light Dragon Dagger & Shadow Dragon Dagger. Potential: Time-Space Dragon.]
["Unrivaled Peerless" Passive Effect: Activated.]
[Evolution Triggered: Martial Soul has ascended to the Ultimate Form.]
[Congratulations! You have awakened the Divine Martial Soul: Time-Space Dragon King.]
Xie Xie's throat bobbed as he clenched his new, god-like claws.
The "Golden Finger" he had waited six years for hadn't just arrived—it had rewritten his destiny. He was no longer a supporting character.
He was the glitch in the world's design.