The sunlight gently spills onto the lawn of the City Lord's Mansion, draping the lush green grass with a delicate golden veil.
A girl, appearing to be fourteen or fifteen years old, kneels gracefully on the lawn.
Her long, jet-black hair cascades smoothly over her shoulders, shimmering with an enchanting luster under the sunlight.
She wears a simple yet elegant light purple dress that perfectly outlines her graceful figure.
At this moment, her slender, beautiful legs are wrapped in delicate black silk, exuding an indescribable allure.
On these captivating legs rests a six-year-old boy with white hair and red eyes—Lu Jingming.
He is blissfully enjoying the exclusive privilege of a lap pillow, his face radiating contentment and satisfaction.
The black-haired girl's fair, jade-like fingers gently and rhythmically massage Lu Jingming's forehead and temples with skilled, natural movements.
From her fluid, seamless actions, it's clear she has spent considerable time and effort mastering this massage technique, all for the sake of the boy before her.
Lu Jingming comfortably shifts his position, catching a pleasant fragrance at the tip of his nose. He knows the girl doesn't use perfume; this is her natural scent, intoxicating and captivating.
Resting on her soft thighs, Lu Jingming can't help but marvel at how quickly girls grow up.
When he first met her, she was just a little girl who had lost her family, panic-stricken and crying her eyes out. Six years have passed in the blink of an eye, and that little girl has transformed entirely, both in appearance and personality.
Feeling the boy's affectionate movements, the girl's cheeks flush with two delicate blushes, like peach blossoms blooming in spring.
She instinctively presses her legs together, but her eyes show no trace of rejection. Her gaze toward Lu Jingming is filled with indulgence, as if he were the most precious treasure in the world.
"Xiao Ming, today is the day you awaken your martial soul! If you're late, Teacher Jing Liu will punish you again," the black-haired girl says gently, smoothing Lu Jingming's snow-white hair as if suddenly recalling something important.
Her voice is soft and melodious, like the chirping of a nightingale in the woods, laced with concern.
At her words, Lu Jingming freezes as if struck by Medusa's petrifying gaze.
His mind flashes with memories of past punishments from Jing Liu, and he shudders involuntarily.
Jing Liu is undoubtedly an exceptional teacher—rigorous, dedicated, and generous with her knowledge.
But at times, her strictness borders on harshness, especially with Lu Jingming. Since he was three, she has demanded he practice swordsmanship.
In those days, the young boy struggled with the tedious and grueling training, complaining endlessly and even throwing tantrums to sway the icy swordswoman. But Jing Liu remained unmoved.
Even this girl, Jing Liu's prized disciple, didn't dare plead for leniency on Lu Jingming's behalf when faced with her teacher's strictness.
All she could do was learn massage techniques to help ease his fatigue after his arduous training, which is why she worked so hard to perfect her skills.
"Sister Le Xuan, why didn't you say earlier?! I'm done for! I've stood up Teacher, and I won't have a single good day for the next month!"
Lu Jingming scrambles up from Zhang Le Xuan's lap, shouting in a panic.
Before his words fully fade, he bolts upright and races toward the Awakening Hall of the City Lord's Mansion like a gust of wind.
Today is a momentous day for Lu Jingming. Having just turned six, he is about to experience the critical moment of his martial soul awakening.
Jing Liu has meticulously prepared the highest-grade awakening ceremony for him, but he was so engrossed in Zhang Le Xuan's irresistible massage skills that he completely forgot about this important event.
If not for Zhang Le Xuan's timely reminder, he might have absentmindedly stood Jing Liu up.
Watching Lu Jingming's hurried figure disappear, Zhang Le Xuan covers her mouth and chuckles softly.
Then, as if recalling something, her expression dims, and she murmurs softly, "It's been six years already."
Thinking back to six years ago, a trace of sorrow flashes in Zhang Le Xuan's eyes. She once had a happy, complete family, but a sea soul beast invasion claimed her father, the family's pillar, who died fighting on the battlefield.
With the loss of their only Soul Saint, the family's enemies seized the opportunity, slaughtering the entire Zhang clan. She survived only because she was playing hide-and-seek with her mother and had hidden herself.
Originally, she planned to escape secretly, grow stronger, and return for revenge. But unexpectedly, the group that massacred her family was swiftly cut down by a stunning sword immortal wielding an icy blade.
At the time, that sword immortal was cradling a newborn baby in her arms. Thinking of that baby, Zhang Le Xuan's face softens into a warm smile.
That baby was none other than the boy from moments ago—Lu Jingming, the son of her father's sworn brother and her betrothed.
She had only teased Lu Jingming earlier to scare him, knowing how mischievous he could be despite his young age.
But in truth, how could she bear to let him be punished for being late?
In her heart, Lu Jingming is an irreplaceably precious existence, and she could never let him suffer.
Lu Jingming races frantically, the wind whistling past his ears.
Along the way, the guards and maids of the City Lord's Mansion bow respectfully, addressing him as "City Lord."
Why would a mere six-year-old boy be the lord of a city? It stems from a tragedy six years ago.
Six years ago, Lu Jingming had just transmigrated to this world. His father in this life died fighting a sea soul beast invasion, and his mother, yet to fully embrace the joy of motherhood, learned of her husband's death.
The devastating blow, combined with her already weakened state, was too much for her body and spirit to bear.
In her overwhelming grief and frailty, she only had time to glance at her newborn son before passing away with endless regret.
This series of tragedies left Lu Jingming, newly reincarnated into the Douluo Continent, utterly stunned.
Having just arrived in this world, before he could familiarize himself with his surroundings, he lost both parents in this life, making him wonder if he was cursed with a lone star's fate.
(End of Chapter)