Selection System

Tianhun Empire, Benti Village

In a small, humble house, Han Yu stood at the center of a hexagram formation. Before him was a peculiar man with an oversized head, twice the size of an average person's.

"Child, stand still. My name is Lang Ya, and I will awaken your martial spirit. Don't be afraid!"

Han Yu regarded the big-headed man with a calm nod. In his previous life on Planet Earth, he had been an ordinary worker—factory employee, waiter, courier—struggling to survive each day.

Six years ago, he had found himself in this world, the Douluo Continent. Though he didn't understand how he got here, he had adapted after a brief period of adjustment.

As a standard worker, he had learned about the Douluo world through novels, which became his only source of entertainment due to his limited finances.

In this life, he was an orphan raised by various families, now living in a small mountain village near the Body Sect. Most villagers were ordinary people with ties to the Body Sect, lacking soul power and assigned to menial tasks.

Every year, members of the Body Sect would come to awaken the martial souls of the villagers for free, hoping to recruit those who manifested body martial souls to sustain their ranks.

Today was the day for the village's martial soul awakening. Standing in the formation, Han Yu felt a warm light envelop him.

"Ding! Please choose your initial talent!"

"System?"

Surprised, Han Yu realized there was indeed a system. He understood it to be a tool that could help him grow stronger. A transparent screen appeared before his eyes:

Cultivation Maniac: Innate soul power level 1, random low-level martial soul. Each soul ring acquired increases soul power cultivation speed by 100% based on the current level, infinitely stacking.

Unboxing Master: Innate soul power level 4, random intermediate martial soul. Each soul ring acquired spawns three treasure chests of random quality; choose one to enhance attributes!

Soul Guidance Master: Poor quality martial soul, random low-level martial soul. Doubles the production and learning power of soul guides.

Han Yu quickly ruled out the Cultivation Maniac; it would take too long to see benefits. The Soul Guidance Masterdidn't suit him either, as he couldn't access high-end techniques. The Unboxing Master seemed like the best option, offering a decent level of innate soul power close to the average.

"I just want to live well," he thought, realizing the first option favored those with strong backgrounds. He was curious about what treasures lay within the chests.

"Ding! Congratulations! You've chosen the talent: Unboxing Master. Your first reward is a white-level treasure chest."

"Acquired a growable martial soul: Sharingan. Martial soul awakened!"

"Please choose from the white-level treasure chest:"

Increase physique by 50%, decrease mental power by 50%.

Increase total soul power by 50%, decrease physique and mental power by 25% each.

Increase mental power by 50%, decrease physique and soul power by 25% each.

Han Yu frowned, contemplating his options. "What are these choices?" Each option improved basic attributes, but each came with significant drawbacks.

The Sharingan should have the potential to evolve, so choosing physique could be risky. "If my mental power drops too much, will I lose my mind?"

After much thought, he decided that while soul power might be weak initially, it would be harder to enhance physique later on.

"I choose option three!"

"Ding! Your mental power is increased by 50%, while physical and soul power are reduced by 25%!"

As the system confirmed his choice, Han Yu felt clarity wash over him, though he quickly experienced a wave of weakness.

"Tch, I feel drained, like I've been hollowed out!" He steadied himself, pale and shaky.

"Eye martial soul!" Lang Ya exclaimed. Han Yu looked up, surprised.

"Yes, child! Let's see if you possess soul power. If you do, you can become a soul master."

Lang Ya presented a crystal ball for Han Yu to place his hands on. As he did, a faint light began to glow, reaching 40% before stabilizing.

Lang Ya's expression shifted to one of pity. "Level 4 innate soul power is good. Your martial soul is impressive. Are you willing to join the Body sect?"

Han Yu understood Lang Ya's disappointment; his innate power was still relatively low. However, eyes were considered top-tier martial souls because they connected directly to the brain.

"I am willing to join the Body Sect, senior!" Han Yu bowed. Joining would only benefit him; the sect was a powerful force, known for protecting its members.

"Good! Clean up, and I'll pick you up tomorrow to head to the Body Sect," Lang Ya said with satisfaction, patting Han Yu's head before departing.

"Yes, senior." Han Yu returned home, eager to explore his Sharingan martial soul and its potential.

Fetching a basin of clear water, he gazed into it.

"Sharingan!"

Han Yu closed his eyes and opened them instantly, revealing a pair of striking, enchanting eyes in the water's reflection.