Douluo Continent, Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City.
As the capital of the Star Luo Empire, Star Luo City is undoubtedly the empire's largest city and serves as its political, cultural, and economic center. It is known as the "Imperial Capital That Will Never Fall."
The city walls of Star Luo City are a towering 100 meters tall, and the walls themselves are also a formidable 100 meters thick, built entirely from solid rock. The city spans over 1,000 square kilometers, stretching over 100 li (approx. 50 km) in both directions. The widest main roads can accommodate sixteen horse-drawn carriages traveling side by side in both directions. And this is just the outer city.
At the heart of the entire city lies the Inner City, the true "city within a city." It stretches 960 meters long and 750 meters wide, with walls 20 meters high. This palace was already built when the White Tiger Duke's line was still part of the royal family. After several renovations, it has become more and more grand, with architectural splendor reaching new heights.
Star Luo City has a permanent population of over 8 million, and can accommodate up to 20 million people including outsiders.
Bustling noise fills the air of Star Luo City. On the red-paved roadside, a purple dress dances lightly in the breeze.
A beautiful young girl, around eight or nine years old, with purple hair and red eyes, dressed in a purple dress and over-the-knee black stockings, is holding the hand of a six-year-old boy. The boy has short white hair, fluttering in the wind, and sky-blue eyes that look as deep as the heavens. Within his sapphire-like pupils is a look of quiet resignation.
"Sister Jiujiu, I can go by myself. I know where the palace is."
"No way. Today is your Martial Soul Awakening Day. I must personally take you there."
"Alright..." Ji Lin replied helplessly.
Ji Lin sighed softly. He had little anticipation for the upcoming martial soul awakening—because he already knew what martial soul he would awaken.
This boy's name is Ji Lin, a transmigrator who arrived in the Douluo Continent six years ago. Two years after his arrival, his parents were killed during a soul beast hunt in the Star Dou Forest. Both of them were disciples of the Xingguan Sect. His mother, surnamed Xu, was from a side branch of the sect and of the same generation as the current emperor Xu Jiawei's father. However, since she did not inherit the sect's martial soul, she was not highly regarded. Otherwise, she wouldn't have died in the Star Dou Forest. His father, surnamed Ji, had a fire-element tool martial soul—Crimson Flame Sword, a high-level martial soul but not a top-tier one.
After his parents' death, the Xingguan Sect took in the two-year-old Ji Lin and brought him from Xingyun City to Star Luo City. Xu Jiujiu, a princess, was one of the first people he met there. She loved it when Ji Lin called her "sister"—being the youngest princess, she was rarely addressed that way, and Ji Lin was the only one younger than her among her peers.
Xu Jiujiu brought Ji Lin through Star Luo Plaza and into the imperial palace, arriving at a certain palace hall. Waiting at the entrance was a Soul Saint-level soul master.
This Soul Saint, Zhang Wei, was a level 72 agility-type battle soul master, with a beast martial soul—Fierce Wind Eagle.
"Princess," Zhang Wei bowed respectfully.
"Thank you. I've brought Xiao Lin. Let's begin the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony," Xu Jiujiu nodded.
She turned to Ji Lin and said:
"Xiao Lin, this is the special martial soul awakening hall used by the royal family."
"Let me see what kind of martial soul you awaken," she said expectantly.
"Don't worry, Jiujiu-jie. I promise I won't let you down," Ji Lin replied calmly.
They entered the depths of the hall. Zhang Wei glanced at Ji Lin, then with a flash of light from his hand, took out six black stones.
Arranging the stones in place, Zhang Wei made a hand seal. A golden six-pointed star formation appeared.
Intricate patterns filled the formation, radiating mysterious power.
"Step into the formation," Zhang Wei instructed.
Ji Lin quickly obeyed and stepped into the array.
In the next moment, Zhang Wei released an overwhelming aura. Behind him, a mighty eagle seemed to soar, its sharp gaze filled with soul-piercing power.
"Rise!"
With a soft shout, the six-pointed star lit up brightly, turning into a golden light barrier enveloping Ji Lin.
Golden energy began entering Ji Lin's body, seemingly to awaken some dormant power deep inside him.
Soon, red-hot light burst from Ji Lin's body. The air temperature began to rise. A crimson greatsword appeared in Ji Lin's hand, emitting an aura of total annihilation.
This sword had a black hilt, with a crimson blade wrapped in destructive flames—both elegant and terrifying in its destructive force.
Its mere presence shattered the clouds above Star Luo City, letting blazing sunlight pour down.
At that moment, Emperor Xu Jiawei and the royal Offering Hall's elders rushed toward the hall from across the city, drawn by the immense energy.
Looking at the greatsword in his hand, Ji Lin was exhilarated. Although he already knew what martial soul he would awaken, feeling the destructive force in his hands still made his heart race.
The martial soul—Judgment Of Shamash, also known as the Seventh Divine Key—originates from Ji Lin's previous life on Earth, in the game Honkai Impact 3rd. It was a weapon made from the core of the Flame Herrscher, capable of wielding the power of flame and destruction.
Ji Lin's form of the Judgment Of Shamash wasn't the dual-pistol type, but the merged greatsword version—an innate super tool martial soul combining ultimate destruction and flame.
"Such a powerful martial soul... what a terrifying aura," Zhang Wei finally snapped out of his shock.
"Is this the Crimson Flame Sword? No... this isn't the same as your father's martial soul. Could this be a martial soul mutation? It's so hot, the fire elements in the air are boiling," Xu Jiujiu exclaimed, fanning herself adorably.
"What happened here? What was that intense aura just now?" asked Emperor Xu Jiawei as he entered the hall with the elders. They thought a powerful intruder had entered the palace.
But all they saw was a stunned Zhang Wei, Xu Jiujiu, and Ji Lin holding a massive sword.
"This is the Awakening Hall. If I recall correctly, today is Xiao Ji Lin's martial soul awakening. So what happened here? Where did that overwhelming energy come from?" Xu Jiawei asked with a frown.