Douluo Dalu: The Abandoned Child

A child stood in the middle of a battlefield full of spider corpses, his blood-stained clothes clinging to his skin. His piercing gaze was fixed on the sky, his lips curling into a murderous smile that belied his youthful appearance. This was Dugu Bei, triumphant after finally reaching rank 60. Two years of relentless battles, both in the forests and the Great Spirit Arena, had culminated in this.

Killing had become second nature to him. What once may have stirred hesitation or guilt now felt as natural as breathing. The edge of his blades was an extension of his will, and his eyes, once wide with childlike curiosity, now gleamed with a cold, predatory light. The innocent joy that had defined his early years had been replaced by a sharper, more vicious demeanor, a reflection of the countless battles that shaped him. He had achieved the purpose of leaving home, and now, he was just one soul ring away from becoming a Spirit Emperor.

While hunting spiders, Dugu Bei had found a rare soul beast that he deemed perfect for his sixth soul ring. However, the beast was unlike anything he had encountered before. Its mere presence exuded an overwhelming aura of power, far surpassing anything he had faced since arriving in this world. Dugu Bei wasn't sure this was not a prey he could hunt alone. He needed his grandfather's assistance to secure this beast, and he was determined to return home to make his request.

First, though, he had other priorities. After weeks in the wilderness, he longed for the comforts of the city, a hot bath and an uninterrupted night of rest. With this thought in mind, he began making his way out of the forest.

The trek back to the city was uneventful at first. The forest's usual cacophony of chirping birds and rustling leaves provided a serene backdrop as Dugu Bei strode through the undergrowth. His senses remained sharp, his movements purposeful, until he noticed a shift in the air, a faint rustling, followed by hushed whispers. He stopped abruptly, his head tilting slightly as his Spider-Sense ability alerted him to the presence of several individuals lurking nearby.

Emerging from the shadows, a group of cloaked figures stepped onto the path, blocking his way. Their faces were obscured, but their predatory smiles and greedy eyes betrayed their intentions. Dugu Bei's sharp gaze immediately assessed their strength. The strongest among them appeared to be a Spirit King, but even so, Dugu Bei felt no fear. Confidence surged through him, he was certain he could slaughter them all if it came to that.

"Quite the sight," one of the men sneered, his gaze sweeping over the blood-soaked boy. "What's a little kid like you doing all alone in a place like this?"

Another chuckled, his eyes lingering on the Spirit Tools adorning Dugu Bei's body. "Looks like the kid's carrying some fine treasures. Probably got them from his rich family. What do you think, boys? Should we lighten his load?"

Their laughter grated on Dugu Bei's nerves, and his murderous intent flared. These fools had no idea who they were dealing with. His fingers twitched as he considered how quickly he could dispatch them and continue on his way. He envisioned the fight clearly in his mind, the robbers wouldn't even have the chance to comprehend their demise.

The leader of the group took a step closer, his grin widening. "Hand over those Spirit Tools, kid, and we might just let you go. No need to make this messy."

Dugu Bei's expression darkened. He had no intention of engaging in conversation with these vermin, they were already living corpses in his eyes.

As they moved closer, their arrogance only fueled his growing rage. He was seconds away from unleashing his External Bone when a voice, sharp and commanding, echoed through the forest.

"Get away from that kid, you scumbags!"

The robbers froze, their heads snapping in the direction of the voice. Dugu Bei's eyes widened slightly as the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. The voice belonged to a woman, and she was closing in fast.