Mu Yuan's sixth birthday arrived quietly.
Ancient Wood Village did not hold grand celebrations, but the Mu family home was warm with laughter. Villagers came with small gifts—dried herbs, fruit wine, fresh vegetables—and Mu Yuan's grandmother cooked his favorite dishes.
Everyone called him Little Tree and patted his head.
Mu Yuan smiled politely, but his heart was nervous.
Because tomorrow was his martial soul awakening.
That night, Mu Qingshan sat beside him and spoke gently.
"Do not worry," his grandfather said. "Every person in Douluo Continent has a martial soul. What matters is how you grow it."
Mu Yuan nodded.
He already knew that much.
What he did not know… was his future.
---
The next morning, Mu Qingshan prepared the awakening ceremony in the courtyard.
Six black stones were placed on the ground in a circle, forming a small formation. Mu Yuan stood at the center while his grandfather released soul power into the stones.
Soft light rose.
Leaves rustled without wind.
Mu Yuan felt warmth spread through his body, like roots touching water.
Then light appeared in his palm.
A willow tree.
Blue-green branches, thin silver tint on the leaves.
Mu Yuan's heart shook.
Azure-Silver Willow.
---
After the martial soul appeared, Mu Qingshan took out a clear crystal ball.
"Test your innate soul power," he said.
Mu Yuan placed his hand on it.
Light filled the crystal quickly.
Mu Qingshan's eyes widened slightly.
"Good innate soul power," he said calmly, though his voice carried surprise.
The family celebrated again that day.
Mu Yuan's grandmother hugged him tightly. His mother cried with joy. His father laughed loudly.
Their Little Tree had a strong start.
---
That evening, Lin Yaozhi taught Mu Yuan the Mu family's main meditation method.
"Azure Wood Meditation," she said softly. "Imagine yourself as an ancient tree. Roots deep, branches wide. Breathe with heaven and earth."
Mu Yuan sat quietly and followed her instructions.
Breath slow.
Mind calm.
Soul power moved gently.
For the first time, he felt truly connected to his martial soul.
---
The next morning, Mu Yuan woke before sunrise.
A strange understanding appeared in his mind.
Not knowledge from books.
Not memory from his old life.
Something deeper.
He understood that at every stage of cultivation, he would gain a special inheritance connected to mythical trees.
Mu Yuan sat still for a long time.
He did not tell anyone yet.
Because even he did not fully understand it.
But he knew one thing.
His path in Douluo Continent… would not be ordinary.