Douluo Dalu: 1st Cycle: Dancing Panda

The train finally departed from the station. It was going to be about a 30 minute ride to Star Luo City from the Green Tiger town. The trains were similar to those of Earth. The teacher simply scanned a code from the tickets he bought for both Karni and himself.

They sat down near a window and the teacher had a realisation. "You come from far away right? I'm guessing you don't have a Soul Communicator."

Karni shook his head. "I don't know where to buy it and even then, I have no money to buy one, I heard they are expensive." Karni knew that the Soul Communicator was something similar to a phone from his world.

"Right, most people from small places don't have a communicator. In that case, before we go to the academy, we should go to the city centre and get you some necessities." Karni didn't have anything on him after all. He needed clothes, some food and he needed to get familiar with the environment. This is going to be his home for the foreseeable future after all.

He didn't know just how expensive these soul communicators can be. Nor was he aware that he was getting preferential treatment at this moment. Phones from his world were, after all, available to the whole populace, the exception being some underdeveloped countries.

The ride went past quickly and soon the city was seen from a distance. It was quite massive and modern. It looked like the big cities from his former world. The sheer size of it looked much bigger than those, or more accurately, it appeared similar to the biggest cities from Earth.

After all, this was once a capital of one of the three big empires, the Star Luo Empire. This empire now existed on another continent and their capital was also called Star Luo City. 

The Star Luo Empire had to run away a few thousand years ago due to the ever increasing development of the Sun Moon Federation; but they did leave behind a lot of their legacy. A very similar thing happened to the Duo Ling Empire.

The City names in the original continent stayed the same, due to that legacy. This was also why, when Karni first arrived, he asked Tie Tiao about which continent he was on. He was in the Sun-Moon Federation, but it was the former capital of the Star Luo Empire, hence, it was still the Star Luo City. Even the Academy had the "City" in its name, since the one in the Star Luo Empire, the Star Luo Continent, was called the Star Luo Imperial Academy. 

The city oozed the vitality of a twenty thousand year old history. The closer they got, the more skyscrapers they were seeing. Karni was filled with a sense of wonder, in his previous life, he enjoyed travelling and discovering new places.

Coming to this world wasn't as wondrous. All he could feel at the time was sadness. But now that he was already in this world for some time, that sense of wanderlust returned. He finally started seeing more of this strange planet of Douluo. 

They reached the city and stepped off at the central train station. To describe the first feeling Karni had when he came here: *It's bright!*. Lights were everywhere and everything was shining, it gave him a bit of nostalgia of when he visited New York City back in his old world.

They navigated towards the academy and on the way Yi Lan was introducing the buildings and what purpose they served. Some were general stores for clothing, food, entertainment and basic technology. Others were meant for some medicine, blacksmithing and there were quite a few for mecha professions. He also showed the main headquarters of mecha craftsmen, as Karni will need such knowledge in the future.

On the way, Karni bought a few sets of clothes and was introduced to the stipend that soul masters get. They bought some food for take out and went the rest of the way towards Star Luo City Academy. Soon the academy came into view.

It was a fancy building. Among all of the modern buildings, it had a classic design. A big courtyard in the middle, and the whole academy was clearly separated into three parts. You could see students coming and going, all ranging from 6 to 30 year olds. Of course the sections they came out of were different.

Yi Lan started explaining. "The junior school is in the rightmost section of the academy and it is also the biggest one, most of the people who come here are either nobles or talented soul scholars with potential like yourself. Seeing as you are already an 11th ranked soul master, you already have the qualifications for passing to the intermediate part of the academy, however you need to study the basic knowledge first before we can let you there. Work hard so that you can have high soul power by the time you get to the intermediate academy. Alright, let's show you to the dorms."

Yi Lan took Karni to some of the side buildings next to the junior academy. "These are the dorms, you can't settle in yet as we have to go into the academy to register you. As I have already sent word to them, it should be done fast. Most of the students come from the city so there aren't many residents in the dorms. Because of that, they are quite luxurious, you have a private bathroom with a bath and shower. However the canteen is on the first floor and it is shared, you are only allowed there during certain times, you'll get the schedule later on."

After he finished explaining some of the rules one has to abide by he took Karni into the academy. "You will have to prove your soul power and show your martial souls. That way, they confirm you are fit to join the academy. After all, most of the students here are from influential families. As for the other children, they study in the other academies of the city, this is just the most prestigious one. The talented children can later join the intermediate academy."

Karni simply nodded, he had to memorise these things if he wanted to have a peaceful life here. He already decided that he'll try not to stand out.

When they came to a stop Karni realised that they were in front of an office which belonged to the junior academy's dean. Yi Lan knocked and there was a: "Come in!" heard from the other side. Karni was met with a kind older gentleman, he guessed that this was the dean of the junior academy.

"Ah, Yi Lan, I'm guessing this is the child you were talking about? Come on in, make yourself comfortable." He invited both Karni and Yi Lan to sit on the chairs set in front of the dean's table.

"Now Karni, don't be nervous. This old man just wants you to demonstrate your abilities and write down your general information. Nothing too scary." The old man looked kindly in Karni's direction and simply explained what he had to fill out.

Karni nodded and showed both of his martial souls. The dean was astonished. Even if he had already heard the news of twin martial souls appearing, seeing it in person was a different experience. When he saw the bright yellow ring he didn't even ask for an evaluation of soul power. He simply passed on some papers.

Karni read the papers and got a bit worried. He had to put down place of birth and current residence. Other information wasn't a problem.

Seeing the look on Karni's face the dean immediately remembered. "Ah right, teacher Yi Lan did tell me you suddenly appeared out of a forest. In that case just leave those two places empty and fill out the rest."

Karni relaxed a bit and put down the other information. Height, gender, weight, he was already examined for those by Yi Lan beforehand. He calculated which year he would have to be born to be 6 years old, and put down the date and name as Karni Val.

He returned the paper to the dean who smiled. "What a peculiar name, you truly are from a distant place aren't you Karni?". All that Karni could do was nod in embarrassment.

"Hahaha, no need to be embarrassed, Yi Lan, please show this young man to the students dorm. Your number is dorm 03. Quite a lucky number." It looked like the dean was quite easygoing in terms of management, but then again, he was a dean of the junior academy after all. It was necessary to have a big heart.

Yi Lan escorted Karni out. "As you have already fulfilled the requirement of soul power, you can choose to take some classes from the intermediate academy once you reach second year. Specifically those related to Martial Soul training."

Karni was a bit surprised.

As if knowing his questions, Yi Lan answered. "Most of the curriculum is made for Soul Scholars - those who hadn't yet gained 10th rank of soul power. Since you have awakened with full innate soul power, you get to study the curriculum for Soul Masters."

Karni understood this. Yi Lan continued. "For anyone who reaches Soul Master rank, they can study some of the contents of the intermediate academy. This is made because most of the children here have either background or talent. Hence, their cultivation is usually faster than the general populace. And besides, you won't be alone in attending the Intermediate Classes."

Karni was surprised yet again. Was there another child who had innate full soul power here?

"Once you reach the age to go to the intermediate academy, you will have to move to the dorms either way. You won't have much luxury, no matter the talent. The only way to get more luxury is to work hard. This also counts for all of the other children, no matter the background."

Yi Lan brought Karni to the dorms and left Karni to his own devices. Finally arriving in the dorm room, Karni almost immediately fell asleep without even unpacking his bags. He was going to spend the next 9 years in this academy. And he'll have to be here alone. He slept soundly that night.

…

The next morning Karni was full of energy. He decided to start cultivating the technique that teacher Yi Lan taught him. While he felt quite magical when cultivating, he was also aware that this technique didn't seem too hard to cultivate at all. He knew of a better technique that existed in this world after all. That technique was called the Mysterious Heaven Technique. It originated from the Tang Sect. This sect was established by Tang San, the first protagonist of Soul Land who, like him, also came from a different world. Those techniques were originally from Tang San's world.

It was a top tier cultivation technique that also affected the physique of the soul master. His priority in the next nine years was: first, raise his soul power to at least high 20s, second, use his talents to get into Shrek Academy when the six years and third, become a member of the Tang Sect. The Tang Sect had many techniques that were wondrous. A great foot technique called the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track,. There was a technique to nurture the eyes, the Purple Demon Eyes, and there were also techniques for tougher hands and manipulation of weight, the latter of which is a grappling technique. To him, everything will be very useful in his future cultivation.

Meanwhile Shrek Academy will be the best place to both learn and become stronger. If he had any hope at going home, it was through Shrek Academy.

He continued to cultivate. His mind wondered. In his past life he found the act of meditating to be fake, only serving to maybe calm oneself down. But here he genuinely manipulated energy to course through his body, and there were even small specks of gold woven in a tiny string that seemed to help him. It was all very real. Time passed so fast while doing so. With fast passage however, came hunger.

He went to the canteen and was surprised that it was completely empty. After some thought, he realised that he woke up pretty late for a student. Luckily for him, the classes haven't started yet. He was secretly hoping to meet this other soul master who had full innate soul power like him. Perhaps he could make a friend? Or maybe that person is full of arrogance. Six years old can have many tendencies. He might have to wait until he grows older before making a true friend. His mental age was higher after all.

After filling his stomach, he decided to go outside of the academy for a bit. He stayed close to it though. He was but a 6 year old child when it came to his body. While going down one of the streets he saw an interesting building. On the building, in big letters, was written: Tang Sect Museum.

Now this intrigued him. With Tang Sect being a very ancient organisation - it was 20.000 years old - and knowing it wasn't usually shown in public throughout the federation, he immediately went in. After all, his goal was to someday join Tang Sect.

The building exuded the elegance of all the museums. The walls were clean and completely white. They were decorated with pictures and texts of the ancient sect's history.

He read five of these texts. They were explaining how the sect got established, its temporary downfall and later rise ten thousand years ago and a lot of other less known facts. When he reached the end there was one last line. "The sect today doesn't have a presence in the Sun Moon Empire, however if one went to the Star Luo Continent one could see their branches in the cities of the Empire."

Seeing this Karni thought out loud. "Wait a minute, doesn't the sect operate in secrecy here?"

Suddenly a soft feminine voice answered from behind him. "The museum is a simple representation of the past, just like how the museums about the continent exist, this museum simply presents the facts of the history. There is no doubt that throughout history, the Tang Sect played major roles."

The woman in her 20s then gave Karni an inquisitive look. "Child, why do you think they would still have a presence in our Sun Moon Federation?"

Karni said back. "I'm sorry I just kind of assumed that, since they started in Douluo Continent they would still exist here in some way or another." He was currently sweating bullets, this probably wasn't a general knowledge sort of thing. He could only act like a kid right now.

The staff worker laughed. "Kid, you're surprisingly smart for your age, you're half right, they do still have influence here, however it is indirect from the Star Luo Continent, otherwise with such well known legends it would be hard to keep them underground don't you think so?"

That wasn't true, Karni knew that much. In fact he was also aware that the headquarters of the Sect, were in fact, in the Sun Moon Empire. However this was meta knowledge. She already looked at him weirdly and tried to dismiss him, he shouldn't pry into this anymore.

"That's a shame, I was hoping I could one day join the sect." Karni said with the most 'Child full of wonder voice'. *Please don't look at me suspiciously.* He thought to himself.

The worker chuckled. "The owner of our museum is a big fan of the Tang Sect too. He visited the Star Luo Continent once and became infatuated by it. Since then, he regularly visits it and updates anything new he finds there."

Karni asked yet another question to this. "So then is the owner also a part of the Tang Sect? Since they operate in the Star Luo Continent?"

Another voice came from Karni's side at this point. "No, I'm not."

Both Karni and the female staff worker looked towards the direction of the voice at the same time. "Sir!" The worker bowed a little.

"To become a member of the Tang Sect is much too difficult." The man sighed. "First of all I'm not even a soul master, but only a rich guy with a hobby. And secondly, the only way you can become a member is if a member recommends you. Besides, we are on a different continent all together."

"Oh…" Is the only thing Karni could mutter. He remembered something like that being mentioned in the novels.

"Kid, are you a soul master?" The owner asked, to which Karni nodded.

"And you want to become part of the Tang Sect? You have to be both someone with potential and someone with virtuous character." Karni didn't know what exactly to say to that, that he is virtuous? Wouldn't that sound like something a virtuous person wouldn't say?

"Well, good luck." Said the owner and turned around. Karni simply stared, confused. What's with this weird old man?

He heard the female staff member chuckle to the side. "That's our boss, and he is also a bit eccentric. Don't worry, he only meant well." 

They talked some more about the history of the Tang Sect and she also asked Karni where he came from, as she found him to be a curious young boy. Eventually though, he left, feeling quite energetic. This was a fun experience.

The owner came to the staff worker. "What's the little guy's name?"

"Oh sir? You're curious about the young boy?"

"When he said out loud that our organisation acts in secrecy, don't you think he said it like he knew it?"

The staff worker chuckled. "His name was Karni, personally I think it was just childlike imagination."

"Hmm. Keep an eye on him anyway, find out where he's from." Said the owner and then left.

The staff worker looked surprised and bowed. "Yes, sir."

… … …

Karni was unaware that he had just been put on a watch list. He simply continued to tour the city.

He stumbled upon a music shop. He played some instruments in his old world. Though he stopped with the hobby when he entered university. Perhaps it was time to bring it back to this world.

He slowly entered it and started surfing through pianos. He was most familiar with them. But he stopped, realising that he wouldn't be able to bring it back to the academy.

Continuing his search, he then stopped and stared at a small, brown ukulele.