Chapter Two: The Turning of Destiny’s Gears, System Binding

Hearing the conversation between the two caretakers, Xiao Yu immediately stopped in his tracks. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

The timeline was confirmed!

Qian Xunji was dead, Bibi Dong had risen to power, and this also signified the arrival of the God King Tang. This meant that the plot of the original story was officially beginning. At this moment, Dai Mubai and Oscar were probably around two or three years old, while Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing would be born within the next year. The day when that hundred-thousand-year-old rabbit would take human form was also not far off.

"Ding, the system has detected the official start of the Douluo Continent plot. Domain System is now binding to the host..."

"The Domain System? Wasn't that the game I played before crossing over?"

Xiao Yu had just sat down in his room when he froze for a moment, then looked bewildered. "Wait a minute, isn't this a game based on Saint Seiya? How did you end up in the world of Douluo Continent?"

"Take a guess!"

A cold, mechanical voice rang out in Xiao Yu's mind.

"How am I supposed to guess! If I could have known, you wouldn't have startled me by popping up out of nowhere!"

Xiao Yu complained with some exasperation, but his usual optimism quickly cast aside this minor confusion. "Whatever. Even if the background is different, it's still a golden finger. By the way, System, I've been here for a year already. Why are you only showing up now?"

The mechanical voice replied, "On one hand, it's because the storyline here hadn't started yet. On the other, I needed to integrate with this world's rules and make adjustments. As you mentioned, I was developed based on Saint Seiya, which is quite different from Douluo Continent, so modifications were required."

"I see." Xiao Yu nodded and continued, "So, tell me, what features does this golden finger have?"

"The original function allowed the host to summon characters from Saint Seiya, provided the host completed the relevant tasks issued by the system. The tasks would be based on the progression of this world's storyline, which is why binding only occurs at the start of the main plot."

"However, after integrating with this world's rules, the system has developed new features: a shop exchange function and a Martial Spirit Bestowal function. Through the shop, the host can exchange items needed—such as unique immortal herbs or spirit bones from this world—using diamonds earned by completing tasks."

"As for the Martial Spirit Bestowal, the current plan allows for only one use, exclusively for the host, and is included in the host's beginner's package. Once the host opens and receives it, it cannot be used again."

"So that means I can establish a Domain in Douluo Continent, and as long as I summon enough powerful characters, conquering the continent and replacing the Spirit Hall wouldn't just be a dream!" Xiao Yu's face immediately lit up with joy. "This golden finger is insanely powerful! But System, what's the connection between summoning characters and completing tasks? Are there any restrictions?"

"The system tasks were originally categorized as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Divine, but after integrating with this world's framework, they're now based on spirit ring levels: White (ten years), Yellow (hundred years), Purple (thousand years), Black (ten thousand years), Red (hundred thousand years), and Gold (million years). Completing a task randomly summons a Saint Seiya character. There's no upper limit to the number of summons, but the higher the level of the task completed, the higher the minimum level of the summoned character."

"For example, if you complete a White-level task, the summoned character will at least be a substitute Saint Seiya like Cassios. Complete a Purple-level task, and the minimum summon is a Silver Saint Seiya. Their innate potential translates directly to innate soul power as follows."

As the voice finished, a golden light flickered before Xiao Yu's eyes, and several gleaming lines of text appeared:

"White-level summoned character's innate soul power range: 0.5 to 10."
"Yellow-level summoned character's innate soul power range: 2 to 10."
"Purple-level summoned character's innate soul power range: 5 to 10."
"Black-level summoned character's innate soul power range: 7 to 10."
"Red-level summoned character's innate soul power range: 9 to 10."
"Gold-level summoned character's innate soul power: 10, with a starting level of at least 95."

"Note: Task summon rewards can be accumulated and exchanged. Ten White-level summons can be exchanged for one Yellow-level, ten Yellow-level for one Purple-level, and so on. However, Gold-level summon can only be exchanged once per year."

"Note: Due to the influence of this world’s rules, characters from the Saint Seiya universe will be weakened and suppressed upon arrival. Furthermore, their starting level is randomly determined, and their soul power must be cultivated in this world; they do not arrive at their peak."

"Randomly determined?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu immediately asked, "So even if I summon the strongest Gold Saint, when they first arrive their level might be that of a newly awakened spirit master, with just innate soul power? But with their potential, as long as they don’t die prematurely, they’ll eventually become the strongest in this world, a Titled Douluo or even a god?"

"Correct!" the system affirmed.

At this, Xiao Yu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. "I thought that as long as I summoned those super-strong characters, I could just bulldoze through Douluo Continent. Looks like it won’t be that easy—this is still a process of nurturing and development."

"That's right."

Xiao Yu continued to study the system, spending about two hours in total. What had been sunset was now the deep ink of night.

He finally stood up and stretched, rubbing his numb knees from sitting cross-legged for so long. Moving to lie on his bed, he continued communicating with the system. "System, when you described the Martial Spirit Bestowal function earlier, you mentioned a beginner's package, right?"

"Correct."

"Can I open it now?"

"You can," the system replied affirmatively, then added, "However, since the host is only five years old and not yet of age for spirit awakening in this world, the acquired martial spirit will remain dormant and will automatically awaken when you reach the appropriate age."

"Alright, open it!" Xiao Yu agreed without hesitation. The prospect of automatic awakening was even more attractive; this way, he wouldn't have to rely on the Spirit Hall’s spirit masters for awakening. If his spirit turned out to be too powerful, it might attract unwanted attention from Spirit Hall. After all, not everyone was Tang San, and not everyone was the blind Douluo surnamed Su.

Xiao Yu wasn't entirely sure, but he vaguely recalled a plotline from the original novel, comic, or anime in which Dugu Bo mentioned that many talented young individuals not affiliated with Spirit Hall died mysteriously. While it might not be entirely true, it was not entirely false either, so Xiao Yu felt it best, while his strength was insufficient, to avoid drawing the attention of Spirit Hall.