Soul Land: A Foreign Fantasy

Dear Diary,

 It has been five years since the wheel of fate turned and placed a delightful yet challenging situation upon us. I never imagined this could happen; after all, such comical scenarios occur only in one's wildest imagination. I am Sheng Zhi, a transmigrator. Before my death, I was just an ordinary college student, but I was swept across realms by the celestial vehicle (Truck-kun). To my surprise, this realm happens to be the world of Soul Land, a fantasy story centered around a young boy named Tang San. It would be thrilling to follow him on his adventures, but there is a problem: two of my college friends, Wang Jin and An Chen, hitched a ride with me, so they are now part of my otherworldly journey too.

The three of us grew up as orphans in the same orphanage, forming an inseparable trio, and that bond has followed us into this celestial realm. I still remember how shocked we were when we first discovered our new identities, but now it has become a routine for us to check in on each other at least once a day. This is primarily to keep Wang Jin in check; we certainly don't want to disrupt the main storyline too early. As a matter of fact, he seems to have taken an interest in one of the female characters and is eager to pursue her. In our previous life, we would have laughed it off as a joke, but with his new, princely appearance—which contrasts amusingly with his hooligan-like demeanor—we are genuinely concerned.

 In the end, we reached an agreement: we would not interfere with the main storyline until Tang San leaves for the Blue Dragon School. Hopefully, the heroine Wang Jin is interested in will earn the trust of her aide by that time.

 As a side note, tomorrow is the day of the awakening ceremony, and we are all excited to discover what fate has in store for us. Jin and Chen are fervently praying for a system to assist them, though I doubt any such miracle will occur.

"Oie, Zhi, how long do you plan to scribble in your diary?" asked Wang Jin, who stood at the doorstep waiting for Sheng Zhi to finish writing. His golden hair shone even more brightly today, and his deep blue eyes appeared more concerned than playful. An Chen stood by his side, fiddling with his black hair. His blood-red eyes gave off a sense of bloodthirst rather than his usually warm demeanor. Unlike Wang Jin, who had a delinquent look, An Chen was more refined. Though his body was muscular, it seemed lighter than Jin's.

"Hun? What's with that look, Chen? Are you planning to kill someone today?" asked Shen Zhi, his concern evident. Their behavior seemed off to him; after all, he knew them better than they knew themselves.

 Hah... Wang sighed. "Keep the jokes aside, Do you want to hang out? We're going to the hideout."

"Sure, just give me a sec." Shen Zhi rose from his seat and placed his diary on the bookshelf. His room smelled of incense made from wild leaves he collected from the nearby forest. He decorated his space to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere, which was essential for taking care of his two friends. Having been the eldest in his previous life, he fulfilled his role as an older brother flawlessly. However, his earnest nature resulted in him being the youngest in this life.

 "Hurry up, Zhi!" scowled An Chen. He was the most patient of the three, so if he was reacting like this, the matter must have been of serious concern. Shen Zhi hurriedly finished up and left his home with the other two.

 Green Fields Village was one of the largest farming villages in Soul Land, yet none of the residents ever managed to become successful soul masters. Many of them settled here after retirement, which led the village to be known as a haven for soul masters.

 At the south end of the village stood a great tree, grown by a once-renowned plant soul master. There were rumors that he built his residence within that tree, which gave it the name "Living Soul Tree." One day, while exploring the village, Wang Jin stumbled upon the hidden residence in the tree, which became the permanent hideout for their group. It was here that they usually discussed their otherworldly problems, ensuring that no one would uncover their secret.

 Usually, their journey to the tree would have been filled with gleeful conversation, but today, neither Wang Jin nor An Chen seemed in the mood for chatting. Shen Zhi, trapped in the heavy atmosphere, struggled to find the words to break the silence. Their walk to the tree was peaceful yet weighed down by tension. Shen Zhi became increasingly restless, so much so that as soon as Wang Jin opened the room, he rushed in and took a seat, followed closely by the other two.

 To alleviate the tension, Shen Zhi spoke first. "What is it? Why are you two in such a foul mood?"

 "You don't understand, Zhi," An Chen replied a hint of astonishment on his face.

 Shen Zhi softened his expression and adopted his usual elder-like tone. "No, I don't. So will you mind sharing it with me?"

 "It's the system," Wang Jin said, and silence fell over the room.

 Shen Zhi took a deep breath, releasing it slowly as if to let go of his worries, and gave the two a look that combined pity with a hint of cheer.

 "What, do you think this is a joke?" This was the first time Shen Zhi had seen Wang Jin and An Chen in such unison. It seemed their interest in the system transcended their animosity toward each other. Amidst this chaos, Shen Zhi hoped that the days filled with laughter would last forever.