With hurried footsteps, Tyson arrived together with Lu Tianming.
As his gaze lifted, he saw that in front of the Spirit Temple, a young man in his early twenties was already waiting, his posture relaxed yet dignified. The moment he sensed their approach, the man slowly turned around.
"Village Chief," the Spirit Hall envoy said with a faint, measured smile, "you're late."
Tyson's expression remained calm, but his heart churned. Late? If not for Xiao Lu stepping in at the right moment, this ceremony wouldn't even be standing on solid ground, he cursed inwardly.
Outwardly, however, he let out a hearty laugh, clasping his hands together.
"Haha, my apologies, Sir Envoy. Some matters needed settling beforehand."
His eyes flickered briefly toward Lu Tianming—an unspoken acknowledgment, heavy with meaning—before returning to the envoy.
"Now that everyone is present," Tyson continued, his tone steady yet respectful, "shall we begin the ceremony?"
"Hm… very well. Children, follow me," the envoy said after a brief moment of contemplation.
He stepped forward and pushed open the heavy doors of the Spirit Temple. The doors creaked softly as they parted, and without another word, he entered.
Only after his figure disappeared inside did Tyson speak.
"Go on, children. Quickly. I'll be waiting for all of you here."
Urged on by his voice, the children hurried forward, their footsteps echoing as they crossed the threshold. Lu Tianming followed closely behind, his expression calm but his senses alert.
The interior of the Spirit Temple held nothing outwardly miraculous. It was a vast, open hall—quiet and solemn. Along the stone walls stretched old, time-worn murals depicting the Angel Goddess, their faded colors carrying the weight of countless years of worship and forgotten prayers.
"Children, line up," the Spirit Hall envoy ordered once everyone had entered the hall.
At his command, the children quickly formed a straight line. Lu Tianming stood at the very end, silent and observant.
"You already know why you've been brought here," the envoy continued, his voice calm yet carrying unquestionable authority. "There's no need for lengthy explanations. Remember only this—my name is Luo Feng, Spirit Hall Deacon of Gengxin City."
His gaze swept across the line.
"Now, we begin the Spirit Awakening."
As the final word fell, Luo Feng raised his palm. Six small, pitch-black stones appeared above it, suspended in midair as if held by an invisible force.
With a casual flick of his fingers, the stones shot outward and stopped, forming a perfect circle in the air. Instantly, countless specks of golden light poured forth from the circle. They did not scatter—instead, they gathered tightly, spinning and condensing until a radiant, golden sphere took shape, hovering silently before the children.
"You," Luo Feng said softly, pointing at the first child. "Step into the sphere."
The child's heart began to pound as he nervously walked forward and entered the golden light.
"Relax," Luo Feng instructed in a solemn tone. "If your mind is unsettled, your spirit may fail to awaken. Close your eyes and sense your body from within."
As he spoke, Luo Feng formed a series of precise hand seals, channeling his soul power into the sphere. The moment his energy touched the golden particles, they stirred, swirling inward and converging toward the child.
A strange calm washed over the boy. With his eyes still closed, he instinctively raised his right hand. Hovering above his palm was a miniature shovel, dull and unadorned.
"Hm… an Iron Shovel martial spirit," Luo Feng murmured. "Not suitable as a weapon. Still, its final value will depend on your innate soul power."
As his words fell, a translucent blue crystal sphere floated before the child.
"Big brother… what should I do?" the boy asked hesitantly.
"Place your hand on the crystal sphere," Luo Feng replied with a faint smile. "First, withdraw your martial spirit."
The boy flushed with embarrassment. "Uh… how do I do that?"
"Just will it away," Luo Feng answered patiently. "Think of it returning."
Following the instruction, the boy focused his thoughts. The shovel trembled once before dissolving into light. He then placed his palm against the crystal sphere.
Seconds passed.
The crystal remained dull and motionless.
"No soul power," Luo Feng said, his expression turning impassive. "You may remove your hand and return to your place."
The golden light receded, and the boy stepped away.
"Next…"
…
…
…
One by one, the children stepped forward.
Time passed in silence, broken only by the rise and fall of golden light. In the end, everyone—except Lu Tianming—successfully awakened a martial soul. Yet awakening alone did not mean talent.
Among them, only Xiao Ling possessed soul power.
Her martial soul, Iron Spirit Vine, manifested with a sharp metallic sheen, its aura far superior to the others—undeniably top-tier. Unfortunately, her innate soul power was only level three, a limitation that dimmed her future prospects.
Even so, her talent was enough to draw Luo Feng's attention.
After the testing concluded, he extended an offer for Xiao Ling to join the Spirit Hall.
Xiao Ling did not accept immediately. After a moment of hesitation, she shook her head and replied softly, "I… I want my parents to decide."
Luo Feng regarded her for a second longer, then nodded.
"Very well. Have them come to me."
As his gaze shifted down the line, it finally settled on the last child.
Lu Tianming.
Luo Feng noticed immediately that this child was different.
A child at this age should have been either nervous or brimming with excitement. Yet Lu Tianming was neither. His eyes were calm—too calm—and within that calmness lay a desolate stillness. His face carried no emotion at all, save for a coldness akin to a thousand-year glacier.
It was unsettling to witness such qualities in someone so young.
"Child… you may come now," Luo Feng said softly. For reasons he could not explain, he felt a faint sense of pity. Beneath that icy exterior, this was still just a child.
"Mm."
Lu Tianming nodded and stepped into the golden sphere.
Outwardly, he remained composed. Inwardly, however, a faint unease stirred.
It was not fear of failing to awaken a martial soul, nor doubt about possessing soul power. On that point, he was already certain.
Because Mother had told me.
Before her passing, she had held his hand and spoken with quiet certainty—there was no need to worry about his martial soul or innate soul power. His father, she said, had been a powerful man. And a powerful father would leave behind a powerful legacy.
So then… why did his heart still tremble?
Because what if he failed to awaken his father's martial soul?
What if the power she spoke of never appeared?
That—was the fear buried deep within him.
The moment Lu Tianming stepped into the golden sphere, the surrounding particles reacted just as they had for the other children, streaming toward his body in steady waves.
A strange warmth spread through him, flowing along his limbs before gathering at his navel. The sensation continued far longer than it had for the others—longer even than Xiao Ling's—causing the golden light to thicken and tremble.
Then—
A massive phantom burst forth behind him.
It was a hound-like beast, tall and imposing, its form wreathed in flickering flames. As the phantom fully manifested, it threw back its head and released a thunderous howl.
"AAWOOOO—!"
The sound echoed throughout the Spirit Temple, reverberating off the ancient walls.
"A beast-type martial soul?" Luo Feng laughed aloud, his eyes shining. "Haha! I knew it."
Lu Tianming slowly opened his eyes, the golden light fading as his martial soul stabilized.
So this is my martial soul… he thought, gazing at the flaming phantom behind him.
Yet Luo Feng's expression gradually shifted from delight to puzzlement.
"But… what kind of beast martial soul is this?" he muttered under his breath.
The phantom resembled a hound—or perhaps a dog—but its fur burned with living flames, unlike any common beast spirit he recognized.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Luo Feng made a decision. He reached into his storage and took out a thick, well-worn tome—the Encyclopedia of Martial Spirits, bestowed upon him by the Bishop of the Gengxin Spirit Hall.
His eyes quickly scanned its pages.
After a brief search, Luo Feng finally found a close match.
Great Lava Hound.
However, according to the records, the Great Lava Hound's body was not shrouded in flames like Lu Tianming's martial soul. The difference was subtle, yet unmistakable.
"…A mutation," Luo Feng muttered under his breath.
"Big brother."
Lu Tianming's calm voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Hm? What is it?" Luo Feng asked, turning back.
"What should I do next?" Lu Tianming asked evenly.
Luo Feng paused for a moment—then realized his oversight.
"Ah. I nearly forgot to test your innate soul power. Withdraw your martial soul and place your hands on the crystal sphere."
Lu Tianming nodded. With a thought, the flaming hound phantom dissolved into light and vanished. He then placed his palms against the floating blue crystal sphere, just as instructed.
The instant contact was made, a powerful suction surged through his body, as if something deep within him was being drawn out. A wave of discomfort followed, causing his brows to knit slightly.
At the same time, the crystal sphere began to glow.
The light intensified rapidly.
Within seconds, more than sixty percent of the sphere was illuminated.
Then—the suction stopped.
Luo Feng stared at the crystal sphere, his breath catching. His body trembled slightly as disbelief flooded his mind.
Innate Soul Power—level six?!
Gods… I only awakened with level two, and this child has already surpassed me by such a margin. Not only that—this is nearly level seven!
His lips curled upward, and a laugh escaped him, filled with genuine excitement.
"Hahaha… incredible."