Tang Hexian walked into the 'Spirit Hall' with a relaxed look, completely different from the other children with him in the wooden log cabin.
Today was the day of the Spirit Awakening Ceremony, were one awakens their Spirit at the age of six, to see there potential as a Spirit Master.
Despite the fact that this could be life changing for him, Tang Hexian was completely disinterested in the ceremony, and couldn't wait till it was over.
Tang Hexian told Tang Hao in advance about the ceremony so that he could leave without his pay getting deducted, but to be honest, the Spirit Awakening Ceremony lacked meaning to him.
As someone who had a rough childhood, Hexian never placed his hopes on some kind of miracle whisking him to success.
Sure he might awaken a Spirit that had great potential, but what was the chance of that happening?
Most of the youths with him were already imagining the life of a Spirit Master, a life of wealth and power, but Hexian's pessimistic attitude stopped him from getting his hopes up.
In his mind, even if he awakened a trash Spirit, he could just continue learning from Tang Hao and live the life of an ordinary blacksmith in some remote village.
Thus, unlike his fellow peers, he was very calm and was very nonchalant about the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Old Jack, the Village Elder, was paying his respects to a handsome man who looked to be in his 20's.
The man was dressed completely in brilliant white clothes, a black cloak on his back, and right on the center of his chest, above his heart, was a palm sized 'spirit' character. This was standard attire for staff directly subordinate to Spirit Hall.
The man looked at the children with a lackadaisical look, like he didn't expect anything from then and then ordered the children to line up.
Tang Hexian ended up last, since he didn't want to fight for spots with the other children. Despite being six, his childhood and having a alcoholic master, made him much more mature then his age group.
The man then stood up and proceeded to introduce himself.
"I am called Ye Feng, a twenty fifth ranked Spirit Grandmaster, and will be your guide. Now, I will have you undergo spirit awakening one by one. Remember, regardless of what happens, do not be afraid."
While speaking, Ye Feng unfolded a bundle on a desk to one side, taking out two things from inside: six round pitch-black stones and one sparkling blue crystal ball.
Ye Feng placed the six black stones on the ground in the form of a hexagon, then motioned the first child on the right to stand inside.
"Don't be afraid, close your eyes and feel carefully."
While speaking, Ye Feng's eyes suddenly lit up, and before the children's appalled eyes, he shouted in a deep voice,
"Black Leopard Body Enhancement."
Ye Feng's hair was originally brown, but just after that blue-green light poured in, it had turned pitch black. Furthermore it quickly grew longer, and similarly colored fur appeared on both his uncovered hands. At the same time, his body also seemed to expand a great deal compared to before, his whole body swelling with muscle.
The Spirit Hall attire had very good elasticity; it actually didn't rip when filling to the point of bursting because of his body growing large. Ye Feng's eyes had already changed to a faint green color. Sharp claws stretched out from the ten fingers on both hands, glimmering coolly with a dazzling gleam. Two concentric halos of light shone brightly up from underfoot, constantly moving from underfoot to the crown of his head. Among them one was white, the other one was yellow. Exceedingly strange.
The boy he told to stand among the black stones, with eyes staring at Ye Feng's body transforming, suddenly shouted,
"Aaaaah~~~~~~", about to run away from fear.
The fresh green radiance in Ye Feng's eyes was truly frightening. Catching hold of that child, he said:
"Don't move. I said not to be afraid. This is my spirit, [Black Leopard]. If one of you is capable of becoming a spirit master in the future, they will also be able to employ similar abilities."
Tang Hexian watched the transformed Spirit Master with fascination, a look of wonder etched on his face. He felt as if his world view was flipped upside down.
Hearing was one thing, and seeing it in person was another. His first glimpse into the world of Spirit Masters left his heart filled with excitement and longing, despite the things he had told himself before.
Ye Feng clapped both hands together at lightning speed, leading to six faint green lights pouring into the black stones on the ground. At once, a layer of golden misty light released from the stones and rose.
For some reason, as the previously noisily crying child was enveloped in the faint golden light, he immediately became quiet, just somewhat dully standing there.
Every speck of the golden light came fluttering up from the black stones, further entering the body of the boy.
The boy's body began to lightly tremble, not knowing whether to shout or remain quiet.
"Extend your right hand."
Ye Feng's two dark blue eyes stared fixedly at the boy, majestically commanding.
The boy extended his right hand with a start, then paused. All the light specks surged out, instantly a knife appeared in his hand.
It would appear, that sickle wasn't any trick of the light, and rather it truly existed.
Ye Feng creased his brow,
"It's a Tool Spirit. A knife is considered a weapon, right? Pretty decent considering the Spirits I had seen in the other villages. I never thought I'd see someone with an orange as their Spirit in my lifetime."
The golden light gradually disappeared. The boy, somewhat amazed, looked at the not particularly small sickle in his hand, rather at a loss.
Ye Feng said:
"Your spirit is [Knife], a Tool Spirit. Come, let me test if you have spirit power. If you possess spirit power, even a tool spirit can undergo Battle Spirit Cultivation. After all, a knife certainly has potential for attack."
"Great-, great teacher, what should I do?"
The boy timidly asked.
Yu Feng coolly said:
"Intentionally recall your spirit. From now try to remember the time you employed it and use that thought to call it out."
The boy tried a long time, just to recall the sickle. Ye Feng's hands held the blue crystal ball in front of him, motioning him to place his right hand on it.
The boy's immature little hand and Ye Feng's leopard claws above and below the crystal ball respectively, there was a clear contrast.
A moment later, Ye Feng somewhat dejectedly said:
"No spirit power. You can't become a Spirit Master. For now, step aside."
Similar scenes continued to play out, until finally, it was Tang Hexian's turn.
With trepidation, Hexian walked into the center of the black stones, a pale golden light shining as a comfortable warmth flowed into his body.
Lifting his right hand, Hexian was surprised to find a familiar object in his grasp.
It was a hammer, but it was unusual in the fact that it was made out of silver and it's head resembled a flower in full bloom.
Looking at Hexian's Spirit, a light shown in Ye Feng's eyes.
"I recognize that Spirit. It's the [Eight-Petal Plum Blossom Silver Hammer], a Spirit known for its prowess in blacksmithing."
Ye Feng was even more excited then Hexian. After all, this was a chance for him to get a promotion.
"Touch the crystal ball, and lets see how much spirit power you have!"
Hexian touched the orb under Ye Feng's supervision, as the crystal ball in his grasp gave out a dazzling blue light, filling the hall with it's luminence.
Ye Feng looked on with wonderment, and with a shocked voice, said a term that Hexian did not understand.
"Innate full spirit power."