Chapter 6: The Dawn Before Awakening
The halls of Spirit Hall were never silent. Whispers, discussions, and debates constantly filled the grand corridors, whether among elders, priests, or the younger generation training under their supervision. However, the most frequently mentioned name in the past few years was not of a titled Douluo, nor of a rising spirit master.
It was of a child.
Zhen Wuji.
A mysterious boy raised by the Grand Worshipper Qian Daoliu himself. His origins were unknown, his existence unprecedented. The golden-haired elders of the Supreme Pontiff Palace spoke of him with both curiosity and skepticism. No child had ever drawn so much attention before their spirit awakening, yet he did.
And Zhen Wuji was fully aware of this.
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A Growing Legend
At only three years old, Zhen Wuji was already taller than most five-year-olds, his physique honed beyond what was natural for someone his age. His strikingly handsome features, combined with his overwhelming confidence, made him both admired and envied. Every elder, knight, and servant in Spirit Hall knew his name. His portrait had even started circulating outside Spirit Hall, rumors spreading about the "divine child raised by Qian Daoliu."
Even though he was already showing incredible intelligence and adaptability, people still whispered behind closed doors:
"A true genius is only measured after spirit awakening."
"If he does not have a powerful martial spirit, then he is nothing."
"Spirit power determines everything in this world."
Though Zhen Wuji never showed it outwardly, he found such discussions utterly ridiculous. These narrow-minded fools couldn't comprehend the bigger picture.
"Idiots," he thought to himself while reclining on a lavish golden throne-like chair inside the Spirit Hall library, a book lazily resting on his lap. "You rely on fate to determine your worth instead of forging your own."
He understood the importance of a strong martial spirit, but he refused to believe that it was the only path to power. After all, his true strength came from something far beyond mere spirit rings and cultivation.
Yet, he played along.
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The One Who Stood By His Side
Unlike the rest of Spirit Hall, there was one person who never doubted him, never questioned his worth.
Qian Renxue.
From the moment she could walk, she was always by his side. She followed him everywhere, listened to his words with fascination, and trusted him more than anyone else. While others in Spirit Hall saw her as the future heir, Zhen Wuji saw something else—a lonely girl craving genuine connection.
Even now, she sat beside him, her small hands clutching the edge of his robe, her golden eyes staring at him with admiration.
"Wuji," she called softly.
"Hmm?"
"Do you ever feel nervous?"
Zhen Wuji raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
She hesitated before answering. "Your spirit awakening. Everyone expects so much from you... If something goes wrong, won't it be disappointing?"
He smirked. "Wrong? Me? Come on, Renxue. You should know better than that."
She giggled lightly, but the worry in her eyes remained.
"Even if you have a powerful martial spirit, what if it's not what they expect?"
Zhen Wuji leaned closer, placing a hand on her head. "Then I'll just make them change their expectations."
She blinked. "How?"
His smirk widened. "By being me."
Qian Renxue didn't fully understand his words, but she believed him. She always did.
Yet, deep down, she was worried for him. Because she knew the world wasn't as forgiving as he made it seem.
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Spirit Hall's Discussions
Elsewhere, the elders of Spirit Hall were having heated discussions.
"This child is too arrogant," one elder complained.
"He is raised by Lord Qian Daoliu. Of course, he has confidence," another responded.
"But confidence without power is nothing but a fool's dream."
"Then let us wait and see his spirit awakening. If he possesses a god-tier martial spirit, all of this talk will be meaningless."
The topic then shifted to another major figure—the rising talent of the Clear Sky Clan, Tang Hao.
"The Clear Sky Clan's youngest genius has made his mark," one elder remarked. "At just twenty, he has already defeated multiple high-ranking spirit masters."
"We should be careful. If he reaches the Title Douluo realm, he may become a serious threat."
"And if he does?"
The room fell silent.
Tang Hao was a name that would not be ignored.
And yet, another name was still on their minds.
Zhen Wuji.
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A Glimpse of the Future
Alone in his chamber, Zhen Wuji stood before a mirror, staring into his own reflection.
His Six Eyes gleamed with a mystical blue light.
He had long since realized that these eyes of his were not the same as Gojo Satoru's from his previous life. They were something more—something evolved, something limitless.
With a single glance, he could see through people, read their strengths, their weaknesses, and even fragments of their fate.
And yet, his martial spirits remained a mystery.
He knew he had two. He could feel them. But what exactly they were... he wouldn't know until his awakening.
"Six Eyes as a body martial spirit… and something else… something powerful," he thought.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
He was excited.
Not because of the awakening itself, but because he wanted to see the reactions of the fools in Spirit Hall when they realized just how wrong they had been.
The next dawn would mark the beginning of a new era.
An era that belonged to Zhen Wuji.
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Final Moments Before Awakening
The night before his martial spirit awakening, Zhen Wuji found himself unable to sleep. Despite his confidence, a part of him still wondered just how much power he would truly awaken.
Would his body remain the same, absorbing the excess spirit power? Would his physical abilities continue to grow instead of his cultivation?
And most importantly—how much would change?
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at his door.
"Wuji…"
It was Qian Renxue.
Without waiting for permission, she walked in, her small hands clutching a blanket. She looked uncertain, hesitant.
"What is it?" Zhen Wuji asked, raising an eyebrow.
She shuffled her feet. "Can I… stay here tonight?"
A chuckle escaped him. "Are you afraid I'll disappear by morning?"
She pouted. "No… I just…" She hesitated before looking away. "I feel nervous."
Zhen Wuji stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. "Fine. But don't hog the blanket."
Qian Renxue's face lit up as she climbed onto his bed, wrapping herself in her blanket and staying close to him.
She was warm.
As she slowly drifted to sleep, Zhen Wuji remained awake, staring at the ceiling.
Thinking about something.....