Chapter 2: Xiao Chen
The Soulstone Altar, an ancient relic of the Xiao Family, was covered in golden runes, pulsing with spiritual energy. It had been used for countless generations to awaken the martial spirits of young cultivators.
The first genius, Xiao Han, stepped forward. He was the son of the patriarch younger brother Xiao Yang, who was a peak martial grandmaster. Xiao Han was a tall youth with sharp features — silky black neatly clasped behind his back with an hair pin, deep black eyes that flashed with arrogance, his confidence evident in his every movement. Placing his hand on the altar, he closed his eyes as spiritual energy surged into his body.
A blinding silver light erupted from the altar, forming a phantom image in the air above him. The crowd gasped as they recognized the form—a Silver-Scaled Python!
"A High-Grade Earth Martial Spirit!" Elder Xiao Mei announced, nodding approvingly.
The crowd erupted in murmurs. A High-Grade Earth Martial Spirit was a strong foundation, one that could allow a cultivator to reach the Martial Lord Realm with enough effort. Xiao Han stepped back, pride flickering in his eyes.
Next was Xiao Rongyu, a girl with long golden hair, unique amber eyes and a composed expression. She was one of the top geniuses of the Xiao family as well as the most beautiful girl in the Xiao family. As she touched the altar, golden flames burst forth, and the phantom of a Golden-Winged Sparrow appeared.
"A Top-Tier Earth Martial Spirit!" Elder Xiao Mei's voice rang with admiration.
Next she called out calmly with a sweet smile clearly she was very impressed with Xiao Rongyu. As her voice died down two figures stepped forward together, drawing curious glances from the crowd.
"The twins are next," Elder Xiao Jian announced with a proud smile. "Xiao Lan and Xiao Li… descendants of our Elder Xiao Feng."
The siblings stood side by side, their resemblance striking. Both had sharp, defined features and shared the same pair of deep crimson eyes—an unmistakable sign of their shared bloodline. Yet, they were easy to tell apart.
Xiao Lan, the elder twin by mere minutes, was tall with short, messy dark-red hair that gave him a wild and unruly appearance. A faint, natural smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, making him seem arrogant and carefree. His lean frame exuded a subtle strength, like a blade kept in its sheath.
Beside him stood Xiao Li, a slender girl of ethereal beauty. Her long, flowing silver-blue hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, her pale skin nearly translucent under the sunlight. Her calm, almost cold expression was like a quiet snowfall—serene, beautiful, but distant. Her eyes shimmered with a faint blue hue, colder than her brother's fiery gaze.
"It's rare to see twins both with cultivation potential," someone whispered. "Let's see if they live up to Elder Xiao Feng's expectations."
Xiao Lan grinned. "Let me go first, Li."
Xiao Li nodded silently, her hands folded neatly before her.
With confident steps, Xiao Lan approached the Soulstone Altar. He placed his hand upon the golden runes, and immediately, the altar trembled. A wave of fiery red light burst forth, swirling wildly in the air.
From the blaze, a phantom creature emerged—a wolf, cloaked in dark crimson fur, its eyes burning like molten lava. Its growl echoed across the courtyard as if challenging the heavens.
"The Dark Crimson Wolf!" Elder Xiao Mei's eyes gleamed with surprise. "And… it resonates perfectly with his fire element!"
"A Low-Grade Earth Martial Spirit with elemental resonance," Elder Xiao Jian confirmed with a nod. "His future is solid. With hard work, he can reach Martial Lord Realm."
Xiao Lan's smirk widened as he turned, his crimson eyes filled with pride. "Not bad, huh?"
The crowd murmured in approval, some even clapping lightly. It was a good result.
Then, it was Xiao Li's turn.
Without a word, Xiao Li walked forward, her pale hand gently resting on the altar. A cold mist instantly filled the air, turning the warm courtyard into a frozen plain. Frost crept across the ground, drawing gasps from the audience.
A brilliant, icy blue light burst forth from the altar, forming a beautiful wolf bathed in frost and silver light. Its fur was pristine white, with faint holy runes glowing along its body. The frost wolf stood tall and proud, exuding an aura of sacredness and cold purity.
"The Holy Frost Wolf!" Elder Xiao Mei stood abruptly, her voice carrying excitement. "It resonates with her ice element perfectly!"
Xiao Jian stroked his beard, nodding. "Although it's a Low-Grade Earth Martial Spirit… this elemental affinity makes it special. Her potential might even surpass Xiao Lan's if properly cultivated."
The crowd was silent, awed by the beauty of the frost wolf and the sheer coldness radiating from it.
Xiao Li turned back to stand beside her brother, her expression calm as if everything had gone just as expected. Xiao Lan gave her a grin and bumped her shoulder playfully.
"Tch, always trying to outshine your big brother," he teased.
Xiao Li spared him a rare, faint smile. "I don't need to try."
Their bond was obvious—siblings bound by blood and talent.
From the high platform, Elder Xiao Feng, their grandfather, beamed with pride. "Good… good… the bloodline of the Xiao runs strong."
For a moment, the attention shifted fully to the twins, marking them as worthy scions of the Xiao Family.
And yet, as impressive as they were… everyone knew.
The true highlight of the ceremony was still yet to come.
One by one, the geniuses stepped forward, each awakening powerful spirits—some tigers, some wolves, even a Three-Headed Serpent. The Xiao Family elders nodded in satisfaction; these were good results, though none had yet produced a Heaven-Grade Martial Spirit.
Finally, the last participant stepped forward. An handsome young man with long black hair and deep black eyes that flickered with hidden star light. He had a calm expression like a tranquil stream, the air seemed to still as all eyes focused on him. This youth was Xiao Chen.
As Xiao Chen stepped forward, the atmosphere in the courtyard grew tense with anticipation. He was no ordinary participant—he was the son of the Xiao Family patriarch, a 15-year-old prodigy who had already reached the peak of the Martial Core Realm, a feat unheard of at his age. While the others were 17 to 20 years old, Xiao Chen had surpassed them all in cultivation speed and talent.
Whispers spread through the gathered disciples.
"Xiao Chen is finally stepping up. I wonder what kind of martial spirit he'll awaken…"
"Hah! Isn't it obvious? He's the son of the patriarch! He has to have an extremely powerful martial spirit."
"But a martial spirit isn't inherited… Even if his father is strong, it doesn't mean his talent will be the same."
"That's true, but this is Xiao Chen we're talking about! He broke through to the peak of the Martial Core Realm at 15. Even Xiao Han and Xiao Rongyu didn't achieve that!"
Many sighed in admiration, while some clenched their fists in jealousy. Xiao Chen's talent was monstrous—if he awakened a Heaven-Grade Martial Spirit, then his future would be limitless.
---
Seated above the crowd, the elders watched with knowing smiles.
"This martial spirit ceremony has been quite fruitful so far," Elder Xiao Feng said, stroking his beard. "Young Xiao Han and Xiao Rongyu have given us pleasant surprises with their powerful martial spirits."
"Indeed," Elder Xiao Mei nodded approvingly. "A High-Grade Earth Martial Spirit and a Top-Tier Earth Martial Spirit… These are rare within our family. If they cultivate well, they would undoubtedly reach the Martial Lord Realm in the future, they even have a slight chance of reaching the Martial King Realm especially Xiao Rongyu."
Elder Xiao Jian let out a deep chuckle. "Even the twins Xiao Lan and Xiao Li did well, awakening Low-Grade Earth Martial Spirits with elemental resonance, both of them have a chance of reaching the Martial Lord Realm in the future. And the rest of the participants awakened Spirit-Rank Martial Spirits, all above the low grade."
"This generation is promising," another elder laughed.
"But now… it is time for the most important awakening of the day."
The elders turned their gazes to Xiao Chen, who had now reached the Soulstone Altar.
"The young master of our family… the number one genius, Xiao Chen," Elder Xiao Jian declared.
"This will be interesting," Elder Xiao Mei murmured, her sharp eyes locked onto the boy.
Xiao Chen Steps Forward
Unlike the others, Xiao Chen's face was calm and unreadable. He did not show excitement, nervousness, or fear. He simply walked forward with the confidence of someone who knew their own destiny.
Standing before the Soulstone Altar, he raised his right hand and slowly placed it on the glowing surface.
At that moment, the entire altar trembled.
The air crackled with immense spiritual energy, and golden runes on the stone flashed brilliantly. The very heavens seemed to respond to his touch.
A heavy silence fell upon the courtyard.
Then—
The awakening began...