--- Chapter 8 ---
A month passed quickly.
I finally reached six years of age.
Honestly, it feels like an achievement to survive this long.
I couldn't help but smile, even in my sleep.
"Yuan, come here." My sister called from the living room.
I tilted my head in confusion because she was being mysterious for some reason. Is she going to give me a surprise or something?
Ah, it's probably a happy birthday gift.
Walking to the living room, I found my sister holding a wooden box with a longing expression. She rubbed the box gently and said, "Sit down."
As I sat down, my sister started telling me about our parents. Since I was a baby when reincarnation hit, I don't know much about them.
My father's name in this third life is Han Bing.
Our mother is Han Jue.
They are a lovely couple and want the best for their family.
Unfortunately, a disaster struck them at the most crucial moment.
My sister handed me the box, "Open it."
I opened the wooden box and saw an oversized, brownish-blue winter coat made of animal hide, probably a wolf or bear. Weirdly enough, this coat fits me perfectly because I have reached 1.3 meters tall and built up quite a muscle.
"Mother joked once that she will see you wearing this in the Spirit Awakening Ceremony."
"Sister won't say much, but can you fulfill Mother's wish?"
"I wanted her soul in heaven to be happy..."
"Of course, Sister won't force you if you don't want to."
I gave her a curt smile because I couldn't refuse if she sounded this way. I sighed, "I will wear it."
"Thank you, Yuan~!" My sister hugged me happily.
Then, the day of awakening comes.
Grandpa Mu told us about the Spirit Awakening Ceremony held in the Spirit Hall's branch in Free Leaf Town. I knew this already and prepared beforehand, wearing my winter coat.
My sister fixed my collars and said, "You look handsome, Yuan."
"Well, Xiao Yuan is indeed a handsome boy." Grandpa Mu added with a nod.
My appearance is naturally handsome because I have purified my body countless times with Sky Poison Pearl. Although I'm only six, my height and compact build made me look like a teen, with sharp facial features and bright brown eyes with hidden determination.
"Let's go." Grandpa Mu escorted us to the carriage where all the other kids my age had been waiting.
Eight of them.
We boarded the carriage and reached Free Leaf Town in three hours.
Three "boring" hours, that's it.
On the way, many kids (mainly girls) wanted to speak with me, but I was not interested in them. I have a beautiful sister, so why bother with these undeveloped girls?
While I'm still responding once in a while, there aren't many things to talk about, so the girls finally gave up, though they still peek at my face occasionally.
My mouth twisted at their antics.
Upon arrival, I jumped off the carriage and looked at the familiar Free Leaf Town. Ever since the "Drugs" incident, the town has become livelier, and some tourists visit this place from time to time.
I didn't expect my scam to invite fortune to this town.
Hehe, no need to thank me.
We walked to the impressive temple made of white-yellow stones, which must have been a new building since my last visit to the town, where no such building existed. Perhaps the Spirit Hall was concerned about their reputation in Free Leaf Town and wanted to present a new look.
I can see the eyes of these children brighten upon seeing the majestic building of Spirit Hall.
"I have registered all your names to Deacon Yu. When she calls your name, you only have to step forward and listen to her instruction," said Grandpa Yu.
"Do you understand?"
We nodded at Grandpa Mu, waiting for the Spirit Awakening Ceremony to start.
My sister watched me from the outside as we walked into the Spirit Hall's branch, waving her hand at me. Even though she wore a veil to cover her beauty, I can still see her smile through it.
"My name is Yu Xiongxue." A middle-aged woman in Spirit Hall's white robe appeared before us. She looked like a warm grandmother who would cook food for her grandchildren.
"I'm the deacon of this Spirit Hall's branch and would be the one who awakened your Martial Soul."
"My Martial Soul is Brown Bear, Spirit Rank 37."
I was disappointed that the legendary Su Yuntao wasn't the one who would awaken my Martial Soul. But I could do nothing about this as Su Yuntao wasn't in this province.
"Now, I call your name one by one. You may step into the Awakening Array after that and close your eyes to sense your Martial Soul."
Every child in the room nodded in understanding.
Deacon Yu smiled warmly, "Okay, let's start the Spirit Awakening Ceremony."
"Lu Xia!"
"I'm here!" A young boy stepped forward and entered the Awakening Array.
Deacon Yu closed her ruddy eyes and opened them again a second later, causing an image of a brown bear to appear behind her. Three spirit rings rose from the ground.
White, yellow, purple.
Roar!
The brown bear roared, scaring the children.
"Don't be afraid, children. It's just the manifestation of my Martial Soul."
"Now, Lu Xia, come here."
Deacon Yu injected her Spirit Energy into the awakening array, and golden light burst, wrapping around the young boy named Lu Xia.
A handkerchief.
A blank, white handkerchief with no linings or patterns.
I caught Deacon Yu's face lost a bit of enthusiasm when the handkerchief appeared, but she still smiled and handed a blue crystal to the young boy.
"Child, touch this crystal with your right hand and imagine water flowing from your body into it."
Lu Xia placed his hand, but the crystal showed no reaction.
"Martial Soul: Handkerchief, no Soul Power!" Deacon Yu announced, which sounded like a death sentence.
Lu Xia was on the verge of crying but held himself together. He bowed to Deacon Yu before walking to the crowd.
Well, that was an awful start.
I glanced at Lu Xia, who had returned to his parent's side, and thought this might not be a bad choice for "common" people.
The path of Spirit Master is too bloody and rough. Even talented people are still ants before the Gods in the Divine Realm.
I sighed and continued to watch the Spirit Awakening Ceremony.
"Liu Zhigang!"
"Martial Soul: Twin Blade, Innate Level 2."
"Mu Rong!"
"Martial Soul: Rusty Needle, No Spirit Power."
"Jiang Chen!"
"Martial Soul: Salamander, No Spirit Power."
"Hong Bichen!"
"Martial Soul: Red Parasol, No Spirit Power."
Over fifty children attended the Spirit Awakening Ceremony, but I can count those who successfully awakened Martial Soul with Spirit Power with one hand.
One awakened Twin Blade, the second awakened Red-Eyed Frog, and the most recently awakened Iron Fan. Their Spirit Power is below level 5.
Then, come my turn.
"Han Yuan!" Deacon Yu called my name. She was surprised when she saw me step forward and walk into the Awakening Array. After all, I look more like a noble child, especially with the hide and fur winter coat.
I gave her a nod and closed my eyes.
"Awaken!" Deacon Yu shouted as her Spirit Rings danced in the air.
I felt something awakened deep in my soul. It felt warm and comfortable as I instinctively raised my right hand.
A handful of purple-silver grass filled my vision.
"Ah, this..." I couldn't help but smile.
'Blue Silver Grass with mutation.'
Deacon Yu also thought the same and sensed faint electricity from my Martial Soul.
"Let's test your Spirit Power." She handed me a blue crystal ball.
I secretly swallowed a soul power suppressant pill and picked the blue crystal, lighting it up brightly before dimming again.
Deacon Yu saw this and sighed in relief, "Level 5. It seemed to be Positive Mutation..."
"Martial Soul: Mutated Blue Silver Grass, Innate Level 5!"
Everyone was shocked by my Spirit Awakening. Then, again, they couldn't help but tilt their head because what's the use of the Blue Silver Grass, even if it mutated?
Are you going to tickle people with grass?
Deacon Yu took the certificate written by her subordinate and handed it to me, "Boy, this is your Spirit Hall's certificate. I wish you good luck in the path of Spirit Master."
"Thank you, Deacon Yu!" I smiled at her like a good boy before retreating in a hurry. I can feel my left hand shaking because something wanted to burst out.
Yes, you guessed correctly.
I awakened Twin Martial Soul.
No, it might be more than that.