"Beast-type battle spirit... shall we test your innate soul power?" Yan Jun lazily flipped his right palm, and a translucent crystal orb materialized, emitting a soft glow.
The first to step forward was a shy boy with disheveled hair. As his hand touched the orb, a blurred projection of a rabbit appeared in the air. The orb flickered weakly, showing barely a rating of one for innate soul power. Yan Jun sneered and muttered, "Useless." The boy lowered his head and retreated, feeling the disappointed gazes of his parents upon him.
Next came a lively girl with two pigtails. Before her appeared a small green snake, hissing silently in the air. The orb displayed a rating of two. "Mediocre," Yan Jun remarked dryly, making a note in his ledger. The girl's parents exchanged restrained glances.
Then a sturdy young man stepped forward, his fists clenched nervously. When his spirit materialized—a dull wolf silhouette—the crowd let out a barely audible sigh. The orb glowed slightly brighter, showing a rating of three. "Just three..." someone muttered, and the boy's face darkened like a storm cloud.
Fu Huan watched this parade of disappointments with an impassive expression. Inside her, there was neither pity nor contempt—only a cold, unyielding truth: Weakness is unforgivable.
"Step forward," Yan Jun said wearily, not even looking at the last girl in line.
Fu Huan took a step forward. When her small hand pressed against the smooth surface of the energy matrix, a barely perceptible tremor ran through the air. But in the next moment, the usual awakening sequence was disrupted. Instead of the expected beast or object, a vague, indistinct wave appeared, as if reality itself trembled, bending light around a ten-centimeter ring of shimmering space that flickered faintly, like a mirage.
The hall fell into complete silence. Yan Jun froze, blinking in surprise. In all his years of experience, he had seen many things, but nothing like this. Even the seasoned soul masters whispered amongst themselves, trying to understand what was happening.
"What... what is this?" a voice hissed from the crowd.
Yan Jun snapped out of his stupor and hurriedly held the crystal orb to Fu Huan's hand. It burst into a bright, clear light, far more intense than any of the previous candidates. Though the light did not reach the blinding brightness typical of full innate soul power, its intensity left no doubt about the girl's extraordinary potential. The onlookers gasped in awe. Eight... an innate soul power rating of eight was considered the mark of a genius, a rare talent that could change the fate of entire clans.
"Girl... what's your name?" Yan Jun asked, his expression now a mixture of surprise and respect.
"Fu Huan," her voice was quiet, yet firm and resolute despite her young age.
"Fu Huan... With such talent, you must join our Spirit Hall! We will offer you the best training, the rarest resources, and guaranteed protection. You will become our pride, the future of the continent! Personal mentors, top-tier spiritual formations... everything others can only dream of!"
Yan Jun spoke passionately, his words flowing with persuasive fervor. But Fu Huan seemed absorbed in something of her own. Her gaze drifted to her left hand, where the faint mirage of her strange battle spirit still flickered. This is my power, she thought, and I will wield it as I choose.
"Well? Will you accept? This is your chance!" Yan Jun pressed eagerly, seeing her hesitation.
Fu Huan raised her eyes and calmly looked him in the face.
"Forgive me, sir. I have no intention of joining any sects. At least, not for now."
Her voice held no trace of doubt or hesitation. Only a firm, resolute determination.
Yan Jun momentarily lost his words. Then, slowly, he nodded, suppressing his disappointment. He mechanically filled out the awakening certificate: Fu Huan, age six, innate soul power—eight, battle spirit—unknown spatio-temporal emanation.
Later, reporting to the local lord, he waved dismissively:
"Four out of forty. One genius.
.. but stubborn. Refused. A lost opportunity."