Within the confines of a bustling lively city was an unassuming building which despite all its glory was very quiet at the moment.Many factors contributed to it's peculiar peaceful nature, but the fact that it was an orphanage that did not house a lot of children was one of the main reasons.
But in this particular situation, a sacred event that required silence as a show of utmost respect was taking place. Known as the annual martial soul awakening, it was highly regarded by all kinds of people but in the place known as Spirit city, especially in the Spirit Orphanage, it was a sacred event.
A group of a dozen children dressed modestly in matching yellow robes stood in a straight line awaiting guidance from the Martial master before them. Without exception, all the children held their breath with slight tension but also anticipation. Well, almost all except the smallest one among them who was more curious than tensed.
"Please be calm young ones, the process will only take a few minutes but it may be life changing if your lucky. Tsk! tsk! tsk! I wonder who will be the golden goose among you." The man declared rather seriously at first then amusingly at the end. It was a peculiar tactic but it worked miracles as the children's straight backs, huched down in relaxation.
"You may refer to me as Senior Hongxi for the time being. Now come up one by one so that I can awaken your martial souls and be done with it... Oh I mean scout some talents." The man now introduced as Hongxi continued. "You little girl with the black hair come up first and bring hood fortune to your friends."
At first, there was silence, more than it was in the beginning with no one seemingly ready to step forward. Hongxi was confused at first but then realized that out of the twelve children present, five were girls who were all little and had black hair. The seemingly awkward quiet run supreme for a few moments till, a small stifling laughter brought everyone back to the world of the conscious.
"Martial soul possession," Hongxi chanted leisurely and a silvery white swan with streaks of blue along its feathers appeared out of nowhere, well from the perspective of the children present. He raised his index finger and motioned for the children to approach one by one which they did so orderly and the awakening ceremony was conducted smoothly.
Various martial souls were awakened, with the children possessing innate soul power between 1 and 5 with the occasional unlucky one possessing zero innate soul power. This went on while Hongxi wore an elegant smile which brought a sense of comfort and relief despite the martial soul awakened till finally it was time for the curious child who was at the end of the line.
With his golden eyes stuck as if assessing the swan he stepped foward, looked at Hongxi straight in the eyes and said."I hope senior's earlier words come true." Feeling Hongxi's energy flowing through his body, the child was immersed in the feeling till suddenly a seemingly ordinary monkey with brown fur and streaks of red linings adorning it's body appeared behind his body.
Hongxi couldn't help but muse, 'Why does it have a miniature crown on its head, could it be king of small monkeys.' He couldn't help but stifle a small laughter. But when a staff materialized in the child's hand and fell on the floor with great force, Hongxi adopted a wide smile and thought giddily. 'This golden goose will help me breakthrough to Spirit Emperor.
"Allow the energy you're feeling to flow back into the body and retract your martial soul." Hongxi guided patiently pretending that there weren't two and at the same time convincing the other children that the staff and monkey were one and not two.
"Very good kid, now place your hand on the sphere and test your innate soul power. " Hongxi still smiling urged the child. And as expected with the confirmation of the bright light, it was full innate soul power. Though slightly expecting the result, Hongxi still became jolly but composing himself he called the matron said a few words to her and immediately after she left with the remaining children leaving behind the golden eyed kid.
"Kid what's your name?" Hongxi inquired hiding his eagerness. If he could, he would have rushed with the child immediately to the Spirit hall headquarters but calmed himself knowing that he was the one who discovered the goldmine.
"Senior may refer to me as Jin Ho." The child replied eagerly. He for sure knew that he was different from the other children and was eagerly expecting an explanation from the senior present.
"Cough," Hongxi coughed pretentiously and finally asked with a serious expression." Child, are you willing to join the spirit hall and rise to the top of the world."
'Please say yes, please say yes...' Hongxi recited internally hoping to not start explaining benefits of joining spirit hall to the ignorant child before him. He was a lot of things, handsome, playful, strong but not and never a teacher. At least that's what he loved telling himself.
Smiling slyly, Jin Ho looked at the proud senior before him, and making a decision he breathed in through his mouth and said,"No..." "No!" Hongxi couldn't help but repeat out loud, caught off guard. He was getting ready to yap but was interrupted by yelling from Jin Ho. "No wayy..., of course I'll join, I'll even let you train me for free." He added the last line mischievously and for the first time in a very long while, Hongxi couldn't help but massage his forehead in preparation for the headache he had just discovered.