Early the next morning, Yang Lin and Sun Yu took Yang Xiong with them to prepare for his spirit awakening.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect occupied an immense area, with hundreds of square kilometers under its control. In addition to the inner sect's main grounds, they had built a standalone city, Seven Treasures City, and governed all towns within a radius of several hundred kilometers.
Yang Xiong's family resided in Seven Treasures City, though not in the central district. Their home was located on the western side of the city, an area less bustling but conveniently close to Tian Dou City—just under a hundred kilometers away.
The trio soon arrived at the location for the spirit awakening ceremony. It appeared that many children were already undergoing the process. However, this was merely one small outpost in Seven Treasures City; such sites were abundant throughout the sect.
Though the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect boasted only five thousand soul masters, the population within their jurisdiction numbered in the millions. These people were essentially considered the sect's private assets.
Even this modest outpost was constructed with great opulence. Its intricately carved beams and painted pillars exuded grandeur.
This particular site was responsible for the spirit awakenings of over fifty children. Besides the children awaiting their turn and their parents, several stewards were present to maintain order.
At that moment, two individuals entered the hall, both clad in silver robes. Judging by their attire, they were likely members of the inner sect.
When the middle-aged man among them stepped into the center of the hall, the entire room fell silent.
"Good morning, everyone. I am Ning Yuan, an inner sect steward of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. My spirit is the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, and I am a Soul King at rank fifty-seven. I will oversee today's spirit awakening. All children who need to awaken their spirits, please form a line."
The other individual set up a table nearby to begin recording. Clearly, he would document each child's spirit type and innate soul power level.
Yang Xiong joined the line, waiting for his turn.
Ning Yuan placed six black stones on the ground, arranging them into a hexagon. He then gestured for the first child to step forward.
Once the child entered the hexagonal formation, Ning Yuan smiled reassuringly. "Relax, child. Close your eyes and don't be afraid."
A radiant glow emanated from Ning Yuan's hands, and a massive crystalline pagoda materialized above him. The pagoda radiated an aura of regal splendor—his spirit, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda.
Beams of light shot out from the pagoda, swiftly entering the six black stones. To everyone's astonishment, the once-black stones began to emit a faint golden glow, enveloping the child in its warm radiance.
As the golden light seeped into the child's body, a surge of energy seemed to erupt within him, as if it sought to burst free.
"Child, extend your right hand."
Instinctively, the boy raised his right hand. It seemed as though all the energy coursing through his body converged there, coalescing into the shape of a black bear.
Ning Yuan nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Your spirit is the Black Bear—a formidable beast spirit."
The boy gazed at the spectral image of the black bear hovering above his hand, visibly thrilled.
Ning Yuan retrieved a crystal stone and instructed, "Place your hand on this crystal. I'll measure your innate soul power level."
Unafraid, the boy complied, placing his hand on the crystal. Instantly, it emitted a bright glow, and energy fluctuations appeared within its previously blank surface.
Ning Yuan nodded again. "Good. Innate soul power level four. You have the potential to become a fine soul master."
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The process repeated for the second child, and so on. The basic steps remained consistent for everyone.
Yang Xiong found it intriguing that roughly thirty to forty percent of the children awakened with some innate soul power, though most levels ranged between two and five. Clearly, the inner sect disciples of large sects possessed better innate talent than those from remote villages.
Soon, it was Yang Xiong's turn. When he extended his right hand as instructed, nothing happened.
Ning Yuan frowned, puzzled. After trying three times, still no reaction occurred. Doubt crept into his mind—was something wrong with him?
At this point, Sun Yu stepped forward. "Steward Ning Yuan, perhaps my son's awakening is similar to mine—a part of his body might be the source."
Ning Yuan recognized Sun Yu. "Steward Sun, that seems unlikely. While your spirit is Eyes, such spirits are exceedingly rare in the world of soul masters."
Sun Yu persisted. "Steward Ning Yuan, allow me to examine my son's condition. There's a chance he may inherit my Eye Spirit."
Ning Yuan nodded reluctantly.
Turning to Yang Xiong, Sun Yu asked, "Xiao Xiong, do you feel any changes in your body? A fluctuation of power, perhaps? Focus especially on your eyes."
After careful consideration, Yang Xiong replied, "Mom, I feel a wave of power flowing through my entire body."
The crowd murmured in surprise. Ning Yuan addressed the recorder nearby. "Steward Li, let me attempt the awakening again. You and Steward Sun observe closely."
Li stepped forward, while Sun Yu summoned her spirit. Her eyes glowed brightly, and two yellow and two purple soul rings appeared around her. She had clearly pushed her spirit to its limits.
Given Sun Yu's innate soul power and spirit potential, she likely wouldn't have been able to obtain such standard soul rings outside the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
As Ning Yuan performed the ritual again, Li observed for a moment before speaking. "Indeed, this child's spirit is his entire body. I sense soul power fluctuations throughout his being."
Sun Yu nodded in agreement, confirming Yang Xiong's spirit.
Following protocol, Ning Yuan produced a crystal stone. "Child, let's measure your innate soul power level."
When Yang Xiong placed his hand on the crystal, its glow was noticeably stronger than that of the previous children's, though not overwhelmingly so.
Ning Yuan sighed. "Impressive. Innate soul power level six—the highest among today's candidates. Unfortunately, your spirit… If you had awakened the Iron Sword spirit like your father, surpassing him would have been a certainty."
Both Steward Li and Sun Yu, as well as Yang Lin observing from afar, silently agreed. In this era, no one valued Body Spirits.
But contrary to their disappointment, Yang Xiong felt an overwhelming surge of joy.
Innate soul power level six, combined with a full-body Body Spirit—if these traits were evaluated in the distant future, they would undoubtedly mark him as a top-tier genius.
After all, Hacker Huo only had innate soul power level one, and his spirit was merely Eyes. Even his first soul ring was white, yet the Body Sect still mobilized significant forces to seize him from Shrek Academy.
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