Soul Essence

The following day, Jianwei woke up bright and early. He ate breakfast and was leaving the house when his mother called him.

"Jiang Jianwei! I just remembered that I had to tell you. Stay away from the mountains. A group of bandits have made their home in the mountains, and they are dangerous. Promise me you will stay away from the mountains."

Jiang Jianwei paused, his hand resting on the door. He turned and nodded.

"I promise, Mother."

He left the house, his mind racing, and approached the village. With a shake of his head, he arrived at the shore and settled down, gazing at the crashing waves.

The day's warmth enveloped him as the salty scent of the sea filled the air. Jiang Jianwei took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and immersed himself in the symphony of crashing waves against the shore. The gentle breeze tousled his raven-black hair, caressing his face.

He began his meditation, seeking to find calm amidst the chaos of his thoughts. Within his inner world, a tiny droplet of water held infinite possibilities. As he delved deeper into his meditation, he sensed a bottleneck in his spiritual powers.

"Seven years have passed, and even so, I struggle to break through the Aqua Mind Resonance technique," he murmured. Aqua Mind Resonance, a technique that connected Liang Jianwei to the essence of water, tapped into its fluid and adaptable nature to strengthen his spiritual powers.

Through it, he could channel his spiritual powers, gaining greater control over his abilities and harnessing his body's spiritual energy to create unique abilities.

"Is it because I haven't awakened my soul essence?" He asked himself, opening his eyes.

Jiang Jianwei saw the sun setting, its orange rays painting the sky. He sighed and got up.

"I've also had no progress in the hidden mist technique. Is it also because I haven't awakened my soul essence?"

Jiang Jianwei looked at the ocean, his eyes filled with a burning desire.

"I have to awaken my soul essence, no matter what. I will not allow the Hidden Mist Technique, or my own powers, to stagnate."

He turned and walked back towards his house, his steps filled with determination.

Like that, a week passed, and the day of the soul awakening arrived. Jiang Jianwei and his mother were walking down the village path. His mother had a worried expression on her face, her lips trembling.

"Mother, why are you so nervous? I'm sure everything will be fine," Jianwei said, trying to reassure her.

"I know, but there is just something I don't want to talk about. Ok?" his mother said.

As they approached the village square, the people whispered, their eyes wide.

"The Cerulean have come!"

"They are here to awaken our souls!"

"The Cerulean have arrived!"

A group of tall men, commanding attention, stood before the crowd. They were all dressed in long navy blue coats, elegantly adorned with silver trim that glistened under the sunlight. The coats proudly displayed the Cerulean emblem on their backs, a circular symbol representing unity, continuity, and the cyclical nature of justice.

As the men stood tall, their coats rustled softly in the breeze, creating a faint sound that mingled with the murmurs of the expectant villagers. The meticulously crafted emblem showcased a stylised flame in cerulean blue at its centre. This flame seemed to flicker with an ethereal glow, symbolising each member's burning inner fire of justice.

Within the flame, crossed symbolic weapons could be seen—a sword and a quill—representing the harmonious blend of martial prowess and intellectual insight that justice required. The emblem's intricate details extended beyond the flame, with subtle wings radiating from the circular centre, signifying the soaring spirit of justice. Young stars scattered around the emblem added a touch of enchantment, symbolising hope and guidance.

Not only did the men wear these impressive coats, but they also sported gloves adorned with intricate patterns, a testament to their attention to detail and precision. Their wide-brimmed hats proudly displayed the Cerulean emblem on the front, catching the sunlight and casting shadows over their determined faces. And attached to their shoulders, they wore flowing cerulean blue cloaks, billowing in the wind like a symbol of their commitment to justice.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Jianwei and his mother approached the gathering. The villagers had gathered around, their eyes fixed on the men, eager to witness the unfolding of justice. A palpable energy filled the air, a medley of hope, exhilaration, and adoration. The scent of anticipation hung in the air, blending with the gentle fragrance of flowers adorned the village square.

In that moment, Jianwei couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration and awe for these men who embodied the ideals of justice. The sight of them, their regal attire, and the palpable anticipation in the air instilled in him a sense of hope and belief in the never-ending pursuit of justice.

"Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Zhou Xinyu, and I am a lieutenant under the Cerulean. Today, we are here to help you awaken your soul essence," Zhou Xinyu said.

The villagers murmured excitedly, their eyes shining.

"Please form a line, and we will begin the awakening," Zhou Xinyu said.

Everyone quickly formed a disciplined line, their anticipation palpable in the air. Jiang Jianwei's gaze locked onto the Lieutenant, his eyes brimming with unwavering resolve.

He knew that once his soul essence awakened, his cultivation speed would soar like an eagle taking flight. As he stepped into position, he found himself at the tail end of the fifteen-year-old group, a mix of nervous excitement and determination coursing through his veins.

Jiang Jianwei scanned the surroundings, catching glimpses of the other children engaged in lively conversations with their parents and friends. But for him, loneliness was a constant companion. The boy let out a weary sigh, his eyes drifting upwards to the vast expanse of the sky.

The absence of companionship during his formative years, coupled with his solitary nature and penchant for violence, had left him somewhat disconnected from his peers. He had only his mother to lean on, and his sole desire was to bring her pride.

"Come on now, boy. Stretch your hand, and I will help you awaken your soul essence." A middle-aged man said, smiling at a boy with messy brown hair.

The boy nodded and stretched his hand. The middle-aged man placed his palm on his.

"Alright, relax and close your eyes."

The boy did as he was told and took a deep breath, his heart beating fast.

"Now, imagine your soul." The middle-aged man said.

The boy tried to visualise his soul but didn't know what it looked like.

"Don't force it. Just relax and let it come to you."

The boy concentrated hard. His mind was filled with nothing but the image of his soul. Suddenly, he felt a tingling sensation in his hand.

"That's it! You're almost there. Don't stop."

The boy focused even harder, the tingling sensation becoming more intense. Suddenly, a bright light appeared in his mind, and he could see his soul.

It was a beautiful, shimmering orb surrounded by a halo of light.

"Good job. You've done it. Open your eyes."

The boy opened his eyes and looked at the middle-aged man.

"How do you feel?"

The boy looked down and noticed a green blade of grass in his hand, dancing slightly in the wind.

"What's this?" the boy asked.

"It's the grass your soul is based on. Congratulations, you are now a soul master."

The boy's eyes widened with astonishment. The disbelief washed over him like a tidal wave. With his soul essence finally awakened, he bounded towards his mother with joy.

Shaking his head, Jiang Jianwei couldn't hide his disappointment.

He will amount to nothing in the coming years. Jianwei thought.

The rest of the line moved fast, with people rushing past in a blur. The process followed a nearly identical pattern. Some villagers struggled to awaken their soul essence, but most could succeed.

Liang Jianwei watched in awe as he saw people summoning their souls from their palms.

"What a fascinating ability," he muttered.

Eventually, it was his turn, and he walked up to the Lieutenant.

"Stretch out your hand, and I will help you awaken your soul essence," the Lieutenant said, smiling.

Liang Jianwei nodded and stretched his hand. The Lieutenant placed his palm on his.

"Now, relax and close your eyes," the Lieutenant said.

Liang Jianwei did as he was told and took a deep breath, his heart beating fast.

"Alright, concentrate and imagine your soul."

The boy concentrated hard. His mind was filled with nothing but the image of his soul.

Suddenly, his mind was covered in mist, and the mist was filled with a white light.

"Good job. You're almost there. Don't stop," the Lieutenant said.

The boy focused even harder; the mist got stronger. He performed the hidden mist technique automatically, his concentration at its peak. Suddenly, the mist became more potent, and he opened his eyes.

His body was covered in mist like he became the mist himself.

The Lieutenant gasped, and his eyes widened. And looked at Jianwei in horror.

"Natural soul! It's actually a natural soul! It's been years since one appeared. The boy is a prodigy; a natural soul is far superior to a regular soul!"

Lieutenant Zhou looked at the boy and quickly recovered his composure.

"Congratulations, you have awakened your soul essence and are now a soul master. But your soul is a rare natural, the first in 30 years."

Jiang Jianwei was amazed. He couldn't believe it. He was a soul master, and his soul was a rare natural soul.

He looked at the Lieutenant, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Thank you, sir."

"No problem, young man. I'm glad I could help. Now, show your parents. They'll be very proud," the Lieutenant said, smiling.

He nodded and returned to his mother, who was talking to another villager.

"Mother, look. I awakened my soul essence," Jiang Jianwei said, turning into mist while grinning.

His mother looked at him, her eyes filled with shock.

"Jiang Jianwei! Your soul is a natural soul!" his mother exclaimed.

"It is. I'm a soul master now," Jiang Jianwei said.

His mother hugged him tightly, her eyes filled with pride but dimmed in sadness.

"Yes, my son. You are a soul master now."

"Let's go home and celebrate," Jiang Jianwei said, patting her on the back.

He and his mother left the village, and his mind was filled with thoughts.