Chapter 3: Awakening Ceremony (part 2)

Azure mountain is more like a plateau than a mountain. It does have few peaks, but mostly it is flat across large area. Rumour has it, there was once a god resided here, who created this mountain and gave shelter to countless homeless people. Even today, be it Wang family, or Li family or many small villages in the Azure Mountain, they worship him as Five Element God. 

Soon, the gate opened, and many young generations started coming. As soon as they come out, they put there hand on a pillar, and focused their mind on the spiritual imprint and reported it. 

After making sure everyone came out, Zhang Fengwei mentioned the outcome, "373 rank 1 awakening, 102 rank 2 awakening...", he suddenly frowned at that moment, but kept going on "21 rank 3 awakening, 1 rank 8 awakening, 1 rank 6 awakening".

As soon as these words appeared, the entire crowed gasped. Silence filled the surrounding. Li Minghui and Wang Jinlong were shocked, and immediately asked for clarification, regarding who made such a commotion.

Zhang Fengwei, was hundreds of years old, and had large number of experience. Other than rank 9, nothing can excite him. But, he was still frowning regarding the result. He glanced at Li Gang and Wang Xueyao for a slight moment, then retracted his gaze, and informed to the two leaders.

Zhou Yan:

Aptitude: grade B

Spiritual Imprint: rank 6, Metal type Nickel Essence

Ability: Resistance to psychic attacks and mental manipulation.

Li Yuxong:

Aptitude: grade S

Spiritual Imprint: rank 8, Wood type Poplar Resilience

Ability: Enhances recovery and regeneration abilities.

Crowd was also in commotion.

"What? Li Yuxon awakened rank 8 Soul Imprint!"

"As expected of S grade aptitude!"

At that moment, Wang Jinlong suddenly pointed out, "why only 498 members were in the awakening list?"

Hearing this, everyone was surprised. Zhang Fengwei also frowned, and explained, "Li Gang and Wang Xueyao didn't put their palm over the pillar, so there is no information about them". Hearing this, Wang Jinlong was stunned. Everyone became silent. Some were shocked, some were confused. Li Minghui frowned but didn't say anything. Since Zhang Fengwei didn't say anything, he doesn't have to either.

The grade of Spiritual Imprint indicates the upper limit which it can reach. It is at the same level as soul and continues to improve as one cultivates his soul. Even at the same level, ones with higher grade are more better as compared. Li Gang thought, 'Is it possible to improve upper limit of Spiritual Imprint? Or is it possible to artificially engrave a new Spiritual Imprint?' Because he had read, in this world, with resources, everything is possible.

Zhang Fengwei suddenly called Li Yuxong.

He gave Li Yuxong a token to "Heaven's Hand Sect" and said, "After 3 years, Heaven's Hand Sect will reopen and taking geniuses from all over the southern region. Using this token, you can participate in the Heaven's Hand Sect's test to enter into the sect as a disciple. It will be held on 3 years later."

Li Minghui looked at Wang jinlong with a smile, partly prideful and partly with disdain and mockery. Wang Jinlong looked with a heavy expression and snorted.

Wang family and Li family has been on a conflict due to a large scale spirit stone mine present in forest area of Azure Mountain. This forest is known as The Great Forest. Within this forest lie various dangerous beasts, and also many spiritual herbs. There are also many metal ores for weapon refining. But they are already occupied by many small villages.

In this way, the day soon came to an end and so does the awakening ceremony.

Li Family, Meeting Hall

All elders of Li family along with Li Minghui are sitting around a large circular table. Every elder has seriousness visible to the naked eye.

On one of the seat, A middle-aged man, robust and sly, with a demeanor that belies his strength, his eyes hold the wisdom of years. Great elder Li Hao spoke, "It's truly a pity. We wondered why Wang Jinlong never attempted assassination of Li Yuxuan. He really hid too deeply."

Li Hao is known as the strategist of Li family. He helped Li Minghui in conquering many resource points on Azure mountain, and established allies with many small villages to make the Li family stand on par with Wang family.

Li Minghui asked, "So, how should we deal with Wang Xiaoyan?"

Li Hao shook his head, "We don't have to do anything about Wang Xiaoyan, Wang Xiaoyan is only A grade aptitude with rank 7 Spiritual Imprint. Li Yuxong is enough for her."

One of the elder, Li Hua asked, "Even if she is only rank 7, she is still a danger. We can't ignore that. She can potentially reach a rank 7 Warrior!"

Li Hua is over 150 years old woman, with face filled with wrinkles. She possess great influence in the Li family because she helds a very unique position. She is grade 5 Forger, and grade 6 Alchemist. She is regarded very highly in the family because her ability makes up almost 50% of the revenue.

Li Minghui thought of something and said, "How about a marriage alliance between the two village? Li Yuxong also awakened grade 8 Spiritual Imprint."

Li Hao nodded and said, "Yes it is possible. But what I am worried about is not Wang Xiaoyan."

Li Minghui was caught off guard. "You mean?"

Li Hao explained. "Wang Jinlong hid Wang Xiaoyan too deeply, so can't he hide Wang Xueyao too? Now that he didn't even let Wang Xueyao show her name on the list, it is even more suspicious!"

Everyone became silent. Indeed, it is highly possible that Wang Xueyao is even more talented than Wang Xiaoyan. Thinking of this, everyone hissed.

Li Hua interjected: "But this is just a speculation, how can we be sure?"

Li Hao smiled meaningfully and said "We would just have to set a marriage alliance between them."

Core area of Li Mansion

In one of the room, Song Yunlan was speaking to Li Gang.

"What is the Spiritual Imprint you obtained? Don't worry, no matter what it is, you will always be my eldest son." Song Yunlan asked softly.

Song Yunlan is middle age woman. Traces of wrinkles can be seen on her face, but her imposing aura looks unmatchable. She is a rank 6 early stage warrior, contrary to what others know. This is a secret only she and Li Minghui share. She belonged to a small village, but with an aptitude of B grade, and also possessed a rare rank 6 Spiritual Imprint, space type Celestial Rift. Space attribute is very rare in itself and having rank 6, Song Yunlan was a genius emerged in Azure Mountain 20 years ago.

Celestial Rift is one of the most common space type attribute with an ability of manipulating spacetime to create temporary portals between locations. This is not a battle oriented ability.

Li Gang felt warm inwardly. His mother is the only person he loves in this world, and he will go to any extent to preserve the beautiful smile on her face.

He replied, "Don't worry mother, I am fine. It doesn't matter what ability I possess, I will do my best. Whether I succeed or not is another matter, but at least I will work hard to achieve my goal."

Li Gang thought, 'No matter what, I will find my way back. Whether my current mother, or past life parents. I love both of them. I want to make a beautiful world for them. Even if I fail at the end, I will leave no regrets in this life.'

Song Yunlan sighed. 'It seems he truly got a weak Spiritual Imprint. It doesn't matter, as long as I am here, you will live a happy life!'

Suddenly she felt something and said "Take a rest, we will talk later". Saying this, she left. Li Gang looked at his mother's leaving back and went into deep thought.

Li Gang thought of Wang Xueyao and Li Yuxong. His eyes became deep. He had noticed the pride in her eyes before the beginning of the ceremony itself. He knew she was extraordinary. 

'There is only two possibility for someone like her not showing her Spiritual Imprint. Either she got too weak Spiritual Imprint that she is ashamed given her pride, or her Spiritual Imprint is so strong that she wants to hide them. Wang family never revealed her aptitude too, so latter one is most likely. No, there is one more possibility, like me, she could also be a traverser. But this is very unlikely.'

As for Li Yuxong, Li Gang was very well aware of his character. He was very proud of his aptitude and always wanted rank 9 Spiritual Imprint. But after seeing the result, Li Yuxong didn't show any dismay. His eyes were quite firm, and he had a confident smile. 

"It seems I am not the only one hiding something, my little brother.", Li Gang murmured. His eyes were as dark as abyss, and he smiled meaningfully as he glanced towards the sky through the window, looking at three moons and countless stars hung above.

It is said that Gods created the moons to let the fated one inherit their position, and there are many who has tried in history, and none succeeded to get that. These moons are visible even in day time, but they shine only at night. The existence of stars has countless theories in this world, some say it is the proof of existence of heaven, some say it is also created by gods, and some say there are immortals living there and so on.