Chapter 5)Awakening of the Spirit

The next day I woke up first and cleaned myself up by taking a cold shower. My wife, who woke up later, decided to join me and after spending a short but wonderful time together, we left the room and began to cook breakfast together.

Then we woke up our son and sat down at the table together.

After our family breakfast, Longway and Ruiling went to prepare for his spiritual awakening, while I tidied my clothes and headed towards the city center.

In the heart of the city stood an altar, where the awakening of spirits took place and spiritual energy accumulated. This sacred place not only facilitated the awakening of spirits but also rectified any imbalances among multiple spirits. If one spirit dominated the others, the awakened child would possess diminished spiritual power and risk harming their spirits. The altar served to replenish their bodies with spiritual energy and restore any accumulated damage to both body and spirit.

While this occurrence was relatively rare, it had preserved several talented individuals with two spirits, who would become the foundation of our clan shortly.

Approaching the gathering area, I observed other elders bidding farewell to their grandchildren or accompanying the younger generation. Some parents were already tearfully saying goodbye to their children, knowing they wouldn't see them for the next four years. Today marked the day of their spiritual awakening and departure from their studies.

Elder Snow approached me and greeted me, conveying his concerns. "After today's spirit awakening ceremony, I will depart to meet with the Star Lou Empire. You will also leave to meet the Snow Empress and Elder Ice, accompanying them to the Heaven Dou Empire. Our clan has never been so vulnerable."

I sighed, acknowledging Elder Snow's extreme paranoia. Looking into his eyes, I replied calmly, "Do not worry to the extent of harming our clan. People would first have to reach us and survive the bitter cold. Furthermore, my wife and three other elders will remain in the clan, ensuring our safety."

"I still dislike the fact that neither you nor I will be present in the clan with Ice," he confessed.

I smiled wearily but chose not to comment. After all, apart from me, who introduced innovations to the clan, Elder Snow had always been deeply invested in nurturing the younger generation and assuming responsibility for the clan's security. His Winter Spirit was highly proficient in safeguarding and devastating enemies over a wider area.

Gazing at the children who had already gathered, including my son who was gleefully engaged with his friends, I smiled with contentment and proceeded down the aisle.

"Now, I assume your parents have already explained the process of spiritual awakening to you, so let us not delay any further and commence," I announced.

The children bid farewell to their parents, formed a queue, and ascended the altar, one by one. The awakening progressed steadily, and my heart couldn't help but rejoice, given the abundance of talented youngsters this year.

"The Mystic Wolf. Spirit power: 8."

"The Ice Beast. Spirit power: 6."

"Snowgirl. Spirit power: 7."

"Ice Scorpion. Fortitude: 5."

The line moved swiftly. As the children awakened their spirits, they received items from their parents and bid their farewells. The elders grouped them in sets of five and led them away from the crowd. Eventually, it was my son's turn. He approached me with pride and great confidence.

I couldn't blame him, for if everything went as planned, his spirit would be incredibly powerful. And most importantly, with parents like us, he knew he couldn't possess an insignificant spirit.

Standing at the center of the formation, my son awaited his awakening. I channeled my spiritual power to initiate the process, while also maximizing the altar's energy output to prevent any mishaps.

The formation glowed increasingly bright, yet his spirit did not manifest. However, I remained unworried, knowing that a longer awakening would result in a stronger spirit.

Almost a minute passed, and finally, the spiritual energy materialized in the form of a creature behind my son. It bore no resemblance to any known spirit; one might mistake it for a dragon, but it lacked the aura of a dragon. Instead, it emanated pure savagery, rage, and the chilling essence of the abyss. The creature's elongated snout featured rows of razor-sharp teeth. It exuded an aura that suggested it could effortlessly rend through any metal without flinching.

The creature possessed four limbs, its muscular form resembling that of a reptile. Its back was adorned with icy spikes, extending to the tip of its tail.

Though unfamiliar with the creature's name, I recognized its incredible strength. "Spirit power: 20."

Yes, this was the level of a divine spirit, akin to an angel from the Hall of Spirits. However, just one look at my son, and I knew he couldn't withstand the might of this spirit—neither physically nor mentally. He staggered, his body trembling, while his eyes betrayed boundless madness and a chilling, otherworldly cold.

He had a long journey ahead to not only fully harness his spirit's power but also to surpass it. With a wave of my hand, ice structures materialized behind me, showcasing my ice spirit, which developed from a simple ice crystal that possessed a spirit.

Numerous blue rings emerged as power surged from within me. The other elders swiftly released their spirits, enveloping the square in protective measures. Only the elders possessed the ability to shield themselves from the overwhelming spiritual pressure of a Limit Douluo. With a mere gesture, I conjured ice chains that bound the creature, enabling my son to gradually adapt to its strength.

"Ice Abyss Seal."

"RARAAARAAA."

The creature resisted, but our combined forces overwhelmed it, allowing me to seal it effortlessly. A crystal mark appeared on my son's forehead. He regained some composure, though unsteady, and collapsed.

Swiftly, I caught him in my arms and addressed the others. "The annual spirit awakening ceremony has concluded. I hope everyone has bid farewell to their loved ones. I request the elders to guide the children to their place of study."

People began dispersing, yet their curious and admiring gazes remained fixed on my son and me. Nodding to the elders, I vanished from the altar. When I arrived home, my wife awaited me, seething with anger.

"I told you it was a terrible idea, but no, you didn't listen. And now, what has become of our son?!" she exclaimed.

"Listen, it's not what you think..."

"No, you listen to me. I didn't mind using those herbs or the honey, but you promised me that our son would be fine!"

"Calm down, he is fine."

"Are you serious? Do you call what happened in the city 'fine'? This spirit not only drives our son to madness but also places an immense burden on his body."

"I have already placed a seal on his spirit. Once he grows stronger, he will learn to control it."

"A seal? You sealed him with the power of the abyss! ABYSS, for heaven's sake! Even individuals of your caliber won't be able to break that seal. And you expect our son to live with this seal for the rest of his life, unable to fully utilize his spirit?"

Her anger escalated, and I felt the gathering spiritual force around her, accompanied by a rapid drop in temperature.

"I said calm down." I released my spiritual power, momentarily restoring her reason. "Tomorrow, he begins his training, and we can discuss this calmly afterward."

Reigning in my spiritual power, I entered my son's room and gently laid him on the bed, allowing him to rest completely. I intended to return to my room and lie down as well, but I found the door closed, sensing Ruiling inside.

Realizing I would spend the night on the couch, I settled down and let out a sigh, reflecting on an eventful day.