"I wonder how many students will successfully awaken their Martial Souls this year. Martial Soul Awakening is no easy feat!"
"Let’s see what fate has in store. Our Silverwood Elite High School still has plenty of promising students."
"It;s only a one in a hundred chance. If you manage to awaken a Martial Soul, you can practically say your ancestors are smiling down on you!"
"This year , we have more that 1,100 graduating students, and their overall quality is pretty good. Based on previous years, we should have more than ten students successfully awaken their Martial Souls!"
Beneath the Awakening Platform, the teachers and students of Silverwood Elite High School gathered in groups, eagerly discussing the biggest event of the day.
Awakening Day.
Today was the day when the graduating students would undergo Martial Awakening.
The entire school had gathered for the occasion. Outside the school gates, the student’s parents and various influential figure from Silverwood City was also waiting anxiously for news.
For every student, Martial Soul Awakening was a major event n life, a genuine turning point that could determine their future.
Those who failed to awaken one, however, would remain ordinary among the masses.
That was why both students and their parents places immense importance on this day.
While the students underwent the Awakening ceremony inside the school, their parents could only wait outside, anxiously hoping to hear good news.
"Erin, your family brought you so many Medicinal Pills. You’ll definitely awaken.Don’t forget us once you make it bit!"
"Medicinal Pills can sightly enhance Soul strength. Martial Soul Awakening still depends on talent. Even I can’t guarantee that I’ll awaken."
"Still, If even I fail to awaken, then there won’t be many people in this graduating class who can. Hahah!"
"That’s right, Erin! Your family is powerful and has deep foundation. Your physical condition and soul power are far superior to everyone else’s. If even you can’t awaken, then the rest of us have even less of a chance!"
Erin listened to the flattering words with a proud expression on his face, though a hint of disdain was deep within his eyes.
These ignorant fools have no idea that my family even paid a fortune to get me an Awakening Pill!
The Awakening Pill could increase the chance of successfully Awakening to a certain extent. These guys probably hadn’t even heard of such a thing, yet they were already trying to curry favor with me.
How clueless.
Thinking of this, Erin couldn’t help but look toward the handsome and extraordinary young man standing among the crowd.
Despite his striking appearance, the young man was dressed in nothing more than cheap street-vendor clothes.
Lucian.
A trace of gloom instantly flashed through Erin’s eyes.
Lucian, just you wait.
Once I successfully Awaken my Martial Soul, ’ll make sure you understand the difference between us.
It’s one thing for you to act aloof all the time, but you even dared to get so close to Evelyn...
"You stupid fool. You’ve ignored my warnings again and again. I’ll make sure you regret it later."
Erin shifted his gaze toward the stunning woman standing beside Lucian.
She was tall and slender, with a graceful waist and a cascade of glossy black hair that flowed down like a waterfall. Her features were delicate and flawless, her skin smooth as jade, and an extraordinary elegance surrounded her.
Standing quietly among the crowd, she naturally became the center of attention, like a breathtaking sight that drew every eye toward her.
As Erin stared at Evelyn, a sinister, possessive glint flashed across his eyes.
Once I successfully awaken, I’ll have my family propose a marriage immediately.
Heh... Evelyn, you will soon be mine.
Feeling his malicious gaze, Evelyn’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.
She was accustomed to men looking at her like that, but even so, a trace of irritation rose within her.
She turned toward Lucian beside her.
Her usually cold expression was now tinged with worry, and her heart was caught in a dilemma.
Lucian was incredibly stubborn. He had always refused to accept help from others, unwilling to owe anyone anything.
But Martial Soul Awakening was too important. It would determine his future.
After thinking it over again and again, Evelyn finally decided to persuade Lucian one more time, even though she already knew he might refuse.
"Lucian, this Awakening Pill can increase your chances of successfully awakening. Take it and consume it before the Awakening."
As she spoke, Evelyn gently took Lucian’s hand, placing a small Medicinal Pill into his palm.
Lucian looked at Evelyn’s beautiful face. The seriousness and concern in her eyes, combined with the warmth of her palm against his, left him momentarily stunned.
Before he could react, Evelyn continued.
"Stop being so stubborn. I understand why you refused the thing I offered you before, but this time is different. Your Awakening will determine your future. If you truly want your grandmother to live a better life and want to protect her, then please... don’t refuse me this time."
An Awakening Pill?
Lucian had lived in this world for eighteen years, yet he had never even heard of such a thing.
But after hearing Evelyn say that it could increase his chances of successfully Awakening, he immediately understood how valuable this Medicinal Pill must be.
Evelyn... this rich girl really is the embodiment of temptation.
She’s always finding new ways to make me abandon my principles.
How could I, Lucian, a grown man, possibly live off a woman? Even if I had to starve to death...
However, the moment Evelyn mentioned his grandmother, Lucian fell silent.
His expression gradually changed, and the words he was about to say remained stuck in his throat.
Lucian seemed to be caught in a difficult choice, as though he was standing at the edge of abyss -- the abyss of living off a woman. Once he stepped in, there might be no turning back.
Eighteen year ago, Lucian had been abandoned as an infant. His grandmother had found him,saved him, and raised him with countless hardships.
Lucian could afford to be stubborn when it came to himself, but he couldn’t let that stubbornness become foolish price.
If accepting this Medicinal Pill could give his grandmother a better life, then even if it were poison, he would swallow it without hesitation.
Compared to that, what was the shame of accepting a little help from a woman when it could give him hope?
This time, Lucian didn’t refuse.
His fingers twitched slightly before he finally took the Medicinal Pill and closed his hand tightly around it.
"Thank you, Evelyn. I, Lucian, will remember this kindness for the rest of my life. If you ever need anything from me in the future, just say the word. Even if I have to walk through fire or face death itself, I won’t turn you down."
Lucian leaned closer and whispered the words into Evelyn’s ear.
Feeling the slight warmth of his touch against her palm and his warm breath brushing past her ear, Evelyn’s normally cold expression instantly turned crimson.
She looked unusually flustered and charming.
"N-No need. Really, there’s no need," Evelyn hurriedly waved her hand. "As long as you can successfully awaken, that’s enough."
Seeing Lucian finally accept the Awakening Pill, Evelyn couldn’t help but smile.
After all these years, this was the first time Lucian had ever accepted something she had given him.
Fortunately, most of the crowd’s attention was focused on the Awakening Stone on the platform. Almost no one noticed the slightly intimate scene between the two of them.
Otherwise, who knew how many hearts would have been shattered?
But there was one person who had witnessed everything.
Erin.
His eyes were filled with fury and jealously, as though he wanted nothing more than to tear Lucian apart with his bare hands.
Watching the intimate exchange between Lucian and Evelyn, Erin clenched his teeth so hard they nearly cracked.
Jealousy burned fiercely in his chest.
Lucian, you bastard! How dare you get so close to Evelyn?
I swear... I’ll make you pay for this!
As the Awakening ceremony officially began, the students waiting below the stage stepped forward one after another to undergo the test.
"Ryan, Awakening failed. Next, Ethan."
"Ethan, Awakening failed. Next, Marcus."
Dozens of students underwent the Awakening test in succession, yet not a single one succeeded.
With every failure, the atmosphere grew heavier.
Anxiety and tension slowly spread through the crowd as the students waiting below the stage began to wonder whether they would be the next ones to fail.
"Lance, Awakening successful. Awakened E-grade Beast Martial Soul, Azure Netherwolf."
"One hundred and thirty people have been tested, and finally someone has successfully Awakened! I was so nervous I was almost sweating. Although it’s only an E-grade Martial Soul, it’s already very impressive."
Watching Lance excitedly dance around after successfully Awakening, like a top scholar passing an elite examination, no one found his behavior inappropriate.
After all, successfully Awakening a Martial Soul meant a complete change in one’s destiny. At such an exciting moment, any overly exuberant behavior seemed understandable.
A green, wolf-shaped Martial Soul slowly materialized around Lance, emitting a unique aura that made the surrounding classmates envious.
Martial Soul Awakening not only meant possessing a unique Martial Soul, but it also demonstrated exceptional talent and served as the crucial entry ticket to embark on the path of a Martial Artist.
Only by successfully Awakening one’s talent and possessing a Martial Soul can one communicate with heaven and earth through the Martial Soul, absorb Spiritual Energy from the world, and embark on the journey of Cultivation.
A Martial Soul is like the Spiritual Root mentioned in cultivation novels of a previous life.
Those without a Spiritual Root are fated never to cultivate the Dao; and in this world, without successfully Awakening a Martial Soul, one can never become a true Martial Artist.
And a Martial Artist, in itself, represents a social class—a symbol of status and power.
Lucian, who had no Golden Finger to rely on, had lived painstakingly for eighteen years in this world where Martial Artists were revered, and he deeply felt the immense disparity.
Class differences and wealth disparities were like an unbridgeable chasm, separating Martial Artists from common people and becoming an insurmountable divide.
Therefore, Martial Soul Awakening is a crucial turning point in life for everyone.
Succeed, and the path ahead is bright; fail, and the future is uncertain.