NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Martial Spirit Awakening (1)
Today was a special day for me. The reason? Today, I was going to awaken my Martial Spirit.
It had been two years since the banquet where everything began. Since then, I had only met Xiao and Meng once, but during that brief meeting, we had truly become friends. I wasn't sure if they would even remember me when we met again, but I hoped they did.
Even though I already knew what my Martial Spirit was and my innate spirit power level, there was a world of difference between knowing power and actually wielding it.
As always, Wu Yu and Wu Yun helped me get dressed for the occasion. The twin maids had been by my side for the past three years. Their cultivation had advanced rapidly, and just a few days ago, they both reached Level 30 and acquired their spirit rings.
It was surprising how quickly they had caught up, considering they were late starters in cultivation.
Once dressed, I turned to the mirror. A six-year-old girl stared back at me, her wide crimson eyes shimmering with curiosity. My long, silvery-white hair flowed in soft waves, framed by neat bangs. A small, dark red rose pinned to one side added a delicate charm. My pale, porcelain-like skin seemed even more fragile under the faint light.
The dress I wore was a gift from Mother, tailored specifically for this day. Its black-and-white design fit me perfectly, with intricate lacework and tiny, gear-like embellishments along the edges. A crimson gemstone sat at my chest, glowing faintly, completing the elegant yet playful ensemble.
I tilted my head slightly, inspecting my reflection. "Do I look regal, or do I just look... small?" I mumbled to myself, uncertain.
"Regal," Wu Yun said softly, her voice carrying just enough weight to break the usual silence.
"Fragile," Wu Yu added bluntly, her cold tone making me glance at her.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Both, then?"
Wu Yun's lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "Fitting for the occasion, Young Miss.".
I turned to them, my wide eyes gleaming. "You both really think so? Mother worked so hard on this dress—I didn't want to ruin it, but I couldn't resist wearing it today."
Wu Yun nodded. "It suits you, and it will remain undamaged after you awaken your Martial Spirit."
Wu Yun adjused the rose pin in my hair.
I watched them in the mirror, their movements graceful and precise. Despite their usual cold expressions, I could tell they cared in their own way.
"Let's go. I don't want Mother waiting."
I walked ahead, and they followed closely behind me. It almost felt as if they were my personal little bodyguards. I had already cured their facial scars, allowing them to walk freely in the mansion without the masks they once relied on. Before, they looked intimidating—terrifying even—but now they were strikingly beautiful.
We soon arrived at the grand hall where my mother was waiting. She was dressed in an elegant purple gown that suited her perfectly. Upon seeing me, her face lit up, and she walked toward me with a warmth only she could radiate. Pulling me into a gentle embrace, she kissed my forehead, as was her usual routine.
"Are you nervous, my darling?" she asked softly, her smile betraying a faint hesitation. Though I couldn't fully read her emotions, I could sense that she was far more nervous than I was.
"Mother, I'm not nervous. On the contrary, I feel completely ready." I declared proudly, hoping to reassure her instead.
Her smile widened at my confidence. "Alright then, if you're ready, come with me. I'll guide you through your awakening."
She led me to a smaller hall. In the center, intricate markings adorned the floor, glowing faintly with ethereal light. A small soul tool rested at the edge of the array, its purpose clear.
"Stand here," she instructed, pointing to the center of the markings. "I'll channel my soul power to assist with your awakening."
As I stepped into the array, her calm smile reassured me. With a slight motion of her hand, she began channeling her energy. She didn't even need Martial Soul possession—her control over her soul power was already refined to perfection.
A warm, gentle energy enveloped me, coursing through my body like a soothing current. My consciousness began to drift.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself standing in a vast, boundless space. A serene lake stretched endlessly, with me at its center. In front of me floated a glowing panel, and beside it, a radiant starlight shimmered brightly.
I immediately remembered that I appeared in my sea of spirit. I careful examined the starlight to see why I was pulled in sea of spirit when I was Awakening my martial spirit. This Starlight was gift from system at my Sixth birthday but I don't know what it was. It was completely outside of its knowledge.
Even the system couldn't identify what this starlight was. While it assured me it wasn't dangerous, it remained an enigma, placed deep within my sea of spirit.
I felt a sudden pull from the starlight. Compelled, I reached out and touched it. The moment my fingers made contact, an overwhelming surge of power coursed through me. I felt invincible, as though nothing in the world could rival me.
Stars began to appear around me, and a vast, flowing river stretched endlessly ahead. Hanging above the river was a massive hourglass, its sands cascading slowly, creating a mesmerizing rhythm.
I turned my attention to a nearby star, bound tightly by shimmering chains. Intrigued, I reached out to grasp it, but an expelling force pushed me back violently.
With a start, I opened my eyes to find myself back in the awakening hall. My mother stood before me, her expression a mixture of awe and disbelief. Around us, the entire area was frozen solid—except for her, who remained untouched by the frost. All the arrays and soul tools in the room were destroyed.
I looked behind me and saw a regal figure manifesting in the air. Draped in crystalline, glacial armor adorned with intricate frost patterns, she radiated an aura of chilling dominance. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to see through everything, and an icy crown rested atop her head, signifying her unmatched authority. Jagged, illusionary ice peaks and swirling snowstorms formed a majestic backdrop behind her.
Her presence was overwhelming, exuding a biting cold that would send shivers down anyone's spine. Yet, despite her intimidating aura, I felt a deep, innate connection to her. It was my Martial Spirit.
To my astonishment, the figure's face bore an uncanny resemblance to mine—save for her piercing blue eyes.
[Currently, your eyes are also blue,] the system chimed in, breaking my train of thought.
So, it really was the same as me.
My mother finally emerged from her stunned silence, her voice trembling with a mix of amazement and joy. "Ultimate Ice... No, this is something far beyond even Ultimate Ice. I've seen the power of Ultimate Ice in the Extreme North before, but this... this surpasses it entirely." She paused, then burst into laughter, her tone filled with pride. "You are really my sweet darling!"