10 years later, Azure Mountain
1st April, Year 42014 of the Elemental Era
A large crowd had gathered around a majestic pavilion on Azure Mountain. The Celestial Soul Pavilion stood tall between Mountainview Village and Tranquil Vale Village. Once every five years, its ancient doors opened for a single day, allowing the younger generation to awaken their hidden potential. As the bell chimed, the air vibrated with ancestral energy, stirring the spirits of those present. Children between the ages of 10 and 15 were sent into the pavilion to awaken their Soul Imprint, beginning their journey of cultivation.
Li Minghui stood with Wang Jinlong near the gate of the pavilion. Behind Li Minghui stood Li Gang and Li Yuxuan, while behind Wang Jinlong stood three children—a 12-year-old boy, a 10-year-old girl, and a 13-year-old girl: Wang Haoran, Wang Xiaoyan, and Wang Xueyao.
At the door stood a middle-aged man. With a sturdy frame and muscles honed through years of labor, he exuded strength and resilience. His weathered face bore the marks of countless battles, yet his eyes sparkled with wisdom and determination. His name was Zhang Fengwei, a Rank 6 Warrior from the Heaven's Hand Sect, a well-known sect in the Southern Continent that claimed to be messengers of God.
Zhang Fengwei surveyed the countless youngsters gathered for the awakening ceremony and nodded. Then his eyes fell on two of them—a boy and a girl—and his gaze narrowed. They were Li Minghui's son, Li Yuxong, and Wang Jinlong's eldest daughter, Wang Xueyao.
Li Yuxong, now 10 years old, displayed a temperament of righteousness and valor. He possessed unwavering resolve, with honor and integrity engraved deep in his heart. His face showed maturity beyond his years, though the childish curiosity in his eyes revealed his true age.
Wang Xueyao looked ethereal at first glance. Her black hair flowed to her waist, and anyone looking at her introverted face would feel only one wish—to protect such innocent beauty. Beside her stood a cute little girl scanning the crowd with curious eyes, constantly questioning her elder brother. Wang Haoran patiently answered every question, his expression full of confidence and adoration for his little sister.
Li Gang had grown as well. His long black hair flowed to his shoulders, framing a face slightly above average yet easily overlooked at first glance. He silently observed the scene, instantly sensing Zhang Fengwei's extraordinary strength. He noted the scars that told tales of past battles and the wise eyes scanning the youngsters. He also noticed a subtle change in Zhang Fengwei's demeanor when his gaze fell upon Li Yuxong.
In the past 10 years, Li Gang had remained isolated, speaking to his mother only occasionally and training in silence. Sometimes he played go, sometimes he studied different languages, and sometimes he observed people—judging their behavior from their expressions and actions. Over time, Li Gang developed an awareness of human emotions far beyond ordinary comprehension. He was never idle, largely because of his self-imposed isolation. At first, he trained relentlessly to gain his father's attention, but after two years of fruitless effort, he realized it was useless. Exhausted, he gave up.
Without friends—his mental maturity far beyond those of his age—Li Gang lived almost unnoticed in the Li Mansion, except for his mother and occasionally his brother.
Gradually, his personality changed. Once cheerful in his previous life, 12 years of isolation made him indifferent to many things. In the last 8 years, he followed a strict routine: sleeping a few hours before midnight, waking at dawn, washing, and then heading straight into the woods to practice. He knew that a Spiritual Imprint only accelerated cultivation speed—cultivation was still possible without it, though slower.
In his past life, Li Gang had read that 99% of human life was wasted time. For example, when walking to buy milk, the mind idled. But if one used that time to think, review plans, or even read a book while walking carefully, one could fully utilize the brain's potential. From birth, he had resolved to apply this philosophy.
But he also knew he could not overdo it—the brain needed rest to consolidate what it learned. As a skilled chess player in his previous life, he had noticed that while many people trained endlessly with slow progress, his unique strategy was different. He improved steadily, then stopped for a while. Though his skill initially regressed during this time, he would soon break through bottlenecks and improve exponentially after returning. Balance between hard work and rest was essential. This was no fantasy where hard work alone guaranteed success—many factors came into play.
Li Gang had long come to realize this fact. To waste time is to kill potential; yet to never waste time is to kill the soul.
Meanwhile, Zhang Fengwei opened the pavilion door and instructed that 500 participants would enter every half hour. Excitement filled the crowd. Azure Mountain, spanning hundreds of miles, housed over ten million people, and about 15,000 youngsters attended each ceremony. Zhang Fengwei reminded them:
"As soon as you enter the pavilion, you will see countless doors. Choose one and enter. There, silently meditate and let go of yourself. Don't force anything. A ray of light will enter your soul and awaken the hidden Spiritual Imprint within you."
Li Gang's face darkened. 'I need to prepare for the worst.'
A few hours later
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
"As expected of Li Ming, son of the Li family's great elder. He awakened a Grade 5 Spiritual Imprint—wood type, Teak Presence—which increases physical strength and resilience."
"Indeed. Li Ming also has C-grade aptitude, just like his father Li Hao, the great elder. Li Hao himself is a Rank 6 Warrior with C-grade aptitude."
"And Wang Fang awakened a Grade 4 Spiritual Imprint—water type, Serene Serpent—enhancing agility and grace."
"Chen Tao from Peaceful Hollow Village emerged as a dark horse, awakening a Grade 4 Spiritual Imprint—fire type, Blaze Ember—allowing him to manipulate flames at a distance."
Just then, the gate opened again. Some exited with joy, others with tears. Zhang Fengwei announced:
"234 Rank 1 awakenings, 172 Rank 2 awakenings, 97 Rank 3 awakenings, 1 Rank 4 awakening, 1 Rank 6 awakening, and 1 Rank 7 awakening."
The crowd erupted. Everyone had one question: who had awakened the Grade 7 Spiritual Imprint?
Soon, the answer came.
Wang Haoran
Aptitude: Grade C
Spiritual Imprint: Rank 6, Liquid Shadow
Ability: Blend with water, becoming partially intangible.
Wang Xiaoyan
Aptitude: Grade A
Spiritual Imprint: Rank 7, Crystal Clear
Ability: Heightened clarity of mind for superior strategizing and decision-making.
"What? Wang Xiaoyan has Grade A aptitude? Didn't the Wisdom Gauge Stone mark her as Grade C?"
"Wang Jinlong hid too deeply. Without this Awakening Ceremony, we'd never have known." Li Hao, beside Li Minghui, grew gloomy.
The next batch entered the pavilion, including Li Gang, Li Yuxong, and Wang Xueyao.
Inside, Li Gang scanned the surroundings. The space was vast, with countless doors—impossible to count at a glance, though surely more than 500.
He chose one at random. As he stepped through, darkness enveloped him. Countless stars stretched endlessly across the void.
Li Gang was stunned. "Is this… the Nine Heavens?"
He followed instructions and began meditating. Unexpectedly, the ray of light circled him, as though searching for its target yet unable to enter.
His face grew grim. Though he had expected this outcome, it still struck hard. Spiritual Imprints determined 60% of a person's potential, with aptitude making up the rest. Not only was his aptitude a lowly Grade D—he had failed to awaken a Spiritual Imprint altogether.
He recalled Zhang Fengwei's words: "A ray of light will enter your soul and awaken the hidden Spiritual Imprint within your soul."
Li Gang realized the truth. As a transmigrator, his soul was not native to this world. If only souls born here possessed Imprints, then he would never have one.
He murmured softly. "Perhaps I was never meant to walk the same path as them. But when the river denies a man water, he must learn to drink from the dew."
A loud bell rang. 'It's time to leave!' he thought, exiting with the others.
Li Yuxong hesitated before nervously asking, "How was it, big brother?"
Though outsiders praised him, Li Yuxong had always lived under his brother's shadow. Even when their father arranged a sparring match to dispel his fear, he had been crushed. Despite his comparable strength and superior battle experience, Li Gang had used Yuxong's fear against him, etching his presence deep into Yuxong's soul.
Li Gang gave him a long look, then gazed toward the exit with a faint, meaningful smile. "It's meaningless."
Li Yuxong froze in confusion but dared not ask further. Li Gang said nothing more and walked toward the gate.