Azure Mountain was more like a plateau than a mountain. Though it had a few peaks, most of its surface stretched flat across a vast area. Rumor had it that a god once resided here, who created this mountain and gave shelter to countless homeless people. Even today, whether it was the Wang family, the Li family, or the small villages scattered across Azure Mountain, all worshiped him as the Five Element God.
Soon, the gate opened, and many youngsters began to emerge. As they came out, each placed a hand on a pillar, focused on their Spiritual Imprint, and reported it.
After confirming that everyone had exited, Zhang Fengwei announced the results:
"373 Rank 1 awakenings, 102 Rank 2 awakenings…" He suddenly frowned but continued, "21 Rank 3 awakenings, 1 Rank 8 awakening, 1 Rank 6 awakening."
At those words, the entire crowd gasped. Silence fell. Li Minghui and Wang Jinlong were visibly shocked and immediately demanded clarification about who had caused such a commotion.
Zhang Fengwei, though hundreds of years old and experienced, rarely showed emotion. Other than Rank 9, little could excite him. Yet his frown lingered. His gaze briefly fell on Li Gang and Wang Xueyao before he retracted it and addressed the two clan 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.
The crowd erupted again.
"What? Li Yuxong awakened a Rank 8 Soul Imprint!""As expected of S-grade aptitude!"
Suddenly, the entire place became chaotic with cheers and appreciations.
Zhang Fengwei suddenly said aloud. "Do not envy him too quickly. Talent is only the beginning of the road. Many with shining aptitude fall into dust, while those mocked for weakness carve their names into history."
The crowd went silent. They nodded at his words.
At that moment, Wang Jinlong raised a question: "Why are there only 498 names on the awakening list?"
Everyone was startled. Zhang Fengwei frowned again before explaining, "Li Gang and Wang Xueyao did not place their palms on the pillar, so there is no record of their results."
The revelation stunned Wang Jinlong. The crowd fell into silence—some shocked, some confused. Li Minghui frowned but remained quiet. Since Zhang Fengwei offered no explanation, neither would he.
The grade of a Spiritual Imprint determined its upper limit. It was bound to the soul and grew stronger as one cultivated. At the same cultivation level, higher-grade Imprints were superior. Li Gang pondered, 'Is it possible to improve the upper limit of a Spiritual Imprint? Or perhaps artificially engrave a new one? With enough resources in this world, anything should be possible…'
Just then, Zhang Fengwei called for Li Yuxong.
He handed him a token of the Heaven's Hand Sect and said, "Three years from now, Heaven's Hand Sect will reopen and recruit geniuses from across the Southern Region. With this token, you may participate in the entrance test to become a disciple."
Li Minghui glanced at Wang Jinlong with a smile, part prideful and part mocking. Wang Jinlong's expression darkened, and he snorted.
The Wang and Li families had long been in conflict over a vast spirit stone mine located in the Azure Mountain's Great Forest. This forest teemed with dangerous beasts, rare spiritual herbs, and valuable metal ores for weapon forging. Though many small villages occupied parts of it, the mine remained the greatest source of contention.
And so, the day ended, along with the awakening ceremony.
Li Family, Meeting Hall
All the elders of the Li family gathered around a large circular table with Li Minghui. The atmosphere was heavy with seriousness.
On one seat sat a robust, cunning middle-aged man. His eyes reflected wisdom earned through decades of experience. He was the great elder, Li Hao.
"It's truly a pity," Li Hao said. "Now we understand why Wang Jinlong never tried to assassinate Li Yuxuan. He hid his cards far too deeply."
Li Hao, known as the family's strategist, had helped Li Minghui seize resource points across Azure Mountain and build alliances with nearby villages, ensuring the Li family could rival the Wangs.
Li Minghui asked, "Then how should we deal with Wang Xiaoyan?"
Li Hao shook his head. "We don't need to. She may have Grade A aptitude and a Rank 7 Spiritual Imprint, but Li Yuxong alone is enough to surpass her."
An elder, Li Hua, interjected. "Even so, a Rank 7 Imprint is still dangerous. We can't ignore her. She could one day become a Rank 7 Warrior!"
Li Hua was over 150 years old, her face lined with wrinkles. Yet her influence in the Li family was immense. As a Grade 5 Forger and a Grade 6 Alchemist, she contributed nearly half the family's revenue and was highly respected.
Li Minghui considered for a moment. "Then how about a marriage alliance between the two families? Li Yuxong has awakened a Grade 8 Imprint."
Li Hao nodded. "That may work. But my concern isn't Wang Xiaoyan."
Li Minghui frowned. "You mean…?"
Li Hao explained, "If Wang Jinlong could hide Wang Xiaoyan so well, then what about Wang Xueyao? Now that she didn't even appear on the awakening list, it's even more suspicious."
The hall fell silent. Indeed, it was highly possible that Wang Xueyao was more talented than even Wang Xiaoyan. The thought made the elders uneasy.
Li Hua asked, "But this is only speculation. How can we be certain?"
Li Hao smiled meaningfully. "By arranging a marriage alliance, we will find out."
Core Area of Li Mansion
In a quiet room, Song Yunlan spoke gently 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 was a middle-aged woman. Faint wrinkles showed on her face, yet her aura was imposing. Unknown to most, she was an early-stage Rank 6 Warrior—a secret shared only with Li Minghui. Once a villager of humble origins, she possessed Grade B aptitude and a rare Rank 6 space-type Spiritual Imprint, Celestial Rift.
The Celestial Rift was a relatively common space attribute, allowing manipulation of spacetime to create temporary portals between locations. Though not battle-oriented, its rarity made her a genius of Azure Mountain twenty years ago.
Li Gang felt warmth in his heart. His mother was the only person he truly loved in this world, and he would go to any extent to preserve her smile.
"Don't worry, Mother. I am fine," he replied. "It doesn't matter what ability I have. I will do my best. Whether I succeed or fail, I will at least work hard and leave no regrets."
He thought to himself: 'No matter what, I will find my way back—to my mother here, and to my parents of my past life. I want to build a beautiful world for them.'
Song Yunlan sighed inwardly. 'So, he truly has a weak Imprint. It doesn't matter. As long as I am here, he will live a happy life.'
Suddenly, she sensed something and said, "Rest for now. We'll talk later." With that, she left. Li Gang watched her departing figure and sank into thought.
He remembered Wang Xueyao and Li Yuxong. He had noticed the pride in Xueyao's eyes even before the ceremony began. 'For someone like her not to reveal her Imprint, there are only two possibilities. Either it is too weak for her pride to accept, or it is so strong that she wishes to hide it. Since her aptitude has never been revealed, the latter seems more likely… unless she is like me, a traverser. But that is far less probable.'
As for Li Yuxong, Li Gang knew his brother well. He was proud and had always dreamed of a Rank 9 Imprint. Yet when the result came, he showed no disappointment—only firm eyes and a confident smile.
Li Gang murmured, 'It seems I'm not the only one hiding something, little brother.'
His eyes darkened like an abyss as he smiled faintly, glancing at the night sky. Above him hung three moons and countless stars.
Legends said the gods had created the moons for the one fated to inherit their position. Many had tried throughout history, but none had succeeded. The moons were visible even in daylight but only shone at night. The stars, too, carried endless theories—proof of heaven's existence, divine creations, or homes of immortals.
He refused to believe the stars above were indifferent. No, they must be watching, testing, waiting. Perhaps the heavens are not silent after all. Perhaps they are simply waiting—for someone stubborn enough to answer them.