Will you give me this opportunity?" Art's voice rang with quiet intensity, his eyes alight with determination.
The examiner extended the soul-measuring crystal. As Art's palm touched its surface, a radiant burst of light flooded Saint Village's entire assembly hall!
"By the heavens! In all my years of awakening Wuhun Spirits, I've never witnessed such brilliance! Could this boy have awakened a Tenth-Level Harmonized Wuhun Spirit?!"The examiner's hands trembled as he shielded his eyes.
When the luminescence faded, the crystal's truth emerged - the numeral 6 pulsed within its depths, marking Art's innate spirit at "Level 6".
"Incredible! So this is the fabled inverse relationship... As spiritual quality transcends, the quantity of innate levels diminishes?"
This exceptional achievement stemmed from Art's mastery of White Aura Hunt meditation and his grueling physical regimen - granting him twice the spiritual density of peers at equivalent levels!
"Remarkable! Level 6 soul awakening with this purity... Young man, you could ascend to become a Level 60 Soul Emperor! The Spirit Hall would welcome such talent!" The examiner leaned forward eagerly.
Art bowed slightly. "Your honor is appreciated. But first, I wish to walk the wider world - and I must consult my guardian."
"A pity! But I respect your choice." The examiner produced parchment. "At least accept this full scholarship recommendation to Nouding Academy!"
"Your generosity humbles me. However, our village's single part-time admission should go to another. A standard recommendation suffices."
The examiner chuckled. "Such independence! May your path be blessed. Ah - I am Su Jin, by the way."
As disappointed children scattered to their families, Art approached Uncle Jack with measured steps.
"Honored elder, thank you for facilitating our Wuhun awakenings! Were any... successful?" Jack's voice quivered with hope.
"Indeed! One child manifested Level 6 spirit power!" The examiner flourished a sealed scroll. "Nouding Academy awaits!"
"Who... who is this fortunate child?" Jack's eyes darted about.
"He stands beside you this very moment."
Old Man Jack's joyous roar echoed through the village as he swept Art into a crushing embrace!
The night breeze whispered softly, carrying the fresh scent of damp earth after the rain. Arthur sat by his bedroom window, his eyes sparkling as they traced the scattered stars across the sky! His fingers restlessly tapped against the armrest of his chair with nervous energy!
"Wuhun Spirit..." he murmured to himself, "But why did it take so long?! Was it because of this simulation system?!"
He let out a long sigh, his face wrinkled with confusion. The system felt like a giant key that could only unlock one door—and that door led to an INFINITE PATH!
"Art, !! YOU READY?! THE PARTY'S STARTING OUT HERE!" Uncle Jack's voice boomed from outside, shattering the peaceful night's silence!
Arthur jolted in surprise, then sprang to his feet. His new outfit—a black tunic with shimmering silver embroidery—clung perfectly to his muscular frame. As he stepped outside, his shadow stretched dramatically in the moonlight, like a legendary hero descending from the heavens!
### The Feast in Saint Village
"HEY! LOOK! THE 'AWAKENED ONE' FINALLY SHOWED UP!" shouted a villager while enthusiastically raising his beer mug!
Laughter and cheers filled the air! The bonfire licked wildly at the night, dancing between the gazes of villagers filled with admiration and hope! But Arthur? He felt like an actor forced to play a role! Though he smiled, his eyes kept stealing glances back toward the house—as if the simulation system was calling to him with tantalizing whispers!
"I HAVE to try it later...!" he thought with restless excitement, as he sipped the fruit juice offered by a little girl.
The party blazed merrily late into the night. Heroic songs, boisterous laughter, and epic tales of Saint Village's ancestors filled the evening air. Arthur got swept up in the moment—he danced wildly, laughed freely, even arm-wrestled with the village kids! But all good things must end...
"Ugh, village life is too peaceful..." he grumbled while rubbing his throbbing temples.
### The Next Morning
"GAHHH... MY HEAD FEELS LIKE IT'S BEEN STOMPED BY A WILD HORSE...!" Arthur groaned in pain, his face buried in the soft pillow.
Morning sunlight sneaked through the curtains, forcing his lead-heavy eyelids open!
"ART!! GET UP! YOUR FOOD'S GETTING COLD!" Uncle Jack shouted from the kitchen.
"YEAH... YEAH... GIVE ME A MINUTE..."he replied while rubbing his still-dizzy eyes.
After breakfast—and three gulps of bitter, wake-up tea—Arthur finally felt some strength returning to his body.
"Now... IT'S TIME TO TEST IT OUT!"
He sat cross-legged on his bedroom floor,closing his eyes with an expression of determination and anticipation.
"Alright, system... SHOW ME WHAT YOU'RE REALLY CAPABLE OF!"
### Plunging into the Subconscious
"AAAAAH—DAMN IT—!!!"
Suddenly, Arthur was FALLING FREELY WITHOUT WARNING! Wind roared in his ears, his chest tightened as if crushed by boulders, yet... THE GROUND?! NOWHERE TO BE FOUND!
He snapped his eyes wide open—
"WHAT—?! WHERE IS THIS?! WHERE AM I?!"
An endless white void. No sky, no floor. Just... SUFFOCATING, TERRIFYING EMPTINESS!
"This is your subconscious realm," a voice suddenly spoke—clear, cold, yet... UNCANNYLY FAMILIAR!
Arthur whirled around—
Before him stood a figure IDENTICAL TO HIMSELF, but its eyes GLOWED PALE BLUE like piercing ice crystals!
"YOU—! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"
TO BE CONTINUED...!