The ceremony finally came to an end. The cheers and murmurs slowly faded as everyone began leaving the platform.
At the front of the crowd, Clan Leader Cang Ti stood proudly, his voice echoing through the training ground.
> "All young members of the Cang Clan will now receive their cultivation technique. Remember, this is only the beginning. Work hard—and bring honor to our clan!"
One by one, elders handed small jade slips to each child.
When it was Cang Yan's turn, Cang Ti looked at him with a faint smile.
> "Especially you, Cang Yan. I expect great things. Don't waste your talent."
Cang Yan bowed slightly.
> "Yes, Clan Leader. I'll work hard."
Beside him, his father Cang Jun placed a proud hand on his shoulder. Together, they turned and began walking back to their residence.
That night, the moon hung high over Luo City. In his quiet room, Cang Yan sat cross-legged on his bed, the jade slip glowing softly in his palm.
He whispered to himself, a spark of determination in his red eyes:
> "Finally… I'll begin my cultivation."
He closed his eyes. Gentle spiritual energy flowed into his body, merging with his soul. From this moment forward—his path of defying the Dao had truly begun.
---
Inside a quiet room bathed in moonlight, Cang Yan sat cross-legged on his bed. His breathing was calm, his mind focused entirely on his cultivation.
Slowly, spiritual energy began to stir around him—thin wisps of aura rising like mist. Then, without warning—a brilliant light burst from above his head.
> Woooosh!
A majestic figure of pure energy appeared behind him—its form divine, with glowing wings and eyes filled with endless stars.
Cang Yan opened his eyes in shock.
> "So this is… my Celestial Martial Spirit?"
The spirit pulsed, releasing waves of light that made the entire room tremble. Its aura was so vast that even the faint stars outside flickered in response.
Cang Yan quickly closed his eyes again, calming his breath. He guided his qi as he had learned, allowing his martial spirit to stabilize.
Then suddenly—heaven and earth energy surged from every direction, gathering around him like a vortex.
> Boom!
The aura flowed into the Celestial Spirit, which greedily absorbed it all before releasing the refined energy back into Cang Yan's body.
His veins glowed faintly with golden light. His skin shimmered as his cultivation base strengthened.
He muttered softly, a faint smile forming on his lips:
> "Incredible… this spirit can absorb heaven and earth energy by itself."
The glow slowly faded. The room returned to silence—only Cang Yan's steady breathing could be heard.
At that moment, he realized—his journey had truly begun, and his Celestial Martial Spirit was far beyond anything this small city could imagine.
---
Morning sunlight gently spilled through the window, casting warm rays across Cang Yan's room.
He sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed, calmly drawing in the faint threads of qi that filled the air.
Hours passed—until suddenly—
> BOOM!
A shockwave of energy burst from his body. Cang Yan's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with golden light.
He whispered in disbelief,
> "Normally… it takes two or three years for a person to advance from Martial Apprentice to Martial Student. But I… broke through martial apprentice to martial student four grade in one night?"
He clenched his fist, feeling the boundless energy surging through his veins.
> "If my Celestial Martial Spirit upgrades to the twelfth grade… my cultivation speed will be terrifying."
Reaching into his pocket, he took out a small jade bottle. Inside were round blue pills, each marked with five golden stars.
> "So these are fifth-grade pills…" he murmured.
He placed one in his mouth. The pill melted instantly, flooding his body with spiritual power. The energy rushed into his dantian and was greedily absorbed by his martial spirit.
Moments later, the light dimmed.
> "One pill isn't enough," he said, determination flashing in his eyes.
He swallowed another—then another.
The room shook violently. Golden qi erupted from his body, swirling like a storm. Behind him, the Celestial Martial Spirit appeared again, its form radiating divine brilliance.
> BOOM!
The spirit blazed with light before stabilizing once more.
Cang Yan slowly exhaled.
> "Even after all the fifth-grade pills, my spirit only advanced one level…"
He smiled faintly.
> "It seems the higher its grade, the stronger the pills it requires."
But deep inside, he felt no frustration—only excitement.
Because this was proof—
> His Celestial Martial Spirit was truly beyond anything ordinary.