Although this city wasn't particularly large, its commerce was quite developed. Consequently, the Spirit Hall established here was countless times better than the wooden structures found in rural villages. Most importantly, one could pay to undergo Spirit Awakening at any time here. Of course, those looking for a bargain could also wait for the annual opportunity for a free Spirit Awakening.
However, with the status of Jin Bao's family, they certainly couldn't lose face by waiting for a free Spirit Awakening. Thus, calculating Jin Bao's birthday, they brought him here as soon as he turned six.
Looking at the magnificently decorated Spirit Hall, Jin Bao thought about the state of his own home; there didn't seem to be much of a difference. It was just that the Spirit Hall was larger, or perhaps more spacious.
The exquisite reliefs on the walls calmed the mind, the light from the crystal chandeliers overhead was just right, and the soft carpet underfoot absorbed sound. The combination of the three made the lobby appear exceptionally serene.
At the Spirit Awakening registration area, there happened to be a large window. The light from outside spilled over the backs of the staff members, and combined with their perfect smiles, it gave people an extraordinary sense of approachability.
"Jin Clan Jewelry, Jin Ge. I have an appointment for Molu Spirit Grandmaster to conduct a Spirit Awakening."
Seeing his father's respectful manner, Jin Bao clearly felt his reverence for the Spirit Hall, even toward a mere receptionist.
'Father is also a four-ring Spirit Ancestor. Is it because the business has received care from the Spirit Hall?' Jin Bao thought, blinking his eyes.
"I've found it. Please follow me!" The receptionist stood up and made a gesture of invitation, leading the family of three toward the corridor on the right.
This side consisted of individual private rooms, though there were only three.
Arriving outside the middle door, the receptionist knocked.
"Lord Molu, Jin Ge has an appointment for his son's Spirit Awakening ceremony today."
A man's voice soon came from inside the room.
"Come in!"
The receptionist pushed open the door and invited Jin Bao's family into the room.
Aside from a platform for Spirit Awakening, the room also had two rows of seats.
Directly ahead, beneath a relief representing the Spirit Hall, stood a man dressed in white.
"Lord Molu, I shall take my leave now." After saying this, the receptionist exited the room and closed the door.
At this time, Jin Ge took Jin Bao's hand and led him forward to the altar.
"Grandmaster Molu, this is my son Jin Bao. He is here today to complete his Spirit Awakening."
Molu turned around. Looking at him, Jin Bao noticed his most prominent feature was a hint of pale red in his hair. He was very tall, appearing to be over two meters by visual estimation.
Though he wore the exclusive uniform of the Spirit Hall, the frame and muscles beneath the clothes were clearly very robust.
"Mm. Please take a seat! It will be over soon, though." He said, looking at Jin Bao.
"Stand on the altar. Do not be afraid."
Jin Bao wasn't actually a child. He nodded and stepped onto the altar in one stride, then looked at the Spirit Grandmaster.
"Flame Lion, Possess!"
With a low growl from Molu, his already tall frame grew another size larger. His hair took on an explosive quality and turned entirely red.
Two yellow spirit rings rose from beneath him, floating around his body.
Looking down at Jin Bao on the altar, a trace of admiration flashed in Molu's eyes. He had helped many children from wealthy families awaken their Spirits, but most were somewhat terrified upon seeing his Spirit Possession. This was true even if their parents had told them what Spirit Possession looked like beforehand.
"Child, close your eyes. Feel the energy flowing within your body. Do not resist it; that is your power..."
Though his voice was somewhat coarse, Jin Bao could hear the gentle tone within it.
'It really is hard to determine a person's true nature based on appearance alone!' Jin Bao thought. He truly hadn't expected such a burly man's voice to be so gentle.
Soon, he felt a warm energy enveloping his body, and a sensation of surging energy gradually appeared within him.
The energy in his body quickly converged toward his right hand.
Opening his eyes, Jin Bao saw an object gradually taking shape in his right hand.
To the side, Jin Bao's parents hadn't sat down at all—or rather, they had sat for a moment and then immediately stood back up. Their hands had unconsciously gripped each other as they watched the Spirit in Jin Bao's hand.
Although their family wasn't considered a great clan, they had a heritage spanning three generations. Every generation possessed a Spirit and spirit power. Though their final cultivation levels weren't high, it was enough to protect the family business.
But in this World, every set of parents hoped their descendants would be more talented than themselves and become powerful Spirit Masters.
Molu looked at the Spirit in Jin Bao's right hand. "It seems to be a Tool Spirit. However, if I remember correctly, you two are also Tool Spirit users."
Jin Ge nodded. "Our family's Spirits are basically all gemstones or various kinds of jewelry."
He didn't necessarily need his son to awaken some powerful Spirit; even something like his own would be fine. As long as his Innate Spirit Power was better than his own, he was willing to pay a high price and spend resources to provide for his son.
"Jewelry, gemstones? It doesn't seem to be either!" Molu looked at the Spirit in Jin Bao's hand.
"Child, I haven't seen your Spirit before; at least, it isn't a common one. However, you should be able to know the Spirit's name."
Jin Bao nodded. "Money. My Spirit's name is called Money."
As he spoke, he showed his Spirit to his parents.
It was a golden copper coin the size of a gold coin, round with a square hole, featuring four mysterious engravings on it. On both sides of the coin, there had initially been a pair of wing-like phantoms. However, as the Spirit finally solidified, the wings were no longer present.
Just as Molu said, he knew the information regarding his Spirit.
'While the complete form of this Spirit is excellent, I guess all my luck was used up on transmigrating. I actually only awakened a defective version.'
"A strange coin, but that's fine. It counts as being within the category of our family's inherited Spirits." Jin Ge sighed. Indeed, the chances of hoping for a beneficial Spirit mutation were far too small.
Next was testing spirit power; this was the key part.
Although ordinary Tool Spirits couldn't compare to Beast Spirits—because ordinary Tool Spirits couldn't guarantee having Innate Spirit Power, whereas Beast Spirits always would.
Molu held a crystal ball in one hand and placed it in front of Jin Bao.
"Place your hand on it. Imagine the spirit power within your body—the energy you felt earlier—and inject it inside."
Jin Bao nodded. He clenched his right hand to withdraw his Spirit, then placed his hand on the ball. Although he believed his Spirit would have spirit power, he wasn't sure how much there would be in this state.
Immediately after, the crystal ball emitted a glow