The Walker family Martial Hall stood at the center of the estate. It was a solemn building constructed from stone and dark wood, and it had witnessed the awakening ceremonies of several generations. When Victor arrived together with his parents, the outer courtyard was already crowded with families who had brought their children for the ceremony.
Inside the hall stood an imposing middle aged man with a square face and thick eyebrows. He was Victor's uncle, Marcus Walker. As the head of the Punishment and Disciplinary Hall, Marcus was widely known for his strict nature and for the serious expression that almost never left his face. Standing beside him was a boy of Victor's age. This was William Walker, Marcus's second son, who had also come to awaken his martial soul.
David led Sarah and Victor toward them.
"Big brother."
Victor followed the example of his parents and bowed respectfully.
"Uncle Marcus."
Marcus looked toward his younger brother and his stern expression softened slightly. He gave a brief nod.
"You are here."
Victor could not remember the last time he had heard his uncle say so many words in a single moment. Throughout Victor's memories of this life, Marcus had always been silent and disciplined. The man seemed as though he had been carved entirely from stone.
Before anyone could continue speaking, the sound of laughter echoed from the entrance of the hall. A healthy looking elderly man stepped inside while several family members hurried to greet him. This man was Victor's grandfather, Richard Walker. He was the founder of the Walker estate and the person who had built the family from nothing sixty years earlier.
"Grandfather."
Both Victor and William stepped forward at the same time and greeted him respectfully.
Richard smiled warmly when he saw his grandsons. After acknowledging Marcus and David with a brief nod, he waved his hand casually.
"There is no need for ceremony. I only came to watch."
Under normal circumstances the old patriarch rarely attended awakening ceremonies. However this year was different because two of his grandsons were awakening their martial souls. He had even ended his secluded cultivation earlier than planned so that he could attend personally.
Richard slowly walked toward the front of the hall. His sharp eyes moved across the gathered members of the Walker family before finally settling on an elderly man in a gray robe who stood nearby.
"Since everyone has arrived, we can begin."
"Yes, Patriarch."
The gray robed elder bowed respectfully before stepping forward to the center of the hall.
This man was Harold Lewen, the Chief Steward of the Walker family. Victor had heard many stories about him over the years. Harold had served Richard long before the estate was founded. The two men had fought side by side, endured battles together, and worked together to build the family's current foundation.
Harold stopped at the center of the hall and slowly raised his hands. Victor immediately felt a powerful pressure fill the room as the old man began circulating his spiritual energy. Light gathered around Harold's palms and expanded outward with overwhelming intensity.
Victor observed carefully.
This must be the power of a 7 star Warrior.
Even with the physical strength he had achieved in his previous life, Victor understood that he would not have been able to compete with Harold.
In his former world he had cultivated the Body Hardening Scripture until he reached the ninth stage. However the warriors of this world clearly operated on a completely different level of power.
As Harold continued circulating his energy, a bright hexagonal pattern suddenly appeared on the ground in the center of the hall. The pattern shone with brilliant light and quickly formed a pillar of energy that rose toward the ceiling.
"William, you will go first."
Richard gestured calmly toward his grandson.
William stepped forward immediately and entered the center of the hexagonal light. As the beam surrounded him, the entire hall fell silent. The gathered family members watched with tense expressions. Even Marcus's normally rigid face revealed a trace of anxiety.
For a brief moment nothing happened.
Then a deep black light suddenly burst outward and wrapped completely around William's body. Behind him a dark shadow began to form slowly. The shape gradually grew clearer until it revealed the outline of a massive tiger. The creature possessed a powerful body and two glowing fangs that radiated fierce aura. When the form fully solidified, a thunderous roar echoed throughout the hall.
The entire room fell into stunned silence.
Richard's eyes shone with excitement and he suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"A grade nine martial soul."
Harold spoke with visible excitement in his voice.
"The Sabertooth Tiger."
A grade 9 martial soul was considered extremely rare. The Sabertooth Tiger was widely regarded as one of the most powerful high grade martial souls among grade 9 martial souls. It represented talent that was very close true legendary status. With such a martial soul, William's future as a warrior was practically guaranteed.
Victor watched quietly while his cousin stood proudly within the light. The shadow of the massive tiger still flickered faintly behind William's back.
The Martial Hall buzzed with excited whispers after William's awakening. A grade ten martial soul. Such a thing was rare not only in Canglan County but throughout the entire kingdom.
Marcus Walker stood frozen, staring at the Three Eyed Black Tiger that still hovered faintly behind his son. His fists were clenched at his sides, his body trembling slightly despite his efforts to maintain his usual stoic expression. The excitement bubbling inside him was almost impossible to contain.
Richard Walker's laughter continued to echo through the hall for some time. He had not expected that his decision to attend this ceremony would bring such a wonderful surprise.
Good, good, good. Richard repeated the word three times, his face split by a wide smile. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the excitement in his heart.
His eyes shone with joy as he looked at this grandson who possessed a grade ten martial soul. With the support and cultivation resources the Walker family could provide, William's achievements would surely surpass his own. His grandson would reach realms that Richard had spent his entire life only dreaming of.
David Walker approached his brother to offer congratulations. Congratulations, Big Brother.
Marcus looked at David's sincere face and patted his shoulder. Thank you, Second Brother. Let us wait a while. Victor still needs to awaken his martial soul. There is a chance he too might possess a grade ten martial soul.
Everyone who heard this understood they were only words of comfort. Grade ten martial souls were not common like white cabbages in a garden.
Around the hall, family elders and stewards crowded around Marcus, offering their congratulations.
William, come here. Richard stood at the center of the hall, laughing as he waved at his grandson.
Yes, Grandfather. William replied. On his way to Richard's side, he passed in front of Victor. His eyes swept over his cousin with obvious complacency and arrogance. The exchange was brief, unnoticed by others, but it did not escape Victor's perception.
Victor looked back at him calmly.
Although William was his cousin, the two were not close. Two years ago, William and several other children of the elders had been bullying Victor's sister Emily. Victor had happened upon the scene. The consequence needed no explanation. William and the others had been beaten badly. Ever since then, William had held a grudge.
William reached his grandfather, and Richard reached out to rub his head, smiling with love. He turned to Marcus, still laughing. Marcus, you did well giving birth to such an excellent son.
Marcus felt a little embarrassed at his father's praise. Father, should we not continue with the awakening ceremony first?
Richard nodded in agreement. This was not the proper time to discuss such matters. Right, let us continue.
After William, it was Victor's turn. When Richard spoke, the elders, stewards, and other family members could not help but turn to look at Victor. William, one of Richard's grandsons, had a grade ten martial soul. What about Victor?
With everyone watching, Victor stepped calmly into the hexagonal patterned light beam.
David and Sarah Walker could not help but hold each other's hands nervously. Their heartbeats quickened as they watched their son step into the light.
Victor did not stay inside the beam for very long. Just like William, a black light appeared around his body. Seeing this, the crowd stared blankly.