After a brief moment of thought, Lin Xia shifted his attention to the guards stationed at the city gate.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the faint awkwardness of his dust-covered clothes and travel-worn appearance, then walked briskly toward a guard who looked relatively kind.
"Big brother!"
Lin Xia deliberately kept his voice clear, carrying just the right amount of childishness for his age.
"Excuse me, do you know where the Spirit Hall in this city is?"
The guard, who had been standing rigidly on duty, looked down at the sound of the voice and saw a small child before him—clothes torn and dusty, hair in a mess, looking exactly like a little beggar who'd been sleeping rough.
He frowned subconsciously and was just about to wave Lin Xia away impatiently.
But when their eyes met—those tired yet unusually clear and bright eyes—his heart softened.
This child was far too young, all alone, and clearly had been through a lot.
The guard's stern expression relaxed. He squatted down to Lin Xia's level and spoke more gently.
"Little guy, you want to go to the Spirit Hall? If it's for Spirit Awakening, that only happens on the fixed date each year."
"No, big brother!"
Lin Xia shook his head quickly.
"I'm already a Spirit Master. I want to get certified… and see if I can receive the subsidy."
When he said subsidy, his voice dropped a little, tinged with embarrassment.
A flicker of surprise passed through the guard's eyes.
Such a young Spirit Master—and alone?
Still, he didn't question it further. Instead, he pointed carefully in a direction.
"Go straight along this main road. When you reach the Central Plaza, turn right. You'll see a building with a white spire and a Seraphim statue at the entrance—that's the Spirit Hall of Gengjin City. Don't forget—turn right at the plaza."
"Thank you, big brother!"
Lin Xia bowed sincerely, thanked him again, and immediately headed into the city following the directions.
---
Gengjin City truly lived up to its reputation as the City of Metal.
Shops lined both sides of the street, many bearing signs decorated with hammers, Ore, or metal tools. The constant clang-clang of blacksmithing filled the air, never ceasing.
The metallic scent was even stronger here—an aroma that was downright enticing to both Lin Xia and his Spirit.
Before long, Lin Xia reached the Central Plaza. Just as the guard had said, the white building to the right stood out immediately.
The Spirit Hall.
The Seraphim statue at the entrance gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight, radiating solemnity and sacred authority.
Lin Xia tugged at his tattered clothes. The effect was minimal, but he still did his best to look slightly more presentable. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.
---
The interior of the Spirit Hall was spacious and bright, its marble floor polished to a mirror-like sheen.
A young receptionist in standard Spirit Hall uniform frowned slightly when he saw Lin Xia enter—the reaction was subtle, but unmistakable.
Lin Xia's appearance was far too out of place in such a dignified environment.
"Little friend, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked, maintaining basic courtesy.
"Hello."
Lin Xia steadied his voice.
"I'm here for Spirit Master Certification… and to receive the Spirit Master subsidy."
"Spirit Master Certification?"
The receptionist looked him up and down, suspicion plain in his eyes. The child in front of him looked six or seven at most—and disheveled at that.
"Are you sure you're not here for Spirit Awakening?"
"I'm sure."
Lin Xia nodded firmly. He rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a folded, slightly wrinkled document.
"This is my Spirit Proof."
The receptionist unfolded it and read:
> Nuoding Junior Spirit Master Academy — Spirit Proof
Name: Lin Xia
Spirit: Larvitar (Detached Beast Spirit)
Innate Spirit Power: Rank Eight
Certifier: Su Yuntao
Nuoding City Spirit Hall Sub-Branch (Official Seal)
Seeing the unmistakable Spirit Hall seal, the receptionist's suspicion vanished, replaced by astonishment.
Innate Spirit Power Rank Eight—this was outstanding talent.
As for this Spirit named Larvitar… he had never heard of it.
Still, none of that was his concern.
"Please come with me," the receptionist said. "I'll take you to see Elder Charlotte."
"Yes!"
---
They walked down a corridor and entered a quiet room.
Inside, an elderly man with white hair but vigorous spirit sat behind a desk. He wore a silver-trimmed deacon's robe—the Deacon Elder of the Gengjin City Spirit Hall branch, Charlotte.
The receptionist bowed respectfully.
"Elder Charlotte, this child is Lin Xia. He holds a Spirit Proof from Nuoding City and wishes to certify as a Spirit Master and receive the subsidy."
He stepped forward and handed over the proof.
Charlotte read it carefully, then lifted his head, fixing his sharp gaze on Lin Xia. A trace of surprise appeared in his eyes.
"You're certain he's not here for Awakening… but for Spirit Master Certification?" Charlotte asked, still finding it hard to believe.
"Yes, Elder. This is his Spirit Proof."
Charlotte nodded and waved his hand, signaling the receptionist to leave.
Once they were alone, Charlotte rose and slowly approached Lin Xia. There was no disdain in his eyes for the boy's dusty appearance—only a gentle smile.
"Don't be nervous, child," Charlotte said kindly.
"By regulation, I must personally test your bone age and Spirit Power Rank before processing certification and issuing the subsidy."
"I understand, Elder," Lin Xia replied calmly.
Charlotte extended his hand. Soft white Spirit Power gathered in his palm.
He first placed his hand lightly on Lin Xia's head, sending a gentle probing force inward to assess bone age.
Moments later, recognition flickered in his eyes.
Six years old—accurate.
Next, his hand moved to Lin Xia's shoulder. A purer wave of Spirit Power surged forth, probing Lin Xia's Qi Sea to test his cultivation.
The instant his Spirit Power touched the dense, surging energy within Lin Xia—like a pond filled to the brim—the gentle smile on Charlotte's face froze.
Shock replaced it entirely.
"Rank Ten?!"
Charlotte blurted out, staring at Lin Xia in disbelief.
"Your Spirit Power has already reached Rank Ten?! Innate Rank Eight… how long has it been? Half a month?! How could you possibly break through to Rank Ten so fast?!"
This speed of cultivation was simply unheard of.
Even someone with full innate Spirit Power couldn't cross two ranks in such a short time—let alone reach the bottleneck that required a Spirit Ring.
Charlotte's eyes sharpened.
This child… definitely holds a secret.