Nano Martial Soul

The door creaked open as Ling Chen rushed into the house, his breath slightly ragged from running. The warm glow of the dining room greeted him, and the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air. His father, Ling Zhan, sat at the head of the table, his stern yet kind eyes lighting up as he saw his son. Beside him, on a smaller chair, sat Ling Mei, Ling Chen's younger sister. Her tiny hands clutched a spoon, and her face broke into a wide grin the moment she saw her brother.

"Brother! We've been waiting for you!" she squealed, her voice filled with innocent excitement.

Ling Chen smiled, his heart warming at the sight of his family. He walked over to the table and took his seat, ruffling Ling Mei's hair playfully as he sat down. His mother, Mei Xiu, was busy serving the last of the dishes onto the table. She glanced at Ling Chen, her eyes soft with affection, and said, "You're just in time, Chen. Sit down and eat before it gets cold."

As the family settled around the table, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of quiet joy. Ling Chen's father, Ling Zhan, cleared his throat and looked at his son with a serious yet proud expression. "Ling Chen," he began, his voice deep and steady, "today is a special day for you. Are you ready?"

Ling Chen nodded, his expression firm. "Yes, Father. I'm ready."

Today was the day of the Awakening Ceremony, a pivotal moment in the life of every cultivator. In this world, it was also known as the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony. It marked the transition from the Body Refining Realm to the next stage of cultivation. Ling Chen had spent years preparing for this moment, honing his body and spirit through the stages of Flesh Tempering, Bone Forging, and Meridian Awakening. Now, at the peak of the Body Refining Realm, he was about to take the final step: Qi Gathering. Only after achieving this could he awaken his Martial Soul, the essence of his cultivation path.

Ling Zhan's eyes gleamed with pride as he looked at his son. "You've worked hard for this, Chen. The Awakening Ceremony is not just a test of your strength but also of your will. Remember, the Martial Soul you awaken will shape your future. Stay focused, and don't let doubt cloud your mind."

Ling Chen nodded again, his resolve unwavering. "I understand, Father. I won't let you down."

Ling Mei, who had been quietly eating her food, suddenly piped up. "Brother, will you become super strong after today? Like the heroes in the stories?"

Mei Xiu smiled warmly, her eyes glistening with a mother's pride. "We believe in you, Chen. Just remember to stay true to yourself. No matter what happens today, you'll always have our support."

After the heartfelt family dinner, Ling Chen retreated to his room to prepare for the Awakening Ceremony. He stepped into the bath, letting the warm water wash away the fatigue of the day. As he dried off and dressed in his ceremonial robes, he couldn't help but pause in front of the mirror. The reflection staring back at him was nothing short of striking.

Ling Chen tilted his head, examining his flawless skin, jet-black hair that cascaded down his back like a waterfall, and the sharp features of his face. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he muttered to himself, "Handsome. Truly, ridiculously handsome. It's not like I wasn't good-looking in my past life, but in this one? I've really outdone myself."

He ran a hand through his hair, striking a pose just for fun. "Flawless skin, perfect hair, and this jawline could cut through steel. No wonder the girls in the clan can't stop staring."

For a moment, he allowed himself to bask in his own vanity. After all, today was a big day, and if he couldn't appreciate his own looks, who would? But as he turned away from the mirror, his expression grew serious. The Awakening Ceremony was no joke, and his looks wouldn't help him if he failed to awaken a powerful Martial Soul.

Ling Chen stepped out of his room, his robes flowing elegantly with every step. His family was waiting for him in the courtyard, and Ling Mei's eyes widened as she saw him. "Brother, you look like a prince!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight.

The entire family made their way toward the main courtyard, where the Awakening Ceremony was about to take place. As they walked, Ling Chen couldn't help but marvel at the sheer opulence of the Ling Family Estate. The sprawling grounds were a testament to the family's wealth and power, with golden statues of phoenixes, dragons, and elephants lining the pathways. These statues weren't just for show—they symbolized the Martial Souls that had awakened in previous generations of the Ling Family. Each statue seemed to radiate an aura of strength and majesty, as if silently watching over the clan.

The courtyard itself was a sight to behold. Stretching 200 yards long and 190 yards wide, it was large enough to accommodate thousands of people. Rows upon rows of chairs were arranged in a circular pattern, with a massive ceremonial platform at the center. The platform was adorned with intricate carvings and glowing runes, ready to channel the spiritual energy needed for the ceremony.

As they approached the platform, Ling Zhan turned to his son and said, "Chen, I'll go greet the elders and see when the ceremony will begin. You go and take your seat with the family. Stay calm and focused."

Ling Chen nodded. "Sure, Father. I'm fine with this. Don't worry."

With that, Ling Zhan strode off toward a group of elders who were standing near the platform, their robes shimmering with the insignia of the Ling Family. Ling Chen, meanwhile, made his way to the designated seating area for his family. He sat down between his mother, Mei Xiu, and his younger sister, Ling Mei. The atmosphere was electric, with the chatter of family members, servants, and guests filling the air.

The courtyard was packed with nearly 150,000 chairs, each occupied by someone connected to the Ling Family—whether they were children, young cultivators, servants, or distant relatives. At the very center, near the platform, were the most powerful members of the family, including the Family Lord and other high-ranking elders. Special rooms had been built for honored guests, offering a clear view of the entire courtyard while maintaining their privacy. These rooms were located on the sides of the stadium-like structure, allowing the guests to observe the ceremony without being in the thick of the crowd.

Ling Mei tugged at her brother's sleeve, her eyes wide with excitement. "Brother, do you think you'll awaken a dragon Martial Soul? Or maybe a phoenix? That would be so cool!"

Ling Chen chuckled, patting her head. "Who knows, Mei? It's not up to me.

A hush fell over the courtyard as a middle-aged elder stepped onto the platform. His presence alone commanded respect, and the air seemed to grow heavier with the release of his vital energy. The crowd, which had been buzzing with excitement, fell completely silent. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

The elder raised his hands, and his voice echoed across the vast courtyard. "Good morning, my young generation. The Awakening Ceremony has officially begun. When I call your name, step forward and stand at the center of the platform."

With a wave of his hand, the elder activated the formation embedded in the platform. Four massive pillars, each about 15 feet tall, rose from the ground. These pillars were intricately designed, covered in ancient runes and symbols that glowed with a faint, otherworldly light. They were the work of a Formation Master, designed to help awaken and stabilize the Martial Souls of the young cultivators.

The elder continued, "These pillars will assist in the awakening process. Remember, your Martial Soul is a reflection of your inner self. It can take many forms—a weapon, an animal, a beast, or even an elemental spirit. The strength of your soul is measured in levels, from Level 1 to Level 9 and beyond. While Level 1 to Level 3 souls are considered weak and often useless, souls from Level 4 to Level 7 are highly respected. Level 8 and above are rare and signify extraordinary talent."

The crowd murmured in awe, reminded of the legendary Ling Xuan, the clan's Ancient Ancestor, who had awakened a Level 9 Martial Soul. To this day, no one in the kingdom had surpassed that feat. Even a Level 7 or 8 soul was considered top-tier, a sign of a prodigy destined for greatness.

The ceremony continued with a steady rhythm, each young cultivator stepping forward to awaken their Martial Soul. The elder called out, "Ling Rong, you're next."

Ling Rong stood up from his seat, his expression a mix of confidence and nervousness. He walked to the center of the platform and sat down in the cultivation formation between the four towering pillars. As he closed his eyes and began gathering Qi, the pillars started to glow, releasing a surge of vital energy that flowed into his body.

The crowd watched in awe as the pillars emitted a brilliant blue and orange light. Slowly, the energy coalesced into the form of a Flame Wolf, its fiery aura flickering with intensity. Ling Rong opened his eyes and grinned, clearly pleased with his Flame Wolf Soul.

The elder announced, "Ling Rong has awakened a Level 5 Flame Wolf Soul. Congratulations! Work hard, and you will become a strong pillar of the Ling Family."

The crowd erupted in applause, and Ling Rong returned to his seat, his chest puffed with pride.

One by one, the elder called the names of the other young cultivators. Some awakened Level 4 souls, like a Bow and Arrow or a Deer, while others were less fortunate, awakening Level 2 or Level 3 souls, such as a Mouse or a Lizard. Each awakening was met with polite applause, but the crowd's excitement began to wane as the ceremony dragged on.

Then, the elder called out, "Ling Wei, step forward."

The atmosphere in the courtyard shifted instantly. All eyes turned toward the Family Lord's only daughter, Ling Wei. She was the pride of the Ling Family, known for her exceptional talent in combat and cultivation. Even at a young age, she had already surpassed many of her peers in both skill and strength. The Family Lord himself had high hopes for her, and the entire clan watched with bated breath as she stepped onto the platform.

Ling Wei walked gracefully to the center of the platform and sat down in the cultivation formation. As she closed her eyes and began gathering Qi, the pillars glowed brighter than ever before. The air grew heavy, and the sky above the courtyard began to darken. Clouds gathered, and a strong wind swept through the area, causing the banners and flags to flutter wildly.

The crowd gasped as thunder rumbled in the distance. This was no ordinary awakening—something extraordinary was about to happen.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, striking the platform. The pillars erupted with a blinding light, and a massive surge of energy enveloped Ling Wei. The energy took the form of a Thunder Phoenix, its wings crackling with electricity and its eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity. The phoenix let out a deafening screech, forcing everyone in the courtyard to cover their ears.

The elder, his voice trembling with awe, announced, "Ling Wei has awakened a Level 10 Thunder Phoenix Soul!"

The courtyard erupted in chaos. People stood up, cheering and shouting in disbelief. A Level 10 Soul was unheard of in the kingdom—only a handful of individuals in history had ever achieved such a feat. The Family Lord, seated in his private viewing room, couldn't hide his pride as he received congratulations from the elders and guests.

"Congratulations, Family Lord! Your daughter has awakened a soul that will be remembered for centuries!" one elder exclaimed.

Another added, "With a Level 10 Thunder Phoenix Soul, Ling Wei's future is limitless. She will undoubtedly become one of the most powerful cultivators in the kingdom."

The Family Lord nodded, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Indeed, the heavens have blessed our family today."

As the crowd buzzed with excitement over Ling Wei's awe-inspiring Level 10 Thunder Phoenix Soul, Ling Chen sat quietly in his seat, his mind racing. He couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and anxiety as he watched the prodigious display of talent.

"A Level 10 Soul… that's something I've only heard about in legends," Ling Chen thought to himself. "I wonder what kind of soul I'll awaken. I hope it's at least Level 5 or higher. Only then can I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with geniuses like her. I don't want to stay confined to this city—I want to explore the entire world, to see what lies beyond the horizon. But for that, I need strength. Real strength. And strength starts with a high-quality Martial Soul."

He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. "I've trained hard, pushed my body to its limits, and refined my spirit. I won't settle for anything less than greatness. My fate has brought me this far, and I trust it will guide me further. I just need a Martial Soul that can match my ambitions."

Ling Chen's gaze shifted to Ling Wei, who was now seated gracefully, her expression calm and composed. "With a Level 10 Soul, she'll have no trouble joining the most powerful sects in the kingdom. They'll offer her the best cultivation resources—rare techniques, top-grade pills, and even defensive artifacts. She'll soar to heights most people can only dream of. But I won't be left behind. No matter what soul I awaken, I'll find a way to grow stronger."

Just as Ling Chen was lost in his thoughts, the elder's voice echoed across the courtyard. "Ling Chen, step forward."