At the precise moment the last vestiges of the bottleneck shattered within Yao Xuan, a subtle, yet profound, ripple emanated from his being—a whisper of awakening primordial power.
In her classroom at Red Mountain Academy, Na'er, who had been quietly drawing, suddenly flinched. Her head snapped up, her amethyst eyes wide and unfocused, as she instinctively turned her gaze towards the city center where the Spirit Pagoda stood. A deep, resonant tremor passed through her soul, a feeling so familiar it was like a half-remembered lullaby. 'That presence... it's stronger... and it's calling...' But what was it? The memory remained elusive, leaving behind only a sweet, comforting ache of kinship.
Simultaneously, in the forging room of Mangtian Studio, Tang Wulin felt a jolt that had nothing to do with his hammer. A surge of warmth, fierce and sudden, erupted from the base of his spine, circulating once through his body in a wild, exhilarating loop before settling back into dormancy. He gasped, nearly dropping his tool, his heart hammering against his ribs for a reason he couldn't fathom.
Back in the cultivation room, Yao Xuan was immersed in a sea of transformation. The nine-colored energy wasn't just strengthening him; it was rewriting him on a fundamental level. It felt like returning to the most absolute safety, a state of pure, nourished being where every cell sang with vitality. His mind, now at the peak of the Spirit Origin Realm, was preternaturally clear, and his body felt lighter, stronger, more *real* than ever before.
The system's chimes were a triumphant fanfare in the silence of his soul.
'View!'
A shimmering panel materialized in his mind's eye, the data crisp and definitive.
**[Name: Yao Xuan]**
**[Age: 7.5]**
**[System Abilities: Eye of Observation, Enhanced Charm, Enhanced Comprehension, Spatial Storage (Inactive), Enhanced Meditation (Inactive)]**
**[Martial Soul: Ancestral Dragon]**
**[Soul Power: Level 11 (0.0%) (Soul Master)]**
**[Ancestral Dragon Bloodline: 4.8%]**
**[Mental Power: 91 (Peak of the Spirit Origin Realm)]**
**[Soul Spirit: Black Rock Serpent (Temporary. Ready for replacement with system reward.)]**
**[Soul Skill: Unlocked upon fusion with designated Soul Spirit.]**
**[Bloodline Ability: Primary Ancestral Dragon Body]**
**[Golden Evolution Points: 101]**
"Finally..." Yao Xuan exhaled, a slow, satisfied breath that seemed to carry the weight of his journey so far. The satisfaction was a solid, warm presence in his chest. He had not only broken through, but his mental power had also surged, breaking into the peak of the Spirit Origin Realm. And the rewards... they were the true key to his future. He would activate the new abilities in the safety of his home, and that Infinite Growth Soul Spirit... that was the cornerstone upon which his legend would be built.
'Accept.'
The quest panel updated seamlessly.
**[Quest: Breakthrough to Great Soul Master]**
**[Description: You have taken the first step, but the path of a Soul Master is long. To carve your name into the annals of this world, you cannot rest. Reach the next major realm.]**
**[Time Limit: 2 Years]**
**[Rewards: 1000 Golden Evolution Points, System Ability: Energy Condensation, System Ability: Simulated Battle Space.]**
**[Special Note: The Ancestral Dragon Martial Soul and Bloodline are one. For a perfect foundation, it is highly recommended to achieve 10% Bloodline Unlock before breaking through to Level 20. Neglecting this may impair future growth potential.]**
'A thousand points... and new abilities...' The rewards were staggering, a testament to the difficulty ahead. But the note gave him pause. 'So, raw soul power isn't enough. The bloodline must keep pace. Reaching 10%... that will require 52 more points from my current level. A daunting task, but a necessary one. A flawed foundation leads to a fragile tower.' The path was clear: he could not afford complacency. Every action now had to be calculated towards strengthening his bloodline.
With his resolve steeled, he rose and left the cultivation room.
"Child, you've succeeded? So quickly?" The waiting Spirit Master's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Yes, Spirit Master," Yao Xuan replied with practiced modesty. "The fusion felt... natural. I suppose I was fortunate."
"With your mental strength and a compatible, low-level spirit, it's not just fortune; it's inevitability," the Spirit Master corrected, his demeanor now distinctly more respectful. "Now, a final soul power test for the official records. Once verified, you will be registered as a Soul Master with the Sun Moon Federation and will receive a monthly stipend of one thousand Federal Coins."
"Yao Xuan! You did it?" Lin Ximeng rushed forward, her face a mixture of hope and anxiety.
"Mom, I did it," he confirmed, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "I am a Soul Master now."
The relief and pride that washed over her features were his second-greatest reward. "Oh, my wonderful boy! I'm so proud of you! Go on, finish the formalities. I'll be right here."
The subsequent test was a formality. The machine glowed, confirming Level 11 Soul Power. The Spirit Master issued a formal certificate, a simple document that represented a monumental shift in Yao Xuan's life.
Half an hour later, holding the certificate that felt both light and immensely heavy, Yao Xuan walked out of the Spirit Pagoda with Lin Ximeng. The afternoon sun felt different on his skin, the world looked sharper, and the future, for the first time, felt like something he could truly grasp and mold with his own hands. He was no longer just a participant in this world's story. He had begun to write his own.