Heaven Dou Empire, capital city, Heaven Dou City.
In front of the Spirit Hall's Temple, Wu Qi stopped in his tracks.
As a marginal descendant of the Wu family in Heaven Dou City and with both parents deceased, Wu Qi received no favor within the clan.
At his age, he should have awakened his martial spirit a month ago, yet no one in the family had helped him until now.
As a transmigrator, he had read many novels in his previous life about people crossing over into the world of Douluo Dalu.
He understood one truth well: the earlier one awakened their martial spirit, the earlier they could begin cultivation, which would greatly benefit future growth.
With no one in the family paying him any attention, expecting an elder to help him awaken his martial spirit was nothing but wishful thinking.
Left with no choice, he came alone to the Spirit Hall.
"If I can awaken a decent martial spirit today, I'll rely on myself from now on!"
Clenching his fists, he stepped into the grounds of the Spirit Hall's Temple.
Ordinarily, not just anyone could enter the Spirit Temple. However, seeing that he was only a child, the guards did not stop him. Instead, one of them approached patiently.
"Kid, where are your parents? If you've gotten lost, do you know where your home is? I can take you back."
At this time, Bibi Dong had not yet fully consolidated her authority within Spirit Hall, and its internal culture had not deteriorated.
Wu Qi, being only a child, had no intention of talking about changing Spirit Hall's future.
Today, the most important task was awakening his martial spirit.
"Uncle, I'm here to awaken my martial spirit. May I go in?"
Wu Qi blinked innocently.
The guard paused. "Your family didn't come with you?"
Wu Qi shook his head. "I don't have anyone at home. I had to come by myself."
To him, the Wu family of Heaven Dou City was not a home, but a cage.
Since no one in the clan paid attention to him, leaving early was the best choice.
After awakening his martial spirit, even if it was not strong, with the certificate issued by Spirit Hall he could enroll in a Primary Spirit Master Academy and support himself.
Seeing his worn clothing and assuming he was telling the truth, the guard felt a trace of sympathy.
"You poor child. Go on in. State your purpose and someone will help you awaken your martial spirit."
After thanking him, Wu Qi stepped inside the Spirit Temple.
The Spirit Temple was the highest-ranking branch beneath the Pope's Palace. There were not many staff members inside, but each was busy.
After explaining his purpose, a kind middle-aged woman led him into the Awakening Room.
She arranged the awakening stones into a special formation, and Wu Qi stood in the center.
At that moment, a voice came from outside the door.
"Wang Fang, what is going on here?"
The newcomer was none other than the Platinum Bishop, Salas.
"Your Excellency, this child has no family, and he has already turned six. I am helping him awaken his martial spirit."
"Oh?"
Salas grew interested and looked Wu Qi up and down.
There were many great clans and nobles in Heaven Dou City. Their children usually awakened their martial spirits privately.
It was rare for someone to come to the Spirit Temple for awakening.
For Wu Qi, this unusual visitor, Salas found himself curious and decided to watch the process.
"Child, close your eyes and focus. Try to communicate with your martial spirit within your consciousness."
Wang Fang spoke gently and explained patiently.
Wu Qi slowly closed his eyes. In his consciousness, a warm azure light shimmered continuously.
Suddenly, a long, melodious cry sounded from within his body, and an azure figure emerged.
"A divine avian form with wings like an Azure Luan. This is a top-tier martial spirit."
Salas, as a Platinum Bishop, was naturally well-informed.
He had once served in the Pope's Palace and had the fortune of witnessing Azure Luan Douluo in action.
That breathtaking display had left a deep impression on him. Now, on this child, he saw a trace of the same bearing.
Wu Qi let out a quiet sigh in his heart. "My martial spirit is actually the Azure Luan."
The reasoning was not difficult to understand.
The Wu family were imperial nobles; in the past, their ancestors had married an imperial princess.
The imperial family possessed the Swan martial spirit, while the Wu family possessed the White Crane martial spirit. The combination indeed had a chance of mutating into the Azure Luan martial spirit.
After a pause, he reminded them,
"Your Excellency, Sister Wang you haven't tested my spirit power yet."
"Ah, right, right."
Wang Fang hurriedly took out a spirit power crystal ball from her soul tool and handed it to Wu Qi.
The moment his palm touched the surface of the crystal ball, brilliant light burst forth in the Awakening Room, dazzling and radiant.
Salas did not seem surprised. "When a top-tier martial spirit appears, it is often accompanied by exceptionally high innate spirit power."
The door to the Awakening Room had not been closed, and the spectacle quickly drew the attention of the staff within the hall.
"With that kind of glow, his innate spirit power can't be lower than rank nine, right?"
"You're inexperienced, that's full innate spirit power!"
"I heard that child is an orphan. Wang Fang has truly found a treasure this time."
Some were envious; others were regretful.
The Spirit Temple would not remain quiet today.
Salas cleared his throat lightly. "Child, are you willing to join Spirit Hall?"
"Is that allowed?" Wu Qi asked in return.
A family like the Wu clan was not worthy of his loyalty. He had long decided to leave the clan and rely on himself.
Joining Spirit Hall might be a good destination.
Because of his martial spirit, he was confident he would not fall under the direct authority of Bibi Dong.
After her initial surprise, Wang Fang quickly spoke up. "Your Excellency, shouldn't we immediately report this to Her Holiness the Pope?"
A genius with full innate spirit power was extremely rare and of great importance; it had to be reported.
Spirit Hall had different training methods depending on innate spirit power, and Wu Qi's talent qualified him for the highest level of cultivation.
However, Salas had his own thoughts.
If he handed Wu Qi over to Bibi Dong, he would certainly receive a reward. But Bibi Dong was not especially generous, and the benefit might not satisfy him.
If he presented the boy to Azure Luan Douluo, the situation would be different.
Although the Worship Hall did not participate in Spirit Hall's administrative affairs, its influence was extraordinary. Owing Azure Luan Douluo a favor could bring greater benefits in the future.
Moreover, discovering talent for Spirit Hall also came with rewards. Why not receive two rewards instead of one?
"Wang Fang, arrange a residence for him in the city. For the next few days, stay by his side. I will report this matter first. As for where he will ultimately be sent, that will be decided by those above."
The arrangement was reasonable, and Wang Fang naturally had no objection.
"Your Excellency, I have an empty house in the city. Shall we arrange for the boy to stay there for now?"
Salas did not concern himself with such details. He only cared about the outcome.
"By the way, what is your name?" Salas bent down, his tone gentle.
Wu Qi bowed calmly. "Reporting to Your Excellency, my name is Wu Qi, Qi as in rising with strength."
Afterward, Salas issued a gag order to ensure that today's events would not spread.
After leaving the Spirit Temple, Wang Fang took him to a residence in the southern part of the city.
Along the way, she smiled and said, "You don't have a home, do you? Why not let this house be yours?"
Offering the house was naturally meant to build goodwill with a future powerhouse.
According to Spirit Hall's cultivation plan, Wu Qi's future rise was almost certain.
It is easy to add flowers to brocade, but hard to offer help in the snow.
Giving him the house now provided him with a place to belong, no small favor.
"Thank you, Sister Wang. However, everything should follow the bishop's arrangements."
Wu Qi did not accept immediately, passing the decision back to Salas.