Mu-Jin blended into the crowd, quietly observing everything unfolding before him. His expression remained calm, but his thoughts moved steadily.
Hundreds of years ago, the Do Clan had migrated from the Central Lands to the Eastern Border, eventually settling upon the Dongwa Plains. Their true fortune had revealed itself when they discovered a spirit vein beneath this very pavilion. That spirit vein continuously produced spirit stones in vast quantities. It could be said without exaggeration that this spirit vein was the very foundation of the Do Clan's power and prosperity.
Even though they had failed to produce a single A-rank spiritual root in the past four years, their dominance over the plains remained unshaken because of that spirit vein and the stones it generated.
A martial artist absorbed qi from heaven and earth, storing it within the dantian. The greater the quantity and purity of qi absorbed, the faster one's cultivation advanced.
Spirit stones accelerated this process.
By refining the qi contained within the stones, even those with mediocre talent could steadily increase their cultivation rank. However, as one's realm rose higher, the required resources multiplied accordingly. Advancement at the peak demanded exponentially greater reserves.
"Do Jung-Lee."
The clan head held the name list and called out the first participant.
Jung-Lee stepped forward, his face solemn and focused. He was slightly taller than most boys his age, his posture already carrying the straight-backed discipline drilled into him by his grandfather. His features were sharp and refined—clear brows, straight nose, and steady eyes that held a faint trace of pride. Even at twelve, he possessed a certain handsomeness that drew attention without effort.
There was confidence in the way he walked, but not recklessness. His chin was lifted just slightly higher than the others, revealing an ego shaped by praise and expectation. Yet his steps were measured; he knew when to restrain himself, when to remain silent, and when to present humility. Jung-Lee was ambitious, but not foolish. He understood that arrogance without results was laughable.
He approached the spirit stone and placed both hands upon its surface. The moment contact was made, he felt an invisible current of energy flow into his body.
He immediately began reciting the clan's breathing technique, carefully guiding the incoming qi through his meridians. As the energy circulated, his navel emitted a faint golden glow. The light gathered around him before slowly converging inward.
Jung-Lee clenched his teeth, attempting to absorb as much spiritual energy as possible. Yet after a short while, his body trembled, and he could go no further.
"Do Jung-Lee — B-rank spiritual root!" the clan head announced.
Spiritual root aptitude was divided into four grades — A through D.
A D-grade youth, after three years of cultivation, would typically become a Third-Rate Martial Artist, forming the basic foundation of the clan. A C-grade youth could reach Second-Rate within two years, becoming reliable backbone material.
A B-grade talent required careful nurturing. With sufficient resources and approximately six years of training, such individuals would likely become First-Rate Martial Artists and eventually elders of the clan.
As for A-grade—
Even a single A-grade talent was considered a blessing for the entire clan. With concentrated support, an A-grade genius could reach Peak Master within ten years and would even be eligible to contend for the position of Clan Head.
In other words, Jung-Lee's future as an elder was nearly guaranteed.
The clan head nodded in satisfaction. The elders observing from the shadows released quiet sighs of relief before casting envious glances toward one of their own.
That elder was Do Ji-Yung, Jung-Lee's grandfather. His smile was unconcealed.
"What do you think?" he said provocatively, glancing at his longtime rival. "My grandson isn't bad, is he?"
Do Sheng-Yu snorted but forced composure. His own grandson lacked genuine aptitude. To preserve reputation, Sheng-Yu had secretly fed the boy elixirs to artificially widen his meridians. While this would not truly improve innate talent, it could temporarily create the illusion of greater compatibility during awakening.
"Do Yu-Jung."
Yu-Jung stepped forward with a smirk that he did not bother to hide. Unlike Jung-Lee's restrained confidence, Yu-Jung carried himself with an inflated sense of importance. His build was broader than most boys his age, likely due to the constant supply of supplements and elixirs provided by his influential grandfather. His eyes were narrow and slightly upturned, often glinting with calculation or disdain.
Among the younger disciples, he was known for throwing his weight around. Being the grandson of Elder Do Sheng-Yu granted him unspoken authority. He often misused it—bullying weaker children, mocking those with poor talent, and reminding others of his lineage whenever disputes arose. His laughter was loud, his confidence exaggerated.
Yet beneath that bravado lay insecurity. He knew his position depended not on his own merit, but on his grandfather's shadow. That awareness made him overcompensate.
He stepped before the spirit stone with outward confidence, as though the result were already decided in his favor.
"Do Yu-Jung — B-rank spiritual root!" the clan head declared moments later, clearly pleased.
"Ho ho! My grandson isn't bad either, is he?" Sheng-Yu said smugly, stroking his white beard.
Mu-Jin observed quietly.
He knew Yu-Jung's displayed talent was artificially enhanced. There were countless methods to temporarily inflate aptitude. But such tricks were superficial. They did not alter the root itself.
Temporary deception was meaningless in the long run.
True advantage lay in permanently upgrading one's spiritual root.
His gaze shifted toward his sister, and a faint smile touched his lips.
"Do Mu-Jinhe!"
The clan head's voice echoed.
At once, the atmosphere grew tense. Countless eyes turned toward her.
Mu-Jin felt the excitement ripple through the hall.
Jinhee stepped forward and placed both hands upon the spirit stone. She closed her eyes.
Moments later, her mind emptied. Her body softened as if floating upon clouds. The qi entering her meridians felt warm and gentle, circulating effortlessly.
Within her lower abdomen, beneath the navel and between the kidneys, energy began to condense.
The process felt long, yet it occurred within only a few breaths.
When the sensation subsided, Jinhee regained clarity. She quietly examined her internal state and sensed the formation of a complete dantian.
"A-RANK!!" a clan elder shouted.
"Oh my god — A-grade talent!" the clan head exclaimed, momentarily losing composure.
"A grade?! Truly A grade?!"
"It's been four years! An A-grade genius has finally appeared in the Do Clan!"
Even the elders who had been restraining themselves in the shadows could not hide their excitement.
"No one is more qualified to raise this child than the current Clan Head. Whoever objects stands against me, Do Bi-Yun!" the clan head declared fiercely, sweeping his gaze across the stunned elders.
"As expected," Mu-Jin thought calmly. "My little sister is talented."
In his previous life, their relationship had grown distant due to the disparity in their talent and circumstances. After their parents perished in the beast tide, Mu-Jin had been consumed by survival and ambition. There had been no time for sibling warmth.
This time—
Perhaps things would differ slightly.
"Do Mu-Jin!"
The academy elder called his name.
Mu-Jin stepped forward steadily and faced the spirit stone.
Though he was merely a mortal at this stage, he could clearly sense the dense qi contained within the stone. The surface seemed to hum faintly under his touch.
He allowed the qi to enter his meridians.
Calmly.
Methodically.
He guided it toward his navel, compressing it to form the embryonic core of a dantian.
However, due to his D-grade aptitude, his body could only retain roughly sixty percent of the incoming qi.
An A-grade spiritual root could absorb nearly ninety percent. As aptitude declined, so did efficiency.
"Do Mu-Jin… D-grade spiritual root."
The clan head's tone was indifferent. He had briefly entertained the thought that the brother of an A-rank genius might also possess strong talent.
Heaven, however, rarely bestowed such generosity.
"Tsk. Isn't he basically trash?" one of the youths muttered.
"Big brother", Jinhee glanced toward her brother, pity evident in her eyes. She understood the clan's treatment toward those with poor talent. Silently, she resolved to protect him in the future.
Yet the boy at the center of their attention remained entirely unaffected.
Mu-Jin did not care.
All that mattered was this:
He had stepped into the path of cultivation once more.
He had gained entry into the world of martial artists.
From this day onward, he could pursue immortality again.
This ceremony marked the beginning of a new demon — one who would stain Murim in blood. Not out of vengeance. Not for pleasure.
But to transcend mortality.
The Awakening Ceremony concluded successfully.
For the Do Clan.
And for him.
"D-grade… same as my previous life," Mu-Jin thought calmly. "It changes nothing as there are ways."
He turned toward his sister and gave a small smile.
"I have a talented sister after all."