Moonlight bathed Luo Hao's pale face as he stared through the window, his dark eyes fixed on the celestial body above as though engaged in silent communion. After a long moment, he turned away, his gaze sweeping across his lifeless chamber.
The room belonged to the wealthy son of a prestigious family: silk curtains, carved mahogany furniture, jade ornaments on lacquered shelves. Yet despite its opulence, the space felt hollow. Empty. Like a tomb decorated for a corpse that hadn't yet realized it was dead.
Soft footsteps approached. A young maid entered, her emerald gown hugging her curves with deliberate precision. Her face was smooth and beautiful, makeup applied to perfection. She carried a tray of food, her movements practiced and graceful.
"Young Master Hao," she said softly, placing the tray on the table beside his chair. "Here is your dinner." Her eyes closed as a thin smile curved her lips. "Tonight's meal was prepared specially for you, since tomorrow is your sixteenth birthday."
Luo Hao noticed the smile clearly fake, like everything else in this estate. He said nothing.
The tray held pickled rice, a large cut of beef, a small bowl of honey butter sweets, and a cup of red wine. Luo Hao stared at it in silence, his face cold and expressionless. After a moment, he replied flatly, "Thank you."
The maid Ming Yue bowed and turned to leave.
"Wait." His voice was low, barely above a whisper. "Ming Yue."
She stopped, turning back with that same practiced smile. "Yes, Young Master?"
"Where is my uncle?"
"The Patriarch went to see the Town Chief regarding your awakening ceremony tomorrow. Yours and Young Master Luo Jin's."
Patriarch. Luo Hao's lips twitched into a smile Ming Yue couldn't see. "I see. You may go."
Ming Yue bowed once more and departed.
So Uncle has already begun asserting his authority over the family servants, Luo Hao thought, a quiet chuckle escaping his throat. Getting them to call him Patriarch. He isn't even trying to hide his intentions anymore.
A sudden cough wracked his body. His hand flew to his mouth as he doubled over, face draining of what little color it had. When he pulled his hand away, crimson stained his palm. The metallic taste of blood lingered on his tongue.
Luo Hao had been born cursed.
His body was frail, his constitution terminal. At the age of eight, a powerful cultivator had examined him and delivered the diagnosis that shattered his childhood: You will not live past twenty. You will never be able to cultivate properly.
Those words had killed his dreams. Dreams of becoming a mighty cultivator like his father, Luo Wei, who had reached the Nascent Soul Realm. Dreams of glory, of power, of a future beyond this prison of flesh.
Then, at twelve, tragedy struck again.
His parents had gone on a journey, his uncle accompanying them. Luo Hao was never told the full details, but during their return trip, they were attacked in the dead of night. Both his parents died. Only his uncle survived.
The official story claimed bandits. Cultivator bandits of extraordinary skill.
Luo Hao had never believed it.
How could his father a Nascent Soul cultivator fall to bandits, while his uncle barely into the Soul Fusion Realm escaped unharmed? His uncle claimed he had fled, abandoning them to save himself. A coward's confession that somehow made him seem less suspicious.
But Luo Hao knew better.
His uncle was responsible. The evidence was circumstantial, impossible to prove, but the logic was undeniable. And ever since that night, Luo Zhen had been slowly, methodically taking over the Luo family. The only thing stopping him from seizing complete control was Luo Hao himself,the rightful heir.
But Luo Zhen didn't need to act. Time would do his work for him. Luo Hao's terminal body was a ticking clock, counting down to inevitable death.
Luo Hao stared at the untouched food before him, his hands clenching into fists.
Tomorrow's awakening ceremony will be the final nail, he thought, anxiety creeping into his chest for the first time in years. If I don't awaken a Spirit Soul that can heal this failing body, my death is all but guaranteed.
The Luo family bloodline had always awakened plant type Spirit Souls. His father had manifested the Sky Piercing Vine, a Rank 3 Spirit Soul of legendary ferocity. His uncle had awakened the Razor Grass Vine, a Rank 1 Spirit Soul known for its cutting power.
If only I can awaken a healing type plant Spirit Soul, Luo Hao thought desperately. Something to prolong my life. Just long enough to reach my goal.
Once, Luo Hao had dreamed of becoming a powerful cultivator like his father.
But dreams died the moment he was told he wouldn't live past twenty.
What replaced those dreams was something colder. Sharper. Unbreakable.
A goal.
"People like to talk about dreams."
"They say dreams give life meaning, that they are the wings of the soul. They say a man without a dream is already dead."
"But dreams are fragile. They fade when morning comes. They are warmth without form, hope without discipline. A dream is what a man wishes for when the world still pities him."
"A goal, however..."
"A goal is what remains after you have buried your dreams."
"Dreams ask, "What if?" Goals ask, "When?"
"A dream comforts you when you fail. A goal shames you until you succeed."
"A dream makes you weep. A goal makes you act."
"Dreams end when you wake up. Goals end only when you die."
"People chase dreams because they are beautiful."
"I have to pursue my goal because it is the only thing I have left."
"My dream died the moment I learned I would not live past twenty."
"What replaced it was a goal ,clear, merciless, unyielding"
"To never succumb to death."
"If the path to that goal demands blood, then let rivers flow. If it demands my humanity, then let it rot."
"Dreams are for those who can afford to fail."
"I don't have that luxury."
"And until the day I no longer draw breath, I will walk toward that single, distant point,not because it is noble, not because it is righteous, not because it is demonic"
"But because it is the only thing I have left."
Luo Hao placed the wine cup down slowly and turned back toward the window, staring once more at the indifferent moon.
In a grand chamber lined with two rows of six chairs facing one another and a single ornate seat at the far end, sat Chief Xuan, the head of Jingsing Town. Before him stood Luo Zhen, bowing respectfully with cupped hands.
"Good evening, Chief Xuan," Luo Zhen said, his voice smooth and deferential.
"Luo Zhen, rise." Chief Xuan gestured to the chair beside him. "What urgent matter brings you to my humble residence at this hour?"
Luo Zhen straightened and took the offered seat. "Chief, tomorrow is my son Luo Jin's sixteenth birthday. And my late brother's son, Luo Hao, shares the same birthday. I have come regarding their awakening ceremony."
"Ah, yes!" Chief Xuan's eyes brightened with interest. "The two young masters of the Luo family turn sixteen tomorrow. You must wish to use the Primeval Spring."
"Exactly, Chief."
Chief Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "I will prepare the Primeval Spring for the ceremony." He paused, then chuckled. "Your Luo family is quite strange, you know."
Luo Zhen blinked. "What do you mean, Chief?"
"Other families,even commoners,conduct the awakening ceremony at age twelve. But the Luo family always insists on waiting until sixteen. Why is that?"
Luo Zhen laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Chief, we in the Luo family believe that before one undergoes the awakening ceremony, one's foundation must be thoroughly refined. This increases the chance of awakening a powerful Spirit Soul and manifesting greater initial Primeval Energy reserves."
Chief Xuan stroked his beard, genuinely impressed. "So that's why the Luo family has produced so many talented and powerful cultivators. Truly an excellent tradition." He said as he laughed loudly.
They continued speaking of other matters late into the night.
Morning light poured through Luo Hao's window, the sun's heat dragging him from unconsciousness. His eyes opened slowly, squinting against the glare. He had fallen asleep in the chair, still dressed in yesterday's clothes.
Seems I slept here,he thought distantly.
His gaze fell on the tray of food from the night before. He had only drunk the wine, leaving everything else untouched. Turning toward the window, he watched the sun bathe the Luo family estate in golden light.
Today is the day.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Young Master, are you awake?" A soft but cold voice called from outside.
Luo Hao straightened his clothing and wiped away any trace of the blood he had coughed up the night before. His voice remained calm. "Yes. Come in."
Ming Yue stepped inside. Her eyes immediately went to the tray of untouched food. For a brief moment, her mouth twisted into an annoyed grimace before she replaced it with a sweet smile.
Luo Hao noticed. He always noticed. That false sweetness he had seen it a thousand times and despised it every single time.
"Young Master," Ming Yue said softly, walking closer. "You didn't finish your dinner?"
"I wasn't hungry," Luo Hao replied flatly.
Ming Yue walked to his wardrobe and selected an outfit, laying it carefully on the bed. "It must be the excitement for the awakening ceremony," she said with that same saccharine smile. "I hope Young Master awakens a high rank Spirit Soul."
"Perhaps," Luo Hao said. Then, quieter ,so quiet Ming Yue couldn't hear ,he added, "One that can heal this failing body."
Ming Yue gestured toward the bed. "Young Master, this is what you will wear for the ceremony."
Luo Hao glanced at it: a golden robe embroidered with lighter golden floral patterns, a green silk tunic, and golden trousers. Ostentatious. Ridiculous.
"I'm not wearing that," he said coldly. "I'll go as I am."
"But Young Master, today is a special"
"So what?"
Ming Yue opened her mouth to protest again.
"Leave," Luo Hao said flatly. "I would like to get ready."
Ming Yue's smile tightened. Annoyance flickered in her eyes. "Yes, Young Master."
She picked up the tray of food and left the room. Outside, she muttered under her breath, "What's wrong with this dying fool? This is the first time he's ever acted like that."
Luo Hao bathed quickly and dressed in the same clothes as before,a white tunic, black robe, and black trousers. The outfit was rumpled and unkempt.
He didn't care.
He left his room and walked toward the central chamber of the Luo estate. Servants he passed either looked away or lowered their heads, pretending not to see him. The estate that had once respected him now treated him like a corpse waiting to be buried.
Luo Hao didn't spare them a glance. To him, they were distractions. Nothing more.
When he arrived at the main hall, he saw his uncle Luo Zhen, his cousin Luo Jin, and Chief Xuan waiting. Luo Hao walked past his uncle and cousin without so much as a glance, stopping before the Chief.
"Good morning, Chief Xuan," Luo Hao said, bowing with cupped hands. "I hope the day has been treating you well."
Chief Xuan chuckled warmly, lifting Luo Hao's hands. "The day has been well. Thank you, Young Master Hao."
Behind him, Luo Zhen's polite smile twitched. Luo Jin looked visibly annoyed.
Luo Hao noticed.
He cared as little as the moon cares for the howling dog.
"Let us begin the awakening ceremony," Chief Xuan declared.
The entire hall began to tremble.
Suddenly, a colossal golden Buddha with six arms materialized behind Chief Xuan, seated in a lotus position. Its presence was overwhelming radiant, ancient, suffused with power.
Luo Hao stared in awe. "This must be the Chief's Spirit Soul. To manifest something this powerful... he must be far beyond Father's level."
In a flash of golden light, they were transported.
Luo Hao blinked, disoriented. They now stood in an underground cavern. Despite the lack of visible sunlight, the space was brilliantly lit. Luo Hao's eyes scanned the chamber, searching for the light source.
Then he saw it.
At the center of the cavern was a massive spring of water, no, not water. Small orbs of light floated from its surface like fireflies, illuminating everything around them.
"So that's the source,"Luo Hao thought.
"Welcome to the Primeval Spring," Chief Xuan announced, gesturing toward the glowing pool. "This is where you will awaken your Spirit Soul and begin your journey of cultivation."
He paused, his expression turning serious.
"Before we begin, let me explain a few things. Some of this you may already know, but I will speak it nonetheless."
"A spirit souls are the physical manifestation of a person's will, desire, and nature. They come in many forms, but what matters most is not the form itself,it is the essence. The essence of a Spirit Soul determines its rank and future potential."
Chief Xuan gestured behind him, and the golden Buddha materialized once more.
"Spirit Souls are divided into nine ranks. My Golden Buddha Spirit Soul is a Rank 4 Spirit Soul. But five hundred and sixty years ago, when I first awakened, it was only Rank 1. This shows that Spirit Souls can grow stronger as you cultivate them."
His gaze swept over the three of them.
"However, do not forget to cultivate your body as well. If your Spirit Soul is powerful but your body is weak, your body will collapse under its own power and you will die."
As he said this, Luo Zhen's eyes flicked toward Luo Hao.
"Now," Chief Xuan said. "Let us begin. Luo Jin you will go first."
Luo Jin stepped forward confidently. He and Chief Xuan walked toward the Primeval Spring. When they reached its edge, they stepped onto the surface of the water and walked across it.
Luo Hao's eyes widened slightly. How is the Chief allowing Luo Jin to walk on water? I know the Chief can use Primeval Energy to do so himself, but how is he extending that ability to Luo Jin?
When they reached the center of the spring, Chief Xuan spoke.
"Relax your body. Don't resist the Primeval Spring. Let it pull you down. The deeper you go, the better."
Without hesitation, Luo Jin dropped into the glowing water and vanished beneath the surface.
Chief Xuan stepped off the spring and returned to Luo Hao and Luo Zhen.
"Chief Xuan," Luo Hao asked carefully, "won't Luo Jin drown if he stays too long?"
The Chief chuckled. "I see your concern, but don't worry. The Primeval Spring isn't ordinary water. It may look and feel like water, but it is not. The Primeval Spring is a massive, condensed form of Primeval Energy. You cannot drown in it."
I see, Luo Hao thought.
Twenty minutes passed.
Luo Hao, Luo Zhen, and Chief Xuan waited in silence. The longer one stayed submerged, the greater the chance their Spirit Soul and their initial Primeval Energy reserves would be powerful.
Suddenly, the cavern began to tremble violently.
The walls shook. Pieces of rock fell from the ceiling.
Then BOOM!
Luo Jin exploded from the spring in a torrent of water and light. He floated in midair, Primeval Energy surging toward his body in visible waves.
Chief Xuan's eyes widened. Such a high concentration of Primeval Energy, this boy is extremely talented.
Vines erupted from the spring, wrapping around Luo Jin's body and cocooning him in writhing green tendrils.
"That's my son!" Luo Zhen shouted proudly. "He awakened the same Razor Grass Vine as myself!"
Chief Xuan smiled. "Not only is it the same as yours, Luo Zhen,Luo Jin's Razor Grass Vine is superior to yours during your awakening. Your son has awakened a Rank 2 Razor Grass Vine."
Luo Zhen stared in awe and pride.
Luo Hao watched silently.
Luo Jin's talent is almost on the same level as Father's, he thought.
The vines gently lowered Luo Jin to the ground. Luo Zhen rushed forward and embraced his son.
"My son, you have made me so proud!"
"I told you, Father," Luo Jin replied confidently. "I would not disappoint you."
Luo Zhen laughed loudly, clapping his son on the shoulder. "And you didn't!"
Chief Xuan approached, smiling warmly. "Congratulations, Luo Jin, for awakening a Rank 2 Razor Grass Vine. Truly exceptional talent."
Luo Jin bowed. "Thank you, Chief Xuan."
"How long is your Razor Grass Vine?" the Chief asked.
Luo Jin answered proudly, "Five hundred meters long and fifty centimeters wide."
Chief Xuan chuckled. "Luo Zhen, your son has a promising future. He may even surpass me before he reaches my age."
Luo Zhen bowed deeply. "Thank you, Chief Xuan, for the praise."
Luo Hao stood motionless, his dark eyes fixed on Luo Jin.
So that's the kind of strength considered talent in this world?
His expression didn't change.
But deep inside, something cold and sharp settled into place.