"The spirit in us humans can be anything. Your mother's spirit is ice, a strong element, while I have the Food Spirit. Although it Doesn't strong power, they gave me an exceedingly better memory than normal people. During the Spirit Awakening ceremony, you will also gain your spirit. If an accompanying Spirit Power appears, you will be able to master it and cultivate it and become a Spirit Master. Now, my son, are you ready?"
Hai Long smiled at Hai Xuanhao as he extended his right hand to him.
Xuanhao was now six years old and pampered beyond belief by both his parents. They couldn't help it, their son was just perfectly obedient and gracious all the time.
He was always so well-behaved and happy. The only thing they worried about was his inability to speak clearly. Usually, a child's linguistic ability develops at two years old, but even now at six years old, Hai Xuanhao barely passed the mark. He also has a unique baby voice that both Hai Long and Xi Daiyu didn't want to correct because they found it sweet.
His speech problems were also often overlooked by others because Hai Xuanhao has a face that looked like it was carved out of jade. He has beautiful skin and adorable dimples that people couldn't help but admire.
Ever since the entire Ancient Spirit Beast Research Institute moved to Heaven Dou, a planet that the Soul Federation founded, three years ago, he had been attending the kindergarten near the research institute. Everyone in that school admired him, right down to the students, teachers, and even the parents.
"Daddy, I'm going in," Hai Xuanhao said as he waved excitedly at Hai Long.
"Xuanhao," Hai Long suddenly called out to him.
Hai Xuanhao turned around to look at his father and asked in his adorable voice, "What is it, Daddy?"
Hai Long suddenly felt strangely nervous as he recalled that Godly Appearance. He's been looking forward to Hai Xuanhao's awakening for years, but now that it's here, he's just worried for his son. He might not be his flesh and blood, but the child has already won his heart. At this time, Hai Long really wished that his son didn't need to be a test subject in his own lab.
Hai Long pasted an encouraging smile on his face, ignoring the sting of tears threatening to well up in his eyes. "Go on, son. Daddy will wait for you at the gate."
His son returned his smile, waved again, and bounded to the metal gate.
Hai Long pressed the Soul Guidance communication device on his wrist and the other line barely began to ring before it was answered.
"Is it over? How was it? What is his spirit?" Xi Daiyu asked, her anxiousness clear even through the communication device.
"We don't know yet. Xuanhao just went in," Hai Long hurriedly replied.
Xi Daiyu scoffed in disbelief. "They why are you calling? You just made me panic for no reason and I'll have to go through that again later!"
"It's good that you didn't come, even I am beyond nervous for him right now," Hai Long said with a self-deprecating laugh. "Listen, Xi Daiyu, I just wanted to tell you that whatever our child's spirit is… let's forget about the reward. If the team complains, I'll just split whatever future credits and achievements I receive with them. I don't even care about getting promoted anymore. Let's just all forget about the Appearance he had."
Xi Daiyu was silent at the other end. Hai Long has been the head of the Ancient Spirit Beasts Research Institute for many years now. Although after they relocated, the institute expanded and Hai Long was now just a lieutenant colonel. He was now stuck at the fourth ring and the only way to advance was with an outstanding research achievement. He could do that by moving forward with the study that they've been doing about Hai Xuanhao.
She also knew that it slightly bothered him that they are now both lieutenant colonels. The difference was that Xi Daiyu had more advantages than him since her spirit was strong and she's already at the sixth ring – Spirit Emperor. If it wasn't for her desire to raise Hai Xuanhao together with Hai Long, she would've already been transferred to a better institute with a better position.
"Are you sure about this?" Xi Daiyu asked.
If Hai Xuanhao was different from the rest, especially that 1,000,000-year Spirit Beast energy that appeared before, it would be a great opportunity for Hai Long.
"I'm sure. I have made up my mind the day we relocated here, three years ago when we both decided not to have another child. I love Xuanhao with all my heart, I can't let him be an experiment."
Xi Daiyu laughed at his words. "Look who's the silly one now. Don't worry, though, as you said to me all those years ago, 'I like that you're silly. And I agree with you. Our life right now is good. Our son's amazing and the institute is doing well, too. I don't need the credit. I will happily split my rewards and achievements with the team, too. We'll just stay here and do our best to raise our child in the best possible way."
Hai Long sighed, a soft smile gracing his lips. At this moment, all that they could think about was home.
Suddenly, an alarm went off in the Awakening Room.
Hai Long's smile fell and he immediately charged towards the direction of the Awakening Room, hoping that his son was alright.
In the Awakening Room.
Little Xuanhao was standing in the middle of the hexagon-shaped room, his huge eyes filled with wonder.
In the next moment, his surroundings started to light up and strange rays of Blue light encircled him, making him feel a little warm. What was even more bizarre was that he felt his body itching a bit too.
As seconds passed by, the itchy feeling started to intensify. Hai Xuanhao didn't know if this was normal, but he started to get scared. The itchy feeling wasn't letting up and his face was already turning pale.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and he yelled, scratching his body furiously with both hands.
The Awakening Rooms have been around for a long time and have been made sure to be safe for children to use. The staff member in charge of the Awakening Room that Hai Xuanhao was in was baffled at how the child was reacting because it has never happened before. Usually, whichever spirit that was awakened would simply appear and that would be the end of it.
When Xuanhao yelled, he thought that the child's spirit had awoken. He was surprised to see him fall on the ground in pain.
The staff member quickly activated the alarm system and ran to Hai Xuanhao. That was when he felt a strange sense of fear. Although it was just for a split second, it was unmistakable. It was the type of fear that came from the depths of one's soul. It was so intense that it halted his tracks.
Patterns started appearing on Hai Xuanhao's skin, intertwining Red and Blue, and faintly discernible multi-colored ones.
The door suddenly opened with a loud bang and Hai Long dashed inside.
"AH!!!!" Hai Xuanhao yelled as his little body shot up from the ground. In a blink of an eye, the patterns on his body disappeared and a cluster of blue Shine glowed out of his eyes.