A boy of about six years old was sitting in a pavilion, gazing thoughtfully at the lake outside his residence. His long golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, resembling strands of gold. His eyes were the color of the sky, and his skin was so white and soft that, if he were dressed in feminine clothing, he could easily be mistaken for a girl.
"I've turned six..." I thought, letting out a soft sigh. Time had passed so quickly since I began learning the art of Talismans, and now the day of my Martial Soul awakening had arrived.
Thanks to my hard work over the years, I reached level 10 of Essence/Soul Power a few months ago. However, since then, it felt like something was blocking my progress. The circulation of Xiantian energy had become more difficult, and it often dissipated before it even reached my dantian. Not even the positive energy I used on other occasions was able to overcome this barrier.
Because of this, I spent most of my time practicing the art of Talismans. The effort paid off: I can now create Rank 1 Spiritual Talismans (Primary Creator) and am close to mastering Rank 2 Physical Talismans (Standard Creator).
The longer time passed, the more privileges I received as the emperor's son. For example, my spiritual sea now contained the equivalent of 600,000 gold coins, along with various other materials I had accumulated over the years.
"Young Master Bai, Teacher Qi requests your presence for your Martial Soul awakening." A soft voice interrupted my thoughts. It was my older sister, Jiangqi, calling me.
Turning to her, I noticed she had changed a bit over the years. Her long red hair and sea-blue eyes were the same, but her neutral expression and impeccable posture now exuded a more mature air.
"Understood. Let's go, older sister Jiangqi." I smiled at her while nodding. Unlike before, when she would lead me by the hand, now she walked a few steps behind me, like a good personal maid.
After six years living in this world, I had grown accustomed to these formalities. Fortunately, Jiangqi, in particular, tended to act more casually.
Soon after, we reached a carriage, where a maid opened the door for us to enter. As my personal maid, Jiangqi had permission to accompany me.
Inside the carriage was Teacher Qi. I greeted her respectfully before settling into my seat. Shortly after, we headed toward the center of the Luo Star Empire's capital.
My mansion was located within the capital, but in a more secluded area, farther from the center. I had been here a few times in the past, although my outings had been quite restricted.
"Xiao Bai, the awakening will take place in the presence of the emperor. Do you still remember what I taught you?" Teacher Qi asked gently, though I could sense a hint of concern in her voice.
I nodded and replied with a kind smile. I understood the reason for her worry. If I awakened the "White Tiger" Martial Soul, I would have to participate in the brutal family custom of the royal bloodline. It seemed that Teacher Qi had developed some attachment to me over the years.
I turned my gaze toward the outside of the carriage, feeling curious about which Martial Soul I would awaken.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of a building that resembled a church from my past life. We disembarked, and a royal guard accompanied us inside.
"Please wait here. The young one will be called shortly," the guard said before leaving us in a waiting room. The atmosphere was heavy. Teacher Qi seemed restless, and even Jiangqi, usually so calm, was clenching her fists tightly. A faint sheen of sweat was visible on her forehead.
This tense atmosphere lasted until a door opened, and a man dressed in robes similar to those of a priest entered.
"Dai Mubai, follow me," he said in a firm voice. I nodded and stood up.
"Don't worry, older sister Jiangqi, Teacher Qi. No matter what Martial Soul I awaken, I will be fine." I smiled to reassure them before following the man.
My relaxed demeanor was replaced by a serious expression befitting imperial etiquette. I noticed, in passing, that the man beside me seemed satisfied with my composure.
After walking for a while, we arrived at a massive door. The man performed the appropriate salutation gestures before it opened. Upon entering, I was struck by the size of the hall. In the center, there was a throne where a man wearing a magnificent crown sat: the emperor, my father.
"We greet the emperor," I performed the formal salute along with the priest. It wasn't necessary to kneel; that was reserved only for defeated enemies.
"Hm. Begin the awakening." The emperor ordered with a cold tone and an unshakable expression. This was my first time meeting him, and although I had expected more emotion, it made sense considering how many children he had.
Around the throne, several high-ranking nobles were present. Although the awakening of a Martial Soul was usually a private event, their presence made sense. I learned from Teacher Qi that the noble families are closely tied to the royal family. To ensure the "White Tiger" continues to manifest in each generation, the emperor has many children. Those who awaken the "White Tiger" stay within the royal family, while those who do not awaken it but are still talented often marry into noble families.
This ensures that, in case the emperor does not have a son who awakens the "White Tiger," a descendant from the noble families might inherit it. Because of this, it is common for the emperor to have a different surname than the traditional Dai after a few generations.
The man dressed like a priest pointed to a golden circle on the floor. "Young Dai Mubai, please step forward." I followed his instructions and positioned myself inside the circle.
I entered the circle with inscriptions that, though unknown, seemed to overflow with power. Without my noticing, the man in priestly robes was already holding a scepter, resembling the magical scepters from other stories.
"Sacred Staff. Spirit, awaken!" He declared, activating his Martial Soul and pointing the scepter at the circle. With a firm command, the ritual began.
The circle around me glowed brightly in gold, and the light flowed through my body until it reached the top of my head.
"Focus. Visualize the image in your heart and materialize it in your hand," the man instructed, his voice firm and solemn.
Closing my eyes, I extended my hand and allowed myself to be guided by the strange sensation of something calling to me. Inside my spiritual sea, something took shape.
There it was: a colossal White Tiger, but different from the ones Teacher Qi had described as typical of the imperial bloodline. This tiger emanated a unique majesty. Its stripes, usually black, were golden and shone as if made of divine light. The creature seemed enveloped by a celestial aura, and its golden eyes conveyed overwhelming strength. On its back, two white wings with golden tips, like armor, gave it an ethereal appearance, while a golden crown adorned its head, with a triangular gem at the center. It was a vision that was both beautiful and intimidating.
However, something caught my attention: a vertical line on its forehead. When I observed it more closely, I felt a chill run down my spine. Suddenly, the line opened, revealing a third eye, red as blood, with a black dot in its center, surrounded by a symbol I recognized as a tomoe spinning around.
As soon as the third eye opened, the golden aura of the tiger was replaced by a red and oppressive energy. The majestic white tiger transformed before my eyes. Its fur turned black as night, and the golden stripes were replaced by blood-red markings. Its three eyes took on the form of Sharingan. The air that once conveyed divinity was now filled with ferocity and savagery. The roar it unleashed resonated like thunder, forcing me to cover my ears. Before I could react, I was abruptly expelled from my spiritual sea.
When I opened my eyes, my body was covered in cold sweat. I instinctively looked at the palms of my hands, where a miniature White Tiger rested. It resembled the one I had seen in my spiritual sea, but it appeared incomplete: the wings were missing, although small bumps on its back suggested they were ready to emerge. The golden crown was also gone, and the golden stripes glowed subtly, alternating with some black stripes. On the creature's forehead, the vertical line remained closed, but its presence was unsettling.
I looked away, fearing that the third eye would open again. My heart was still racing, and my back was drenched in sweat.
Around me, a murmur spread through the room.
"He awakened the White Tiger!" whispered one figure.
"This is the third son of the emperor to awaken the White Tiger," another commented.
"I'm a little worried about the competition this generation," someone sighed in a concerned tone.
I looked at the emperor. His gaze, once cold and indifferent, now revealed something indescribable for a brief moment before returning to its usual coldness.
"Martial Soul: White Tiger," declared the man in priestly robes, his voice filled with respect and excitement.
Despite everything, I knew that what I had awakened was not an ordinary White Tiger. But I had no intention of sharing this difference.
"Come, Imperial Prince Mubai, let's test your Innate Soul Power," the man announced, approaching with a glowing blue crystal sphere. I noticed that he no longer referred to me as "young master," but as "Imperial Prince."
I sighed inwardly. It seems my stay in the empire will be short.
"Extend your hand to the crystal, Imperial Highness," the man requested, and I obeyed. As soon as I touched the crystal, I felt my essence/Soul Power harmonize with the object. The crystal shone a deep blue, filling the hall with its light. Inside the crystal, the image of a White Tiger resting peacefully formed.
"This is... incredible! It's an Innate Full Soul Power!" someone exclaimed in the room.
"This generation will be more brutal than all the previous ones," another commented, nervously laughing.
While everyone spoke, thanks to the positive energy accumulated over the years, I gained a new ability that revealed something disturbing. Some figures near the emperor briefly glowed red, revealing a clear murderous intent. This put me on immediate alert.
The emperor, visibly surprised, took longer than usual to regain his composure before ordering:
"The awakening is complete. Bring in the next child." The emperor sighed, and this caused everyone in the hall to calm down.
The priest approached me. "Highness, please follow the guard. He will take you back to your companions."
Walking down the corridor, I began to feel the changes in my body. My senses were incredibly heightened: hearing, smell, sight, touch, and taste. Everything felt sharper and more powerful. My physical strength had also increased significantly, even without activating my Martial Soul. With it activated, I felt my power would be even greater.
Additionally, something in my blood seemed to have awakened, causing a slight burning sensation in my eyes. This reminded me of the Sharingan, a reward that had yet to manifest. This left me somewhat confused; I thought I would form a new Martial Soul, but instead, it had modified the White Tiger, creating something entirely unique.
The White Tiger was no longer recognizable. Normally, it shouldn't have wings, let alone a third eye. Not to mention the terrifying transition from a Sacred White Tiger to the Bestial Black Tiger with Sharingan—a sight that filled me with indescribable terror.
However, something even more peculiar caught my attention. Inside my Spiritual Ocean, an immense amount of sky and earth energy was being directly drawn into the Storage Rune of the Great Talisman Formation. This energy was colossal. When I tried to measure it, I felt it reached about 960 units of sky and earth energy. But where did it come from?
My only explanation is that this energy must be the original source of my Innate Soul Power. Based on my studies over these six years, I know that approximately 100 units of sky and earth energy are equivalent to 1 point of essence or Soul Power. Following this logic, I assume my original Innate Soul Power would be around level 9. While it's useful to have this accumulated energy, it won't be immediately usable for cultivation. For that, I'll need to transform it into Xiantian energy, a process that will take time and effort.
I then remembered Tang San. Originally, upon obtaining his first Soul Ring, he moved from level 10 to level 13. In addition to the accumulation provided by his cultivation technique and the help of his Soul Ring, I believe his original Innate Soul Power also contributed to that advancement. This further reinforces the hypothesis that Innate Soul Power is something that comes from birth or creation of the Martial Soul.
Back in the waiting room, I reunited with Jiangqi and Teacher Qi. Both looked worried, but without saying much, we headed to the carriage. As I sat down, I took a deep breath.
It was time to prepare to leave the empire.
Dai Mubai, in the original story, had awakened with an Innate Soul Power of level 8. Awakening with an Innate Full Soul Power would certainly bring even greater difficulties.
However, this shouldn't attract the attention of the Spirit Hall just yet. After all, Qian Renxue was born with an Innate Soul Power of level 20. An Innate Full Soul Power was nothing for the Spirit Hall; otherwise, they would have hunted down Oscar, the first Innate Full Soul Power, with an Auxiliary Food Martial Soul.
As the carriage made its way, my mind wandered. "What should be my first Soul Ring?" I thought.
There was a lot to decide and little time to plan.