Spirit Awakening Ceremony(3)

(SU YUNTAO POV)

With few exceptions, blacksmiths in the Douluo Dalu continent held low status, especially with regards to Spirit Masters. This was because of the presence of powerful creatures known as Spirit Beasts, who constantly vied with the human race for territory and dominance. The long history of fighting between the two parties gave birth to an irresolvable blood feud, with neither being able to live under the same sky as the other.

As fighting the Spirit Beasts became more essential, the occupation of Spirit Masters who could directly contend with these beasts became highly regarded whereas the non-combat professions of Blacksmiths and Alchemists, among others, lost much of its esteem. Of course, this is only regarding the common non-combat or auxiliary professions as spiritually empowered clans continued to remain prestigious. A well-known clan of this kind would be the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, whose pagoda-like Martial Soul gave them the power to enhance combat classes and made them a peak powerhouse.

There are also records of a formidable clan of spiritually empowered blacksmiths, but many of the documents regarding them are restricted in the Spirit Hall Library. The close guard on these documents in combination with their gradual disappearance from the world has made them forgotten with time. I could only sigh to myself about how even many once-famous clans eventually fall to the ruins of time, ceasing to exist.

I drew myself back from my thoughts, examining the two youths before me. There was a bright-eyed girl whose gaze contained both innocence and curiosity. Her long, golden hair curled greatly at the ends, reminiscent of a lion's mane. Her skin was as white as jade as she radiated a youthful aura.

Remembering the earlier scene in the hall, I understood that this was the granddaughter of the Great Blacksmith Hu Feng, one of the few blacksmiths who still had acclaim even in the eyes of Spirit Masters. Although he was not yet a Divine Blacksmith, he seemed to be a late bloomer as his recent growth in blacksmithing astounded even Spirit Hall's higher ups. There was another shock when it was revealed that he was only a higher Spirit Elder despite being so old. I wondered if his granddaughter would have more talent than him in this regard.

Shifting my eyes to the other youth, I saw an older boy with ruby red eyes and a relaxed smile. Instinctively, I would have said he was pretty rather than handsome, as his features made him appear girly. With a thin frame and messy black hair that falling to the waist, it was only the subtle air of natural dominance that made me refrain from doing so. As I narrowed my eyes at him, his smile only grew more quaint. He was not so simple.

Not wanting to stand around any longer, I led them into the room specially prepared behind me. This was important as it prevented any spiritual fluctuations from escaping the room and alerting the city's guards. It also could prevent any prying eyes beneath a Level 50 Spirit King, but that was a usually unnecessary precaution to begin with. Which Martial expert would be so bored as to closely monitor a pair of awakening youths? I smiled to myself, shaking my head.

Noticing the expectant gazes of the children, I took out two Spirit Guiding Devices. The Stone Spirit Array flew out and began to move counter-clockwise, forming a ring "Come inside the circle and stretch out your right hand."

There was some hesitation inside the girl's eyes as she slowly stepped forward into the circle. Treating it as nervousness, I reassured her. "The Spirit Guiding Device is harmless, so you do not have to fear it." She seemed to have relaxed after hearing my words, completely stepping inside.

The stones began to revolve around her with increasing speed as faint roars were beginning to be heard. My own Lone Wolf Martial Soul began to tremble. Spiritual power erupted from the girl's body as golden resplendent light encased her.

Eagerly awaiting the reveal, I stared at her right hand. It wasn't long until I noticed that there was an unanticipated reaction. The waves of light condensed to form a golden Lion's mane around her head as her eyes glowed red. Glowing ominously, a third eye appeared on her forehead. Within that eye seemed to be an ancient gait and universal charm as the cycles of day and night could be seen, endlessly turning.