Sheng

Atavism, the phenomenon of reverting to the ancient, of gaining the traits and abilities of previous generations. Demonic Beasts awakening bloodline of divine beasts, cultivators gaining constitution of their ancestors; atavism is a very rare phenomenon that only happens to lucky one in a million cultivators.

But to triggering atavism intentionally and granting that ability to the entire bloodline? Zhen had no idea how it was even possible. That would require manipulating fate and laws of the Universe at a level no one had known to reach. Just what were his ancestors.

A golden glow surrounded him and Zhen's consciousness left his body and reached a mystical realm.

Zhen was just half aware of what was happening, his mind not able to comprehend the unreal state of being. All he could make out was golden sands floating, surrounding him, floating around him.

Just then a soft voice, barely above a whisper reached his ears.

"Sheng Zhen"

"What?", Zhen looked around but all he could see was golden sands.

"From now on you are Sheng Zhen... the heir to the clan Sheng", this time he heard it clear, the voice of women sweet like a lullaby.

Zhen looked around, panicking even in his half lucid state, "What do you mean? I...", but his mind started to slip back into unconsciousness.

"All in due time little Zhen.", and Zhen's consciousness left the mystical plane.

________________________________________________

"Zhen!"

He heard his mother shout. Immediately a sense of vertigo hit him, he was in the middle of falling back. Opening his eyes, he immediately rolled back so as not to hit his head on the ground.

Looking around, he noticed everyone looking at him with worry.

"What happened?"

He got up, much to relief of everyone.

It was the chief who answered him, "Well...when you awakened your bloodline, the glow nearly blinded everybody. It is unprecedented, nothing like this was ever recorded in clan records. The glow remained for few breaths and you looked in some kind of trance. Then the glow vanished and your body, stiff as a board, fell back."

What really stood out to Zhen was that Chief called it bloodline awakening, but he had read about it quite extensively and, this was definitely not something simple as that. And what just happened to when he was in trance, he could not remember clearly, except the words,

'You are Sheng Zhen... the heir to the clan Sheng'

He could not ponder anymore when his senses picked up the aura surrounding everyone. Somehow his senses have improved even further after going through atavism, but even without the improvement, he could have easily picked up the change in the aura of every boy there.

Bao, who earlier had an aura of a loveable and gentle giant, now felt tyrannical and overbearing.

Feng, a thin, weak boy now had a sharp aura like a sword out of its sheath.

Everyone awakened had an extraordinary aura about them. Even in common clothes, they no longer looked like common villagers. The Qi in their blood was vigorous and untamed, far different from normal cultivators. Everyone was just at the first stage of the Qi gathering but Zhen had no doubt anyone of them will have no problem contending with cultivators two-three realms above them.

As an aspiring Alchemist, Zhen could easily see every single one of them awakened some Heavenly physique, and his elder brother's divine strength had reached a new grade, completely surpassing the constraints of a mortal body. Even he will have trouble with contenting against Bao's brute force.

Chief pulled out some rings from the ring and started handing out to everyone, "These are spatial rings, and each holds space larger than this room. Your seniors that returned to visit accumulated resources and techniques to help in the cultivation of future generations. There must be spirit stones, martial skill manuals, movement skills, and other things in there, and should help you in the path to cultivation."

Chief handed him a ring and Zhen examed it under his eye. It was made of wood, making it difficult to detect it as spatial equipment unless someone examined it closely. Extending a strand of qi inside, Zhen looked inside the space.

A pile of mid-grade spirit stones floated in one corner, along with some manuals and some common pills. Few Low to Mid-grade swords, staves, daggers, and spears floated around but what really attracted his attention was a bronze Alchemy cauldron. It was not too fancy, a low grade only useable by Grade One or Two alchemists, but that was exactly what he needed now. All he needed was an earth fire source and he would be onto the path of becoming an alchemist.

Chief coughed, drawing the attention of starstruck boys. Most took some time figuring out how to use it but under the guidance of ancestral wisdom, it did not take long, and soon the boys were soon playing around with weapons.

"Those are not toys, you know", the chief glared at Feng, who could not get enough of swinging around a sword. "Be sure to keep them hidden, and not show them to anyone. Showing wealth without strength only invites calamity."

"Be sure to memorize the entire cultivation manuals, you would not be taking them along with you."

Zhen asked, "But I don't get any?"

it was his mother who answered, "Usually in our village when someone decides to pursue the path of cultivation, one has to be both old enough and have the cultivation of at least peak Foundation establishment. You are too young Zhen."

"But...", Zhen protested but his argument was cut right at the start.

"No, but, you will not be leaving the village until you are old enough and powerful enough.", she leveled him with a hard glare. Behind her, he saw Bao sagging in relief and relented. But he did not agree with her either.

"Memorise the cultivation techniques and go meet your families. Tonight may be the last time you see them", she said softly. Everyone nodded.