Awakening

Chapter 2

Lin Chuan's turn is a whole lot earlier than his. They are separated by around a hundred people. That's why when his friend went to get his martial spirit awakened, he was left with no one to talk to again.

"Do you want more study books?" Feng Aotian asked Feng Lianyue.

"…"

Who in the world starts a conversation like that aside from his older brother?

Seeing his blank expression, Feng Aotian forced himself to remain still. Starting conversations isn't his thing. He's more of a responder than an initiator.

To kill some time, he looked at the news on his phone. This is a habit that he developed after learning from his father. Aside from the increasing frequency of the appearance of spatial rifts, there aren't a few note-worthy reports.

Spatial rifts connect this realm to other realms. In most cases, these rifts aren't beneficial. The so-called Irregulars enter the realm through these rifts and do nothing but destruction. Their purpose isn't determined yet since no one can converse with them.

They are named Irregulars because of their strange abilities. They have this mysterious energy that corrupts those exposed to it. What makes them hard to deal with is their high resistance to Force. This lowers the power that cultivators and weapons could unleash against these Irregulars.

To retaliate, the Martial Department founded the 10 Special Squads and the Miracle Squad whose authority far surpasses the military. This is in line with the Federation. It's not only their Country C who have such.

Each of the 10 Special Squads has its field to monitor. Feng Aotian was lucky to win a competition about Irregulars, so he was recruited into the 9th Special Squad. This squad focuses on the documentation of Irregulars. When rifts appear, they need to be present there to document new Irregulars.

(A/N: In the previous chapter, it was originally 9th Intelligence Squad but I decided to change it into 9th Special Squad.)

Since he still hasn't awakened his martial spirit, the higher-ups haven't started deploying him since it will be dangerous. But when he does, he'll be deployed for sure. Feng Aotian accepted the invite to this squad simply for the money and connections.

Aside from the 9th Special Squad, the 10th and 8th Special Squad works closely with them. The 10th Special Squad are sometimes referred to as bodyguards. Each member is tasked to protect one member of the 9th Special Squad. As for the 8th, they are referred to as guides. They cater to all other squads that are on the battlefield. They have access to the information that the 9th Special Squad obtains, and uploads then use it to guide those in the field.

1st Special Squad on the other hand is the first line of defense. When a rift appears, it's them who will rush to control the Irregulars while waiting for reinforcements. They have the authority to implement measures to accommodate the rifts.

As for the other squads, Feng Aotian doesn't know about their job. He hasn't asked his superiors about them. However, he feels like there's a squad dedicated to research and exploration.

The Miracle Squad is considered as the main force. Their job is like the 1st Special Squad. Nonetheless, they have higher authority but lower in terms of members. Feng Aotian doesn't know the exact qualifications for this squad.

What sets the Miracle Squad apart from the 1st Special Squad is their efficiency in dealing with Irregulars. They have this special attribute in them that makes their attacks useful against Irregulars. The qualifications for recruitment might be related to this.

Whenever the Miracle Squad arrives, the 1st Special Squad's job is done. It's the Miracle Squad's job to control the Irregulars until the rifts disappear or get stabilized.

The reason why the 1st Special Squad exists is that there are only a few members of the Miracle Squad. Sometimes, the Miracle Squad still needs the assistance of the 1st Special Squad when the situation gets ugly.

 "Tian-ge, Chuan-ge look happy!"

Feng Aotian was pulled out of his thoughts thanks to his little brother.

Unsurprised, Feng Aotian glanced at his friend and then sent him a congratulatory message. Based on his father's personality, Lin Chuan would be sent to study outside the base.

Looking at Feng Aotian's expression, Feng Mo thought for a while then asked, "Did you also dream about Lin Chuan awakening a martial spirit?"

Feng Aotian replied, "If I say yes, will you believe me, Dad?"

"Yes."

"…"

'Shouldn't you say no?'

"Based on Old Lin's expression, it seems like his son awakened a rather powerful martial spirit."

Feng Aotian heard his father and thought for a second. Of course, 'that' martial spirit is powerful. But that's not the factor that will contribute a lot towards Lin Chuan's success in the future. His friend is hiding a lot of secrets. He smells like 'those' people after all.

'Cute,' he commented in his mind.

"Are you envious?"

"Why would I?" Feng Aotian asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Never mind," Feng Mo sighed. Talking to his son is like playing the lottery. Sometimes, he responds well, sometimes, he does not. "Even if you awaken a relatively weaker martial spirit, we have more connections compared to the Lin Clan. You'll eventually surpass your friend. So, no need to feel envious."

"I don't plan to compete," he told his father and gave him a sincere look.

"Okay, if you say so," Feng Mo didn't talk anymore. He doesn't believe his son's words. He watched him grow up after all. He suits his name, he's prideful but he doesn't show it. Feng Aotian won't let anyone surpass him, especially someone close to him.

Meanwhile, Feng Lianyue heard his brother's words and was puzzled.

'It's not that he won't compete. He won't have the chance to compete. Brother, what made you go down that path?'

"You're so nice Tian-ge! I think we really shouldn't compete with other people and focus on our improvement," his little brother commented.

Feng Aotian chuckled, "Indeed. You're learning well from your values teacher; I'll reward you with another perfume. Did you finish the perfume I gave you? You didn't apply some today."

"Huh? I still have some. No need to give me Tian-ge."

Feng Lianyue recalled the perfume he receives from his brother monthly. Feng Aotian loves to make perfume when he's stressed. He even applies it to some of his paintings. What confuses Feng Lianyue is that the perfumes that he received don't have any smell at all!

Not only him but even those that his older brothers received aren't giving off any scent! As if it's just water!

What's stranger is that he can determine if they're wearing the perfume or not!

Is the perfume very special? Is it only his brother who can smell it?

'I need to stay careful. This brother is very dangerous.'

"Tian'er, it's your turn."

Feng Mo tapped his son.

The young man bobbed his head and went forward, feeling nothing but hunger. He should've eaten a lot during breakfast. He didn't expect that the event would be very long.

As he walked away, Feng Mo was clenching his fists very hard. He's the one worried, not his son.

Feng Aotian is certain that he will awaken a martial spirit. At a young age, he already felt the strange energy within him, but it was too faint for him to determine which martial spirit was it. What's important is that he has one.

In contrary to what he imagined, the awakening room was very plain. There's only a small stone in the middle with an officer that'll oversee the process. It is no ordinary stone. It was embedded with multiple runes that would target the martial spirit inside the person.

Without even looking at him, the officer instructed him, "Just put your hand on the stone and let the energy enter you. I will wait for three minutes. If there's no reaction, this means that you don't have a martial spirit. If there's a reaction, I'll wait for it to finish instead and give you another instruction."

"Give me your awakening slip and then your three minutes will start."

He did what the officer told him and gently placed his hand on the stone. Instantly, he felt something poking his palm. Feng Aotian took a deep breath and didn't resist the sensation.

This seemingly curious energy traveled quickly toward the depth of his mind. Instead of rushing toward the very center, it took a rapid turn and started poking the martial spirit that he had already felt when he was young.

As if the sleeping martial spirit inside him was enraged, it exploded with powerful energy that annihilated the energy from the stone!

It didn't end there as the ball that he used to refer to as martial spirit divided into two balls and tried to enter his soul! However, his soul suddenly released a wave of mysterious power that terrified the two balls!

This made the two balls seem to shiver! Helpless, the balls started spinning around his soul!

Through his consciousness, he saw that those originally dark balls were starting to shed! As if both were covered in layers of cement!

While the other one was taking its time to shed, the other one had turned into a golden mist of force that gave him two conflicting feelings! When the golden mist was rapidly moving, it gradually formed into a crown and its aura intensified!

It feels divine!

The crown isn't fully formed yet! Small inscriptions started appearing on its surface, pulsating with a majestic glow, giving the illusion of carrying the mysteries of heaven!

When the inscriptions covered every inch of the crown, it released another wave of aura that made his consciousness shiver in fright!

"Elemental Crown!"

Feng Aotian was about to probe the martial spirit when the other ball suddenly exploded! A cold yet soothing aura started to envelop him. Unlike the Elemental Crown which released an imposing aura, this one feels welcoming, mysterious, and comforting!

He looked at the blue mist and was taken aback as he saw the figure that it was transforming into!

"Fuck!"

The illusionary figure doesn't have any features. Instead, it's just like the shadow of a man with multiple dazzling lines on it. But what took his attention was the crescent moon on its back that was giving a faint light!

Feng Aotian had assumed a lot of martial spirit but not this one!

It's the top martial spirit under the Support Category, the Moon God!

With this, he's now a healer!

The Moon God is simply the best and undebatable healer in the world of martial spirits! It doesn't have any offensive skill, but it is valued more than 99% of martial spirits. A martial spirit that has a healing skill is rare. What's more, something like the Moon God whose martial skills are all for healing!

With this, he'll surely be recruited by powerful factions and nurtured! In this world where battles are prevalent, healing skills are like additional lives! In fact, those that could heal are treated highly whenever they go due to their importance!

It is said that a hospital can't be founded without a healing skill that could back it up!

Feng Aotian was speechless. He awakened the Moon God martial spirit!

Does that mean he won't have the chance of fulfilling his childhood fantasy which is dancing with demonic beasts and killing them with a single punch? How about riding a flying sword and using a single slash to cut the void?

Feng Aotian calmed himself down. At least he would be protected by the nation with such martial spirit. Those who could heal are heavily guarded and protected by humanity. The last bearer of this martial spirit died due to old age, but he left a legendary legacy.

Before he died, he cast his healing skills multiple times and sealed them so that humanity could use them. Up until now, those are still used by the higher-ups to heal those of great contribution!

Forcing himself to calm down, he still can fulfill his fantasies through his other martial spirit!

He studied the Elemental Crown. It was only this time that he noticed the black gem on the center of the crown. It looks very dark; not even a faint reflection can be seen on it. To know the details of his martial spirit, he probed it using his consciousness.

What happened next terrified him!

He suddenly found himself in the void while wearing the crown! Surrounding him are the different elements known to man! There's fire, water, earth, and even metal! Even though he expected that this martial spirit would be related to the elements, he did not anticipate that it would be all the elements!

"Haha! This means that I could still fight domineeringly! Should I buy a car and cover it with flames?"

But then, a tap on his physical body woke him up from the state that he had been. He then saw the officer who was smiling at him.

"Congratulations, you've awakened your martial spirit! You can go to the local headquarters of the Martial Department to get registered. For humanity!"

Feng Aotian smiled and gave the officer a simple bow. He looked at his watch and found out that the entire procedure lasted a total of seven minutes. Earlier when he was still in that state that he failed to determine, he felt like a lot of time had passed already!

When he left the room, he wanted to test his spiritual sense, but he still didn't know how to do it.

He returned to his usual demeanor as he walked towards his father and brother.

Feng Mo wanted to deduce whether he awakened a martial spirit through his expression but unfortunately, his son has his gentle expression again with no emotional fluctuations visible.

When he sat next to his father, the man couldn't hold back anymore and asked, "How is it?"

"It's okay. Dad, can you accompany me to the Martial Department?"

"Okay."

Feng Mo was delighted upon hearing his son's words. He doesn't care what martial spirit he has. If he got one, everything is negligible!

In fact, he can no longer wait to arrange everything for the banquet that he'll host tonight!

Although he tried to conceal it, Feng Aotian can still see the joy in his father's eyes. Because of this, he wants to reveal his twin martial spirits to his father soon.

In this world, having a twin martial spirit is rare. What more, having the Moon God martial spirit? For sure, his father will drink a lot of wine out of happiness.

On the road, Feng Lianyue kept glancing at his older brother.

"Is there something wrong my dear little brother?"

"Tian-ge, what martial spirit did you awaken?"

Feng Aotian chuckled and answered truthfully, "Moon God martial spirit!"

"!!!"

On that day, he nearly died in a car crash.