Chapter 2: Xiao Family Chen
Chapter 2: Xiao Family Chen
The Soulstone Altar, an ancient relic of the Xiao Family, was covered in golden runes that pulsed with spiritual energy. It had been used for countless generations to awaken the martial spirits of young cultivators.
The first genius, Xiao Han, stepped forward. He was the son of the patriarch's younger brother, Xiao Yang, a peak Martial Grandmaster.
Xiao Han was a tall youth with sharp features. His silky black hair was neatly tied back with a hairpin, and his deep black eyes flashed with arrogance. His confidence was evident in his every movement. Placing his hand on the altar, he closed his eyes as spiritual energy surged into his body.
A blinding silver light erupted from the altar, forming a phantom image in the air above him.
A Silver-Scaled Python!
> “A High-Grade Earth Martial Spirit!” Elder Xiao Mei announced, nodding approvingly.
The crowd erupted in murmurs. A High-Grade Earth Martial Spirit was a strong foundation—one that could allow a cultivator to reach the Martial Lord Realm with enough effort. Xiao Han stepped back, pride flickering in his eyes.
Next was Xiao Rongyu, a girl with long golden hair, unique amber eyes, and a composed expression. She was one of the top geniuses of the Xiao Family, as well as its most beautiful girl. As she touched the altar, golden flames burst forth, and the phantom of a Golden-Winged Sparrow appeared.
> “A Peak-Grade Earth Martial Spirit!” Elder Xiao Mei’s voice rang with admiration.
She called out calmly, with a sweet smile—clearly impressed by Xiao Rongyu’s awakening.
As her voice died down, two figures stepped forward together, drawing curious glances from the crowd.
> “The twins are next,” Elder Xiao Jian announced with a proud smile. “Xiao Lan and Xiao Li… descendants of our Elder Xiao Feng.”
The siblings stood side by side, strikingly similar in appearance. Both had defined features and shared the same deep crimson eyes—an unmistakable sign of their shared bloodline.
Xiao Lan, the elder twin by mere minutes, was tall with short, messy dark-red hair that gave him a wild and unruly appearance. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, making him seem arrogant and carefree. His lean frame exuded subtle strength, like a blade kept in its sheath.
Beside him stood Xiao Li, a slender girl of ethereal beauty. Her long, flowing silver-blue hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her pale skin was nearly translucent under the sunlight. Her calm, cold expression was like a quiet snowfall—serene, beautiful, but distant.
> “It’s rare to see twins both with cultivation potential,” someone whispered. “Let’s see if they live up to Elder Xiao Feng’s expectations.”
Xiao Lan grinned. “Let me go first, Li.”
Xiao Li nodded silently.
With confident steps, Xiao Lan approached the Soulstone Altar. He placed his hand on the golden runes, and immediately, the altar trembled. A fiery red light burst forth, swirling wildly.
From the blaze, a phantom creature emerged—a wolf cloaked in dark crimson fur, its eyes burning like molten lava.
> “The Dark Crimson Wolf!” Elder Xiao Mei’s eyes gleamed. “And… it resonates perfectly with his fire element!”
> “A Low-Grade Earth Martial Spirit with elemental resonance,” Elder Xiao Jian confirmed. “His future is solid. With hard work, he can reach the Martial Lord Realm.”
Xiao Lan smirked and turned, crimson eyes filled with pride. “Not bad, huh?”
Then, it was Xiao Li’s turn.
Without a word, she stepped forward and rested her pale hand on the altar.
Instantly, a cold mist filled the air. Frost crept across the ground, turning the warm courtyard into a frozen plain.
A brilliant, icy blue light burst forth from the altar, forming a beautiful wolf bathed in frost and silver light. Its fur was pristine white, glowing with holy runes. The frost wolf stood tall and proud, exuding an aura of sacredness and cold purity.
> “The Holy Frost Wolf!” Elder Xiao Mei stood abruptly. “It resonates with her ice element perfectly!”
> “Although it’s a Low-Grade Earth Martial Spirit,” Elder Xiao Jian added, “her elemental affinity makes it special. Her potential might even surpass Xiao Lan’s.”
The crowd was silent, awed by the wolf's beauty and the chilling energy it exuded.
Xiao Li returned to her brother’s side, calm as ever. Xiao Lan grinned and bumped her shoulder playfully.
> “Tch, always trying to outshine your big brother.”
> “I don’t need to try,” Xiao Li replied with a rare, faint smile.
From the high platform, Elder Xiao Feng, their grandfather, beamed with pride.
> “Good… good… the bloodline of the Xiao runs strong.”
For a moment, all attention was on the twins.
And yet—everyone knew.
The true highlight of the ceremony was still yet to come.
---
One by one, the remaining geniuses stepped forward, awakening powerful spirits—tigers, wolves, and even a Three-Headed Serpent. The elders nodded in satisfaction. These were good results.
But none had awakened a Heaven-Grade Martial Spirit.
Finally, the last participant stepped forward.
A handsome youth with long black hair and deep eyes that flickered like starlight. He carried the calm of a still lake—his presence alone quieted the crowd.
This was Xiao Chen.
At only 15 years old, Xiao Chen had reached the peak of the Martial Core Realm—a feat no one else had achieved at such a young age. While others were 17 to 20, he had surpassed them all.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
> “Xiao Chen is finally stepping up… what kind of spirit will he awaken?”
> “He’s the patriarch’s son! Surely something powerful.”
> “But talent isn’t inherited... even so, he’s already at the peak of Martial Core Realm at fifteen!”
Many admired him. Some clenched their fists in jealousy.
---
Seated above the crowd, the elders watched closely.
> “This martial spirit ceremony has been quite fruitful,” Elder Xiao Feng said.
> “Young Xiao Han and Xiao Rongyu gave us pleasant surprises,” Elder Xiao Mei nodded. “Both have a slight chance at the Martial King Realm.”
> “Even the twins awakened elemental martial spirits,” Elder Xiao Jian added. “This generation is promising.”
Then their gazes sharpened.
> “But now… it is time for the most important awakening of the day.”
> “The young master of our family… our number one genius, Xiao Chen,” Elder Xiao Jian declared.
> “This will be interesting,” Elder Xiao Mei murmured.
---
Xiao Chen stepped forward.
His expression was calm, unreadable. No excitement, no fear—only quiet certainty.
He raised his hand and placed it on the Soulstone Altar.
Instantly, the altar trembled.
The air crackled with spiritual energy. Golden runes flashed. The very heavens seemed to respond.
A heavy silence fell.
Then—
The awakening began.