Awakening Ceremony

The white jade steps of the Worship Hall stretched from the foot of the mountain all the way into the clouds. Morning mist drifted between the palace eaves, making the gilded angel statues appear ever more sacred and solemn.

The Worship Hall was different from usual today. Every high priest was present, standing in rows along either side of the main hall. The Titled Douluo, rarely seen on ordinary days, all wore grave expressions as their gazes converged on the small figure at the center of the hall.

Qian Renxue wore a snowy-white ceremonial robe, her golden hair combed neatly into place. She stood at the center of the Awakening Array with her small back perfectly straight, her delicate little face carrying a solemnity far beyond her years.

Yet only she knew how tightly her little hands, hanging at her sides, were clenched.

"Don't be nervous." Qian Daoliu stood before the array, surrounded by a faint sacred glow. His gaze upon Qian Renxue was filled with undisguised affection and anticipation.

"Relax your mind and guide your soul power along the veins of the Awakening Stone."

His emotions had never been as turbulent as they were today.

It was not merely because Qian Renxue was his biological granddaughter. It was also because the Qian family's Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul had gone far too long without producing a true genius.

At his side stood Qian Xunji, his biological son and the mighty Pope of Spirit Hall. His talent ranked among the finest on the entire continent, yet before the Angel God Trial, he had barely reached the threshold of the Black-Level Fourth Trial. At most, he would reach the limit of his potential in this lifetime, with no hope whatsoever of challenging the rank of a god.

The Angel God's legacy could not end with his generation.

And Qian Renxue was all his hope. When she had been born, golden clouds had descended from the heavens. She had possessed a sacred aura from birth, and her talent far surpassed her father's.

Today, she would undoubtedly awaken the Six-Winged Angel.

"Begin," Qian Daoliu said in a deep voice.

As soon as he spoke, a gentle yet rich stream of golden soul power shot from his fingertips and landed precisely upon the hexagonal Awakening Stone at the center of the array.

The clear Awakening Stone instantly lit up with dazzling golden light. Six pillars of golden radiance rose from the six nodes of the array, weaving into a cocoon of light that steadily enveloped Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue closed her eyes, her little brows knitting slightly as she felt a warm force pouring into her body from all directions. It flowed slowly through her meridians before finally gathering deep within her dantian.

Something there was awakening, unfurling, accompanied by an innate sense of familiarity.

The next moment—

Buzz!

A clear, phoenix-like tremor rang through the hall. The space behind Qian Renxue suddenly twisted, and a massive golden phantom slowly condensed into form.

First, two golden wings that seemed capable of blotting out the sky spread wide, each feather distinct and flowing with sacred golden light. Then came a second pair, followed by a third. The six wings gently flapped, and golden motes drifted down like falling snow, filling the entire Worship Hall with a sacred aura.

"As expected, it's the Six-Winged Angel!" Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Priest, could not help but speak, his voice unable to conceal his excitement. "Good! Excellent! Spirit Hall has a successor!"

The other priests also revealed delighted expressions and began praising her in low voices.

"A phenomenon from birth. The quality of her martial soul far surpasses that of an ordinary Six-Winged Angel. With this talent, she is even a cut above His Holiness the Pope in his youth."

Qian Xunji stood nearby, looking at his daughter bathed in golden light at the center of the array, his face full of pride and joy.

He strode forward. Once the golden light faded, he immediately reached out and lifted Qian Renxue into his arms, his voice warm with laughter. "Xue'er is amazing. As expected of my daughter, Qian Xunji's daughter."

Though Qian Renxue was held in his arms, she did not smile much. She merely nodded symbolically, her golden eyes constantly glancing toward the hall entrance, clearly distracted.

She did not care about the Six-Winged Angel, nor did she care about the praise of the priests. She only knew that Ah Xu would also come to the Worship Hall to awaken his martial soul today. She had pestered Grandpa for a long time before he agreed to let Ah Xu awaken here as well.

If Ah Xu came, then Mama would surely come too.

She had not properly seen Mama in a very long time.

"Xue'er?" Seeing her lost in thought, Qian Xunji smiled and pinched her little cheek. "What are you thinking about? Come, let's test your innate soul power. Let Grandpa and the other priest grandpas see just how many levels our Xue'er has at birth."

Qian Daoliu smiled and took out a crystal ball that was clear throughout. This was not an ordinary ten-level testing orb, but a Twenty-Level Soul Power Crystal specially used to measure top-tier talent.

For the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, innate full soul power at level ten was merely the baseline. Level twenty was the norm. This was only a formality.

Qian Renxue obediently extended her little hand and gently placed it atop the crystal ball.

Boom—

Almost the instant her fingertips touched it, the crystal ball erupted with blinding golden light. The radiance instantly filled the entire sphere, and the golden halo even spilled beyond its surface, condensing into a tiny angel phantom in midair.

Once the light stabilized, a number clearly emerged upon the crystal ball: Level Twenty.

Every priest's face flushed with excitement. Spirit Hall had endured for ten thousand years, its Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul passed down from generation to generation. With Qian Renxue, Spirit Hall would surely rise to even greater heights over the next century. Even unifying the continent was no longer an impossible dream.

Qian Daoliu stroked his beard, his eyes and brows relaxing with a broad smile.

He had long learned to conceal his joy and anger, but even he could not hide the surging emotions in his heart now. In the Angel God Trial, Xue'er would be at least Red Level. She might even... touch upon that legendary God-Level Trial.

Just as everyone gathered around Qian Renxue to celebrate, faint footsteps sounded from the entrance of the hall.

Qian Renxue's ears twitched. She immediately broke free from Qian Xunji's arms, her short little legs pumping as she dashed toward the entrance.

"Mama! Ah Xu!"

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw two figures standing at the doorway.

Bibi Dong looked at Qian Renxue, who had rushed before her with her little face raised and her eyes full of anticipation. Her brows instinctively furrowed. Icy hatred nearly surged up by reflex, and the word "bastard" had already reached her lips when she suddenly felt someone lightly tugging at her sleeve.

She lowered her head and met Bibi Xu's eyes.

The boy's gaze was calm. He shook his head slightly, a trace of pleading in his eyes.

Bibi Dong's throat moved. In the end, she swallowed the cold words that had reached her lips.

She turned her face away, neither looking at Qian Renxue nor saying anything. It was tacit permission for her to approach, and she did not coldly rebuke her as she usually did.

But Qian Renxue was already ecstatic.

Mama hadn't scolded her! Mama hadn't driven her away!

She cautiously grabbed the hem of Bibi Dong's dress, lifted her little face, and chattered away, "Mama, I awakened the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. Grandpa said my innate soul power is level twenty! Am I amazing?"

Her voice was crisp and bright, carrying both pride and eagerness to please. Like a little peacock desperately spreading its tail, she only wanted a word of praise from the person before her.

Bibi Dong's fingertips tightened slightly, yet she still did not look at her. She merely gave a faint "Mm," her tone betraying neither joy nor anger.

Yet that single "Mm" was enough to make Qian Renxue so happy that she nearly jumped.

Qian Xunji also hurried over, a gentle smile on his face as he tried to move closer to Bibi Dong. "Dong'er, you're here. Today is a big day for Xue'er and Ah Xu's awakening. Our family..."

"Your Holiness the Pope, mind your words." Bibi Dong immediately stepped back, putting a full three meters between them. Her gaze was cold as ice.

"I came to accompany my son for his martial soul awakening, not to reminisce."

Her words showed no mercy, stabbing like knives.

The smile on Qian Xunji's face froze, and his footsteps stopped. Bitterness filled his heart. He knew this was something he could never make up for in his lifetime.

Bibi Xu glanced at the awkward Qian Xunji, then at Bibi Dong's cold expression. He stepped forward and bowed slightly to Qian Xunji. "Your Holiness the Pope." Then he turned toward Qian Daoliu and the priests, offering another composed salute. "Greetings, First Priest. Greetings, honored priests."

His manners were impeccable, and he knew when to advance and retreat. He did not seem like a six-year-old child at all.

Qian Daoliu looked at him and nodded, his expression calm. "Since you're here, let us begin. As this awakening is taking place in the Worship Hall, I shall preside over it personally."

"Thank you, First Priest." Bibi Dong's tone softened slightly, though it remained distant. Holding Bibi Xu's hand, she led him to the center of the array and lowered her head to instruct him, "Don't be nervous. Just follow the soul power's guidance. No matter what martial soul you awaken, Mama is here."

"I know, Mama." Bibi Xu looked up at her and gave her a reassuring smile.