Nameless

"Father... the sect master?" Youquan set down her bowl and muttered unconsciously, a mocking curve lifting at the corner of her lips.

Since arriving in this world, Youquan had never seen her father come to visit her. Over the past six years, the only people she had seen were the old nanny who had always cared for her and countless sect disciples who came to bully her.

Even now, she did not even have a name. Those sect disciples either called her a slut or a bastard. Her half-brother, the sect's favored prodigy Huo Wushuang, had once given her a name in a lofty, disdainful tone—Huo Wuming.

Huo Wuming meant nameless.

"Nanny, you mentioned Spirit Hall earlier. Tell me about it." No longer wanting to dwell on such upsetting matters, Youquan shifted her attention and asked about the Spirit Hall the nanny had brought up.

Because of her status, even if Youquan wanted to learn about this world, there was nothing she could do. Going to the sect's library was even more of a pipe dream.

The little knowledge she had of this world all came from the nanny's introductions. As for matters concerning martial souls and Spirit Rings, the nanny had only mentioned them today because she was about to undergo her martial soul awakening.

"Spirit Hall? It is the largest organization on the entire continent." At the mention of Spirit Hall, even the old nanny's eyes filled with yearning and respect.

"Spirit Hall is the faith of all Spirit Masters on the continent. Most of the continent's resources are controlled by the nobles of the two great empires and the sects. Commoners struggle greatly just to survive. It was Spirit Hall that gave everyone a way out."

"From the moment one becomes a Spirit Master, Spirit Hall begins issuing subsidies. Although a Spirit Master only receives one gold coin, that is already enough to cover an ordinary family's food expenses for nearly a month."

"Once they reach Soul Ancestor, Spirit Hall no longer provides subsidies, but it offers suitable positions instead. Even non-combat Spirit Masters will have their strengths discovered and be given stable incomes. Unlike those nobles, who only know how to exploit commoners."

The nanny slowly introduced Spirit Hall to Youquan, her tone full of respect and yearning.

"Spirit Hall? Then isn't its status among Spirit Masters the same as the Pill Tower's status among Alchemists back then?" After listening to the nanny's explanation, Youquan murmured unconsciously.

"What did you say, Miss?" the nanny asked curiously.

"Nothing. Please continue, Nanny." Youquan waved her hand.

"Oh, my dear Miss, I've finished talking about Spirit Hall. Hurry and get ready for the martial soul awakening ceremony." The nanny checked the time and immediately urged her.

"Nanny, compared to the Flame Sect, how strong is Spirit Hall?" Youquan asked.

"Although the Flame Sect is a major sect, it is not even one of the Seven Great Sects. Back then, even the Clear Sky Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects, could only go into seclusion after offending Spirit Hall."

"The Seven Great Sects? The Clear Sky Sect?" Youquan asked curiously, intending to continue.

"Enough, Miss. None of that is important. Let's hurry and prepare for the martial soul awakening ceremony."

Under the nanny's repeated urging, Youquan could only prepare to head to the sect plaza for the martial soul awakening ceremony.

Martial soul awakening? I hope that after this ceremony, I'll be able to find the reason I've been unable to break through for so long. Afterward, Youquan changed clothes and headed toward the sect plaza.

By the time Youquan arrived at the plaza, quite a few people had already gathered there.

When they saw Youquan arrive, every one of them looked at her with disgust and contempt.

"Why is she here?" A girl about Youquan's age covered her nose and mouth in disgust and backed away several steps, as though she had seen some filthy thing carrying an infectious disease.

"Little bastard, are you here for the martial soul awakening ceremony too?" A boy their age asked maliciously.

"What kind of martial soul could she awaken? A bastard martial soul? Hahaha!" Countless jeers followed.

There were quite a few children attending the martial soul awakening ceremony that day, but most of these sect disciples looked down on Youquan. It was not because they despised the poor and favored the rich, but simply because of Youquan's status.

Yet Youquan had never taken any of this to heart. She had lived two lives, and her actual age had long passed thirty. Moreover, she had once been the alliance leader of the Tianfu Alliance, the largest organization on the Dou Qi Continent. Naturally, she could not be bothered to squabble with a group of children.

As long as these people did not go too far, Youquan had no desire to deal with them. To her, time wasted on them would be better spent cultivating.

"Look, the young master and young miss are here." A child beside the boy tugged on his sleeve and whispered.

Only then did Youquan turn around. She saw a middle-aged man who looked to be around twenty or thirty walking at the front. He had sword-like brows and bright eyes, with a rather handsome face. His short fiery-red hair was paired with a black martial outfit, and a red cape hung behind him. However, his handsome features looked exceptionally stern.

Behind the man followed a handsome red-haired youth and a girl with equally fiery-red long hair.

The man and the girl behind him did not spare Youquan, who was surrounded by the crowd, a single glance. With their noble heads held high, they walked toward the High Platform. The youth at their side, on the other hand, frowned and gave Youquan an impatient look.

"Are those our sect's young master Huo Wushuang and Miss Huo Wu?" A child beside Youquan said enviously.

"I heard that when Young Master Huo Wushuang and Miss Huo Wu awakened their martial souls, they had Innate Soul Power at rank nine. They're already Soul Grand Masters now. They're famous figures even at Blazing Fire Academy," another child said with equal envy.

Then he cast a contemptuous glance at Youquan behind him. "Those are Young Master Huo Wushuang and Miss Huo Wu. They're not like some bastard."

Seeing this, Youquan irritably scratched her hair and curled her lips. She ignored the sarcastic peers behind her and walked to the end of the crowd.

Huo Kun, the Flame Sect's sect master, stepped onto the High Platform and raised a hand to the crowd. "Quiet."

The children below, who had still been whispering among themselves, immediately fell silent and lined up properly.

Huo Kun swept his gaze around and nodded in satisfaction at the energetic children below. Only when he saw Youquan at the very end of the line did he frown.

Ignoring Youquan's presence, Huo Kun spoke loudly to the crowd below. "Children, today is your martial soul awakening ceremony. You are all the future of the Flame Sect. I hope each of you awakens an outstanding martial soul and strengthens our Flame Sect."

"Yes, Sect Master!" the children below answered excitedly.

"Elder Huoyun, please awaken the martial souls of these children," Huo Kun said to the Flame Sect elder standing nearby.

"Yes, Sect Master." Elder Huoyun bowed to Huo Kun in reply.

"Children, I will now awaken your martial souls one by one. Remember, no matter what happens, do not be afraid. This elder will not harm you," Elder Huoyun said to them with a smile.

After speaking, Elder Huoyun took out a blue crystal ball. "Once your martial souls have awakened, hold this crystal ball in your hands and pour Soul Power into it. We will record your Innate Soul Power ranks. Children with high Innate Soul Power may directly enter the sect's inner division to cultivate."

Upon hearing Elder Huoyun's words, the children present became extremely excited, all eager to give it a try.

Elder Huoyun took six pitch-black stones from a tray held by an attendant beside him and arranged them on the ground in the shape of a six-pointed star. Then he beckoned to the child standing first in line.

"Step into the formation. Close your eyes and feel carefully."

"Yes, Elder."