The massive ceremonial hall of the Awakener Association buzzed with nervous anticipation.
Hundreds of young men and women stood in orderly lines across the vast marble floor, their eyes fixed on the glowing circular array engraved at the center of the hall. Strange runic patterns covered the array, faintly pulsing with pale blue light that illuminated the surrounding chamber.
Tall crystal pillars stood along the edges of the hall, each one carved with ancient runes that glowed faintly like stars in the night sky. The ceiling was so high that it almost resembled the dome of a cathedral. At its center, a massive crystal chandelier floated in the air, powered by Source Energy.
For the youths gathered here, this moment would decide the direction of their entire lives.
Some would awaken powerful abilities and begin their path as warriors.
Others would return to ordinary lives.
Or worse.
Failure in awakening often meant remaining at the bottom of society forever.
Du Shentian stood quietly in one of the long lines.
His hands were clenched slightly, though he tried his best to remain calm.
This ceremony would determine everything.
If he awakened a powerful ability today, he could escape the miserable slums of Bloodstone Heaven. He could earn money, protect his family, and finally give his younger siblings a better life.
And most importantly…
He could help Liang Zhen walk again.
Du Shentian slowly exhaled.
This awakening… must succeed.
At the front of the hall stood a large elevated platform.
City Lord Han stood at its center, his tall figure radiating calm authority.
His sharp gaze swept across the crowd.
Even though he did not release any aura, his mere presence made everyone instinctively feel respect.
"Before the awakening ceremony begins," he said calmly, his voice echoing clearly across the vast hall, "there is one rule that all of you must understand."
The murmuring crowd immediately fell silent.
"If any battalion leader wishes to recruit a newly awakened individual, they will raise their hand."
He paused briefly, allowing the words to settle.
"If multiple battalion leaders raise their hands, the awakener will have the right to decide which battalion they wish to join."
Excited whispers spread throughout the hall.
Joining a battalion was extremely valuable.
Battalions provided resources, training techniques, combat missions, and protection.
For many young awakeners, it was the fastest path toward becoming a powerful warrior.
City Lord Han continued calmly.
"If only one battalion leader raises their hand, the awakener may choose to join that battalion if they wish. However, the final decision will always belong to the awakener."
Many of the youths nodded.
For them, joining any battalion at all would already be an incredible opportunity.
Suddenly the air above the stage distorted.
A ripple of energy spread through the hall like invisible waves.
Moments later, five majestic thrones slowly materialized in the air.
Four of them floated slightly behind.
But the central throne was far more magnificent than the others. It was crafted entirely from white crystal and decorated with intricate golden dragon carvings that coiled along the armrests.
City Lord Han calmly walked forward and sat upon the central throne.
The four battalion leaders also took their seats.
Each of them radiated powerful auras that made the surrounding air feel heavy.
Du Shentian looked up at them silently.
Even from this distance, he could feel the terrifying pressure they emitted.
These were true powerhouses.
King-level warriors.
City Lord Han raised one hand.
"Let the awakening ceremony begin."
The first person in line nervously stepped forward.
Du Shentian's eyes narrowed slightly.
It was the same fat boy who had mocked him earlier on the bus.
The boy walked toward the awakening array with an arrogant grin, though his trembling hands revealed his nervousness.
He stepped into the center of the glowing array.
City Lord Han waved his hand.
The array instantly activated.
Glowing runes illuminated the floor.
A pillar of pale light descended from above and enveloped the boy completely.
The entire hall watched in silence.
Moments later, a large transparent screen appeared in the air.
Lines of glowing text slowly formed.
Ability Detected: Bear Transformation
Ability Rank: C Rank
Murmurs spread across the hall.
A second set of information appeared.
Strength: 30
Endurance: 30
Speed: 10
Combat Power: 70
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
City Lord Han spoke calmly.
"The combat power shown on the screen is the total sum of Strength, Endurance, and Speed."
"A normal human who has not awakened Source Energy usually possesses around thirty combat power."
"If an awakener's combat power exceeds fifty, it means they have already entered the Awakener Stage."
"And when their combat power reaches one hundred, they officially become a First Tier Warrior."
The fat boy stared at the screen in disbelief.
His combat power was already seventy.
Which meant he had awakened directly into the Awakener Stage.
Excitement spread across his face.
"I did it!" he shouted happily.
At that moment, one of the battalion leaders raised his hand.
Gao Ren, the leader of the Iron Mountain Battalion.
"With your Bear Transformation ability," Gao Ren said with a satisfied nod, "you would make a fine member of the Iron Mountain Battalion."
"Would you like to join us?"
The fat boy didn't hesitate.
"Yes! I will join the Iron Mountain Battalion!"
He left the array proudly and walked toward Gao Ren.
Du Shentian watched silently.
Even someone like him awakened a C rank ability…
The ceremony continued.
One by one, youths stepped forward.
The awakening array lit up repeatedly.
Abilities appeared on the screen.
Stone Skin — D Rank.
Water Manipulation — C Rank.
Wind Step — D Rank.
Most people awakened abilities between E Rank and D Rank.
A few lucky individuals awakened C Rank abilities.
But occasionally…
Ability Rank: F.
Those individuals left the array with pale faces.
Everyone knew what that meant.
F Rank abilities developed extremely slowly.
Those who possessed them rarely became powerful cultivators.
Du Shentian clenched his fists.
I must awaken something strong…
But then—
His eyes suddenly widened.
A familiar figure appeared further ahead in the line.
Shi Yuchen.
A cold chill ran through Du Shentian's body.
Memories surged through his mind.
Shi Yuchen was the illegitimate son of Shi Tanglong, the powerful City Lord of Bloodstone Heaven.
Shi Tanglong was a Three-Star Emperor Level warrior known throughout the nation as the Stone Emperor.
Shi Tanglong was also the City Lord of Bloodstone Heaven.
Because of his father's influence, Shi Yuchen had always acted like a tyrant in Bloodstone Heaven.
He bullied the poor children and orphan children of Bloodstone Heaven.
He used beat them mercilessly.
Forced them to eat insects.
Du Shentian hated him deeply.
But he had never been strong enough to fight back.
Shi Yuchen stepped toward the registration desk and handed over his citizen card.
The moment people saw the card's color—
The entire hall went silent.
It was black.
A Level 4 citizen card.
Only members of extremely powerful families possessed such cards.
The attendant scanned it.
The screen displayed his identity.
Name: Shi Yuchen
Age: 18
Father: Shi Tanglong (Stone Emperor)
The moment those words appeared on the screen, the entire cathedral fell into stunned silence.
Then the silence broke.
Whispers began spreading through the crowd like wildfire.
"Shi Tanglong… the Stone Emperor?"
"That Shi Tanglong?!"
"The Three-Star Emperor?"
Shock was written across the faces of nearly everyone present.
In the entire Dragon Nation, there were thousands of Emperor-level warriors. But among them, only a very small number possessed official titles granted by the nation.
These warriors were known as Titled Emperors.
And the number of titled emperors in the entire Dragon Nation was only a little over fifty.
Each of them was a legendary existence who had made tremendous contributions in the war against demonic beasts.
The Stone Emperor, Shi Tanglong, was one of them.
He was famous for his terrifying defensive techniques and unmatched endurance in battle. Stories about him holding off entire hordes of demonic beasts alone had long spread across the nation.
For a moment, many people could hardly believe their eyes.
Yet the shock quickly turned into confusion.
"If he's the son of the Stone Emperor… why is he here?"
Someone whispered quietly.
"Shouldn't he have awakened through his family's treasures?"
Several others nodded in agreement.
Normally, powerful families like the Shi family possessed rare awakening treasures that could significantly increase the chances of obtaining high-rank abilities.
Children born into such families almost always awakened their abilities using those treasures instead of participating in natural awakening ceremonies like this one.
But Shi Yuchen was clearly standing here among ordinary youths.
Gradually, many people began to reach the same conclusion.
A few people exchanged knowing glances.
"He must be a troublemaker," someone muttered under his breath.
"That would explain it."
Another person quietly nodded.
"Families like the Shi family would never send their heir here unless they were tired of dealing with him."
Low laughter spread among some members of the crowd.
"If even his own family refuses to waste treasures on him, he must be extremely troublesome."
Of course, no one dared say those words too loudly.
After all, no matter how troublesome Shi Yuchen might be…
He was still the son of the Stone Emperor.
And offending the son of a titled emperor was something no ordinary person could afford to do.
Standing in line, Du Shentian silently watched the scene unfold.
His expression remained calm, but inside his heart, a cold feeling spread slowly.
So it really is him…
Shi Yuchen.
Even here, he still carried the same arrogant aura as before.
For a brief moment, Du Shentian wondered whether fate was mocking him.
Out of all the places in the world…
Why did they have to meet again here?
Shi Yuchen stepped confidently into the awakening array.
The light descended.
Moments later the screen displayed his result.
Ability Detected: Diamond Skin
Ability Rank: B Rank
Strength: 35
Endurance: 45
Speed: 20
Combat Power: 100
The hall exploded with shock.
He had awakened directly as a First Tier Warrior.
Three battalion leaders immediately raised their hands.
But one person did not.
Luo Xinyan.
Shi Yuchen frowned and looked at her.
"Why didn't you offer to recruit me?"
End of Ch 5
Author's Note
This is my first novel, so there may be mistakes along the way. Please feel free to point them out so I can improve.
Also, English is not my first language, so there might be some inconsistencies.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the story!