Myriad Realms Strongest Family

The sun was slowly rising over the mountains, painting the sky with hues of orange and gold. Its light fell on the Divine Sword Clan's ancestral grounds, revealing a mix of past glory and present decay. The once-proud walls were cracked, and weeds grew between the cobblestones of the courtyard. Still, the air buzzed with energy and anticipation. Today was the Spirit Awakening Ceremony.

Groups of children dressed in clean robes gathered in the courtyard, their faces filled with nervous excitement. These children were from the clan and the six nearby villages under its protection. For them, this ceremony was life-changing. Awaken a strong martial spirit, and the future will hold endless possibilities. Awaken a weak or useless one, and mediocrity was all they could expect.

Near the front, a group of boys whispered amongst themselves. "Do you think anyone will awaken the Heavenly Divine Sword this year?" one of them asked, his voice low.

Another boy shook his head. "My father says it's been over a hundred years since anyone has. It's just a legend now."

"Don't say that!" a third boy hissed, glancing nervously toward the elders seated nearby. "If they hear you talking like that, you'll get in trouble."

Farther back in the line, two young girls were chatting quietly. "What kind of martial spirit do you think I'll awaken?" one of them asked, her hands clutching the edge of her robe.

"I don't know," her friend replied. "But my older brother says most people just awaken tools or animals. Only a few get anything special."

"I hope it's not something embarrassing," the first girl muttered. "Like a broom or a spoon."

"Shh," her friend whispered, pointing toward the elders. "Stop talking. They're watching."

The elders sat in a row at the front of the courtyard, their expressions solemn. Though the event was meant to be hopeful, their faces reflected the weight of the clan's decline. The once-great Divine Sword Clan was now just a shadow of its former self, and this ceremony was a reminder of how far they had fallen.

Servants bustled around, preparing the area. The cracked tiles had been swept clean, and wooden benches were neatly arranged for the elders and a few distinguished guests. In the center of the courtyard stood a raised platform. On it was an ancient crystal sphere that glowed faintly under the sunlight. This was the Awakening Stone, the key to unlocking a child's martial spirit.

Near the platform, a few of the Zhao Family's direct descendants stood confidently. Unlike the village children, they wore robes embroidered with the clan's emblem—two swords crossed together surrounded by a halo of light. They carried themselves with pride, though some of it was forced. Even among the clan's main bloodline, the Heavenly Divine Sword had not appeared for generations.

As the children whispered and shuffled nervously, one of the elders cleared his throat loudly, silencing the crowd. "Prepare yourselves," he said. "The ceremony will begin shortly."

But someone was missing.

"Where is Yunfeng?" Zhao Xiaoyu muttered to herself, looking around the courtyard. She was dressed in the same embroidered robes as the other direct descendants, her long black hair tied neatly behind her. Her bright eyes scanned the crowd, but there was no sign of her cousin.

"Have you seen Yunfeng?" she asked a passing servant.

The servant shook his head. "I believe he was in the east courtyard earlier, Lady Xiaoyu."

Xiaoyu sighed. "That boy is impossible." She adjusted her robe and marched off toward the east courtyard.

It didn't take long for her to find him. Zhao Yunfeng was sitting cross-legged under a large tree, his back straight and his hands resting on his knees. His eyes were closed, and he looked completely calm as if he didn't have a care in the world. Sunlight filtered through the tree's leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground around him.

"Cousin!" Xiaoyu called, walking briskly toward him. "What are you doing here? The ceremony is about to start!"

Yunfeng opened his eyes slowly, looking up at his cousin with a calm expression. "I know," he said simply.

"Then why are you still here?" Xiaoyu demanded, putting her hands on her hips. "Everyone else is already lined up in the courtyard. Don't you care at all?"

"I'll go when I'm ready," Yunfeng said, standing up and brushing the dust off his robes. He was taller than most boys his age, with sharp features and a steady gaze that made him seem older than six.

"You're so frustrating," Xiaoyu muttered, glaring at him. "This is an important day for the clan. Don't you feel any pressure?"

Yunfeng tilted his head slightly. "What's the point of feeling pressure? It won't change what happens."

Xiaoyu groaned. "You're impossible! What if you awaken something useless? What then?"

Yunfeng's lips curved into a faint smile. "If I awaken something useless, I'll figure it out. There's no point worrying about it now."

Xiaoyu threw her hands up in exasperation. "You're always like this! So calm and boring! Don't you ever get nervous or excited about anything?"

"I do," Yunfeng said after a moment. "But I don't see the point of showing it."

Xiaoyu sighed, shaking her head. "Fine, whatever. Just hurry up and come with me. The elders are already getting ready to start."

Yunfeng didn't argue. He nodded and began walking toward the main courtyard, but before he could take more than a few steps, Xiaoyu grabbed his arm. "No, you're too slow," she said, tugging on him. "We're already late. Come on!"

Yunfeng didn't resist but walked with the same calm expression that seemed to frustrate her even more. "I told you, I'm not in a rush. It's not like the ceremony will start without us," he said, his tone relaxed. 

"That's not the point!" Xiaoyu shot back, glancing at him over her shoulder. "You should at least act like you care. This is the Spirit Awakening Ceremony! It only happens once in your life!" 

Yunfeng sighed. "I do care. I just don't see the point in panicking about it." 

"You're hopeless," Xiaoyu muttered, shaking her head as they reached the main courtyard. 

The scene before them was lively. Children from the Zhao Family and the six surrounding villages were gathered in neat lines, their excited chatter filling the air. The elders of the clan sat in a raised pavilion at the far end of the courtyard, their solemn expressions a stark contrast to the energy of the younger crowd. 

Xiaoyu let go of Yunfeng's arm, placing her hands on her hips as she surveyed the scene. "See? Everyone's already here. Now we have to squeeze in at the back thanks to you."

Yunfeng looked around, his sharp eyes taking in the courtyard's state. Though it was cleaned and prepared for the event, the signs of the clan's decline were still evident. The banners were faded, their once-bright colors dulled by time. The stone pathways were cracked, and the wooden structures had long lost their polish.

"This place shows how much the clan has changed," Yunfeng murmured. 

Xiaoyu heard him and frowned. "Hey, don't say it like that. It's not that bad. The ceremony is still important, and today's a big deal. Besides, it's not like you're going to let the clan stay like this, are you?" 

Yunfeng gave her a small smile. "Of course not. That's why I'm here." 

Before Xiaoyu could respond, the sound of a gong echoed through the courtyard, silencing the chatter of the children. The grand elder, Zhao Changqing, stepped forward from the pavilion, his presence commanding instant attention. 

"Children of the Divine Sword Clan," he began, his voice deep and steady, "Today is a day of great significance. The awakening of your martial spirit marks the beginning of your journey as soul masters. It is a moment that defines not only your future but also the future of this clan." 

The children stood straighter, their faces filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"Remember," Zhao Changqing continued, "no matter the martial spirit you awaken, it is the strength of your will and determination that truly defines you. The heavens favor the strong, but even the heavens respect those who rise above their challenges." 

Xiaoyu nudged Yunfeng with her elbow, leaning in to whisper, "He's right, you know. Don't go around acting all calm if you awaken something boring like a broom." 

Yunfeng glanced at her, his expression unchanging. "If I awaken a broom, I'll sweep my way to greatness." 

Xiaoyu stifled a laugh but quickly regained her composure as the grand elder's gaze swept over the crowd. 

"Now, step forward in an orderly manner," Zhao Changqing instructed. "Each of you will place your hand on the Awakening Stone. Let it reveal the martial spirit that lies within you."

The children began forming a line, with the younger villagers moving nervously while the clan's direct descendants stood confidently. 

Yunfeng and Xiaoyu had found their place among the clan children, with Xiaoyu whispering excitedly to anyone who would listen. Yunfeng, however, stood quietly, his calm expression unshaken as he observed the event unfold.

Unbeknownst to the elders, the Spirit Awakening Ceremony was not as secure as it appeared. Hidden among the eager children from the six villages were two spies planted by rival factions. Their goal was simple: gather information to undermine the already declining Divine Sword Clan.

Among the crowd, Wei Liang, a wiry boy, studied his surroundings carefully. He had been trained since the age of four by the Spirit Hall. Spies like him were planted in clans and sects all over the continent, tasked with gathering information, sowing discord, and, when necessary, sabotaging potential threats. 

Wei Liang's mission was simple: monitor the Divine Sword Clan and report any developments, especially if someone awakened a powerful martial spirit.

His sharp eyes lingered on Yunfeng again. Even as a child, Yunfeng exuded a maturity and focus that made him stand apart from the other children.

'That one is dangerous,' Wei Liang thought, his expression unreadable. 'The Spirit Hall's reports about him weren't exaggerated. If he awakens something like the Heavenly Divine Sword… no, we can't let that happen. I'll need to act quickly if necessary.'

Mei Hua, the second spy, was positioned closer to the back of the crowd. Unlike Wei Liang, she had been taken in by the Spirit Hall at the age of five, after her village had been destroyed by rogue soul beasts. Trained in stealth, observation, and manipulation, she had learned to blend in seamlessly. Even now, her soft smile and nervous demeanor made her indistinguishable from the other children.

But inside, her thoughts were calculating. 'The elders may be proud, but this clan is crumbling,' she thought, glancing at the faded banners and cracked stone walls. 'Their reliance on the Heavenly Divine Sword is their weakness. They've spent generations waiting for someone to awaken it again, instead of adapting to the times. They're living in the past.'

Her gaze drifted to the grand elder, Zhao Changqing, as he addressed the crowd with his commanding voice. Mei Hua had heard of his reputation as one of the clan's strongest soul masters in his prime. But even legends grew old, and she couldn't help but notice the slight tremor in his hands as he gestured toward the Awakening Stone.

'The Divine Sword Clan's foundation is still strong, but their strength lies in people like Yunfeng,' she thought. 'If he lives up to the rumors, he could change everything. That's why the Spirit Hall sent us. If necessary, we'll ensure that change never happens.'

At this moment, one of the village children nearby spoke up. "Do you think anyone will awaken the Heavenly Divine Sword today?" he asked, his voice filled with awe.

"My father says it hasn't appeared in over a century," another child replied, his tone skeptical. "Maybe it's gone for good."

"Don't say that!" a girl hissed. "The elders might hear you. They believe it's just waiting for the right person."

Xiaoyu grinned and leaned toward Yunfeng. "See? Even the village kids are talking about it. What if it's you? What if you're the one who brings the clan's glory back?"

Yunfeng didn't answer immediately. His gaze shifted to the Awakening Stone, its faint glow captivating. For a moment, the chatter around him faded as he focused on his thoughts.

'The Heavenly Divine Sword…' he thought. 'It's more than just a martial spirit. It's the symbol of our clan's strength, the legacy of our ancestors. If I awaken it, I'll carry the weight of that legacy. But even if I don't, I'll find another way to bring our family back to greatness.'

Xiaoyu poked him again, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Hey, don't ignore me! You're supposed to say something dramatic, like, 'Yes, I'll awaken the sword and become a legend!'"

Yunfeng finally looked at her, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You'll see," he said calmly, his tone brimming with quiet confidence.

Xiaoyu blinked, momentarily taken aback by his response. Then she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "You're so annoying when you're like this. But fine, I'll wait and see."

Behind them, Wei Liang and Mei Hua continued their silent observations. Neither spoke, but both had the same thought: whatever happened today, the Spirit Hall needed to know everything about Yunfeng. The future of the Divine Sword Clan—and the balance of power on the continent—might depend on it.