The central courtyard of Azure Sky Academy had never looked more majestic. Red lanterns and long blue silk banners fluttered in the breeze, their soft rustling blending with the faint hum of spiritual energy emanating from the ancient array that had slumbered for generations. Carriages lined the long stone avenue outside the academy gates, bearing insignias of various noble clans and powerful families. Today was a sacred occasion—the annual Meridian Awakening Ceremony for children who had reached the age of five.
For children born into aristocracy or cultivation families, awakening their meridians marked the true beginning of their future. It determined whether one would walk the path of cultivation and how far one might go. The number of spiritual meridians revealed, the affinity toward elements, and the presence of any rare physiques would all be revealed under the scrutiny of the ancient formation designed by the Azure Sky Sect hundreds of years ago.
Dozens of high-ranking guests stood in shaded pavilions, sipping spiritual tea and conversing in hushed tones. Servants knelt by the platform edges, ready to offer water, towels, or support in case a child collapsed from the awakening backlash. Even more eyes were drawn to the stage—where twenty-four children, each five years of age, stood in white ceremonial robes, awaiting their turn.
Li Qingyun stood among them, his expression calm and steady. The wind stirred his robe, and his gaze remained fixed on the sky as if the heavens themselves were within his reach. He had lived and studied in the academy for a full year now, mastering every subject offered to noble children: calligraphy, poetry, classical literature, etiquette, zither, painting, tea brewing, history, arithmetic, beast knowledge, and even basic cultivation theory. Though he rarely spoke much, none dared mock him anymore—not after that incident on the first day. His temperament and poise had left a lasting impression on teachers and peers alike.
Around him stood children of equally prestigious backgrounds. Qin Wushuang, from the imperial Qin bloodline; Mu Yihan, daughter of Grand Minister Mu; Zhao Yunhai of the Zhao clan, known for their lightning inheritance; Xia Shuying, of the sword-wielding Xia family; and others whose names alone commanded respect. They had learned together, played together, and now stood as silent competitors on this day of judgment.
The Awakening Platform was a massive circular stone dais inlaid with silver and azure runes, surrounding a glowing crystal orb at its center. Elder Zhao Heng, a stern man with white brows and the deep aura of a Core Formation cultivator, stood beside it, overseeing the ritual.
He raised his voice, steady and authoritative. "Step forward when your name is called. Place your hands on the orb and let the spiritual formation draw out your potential. Do not resist."
One by one, the children stepped forward.
The first to be called was Gao Lin, the son of a rising merchant clan. He walked forward with some hesitation, placed his small hands on the orb, and waited. The orb flickered, then glowed faintly blue. Three shining lines emerged across its surface—three meridians. A murmur rippled through the crowd. Respectable, though not exceptional.
Next came Chen Hao, who revealed four meridians and a fire affinity. Then Wang Zhi, who awakened only two—his father's expression darkened instantly.
Then came Qin Wushuang.
He walked confidently, chin slightly raised, and placed his hands on the orb. A golden light burst from the formation, and seven glowing meridians lit up in the orb like veins of light. The crowd gasped. "Seven meridians! And lightning affinity!" someone exclaimed. Qin Wushuang smirked, clearly expecting the praise.
Following him was Xia Shuying. She moved like a dancer, calm and measured, and the orb responded with six shining meridians. The aura around her carried a sharp, cold sword intent. A few instructors narrowed their eyes. "Sword Bone Physique," one whispered. "Not to be underestimated."
Mu Yihan came next. Her pale hands pressed against the orb, and the surrounding temperature dropped. Frost formed on the surface of the platform. Seven ice-colored meridians lit up. Even the elder nodded in approval. "Excellent."
Then came Zhao Yunhai. The orb flickered rapidly before shining with a pulse of lightning and wind—five meridians, and a rare dual affinity. His father clapped loudly in approval.
Finally, Elder Zhao turned his gaze toward Li Qingyun.
"Li Qingyun. Step forward."
All eyes turned to him.
Qingyun walked silently, his footsteps light and graceful. He didn't look nervous, nor excited. Just composed. He placed both hands upon the orb.
For a long moment, nothing happened. Some of the younger children began to whisper.
But then—light surged upward from the orb. It began with a gentle pulse, then intensified rapidly until the entire courtyard was bathed in golden radiance. The orb flared like a miniature sun.
One… two… three… up to nine meridians shone through, their brilliance nearly blinding. The courtyard fell completely silent.
As if answering some unknown call, the sky above rippled, and a golden ray of light descended from the heavens, landing on Li Qingyun like divine recognition. At the same time, a phantom image emerged behind him—an ethereal lotus, swirling with chaos qi and flickering between elements: fire, water, earth, wind, metal, wood, lightning, light, and shadow.
Elder Zhao's hand trembled as he stepped forward, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Nine meridians… and… a divine physique—the Primal Chaos Vessel Physique. It… it cannot be…"
Gasps rang out among the elders and clan heads. Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"A divine-grade physique?"
"That's impossible. Those only appear once in a century!"
Li Qingyun slowly withdrew his hands and turned, bowing slightly to the elder. The formation behind him dimmed, but the stir he had caused would not vanish so easily.
As he returned to the line of children, he felt dozens of eyes lock onto him. Awe. Envy. Curiosity. And from a few… challenge.
Mu Yihan's eyes lingered on him a second longer than necessary. Qin Wushuang's lips tightened, the earlier smirk now gone.
Li Qingyun remained calm. To him, this was only the beginning.
That night, as the courtyard emptied and stars filled the sky, he sat quietly under the moon. Within his mind, the system flickered to life.
[System Notification: New Energy Detected – Primal Chaos Vessel Physique.]
[Slot Expansion Unlocked: You may now cultivate two techniques simultaneously.]
[System interface]
[Host: Li Qingyun]
[Realm: None]
[Physique: Primal Chaos Vessel Physique]
[Slots:2(simultaneously cultivate two techniques unlocked due to divine physique) (third slot unlocking conditions: 100 points) ]
[Techniques cultivating: None]
[Techniques cultivated: Jade body tempering scripture ( perfect) ]
[Energy: 19 points]
He exhaled slowly, his voice soft.
"With this body… no path is closed to me. It's time to walk forward."
He looked up, eyes clear and determined.
Tomorrow, his true journey would begin.