Chapter 1: Young Lin Mo

Xuanli Country, Tianlan City.

In the Li Family Mansion, within the vast martial arts arena, the ceremony for awakening martial spirits was taking place.

Numerous elders and young disciples of the Li family had gathered here to witness the ceremony.

"At a time like this, Young Master Lin Mo is still practicing boxing diligently. Such perseverance."

"Yes, with his exceptional talent, he completed the Nine Layers of Body Refinement at the age of twelve. He is extremely proficient in basic martial arts. His diligence is truly admirable."

A group of disciples from the Li family admired the figure still practicing boxing.

The young man had rosy lips and white teeth, with a handsome appearance, exuding an air of talent.

His name was Lin Mo.

Although he was affiliated with the Li family in Tianlan City, he wasn't of the Li bloodline but rather a descendant of a benefactor of the Li family.

Lin Mo's father, Lin Xiaoran, had once recuperated in the Li family. When the Li family faced the danger of extermination, he had come forward to help.

In the end, he repelled the enemy but aggravated his old injury, leading to his passing.

In gratitude, the Li family raised young Lin Mo as if he were their own young master.

"Knowing that Young Master Lin Mo is such an exemplary figure, why don't you all learn from him? You lazy bunch," scolded the elder presiding over the ceremony.

Afterward, he addressed Lin Mo, "Young Master Lin Mo, it's your turn."

"Oh, okay."

Lin Mo wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked briskly over.

The ceremony for awakening martial spirits took place on a black altar in a corner of the martial arts arena.

As Lin Mo walked past a purple-clothed youth, he heard the youth sneer, "Lin Mo, you've always been favored by the family. Don't disappoint everyone when awakening your martial spirit."

The youth's name was Li Shaoyu, also a highly talented individual in the Li family. However, Lin Mo's brilliance overshadowed him.

This made him feel resentful, as he had vowed to surpass Lin Mo in this lifetime and reclaim everything that belonged to him.

Clad in black, Lin Mo remained indifferent and didn't say much. He was well aware of the hatred the other harbored toward him.

However, in reality, Lin Mo had never done anything to harm him.

Lin Mo soon leaped onto the black altar, then placed his hands on the central large martial spirit stele.

At this moment, the entire martial arts arena fell silent, with everyone's gaze involuntarily fixed on Lin Mo.

Their eyes were filled with anticipation, wondering what level of martial spirit this first-rate talent would awaken.

"I have a strong feeling that Young Master Lin Mo's awakened martial spirit will surely shake Tianlan City."

"Yes, he became a Nine Layers of Body Refinement at the age of twelve and is the son of Senior Lin. His martial spirit level must be very high."

"It seems that our Li family will produce a super genius. Just thinking about it is exciting."

The Li family disciples discussed eagerly, but their gazes never left the figure on the altar.

However...

After a long time, there was still no response from the martial spirit stele...

After five full minutes, there was still no movement.

"How... why is there no response from the martial spirit stele?"

The elder presiding over the ceremony was also taken aback. He carefully inspected everything on the altar and confirmed that there was nothing wrong.

Then he said coldly, "Lin Mo, you don't have a martial spirit."

This judgment immediately caused an uproar below.

Everyone knew what this meant; a martial spirit was the most basic requirement for becoming a martial artist.

Without a martial spirit, one couldn't communicate with the elemental energy of heaven and earth for cultivation.

It could be said that ninety-nine percent of the people on the continent could awaken their martial spirits, with only differences in the level.

But now, Lin Mo had become part of the one percent.

"This shouldn't be. I can clearly feel the fluctuation of the martial spirit in my body. Why didn't it awaken?"

Looking at the unresponsive martial spirit stele, Lin Mo was also very puzzled.

"No martial spirit? Doesn't that mean you can't become a martial artist?"

"Damn, what first-rate talent? This guy is simply a waste."

"What a waste of everyone's time. What a joke."

"..."

The crowd buzzed with discussions, and at that moment, the way everyone looked at Lin Mo changed completely. Where was the reverence they once had? It was all replaced by disappointment, disdain, and even contempt.

"Lin Mo, you can leave now. There's nothing for you here," said the elder who presided over the awakening ceremony of the Martial Spirits, his tone suddenly cold.

Lin Mo clenched his fists, chuckling self-deprecatingly. "Ha, are you all so superficial?"

Before, every one of these people revered him, eagerly seeking his advice whenever there was a question about martial arts. But now, since he hadn't awakened his Martial Spirit, these people completely changed their attitudes.

"Next, Li Shaoyu."

The presiding elder glanced at Lin Mo with disdainful eyes.

When Li Shaoyu heard his name, he raised his head proudly and walked briskly towards the altar. As he passed by Lin Mo, he sneered, "Lin Mo, I even swore to surpass you in this lifetime. Who would have thought you're just a useless waste."

Li Shaoyu felt incredibly pleased. Lin Mo didn't even have a Martial Spirit, so he could only remain at the peak of the Body Refining Ninth Stage for the rest of his life. Such a person wasn't even worthy of being his lackey.