Chapter 2: Martial Soul Awakening, Moonlit Orchid
This feeling was incredibly wonderful, like floating on a cloud, his body enveloped by soft white mist.
Every single strand and fiber of muscle was radiating vitality under the modification of [Dexterity], gently trembling to a mysterious rhythm.
[Dexterity] gave his body an extra measure of strange flexibility and extensibility.
[Class Trait: Dexterity (Thief's body is dexterous, movements are quick and proficient, strategic thinking is sharp, and physical extensibility is enhanced)]
Zhao Liuyun reviewed the detailed information on the Panel, then thoughtfully moved the table and chair aside.
He immediately began running rapidly inside the room, then executed a sudden stop.
With no surfaces nearby to grab onto, he would almost certainly have fallen awkwardly and ended up with a bruised face.
If it were normally, this situation would be irreversible, short of time reversal.
However, this time, Zhao Liuyun mobilized his muscles, forcefully tightened his tendons, stabilized his center of gravity, and managed to hold his posture in a surprisingly contorted pose.
Not only that, but this flexible physique and excellent balance, combined with the newly acquired skills, allowed him to perform many movements that would be unimaginable to ordinary people—
He could walk a tightrope as if walking on flat ground, lightly leap onto rooftops, and even concentrate his strength, applying this Dexterity in actual combat, just like Xiao Wu.
Thinking of the rabbit, Zhao Liuyun's eyes shifted, revealing an unknown meaning.
Xiao Wu... A moment later, he shook his head. While a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring was good, it was not something he could covet.
Zhao Liuyun continued to ponder the mysteries of the trait.
[Dexterity] includes the quick proficiency of physical movements and the sharpness of strategic thinking.
However, the Thief's [Dexterity] trait provides very little bonus to strategic thinking, focusing more on physical agility.
His brain did operate faster, but not significantly; it merely allowed him to control this increasingly flexible body.
The Class Skill [Extreme Reflexes] has a singular effect, but it enhances a person's reaction capability. It is consistent with the [Dexterity] trait, making the body more agile while also being highly suitable for combat.
As for the thought-related traits that Zhao Liuyun yearned for—those beneficial for future development—they would likely require changing his class to professions like [Scholar] or [Student].
Setting a direct goal wouldn't work; he would likely need to enter a Soul Master Academy.
He just needed to awaken his Martial Soul!
Thinking of this, Zhao Liuyun's gaze suddenly became fervent, and he unconsciously clenched his fists... One day later, in the city center, in front of a massive, towering dome structure.
This was the most prosperous central area of the entire city. The dome structure was the Notting City Spirit Hall Branch, where the city residents' Martial Soul Awakening took place.
Zhao Liuyun stood before the gilded gate, cautiously peering inside under the watchful eyes of the guards.
Sunlight streamed through the crystal windows, illuminating the entire hall in dazzling golden splendor and divine light.
The magnificent sight stood in stark contrast to his current attire.
Today, Zhao Liuyun had specifically scrounged up a set of coarse linen clothes and disguised himself as a medical apprentice.
Even though they were faded from washing, the clothes still carried the persistent scent of herbs from years past, leaving no room for complaint.
Every time he stole something, he would change his clothing to ensure his attire wouldn't reveal his identity as a Thief.
Of course, this change of clothes was not for the purpose of stealing.
"Brat, this is the Spirit Hall. What are you sneaking around for? Are you here to awaken your Martial Soul?"
One of the guards reached out to press down on his head, but Zhao Liuyun swayed his body and easily dodged the hand.
"That's right, big brother. I'm here to awaken my Martial Soul, look..." Zhao Liuyun put on a humble smile.
"Just go straight in, head up to the second floor, walk to the end, and find Grandmaster Su Yuntao."
The guard pointed casually and, not believing his luck, tried to strike again.
Zhao Liuyun thanked him softly, lowered his body, applied slight pressure forward with his foot, and nimbly slipped past his hand.
"Hey, this kid!" The guard looked surprised.
Zhao Liuyun turned back, made a face at him, and then enthusiastically stepped inside the hall.
Patterns of various Martial Souls were carved onto the walls of the great hall, and the striking dome, in particular, was covered with exquisite murals.
Inside bright golden squares, Martial Souls were depicted: hammers, pagodas, giant dragons... and the Divine Being surrounded by all the Martial Souls, standing right in the center!
The Divine Being had a pair of wings on its back, and under the refraction of the sunlight, it gave off a feeling of sanctity, purity, and supremacy.
"An Angel?" Zhao Liuyun muttered silently to himself, carrying his excitement as he went up to the second floor.
Walking to the end of the corridor, he was met by three tall, solemn archways.
The middle door was half-open, and he could vaguely hear intermittent, low sobs coming from inside.
The sound grew closer... A tearful child with red eyes walked out, still stubbornly staring at the small, blue-glowing grass in his palm.
"The useless Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass? Did he not awaken Soul Power?"
Zhao Liuyun's pupils contracted slightly, and his heartbeat involuntarily sped up.
Subconsciously smoothing the stray hairs on his forehead, he passed the crying child with composure.
He believed that he absolutely possessed Soul Power!
Absolutely!
Stepping over the threshold, Zhao Liuyun's gaze swept past the Martial Soul patterns on the walls and the black stone formation embedded in the floor, before landing on the young man sitting in front of the formation.
The young man looked to be in his twenties, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, handsome features, and a slightly arrogant expression. A black cloak was draped over the chair behind him.
There was no one else inside, so this must be the famous "Blind-Eyed God King."
Zhao Liuyun bowed respectfully, then immediately gathered his courage and spoke: "Grandmaster Su Yuntao."
"Mm, little friend, here to awaken your Martial Soul?"
Su Yuntao nodded slightly, a hint of weariness in his brows, but his attitude remained gentle.
After Zhao Liuyun nodded, he predictably pointed to the black stone Hexagram Formation beside him.
"Stand inside and feel with your heart."
Awakening a Martial Soul in the Spirit Hall Branch was different from doing it in a small village; Su Yuntao did not summon his Lone Wolf Martial Soul.
Releasing Soul Power originally did not require Martial Soul possession; that was merely a demonstration for the less knowledgeable villagers.
Well-informed city dwellers would not be too unfamiliar with the appearance of Soul Rings and Martial Soul possession.
Zhao Liuyun stepped into the formation as instructed, holding his breath and concentrating.
Immediately afterward, he saw Su Yuntao clap his hands out swiftly, six streams of green light bursting from his palms and rapidly sinking into the black stones on the ground.
The next moment, golden brilliance shone, and a hazy pale golden light transformed into a faint light barrier.
Countless tiny golden specks of light gracefully floated up from the surface of the black stones, like dandelions scattered by a spring breeze, gently sinking into Zhao Liuyun's body.
A warm current subsequently spread throughout his limbs and bones, creating a comfort that was almost sigh-inducing.
Guided by that warmth, like the warm sun of spring, it felt as if some barrier within his body had shattered, and all the warm energy instantly surged toward his palm.
Su Yuntao, standing nearby, watched the dense light specks, his eyes slightly brightening.
This anomaly... was he about to awaken a powerful Martial Soul?
But then, thinking of something unknown, his brow furrowed slightly.
He just hoped it wasn't another fraud... Su Yuntao tightly pursed his lips, watching without blinking.
Zhao Liuyun had no time to notice the expression of the Blind-Eyed God King. He instinctively raised his right hand, and a mass of soft light suddenly condensed in his palm.
The light flashed and disappeared, immediately transforming into a magnificent, moon-white flower that quietly floated in his palm.
The petals were snow-white, the stamen shone like gilded gold, and every petal was perfectly unfurled, its edges, thin as cicada wings, shimmering with a crystal luster.
Even more astonishingly, translucent mist coiled between the petals, and dreamlike, ethereal light flowed around the flower body, adding a layer of mystery to this Martial Soul.
The light was warm and gentle, not dazzling, restrained yet captivating, as pure and cold as moonlight spilling down.
Simultaneously, a clear, secluded fragrance quietly spread throughout the air.
Su Yuntao was originally overwhelmed by the perfect form of this moon-white flower, but the moment that strange floral fragrance entered his nostrils, his restless emotions involuntarily calmed down.
Forcing down the strange, indescribable feeling in his heart, Su Yuntao genuinely praised, "What a beautiful Martial Soul. What is its name?"
He was certain he had never seen such a beautiful Martial Soul before.
"It's a pity it didn't receive the evaluation of a 'useless Martial Soul.'" Joking inwardly, Zhao Liuyun focused his attention on the Panel and happily gave his reply:
"Moonlit Orchid."
[Class Panel]
[Host: Zhao Liuyun]
[Martial Soul: Moonlit Orchid]
"Its name is Moonlit Orchid."