Chapter 1: Root Awakening — The Day Everyone Watches
📍 Central Square, just before noon.
Hundreds had gathered — nobles, elders, heirs from various clans. All eyes were locked on the giant Awakening Stone in the center.
💭 "Today's root decides tomorrow's fate. Doesn't matter if you're a genius or trash — your root tells the truth."
🔊 Spectator (mocking):
— "Look! There he is… disgrace of the Li Clan." 😏
— "Tch, heard the first son of the clan's up today. If his root is trash, he's done for."
👤 Among the crowd, a boy stood in plain robes. Calm on the outside. Burning inside.
💭 "To them, I'm not even garbage. But one day… they'll kneel."
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🎤 Announcer (loudly):
— "First up! The young master of the Shuang Clan!"
🔥 A boy dressed in silver robes steps forward. He places his hand on the stone. A brilliant blue light flashes — specks of silver dance around.
🔊 Announcer:
— "Flowing Water Root! Radiant tier!"
— "Incredible! The Shuang Clan has every right to be proud!"
👏 The crowd erupts. Cheers and applause everywhere.
💭 "Typical… some kids are born shining."
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🎤 Next: Young master of the Lan Clan!
💨 A green gust spirals around as he awakens his root.
🔊 Announcer:
— "Root of the Nightwind Valley! Glorious tier!"
👥 Crowd:
— "Whoa, another advanced root!"
— "Li Zhen's already done for…"
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🕔 Now… it was Li Zhen's turn. The square goes dead silent.
He walks forward. Each step feels heavier under hundreds of judging stares. Whispers. Snickers. Disgust.
He places his hand on the stone.
...
Nothing.
💭 "Why… nothing's happening…?"
🌀 Suddenly — a faint, flickering grey line appears, then vanishes instantly.
🔊 Announcer (hesitant):
— "Root... minimal tier. Possibly... a dead root."
💥 Laughter bursts from the crowd.
👥 Spectators:
— "First son of the clan? More like first joke!" 🤣
— "He should be disowned on the spot!"
💭 "So this is it...? No... I'm not done. I refuse."
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🔥 Deep inside him, something stirs. No one sees it yet. But it's coming.
💭 "Let them laugh... I've got my own path. And it begins… with sacrifice."
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📌 To be continued in Chapter 2: Root Sacrifice — Fire Beneath the Graveyard
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💡 Root Tier System (hidden from public eyes):
1. Minimal (lowest known)
2. Faint
3. Bright
4. Radiant
5. Glorious
6. Mythic
7. ??? (Unknown Tier — Hidden for now)