### **I. Childhood Bonds and Divergent Spirits**
Dawn's first rays danced across the jade-pillar courtyards of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, catching the intricate designs carved into the marble stonework. Six-year-old **Lu Yuan** walked beside his lifelong companion, **Ning Rongrong**. Their childhood bond, forged through years of shared laughter and whispered dreams, felt unbreakable. Today, they stood on the precipice of their destinies—side by side before the Spirit Awakening Ceremony.
When it was her turn, Rongrong's martial soul blossomed magnificently. A gentle chime sounded as crimson spirit energy enveloped her—she had awakened the legendary **Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda**, a trait passed down from her father, the revered Sect Master. The crowd murmured in awe; Rongrong's bright smile reflected pride and promise.
Then came Lu Yuan's moment. He took a deep breath and touched the ceremonial stone. A dim shimmer faded as his aura died away, leaving him clutching a **blank, nondescript book**—tool spirit, Soul Power Level 6, but utterly confluence. The crowd gasped, eyes shifting, whispers fluttering.
A bank-book spirit—useless. A depthless vessel.
---
### **II. Midnight Confrontation and Exile**
That night, as the moon rose high, a cold knock sounded at Lu Yuan's dorm door. Feathering candlelight revealed the form of the Sect Master, his face a mask of disappointment.
He spoke softly, yet every word struck sharply:
> **Sect Master (emotionless):**
> "Rongrong awakened the Seven Treasure Pagoda—her fate is clear. You… have only a blank book at Level 6. Even with unwavering determination, at best you might attain Soul Master—or at your height, Soul Sect. But that's it."
He unclasped a pouch on the table, letting **500 soul-gold coins** drop with a metallic rasp:
> "Take these coins. Leave the Sect and your path. Do not stand in her shadow again."
Lu Yuan's heart pounded. The Sect Master turned to go—but before leaving, paused.
> "This is kindness. Don't mistake it for mercy."
Silence stretched. Finally, Lu Yuan stood, eyes steady.
> **Lu Yuan:**
> "I am not worthless. I refuse these coins. I *will* leave—but I will return, stronger than ever."
At the door, , a Sword spirit Douluo, watched him with narrowed eyes. Surprise glinted in his stern visage—respect, perhaps. He sighed, then stepped away into the dark corridor.
---
### **III. The Promise at Dawn**
Morning mist shrouded the courtyard as Lu Yuan approached the platform. Rongrong waited, eyes glistening. Lu Yuan knelt before her, hand clasping hers.
> **Lu Yuan (voice low):**
> "Rongrong, I must leave—to become stronger. Don't cry when I go."
Her shoulders shook as tears tumbled.
> **Rongrong (softly):**
> "Brother…I will be strong. I'll wait."
He embraced her once, tears brimming in his own eyes. Around them, sect elders watched, stunned by the emotional departure. Fengji's voice was quiet but sharp:
> **Fengji (murmuring):**
> "Brave. Confident. But his spirit… is useless."
With one final nod, Lu Yuan turned and descended off the platform, a lone figure stepping toward exile.
---
### **IV. Activation on Departure**
Lu Yuan paused just beyond the Sect gates. Dawn warmed the dew-laden grass. He placed the blank book against his heart, memories of childhood flickering through his mind. As he took his first step forward, a bell-like tone sounded in his head—no one else heard it:
> **"Ding—Favorability with support character 'Rongrong' reached 100. System activated. Novice Gift Pack received."**
The blank grimoire trembled. Lu Yuan looked back once—before the Sect, a tear-streaked Rongrong remained, hope blazing in her gaze. Ahead lay a world devoid of guidance, but alive with potential.
---
### **V. The First Glimmer of Power**
He walked east along a dusty road toward **Ling City**, hundred soul-gold coins clinking in his pouch. A flicker in his hand broke his thoughts: the grimoire glimmered. He opened it.
> **"Ding—Host, Novice Gift Pack opened."**
The blank pages blurred. Cover turned a deep, ethereal black. A crimson fifth leaf materialized: a **five-leaf grimoire**, legendary and whispered of—like the Anti-Magic tomes of other worlds.
A second tone:
> **"Ding—Soul Power set to Level 10. Inventory updated."**
Lu Yuan staggered, breath caught in his chest. Streaks of exhilaration and disbelief rushed through him. Knelt by the roadside, he grasped the grimoire, tears escaping of joy and relief.
> **Lu Yuan (softly):**
> "This… this is the cheat I needed. I will become strong enough… for you, Rongrong."
He rose as a breeze carried distant egret calls. Dawn pressed eastward. He continued his march down the road, purpose clear, determination blazing.