The process of planetary awakening was not a complicated one. Nor was it long. In the end, it all came down to talent. A few minutes passed. Lu Chen slowly opened his eyes. A flicker of joy lit his face. He could feel it, a distinct and undeniable presence. Within the infinite void of his Awakened Space, a single point of yellow light had appeared. It pulsed softly, a nascent star in the darkness. This yellow dot was expanding at a speed visible to the naked eye. As it grew, its features sharpened, its form becoming clearer with every passing second. Lu Chen knew. This was the planet he had awakened. It was like watching a single cell divide and grow into an embryo, but with time compressed into a breathtaking rush. After about five minutes, the planet’s formation stabilized. It was a world with a surface of earthen yellow, hanging silently in the quiet expanse of his inner space. The next moment, however, as Lu Chen perceived the planet’s true scale, his expression faltered. It was an exceptionally small planet. Its diameter looked to be less than a single kilometer. To put that in perspective, it was smaller than a large city square. “Just as I thought…” Lu Chen felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. His scores in the simulation tests had never been particularly good. Average, at best. He knew awakening a planet wouldn't be easy for him. A small diameter was to be expected. “A planet this small… it will struggle to convert even low-level energy, let alone anything advanced,” Lu Chen thought, his initial joy souring into disappointment. Genesis a planet was only the beginning. A planet, in the truest sense, was a planet of life. Only then was the awakening considered a success. The process was divided into three steps. First, awaken a planetary core. Second, convert the planet's origin energy into various forms of usable energy. Third, catalyze the emergence of life. Only by completing all three steps, by seeing life spring forth on the planet's surface, could one claim to have truly succeeded. The birth of life was inextricably linked to energy. The higher the energy level of the planet, the greater the probability of life emerging. And that energy was born from the transformation of the planet’s origin energy. The larger the planet, the higher the chance its origin energy could be converted into advanced forms. Energy itself was divided into two categories: ordinary and extraordinary. Extraordinary energy referred to powers like True qi, vitality, magic power, battle qi, origin power, and spiritual energy. Ordinary energy was just that: common forces like light, wind, electricity, geothermal heat, and chemical reactions. Ordinary energy could, on rare occasions, give birth to life. But the probability was minuscule. Worse, any life born from it would be ordinary, possessing no potential for greatness. For Lu Chen’s planet, less than a kilometer in diameter, the probability was lower still. It was a near-impossible task. Which meant… his awakening was a failure. Meanwhile, in the Monitoring Hall, the school’s leadership, department heads, and teachers from every class were gathered together. They were monitoring the single most important event of the academic year: the awakening ceremony. Though their faces were calm, their hearts beat with a nervousness that rivaled that of the students themselves. After all, the school’s reputation was on the line. If a good number of students succeeded, and their planets were large, the entire school would benefit. Its fame would grow. Recruiting new students next year would be that much easier. “Number 17 has successfully awakened. Xing diameter: 8 kilometers.” “Number 28 has successfully awakened. Xing diameter: 13.5 kilometers.” “Number 33 has successfully awakened. Xing diameter: 7.2 kilometers.” As time ticked by, one result after another was announced. “Examinee Number 8, planet diameter: 28.5 kilometers!” a teacher called out, his voice sharp with excitement. The announcement immediately drew the attention of everyone in the Hall. “Now that’s one of our top geniuses.” “Which class is he from?” “Class 1, I believe. Their results are truly excellent this year.” The principal nodded slightly, listening to the murmurs of discussion. This year’s cohort was performing exceptionally well. Two students had already awakened planets with diameters exceeding 25 kilometers. “Candidate 81, planet diameter… 0.81 kilometers?!” A teacher read out Lu Chen’s result, his voice laced with confusion. “Zero-point-eight-one? Less than a kilometer. I’m afraid it will be difficult for a planet that small to ever birth life.” “It’s not just difficult. According to the Huaxia Alliance’s historical records, while there is a theoretical possibility for a planet under one kilometer, no one has ever actually succeeded.” The teachers shook their heads, their expressions a mixture of pity and resignation. In every year's awakening ceremony, there were always a few with such disappointing results. “A planet this small… it’s practically impossible to generate life. And if I can’t give my planet life, then the awakening has failed. I’ll just be a commoner for the rest of my life.” Inside the awakening Hall, Lu Chen’s hands clenched, a bitter unwillingness rising in his chest. Once the chance was gone, it was gone forever. There would be no second attempts. No other way to change his fate. Lu Chen came from an ordinary family. If he failed to awaken a planet, his only future was to work for other, successful planet owners. It was a life no different from the serfs of old, bound to the land of their lords. Just as despair threatened to consume him, a strange, mechanical voice echoed in Lu Chen’s mind. 【Host detected in the process of planetary awakening. Activating God-Level Deduction System.】 Lu Chen froze, stunned into silence. A moment later, the meaning of the words sank in. His focus snapped inward, searching the depths of his own mind.

Chapter 2: A Tiny World Was Born