Chapter 3: Reflections And Realities
Lin Tian sat in quiet contemplation, flipping through the pages of a dusty old history book. The tome was heavy, its faded cover creased from years of use, detailing the ascension of Poseidon, the original Sea God, and the Angel God. Legends from an era long past filled the pages, their grandeur preserved in meticulous detail. 'How long ago was that?' Lin Tian mused. 'Ten thousand years, perhaps even a hundred thousand?' The passage of time in this world seemed both immeasurable and irrelevant, with histories buried beneath layers of dust.
The names of these gods had long been forgotten by most, buried in the collective consciousness of Soul Land. 'No wonder so few people remember the original Sea God or Angel God,' Lin Tian thought, his fingers grazing over the ancient text. 'It wasn't until Tang San's rise that these deities were brought back into the limelight.' Tang San's ascension, a recent event in comparison, had reignited interest in these long-lost figures, though their true stories remained obscured.
As he flipped through more pages, Lin Tian found himself thinking not just of the gods but of the stagnant society they had left behind. Despite the passage of millennia, the ruling systems and societal structures had hardly changed. Soul Land was still locked in a feudal, medieval-style hierarchy. Lin Tian furrowed his brow as his thoughts drifted to the world he once knew. 'How can this world be stuck in such a time warp? In my previous life, feudalism lasted barely a thousand years, but here, soul power has frozen everything in place.'
He leaned back in his chair, closing the book for a moment as he stared into space, lost in thought. Soul power had granted the elite immense power, solidifying their control over society and ensuring that the social order never changed. The convenience and luxury it brought to those with strong martial souls were undeniable, but Lin Tian couldn't shake the nagging feeling of injustice that lingered in the back of his mind.
'For the elite, soul power is a blessing,' he mused, 'but for the rest, for those with weak or low-level martial souls, it's a curse. They're trapped in a cycle of drudgery, unable to rise through the ranks.' The frustration welled up within him, as it often did when he thought about the social divide. He couldn't help but reflect on the system that had relegated millions to lives of insignificance simply because they were born without sufficient soul power.
While those with higher innate soul power soared through the ranks, those with weaker abilities faced insurmountable odds. 'Sure, you might not be stuck at level 10 your whole life,' Lin Tian thought, his frustration evident in the furrow of his brow. 'But what's the point when advancement is agonizingly slow, and every resource spent on someone with low potential could have gone to someone more promising?' He knew it was harsh, but that was the reality of the world he lived in.
Low-level soul masters were often relegated to menial roles—village guards, primary school teachers—barely scraping by. They were necessary for society to function, but there was little room for ambition or advancement in those roles. 'It's always the weakest who suffer the most,' Lin Tian thought, his expression hardening.
His gaze drifted back to the book in front of him, which glorified Tang San's rebellion against the Martial Soul Hall. The text painted Tang San as a flawless hero, a liberator who freed the continent from the clutches of tyranny. Lin Tian rolled his eyes. 'The victors always write the history, don't they?' he thought wryly. He knew better than to accept the story at face value.
'Martial Soul Hall wasn't entirely wrong,' he reflected, his thoughts drifting to Ah Yin, Tang San's mother. 'Soul rings and soul bones are incredibly valuable. Pursuing Ah Yin wasn't completely unjustified, especially considering her status as a 100,000-year-old soul beast.' He frowned as he thought about Qian Xunji, the notorious leader of the Martial Soul Hall. 'There has to be more to his actions than simple greed for power. Perhaps guilt drove him, some twisted attempt to make amends for how he treated Bibi Dong.'
The layers of history fascinated Lin Tian. There were so many fan theories from his previous life, so many possibilities that went unexplored in the official narrative. 'The past is complicated,' he thought, his pencil twirling absentmindedly in his fingers. 'But that's all in the past now. Martial Soul Hall is gone, and the structure that supported soul masters has fractured. Commoners now have to rely on wandering soul masters to awaken their children's martial souls, and the subsidies that once helped low-level soul masters are gone too.'
Lin Tian's thoughts turned to his parents, whose lives exemplified the struggle of soul masters in the modern era. His father, Lin Yun, was nearing level 40, and his mother was already a respected Soul Ancestor. Both were teachers at the local academy, their martial souls strong enough to command respect, but not powerful enough to grant them true wealth or influence. 'Dad's Sky Azure Vine is a top-tier control martial soul,' Lin Tian thought proudly. 'No wonder he's the director of the control department.'
Suddenly, a booming voice echoed from outside. "Brother Yun! Are you home?"
Startled, Lin Tian leapt up from his chair and moved to the window, curious about the visitor. His father stepped out to greet the familiar voice.
"Brother Fei! What brings you here?" Lin Yun asked with a grin, walking toward the gate.
Uncle Fei, a sturdy man with a booming voice, greeted him with enthusiasm. "Brother Yun, you're almost at level 40, right? I wanted to see if you'd be interested in forming a team with me for a soul ring hunt. Xiao Hua's about to break through to level 30, and I'd feel better with you there."
Lin Yun raised an eyebrow. "Congratulations! I'm right at the peak of level 39. I should be ready soon. Let's plan to go together next week."
"Fantastic!" Uncle Fei beamed. "With you there, it'll be a lot safer."
As Uncle Fei hurried off to prepare, Lin Tian's mind raced with excitement. 'A soul ring hunt,' he thought. 'This will be a great opportunity to observe up close. Every bit of real-world experience helps me understand how this world works.'
Back inside, Lin Yun turned to Lin Tian with a teasing smile. "Xiao Tian, your father's going to break through soon. Are you proud of me?"
Lin Tian grinned widely. "Wow, Daddy! You're going to catch up to Mommy soon. But who's stronger?"
Lin Yun's expression froze for a moment before he coughed. "Your mother, of course. She's a Soul Ancestor. But my Sky Azure Vine supports her attacks, so I make her even stronger."
Lin Tian's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Sky Azure Vine? Is it really that strong?" he asked, knowing full well the martial soul's reputation.
Lin Yun puffed up with pride. "Oh, it's strong, alright. Most soul kings would struggle to break my vines, even at level 40. When I level up, they'll be even tougher."
Lin Tian exaggerated his awe. "Wow! So, Sky Blue Grass is amazing!" he teased, intentionally misnaming the martial soul.
Lin Yun twitched slightly. 'Did he just call it... blue grass?' he thought, feeling embarrassed for his martial soul. "It's Sky Azure Vine, not blue grass," he corrected with a chuckle. "But yes, it's strong."
Lin Tian nodded, filing the information away. 'Sky Azure Vine is even stronger than I thought. A top-tier control martial soul like that is highly valued.'
As his father headed toward the kitchen, Lin Tian returned to his books, pondering his next steps. 'I need to accelerate my learning,' he thought, his determination hardening. 'Knowledge is my greatest weapon in this world. I have to understand every detail if I want to survive and thrive here.'
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