Chapter 1: Martial soul awakening 

Lin Ming wiped the sweat off his forehead as he finished his morning routine of push-ups and sit-ups. His body ached, but he felt a sense of accomplishment as he stood up and stretched. The sun was rising, casting a golden hue over the small village of Holy Spirit.

He looked toward the horizon, his thoughts drifting.

"One more day," Lin Ming thought, his heart racing. "Tomorrow, I'll awaken my martial spirit. What will it be? A powerful beast? A rare weapon? Or… just trash?"

Despite being a transmigrator, he had no cheat abilities or divine systems to rely on—only the memories of his past life and his knowledge of this world. A world ruled by martial spirits, soul rings, and cultivation.

As he jogged back toward his small hut, he couldn't help but think of Tang San, the village blacksmith's son.

"Tang San… the protagonist of this world. He's the child of destiny in this era. I need to be careful around him. If he's as hypocritical as the fanfics portrayed him, then I should be cautious. I don't have the power to offend him. His father, Tang Hao, might just come and kill me."

Lin Ming shook his head, brushing off the thought. He didn't want to involve himself too much with Tang San. At most, they were acquaintances, occasionally crossing paths because of Grandpa Jack, the village elder.

"Lin Ming!"

Lin Ming turned to see Grandpa Jack waving at him. The old man had always treated him kindly, giving him food and a place to stay when he had nothing. Lin Ming felt immense respect and gratitude toward him.

"Coming!" Lin Ming called back, picking up his pace.

The next morning arrived faster than Lin Ming expected.

The village kids gathered at the Spirit Hall, their expressions a mix of excitement and fear. Lin Ming's heart pounded as he looked at the tall figure standing in front of them—Su Yuntao, the Spirit Hall deacon.

"Quiet!" Su Yuntao barked, his voice carrying authority. The children immediately silenced themselves.

Lin Ming watched intently as Su Yuntao released his Wolf Spirit, his body transforming partially. His muscles bulged, his hands extended into sharp claws, and his eyes glowed yellow.

The display terrified some of the kids, making them step back. Lin Ming felt his pulse quicken but quickly calmed himself.

'No wonder the kids are scared. The aura alone can pressure adults 'Lin Ming thought feeling the pressure.

One by one, the children stepped forward, placing their hands on the Spirit Awakening Stone. Most of them awakened ordinary tools or plants—lamps, hoes, radishes—things that were immediately labeled as trash martial spirits by Su Yuntao.

Then it was Tang San's turn.

Lin Ming narrowed his eyes as Tang San placed his hand on the stone. The light flashed, revealing Blue Silver Grass.

"A trash spirit," Su Yuntao muttered, shaking his head. But when Tang San's soul power was tested, the deacon froze.

"Innate full soul power!" Su Yuntao's voice was a mix of shock and regret. "Such soul power wasted on trash…"

Lin Ming smirked nervously"Right on schedule."

Then came Lin Ming's turn.

As he placed his hand on the stone, he felt a strange energy surge through him. The light shone, and rusty chains appeared in his palm. They looked ancient, adorned with faint patterns of mysterious symbols, but their worn-out appearance made them look more like scrap metal than a martial spirit.

Su Yuntao frowned. "Chains? Hmm… doesn't seem like anything special."

Lin Ming's heart sank. "Chains? Really? At least let them glow or something!"

"Let's test your soul power," Su Yuntao said, placing a crystal ball in front of him.

Lin Ming placed his hand on it, expecting disappointment. Instead, the crystal shone brightly, surprising even Su Yuntao.

"Innate soul power… 8!" Su Yuntao exclaimed shocked and looked at Lin Ming like looking at a treasure.

Lin Ming blinked, struggling to hold back his grin.

"Is Soul power 8?!"

Su Yuntao nodded approvingly. "kid do you want to join spirit hall your soul power is remarkable and I can even recommend you to to the spirit halls main academy in spirit city"

Lin Ming thought'joining spirit hall is not a great option I don't want to be a part of the crazy power struggle in the war coming '

Lin Ming politely declined su yuntao by saying that he needs to think about it.

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Later that afternoon, Su Yuntao approached Grandpa Jack as the children dispersed.

"There are two exceptional cases in your village," Su Yuntao remarked, his tone a mix of awe and formality. "Tang San, the boy with the Blue Silver Grass eventhough it's a trash spirit it has innate full soul power and then there's Lin Ming his rusty chains have revealed an innate soul power of 8. Quite remarkable."

Grandpa Jack's face lit up, and he clasped his hands together in delight. "Truly? I knew these children had great potential!"

Later that evening, Lin Ming sat in his small room, contemplating everything that had happened.

"Nouding academy , huh?"

When Grandpa Jack had shared the offer, Lin Ming had immediately agreed without hesitation. He didn't care about the work part; it was the training, the opportunity to learn and grow. This could be his chance to rise beyond the ordinary.

Tang San, on the other hand, had hesitated. "I'll have to ask my father first," he had said, though Lin Ming could see the eagerness in his eyes.

But for Lin Ming, there was no hesitation. He needed to take this chance, to push forward and strengthen himself.

As the day ended and night fell, Lin Ming lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

"These chains… They must be something special. If they have soul power of 8, then they can't just be ordinary. I need to figure out what they are, how they work."

His mind swirled with thoughts as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Suddenly, in the quiet of the night, a presence filled the room.

Lin Ming's eyes snapped open. He was no longer in his room, but standing in a dark void. A figure appeared before him—a tall, old man, with a calm and wise aura.

The man smiled kindly at Lin Ming. "Hello, Lin Ming."

Lin Ming stood frozen, too stunned to respond. His heart raced as he looked at the figure before him—Hogoromo, the Sage of Six Paths.

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End of Chapter 1