Lin Feng proceeded further toward the gathering, his curiosity growing with each step. His frail frame and pale complexion made him stand out among the other villagers, who were accustomed to seeing him as the sickly orphan boy. Despite his physical weakness, there was a quiet determination in his dark eyes—a spark that hinted at untapped potential. He wore simple, patched-up clothes that spoke of years of hardship but had been meticulously cleaned and mended, reflecting his resourcefulness.
However, before he could get close enough to hear what was being said, Li Wei stepped in front of him, blocking his path. The muscular youth stood tall and broad-shouldered, exuding an aura of confidence that bordered on arrogance. His tanned skin glistened under the morning sun, and his neatly tied-back hair framed a chiseled face marked by sharp cheekbones and piercing eyes. Clad in sturdy leather armor reinforced with metal plates, Li Wei looked every bit the warrior-in-training he aspired to be. A smug smirk spread across his face as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Only those who've awakened a Martial Soul are allowed to join," Li Wei sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Didn't you hear? You're not exactly part of that group, are you?"
The comment drew snickers from the other youngsters nearby. Lin Feng clenched his fists briefly but quickly composed himself. He wasn't about to let someone like Li Wei rile him up—not when he had something far more interesting to show.
"You're mistaken," Lin Feng replied calmly, meeting Li Wei's gaze without flinching. "I did awaken a Martial Soul."
This declaration caused an immediate stir among the crowd. Whispers erupted as disbelief and confusion rippled through the group. How could this be? Hadn't the village priest declared Lin Feng talentless during the Awakening Ceremony?
To prove his point, Lin Feng focused inward, activating his holographic panel once more. With practiced ease, he summoned the faint breeze-like manifestation of his wind-based creation—a pale imitation of a tornado that hovered behind him, radiating a dim aura. While it lacked the imposing presence of higher-grade Martial Souls, it was undeniably real.
Shock registered on everyone's faces, including Li Wei's. For a moment, no one spoke. Then, the murmurs began again, this time tinged with derision.
"So that's your so-called Martial Soul?" one boy laughed. "It's barely a Grade 9! No wonder the priest thought you failed!"
Li Wei joined in, shaking his head in mock pity. "Looks like we were wrong about you, Lin Feng. You're not just untalented—you're pathetic."
Their words stung, but Lin Feng didn't react. Instead, he simply smiled faintly, knowing full well they underestimated him. Before anyone could say more, the village chief cleared his throat with a sharp cough, silencing the entire group instantly.
The elderly man stood tall despite his age, his weathered features bearing the marks of decades spent leading the village. His long, gray beard flowed down to his chest, meticulously groomed and streaked with hints of silver that caught the sunlight. Deep wrinkles lined his face, yet his piercing gray eyes remained sharp and alert, capable of cutting through deception with a single glance. He wore traditional robes adorned with intricate embroidery depicting swirling clouds and ancient runes—a symbol of his status as both the village chief and its strongest cultivator.
His presence commanded respect, even from the most unruly youths. As he surveyed the assembled group, his gaze lingered briefly on Lin Feng before addressing them all.
"Not bad," he said, nodding slightly at Lin Feng. Though his tone was neutral, there was a hint of approval in his eyes. Turning back to the group, he continued, "Awakening your Martial Soul is only the beginning of your journey. True strength comes from cultivation—the process of refining your soul and body until you transcend ordinary limits."
As he spoke, the village chief raised his right hand. A shimmering silver sword materialized in his grip, its blade glowing faintly with an ethereal light. This was Moonshadow Blade , a Grade 5 Martial Soul renowned for its elegance and cutting power. Unlike the crude manifestations of the younger participants, the sword felt lifelike, almost suffocating in its intensity. Its mere presence seemed to weigh down the air around them.
"This," the village chief explained, holding the sword aloft, "is what years of cultivation can achieve. But even I have my regrets."
He paused, lowering the sword as a wistful expression crossed his face. "Despite reaching the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, I never managed to break through to the Golden Core Stage—a level of power where one possesses extraordinary abilities capable of destroying this entire village with a single strike."
His words sent shivers down the spines of the youngsters. Even talented individuals like Li Wei and Mei Ling exchanged uneasy glances, realizing just how vast the gap between their current strength and true mastery truly was.
"Why?" the village chief asked rhetorically, tapping the flat of the Moonshadow Blade against his palm. "Because my Grade 5 Martial Soul was too weak to sustain such advancement. That is why your generation holds so much potential. Unlike me, who began cultivating after the age of twenty, you have the advantage of starting young. And if you work hard, you may even earn a place in one of the powerful sects located in the nearby town."
At this, several pairs of eyes lit up with hope. Sects were legendary institutions known for nurturing prodigies and providing access to rare resources—medicinal pills, ancient techniques, and heavenly materials that accelerated cultivation.
"However," the village chief added sternly, raising a finger to emphasize his point, "our village only has three quotas available. Not everyone will qualify. Those who remain behind need not despair; we will still provide basic resources to help you grow. But understand this: compared to the sects, our support is limited. To survive in the outside world, you must cultivate diligently. There are beasts, devils, evil sects, bandits—all manner of dangers lurking beyond these borders. Only by becoming stronger can you protect yourselves and carve out your own destinies."
With that, the village chief swung the Moonshadow Blade in a fluid arc. A streak of silvery light shot forward, slicing through the air with incredible speed.
Whoosh! Boom!
Fifty meters away, a large boulder exploded into fragments, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Dust filled the air as the stunned youngsters stared at the destruction in awe.
"That," the village chief said with a satisfied smile, stroking his beard, "is the kind of power you should aspire to achieve. Now, listen carefully—I will teach you the secret technique passed down in our village. It is called the Essence Gathering Method , a foundational practice for absorbing spiritual energy from the surroundings and channeling it into your Martial Soul."
He paused, his expression turning grave. "This technique is sacred to our village and cannot be shared with outsiders. If any of you betray this trust, you will face severe consequences—imprisonment, crippling, or worse. Do I make myself clear?"
The youths nodded fervently, intimidated by the weight of his warning. Satisfied, the village chief began explaining the method.
"The Essence Gathering Method works by drawing ambient spiritual energy into your body," the village chief instructed, pacing slowly as he addressed the group. "First, sit cross-legged on the ground and focus on your Martial Soul. Imagine it as a vessel waiting to be filled. Next, visualize threads of energy flowing from the environment—trees, rocks, rivers, even the air itself—and guiding them toward your soul. Once inside, circulate this energy throughout your body, strengthening both your physical form and your Martial Soul simultaneously."
He demonstrated the technique, closing his eyes and sitting cross-legged. A faint glow enveloped him as wisps of spiritual energy converged upon his body, visibly enhancing his aura.
"Remember," he cautioned, opening his eyes once more, "this is only the first step. Progress will depend on your dedication, talent, and the quality of your Martial Soul. Some of you may advance quickly; others may struggle. Regardless, I expect every one of you to give your best effort. In three months' time, I will evaluate your progress. The top three cultivators will earn the chance to join the sects, while the rest will remain here."
With that, the village chief dismissed them. The youngsters immediately scattered, eager to begin practicing the Essence Gathering Method. Most sat cross-legged on the ground, their brows furrowed in concentration as they attempted to draw in spiritual energy.
Unlike the others, Lin Feng approached the exercise with a different mindset. Sitting quietly on the edge of the field, he closed his eyes and activated his holographic panel. Within moments, the interface appeared in his mind, glowing softly amidst the void.
"If I can absorb elements from the environment," he mused silently, "then perhaps I can use this method to enhance my Martial Soul indirectly."
Focusing intently, he began experimenting. First, he tried combining the Essence Gathering Method with his import function, pulling in small amounts of spiritual energy alongside natural elements like air and moisture. To his delight, the swirling vortex within his panel grew denser and more vibrant, taking on a faint silvery hue.
Encouraged by this success, Lin Feng pushed further. He imagined the imported energy infusing his creations with greater potency, testing whether they could mimic the effects of actual cultivation. Slowly but surely, he began to feel a subtle shift—an increase in his mental clarity and stamina.
Though his progress might not have been visible to others, Lin Feng knew he was onto something groundbreaking. While the rest of the group relied solely on traditional methods, he had found a way to innovate, leveraging his unique Martial Soul to accelerate his growth.
And so, under the watchful eye of the village chief, Lin Feng embarked on his journey—not as a mere participant, but as someone destined to redefine the very concept of martial arts.