Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

"How should we start?" Lin Feng questioned softly, making sure the beasts wouldn't hear him.

"Charging recklessly ahead might attract more beasts. Why don't we..." Before Mei Ling could finish her words, she heard sharp wind blowing from behind their backs.

"You…" Turning back, she saw Li Wei had already attacked with his bow, firing a couple of arrows. Unlike the last time, these arrows were infused with spiritual energy, emitting a faint white aura as they streaked through the air. It seemed like he was taking no chances this time—wolves were far faster and more mobile than deer.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Before the wolves could react, they were pierced in multiple places, causing them to howl loudly. Their cries soon turned into whimpers, but the noise echoed ominously through the forest. This loud sound would undoubtedly attract reinforcements.

"What are you guys afraid of? They haven't even reached the Qi Refining stage. Let's just kill them and attract more," Li Wei declared arrogantly. Then, with a smirk, he added, "Once there are more, you two will charge ahead and create opportunities for me to fire arrows."

"Haha! I would have loved to go ahead myself. But you two don't know how to use a bow, do you?" Li Wei glanced at Lin Feng, his tone dripping with mockery.

How could Lin Feng not realize that charging ahead meant facing the most danger? Li Wei's plan was clear—he wanted Lin Feng to suffer. With his inferior equipment, Lin Feng would surely get hurt. As for Mei Ling, she had better gear and a protective pendant, so she was relatively safe.

"But…" Mei Ling tried to protest, hoping to speak up for Lin Feng, but Lin Feng didn't back down from the challenge. He wasn't here to cower or retreat. In fact, he was itching for practice, and this strategy made tactical sense.

"I'll do it." Seeing a couple more demon wolves emerging from the cave, Lin Feng stepped forward, assuming a battle stance. Mei Ling followed suit, gripping her rapier tightly.

Howl! Howl!

The wolves howled louder, and an aura emanated from one of them—a beast that had clearly reached the Qi Refining stage. Under its lead, the pack began acting with eerie coordination. They sprinted in different directions, sniffing the air as they searched for the invaders.

Seeing this, the newcomers couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines. "We'll be found out soon. You guys should charge ahead!" Li Wei ordered before quickly climbing a nearby tree to gain the high ground advantage.

Lin Feng didn't hesitate further. When a wolf randomly charged toward him, he slammed his shield against it with all his strength.

Bang!

The impact reverberated through his arm, but the shield held firm. Using his sword in his other hand, Lin Feng swung awkwardly, channeling his Grade 9 Windy Martial Soul to enhance his strikes. Though his Martial Soul was considered weak, its sharp gusts of wind sliced cleanly through the wolf's fur, leaving shallow but painful wounds.

However, he failed to kill it in a single blow despite being a Middle Stage Qi Refining cultivator. It was because he didn't have much knowledge about using swords. If he had aimed properly, he would have struck a vital spot and ended the fight instantly. Still, it didn't matter—he was stronger overall.

The first wolf lunged again, its claws glinting dangerously under the dim light filtering through the canopy. Lin Feng raised his shield just in time, deflecting the blow, though the force sent him stumbling backward slightly. Instead of relying on brute force, he sidestepped clumsily, trying to maintain distance. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a concentrated burst of wind from his Martial Soul, sending razor-sharp gusts slicing across the wolf's side.

The creature yelped in pain, stumbling backward as blood trickled from the gashes. Despite its injury, it refused to back down, snapping its jaws viciously at Lin Feng. He gritted his teeth, realizing his lack of swordsmanship was costing him precious moments. Activating another layer of his Martial Soul, he amplified the wind currents around him. A swirling vortex formed briefly at his feet, propelling him forward with enhanced speed. In one swift—but unpolished—motion, he drove his sword deep into the wolf's chest, ending its struggle instantly.

Lin Feng stood tall, his breathing steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had deliberately held back, avoiding flashy techniques or overexertion. His movements were efficient, calculated—every step designed to conserve energy while maximizing damage.

Turning his attention to the next threat, Lin Feng noticed the remaining wolves closing in. Mei Ling summoned her Plant Manipulation Martial Soul, conjuring thorny vines that snaked across the ground toward the wolves. These vines coiled around the legs of several beasts, immobilizing them temporarily and giving Lin Feng room to press forward without worrying about being flanked.

But Mei Ling's Grade 6 Martial Soul had its limits. While her vines were effective at restraining weaker wolves, they struggled to hold back the stronger ones. One wolf snapped free after thrashing violently, its muscles rippling as it tore through the thick plant matter. Mei Ling winced, knowing she couldn't maintain prolonged control over multiple targets.

Still, she adapted quickly. She extended her hands outward, and small clusters of sharpened leaves materialized in midair. With a flick of her wrist, the leaves shot forward like tiny darts, striking the wolves' eyes and sensitive areas. Though not lethal, the attacks disoriented the beasts, forcing them to stagger momentarily.

When a particularly aggressive wolf lunged at her, Mei Ling responded by summoning a dense patch of brambles beneath its paws. The thorny growth slowed the beast's momentum, allowing her to sidestep and deliver a precise thrust with her rapier. Her blade pierced the wolf's flank, drawing a pained howl as it retreated, limping heavily.

Her attacks weren't flashy or overwhelmingly destructive—they were measured and strategic, designed to support the team rather than dominate the battlefield. Mei Ling relied on precision and timing, using her environment to her advantage. For example, when two wolves attempted to flank her, she triggered a cascade of falling vines from the trees above, tangling them in a web of greenery.

Despite her efforts, Mei Ling couldn't match the raw power of someone with a higher-grade Martial Soul. Her plants lacked the durability to withstand prolonged combat, and her Qi reserves were visibly strained. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she channeled more energy into her techniques, determined to hold her ground.

Lin Feng fought alongside her, his Grade 9 Windy Martial Soul proving surprisingly effective. Each swing of his sword carried a cutting edge of wind, tearing through flesh and bone with ease. One wolf leapt at him, jaws wide open, only for Lin Feng to duck beneath its trajectory and deliver a clumsy thrust into its exposed throat. Another charged head-on, but Lin Feng spun awkwardly, using the momentum to deliver a devastating backhand slash that severed its foreleg.

Despite his growing confidence, Lin Feng knew he was far from proficient with a sword. Every strike felt raw and unrefined, lacking the precision of someone trained in bladework. Yet, his sheer power and adaptability compensated for his shortcomings.

Meanwhile, Li Wei fired arrows from above, picking off stragglers. His precision was unmatched, each arrow finding its mark with deadly accuracy. However, the tide of enemies showed no sign of abating. More wolves poured out of the cave, drawn by the chaos.

Howl!

Seeing its pack getting slaughtered, the Qi Refining-stage wolf charged directly at them, letting out a piercing howl. Perhaps it was rallying reinforcements—or issuing commands to the others.

Bang! Bang!

Li Wei's arrows missed as the wolf accelerated without losing speed.

"Careful!" Lin Feng shouted, stepping protectively in front of Mei Ling, ready to face the beast head-on. To everyone's shock, however, the wolf suddenly leaped higher than expected, pouncing straight onto the tree where Li Wei stood. Its intelligence was undeniable—it had targeted the archer first.

"Damn you!" Li Wei cursed, abandoning his bow and drawing his broadsword. Summoning his Grade 5 Martial Soul, a phantom-like aura enveloped the blade, amplifying its power.

Lin Feng knew instantly that he wouldn't be able to block such an attack—even dodging seemed unlikely. Yet, the wolf didn't strike immediately. Instead, its fur bristled as it radiated a crimson glow, signaling some kind of ability. With enhanced toughness, it slammed into Li Wei's blade.

Clang!

The clash of metal rang out, and though the wolf was pushed back slightly, it suffered no significant injuries. The tales about demon beasts were true—they possessed incredibly durable bodies, making them nearly impervious to cultivators of the same level.

As for Li Wei, he dropped to the ground with a grim expression. "I'll take care of it. You two finish off the others!"

Soon, they were surrounded by ten wolves, three of which had entered the early stages of Qi Refining. Two lunged at Li Wei, while another circled around him menacingly. Clearly, the pack intended to eliminate the isolated threat first.

But then, something unexpected happened. The two wolves suddenly backed away in fear, as if sensing something ominous nearby. They redirected their attention toward Lin Feng and Mei Ling instead. Caught up in their battles, neither Lin Feng nor Mei Ling noticed the sudden shift.

Farther away, hidden among the shadows, someone lurked, grinning mischievously.

"This should be okay, I guess."