Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

Finally noticing the two Qi Refining-stage demon beasts charging toward them, Lin Feng knew he couldn't hold back any longer. If he did, he'd likely suffer serious injuries—or worse.

"I'll lure them away. You deal with the weaker wolves!" Lin Feng shouted, his voice firm as he sprinted straight at the two wolves. His plan was simple yet risky—he would draw their attention to an isolated spot where no one could see him unleash his true power.

He couldn't afford to reveal his Whirlpool Tornado Martial Soul or his ability to summon multiple Martial Souls. What would others think if they discovered he had not just one but several Martial Souls? Would they call him a genius? Or would they grow suspicious of how someone like him—a village outcast—could possess such abilities? Worse still, what if they decided to study him, dissecting his secrets? The risks were too great. For now, and perhaps forever, he had to tread carefully.

"You're insane! Even Li Wei is struggling with one!" Mei Ling called after him, her tone laced with concern. She wanted to follow, but the swarm of weaker wolves surrounding her made it impossible to break free.

"Don't overthink. You two have good backgrounds, and the Hunting Elder will definitely protect you. He must be nearby," Lin Feng said with a forced laugh as he dashed ahead. "As for me, I might just suffer a bit. Didn't you hear what he said earlier?"

"At least don't be a burden. Take out the weaker wolves for me," he commanded before disappearing into the chaos of the battlefield.

Lin Feng charged directly at the two Qi Refining-stage wolves, his movements swift and calculated. With a burst of speed fueled by his Middle Stage Qi Refining cultivation, he closed the distance between them in seconds. Swinging his sword infused with his Grade 9 Windy Martial Soul, he unleashed a flurry of sharp gusts that sliced through the air, forcing the wolves to stagger momentarily.

The first wolf lunged at him, its claws slashing downward with terrifying force. Lin Feng sidestepped just in time, letting the attack graze his shoulder. Ignoring the sting of the wound, he retaliated with a powerful kick enhanced by swirling winds, sending the beast tumbling backward. The second wolf circled around, snapping its jaws menacingly, but Lin Feng kept moving, drawing both creatures deeper into the forest.

Using his superior agility, he led them toward a cluster of large boulders near the edge of a cliff. These rocks provided ample cover, shielding him from prying eyes. Once hidden, Lin Feng stopped running and turned to face his pursuers, a determined glint in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Mei Ling found herself overwhelmed by the remaining seven wolves. Their numbers were simply too many for her to handle alone. Despite her best efforts, her Grade 6 Plant Manipulation Martial Soul began to falter under the relentless assault. Vines snapped, leaves crumbled, and her Qi reserves dwindled rapidly.

Sweat dripped down her forehead as she summoned another wave of thorny brambles to fend off the encroaching beasts. But the wolves were relentless, tearing through her defenses with brute strength. One particularly aggressive wolf broke free and lunged at her, its fangs gleaming dangerously.

Just as despair started to creep in, Mei Ling activated her protective pendant. A soft golden glow enveloped her, forming a circular barrier that shimmered faintly in the dim light. The wolves' attacks bounced harmlessly off the shield, giving her precious breathing room.

With renewed determination, Mei Ling focused solely on offense. Her rapier flashed in arcs of silver light as she struck with precision, targeting vital spots. One by one, the wolves fell, their bodies collapsing lifelessly to the ground. By the time the last beast was slain, Mei Ling leaned against a tree, panting heavily. Though victorious, she was exhausted, her Qi nearly depleted.

From the shadows, a figure watched silently, nodding approvingly.

"She's quite stronger than I expected," the Hunting Elder murmured to himself, a hint of amusement in his voice. "That pendant saved her life today. Anyways, her future is bright."

His gaze then shifted toward the direction Lin Feng had taken.

"That reckless boy… running off like that. Doesn't he know how dangerous those beasts are?" the elder muttered irritably. Yet, despite his scolding tone, a flicker of respect crossed his face. "Still, it seems he's trying to protect his teammates. Maybe I misjudged him."

For a moment, the elder considered going after Lin Feng to ensure his safety. But before he could act, a chilling presence caught his attention.

A massive black wolf emerged from the shadows, its body rippling with an erratic aura that felt almost… evil. It was larger than the other Qi Refining-stage wolves, its fur darker and its eyes glowing with malevolent intent. This was no ordinary beast—it was a mutant, far stronger and more dangerous than anything they had encountered so far.

The elder's expression darkened.

"It's heading straight for my son…" he growled under his breath. Without hesitation, he prepared to intervene.

"Li Wei can't handle this on his own. I'll have to take care of it first. As for Lin Feng…" He paused, glancing once more in the direction of the boulders. "He's a stage higher than those beasts and quite talented. Perhaps he can hold his own for now."

With that, the elder vanished like a cheetah, racing toward the impending threat.

Li Wei's fight against the early-stage Qi Refining wolf was far more grueling than he'd anticipated. Despite coating his broadsword with the phantom-like aura of his Grade 5 Broad Sword Martial Soul , the beast proved to be faster, stronger, and far more cunning than any opponent he'd faced during training exercises in the village. Its movements were fluid and unpredictable, making it nearly impossible for him to land a decisive blow.

The first exchange left Li Wei reeling. He swung his broadsword with raw power, aiming to cleave the wolf in two. But the beast ducked beneath the clumsy strike, retaliating with a ferocious swipe of its claws. Though his reinforced armor absorbed most of the impact, the force still sent shockwaves through his body, leaving deep gouges in the metal plating.

"Damn it!" Li Wei cursed under his breath, stumbling backward. His breathing grew ragged as panic began to creep into his mind. This wasn't supposed to happen—he was the son of the Hunting Elder, one of the strongest cultivators in the village. How could he be struggling so much against a single wolf?

The wolf didn't give him time to recover. It charged again, its fangs bared and eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. Li Wei barely managed to raise his shield in time, deflecting the attack at the last second. The impact rattled his arm, nearly causing him to drop his weapon.

Realizing brute strength alone wouldn't work, Li Wei tried to adapt. Instead of relying solely on his sword, he began using his surroundings to his advantage. Spotting a cluster of loose rocks nearby, he kicked one toward the wolf, distracting it momentarily. As the beast hesitated, sniffing the projectile curiously, Li Wei seized the opportunity to close the distance.

With a swift slash, he aimed for the wolf's flank, drawing a line of dark blood across its side. The creature let out a pained yelp but quickly recovered, snapping its jaws at him viciously. Li Wei retreated hastily, realizing that even injured, the wolf was still a formidable foe.

The battle turned into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Each time Li Wei struck, the wolf countered with equal ferocity, forcing him to retreat further. His stamina was waning, and his Qi reserves were dwindling rapidly. Desperation began to take hold.

Then, an idea sparked in his mind. Remembering his father's teachings about exploiting a beast's instincts, Li Wei feigned weakness. He staggered dramatically, allowing his sword to dip low as if he could barely hold it up anymore. The wolf paused, tilting its head suspiciously before creeping closer, drawn by the scent of blood and the promise of an easy kill.

As the wolf lunged, Li Wei sprang into action. With a sudden burst of speed, he sidestepped the attack and drove his broadsword upward into the beast's exposed underbelly. The phantom aura amplified the strike, tearing through flesh and muscle with devastating force.

The wolf let out a guttural roar, thrashing wildly as blood poured from the wound. But Li Wei wasn't done yet. Twisting the blade deeper, he channeled the last of his Qi into the Martial Soul, unleashing a concentrated surge of energy that shattered the beast's internal organs.

Finally, with a shuddering gasp, the wolf collapsed onto the forest floor, lifeless.

Li Wei slumped backward, gasping for air. His entire body ached, and his armor was dented beyond repair. Blood seeped from cuts beneath his chest plate, staining the ground beneath him. For all his boasting and bravado, he knew this victory had come at a cost—one that humbled him deeply.

He clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth as shame washed over him. If not for his quick thinking and desperate gamble, he might not have survived. And even then, it had been far closer than he cared to admit.

As he struggled to his feet, leaning heavily on his sword, Li Wei glanced toward the direction Lin Feng had taken. A flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Had Lin Feng truly run away to protect them, or was he simply too weak to handle the situation? Either way, Li Wei couldn't deny the gnawing feeling that maybe—just maybe—Lin Feng wasn't as pathetic as he'd always assumed.

But there was no time to dwell on such thoughts. The sound of distant howls reminded him that the danger wasn't over yet.