Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

Having successfully created his powerful new Martial Soul, Lin Feng paused to admire the majestic wolf standing before him. Its dual-colored form shimmered with an ethereal glow, radiating strength and elegance in equal measure. After a moment of contemplation, he decided on a fitting name for his creation: Twinforce Howler.

The name resonated perfectly with its design—a fusion of wind and water elements, symbolizing both raw power and adaptability. Satisfied, Lin Feng dismissed the wolf back into his Designer Panel, already envisioning how it would perform in future battles.

With one task complete, Lin Feng turned his attention to reclaiming the space he had freed up earlier. Like the previous day, he re-imported several deleted Martial Souls—medicinal pellets, blades, daggers, and other utility-based tools. Each item appeared in his panel with a satisfying flash of light, ensuring he would be ready for whatever came his way.

Next, he retrieved the eleven spiritual stones he had left from his earnings at the workshop. One stone had been exchanged for copper coins to cover his expenses, but the rest were reserved for cultivation. Placing them carefully before him, Lin Feng summoned his Grade 8 Spiritual Stone Martial Soul, a faintly glowing orb that hovered behind him.

Whoosh!

The martial soul brightened significantly as it absorbed the essence of the stones, releasing a tremendous surge of spiritual energy into Lin Feng's body. Closing his eyes, he focused intently, channeling the essence-gathering technique taught by the village chief.

A wave of comfort washed over him as the spiritual energy coursed through his meridians, replenishing his depleted reserves and revitalizing his weary frame. The fatigue and soreness from today's battle melted away, replaced by a sense of invigoration. For an entire hour, the room was filled with the soft hum of circulating Qi as Lin Feng basked in the rejuvenating effects of his unique cultivation method.

When the process finally subsided, Lin Feng opened his eyes, feeling noticeably stronger. Though he hadn't reached the late stage of Qi Refining as he'd hoped, the progress was undeniable.

"I've become stronger," he mused aloud, clenching his fists experimentally. "But I'm still far from reaching the next stage. Alas, these eleven stones weren't enough to push my Spiritual Stone Martial Soul to Grade 7. Still, I can't complain—it's only been a week since I started cultivating, and this pace is extraordinary."

Compared to others, who could only slowly absorb spiritual energy from stones through traditional methods, Lin Feng's Designer Panel allowed him to harness every ounce of energy instantly. Not a single trace went to waste, making his cultivation exponentially faster.

"Let's continue cultivating today," he murmured, unable to resist the allure of growing stronger. Few things were more addictive than the sensation of rapid improvement. With renewed determination, Lin Feng immersed himself in meditation until midnight, when exhaustion finally claimed him.

***

Meanwhile, The Hunting Elder made his way to the courtyard of the village chief, located at the heart of the settlement. Despite its age, the courtyard retained an air of quiet dignity. A small pond reflected the flickering light of lanterns hung throughout the area, their warm flames casting dancing shadows across the neatly trimmed lawn. Spiritual plants adorned the garden, their vibrant colors glowing softly under the dim illumination. Two guards stood vigilantly at the entrance, bowing respectfully as the elder approached.

Inside, the courtyard was sparsely populated, save for a few servants tending to the plants or lighting additional lanterns. The Hunting Elder moved swiftly toward one of the rooms, releasing a subtle aura to announce his presence.

"Li Jianhong, what brings you here tonight? Aren't you tired from today's travels? You may enter!" The village chief's voice sounded from within, calm yet tinged with curiosity.

Pushing open the door, the Hunting Elder stepped inside. The room was modestly furnished, illuminated solely by the faint glow of a single candle resting on a wooden desk. The village chief sat comfortably in a chair, engrossed in a worn leather-bound book.

Li Jianhong sighed upon seeing the title of the book—it was a collection of travel notes penned by a wandering cultivator who had explored distant lands. "How many times have you read that?" he asked dryly, taking a seat opposite the chief.

The village chief chuckled, his expression tinged with nostalgia. "More times than I care to admit. When I was younger, I dreamed of roaming the world, seeking adventure and enlightenment. But alas, I was too weak then, and now, even in my old age, duty binds me to this village." His tone carried a hint of regret, though it quickly shifted to amusement. "Enough about me. Tell me, has your anger dissipated? I recall how furious you were a few days ago after I had punished your son. Did you manage to trouble that boy Lin Feng during today's journey and feel better?"

Li Jianhong shook his head firmly. "No, this isn't about such childish matters," he said, his tone turning serious. Pausing briefly, he added, "In fact, I owe that boy an apology. Today, I witnessed something truly remarkable."

He recounted the events of the hunt—the two Qi Refining-stage wolves charging toward Mei Ling and Lin Feng, and how Lin Feng had selflessly lured them away to protect his teammates. "That child showed incredible courage," the elder admitted, his voice filled with reluctant admiration. "Not only did he divert the beasts, but he also killed one of them in a few minutes. It was… impressive."

The village chief raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Killed a Qi Refining-stage wolf in the blink of an eye? That's no small feat, especially for someone so young."

"It gets better," Li Jianhong continued. "I later discovered that Lin Feng had already reached the middle stage of Qi Refining. Given his rapid progress, he might very well be the most talented individual in this village—or perhaps even in the nearby cities."

The village chief leaned forward, his expression shifting from curiosity to astonishment. "A cultivator with such a weak martial soul shouldn't have such a fast cultivation speed," he murmured, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "There must be more to him than meets the eye."

Shaking his head, Li Jianhong turned his attention back to his own shortcomings. "And then there's my son…" His voice grew bitter. "Li Wei is still struggling to handle early-stage Qi Refining beasts, despite having a powerful martial soul. He's weak, and because of that, I've lost face countless times. How can I expect others to respect him when he can't even hold his own in battle?"

The village chief sighed deeply, setting aside the book he had been reading. "Perhaps being your son is part of the problem," he suggested gently. "You're a formidable warrior, Li Jianhong, and your reputation casts a long shadow. Maybe Li Wei feels pressured to live up to your expectations. Have you considered going easier on him?"

Li Jianhong opened his mouth to retort but stopped himself, realizing there might be some truth to the chief's words. After a moment of silence, he nodded reluctantly. "You may be right. But that's not why I'm here tonight," he admitted. "This matter is far more pressing."

His demeanor turned grave as he rolled up his sleeve, revealing the strange red symbol branded onto his forearm. "During the hunt, I encountered a bizarre black wolf. After killing it, this mark appeared on my arm. No matter how much spiritual energy I channel into it, I can barely weaken it. At this rate, it'll take a month to remove entirely—and even then, it'll drain most of my reserves."

The village chief's eyes widened in alarm. Rising from his chair, he staggered slightly, his expression grim. "Don't tell me… it's that !"

Without another word, he hurried to the bookshelf behind him, rifling through dusty tomes until he found what he was looking for—an ancient, weathered book bound in cracked leather. Flipping to page 66, he scanned the text briefly before turning to the elder.

"The Mark of the Beast," the village chief said gravely, holding the book out for inspection.

"What does it mean?" Li Jianhong asked, his voice tinged with unease as he stared at the ominous symbol on his arm.

The village chief hesitated, his hands trembling slightly as he turned the fragile pages of the old book. Finally, he stopped at a detailed illustration of the same red symbol, accompanied by a brief description.

"It's the mark of an evil sect known as The Fangbound Dominion," the chief replied, his tone heavy with foreboding.

The mere mention of the word "sect" sent a chill down the Hunting Elder's spine. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as memories of tales about ruthless sects flooded his mind—organizations so powerful that entire villages could be wiped out in a single night if they crossed paths.

"What kind of sect is this?" Li Jianhong demanded, his voice tight with urgency.

The village chief sighed deeply, closing the book and leaning back in his chair. His gaze drifted to the flickering candlelight, as though searching for answers in its faint glow.

"To be honest, I've never encountered them myself," he admitted. "But according to these records, The Fangbound Dominion specializes in beast taming—a dark and twisted art far beyond anything we've ever seen. They capture powerful demonic beasts and use them for their own sinister purposes."

He paused, rubbing his temples as if the weight of the knowledge pained him. "Some accounts claim they enslave beasts as familiars, forcing them to obey through cruel rituals. Others speak of even darker practices—they devour the blood of beasts to enhance their cultivation or modify their bodies using the organs of slain creatures. There are even whispers of experiments where humans and beasts are fused together, creating monstrous hybrids."

The room fell silent, save for the faint crackling of the candle flame. Li Jianhong's face grew pale as the implications sank in.