Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

"If what you're saying is true…" Lin Jianhong began, his voice barely above a whisper, "then why would such a mark appear on my arm? What do they want from me?"

"I don't know, but it's possible it's some type of mark that can track you," the chief admitted grimly, flipping through the brittle pages of the old book in search of answers. "I believe it would have latched onto anybody who might have tried to kill the beast. You were just unfortunate."

The village chief paused, his expression darkening as he closed the book with a heavy sigh. "But one thing is certain—if this sect has taken notice of our village, we're in grave danger. Sects like The Fangbound Dominion don't operate openly unless they have a specific goal. We must tread carefully from here on out."

"We'll need to keep this matter quiet," Lin Jianhong said finally, his resolve hardening. "If word spreads, panic will spread among the villagers. For now, let's monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, I'll try to suppress the mark as best I can."

The village chief nodded solemnly. "Agreed. But remember, if you notice something unusual, inform me immediately. Do not underestimate them. I will send a letter to Azurepeak City , informing them of the matter. This city, along with our village, falls under the jurisdiction of the Ironforge Sect —a faction renowned for their mastery over weapon-based martial souls. They will definitely assist us, especially when evil sects are involved."

With that, the two men parted ways, each carrying the weight of the ominous revelation.

Lin Feng woke up early, feeling refreshed after a full night's rest. Making his way toward the training grounds, he stretched lazily, enjoying the crisp morning air. However, his peaceful stroll was interrupted by the sound of loud hoofbeats approaching rapidly from behind.

Turning around, Lin Feng saw one of the village elders leading a group of armed guards on horseback. Their expressions were grim, and they seemed to be in a great hurry.

"What was that about? So early in the morning…" Lin Feng muttered, stepping aside to let them pass.

"Lin Feng!"

At that moment, Mei Ling appeared, waving enthusiastically as she jogged toward him. The two exchanged casual greetings before heading to the training ground together. Upon arrival, they noticed something unusual—the village chief was already present, seated cross-legged beneath a tree. From the whispers among the youngsters, it seemed he had arrived earlier than anyone else—a rare occurrence.

Today's lesson promised to be different.

"Today, I will teach you about the efficient use of Qi," the village chief announced, standing up and addressing the gathered youths. His tone was serious yet encouraging. "Qi isn't just a source of power—it's a tool that can be channeled into specific parts of your body to enhance your abilities. For example, channeling Qi into your legs increases speed, while focusing it in your hands or weapons boosts attack and defense."

To demonstrate, the village chief moved slowly, guiding the flow of Qi visibly along his arms and legs. The youngsters watched intently, trying to mimic his movements.

"This efficient use of Qi doesn't just prolong your endurance in battle—it can catch your enemies off guard," he continued. "Imagine suddenly bursting forth with twice your usual speed during a close-quarters fight. Or concentrating all your Qi into a single strike to overwhelm your opponent."

He raised a finger, pointing it skyward.

Boom!

A deafening explosion echoed as a concentrated burst of Qi shot upward, leaving a trail of energy that seemed to pierce the heavens themselves. The youngsters clutched their ears, staring in awe and reverence.

"When will we become as strong as the village chief?" someone whispered, voicing the collective thought of the group.

"Haha!" The village chief laughed heartily, patting his knee. "Of course, none of you can achieve this level yet. At most, you can release around 20% of your total Qi at once. Attempting more than that risks damaging your muscles, nerves, and meridians. However, even 20% of your Qi is enough to kill an enemy at the same cultivation stage instantly."

Satisfied with his demonstration, the village chief instructed everyone to practice under his supervision. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, lingering particularly on talented individuals like Lin Feng.

While practicing, Lin Feng leaned over to Mei Ling, keeping his voice low. "Where's Li Wei today? Knowing his competitive nature, he shouldn't miss a session after yesterday's incident."

Mei Ling shrugged, shaking her head. "I don't know. I haven't seen him today."

"You two, focus!" the village chief barked suddenly, startling both of them.

"Yes, Chief!" they replied in unison, quickly returning to their exercises.

As expected, Lin Feng proved to be a natural. Within minutes, he grasped the technique better than anyone else. Focusing his Qi into his palm, he unleashed a controlled burst of energy against a nearby tree.

Boom!

The upper bark shattered, crashing to the ground in a shower of splinters.

"Wow!" the surrounding disciples exclaimed, wide-eyed with admiration.

"Not bad!" the village chief praised, nodding approvingly. "You managed to release around 10% of your total spiritual energy. Your limit should be slightly above 20%, so keep pushing yourself."

Lin Feng nodded, refusing to slack off despite the praise. He practiced diligently until noon, completely draining his spiritual energy in the process. Others followed suit, collapsing onto the grass in exhaustion.

Seeing this, the village chief clapped his hands and announced a short break. "Everyone deserves a feast! But remember, training isn't over yet. After an hour, we'll gather again—I'll be teaching you sword techniques."

Excited murmurs rippled through the group. Sword techniques were highly sought-after skills, and the prospect thrilled everyone.

However, Lin Feng's expression grew somber. Something felt… off. The sudden intensity of the training, coupled with the hurried movements of the guards earlier that morning, left him uneasy. It seemed clear that a threat loomed over the village—a threat known only to the higher-ups.

For now, though, all he could do was prepare himself. Whatever storm approached, Lin Feng vowed to face it head-on.

***

After the break, everyone gathered once more at the training grounds, buzzing with excitement. Sword techniques had always been a dream for many of the teenagers—sword cultivators were revered not only for their elegance but also for their lethal efficiency in battle. Stories of legendary swordsmen who could slay enemies from miles away or slice through steel as if it were paper filled their imaginations. To them, mastering the sword wasn't just about becoming stronger—it was about achieving a level of prestige that set them apart from others.

When the village chief finally stepped forward, his calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the eager anticipation of the group. Without preamble, he drew a simple wooden sword from his side and held it up.

"Before we begin," he said firmly, "let me make one thing clear: no matter how flashy or powerful a technique may seem, every sword skill in existence is built upon three fundamental moves—stabbing, slashing, and parrying."

The crowd's enthusiasm dimmed slightly at the mention of such basic maneuvers. Some exchanged disappointed glances, while others muttered under their breath.

Sensing their discontent, the village core chuckled softly before continuing. "I know what you're thinking. 'Why waste time on these boring basics when we could learn something flashy?' But let me tell you this—every master swordsman in history started exactly where you are now. These fundamentals aren't just stepping stones; they're the foundation upon which everything else is built."

He paused, letting his words sink in before elaborating further.

"Take stabbing, for instance," he demonstrated by thrusting the wooden sword forward in a straight line. "This move targets vital points—heart, throat, abdomen. It's quick, efficient, and deadly if executed correctly. A single well-placed stab can end a fight instantly."

Next, he swung the sword horizontally across his body. "Slashing, on the other hand, focuses on cutting through defenses. Whether it's an opponent's weapon, armor, or flesh, a proper slash requires precision and control over your Qi. Even the strongest armor has weak points, and a skilled swordsman knows how to exploit them."

Finally, he raised the sword defensively, deflecting an imaginary attack. "And then there's parrying—a critical defensive maneuver. No matter how strong your offense is, battles are unpredictable. Learning to block, redirect, or counter an enemy's strike can mean the difference between life and death."

The village chief lowered the wooden sword and looked around at the assembled youths. "Every advanced sword technique—from spinning whirlwinds to lightning-fast thrusts—originates from these three principles. If your foundation is weak, any complex move you attempt will crumble under pressure. That's why today, I want you to focus solely on perfecting these basics."

Though some still seemed reluctant, Lin Feng nodded thoughtfully. He understood the importance of fundamentals better than most. After all, even his Designer Panel relied on precise inputs and adjustments—if he skipped steps or ignored details, the results would be disastrous. With renewed determination, he picked up a wooden sword and began practicing alongside the others.