Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

As the afternoon wore on, the village chief walked among the trainees, offering corrections and advice.

"Lin Feng!" he called out, stopping beside the young cultivator. "Show me your stance."

Lin Feng complied, holding the wooden sword steady in front of him. The chief studied his posture briefly before nodding. "Good. Now, execute a stab."

With a focused breath, Lin Feng lunged forward, driving the tip of the sword toward an invisible target. The movement was sharp and deliberate, earning a faint smile of approval from the chief.

"Not bad," the elder remarked. "But remember, speed alone isn't enough. Your aim must be precise. Imagine the exact spot you're targeting and channel the Qi technique that I taught earlier into the blade. This way, even a simple stab can pierce through tougher defenses."

Lin Feng absorbed the feedback, adjusting his technique accordingly. Nearby, Mei Ling struggled with her form, her slashes lacking power and accuracy. Seeing this, the chief stepped in to guide her.

"Relax your grip slightly," he instructed. "Tension in your hands will slow you down. Focus on flowing your Qi smoothly into the motion."

Mei Ling followed his advice, her next slash noticeably cleaner and more controlled. Encouraged by the improvement, she redoubled her efforts, determined to catch up with Lin Feng.

Meanwhile, several others grew frustrated as their progress lagged behind. One boy, visibly annoyed, swung his sword wildly in an attempt to mimic the dramatic techniques he'd heard about in stories. Predictably, he lost balance and nearly tripped over his own feet.

"Patience!" the village chief barked, striding over to the boy. "You're rushing ahead without understanding the basics. Mastery doesn't come overnight—it comes from repetition and refinement. Every great swordsman spent countless hours honing these same movements. Trust the process."

The boy flushed with embarrassment but nodded, returning to his practice with renewed focus.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the training ground, the village chief gathered everyone for a final debrief.

"Today, you've taken the first step toward mastering the sword," he said, his voice carrying both pride and caution. "But remember, true strength isn't measured by flashy techniques or raw power—it's measured by discipline, patience, and adaptability. These qualities will serve you far better than any weapon ever could."

His gaze swept across the group, lingering briefly on Lin Feng. "Some of you may wonder why we're focusing so intensely on training lately. The truth is, our village faces uncertain times. Threats loom on the horizon, and I need each of you to be prepared—not just physically, but mentally as well."

Though he didn't elaborate further, his words sent a ripple of unease through the group. Even those who hadn't noticed the earlier commotion involving the armed guards now sensed that something was amiss.

Lin Feng, however, remained silent, his expression thoughtful. He had suspected as much since witnessing the hurried departure of the elder and guards earlier that morning. Whatever danger approached, he knew it wouldn't wait for anyone to catch up.

Still, he couldn't afford to dwell on it too much. He was still too weak. For now, his priority was to learn as much as possible during this period. Adjusting his clothes, he made his way toward the tavern—he felt famished. Previously, he could handle eating once a day, but these days, the intensity of training left him craving sustenance more frequently. Besides, he had money now. There was no need to be frugal.

Just as he turned to leave, he noticed Mei Ling preparing to head home as well. An idea struck him, and he decided to approach her.

"Hey!" Lin Feng called out, catching her attention. "Do you know anything about the threat the chief mentioned? You seem like someone who might have some background information."

Mei Ling shook her head firmly. "How could I know? I'll ask my father when I get home."

"Okay! Then goodbye!" Lin Feng waved casually and started walking away, surprising Mei Ling with his abrupt dismissal.

"You! How rude! Come back here!" Mei Ling shouted, chasing after him.

"Haha! Let's see if you can catch me!" Lin Feng laughed, mobilizing his spiritual energy into his legs and disappearing swiftly into the crowd of villagers.

"Annoying!" Mei Ling stamped her foot in frustration, glaring at the spot where he had vanished. With a huff, she turned and headed home.

The youngsters arrived on time as usual, and the village chief awaited them, seated cross-legged beneath the shade of a tree. As expected, Li Wei was absent again, while Mei Ling stood at a distance, gazing coldly at Lin Feng with evident displeasure.

Noticing her icy stare, Lin Feng simply smiled and winked playfully, pretending nothing had happened.

"Weirdo…" Mei Ling muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes at his antics.

The village chief began the day's routine with another round of Qi training exercises. After the midday feast, they reconvened for the swordsmanship class. However, before the session could begin, an unfamiliar figure appeared beside the village chief.

This newcomer was an elderly man dressed in robes similar to the chief's, though his attire bore subtle differences—a darker hue and intricate embroidery along the edges. His silver hair cascaded past his shoulders, framing a weathered yet dignified face marked by deep wrinkles and piercing gray eyes. Strapped to his back was a finely crafted bow accompanied by a quiver filled with arrows fletched with vibrant feathers.

Clearing his throat, the village chief introduced the visitor. "This is Elder Zhou Xuan," he announced. "He is the former leader of the hunting squad and remains the finest archer in our village. He has graciously agreed to teach those who prefer ranged combat over close-quarters swordplay."

A murmur rippled through the group. Several youngsters exchanged excited glances—particularly the girls, who had been hesitant about wielding swords in direct combat. Archery offered them a chance to contribute from the safety of the backline. Unfortunately, Mei Ling wasn't among them; she cherished her rapier and had no intention of switching weapons.

To everyone's surprise, one of the first to volunteer for archery lessons was none other than Lin Feng. Murmurs erupted once again as the others speculated about his decision. Wasn't this the same person who excelled at everything he tried? Did he truly intend to master every skill available?

The village chief frowned slightly, stepping closer to Lin Feng. "Are you sure about this?" he asked cautiously. "It's important to specialize—to focus on one path rather than spreading yourself too thin. Your performance with the sword yesterday impressed me greatly. Perhaps you should dedicate your efforts there."

Lin Feng bowed respectfully, his tone polite but firm. "I appreciate your concern, Chief. However, I have my reasons for wanting to learn archery. Please trust that I know what I'm doing."

Of course, Lin Feng couldn't explain the real reason—the Designer Panel allowed him to import and experiment with various martial souls. The more skills he acquired, the broader his options became for creating powerful Martial Souls.

Seeing Lin Feng's resolve, the village chief sighed and stepped aside. "Very well. But don't neglect your foundation. Remember, mastery requires dedication."

Lin Feng nodded, already envisioning how archery techniques could enhance his arsenal within the Designer Panel. Little did the others know, his decision wasn't arrogance—it was strategy.

Lin Feng, along with a small group of youngsters who had opted for archery, tagged along behind Elder Zhou Xuan as he led them to a new training ground. This area was clearly designed specifically for practicing ranged combat. Nestled at the edge of the village, it offered an open expanse surrounded by tall bamboo fences that prevented stray arrows from flying too far. Rows of wooden targets stood scattered across the field, varying in size and distance—some close enough for beginners, while others were positioned nearly a hundred paces away for more advanced practitioners.

On one side of the grounds were sturdy wooden racks stocked with an assortment of bows and quivers filled with arrows. The bows themselves varied in design; some were simple wooden models suitable for novices, while others featured intricate carvings and reinforced limbs, likely intended for those with greater skill. The air carried a faint scent of polished wood and leather bindings, adding to the atmosphere of focus and discipline.

"Pick your weapons," Elder Zhou Xuan instructed, his voice calm but commanding. His sharp gaze swept over the group, lingering briefly on Lin Feng before moving on. "Choose wisely. A bow must feel like an extension of yourself if you hope to wield it effectively."

The youngsters eagerly approached the racks, each selecting a bow and a quiver of arrows. Some hesitated, testing the weight and flexibility of different bows before making their choice. Lin Feng took his time as well, inspecting several options before settling on a medium-sized wooden bow. It wasn't overly ornate, but its balance felt just right in his hands, and the drawstring responded smoothly when he tested it. Slinging a quiver over his shoulder, he stepped back and joined the others, positioning himself near one of the closer targets.

Around him, the group began arranging themselves into loose lines, preparing for the lesson ahead. The anticipation was palpable—many of them had never held a bow before, and the prospect of learning a new skill filled them with both excitement and nervousness.

Elder Zhou Xuan moved to the center of the field, his presence radiating authority. He surveyed the group once more, ensuring everyone was ready.

"Today," he began, his voice carrying across the training ground, "we start with the basics. Archery is not merely about aiming—it is about precision, control, and understanding the harmony between your body, your weapon, and your surroundings. Let us begin."

As the elder prepared to demonstrate the first fundamental technique, Lin Feng adjusted his stance, gripping the bow firmly. His mind raced with possibilities. How could he bring out the best of this archery ability by using his designer panel?

For now, though, he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand. Mastery required patience—and Lin Feng was determined to excel.