Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

Due to the village chief's lingering displeasure, the training session was cut short. For once, Lin Feng found himself with ample free time. After enjoying the usual hearty lunch provided by the village—a simple yet satisfying meal of rice, vegetables, and stewed meat—he decided to take a leisurely stroll through the village. It was the first time he had the opportunity to truly appreciate his surroundings.

The village was modest and rustic, its roads unpaved and covered in dirt that turned muddy after rain. Thatched-roof houses dotted the landscape, their walls made of clay and straw. Beyond the residential areas lay vast stretches of farmland where villagers worked tirelessly under the sun, tending to crops like wheat, rice, and vegetables. Small stalls lined the main pathways, selling everyday goods such as pottery, woven baskets, dried herbs, and freshly baked bread. The scent of freshly kneaded dough mingled with the earthy aroma of dried spices, creating a homely fragrance that wafted through the streets.

Nearby, a few workshops caught Lin Feng's attention; they specialized in crafting hunting gear—swords, arrows, blades, leather armor, and other essentials for survival in the wilderness. The rhythmic clang of a hammer striking metal rang out from a blacksmith's forge, where molten iron was being shaped into lethal instruments. The sight of gleaming blades and sturdy armor made his fingers itch. He felt an urge to purchase some equipment, particularly leather armor similar to what Li Wei wore. His knuckles were still sore from repeatedly punching Li Wei during their battle earlier that day, and parts of his body ached from the explosive force of Iron Flow Boxing. Though he had managed to dodge most of Li Wei's attacks, the residual shockwaves had grazed him more than once.

Replaying the events of the day in his mind, Lin Feng couldn't help but marvel at how unexpected his victory had been. While his mastery of Iron Flow Boxing undoubtedly played a crucial role, he knew luck had also been on his side. If Li Wei had been just a little faster or more precise with his strikes, the outcome could have been drastically different.

But when he touched his pockets, reality hit hard. He was too poor to afford anything decent right now.

"It seems like I need to find ways to earn money," Lin Feng mused aloud. "Hunting might be the best option. Not only will it provide food and herbs, but I might also stumble upon rare materials bred from heaven and earth. Plus, I can gather resources to import into my Designer Panel."

Still, he hesitated. Despite becoming a cultivator, he remained grounded.

"But it's still too early," he thought. "I'm still weak. I've heard there are powerful demon beasts lurking outside the village. Rushing out unprepared would be reckless."

He paused mid-step, pulling out the pouch containing the seven Lower-Grade Spiritual Stones gifted to him by the village chief. Inspecting them closely, he nodded to himself. The stones radiated a faint glow, their surfaces embedded with delicate veins of light. Holding them, he could feel the energy pulsating within—a subtle but undeniable power waiting to be tapped into.

"This came at the right time," he murmured. "If I keep improving at this rate, I'll be able to venture outside sooner than expected."

As he continued walking, several villagers greeted him warmly along the way. Their smiles and nods filled him with a sense of warmth he hadn't experienced before. It was a stark contrast to the indifference he had once faced.

"Haha! They used to ignore me completely," Lin Feng chuckled softly to himself. "Now, news of me being a genius has spread, and their treatment toward me has changed. So this is the kind of world we live in—it's all about strength."

With a lighthearted laugh, he made his way toward the woods surrounding the village.

In one direction of the forest, a small river flowed gently, its clear waters reflecting the sunlight filtering through the trees. The foliage here was thick, the air filled with the symphony of rustling leaves and chirping birds. The occasional buzz of an insect or the distant howl of a beast reminded him that this world was alive in every sense.

Villagers gathered by the river for various tasks—washing clothes, collecting water, or even bathing. Some young women glanced at Lin Feng flirtatiously, winking and giggling among themselves. Their playful laughter carried through the air, tempting yet distant.

"Haha! I do want to have some fun," Lin Feng muttered with a grin, "but I can't waste my precious time."

Deciding to avoid distractions, he followed the stream downstream until he found a secluded spot devoid of people. Here, the air was cooler, and the sound of flowing water created a serene atmosphere. The gentle ripples reflected the sky above, turning the surface into a canvas of shifting light.

Stripping off his clothes, he placed them neatly atop a nearby stone and dove into the refreshing water. The chill soothed his aches and invigorated his senses. It was moments like these that reminded him he was still human, still bound by the simple pleasures of existence. Once clean, he activated his holographic panel, ready to experiment further.

Lin Feng imported one of the Spiritual Stones into his system. Within moments, the crystalline structure dissolved into pure spiritual energy, which he redirected into his Spiritual Stone Martial Soul. The stone-like manifestation pulsed brighter, its presence growing stronger with each infusion.

"I need to push harder," Lin Feng resolved. "Today's battle proved that raw strength isn't everything—but it's not nothing either. If I want to survive in this world, I'll need to find ways to compensate for my Martial Soul's weaknesses."

A lingering fear surfaced as he recalled Li Wei striking him from behind with his Broad Sword Martial Soul. That moment of carelessness could have cost him dearly. Determined not to let it happen again, he pressed forward.

One by one, he began importing the remaining Spiritual Stones. After consuming four stones, a qualitative change occurred. The Spiritual Stone Martial Soul shone much brighter, emitting twice the amount of spiritual energy it had before.

"Haha! This Martial Soul has also reached Grade 8!" Lin Feng exclaimed triumphantly. But before he could fully celebrate, a sudden surge of pain struck him.

Massive amounts of spiritual energy flooded his body like a tidal wave. Realizing the danger, he hastily summoned his Windy Martial Soul to share the burden of absorbing the overwhelming influx.

Bang!

A faint popping sound echoed inside him, akin to breaking through a barrier. In the blink of an eye, his cultivation base surged to the Middle Stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

"This is the way!" Striking while the iron was hot, Lin Feng began importing river water alongside the remaining spiritual energy and ambient air into his Windy Martial Soul.

Honglong!!

Using his imagination and the capabilities of his Designer Tool, he modified his Martial Soul. Within minutes, a violent mass of water shaped like a whirlpool emerged, infused with razor-sharp wind currents.

"Just a bit more!" Lin Feng muttered, his expression serious as he threw the last two Spiritual Stones into his panel.

Boom!

The newly formed Martial Soul expanded dramatically, pulsating with immense power. Lin Feng could feel that he had absorbed too much water, air, and spiritual energy from his surroundings. He had reached the limit of his current cultivation base.

"Grade 7—The Whirlpool Tornado Martial Soul," he named it proudly.

Recalling the Martial Soul, he smiled confidently. "I've grown a lot stronger. The current me could beat Li Wei with just one punch."

Knowing full well the dangers of exposing his true abilities, Lin Feng opened a new file in his Designer Panel. Importing a small amount of air, he exported it as a Grade 9 Martial Soul—a perfect decoy to fool others.

"In this way, I can mask my real cultivation base and Martial Soul," he reasoned. Although his cultivation base couldn't be completely masked, he could try to restrain it as much as possible.

Satisfied with his preparations, he washed up, dressed, and headed back home. As he walked, the fading sunlight cast long shadows across the village. 

Back in his hut, Lin Feng sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, replaying the day's events in his mind. From the unexpected victory over Li Wei to the breakthrough in his cultivation base, every step felt monumental. Yet, he knew better than to let complacency creep in. This world was unforgiving, and resting on his laurels would only lead to disaster.

"I've come a long way since arriving here," he mused, recalling his initial struggles. "But this is just the beginning. There's still so much I don't know, so much I need to learn."

He glanced at his holographic panel, now glowing faintly in the dim light of his hut. The Designer Tool had become his greatest ally, enabling him to innovate in ways no traditional cultivator ever could. But innovation alone wasn't enough. He needed experience—real-world battles, encounters with stronger opponents, and exposure to the broader martial arts community.

"For now, I'll focus on mastering my new Martial Soul and refining my techniques," he decided. "Once I'm confident in my abilities, I'll start venturing beyond the village. Who knows what treasures—or dangers—I might find?"

As night fell, Lin Feng extinguished the oil lamp and lay down on his makeshift bed. Sleep came quickly, but his dreams were filled with visions of swirling tornadoes, razor-sharp winds, and endless possibilities. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he was ready to meet them head-on.