Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

The next day, the youngsters gathered in the field as usual, exercising and practicing their martial arts techniques. However, one notable absence weighed heavily on everyone's minds—Li Wei. Whether he was still recovering from his injuries inflicted by the village chief or simply too ashamed to face Lin Feng after yesterday's humiliating defeat, no one knew for sure.

Today, Lin Feng noticed a marked change in how others treated him. Many of his peers now gazed at him with reverence, their earlier mockery replaced by polite respect. Some even approached him hesitantly, asking for pointers on mastering Iron Flow Boxing . Lin Feng didn't decline their requests. Instead, he showcased the techniques slowly and meticulously, explaining key points such as channeling Qi into specific meridians and maintaining proper footwork.

A couple of hours passed in this manner, but something felt off—the village chief hadn't shown up yet. This unusual delay made everyone uneasy. Whispers began to spread among the group.

"Guys, have you seen the village chief today?" one youth asked nervously.

"No, my house is near his, but I didn't manage to catch a glimpse of him," another replied.

"Is that so? Weird!"

"Do you think hurting Li Wei caused Lin Feng further trouble?" someone whispered cautiously.

"You should know that Li Wei is the only son of the Hunting Elder—one of the few Foundation Establishment cultivators in the village and a strong one at that."

"Who knows if Lin Feng will get implicated?"

The youngsters continued discussing, their voices hushed but filled with concern. Lin Feng listened quietly, his brow furrowed. He couldn't shake the feeling that he might have landed himself in some kind of trouble.

While he was lost in thought, Mei Ling approached him. Her expression was serious as she leaned closer and spoke softly.

"You need to be careful," she warned. "I heard from my father that the Hunting Elder visited the village chief last night. Apparently, the elder went insane with anger when he learned that Li Wei was bedridden. It'll take him a full month to recover completely on his own."

"I see…" Lin Feng muttered, a sense of helplessness creeping over him.

"Although you didn't injure him directly, you're indirectly related to what happened. So, while he won't strike you openly, the Hunting Elder might try to play tricks behind your back," Mei Ling added, crossing her arms.

"Thank you for the reminder," Lin Feng said sincerely, grateful for her insight.

Mei Ling opened her mouth to say more, but before she could, the crowd suddenly fell silent.

"The village chief is here along with the Hunting Elder!" someone shouted.

Lin Feng immediately tensed. Looking ahead, he spotted two figures approaching—the elderly village chief walking calmly beside a middle-aged man radiating an aura of authority.

The Hunting Elder, as Lin Feng assumed, was an imposing figure. Standing tall with broad shoulders, his muscular frame hinted at years of rigorous physical training. His tanned skin bore scars from countless battles, each mark telling a story of survival against formidable foes. Piercing gray eyes scanned the crowd like a hawk surveying its prey, exuding both wisdom and menace. A longsword hung at his side, its hilt worn smooth from frequent use, and his leather armor gleamed under the sunlight, reinforced with metal plates for added protection. Despite his stern demeanor, there was an undeniable charisma about him—a leader who commanded respect through sheer presence.

The village chief stood silently beside him, his expression unreadable. No one could tell what he was thinking.

It was the Hunting Elder who stepped forward to address the group. With a commanding voice, he released a sliver of his cultivation base, generating a suffocating pressure that forced the youngsters to lower their heads. Among them, Lin Feng remained composed, though he couldn't ignore the fact that the elder kept glancing in his direction more than once.

"Everyone!" the Hunting Elder began, his tone firm yet measured. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the leader of the hunting team in our village, responsible for ensuring the safety of our people and securing resources necessary for survival. First, let me congratulate all of you for awakening your Martial Souls and taking your first steps toward becoming true cultivators."

His words sounded encouraging, almost fatherly, but Lin Feng wasn't fooled. There was an underlying tension in the air, a subtle warning hidden beneath the surface.

The elder then explained the purpose of his visit.

"As many of you may already know, the number of demon beasts in the Shadowfang Forest outside our village has been increasing rapidly. These creatures pose a significant threat not only to our hunters but also to the villagers themselves. To combat this growing danger, I've decided to train talented individuals among you to join the hunting team once every week. Under our supervision, you will learn essential skills for hunting and fighting—skills crucial for survival in this treacherous world."

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"The spirit stones and meals provided during your training sessions weren't given without reason. They were investments in your future, meant to prepare you for protecting the village. Now, it's time for you to repay that investment."

The elder's gaze swept across the group, lingering briefly on Lin Feng before continuing.

"To incentivize your efforts, rewards will be offered based on performance. One Spiritual Stone for defeating normal beasts, five for those at the Entry-Level Qi Refining stage. As for higher-ranked beasts, we won't bother mentioning them since none of you are ready for such challenges yet."

He then announced the distribution of equipment.

"In addition to the training, you will receive armor and weapons suited for your tasks. Remember, these tools are not just gifts—they are responsibilities. Use them wisely."

Finally, the elder called out names, selecting eight individuals for the program. Starting with Li Wei and Mei Ling, he worked his way down the list until he reached Lin Feng's name last.

"This concludes my announcement. You have three days to prepare yourselves. Be ready—we leave at dawn on the fourth day."

With that, the elder turned and walked away, leaving the village chief to dismiss the group.

As the crowd dispersed, Lin Feng stood rooted to the spot, his mind racing. Was the elder targeting him specifically? Or was this merely a coincidence? Either way, one thing was certain: the road ahead would be fraught with challenges—and potential dangers.

Later that evening, Lin Feng returned to his hut, replaying the events of the day in his mind. The presence of the Hunting Elder had left an indelible impression on him. Though the elder's speech had been framed as a noble initiative to protect the village, Lin Feng sensed ulterior motives lurking beneath the surface.

"He's testing us," Lin Feng mused aloud, pacing back and forth in his small living space. "And I'm probably at the top of his list."

The mention of the Shadowfang Forest sent a shiver down his spine. From the stories he'd heard, it was a place teeming with peril—home to vicious demon beasts, treacherous terrain, and unpredictable weather. Even seasoned hunters rarely ventured deep into its heart without adequate preparation. For inexperienced youths like himself, it was akin to stepping into a lion's den.

But Lin Feng refused to succumb to fear. If anything, the challenge excited him. It was an opportunity to test his newfound abilities, gather rare materials, and perhaps uncover secrets hidden within the forest.

"I can't afford to hold back," he resolved. "If I want to survive—and thrive—I'll need to push my limits even further."

Over the next three days, Lin Feng dedicated himself to intense preparation. He spent hours refining his Whirlpool Tornado Martial Soul, experimenting with different combinations of water, wind, and spiritual energy. Each trial brought incremental improvements, strengthening both his control and the Martial Soul's potency. By the end of the third day, he was confident in his ability to wield it effectively in combat.

In addition to honing his skills, Lin Feng made a visit to the workshop nearby where they provided the armors and tools required for hunting. The village had been generous enough to allow each participant to choose any equipment they desired. However, Lin Feng quickly realized that this "generosity" came with limitations—there were no extraordinary weapons or armor crafted from Qi Refining-stage demon beasts. Such treasures were likely locked away in the elders' private armories, reserved only for the most elite hunters.

Undeterred, Lin Feng carefully selected two lightweight leather armors that wouldn't hinder his mobility. He then moved on to gather an assortment of weapons: daggers, swords, arrows, bows, and even some scrap metal lying around the shop. His choices drew raised eyebrows from the shopkeeper, who finally couldn't contain his confusion.

"What are you doing?!" the shopkeeper exclaimed, watching as Lin Feng piled item after item into a large sack. "You're taking everything! What's the point of all this?"

Lin Feng grinned shamelessly, slinging the heavy sack over his shoulder. "Haha! I didn't think I broke any rules, did I?" he replied casually, ignoring the shopkeeper's protests.

As he turned to leave, the shopkeeper called out again, this time with genuine concern. "Wait! What's the use of carrying so much? You can't possibly bring all these things with you when you go hunting!"

Lin Feng paused momentarily but didn't bother explaining further. "I have to practice myself on these weapons," he said simply before continuing toward other stalls in the village. He didn't want to explain more as how could he say he wanted to import them into his designer panel?