The wind rustled softly through the towering canopy of Spirit Hunting Forest. Morning mist clung to the undergrowth as a small group from Nuoding Academy stood gathered at the edge of the forest, their gazes filled with excitement, nerves, and curiosity.
Among them stood Tang San, calm as still water.
His eyes moved across the familiar trees. Though the air was fresh and cool, to Tang San, this place felt warmer than the rest of the world. This was where it all began in the last life, he thought, fingers slightly curled.
In his dantian, that mysterious black stone pulsed once, faintly.
He could sense it now—ever since his martial soul awakened, it had started to stir. And when he cultivated in secret using the strange breathing technique the stone had revealed, he felt his spirit power grow just a bit faster than normal. Not explosive—just steady. Pure. Unshakable.
It wouldn't be noticed by others. But he knew.
---
The Forest Hunt Begins
Su Yuntao, dressed in light armor with his battle staff strapped to his back, turned to the students.
"Remember, this is not a game. Inside the forest roam spirit beasts, many more powerful than you. You're not here to fight them—just to find the right one. I will protect you, but do not wander off."
A murmur of acknowledgment passed through the students.
Xiao Wu stood beside Tang San, her bright red eyes fixed ahead, her spirit already itching for freedom. She had no fear—of course she didn't. In her heart, she wasn't just a child. Tang San knew she had her own secret, though he didn't push it.
For now, she was his friend. That was enough.
As they moved into the forest, the group kept tight formation. The air grew denser, and the sounds of birds and rustling leaves filled the world. Tang San took each step with practiced calm.
His perception had increased since awakening his first rank.
---
The Shadow Serpent
Hours passed. Minor spirit beasts appeared—Horned Rabbits, Wind-Tailed Sparrows, and even a couple of hundred-year Iron-Arm Apes—but none suitable for Tang San's first ring.
Su Yuntao's expression tensed as he led them deeper.
Then they saw it.
A sinuous form moved between the trees—a green-gold snake nearly five meters long, its body covered in venomous scales, each one glistening. Its red eyes locked onto the group as it hissed lowly.
"D-Datura Snake!" one student gasped.
Su Yuntao's face paled. "That's a thousand-year Datura Snake! Too dangerous! We retreat—"
"No," Tang San said softly, eyes locked on the beast.
Everyone turned.
"It's slightly over 400 years. I recognize the scale pattern—see that patch near its head? It's immature. Its aura isn't dense enough for a full thousand years."
Su Yuntao blinked. "You—how can you—"
Tang San didn't answer. He'd fought this very creature in his past life. And he knew it was the perfect match.
He stepped forward.
"I'll draw it out. Teacher Su, be ready."
Xiao Wu frowned. "Tang San—"
But he was already moving. His figure blurred as he used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, weaving through the underbrush with practiced agility. The Datura Snake lunged—he twisted, rolled, and launched a small throwing needle right into its left eye.
The beast screeched, rearing back.
Su Yuntao, no longer hesitating, surged forward. With a flash of spirit energy, his battle staff erupted in light. He struck hard, aiming for the open jaw, piercing straight through to its brain.
The snake crashed to the ground, dead.
Silence returned.
---
A Calm Absorption
The Datura Snake's spirit ring, violet and pulsing, rose above the corpse.
Xiao Wu exhaled. "That was dangerous. You sure it's safe to absorb?"
Tang San nodded. "It's the best match. The toxin and restraint complement my Blue Silver Grass."
He sat down in the lotus position, focusing his mind. The others stood back.
The purple ring descended.
Immediately, pain lanced through his body like fire.
Veins bulged along his skin. His blood felt like it boiled.
He clenched his jaw but made no sound. His mind turned inward.
And then—
Pulse.
The black stone in his dantian shivered.
Golden script flowed through his mind:
> "Karmic Vein Technique – Flowing Star Cycle: Level 1."
His body responded. The pain dulled slightly—not vanished, but reduced. The spirit ring's energy became more stable as it entered his meridians.
The strange technique activated automatically, like it had been waiting for this.
Minute by minute, the fusion progressed.
Tang San focused on directing the energy into his martial soul. He visualized the Blue Silver Grass. Each strand gained vitality. Strength. A faint trace of the snake's venom etched itself into the vines' aura.
It took nearly an hour—but he succeeded.
He opened his eyes.
---
A Small Difference, a New Start
Su Yuntao nodded in satisfaction. "Congratulations. You've officially stepped into the Spirit Master realm."
Tang San bowed slightly. "Thank you."
He looked at his hand. The Blue Silver Grass spirit emerged—a faint purple sheen at the tip, with tiny vein-like patterns. He flexed his fingers, and the vines shot out.
Binding.
The vines wrapped tightly around a nearby tree trunk, sinking just slightly into the bark.
More strength. More control.
Not much more than the others would expect—but he could feel it.
His spirit power had reached Rank 12. Unusual—but not suspicious.
Yet below the surface, the Flowing Star Cycle stirred gently.
The growth was slow, but unending.
Xiao Wu walked beside him on the way back. "You didn't even scream. Are you sure you're human?"
Tang San smiled faintly. "Just used to pain."
She rolled her eyes. "Weirdo."
He watched the sun fade through the trees.
This time, things would be different.
This time, he would go beyond