The last thing Ye Fan remembered was dying.
Not a heroic death. Not even a painful one. Just a car, a wet road, and a moment too late.
He had no family, no friends waiting. Only an empty apartment, half-finished instant noodles, and dreams that went nowhere. When darkness took him, he hadn't even screamed.
But when he opened his eyes again, the world was different.
The first thing he felt was pressure. Heavy, alive air that buzzed with unfamiliar energy. He lay on a rough wooden bed, his skin wrapped in thin, scratchy cloth. The room around him was dim, lit by a single lantern that flickered like it was running out of fuel. Herbs hung from the ceiling, giving the air a medicinal, earthy scent.
He sat up, and his muscles protested. It was a young, lean body—definitely not his old one. On the nearby stand, a bronze mirror rested. Ye Fan picked it up and stared.
The reflection staring back was unfamiliar. Jet-black hair, sharp cheekbones, and eyes like sharpened obsidian. Maybe fourteen, at most.
And that's when the voice came.
[Soul transfer complete. Host synchronization: 100%]
[Initializing Forbidden Summoner System...]
[Placeholder Martial Spirit installed: Shadow Mist Blade]
[This Martial Spirit is a cover. True power will originate from system-summoned entities.]
Ye Fan stared into the mirror, then spoke softly. "A system?"
[Confirmed. You are the sole inheritor of the Forbidden Summoner Protocol. Your summons will not rely on this world's spirit beasts or cultivation paths. They will be adapted to fit the spirit martial framework upon arrival.]
[Summons will be granted custom Martial Spirits and spirit rings based on their origin strength. Their growth is managed through combat, questing, and kills.]
He swallowed hard. This wasn't just reincarnation.
This was a setup for something much bigger.
Before he could ask more, the door creaked open.
An old man in faded gray robes entered. His eyes were tired but sharp. "Ye Fan," he said. "You're finally awake. The Spirit Awakening Ceremony is today. You're the last one."
The name clicked in Ye Fan's mind. This body was also called Ye Fan. That made things simpler.
He nodded. "Alright. Lead the way."
Heiyun Village lay on the outskirts of the Zhoulong Empire. Far from noble cities and grand sects, it was the kind of place where dreams died quietly.
The Awakening Grounds were a circle of moss-covered stones in the village's center. Dozens had gathered—parents watching anxiously, kids fidgeting nervously, elders standing beside a glowing crystal orb set on an altar.
"Let's continue," the village elder said. One by one, the children approached, touching the orb.
A faint white glow would rise, and a projection of their Martial Spirit would appear. Most had weak, everyday spirits—cooking tools, hunting beasts, or simple elemental flares.
Then came Ye Fan's turn.
He stepped forward. The villagers fell quiet.
Some whispered.
"That's the orphan boy."
"He's weird. Talks to himself."
"Bet he gets nothing."
Ye Fan ignored them. He placed his hand on the Spirit Orb.
The orb flickered. Dimmed. For a second, nothing happened.
Then, a swirl of dark mist formed behind him. A translucent image of a short sword appeared—its blade wrapped in shadowy tendrils.
"Shadow Mist Blade," the elder muttered. "Low-tier. Useless for growth."
A few kids laughed. A woman clicked her tongue. "Poor thing. Can't even get a decent Martial Spirit."
Ye Fan didn't flinch.
Because in his mind, the real reaction had already started:
[Martial Spirit output: Decoy successful. External observers detect low-grade spirit.]
[System Activation: COMPLETE. First summon available.]
[Scanning surroundings... Nearby lifeforms detected. Delaying summon to avoid exposure.]
[Relocation set: Safe zone 142 meters northeast. Proceed alone.]
A small minimap appeared before his eyes. A pulsing dot indicated the summon's location.
"I'd like some time alone," he said to the elder.
The man barely looked up. "Do what you want."
Ye Fan turned and left.
The outer forest was quiet. Cold wind brushed his face as he walked through tangled roots and brittle leaves.
Eventually, he reached the spot. A clearing surrounded by tall black-barked trees. In the center was a glowing mark—like a summoning seal pulsing faintly with red runes.
[Summon Deployment: In Progress...]
[Transferring summoned entity into this world... calibrating Martial Spirit... generating Spirit Rings...]
The air cracked.
A black gate shimmered into existence.
From it stepped a woman. She was tall, draped in black armor with dark red trim. Her silver hair fell in a sleek wave over her shoulder, and a red tattoo flared across her throat.
She knelt instantly.
"I am Xue Ying, summoned from the Ruined Moon Realm. Bound to your will, Master."
[Summon Registered: Shadowblade Assassin Class]
[System Adaptation: Martial Spirit - "Phantom Fang"]
[Spirit Rings Generated: 3]
— [1st Ring: Shadow Step - Blink movement]
— [2nd Ring: Phantom Cut - Armor-piercing slash]
— [3rd Ring: Night Veil - Area concealment field]
[Summon Growth Conditions: EXP via battle, successful assassinations, or mission completions. Current Rank: Spirit Disciple Lv.10]
Ye Fan's eyes widened. "You have rings… just like a native spirit cultivator."
[Affirmative. All summoned units are adapted to local spiritual frameworks via system protocol. Their rings are simulated but functionally equivalent.]
"Can others detect the difference?"
[No. To the world, she is simply a rare martial spirit manifestation of your own. Her independent action is masked as external projection.]
Ye Fan nodded slowly.
"So I'm not a summoner to them. I'm just… special."
[Until you choose otherwise, yes.]
Xue Ying looked up. "There's movement in the trees. A beast is nearby."
Ye Fan turned. "Let's test you out."
A rustle. Then a snarl.
From the underbrush leapt a two-headed silver-fanged wolf, covered in streaks of lightning.
[Spirit Beast Detected: Twin Fang Hound]
[Estimated Rank: Level 12 - Mid-Tier Disciple]
"Engage," Ye Fan said.
Xue Ying vanished in a blur.
Shadow Step.
In a second, she appeared above the wolf, her blade flashing.
Phantom Cut.
The blade tore through the beast's shoulder. It shrieked and spun, jaws snapping, but Xue Ying twisted midair and landed behind it.
Night Veil.
A mist spread, cloaking the area. The wolf staggered, blinded. It never saw the second slash.
The beast collapsed with a final cry.
[Battle Complete. EXP gained: +36]
[Summon Rank Up: Lv.10 → Lv.11]
Xue Ying stood calmly, her armor untouched.
Ye Fan stepped forward. "You alright?"
She nodded. "I heal through system syncing. Minimal drain."
He looked at the corpse.
[Beast Core Available: Lightning Affinity - Low Tier]
[Store or Convert?]
"Store it."
[Stored. Inventory capacity: 1/50]
Ye Fan took a deep breath.
For the first time in this world, he didn't feel powerless. He didn't feel small.
This wasn't Earth. Here, spirit rings meant everything. Martial Spirits defined lives.
But he had something greater. A hidden system. Warriors from other worlds. And the freedom to shape a path no one could predict.
He looked at Xue Ying. She waited silently. Not just a fighter—but a companion.
[Bond Level: 0 — Emotional connection: None yet. Loyalty: Absolute]
"I won't let this chance go to waste," Ye Fan murmured.
He turned to the wildlands beyond.
"Let's grow strong—and tear this world open."