There's something strange about how soul masters are raised in this world. Everyone's pushed to specialize—attack system, control system, auxiliary system. It makes sense when you consider the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament. That event is the biggest thing on the continent, and it emphasizes team synergy. One plus one should be greater than two.
For people backed by big factions, that setup works fine. If you're a control or support type, you'll always have a team to cover your blind spots. But for lone wolves like me? Not so much. Most independents default to power types—punch hard, punch fast, survive solo. You don't see many support soul masters walking the world on their own.
I've always wanted to walk my own path. So I was torn—should I generalize or specialize? Still, I had already planned my first three rings. And if my calculations were correct, my first skill was going to be an auxiliary one. Not the most exciting, but potentially the most valuable.
Anyway, after about a week of prep, I linked up with my teacher and the mercs I'd hired for backup. Not cheap. Pretty sure they were lowkey Spirit Hall-affiliated, too. Whatever. Pricey, yes, but worth it for survival. Bloody Baboons are group monsters, and there's rumors—unconfirmed but unsettling—about a Baboon King showing up sometimes. Yeah, I wasn't gonna risk it.
Our destination: the Great Star Dou Forest. The most famous and dangerous spirit beast habitat on the continent. I'll be honest—I was nervous. First real expedition. First real kill. First time taking a life in either of my lifetimes.
The trip sucked. Bumpy carriage, zero shock absorption. Made me miss modern transit like crazy. Eventually, we arrived at the forest checkpoint. Had to do all the paperwork—permits, inspections, blah blah blah. The plan was to stick to the outer edge of the forest. Safer, easier, less chance of running into something terrifying.
Right as we got in, we had this brief stare-down with another group. Tension buzzed in the air. My teacher stepped forward, eyes scanning the trio.
"State your affiliation," he said evenly.
The one in front let out a scoff and stepped forward like he owned the forest. "Hmph. Tang Hao. Clear Sky Clan. This patch of woods doesn't belong to Spirit Hall, last I checked."
My teacher's eyes narrowed. "This is a Spirit Hall-registered expedition. I suggest you keep your distance if you want to avoid unnecessary conflict."
Tang Hao smirked, not backing down an inch. "Conflict? You think I'm scared of a few mercs and a washed-up Hall pawn? Don't worry, we're not here for trash. My brother and our senior are just here to get their rings. We're heading deeper."
The taller man behind him gave a low chuckle, clearly amused.
My teacher's tone stayed cold. "Then stay out of our path."
Tang Hao tilted his head, gaze raking over us like he was assessing cattle. "Tch. Relax. I've got better things to do than squash ants. Just make sure you don't step somewhere you shouldn't."
With that, they turned and disappeared into the deeper forest. But the weight they left behind? It lingered.
That name—Tang Hao—stuck with me. I didn't know much about the Clear Sky Clan, but judging by my teacher's stiff posture, Spirit Hall didn't get along with them. At all.
Fortunately, the situation de-escalated. No fighting broke out. Still, I filed it away in my memory. Tang Hao… that name stuck. The group gave off a pressure that made my instincts scream. Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Hammer Clan clearly didn't get along. I was scared—terrified even. If a fight had broken out, I wouldn't have stood a chance.
Lesson learned. I needed to strengthen myself and keep my head low until I could stand tall.
Our teams split off, and we began searching for Bloody Baboons. It took a full day before we finally spotted a group. The battle started fast and loud. The mercenaries held off the pack while my teacher—a level 40 soul master—engaged the Baboon leader. My job was to stay out of the way until the target was weakened.
Eventually, we isolated a baboon with roughly 300+ years of cultivation. My teacher beat it within an inch of its life before calling out: "Finish it now! Start the absorption!"
I stepped in and struck the final blow.
The moment it died, a yellow ring rose from its body. It shimmered with power, golden and warm, and hovered in place. Even just looking at it felt surreal. I stepped into the ring and began the absorption.
This was why I'd hired mercenaries. Bloody Baboons fight in groups, and while my team was skilled, safety wasn't guaranteed. My teacher continued to duel the Baboon leader while the mercenaries handled the rest of the pack.
I sat in the chaos, ring encircling me, and focused.
No backlash. No soul shock. Just… a click. Like something unlocking deep within. My soul power surged. My mental acuity sharpened. The change was subtle but unmistakable. I'd grown.
And then—my first soul skill formed.
Bloodlust.
The moment the process finished, I opened my eyes.
"All done," I said, getting to my feet. "We should leave before things get worse."
The others moved in and unleashed their strongest attacks to scatter the remaining baboons. We took the opportunity to retreat. About an hour into our journey back, we heard a thunderous roar echo through the forest.
Something massive had been disturbed. Maybe the Baboon King. Whatever it was—we were lucky we left when we did.
The others moved in and unleashed their strongest attacks to scatter the remaining baboons. We took the opportunity to retreat. About an hour into our journey back, we heard a thunderous roar echo through the forest.
Something massive had been disturbed. Maybe the Baboon King. Whatever it was—we were lucky we left when we did.
Nothing major happened on the way back to Wuhun City. Smooth return. No drama. For once, life didn't pull a plot twist.
Back in the city, I turned to my teacher as we exited the gates. "So now that I've hit level 10… does that mean I can graduate from the Primary Soul Master Academy?"
He gave me a look, then nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. Technically, you're qualified now. That soul ring makes you an official soul master."
He paused, then added, "What soul skill did you get, anyway?"
I glanced at him. "Bloodlust. It's an auxiliary ability—boosts my speed and strength by ten percent for one minute."
His brow furrowed. "Bloodlust? That… comes with a berserk effect, doesn't it?"
He exhaled slowly and shook his head. "That's a dangerous drawback. Enhancements are good, but not when they mess with your clarity. It's not a skill I'd call optimal—especially for a first ring."
I shrugged. He didn't look convinced but didn't press further. "Just be careful. A buff that clouds your judgment can get you or your teammates killed."
I hesitated, thinking about what came next. "Do you think I should enroll in the Intermediate Academy?"
"That depends," he replied. "Do you want the structure, the resources, the network? It's the next logical step. But it's not the only one. Especially not for someone as… unconventional as you."
I looked down, thinking. "Honestly, the teachers at the Academy have been way better to me than I expected. Even when everyone thought I was just the weird kid with strange ideas… they didn't treat me like a lost cause."
I let out a breath. "I'll think about it. I've always wanted to walk my own path, but being in an academy has its perks."
He nodded again. "Just don't rush. You've taken your first step—make sure your next one is in the right direction."
And he was right. First ring, first kill, first skill.
Now the grind continues