Martial Soul Planning, a New Path of Cultivation

Jiang Ping looked at the somewhat disappointed Ji Wuming and said cheerfully, "Child, since your spear Martial Soul possesses Soul Power, that proves it isn't weak..."

After saying this, he sighed inwardly. In some ways, this broken spear was even inferior to his own Seahorse Martial Soul, which had Innate Soul Power of level two.

But Ji Wuming was only a child, and he should not undermine his confidence.

Jiang Ping then crouched down and placed both hands on Ji Wuming's shoulders, saying sincerely,

"Child, would you be willing to join Spirit Hall? It has the finest Soul Master education and can teach you how to cultivate your Martial Soul."

The children standing around, unable to become Soul Masters, all cast envious looks at him upon hearing this.

"Lord Soul Master, I'm still young, and there is much work to do at home. I won't be joining Spirit Hall."

Ji Wuming casually found an excuse to reject Spirit Hall's recruitment. Although Spirit Hall freely helped commoners awaken their Martial Souls, which was indeed a great kindness, his Innate Soul Power was only level three.

Even if he went to Spirit Hall, he would not be valued in the short term. If he obtained a Soul Ring, it would at most be some random hundred-year Soul Ring, which would not help him much.

Rather than that, he might as well attend a Junior Soul Master Academy. At least there, most Soul Masters had Innate Soul Power below level five, and he would receive a certain degree of attention.

Seeing that Ji Wuming had made up his mind, Jiang Ping stopped trying to persuade him. His Martial Soul quality was simply too poor, and his Innate Soul Power was not high either.

"Very well. If you ever change your mind, come find me at the Vast Sea City Spirit Hall Branch. Spirit Hall's doors will always be open to you."

Jiang Ping then wrote Ji Wuming a Martial Soul certificate and handed it to him, instructing,

"Take this Martial Soul certificate and report to Vast Sea City Junior Soul Master Academy in three months."

"Thank you, Lord Soul Master!"

Ji Wuming bowed to Jiang Ping. As the doors opened, the Old Village Chief, who had been waiting for a long time, stepped forward and anxiously asked, "Lord Soul Master, did any child from our village become a Soul Master this year?"

"Alas! Old sir, this child has Innate Soul Power at level three. If he cultivates diligently, he can become a Soul Elder."

Jiang Ping could not help sighing before hurrying away. Perhaps the other villages had children with even higher Soul Power!

"Little Ji, during this time, you—"

Before the Village Chief could finish, Ji Wuming had already run more than three hundred meters away. He returned home, hurriedly loaded two crates of finished weapons onto the cart carrying fruits and vegetables, and headed for Vast Sea City.

Rusty Broken Spear, Innate Soul Power level three! Sitting on the cart, Ji Wuming looked at the broken spear he had summoned. Its shaft was nine chi long, its spearhead nine cun long, making it roughly 2.67 meters in length. He fell into deep thought.

Martial Soul quality on the continent was determined by the level of Innate Soul Power. His broken spear Martial Soul had only level-three Soul Power, placing it among the low-grade Martial Souls. Aside from its rust, it was practically useless.

With that thought, Ji Wuming gripped the spear with both hands and bent it forcefully.

Bang—

The Rusty Spear snapped in response, and his mind drifted into a daze.

After recovering, Ji Wuming stroked his chin and became even more certain of his Martial Soul's characteristics. The spear shaft had far too many holes running through it, so it could very easily break while being swung. Using it to stab someone would be exceedingly difficult.

Then an idea suddenly flashed through his mind.

Oh! Right, how had I forgotten that sword fanatic from my own clan ten thousand years later?

Ji Wuming immediately clapped his hands in delight. Ji Juechen, ten thousand years in the future, had awakened a piece of extraterrestrial meteorite iron as his Martial Soul. In some respects, his Martial Soul was even worse than this broken spear. Yet he had still cultivated to become a Titled Douluo, so why couldn't Ji Wuming?

Moreover, he was a skilled blacksmith. He could try experimenting with changing the properties of his Martial Soul. Perhaps in the future, he could truly create an alternative path of Soul Master cultivation for other Soul Masters with low Innate Soul Power.

Then again, in this era when Qian Xunji was still the Pope, the Immortal Herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were still worth fighting for. He just did not know whether Dugu Bo had discovered that treasure land yet.

Even if Dugu Bo had claimed it, that was no matter. As long as he cured Dugu Bo's poison, obtaining the Immortal Herbs would not be much of a problem. As for the Soul Rings he would acquire in the future, there was no need to rush. Ji Juechen's theory of Martial Soul Evolution was what he most needed to figure out now.

Ji Wuming put away the Rusty Spear Martial Soul, now broken into two pieces, and his gaze became exceptionally firm.

I'll strive to break through to level ten Soul Power within four years!

An hour later, Ji Wuming successfully arrived outside Xu's Blacksmith Shop in Vast Sea City.

"Uncle Xu, here are ten large cleavers and twenty fine iron swords. As you requested, they were all made from the refined iron you provided. The quality and quantity are guaranteed." Ji Wuming pointed at the two large crates.

Blacksmith Xu picked up several blades and tested them. After confirming there were no issues, he happily had the shop assistants carry them inside, then took out a money pouch from his waist.

"Little Ji, the ironware you forge is truly excellent. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have thought you had mastered the Clear Sky Secret Technique, the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer."

"How could that be? I'm not from the Clear Sky Sect. How could I possibly know that method of smithing?"

Ji Wuming scratched his head. Being praised made him very happy. When used for blacksmithing, the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer was merely a somewhat refined continuous forging technique. Could it compare to the Dragon Spring Forging Technique that he had painstakingly trained in for nearly twenty years, passed down through ten generations of his ancestors?

Blacksmith Xu looked at the child of his sworn brother and found himself increasingly pleased.

"Little Ji, it'll be dark soon, and traveling at night is dangerous. If you don't mind, stay at my home tonight and return to the village tomorrow. How does that sound?"

"Uncle Xu, the Village Chief is still waiting for me to return. Another day, another day. I'll definitely come visit." Ji Wuming waved goodbye to Blacksmith Xu.

Walking down the street, Ji Wuming kept a close eye on the three Gold Soul Coins in his robes, guarding against theft.

As he passed the Spirit Hall Branch in the city, he saw that the entire branch had been placed under strict lockdown. Several powerful Soul Masters were even guarding the entrance, as though something major had happened.

Ji Wuming entered an inn, sat down, ordered a dish or two of twenty-year Stir-fried Phosphorus Shrimp Meat, and began to eat.

He heard a fat Merchant beside him, dressed in a suit and clearly well traveled, prattling on endlessly.

"Did you know? Just one month ago, Spirit Hall's Pope, Qian Xunji, publicly announced his abdication. His personal disciple, Spirit Hall's Saintess Bibi Dong, succeeded him as Pope!"

The moment this weighty topic was brought up, it immediately drew the attention of many patrons. They had long heard this news, but they were extremely curious about the story behind it.

"Spirit Hall is renowned across the continent. Who on the continent wouldn't know about the new Empress ascending the throne? But Qian Xunji is still in his prime, so why did he suddenly announce his abdication?"

A weathered-looking man spoke in great confusion over Qian Xunji's sudden abdication.

Ji Wuming, who was eating, was also deeply interested and listened closely. Were the figures they spoke of not part of the story of Tang Hao and his brother battling Qian Xunji?

As the favored son of fate in the continent's history, that disgusting Tang San had also been born around this time. That meant Ji Wuming was about six years older than him, so he had at most a six-year head start.

At this moment, the Merchant spoke again.

"Apparently, Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Twin Stars stole something from Spirit Hall and was pursued by Pope Qian Xunji. Then Tang Hao seemed to break through to become a Titled Douluo in the midst of the battle and beat Qian Xunji until he was at death's door! That was why..."

"So that's what happened. But what did Tang Hao steal that it actually alarmed the Pope?"

"Do you think what he stole was the Saintess's first kiss? Or maybe he harassed the daughter of some Titled Douluo?"

Could Ji Wuming not know some of the details? A calamity caused by a 100,000-Year Transforming Soul Beast had eventually developed into a continental war that destroyed Spirit Hall.

But since Spirit Hall intended to suppress the truth, the less trouble, the better. Naturally, Ji Wuming would not reveal it.

His trip into the city today had already yielded quite a lot. After eating and paying three Silver Soul Coins, he went to the apothecary to buy some herbs. With an hour still remaining before nightfall, he hurried back to the village.