Ling Feng's gaze settled calmly on the blank Spirit Hall certificate in Su Yuntao's hand.
That gaze was mild, yet carried an intangible weight.
Su Yuntao shuddered, instantly catching on.
He all but fumbled as he retrieved writing supplies from his Soul Tool-his manner was so respectful that he seemed less like someone filling out a form than someone transcribing a sacred decree.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his trembling hand, before carefully setting his pen to the certificate.
"Name: Ling Feng." "Martial Soul:..." His pen stopped there.
Su Yuntao raised his head, his face full of reverence as he sought instructions. "Mr. Ling Feng, your Martial Soul... how should I register it?"
He dared not write the words "Clear Sky Hammer" outright. Those words carried far too many implications. Once they were officially recorded in Spirit Hall's archives, heaven only knew what attention and upheaval they would bring. The boy before him clearly did not want to expose himself. If he wrote it down without permission, it would likely earn him not credit, but a path to his own death!
Ling Feng understood perfectly and was quite pleased that Su Yuntao knew how to play along.
His expression unchanged, he said mildly, "Just write 'hammer.'"
Brief and to the point, leaving things vague.
"Yes, yes!" As though granted a pardon, Su Yuntao hurriedly wrote "hammer" in tiny letters, seemingly afraid that writing it any larger would invite trouble.
"Soul Power Level:..." His pen stopped again.
Immense difficulty and hesitation appeared on Su Yuntao's face. That platinum-white light, blazing like the sun, resurfaced in his mind. There was simply no way to fill in this Soul Power Level! Write "innate full Soul Power, level ten"? That would be an insult! Write something higher? Innate Soul Power exceeding level ten was unheard of in the records of the entire continent. Once reported, it would cause no less of an upheaval than the Clear Sky Hammer!
This was another hot potato!
Sweat began beading on Su Yuntao's forehead again.
Ling Feng took in his predicament, his thoughts racing. The system had indicated an innate full level twenty. That was far too shocking and absolutely could not be exposed. But even innate full Soul Power at level ten seemed rather conspicuous.
He needed a reasonable explanation that would not invite excessive scrutiny.
"My Soul Power is somewhat unusual," Ling Feng began, his voice steady. "It seems that, because my Martial Soul had just awakened, its presence was unstable and resonated slightly with the testing crystal. That was why the light was so intense."
He paused, then offered a seemingly reasonable solution. "Perhaps more precise equipment will be needed to measure the exact level. For now, just put down 'exceptional innate Soul Power.'"
Keep it vague.
Su Yuntao's eyes lit up, as though he had grabbed a lifeline!
"Yes, yes, yes! That must be it! Martial Soul Mutation, an unstable presence, and resonance with the crystal! Your insight truly is extraordinary, Mr. Ling Feng!" He nodded repeatedly, gratitude showing on his face, and hurriedly wrote "exceptional innate Soul Power" in neat lettering in the Soul Power Level field.
This explanation perfectly accounted for the abnormal light while avoiding a specific numerical record, giving him room to maneuver and report it. Whether his superiors believed it... that was none of his concern. In any case, this Mr. Ling Feng with his "powerful backing" would bear the burden.
He quickly filled in the remaining information and stamped it with Spirit Hall's official seal.
Then, holding the certificate in both hands while the ink was still wet, he bowed slightly and presented it to Ling Feng with utmost respect.
"Mr. Ling Feng, your certificate is ready. With this certificate, you can enroll in any Soul Master Academy and receive the best treatment."
His manner was humble, even carrying a hint of ingratiation.
With a composed expression, Ling Feng accepted that featherlight yet weighty sheet of paper, glanced over it, and casually put it away after confirming everything was correct.
Seeing Ling Feng put away the certificate, Su Yuntao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. But immediately afterward, he seemed to remember something, his expression turning hesitant.
He hesitated briefly, then finally lowered his voice and spoke with a measure of goodwill and caution. "Mr. Ling Feng, what... what are your plans next? If you wish to study further and cultivate your Soul Power, the Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy is the best choice nearby."
"There is a Grandmaster at the academy. Although his Soul Power Level isn't high, he is an acknowledged authority in the study of Martial Soul Theory." Su Yuntao carefully watched Ling Feng's expression. "Perhaps... perhaps you might meet people there who can help you, or find some... answers you wish to learn?"
His words remained vague, but the implication was already very clear.
Was he hinting that Ling Feng might come across information related to his "family" at Nuoding Academy, or find help unraveling the mystery of his origins? This was an attempt to curry favor, and perhaps also concealed a small scheme on Spirit Hall's part-to place such a potential danger somewhere controllable, under observation by one of their own (Grandmaster theoretically counted as half a member of Spirit Hall).
Ling Feng sneered inwardly, but showed nothing on his face.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang? Of course I know him. His theoretical knowledge is indeed extensive, but he wants to be my teacher? He's probably not qualified yet. I have the system and the advantage of foreknowledge. My future path couldn't be clearer.
Still, Nuoding City Academy was indeed the best place to go at this stage. It was where the plot began, with plentiful "check-in locations," and would also let him get close to Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"Nuoding Academy?" Ling Feng's tone was flat, revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure. "Understood."
He neither agreed nor refused.
Yet this attitude only made him seem even more unfathomable to Su Yuntao.
Not daring to say more, he bowed respectfully. "In that case, I won't disturb you any further. Spirit Hall has many matters to attend to, and I must hurry to the next village to conduct awakenings. I'll take my leave."
He did not want to stay a moment longer. Though the boy before him was young, the pressure he exerted was simply too great. He needed to report today's events to his superiors immediately through the most secret channels! Holy Soul Village had produced a monster suspected of being a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect, with terrifyingly abnormal innate Soul Power. This news was far too important!
Practically fleeing, Su Yuntao hurried out of Holy Soul Village, his heart filled with shock and doubt.
Only when Su Yuntao's retreating figure had completely disappeared beyond the village entrance did the frozen atmosphere inside and outside the wooden house abruptly ease.
Whew-
Almost simultaneously, a great wave of relieved exhalations rang out.
Only then did the villagers seem to learn how to breathe again.
The next instant, everyone's gaze focused on Ling Feng once more, their eyes incomparably complicated, filled with reverence, curiosity, fervor, and even a trace of fear.
Village Chief Old Jack hurried forward in excitement, his lips trembling. He wanted to say something, but did not know how to begin. Though Ling Feng's appearance had not changed, his bearing and intangible presence already made Old Jack afraid to treat him as casually as before.
"Little... Ling Feng..." Old Jack's voice trembled. "You... are you really..."
Ling Feng looked at Old Jack, then at the familiar yet unfamiliar faces around him, without much stirring in his heart.
His predecessor's memories had limited influence on him, and he felt no particularly deep sense of belonging to this village.
But neither would he deliberately act cold and heartless.
His expression softened slightly, and he nodded to Old Jack. "Village Chief, I'm still Ling Feng."
Only, he was no longer the orphan Ling Feng of the past, left to anyone's pity.
His gaze swept across the crowd. Everyone it touched involuntarily lowered their head or offered an ingratiating smile.
The villagers who had mocked him under their breath earlier turned especially pale, shrinking back instinctively and wishing they could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Ling Feng ignored them.
He set off toward his own shabby little wooden house.
The crowd parted on its own, their gazes following his retreating figure. No one dared approach to speak to him, and no one dared block his way.
He returned to his cold home and shut the door, cutting off every prying gaze outside.
Only then did Ling Feng fully relax. Leaning against the wooden door, he slowly released a long breath of stale air.
He opened his palm and stirred his thoughts slightly.
The pitch-black Clear Sky Hammer silently appeared once more. Its weighty substance and immense sense of power were so real.
Within him, level-twenty innate full Soul Power surged like a rushing river.
The system panel was clearly visible in his consciousness.
All of it told him that he was not dreaming.
He really had transmigrated and gained the power to change his fate!
After the excitement passed, calm returned.
Although Su Yuntao had been bluffed, Spirit Hall was no easy opponent. His appearance had likely already drawn their attention.
The journey to Nuoding City seemed like the next step, but in truth, unknown risks lurked within it as well.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the various factions in Nuoding City...
Ling Feng's gaze gradually sharpened.
He needed to familiarize himself with this power as soon as possible and plan every step ahead.
He had yet to obtain his first Soul Ring. Although the system had directly rewarded him with Soul Power Levels, Soul Rings were the key to unlocking Soul Skills.
According to the general outline, the system should directly reward him with his first Soul Ring, but exactly when and where remained uncertain.
He glanced around the house, bare except for its four walls.
There was nothing here worth lingering over anymore.
It was time to leave Holy Soul Village.