After several weeks settling into life at Notting Junior Soul Master Academy, Kazuki found himself restless. His mind was never still, constantly turning over possibilities, analyzing gaps in his knowledge, and seeking any advantage that might reveal itself in this unfamiliar world
One afternoon, while other students practiced basic soul skills under the watchful eyes of their instructors, Kazuki slipped away to the academy's ancient library—a place whispered about but rarely used by most students.
Rows upon rows of worn scrolls, tomes bound in leather, and crystallized data stones filled the vast room. Here, Kazuki hoped to find detailed information about Soul Beasts and their abilities—essential knowledge for planning his path forward.
His system interface quietly pulsed in his mind, cross-referencing every scrap of data with his own unique genetic and martial soul configuration. He knew that his first soul ring would not only mark the start of his cultivation journey but also set the tone for the power he would wield
Kazuki quickly narrowed his focus to three types of Soul Beasts known to inhabit the legendary Star Dou Great Forest—a vast and enigmatic woodland said to lie a day's journey beyond the academy's eastern border. Ancient texts described it as a place where the energies of the Douluo Continent converged, and where Soul Beasts of all power levels dwelled.
According to the records, his first soul ring would be earned by defeating a Soul Beast residing deep within this forest. His choice would shape the foundation of his cultivation path—whether defense, control, or assault
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The Three Candidates
* Ironwood Turtle — A towering beast covered in thick, impenetrable bark-like scales. Known for its extraordinary defense and endurance, its soul ring promised unmatched durability and resilience. Legends said it could withstand the fiercest attacks and regenerate wounds rapidly. Ideal for those seeking the path of impenetrable defense.
* Mistvine Serpent — A sinuous, elusive serpent-like Soul Beast capable of manipulating fog and vines to entangle and control its opponents. Its control abilities were unparalleled, weaving illusions and binding foes without direct confrontation. Its soul ring granted enhanced precision, battlefield control, and crowd manipulation power. Perfect for a master of strategy and subtlety.
* Crimson Fang Wolf — A ferocious pack leader known for devastating close combat and aggressive assaults. Its speed and strength were unmatched, striking terror into enemies with relentless fury. The assault path offered by its soul ring promised raw power and offensive prowess. Favored by those who value overwhelming force.
Kazuki studied each carefully, weighing their strengths against his temperament, cultivation goals, and his mysterious secondary martial soul—which for now remained locked and unknown, a silent enigma lurking beneath the surface of his power.
His primary martial soul—the Eye of the Laws—granted him the ability to perceive and manipulate the invisible rules governing space, time, and causality. Precision, control, and calculated outcomes were natural extensions of his power.
Defense was tempting but felt too limiting and passive for his long-term vision. Assault, though powerful, was blunt and risky. Control, however, aligned perfectly with his desire to command the battlefield, bending the flow of combat to his will with strategy and finesse.
The Mistvine Serpent's elusive and manipulative nature resonated deeply with Kazuki's own path.
He imagined himself moving unseen, weaving traps and illusions, forcing enemies to falter while he struck precisely where it mattered.
Control, matched with his Eye of the Laws, was the path that would amplify his strengths.
Kazuki closed the tome, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon where the dense canopy of the Star Dou Great Forest beckoned.
The first step in this new life is clear.
I will find the Mistvine Serpent, claim its soul ring, and begin shaping the battlefield to my will.
That night, Kazuki prepared meticulously for the journey ahead, activating his system's enhancements to boost stamina, reflexes, and mental clarity.
That night, as the moon bathed the academy dormitories in silver light, Kazuki sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed in focused meditation. Within the silent depths of his consciousness, his system interface pulsed to life.
[System Notice: Custom Cultivation Technique - Initial Stage Unlocked]
Name: Lawweaver Sutra – Origin Phase Type: Dual-Path (Law Assimilation + Soul Core Refinement) Compatibility: 98% with [Eye of the Laws] Optimal synergy: Awaiting secondary martial soul unlock...
Description: The Lawweaver Sutra focuses on absorbing ambient soul power through law-aligned meridian nodes, allowing the user to refine it not only into soul force but also into law threads — metaphysical strands representing minor principles of reality (e.g., momentum, inertia, entropy, displacement).
Benefit: Gradually enhances soul ring compatibility and spiritual domain potential. Enables long-term integration with high-level laws. Reduces soul energy loss by 23% during passive absorption.
Kazuki's body trembled slightly as the first threads of law began to circulate through his meridians. Unlike traditional techniques that just refined raw soul power, this method wove the very fabric of law into his soul foundation, granting him insights others wouldn't achieve until far later.
He drew in a slow, even breath, feeling space ripple faintly around his skin. It wasn't just power—it was understanding.
The Sutra had multiple phases. For now, only the Origin Phase was unlocked. But Kazuki already sensed where it could lead. Later stages promised concepts like Law Compression, Spatial Folding, and even Dimensional Interruption.
Most importantly, the cultivation method did not conflict with any future development—it was designed to evolve alongside his second martial soul once it unlocked. The system ensured no path was wasted.
[System Notice: Cultivation Progress – 3% through Origin Phase] [Soul Ring Optimization: Preparing Soul Thread Compatibility Matrix for Mistvine Serpent]
With the Mistvine Serpent's control abilities and the Lawweaver Sutra's structure, he would soon command not just spirit energy—but the battlefield's very flow.
Though his secondary martial soul remained locked and a mystery, the system quietly monitored his progress—ready to assist when the time came to awaken its full potential.
His primary martial soul's power continued deepening, allowing him to bend the invisible laws that governed combat and the world around him.
Together, these dual powers—one subtle and cerebral, the other unknown and potentially explosive—would form a deadly synergy as he matured.
The path forward was uncertain, but Kazuki's resolve was unwavering.
The game was set to begin anew in the Star Dou Great Forest.