The atmosphere inside the Spirit Hall changed instantly.
Every nearby conversation gradually quieted as the silver-robed man approached.
Spirit masters standing near the reception counters instinctively lowered their voices while several attendants revealed respectful expressions.
Clearly— This man possessed significant status within North River City’s Spirit Hall branch.
Lin Yuan observed him calmly.
The pressure radiating from the man’s body was stable and heavy, far stronger than Wang Lie’s unstable spirit power.
Even without releasing his martial soul, the difference between a Spirit Ancestor and ordinary spirit masters remained obvious.
The man stopped several meters away.
Sharp eyes studied Lin Yuan carefully from head to toe.
“What is your martial soul?” he repeated.
The entire hall seemed to grow quieter.
Lin Yuan noticed several spirit masters subtly moving closer, pretending to continue their own business while secretly listening.
He remained silent briefly before answering calmly.
“Asura Prison.” The unfamiliar name caused confusion to appear on several faces nearby.
But the silver-robed man did not look confused.
Instead— His eyes narrowed slightly.
Because the moment Lin Yuan spoke, a faint invisible pressure unconsciously spread outward from his body.
Only a trace.
Yet enough.
The silver-robed man immediately sensed it.
A psychological suppression effect.
Rare.
Very rare.
The man’s expression gradually became serious.
“My name is Xu Mingshan,” he said slowly.
“Vice Hall Master of North River Spirit Hall.” Several nearby spirit masters inhaled quietly.
Vice Hall Master.
No wonder the atmosphere had changed.
Lin Yuan nodded faintly.
Xu Mingshan continued observing him carefully.
“Innate full spirit power?” “Yes.” The silver-robed man remained silent for several seconds afterward.
Then suddenly— “Release your martial soul.” The request caused tension to spread faintly through the hall.
Lin Yuan understood immediately.
This was not really a request.
It was evaluation.
Still, refusing would only create unnecessary trouble.
So without hesitation— Boom.
Invisible pressure spread outward instantly.
Dark crimson halos appeared behind Lin Yuan once more while distorted black chains flickered briefly through the air.
The nearby temperature seemed to drop slightly.
Several spirit masters stiffened instinctively.
Even some civilians inside the hall revealed pale expressions.
Fear.
Pure instinctive fear.
Xu Mingshan’s pupils contracted slightly.
Control-type martial soul?
No.
This felt closer to a domain.
An incomplete one, but still terrifying for a child who had only recently awakened.
More importantly— The pressure carried traces of killing intent.
Not enough to affect him significantly.
But for someone this young… It was abnormal.
Lin Yuan calmly restrained the martial soul again after several moments.
The suffocating atmosphere vanished.
Silence lingered briefly throughout the hall afterward.
Xu Mingshan’s gaze gradually deepened.
“A very dangerous martial soul,” he muttered softly.
Lin Yuan did not deny it.
Dangerous.
That description suited the Asura Prison perfectly.
Xu Mingshan folded his arms behind his back before speaking again.
“How old are you?” “Six.” A faint stir spread through nearby listeners.
Six years old.
Innate full spirit power.
A martial soul capable of psychological suppression.
Even within Spirit Hall, such talent was found once in a decades or century.
Xu Mingshan asked another question immediately afterward.
“Have you hunted your first spirit ring yet?” “No.” “Do you have a teacher?” “No.” The vice hall master’s eyes narrowed slightly.
No background.
No teacher.
Which meant— An unclaimed genius.
Several nearby spirit masters had already begun looking toward Lin Yuan differently.
Some with admiration.
Others calculation.
Xu Mingshan noticed those gazes immediately.
His expression cooled faintly.
Then he spoke calmly: “Follow me.” The words were simple.
Yet carried undeniable authority.
Lin Yuan remained silent briefly before nodding.
The two soon left the main hall together while countless gazes followed behind them.
The deeper sections of Spirit Hall were significantly quieter.
Large stone corridors extended beneath warm lantern light while guards stood stationed near important entrances.
Eventually, Xu Mingshan led Lin Yuan into a private room.
The moment the door closed— The vice hall master’s expression changed completely.
The calm official demeanor vanished.
Only seriousness remained.
“Where did you awaken your martial soul?” Lin Yuan answered truthfully.
“A small town west of here.” Xu Mingshan frowned slightly.
“A civilian village producing someone like you…” His fingers tapped lightly against the table.
Unusual.
Very unusual.
Then his gaze sharpened again.
“That pressure earlier,” he said slowly.
“Have you killed before?” Lin Yuan’s eyes narrowed almost invisibly.
Sharp question.
Extremely sharp.
Most people would not immediately connect killing intent with actual combat experience in a child.
But Xu Mingshan clearly possessed experience far beyond ordinary spirit masters.
Lin Yuan remained calm.
“I defended myself against bandits on the road.” Xu Mingshan stared silently at him.
Then eventually nodded.
“That explains part of it.” Only part.
Because the vice hall master could still sense something strange.
The killing intent surrounding Lin Yuan did not feel newly formed.
It felt dormant.
Ancient.
Like a blade still hidden within its sheath.
Xu Mingshan suddenly asked: “What are your plans moving forward?” Lin Yuan looked toward him quietly.
“I intend to grow stronger.” A simple answer.
Yet for some reason, hearing those words caused Xu Mingshan’s expression to become even more serious.
Because Lin Yuan’s voice carried no hesitation whatsoever.
No childish ambition.
No excitement.
Only certainty.
Xu Mingshan leaned back slowly.
“You should join Spirit Hall.” Direct.
Straightforward.
No more testing.
Lin Yuan remained silent.
Xu Mingshan continued calmly: “With your talent, Spirit Hall can provide everything you need.
Resources.
Protection.
Spirit ring assistance.
Elite academy recommendations.” Then his eyes narrowed slightly.
“And more importantly, guidance.” Lin Yuan understood the implication clearly.
Without guidance— A martial soul like his could become dangerous.
Even to himself.
The room fell quiet briefly.
Xu Mingshan observed him carefully.
“You know,” he said slowly, “many spirit masters spend their entire lives searching for power.” His gaze sharpened faintly.
“But power itself is not difficult.” Lin Yuan’s eyes lifted slightly.
“The difficult part…” Xu Mingshan’s voice lowered.
“…is remaining human while obtaining it.” The words caused silence to settle heavily throughout the room.
For the first time since arriving in North River City— Lin Yuan’s expression changed slightly.
Because those words struck unexpectedly close to the truth.
The Asura path.
Killing intent.
Pressure.
Slaughter City.
Every step he intended to walk carried danger far beyond ordinary cultivation.
Xu Mingshan looked toward him steadily.
Then he asked quietly: “Tell me honestly, Lin Yuan.” His gaze became sharp as a blade.
“When you used your martial soul against those bandits…” “…did you enjoy it?”