The room remained silent after Xu Mingshan’s question.
“When you used your martial soul against those bandits…
did you enjoy it?” The words lingered in the air like an invisible blade.
Lin Yuan sat quietly across from the vice hall master, his expression unreadable.
For a brief moment, neither spoke.
Outside the room, faint sounds from Spirit Hall could still be heard through the stone walls, but inside, the atmosphere had become unusually heavy.
Xu Mingshan did not rush him.
His eyes remained fixed on Lin Yuan.
Patient.
Observant.
Like an experienced hunter watching for the slightest reaction.
Lin Yuan eventually lowered his gaze.
Enjoy it?
The answer should have been simple.
No.
A normal person should answer no.
But memories from the forest surfaced within his mind.
The bandits collapsing beneath overwhelming pressure.
The fear in their eyes.
The helplessness.
The absolute control.
Lin Yuan remained silent for several seconds.
Then he answered honestly.
“No.” Xu Mingshan did not react.
Lin Yuan continued calmly.
“But it felt natural.” The vice hall master’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Natural.
That answer concerned him far more than simple enjoyment.
Most spirit masters remembered their first real battle vividly.
Fear.
Panic.
Excitement.
Disgust.
Some emotional reaction always existed.
Yet Lin Yuan’s answer suggested something different.
Natural.
As though violence itself fit him perfectly.
The room fell quiet once more.
Then Xu Mingshan slowly nodded.
“At least you’re honest.” Lin Yuan looked up slightly.
The vice hall master folded his arms.
“A dangerous martial soul isn’t the problem.” His voice remained calm.
“The continent is full of dangerous martial souls.” Then his gaze sharpened.
“The problem is whether the owner controls the martial soul…
or the martial soul controls the owner.” Lin Yuan immediately understood.
The Asura Prison.
Pressure.
Killing intent.
Judgment.
Its path was already obvious.
If he ever lost control— The result would likely resemble Tang Chen’s fate.
That thought briefly flashed through his mind.
Xu Mingshan continued.
“You remind me of someone.” Lin Yuan remained silent.
“A genius I met twenty years ago.” The vice hall master’s expression darkened slightly.
“He possessed tremendous talent.
Extraordinary talent.” Then he sighed.
“But he became obsessed with power.” The room grew quiet.
“He believed strength alone could solve every problem.” Xu Mingshan looked directly into Lin Yuan’s eyes.
“It didn’t.” Lin Yuan understood the lesson immediately.
Strength was necessary.
But strength alone was not enough.
Still— Knowing that and living by it were entirely different things.
The vice hall master suddenly changed topics.
“What spirit ring are you planning to obtain?” Lin Yuan considered briefly.
“Something compatible with suppression.” Xu Mingshan nodded slowly.
“Reasonable.” Most spirit masters selected spirit rings based on direct enhancement.
Attack.
Defense.
Speed.
Simple concepts.
But Lin Yuan’s martial soul clearly functioned differently.
Its greatest strength lay in control.
Pressure.
Domination.
Psychological influence.
Enhancing those qualities would maximize future potential.
Xu Mingshan walked toward a bookshelf nearby and retrieved a thick document.
After flipping through several pages, he placed it upon the table.
“There is a spirit beast called the Heavy Mountain Ape.” Lin Yuan glanced downward.
The document contained illustrations and notes.
A powerful beast with dark fur and enormous physical strength.
“It possesses natural gravity affinity,” Xu Mingshan explained.
“Many earth-type spirit masters hunt them.” Lin Yuan’s eyes focused slightly.
Gravity.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The vice hall master noticed the reaction immediately.
“Interested?” Lin Yuan nodded.
The Asura Prison already possessed pressure characteristics.
Gravity affinity would strengthen those abilities significantly.
Much better than a generic offensive spirit ring.
Xu Mingshan sat down again.
“There’s another reason I brought you here.” Lin Yuan looked toward him.
The vice hall master’s expression became serious.
“North River Spirit Hall will organize a hunting expedition in five days.” Lin Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Xu Mingshan continued.
“We’re heading toward the outer regions of the Star Dou Forest.” The words caused Lin Yuan’s heartbeat to pause briefly.
Star Dou Forest.
One of the most important locations on the entire continent.
Countless powerful spirit beasts lived there.
Future legends would emerge from there.
And eventually— Tang San’s destiny would become deeply connected to it.
Xu Mingshan observed him carefully.
“You may accompany us.” Silence filled the room.
A Spirit Hall expedition.
Protection.
Resources.
Access to spirit beasts.
And most importantly— His first spirit ring.
The opportunity was excellent.
Yet Lin Yuan immediately sensed the hidden meaning.
Evaluation.
Spirit Hall intended to observe him further.
His talent had already attracted attention.
The invitation was beneficial for both sides.
Xu Mingshan waited calmly.
Eventually, Lin Yuan spoke.
“What would Spirit Hall expect in return?” A faint smile appeared on the vice hall master’s face.
Smart.
Very smart.
Most children would only see opportunity.
Lin Yuan immediately searched for the cost.
“Nothing immediately,” Xu Mingshan answered.
“Simply consideration.” The meaning was obvious.
Spirit Hall hoped he would eventually join them.
Lin Yuan remained silent.
His future plans were complicated.
Tang San.
Qian Renxue.
Bibi Dong.
Tang Chen.
The future war.
He could not completely bind himself to any faction yet.
Still— Rejecting every opportunity would be foolish.
Growth required resources.
Resources required connections.
Eventually, Lin Yuan nodded.
“I’ll join the expedition.” Xu Mingshan seemed unsurprised.
“Good.” The vice hall master stood.
Then, for the first time since their conversation began, a hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
“You’ll stay at Spirit Hall until departure.” Lin Yuan blinked.
“Here?” Xu Mingshan nodded.
“You’re too valuable to wander around the city alone.” The blunt honesty almost made Lin Yuan smile.
Almost.
The vice hall master continued.
“Besides.” A faint amusement entered his voice.
“I’d rather not explain to headquarters how an innate full spirit power genius disappeared after arriving in my city.” For the first time during their meeting— Lin Yuan actually smiled slightly.
Xu Mingshan noticed.
Interesting.
The boy did know how to smile after all.
The vice hall master turned toward the door.
“Get some rest.” Then he paused briefly.
Without looking back, he added: “The path you’re walking will be difficult, Lin Yuan.” His voice became quieter.
“But difficulty isn’t what destroys people.” The room grew still.
“What destroys people…” Xu Mingshan’s gaze lowered slightly.
“…is forgetting why they started walking in the first place.” The door closed behind him.
Silence returned.
Lin Yuan remained seated alone.
His eyes drifted toward the window.
Beyond the glass, snow continued falling over North River City.
Five days.
In five days, he would enter the Star Dou Forest.
His first spirit ring.
His first true step as a spirit master.
And perhaps— The beginning of a destiny that even he could no longer fully predict.
For the first time since leaving his hometown, Lin Yuan felt something unfamiliar.
Anticipation.
The road ahead was finally beginning to unfold.