The battle with Han Feng became the talk of North River Spirit Hall.
Lin Yuan noticed it immediately the following morning.
The attendants who previously viewed him with polite curiosity now carried genuine respect in their eyes.
Younger spirit masters greeted him first.
Even some older members paused to observe him whenever he passed through the corridors.
None of it interested him.
Reputation was meaningless if it did not translate into strength.
The Star Dou expedition would begin soon.
His first spirit ring awaited him.
What he needed now was knowledge.
After finishing breakfast, Lin Yuan headed toward one of the least crowded sections of Spirit Hall.
The library.
Unlike the bustling training grounds, the library remained quiet and almost forgotten.
Tall shelves filled the enormous hall from wall to wall.
Thousands of books rested upon them, containing information accumulated across generations of spirit masters.
Spirit beasts.
Martial souls.
Cultivation theories.
Historical records.
Combat techniques.
Lin Yuan’s eyes brightened slightly.
This was exactly what he needed.
The old librarian looked up from his desk as Lin Yuan entered.
A thin elderly man with silver hair and thick spectacles.
His gaze swept across Lin Yuan before returning to his book.
“First floor only.” Lin Yuan nodded.
Spirit Hall libraries often restricted access according to rank and status.
A guest could not freely browse every section.
Still, the first floor contained more than enough information for now.
He began walking between the shelves.
Hours passed quickly.
Book after book disappeared into his hands.
Most children would have become bored after reading a few pages.
Lin Yuan did not.
Knowledge from his previous life had taught him something valuable.
Information itself was power.
The more he understood about the world, the fewer mistakes he would make later.
Eventually, a particular volume caught his attention.
Spirit Beast Mutation Records.
Lin Yuan pulled it from the shelf and opened it immediately.
Inside were documented cases of unusual spirit beast evolutions.
Mutations.
Bloodline awakenings.
Unexpected abilities.
As he read, a realization gradually formed in his mind.
Spirit beasts were far more complicated than the average spirit master understood.
Many powerful beasts possessed abilities completely unrelated to their species.
Some controlled elements.
Others manipulated emotions.
A few even displayed intelligence rivaling humans.
The further he read, the more fascinated he became.
Then one particular entry made him stop.
Gravity Bear.
A rare mutation of the Earth Bear species.
Capable of generating localized gravitational fields.
Slow movement.
Exceptional physical strength.
Natural pressure manipulation.
Lin Yuan’s eyes narrowed.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The ability resembled aspects of his own martial soul.
Not identical.
But compatible.
He continued reading carefully.
The mutation was uncommon and difficult to find.
However, if successfully hunted, its spirit ring often granted gravity-related abilities.
Lin Yuan silently memorized every detail.
A potential target.
Perhaps not the only option.
But certainly worth remembering.
As he closed the book, a voice suddenly sounded nearby.
“Researching spirit rings already?” Lin Yuan looked up.
Han Feng stood several shelves away holding a stack of books.
The Spirit Elder walked over casually before placing his collection on a nearby table.
Lin Yuan glanced at the titles.
Combat Tactics.
Spirit Beast Territories.
Forest Survival.
Practical choices.
Han Feng sat down across from him.
“You read a lot.” Lin Yuan shrugged.
“So do you.” Han Feng laughed.
“Fair point.” For a while, both remained silent while reading.
The atmosphere felt surprisingly comfortable.
Unlike many of the younger spirit masters, Han Feng did not seem obsessed with proving himself.
Perhaps genuine talent created confidence.
Eventually, Han Feng spoke again.
“You know, most people think talent determines everything.” Lin Yuan turned a page.
“It doesn’t.” Han Feng smiled.
“Exactly.” His gaze lowered briefly toward one of the books.
“My innate spirit power was only level seven.” Lin Yuan paused.
That surprised him.
Han Feng continued calmly.
“Not bad.
But not exceptional either.” The Spirit Elder leaned back slightly.
“Yet everyone only notices my current rank.” Lin Yuan understood immediately.
People admired results.
Few cared about the years required to achieve them.
Han Feng tapped the table lightly.
“That’s why I don’t like judging people by talent.” His eyes met Lin Yuan’s.
“Because effort matters too.” For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Lin Yuan nodded.
A simple gesture.
But Han Feng smiled anyway.
The conversation ended there.
Neither seemed interested in unnecessary small talk.
Hours later, Lin Yuan finally left the library carrying several notes.
The sun was already beginning to set.
Golden light painted the city walls outside Spirit Hall while merchants hurried through the streets below.
Standing near a balcony overlooking North River City, Lin Yuan quietly reviewed everything he had learned.
Gravity Bear.
Heavy Mountain Ape.
Several earth-attributed spirit beasts.
Numerous spirit ring possibilities.
Each offered advantages.
Each carried risks.
Yet despite all the research— He still lacked one crucial answer.
What kind of spirit master did he truly want to become?
Not what kind of power he wanted.
Power was merely a tool.
The real question was deeper.
What path would he walk?
A suppressor?
A warrior?
A judge?
The setting sun slowly dipped below the horizon.
Orange light reflected within Lin Yuan’s eyes.
Then suddenly— A familiar sensation emerged from deep within his martial soul.
The Asura Prison stirred.
Not violently.
Not aggressively.
Almost as if responding to his thoughts.
For a brief instant, an image flashed through his mind.
An endless black prison.
Countless chains.
Silent judgment.
Then it vanished.
Lin Yuan frowned slightly.
That had never happened before.
His martial soul was changing.
Or perhaps— It was slowly revealing parts of itself he had yet to understand.
Far below, evening bells echoed throughout North River City.
The Star Dou expedition was now only two days away.
And somewhere beyond the distant horizon, the forest that would decide his first spirit ring waited in silence.