Step Forward

"Welcome to Soul Land 1, Master," the system's voice echoed in Qing Chen's mind. "Your journey begins now."

In the blink of an eye, the world around him swirled, and the next moment, Qing Chen found himself standing in an unfamiliar place. He was no longer in his quiet backyard but instead in a rustic village surrounded by towering mountains and thick forests. The air was fresh, the scent of pine trees and earth filling his lungs. His heart raced, but not from fear—instead, there was a strange sense of excitement and anticipation.

He looked around. The village was small, but bustling with life. Children ran past him, their laughter echoing through the streets. Elderly men and women sat outside their homes, watching the children play with smiles on their faces. The peaceful, idyllic life of this village was unlike anything Qing Chen had ever experienced. But what struck him most was the overwhelming presence of power that seemed to hang in the air. This was a world where martial arts and strength reigned supreme, a place where a person's martial spirit defined their future.

As Qing Chen tried to make sense of his new surroundings, he suddenly felt a tug on his consciousness. The blue screen that had followed him from his previous world appeared once again in front of him, glowing brightly in the daylight. His eyes widened as a new notification popped up:

Mission Reward: Martial Spirit

A surge of energy coursed through him as the system's voice echoed again in his mind.

"Master, you have been granted your first martial spirit. The power of this spirit will be pivotal in your journey. Please proceed to the village elder to receive your martial spirit."

His mind whirled with questions, but there was no time to ponder them. The reward had arrived, and it was time to claim it.

Without hesitation, Qing Chen moved towards the center of the village, where the village elder's home stood. It was an impressive, yet humble, structure that radiated wisdom. The elder, a man in his late years with a long, white beard and wise eyes, sat at the entrance, as if waiting for him.

As Qing Chen approached, the elder looked up, a warm smile appearing on his face. "Ah, young one," he said, his voice soft yet firm. "I sense a great energy in you. You have arrived at the right time. Come, it is time for you to receive your martial spirit."

Qing Chen nodded, trying to suppress the excitement that bubbled up inside him. He had heard about martial spirits before—every child in Soul Land was given one at a young age, a power that would define their future and abilities. He wondered what kind of martial spirit he would receive.

The elder motioned for Qing Chen to kneel, and he did so without hesitation. The air seemed to shift, becoming heavier, and suddenly, a powerful force surrounded him. The elder extended his hand, muttering a few words under his breath, and before Qing Chen could fully comprehend what was happening, he felt a surge of power rise from deep within him.

Qing Chen knelt before the elder, his heart racing in anticipation. The village was quiet, save for the rustling of the wind through the trees. The elder had led him to the center of the village, where the ceremony was to take place, his eyes filled with wisdom but also curiosity. The moment had arrived—he was about to awaken his martial spirit.

The elder raised a hand, and a golden light seemed to shimmer around him. "Before we begin," the elder said, his voice calm but firm, "I will demonstrate the power of a true Spirit Master." With a graceful motion, he stepped back, then raised both hands to the sky.

In an instant, a surge of energy erupted from the elder's body. A brilliant, golden aura engulfed him, and before Qing Chen's eyes, the air itself seemed to bend and warp. The elder's power was unimaginable—a spiritual force that crackled with the weight of experience and strength. As the energy intensified, the ground beneath them trembled.

The elder's martial spirit materialized before him: a long, dark whip that shimmered with crackling energy. The whip seemed to hum with power, the energy radiating from it pulsing in waves. The elder flicked his wrist, and the whip lashed out with a speed that Qing Chen could barely track, cutting through the air with a sharp crack that echoed across the village. It was as if the very air itself bent and yielded to the elder's command.

"Level 27," the elder said, lowering his hands and allowing the whip to dissipate into the air. "This is the power of a Spirit Master who has spent decades cultivating his soul power. You, too, will awaken your martial spirit today. But first, I need you to hold this."

The elder handed Qing Chen a small, smooth blue crystal ball. It gleamed in the sunlight, its surface reflecting the light in a mesmerizing dance of color. The elder's expression was serious as he placed the ball gently in Qing Chen's hands.

"This crystal ball is no ordinary object," the elder explained. "It has the power to not only awaken your martial spirit but also assess your innate soul power. The level of your soul power will be revealed upon contact with the crystal. Now, hold it firmly and concentrate."

Qing Chen hesitated for only a moment before gripping the ball. As soon as his fingers made contact with the smooth surface, the crystal flared to life. The world seemed to blur around him, and he felt an overwhelming surge of energy flow through him, as if the very fabric of reality was being pulled at his core. His soul power awakened, and two brilliant lights shot from within him, creating a dazzling display.

The elder stepped back, his eyes widening in surprise. Qing Chen felt his body pulse with power as the two martial spirits materialized before him. The first spirit, Charisma's Embrace, shimmered into existence, a beautiful, ethereal being composed of radiant, glowing energy. The second spirit, Vassago, appeared next—a mystical entity made of stars that swirled and intertwined around him.

But it wasn't just the appearance of two martial spirits that left the elder stunned. As the energy from the crystal ball faded, a number appeared before Qing Chen's eyes.

Innate Soul Power: Level 20

Martial Spirits: 2

"Impossible," the elder whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Level 20 innate soul power? And two martial spirits? This... this is unheard of. You are truly a prodigy."

Qing Chen blinked in confusion. He had no idea what the significance of a "Level 20 innate soul power" meant, but it certainly seemed important. The elder's words echoed in his mind as he looked at his two martial spirits, feeling their power settling within him.

The elder, after a long pause, turned to him with a serious expression. "With such power, you have a choice. You are invited to join the Spirit Hall, where you can receive the guidance and training you need to reach your full potential. There, you will learn to control your abilities and rise to even greater heights."

The mention of Spirit Hall sent a wave of conflicting emotions through Qing Chen. Spirit Hall was the most powerful organization in Soul Land, with vast resources and unparalleled strength. It was a place where the greatest of Spirit Masters were trained, but it also had a reputation for strict control and ruthlessness. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be part of such a place.

Qing Chen's thoughts turned briefly to Tang San, the boy he had heard of from stories. Tang San was rumored to be an incredible talent, a humble yet powerful spirit master. If he were to join Spirit Hall, would that mean fighting against someone like Tang San? Or perhaps he could choose to stand alongside him as a companion, someone who could work together with him to face the challenges ahead. But the decision was not clear, and the weight of the choice pressed heavily on him.

Suddenly, as if answering his unspoken thoughts, a notification rang out in his mind, breaking his train of thought.

Mission: Become Bibi Dong's Student

Objective: Join the Spirit Hall and become Bibi Dong's student.

Reward: ???

Failure: Loss of opportunity for growth.

Qing Chen's heart skipped a beat. Bibi Dong. The very name was synonymous with both power and danger. She was the leader of the Spirit Hall, a woman with vast knowledge and even greater ambition. To become her student? That would be both an incredible honor and a perilous path. But there was no doubt in Qing Chen's mind—this was the path the system had set for him. It was his mission.

The elder watched him carefully, awaiting his response. "So, what will it be, young one? Will you join Spirit Hall, or will you seek your own path?"

Qing Chen took a deep breath, his mind racing. Spirit Hall was undoubtedly the key to unlocking his full potential, but what about Tang San? What about the life he had always imagined for himself?

Before he could form a clear answer, the system's voice once again filled his mind, reinforcing the choice before him.

"Master, the mission is clear. You must join Spirit Hall and become Bibi Dong's student. This is the path laid before you. Will you accept it?"

His gaze shifted between the elder and the crystal ball in his hand. His two martial spirits pulsed with power inside him, urging him to take the next step. With the weight of his mission pressing on his shoulders, Qing Chen finally nodded, the decision settling within him.

"I'll join Spirit Hall," he said, his voice steady and determined. "I will learn from Bibi Dong and follow the path that fate has set for me."

The elder smiled, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Very well. Your journey begins now. May your power grow ever stronger, Qing Chen."

With that, Qing Chen knew that his path was now set. The Spirit Hall awaited him, and with his two martial spirits and level 20 soul power, he was about to step into a world of power, secrets, and destiny. But no matter where his journey led, one thing was certain—he would shape his own fate.