All rights reserved to the respective authors.
"Dialogue": Represented in double quotes for conversations between characters.
'Thoughts': Represented in single quotation marks, indicating the characters' internal reflections.
[Diary]: Represented in square brackets, used for messages intended for the heroines or entries written by Tenshin.
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A week had passed since that day. During this time, Tenshin dedicated himself to cultivation and forging, channeling most of his efforts into refining his craft. He maintained his spear skills through basic exercises and spent an hour each day in the Celestial Library for study and self-improvement. Additionally, he made a visit to the local branch of the Spirit Hall, setting into motion the plans he had devised during the week his consciousness resided in the Celestial Library.
Flashback
One morning, Tenshin entered the Spirit Hall and walked straight to the reception counter, where a receptionist was busy sorting through paperwork.
"Good morning!" he greeted, drawing her attention.
Lifting her head, she saw the young man before her and smiled warmly. "Good morning, little brother. What brings you to the Spirit Hall?"
Tenshin returned her smile. "Big sister, my name is Tenshin. I'd like to know if Deacon Matthew Nuo is available right now."
The receptionist paused briefly before responding. "Deacon Matthew Nuo is here at the moment." As she spoke, she stood and gathered a stack of documents from the desk.
"Then follow me, Tenshin. I was just about to deliver these papers for review, so I'll check if he's free for you."
Tenshin nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, big sister. Sorry for the trouble."
"It's no trouble at all," she replied, shaking her head as she led him to Deacon Matthew Nuo's office.
Upon reaching the door, she turned to him and said, "Wait here a moment—I'll check."
Tenshin simply nodded. She knocked twice, and a voice from within called, "Come in!" She stepped inside, leaving Tenshin waiting briefly. Soon, the door opened again, and she smiled.
"Come in, little one. Deacon Matthew Nuo is waiting for you."
Inside the office, Matthew Nuo sat behind a desk cluttered with papers and folders. The moment he saw Tenshin, a warm smile spread across his face.
"Good morning, Tenshin. It's been a while since I last saw you," he greeted. "And congratulations on winning the academy competition."
Ever since Tenshin had returned from hunting his first soul ring, he had been visiting Matthew Nuo regularly.
"Good morning, Grandpa Matthew Nuo," Tenshin replied with a smile. "Sorry I couldn't come by these past few days—I was unconscious for the first week, and last week, I was organizing my things and looking for a house to buy."
Matthew Nuo nodded in understanding, but a look of surprise soon crossed his face. "Tenshin, doesn't the academy provide dormitories? Why are you looking for a house?"
"Well, the situation is…" Tenshin began to explain the events of the past week, though he deliberately left out some details to avoid involving Matthew Nuo and potentially putting him at risk.
Listening closely, Matthew Nuo quickly realized that Tenshin was withholding parts of the story. Making a mental note, he decided to discreetly have someone look into the matter.
Leaning back slightly, with a mischievous smile, Matthew Nuo said, "Alright, I get the feeling you didn't just come here to see me, did you?"
Tenshin mirrored his smile for a moment before his expression turned serious. Without hesitation, he retrieved a folder from his soul guide and handed it to Matthew Nuo.
"You're right, Deacon Matthew Nuo."
Surprised by Tenshin's sudden change in demeanor, Matthew Nuo's curiosity was piqued. He began skimming through the documents. Moments later, his eyes widened as he pointed to a specific section detailing Tenshin's experience absorbing his first soul ring. "Is… is this information accurate?"
"Yes, it's all true. If necessary, I can swear on my martial soul," Tenshin replied firmly.
Matthew Nuo exhaled, a mix of exhaustion and concern evident on his face. "Tenshin, I don't even know what to say… My first instinct was to scold you for being reckless. But after analyzing the data, I see that your decision wasn't made lightly." He sighed, taking a moment to collect his thoughts.
"Tenshin, isn't this… a bit much?"
"When Master Yu published his martial arts research, he barely wrote a thousand words covering ten theories. You could publish an entire book on each one," Matthew Nuo remarked.
The folder contained three distinct sets of documents:
An agricultural plan outlining advanced planting techniques, improved harvesting methods, and applications of soul power to boost crop yield—supported by extensive data and experimental notes.
An improved meditation technique Tenshin had originally stolen from Yu Xiaogang two years ago. He had since modified it into a method for cultivating inner qi, refining it so extensively that even if Yu Xiaogang were to see it, he wouldn't recognize its original basis.
A groundbreaking theory on soul ring absorption, complete with references demonstrating the evolution of soul ring ages over time and Tenshin's own experience of surpassing the so-called ideal absorption limits.
Tenshin shook his head. "I am not that Master. Although I've put forth my own arguments, experiences, and conclusions, I heavily relied on existing research. The data I used is available in the Spirit Hall archives and public records. I also verified everything in the library and properly cited my sources so others can refer to the original works."
Matthew Nuo frowned. "Isn't that a bit excessive?"
Tenshin's expression grew more resolute. "This is the most basic respect I can show for the efforts of those who came before me. I want to make a name for myself, but not by erasing the contributions of my predecessors. Their research deserves acknowledgment. Without their findings, I would have wasted years chasing dead ends. Many of my breakthroughs were only possible because of that foundation. Even though most of this work is my own, I can't deny the importance of what came before."
Hearing this, Matthew Nuo couldn't help but feel admiration. He had chosen the right person to invest in. Compared to Tenshin, Yu Xiaogang's so-called theories were laughable—repackaged common knowledge mixed with speculative ideas that had little practical basis. Tenshin's work, on the other hand, was different.
From the very first page, Matthew Nuo recognized its significance. Tenshin had identified previously unknown key variables in soul ring absorption, such as Martial Soul Affinity—the intricate interactions between martial souls and soul rings. His research wasn't merely theoretical; it was substantiated by extensive case studies and real-world applications.
Not to mention his work on:
New Meditation Technique.
Innovative Techniques to Enhance Both the Quality and Quantity of Harvests.
As Matthew Nuo processed everything, he realized Tenshin's research had the potential to shake the very foundations of their understanding of martial arts and soul cultivation.
After sending Tenshin away, he sat down and meticulously reread the three reports. The more he read, the more astonishment gave way to a mix of excitement and deep concern.
"This is incredible… Tenshin managed to compile such a vast body of work at such a young age. If he continues on this path, he will undoubtedly become a great master of martial arts theory and development," Matthew Nuo murmured.
Without wasting another moment, he organized the documents and began drafting a letter to the Pope, detailing Tenshin's research and potential.
By standard procedure, as the head of a low-level Spirit Hall branch, Matthew Nuo wasn't authorized to contact Spirit City directly; communications had to pass through the established hierarchy. However, an exception had existed since the founding of the Spirit Hall: in cases of extreme importance, even the lowest-ranking branch master could bypass the chain of command and report directly to the Pope.
Matthew Nuo had a pressing reason to invoke this exception. He feared that if Tenshin's extraordinary talent were disseminated through conventional channels, the higher-ups might intervene—forcing Tenshin into the Spirit Hall before the Pope had a chance to assess his value.
But geniuses are proud and unyielding—a forced hand never works.
Based on his observations, Tenshin already held a favorable impression of the Spirit Hall. However, if the upper echelons tried to coerce him, Matthew Nuo, who had come to understand Tenshin's gentle exterior and unshakable resolve, could already envision the consequences.
And so, Matthew Nuo sealed the letter, hoping it would reach the right hands before it was too late.
Flashback End
Auntie Tie was exceptionally efficient; within a week, she had found a courtyard that perfectly met Tenshin's requirements.
Nuoding City is built on water. The elite reside in the upper reaches, enjoying the purest water and housing institutions like the Spirit Hall, Nuoding Academy, and the City Lord's Mansion, while commoners gather in the lower areas. The courtyard Auntie Tie secured lies in the middle-to-lower reaches, a relatively remote location where even the blacksmith's workshop is more than a ten-minute walk for most people.
Despite its distance, the environment is excellent. The property is surrounded by undeveloped hills, offering a picturesque landscape with its own vegetable garden. It is also close to a secluded bay, ensuring a stable water supply for the blacksmith's workshop. Positioned on a convex river bend, it rarely suffers from upstream household waste.
In this old feudal society, where land is vast and sparsely populated, nature remains unspoiled. Living near the river means one can simply dig a well to access pure, uncontaminated water—eliminating concerns about waterborne diseases.
The courtyard originally belonged to a small businessman who, after saving enough to buy a home in the more desirable middle-upper reaches, decided to sell it. Due to its remote location in a modestly populated city, buyers had been scarce despite its ample size—suitable for a family of five. This worked in Tenshin's favor, allowing him to acquire it for just twelve gold soul coins.
Moreover, the main structure is a wooden house surrounded by abundant forests, making timber readily available and keeping construction costs low. With no real estate speculators and generally low land prices, the property was a true bargain.
Thanks to his Soul Master Badge, Tenshin swiftly completed the transfer procedures at the City Lord's Mansion and secured the land title. After a brief cleanup, he moved in. That very day, he began planning modifications to the property, focusing on practicality—starting with a forge.
Now, Tenshin sits on his new bed in his new home. The Celestial Book has just appeared, and he begins to write:
[It took Auntie Tie only a week to find a courtyard that met my requirements—I'm still in awe of her speed and efficiency. I've already started planning the modifications: a forge, a study, and even a small plantation.]
[According to my calculations, I should reach level 20 in the next two or three months. This rapid progress is thanks to my improved meditation method—while the version I provided to the Spirit Hall operates at about 25% efficiency, mine achieves 35%.]
[However, I anticipate a setback once I begin integrating celestial qi into my cultivation. Due to the disparity in quality between soul power and celestial qi, I'll need to compress all of my soul power first. This adjustment will likely drop my level back to around 13, meaning that regaining level 20 will take considerably longer.]
The heroines read the entry with a blend of admiration and concern. They marveled at Tenshin's rapid progress—his swift acquisition of a new courtyard with Aunt Tie's help, his meticulous plans for a forge, study, and even a small plantation, and his clear, strategic approach to cultivation. However, they could not overlook the risks he acknowledged. The prospect of regressing from level 20 to 13 due to the integration of celestial qi was daunting. After all, this setback could cost him valuable time during the golden age of cultivation, which peaked before the age of 25.
Tang Yuehua, on the other hand, felt both intrigued and apprehensive. She was fascinated by Tenshin's technical innovations, especially since some of his techniques might even enhance her own cultivation. However, his decision to collaborate with the Spirit Hall troubled her deeply. Given her family's tense history with the institution, she feared that this alliance—despite Tenshin's evident talent and good intentions—might lead to unintended consequences.
The heroines waited expectantly for new entries, but when it became clear that Tenshin had no intention of continuing, they returned to their own tasks.
Spirit City – The Pope's Hall
That same day, within the grand Pope's Hall, Bibi Dong received three theoretical reports from the Spirit Hall's branch in Nuoding City.
The sight of them stirred her anticipation—she already had a strong suspicion of what they contained. 'So, the reports that Tenshin mentioned in his diary a week ago have finally arrived…'
However, as she examined the documents, her brows furrowed slightly. 'This thick?' Each report spanned dozens of pages, the combined total easily surpassing 250,000 words. While she had expected extensive theories given the depth of Tenshin's diary entries, it was now evident that those brief notes had barely scratched the surface. Most research reports that landed on her desk barely exceeded 10,000 words, yet each of these contained the equivalent of twenty-five standard reports.
Her lips curled into a faint smirk—half in admiration, half in amusement. 'This level of dedication… Does he even realize how monstrous his own work ethic is?'
Despite already grasping the core ideas from his diary, curiosity urged her to read further. Without hesitation, she picked up the first report, which detailed the feasibility of absorbing spirit rings beyond the so-called "ideal" age limit.
As she read, the grand hall fell into silence, broken only by the faint rustle of parchment.
An hour passed. She set the first report down, fingers lightly tapping against its thick pages. 'Impressive.' The depth of analysis, the precision of logic—each argument meticulously constructed and reinforced by citations from Spirit Hall's own archives. Even without access to Tenshin's diary, the report's sheer clarity and systematic reasoning would have been enough to convince her of its validity.
Intrigued, she reached for the second report.
Two more hours slipped away, unnoticed.
The sections on advanced agricultural methods and soil cultivation unexpectedly caught her interest. Though agriculture had never been a primary concern of hers, the financial strain it placed on Spirit Hall certainly was. Spirit City spent exorbitant sums importing grain and other essentials from external sources. 'But if we implement these methods, we could cut those costs significantly…'
A subtle gleam flickered in her eyes. 'If I discreetly distribute these findings to Spirit Hall's branch halls, we can strengthen impoverished villages under our influence while minimizing interference from the empires.'
The realization settled in her mind like a well-executed chess move. In a year's time, she would ensure these findings were published, giving Tenshin due credit—despite the fact that he had provided this particular report as a gesture of goodwill and a means to facilitate future negotiations.
From Matthew Nuo's enclosed letter, it was clear that Tenshin intended for Spirit Hall to act as an intermediary, selling and distributing the knowledge contained within the other two reports in exchange for a share of the profits.
Her gaze then fell upon the third and final report.
Yet, as she skimmed through the contents, her grip on the parchment tightened ever so slightly.
Her sharp eyes darted across the pages, absorbing every line with growing intrigue. Unlike traditional meditation methods, which relied on martial souls as conduits for energy absorption, this method focused on direct refinement—stripping away inefficiencies and refining soul power at its core.
Bibi Dong exhaled slowly, setting the report aside. Then, with the fluid grace of someone accustomed to mastery, she settled into a meditative posture.
Closing her eyes, she began to channel her soul power, weaving it through the new method's principles.
At first, there was no apparent change. But then—
A whisper of energy flickered to life around her, delicate yet potent, as though the very air trembled in anticipation. A thin layer of translucent energy spread across her hand, undulating like a living current.
Her brows lifted slightly.
In the past, achieving such fine control over her vast reserves required immense concentration. Yet now, with just a fragment of her soul power transformed into inner qi, the process felt effortless.
She flexed her fingers, watching as the energy coiled and flowed, smooth as silk yet carrying a tangible weight. It responded to her will with an immediacy she had never experienced before.
'This level of control…'
Over the years, she had mastered Tenshin's soul power control techniques, but even with it she couldn't have this level of control, of her soul power.
Excitement surged beneath her composed exterior. Her fingers pressed together, and the thin layer of inner qi pulsed—obedient, precise.
However, as she examined it more closely, something caught her eye. According to the report, one's inner qi should manifest in shades ranging from blue to white as mastery advanced. Yet, hers glowed with a faint purple and black hue, like twilight hovering on the horizon.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Unbeknownst to her, this anomaly stemmed from practicing the Heart-Purging Occlumency technique. Over time, it had gradually purified the residual traces of the Rakshasa God's energy within her, integrating it into her being. Until now, this refined energy had primarily fortified her mental defenses and cultivation base.
But now, through this new method, it was seeping into her inner qi itself—strengthening its density, refining its quality beyond normal limits.
She exhaled, allowing the energy to dissipate, her mind already calculating the possibilities.