Qin Changkong was the first to react, unable to restrain his laughter: “Hahaha, Qin Nan, I can’t believe you awakened a yellow-grade first-tier martial soul! What a so-called genius—now you’re nothing but a complete waste, while I am the true genius of the Qin family, the greatest talent in Linshui City!”
The yellow-grade first-tier martial soul is the most rudimentary and negligible of all martial souls, effectively a worthless one.
Even within the Qin family, those who awaken a yellow-grade first-tier martial soul are exceedingly rare, with most people awakening souls of at least yellow-grade second-tier or higher.
Qin Changkong’s arrogant and harsh laughter immediately roused everyone who was stunned.
The disciples and elders who had looked upon Qin Nan with respect and anticipation now regarded him with profound disappointment and disdain.
“To think it’s a yellow-grade first-tier martial soul, how pathetic.”
“What a waste of my feelings. What a so-called top genius, when he’s merely a waste with a yellow-grade first-tier martial soul!”
“Indeed, Brother Changkong is the true genius. Qin Nan is probably the Qin family’s greatest disappointment!”
In the martial world, where strength is revered, such reactions are hardly surprising. In fact, there was an underlying bitterness towards Qin Nan.
This stemmed from the high expectations placed on Qin Nan due to his impressive talent from a young age, only to have it culminate in such a disappointing result.
Having had their expectations dashed, the disciples and elders could hardly contain their resentment.
Qin Changkong was overjoyed, brimming with confidence. He looked down upon Qin Nan with a scornful gaze, laughing, “Do you see now? I’ve always said that each person’s martial soul is predestined. No matter how many martial skills you create, you’re still a waste!”
Qin Nan cast a cool glance at him and said nothing, simply striding away.
Normally, Qin Nan would have been accompanied by disciples and elders, but now he walked alone, leaving a stark sense of desolation in his wake.
As Qin Nan departed, the surrounding disciples and elders quickly converged around Qin Changkong, their faces alight with ingratiation.
“Oh, Brother Changkong, you’ve scarcely acknowledged me lately; I’ve missed you so much.”
“Master Changkong, I think you’d be a better fit as the young master of the Qin family. This waste has no right to such a position.”
“Master Changkong, from now on, I am your humble subordinate. Direct me east, and I shall not go west.”
It wasn’t long before the events of the martial soul awakening ceremony spread throughout the Qin family and Linshui City. Not only were the people within the Qin family bewildered, but everyone in Linshui City was also utterly stunned.
No one had anticipated that Linshui City’s top genius, Qin Nan, had awakened only a yellow-grade first-tier martial soul.
However, in the martial world, even as shock and bewilderment prevailed, all eyes quickly turned to Qin Changkong.
After all, a yellow-grade fifth-tier martial soul is still considered a top existence in Linshui City.
Upon leaving the scene, Qin Nan returned directly to his courtyard, his expression remaining calm throughout, with no trace of anger. In this world, it is only strength that commands respect.
Though he understood this principle, the reactions of the Qin family’s disciples and elders still left Qin Nan somewhat disheartened.
“Never mind, there’s no need to dwell on them. Let’s first see what this martial soul can do in practice.”
Qin Nan soon regained his composure, sitting cross-legged in the courtyard. The Scarlet Flame Blade slowly rose from his back, emitting a faint warmth.
As the Scarlet Flame Blade floated out, it exuded a subtle, mysterious force that drew spiritual energy from the surroundings.
As the spiritual energy entered his body, Qin Nan’s form trembled slightly, his pallid complexion reddening as if he were slightly intoxicated.
In the realm of cultivation, the first stage is the Body Refinement Realm, which is divided into ten layers.
The Body Refinement Realm, as its name suggests, involves absorbing spiritual energy to refine the body.
Thus, after Qin Nan absorbed the spiritual energy, he began the process of marrow cleansing and vein strengthening.
Time passed slowly, and after more than three hours, Qin Nan finally opened his eyes, a thin sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead.
“The grade of a martial soul is indeed crucial…”
Qin Nan thought to himself, grasping the Scarlet Flame Blade and examining it. A wry smile played at his lips.
Through his recent cultivation, he now fully understood the importance of martial soul grade.
For instance, while he had spent three hours in cultivation with little result, Qin Changkong might have reached the first layer of Body Refinement within the same time.
Moreover, the higher the martial soul grade, the stronger its inherent abilities, providing better combat support.
“Fortunately, I awakened a yellow-grade first-tier martial soul. If it were of a higher grade, I’d likely be even more troubled…”
A faint smile appeared on Qin Nan’s lips, and his focus then shifted to his dantian.
Within his dantian floated a fist-sized ball of red lightning, radiating a mysterious and terrifying ancient aura.
This was Qin Nan’s greatest secret, unknown even to his father.
When Qin Nan was fourteen, while training outdoors, he was struck by a red lightning bolt during a sudden thunderstorm while seeking shelter.
Everyone in Linshui City knew about the lightning strike, but they were unaware that after being struck, Qin Nan had gained a fragment of memory and a ball of red lightning within his body.
“According to that fragmented memory, this red lightning is a wild martial soul known as the God of War Soul.”
“To obtain this God of War Soul, one must sacrifice their own martial soul.”
“Moreover, if one’s own martial soul is of too high a grade, the chances of awakening it are lower. If one’s martial soul is a yellow-grade first-tier, the chances of awakening the God of War Soul are assured!”
The smile on Qin Nan’s face grew more pronounced, explaining why he felt no sadness over awakening a yellow-grade first-tier martial soul.
After all, the God of War Soul was shrouded in mystery. If he had awakened a yellow-grade fifth-tier martial soul and used it as a sacrifice, not only would the chances be uncertain, but Qin Nan would also face a difficult decision.
Sacrificing a yellow-grade fifth-tier martial soul required considerable courage.
But now, with a yellow-grade first-tier martial soul, which was no different from a waste, using it as a sacrifice not only ensured the chances but also placed no psychological burden on Qin Nan.
Qin Nan quickly suppressed his smile, holding the Scarlet Flame Blade, taking a deep breath, and said, “Now, let’s use this blade as the sacrifice…”
Qin Nan’s expression grew serious as he recited ancient incantations from his mouth.
This incantation, known as the ‘Soul Sacrifice Technique,’ had appeared in his mind when struck by the lightning.
The Soul Sacrifice Technique, as its name suggests, is a method for sacrificing one’s own martial soul. It is a profoundly mystical technique that requires no spiritual energy support or any cost, being incredibly enigmatic.
As the Soul Sacrifice Technique was activated, black light slowly manifested on Qin Nan’s palm, gradually becoming viscous, resembling a pool of liquid, continuously compressing.
Qin Nan’s gaze hardened, and he clenched his hand tightly around the Scarlet Flame Blade.
A startling scene unfolded: the entire Scarlet Flame Blade began to vibrate and hum, as if an invisible force of destruction erupted within it, causing the blade to explode instantaneously.
The explosion of the Scarlet Flame Blade scattered it into countless red particles, like flames blossoming in the air.
Qin Nan’s face turned pale, and at the moment the blade shattered, he felt as though his soul was being ripped away, almost suffocating him.
A martial soul is a gift from heaven, existing in tandem with oneself. Thus, its destruction felt as though Qin Nan’s own body was being shattered.
Gritting his teeth, Qin Nan struggled against the overwhelming pressure in his mind, extending his hand to grasp at the air. The black liquid on his palm erupted with a mysterious force of attraction.
The countless red particles floating in the air were immediately drawn in, flowing into Qin Nan’s body and into his dantian.
The red lightning suspended in Qin Nan’s dantian consumed all the red particles, and in that instant, time seemed to stand still, followed by a sudden explosion of the red lightning!
“God of War Soul, fighting the heavens and the earth, battling gods and Buddhas, victorious in all battles…”
An ancient, imposing voice surged through Qin Nan’s mind like a tempest of thunder.
“Ah, ah, ah…”
Qin Nan’s eyes widened, bloodshot, unable to utter a single word of pain, and was overwhelmed by the immense impact, collapsing into unconsciousness.
(End of Chapter)
