Chapter 13: Foundations and Friendships

Chapter 13: Foundations and Friendships

The week following Lin Tian's awakening passed smoothly, though each day was filled with deliberate decisions. His parents advised patience, urging him to delay acquiring his first soul ring. They believed that his body needed time to strengthen, and his cultivation base had to stabilize before venturing into the dangerous forests. Lin Tian agreed without hesitation, though his reasoning diverged from theirs. Rather than rushing, he preferred to prepare meticulously, ensuring he was fully equipped for the journey ahead. His mind brimmed with plans, each step methodically aligned with his ultimate ambitions.

After the awakening, Lin Tian noticed a profound change within himself—his spiritual awareness had sharpened significantly. During his meditation sessions, using a technique he had devised, he sensed two critical energy pathways: meridians that could amplify his soul power. One meridian ran from the lower spine, rising along his back through the crown of his head, and ending above the upper lip. The second meridian began where the first ended, descending down the front of his body, passing through the throat, chest, and stomach before concluding at the lower navel.

However, these energy channels were initially blocked, resisting the flow of soul power. He had to start around the periphery of the two meridians and direct his soul power through other channels that roughly followed the same path. Once he had the general route down, Lin Tian began to maneuver soul power directly to the meridians. He could feel blockages that seemed to absorb his soul power, forcing him to continuously direct more to his cultivation. With this, his meditation sessions were forced short due to the increased consumption of soul power. This was the reason why he had previously overdrafted soul power and had to recover in bed. This taught him the importance of patience and persistence.

Over time, his efforts bore fruit. With each meditation, the blockages diminished slightly, allowing smoother energy circulation. Each cycle was peeling away an infinitesimal layer of resistance, and Lin Tian could feel his soul power slowly but steadily flowing smoother. The experience was enlightening, confirming that mastering his inner energy flow was as essential as any external combat skill.

One morning, Lin Yue summoned him to the backyard for an important lesson. With a warm smile, she handed him a wooden spear. "The spear is among humanity's oldest weapons," she said, her tone serious yet kind. "And during this time, we've had countless years to develop techniques for it, but they all come down to ten concepts. However, we'll start with the core three. Do you know why we begin with the techniques of thrust, sweep, and block?"

Lin Tian considered her question thoughtfully. "Because they represent offense, control, and defense?" he offered.

Lin Yue nodded approvingly. "Correct, but it goes deeper than that. These techniques leverage the spear's natural advantages." She demonstrated each movement with precision.

"The thrust," she explained, "is the most straightforward yet deadly attack. It maximizes your reach and precision, striking before your enemy can react. It is the most simple and lethal concept." Her hands moved gracefully, showing how the spear shot forward like a lightning bolt. 

"The sweep is about control." Lin Yue's spear cut through the air in a wide arc. "It forces nearby enemies back, allowing you to control your surroundings as well as disrupting your opponent's movements, covering angles they won't anticipate." 

"And the block is more than just defense." She positioned the spear diagonally. "A well-placed block allows you to reposition yourself, unbalances your opponent and opens opportunities to counterattack." 

Lin Tian's thoughts buzzed with all of this new information. This was just three of the ten core concepts? Thankfully, his spiritual power allowed him to quickly process and remember the information.

Her words stirred something within Lin Tian. He recalled stories of ancient military formations from his previous life, particularly the Spartan phalanx, where soldiers wielded spears with disciplined precision. Even poorly trained warriors became formidable when united by the simple command: thrust. His mother's lessons echoed the same principle—the spear's strength lay not just in individual skill but in mastering fundamental movements.

"The spear is called the King of Weapons for a reason," Lin Yue said, her gaze steady. "A hundred ordinary people armed with spears could hold off a beast tide, given the right terrain."

Pride glimmered in her eyes as Lin Tian absorbed her teachings. She gestured toward a wooden training dummy in the yard. "Let's begin. Start with a hundred thrusts. When you can do that effortlessly, we'll move on to sweeps."

Summoning his martial soul—the Storm Tyrant Spear—Lin Tian began his drills under his mother's watchful eye. With every thrust, she adjusted his stance, fine-tuning his movements. By the time he completed the set, his muscles burned with exhaustion, but his spirit remained unbroken.

"We'll have a proper spear crafted for you soon," Lin Yue said, gently ruffling his hair.

"Why not just use my Storm Tyrant Spear?" Lin Tian asked, curious.

His mother shook her head. "It's too early to rely solely on your martial soul, not to mention its weight. You need to build the right habits first. Incorrect techniques could lead to injuries and hinder your growth."

Lin Tian nodded, recognizing the wisdom in her words. It reminded him of weight training from his past life—where bad form could result in life long injuries. "I understand, Mum. I'll do it right."

In addition to his training, Lin Tian reconnected with his childhood friends, Ye Jian and Wang Jia, who had also awakened their martial souls. They met in the town square one afternoon, eager to share their experiences.

Ye Jian's excitement was contagious. She revealed her martial soul—the Astral Phantom Sword, a shimmering weapon that seemed forged from starlight itself. Lin Tian admired the elegant blade, silently debating whether the name "Star Illusion Sword" might suit it better. But in the end, "Astral Phantom Sword" carried a majestic tone that resonated more deeply.

"I've got a chance to surpass Sword Douluo!" Ye Jian exclaimed, her eyes glowing with determination. With an innate soul power of seven, she was confident that her dream was within reach.

Lin Tian smiled, genuinely admiring her spirit. It wasn't mere ambition that drove her—it was a deep-seated passion for mastery.

Wang Jia, on the other hand, had awakened a rare elemental martial soul: Earth Element. Though his power lacked fire, Lin Tian recognized the immense potential hidden within it. He thought back to Yan, a member of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, whose Flame Lord martial soul controlled both fire and earth.

"You've got an opportunity," Lin Tian said. "But you'll need to cultivate and study hard to unlock its true power."

Wang Jia nodded, his expression resolute. "This is just the beginning," he said, his voice brimming with confidence. With an innate soul power of seven, like Ye Jian, he was determined to make his mark.

As their conversations deepened, Lin Tian realized how important these friendships were. They weren't just childhood companions—they were potential teammates for the challenges ahead. He began to plan for their future, envisioning a path that would lead them to greatness together.

When his mother later asked about his plans for school, Lin Tian responded confidently. "I'll start at Lanshan Primary Soul Master Academy. Once I obtain my soul ring, I'll transfer to the intermediate academy."

Lin Yue nodded approvingly. "That's a wise decision. The academy is close, and it will give you time to grow before advancing further."

"I'll wait for Ye Jian and Wang Jia to reach level ten," Lin Tian added thoughtfully. "We'll graduate from the Primary Academy together."

His mother smiled warmly. "That's a good idea. Forming a strong team early will give you an advantage."

Lin Tian's heart swelled with a sense of purpose. His ultimate goal was to compete in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, and having reliable teammates was essential. He could already envision them standing together on that grand stage, ready to face the strongest opponents from across the continent.

For now, however, his focus remained on the present. Every day was an opportunity to refine his skills and strengthen his foundation. With meditation, spear practice, and the support of his parents and friends, Lin Tian knew he was on the right path.

Though the journey ahead would be arduous, he embraced it wholeheartedly. The challenges he faced now were merely the first steps toward a greater destiny. With each passing day, Lin Tian grew more certain that his efforts would lead him to something extraordinary—something worth every ounce of sweat and perseverance.

His journey had only just begun, but he was ready to walk the path, step by step, with unwavering resolve.

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