Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

Elder Zhou Xuan wasted no time in beginning the lesson. Standing tall and composed, he addressed the group with a voice that carried both authority and wisdom.

"Archery is not merely about shooting arrows," he began, his piercing gray eyes scanning the youngsters before him. "It is an art—a delicate balance between focus, control, and harmony with your surroundings. To master it, you must first understand the fundamentals."

He picked up a bow from the rack and drew an arrow, demonstrating each step slowly and deliberately. "The foundation lies in three key elements: stance, draw, and release. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, firmly planted on the ground to stabilize your body. As you draw the string, channel Qi into your arms and hands to maintain precision. And when releasing, let go smoothly—do not force it. The arrow should fly as if guided by nature itself."

His demonstration was flawless. With a soft twang, the arrow soared through the air, striking the center of a distant target with pinpoint accuracy. The youngsters erupted into murmurs of admiration, their excitement palpable.

"Now, it's your turn," Elder Zhou Xuan said, stepping aside. "Begin with the closest targets and work your way outward. Focus on form before distance."

As the group dispersed to practice, the elder's gaze lingered on Lin Feng. He remembered the village chief's words about this particular youth—how talented he was—and decided to observe him more closely.

Lin Feng approached one of the nearby targets, positioning himself carefully. Drawing the bowstring back, he channeled a small amount of Qi into his arms, steadying his aim. Taking a deep breath, he released the arrow. It sailed forward, embedding itself quite some distance from the target.

"Not bad for a first attempt," Elder Zhou Xuan remarked, walking over to stand beside him. "But remember, consistency is key. Try to visualize the path of the arrow before releasing it. Feel the flow of Qi guiding its trajectory."

Lin Feng nodded, adjusting his stance slightly. His next shot landed closer to the bullseye, earning an approving nod from the elder. Over the course of the afternoon, Lin Feng continued to refine his technique under Elder Zhou Xuan's watchful eye. By evening, his arrows consistently struck near the center of the target, showcasing remarkable improvement.

Satisfied, the elder finally called them to stop. "That will be all for today. You've made commendable progress, especially you, Lin Feng. Keep practicing, and you'll soon surpass even seasoned archers."

The group dispersed, exhausted but exhilarated by their newfound skill.

Everything seemed calm the following morning, belying the ominous warnings the village chief had given earlier. Lin Feng went about his routine, participating in Qi training during the morning session and dividing his time between swordsmanship and archery after the midday feast.

At night, he returned home and practiced the Iron Flow Boxing Technique , determined to improve his unarmed combat skills as well. Exhaustion finally claimed him shortly after midnight, leaving him only a few hours of rest before dawn broke once again.

***

Making his way to the training grounds the next day, Lin Feng was surprised to find it vacant. Confused, he glanced around and noticed people rushing toward the village gates. Curiosity piqued, he followed the crowd until he reached the source of the commotion.

In the middle of the gathering lay ten corpses, their condition horrifying beyond description. Some wore tattered hunting clothes, while others were dressed in fine business attire, suggesting they had been traders or travelers. Their bodies were mutilated—unrecognizable and grotesque. Wide-open eyes stared blankly into the sky, frozen in expressions of sheer terror. Deep puncture wounds riddled their flesh, as though something had pierced them repeatedly. Internal organs were missing, leaving gaping cavities in their torsos. One corpse appeared desiccated, its skin shriveled and brittle, as if every ounce of vitality had been drained from it.

The sight was unbearable. Lin Feng turned away, feeling a wave of nausea wash over him. This was the first time he had witnessed human death so vividly, and the brutality of it left a heavy weight in his chest.

"What happened here?" someone whispered hoarsely.

"It must have been beasts," another replied grimly. "No human could commit such atrocities."

"You can see traces of claw marks on some of them!" a third voice added, pointing at the shredded clothing and torn flesh.

"I recognize a couple of them," Mei Ling murmured, her voice trembling. "They were heading to Azurepeak City for trade. Something must have gone horribly wrong."

"But the strangest part," interjected an older villager, "is that the guards found the bodies lying right outside the gates this morning during their shift change. There wasn't a sound—no screams, no signs of struggle. How is that possible?"

The atmosphere was thick with fear and sorrow. Family members wailed openly, clutching at the lifeless remains of their loved ones. Everyone present felt the dark clouds looming over the village, a stark reminder of the fragility of life.

Lin Feng approached Mei Ling, his expression grim. "What do you think?" he asked quietly.

"I don't know," she admitted, shaking her head. "I asked my father about the situation last night, but even he didn't have answers."

Before either of them could say more, shouts erupted from the crowd.

"The village chief is here!"

The villagers parted respectfully as the chief stepped forward, his face a mask of stoic calm despite the turmoil within.

"Haiz…" he muttered under his breath, clenching his fists tightly. Anger coursed through him as he surveyed the gruesome scene, but he forced himself to remain composed.

Turning to address the crowd, he declared firmly, "This is clearly the work of beasts. There is no need to panic—I will dispatch the hunting squad immediately to investigate and eliminate the threat. In the meantime, we will honor the deceased by burying them in the cemetery and providing a silver coin to each of their families as compensation."

He paused, his tone hardening. "Furthermore, the village will be sealed effective immediately. Nobody may leave without my explicit permission. Understood?"

The villagers nodded solemnly, finding solace in the chief's decisive leadership. Yet beneath the surface, unease simmered. Whatever had caused this tragedy was far from ordinary—and everyone knew it.

Once the crowd dispersed, Lin Feng made his way to the training ground, his mind heavy with the images of the mutilated corpses. The sight had shaken him deeply, but rather than succumbing to despair, it ignited a fierce determination within him. If he wanted to survive in this dangerous world—and protect those around him—he needed to grow stronger.

He wasn't alone in this resolve. Other youngsters also gathered at the training grounds, their expressions grim yet resolute. Though the village chief hadn't appeared today, the tragedy served as a stark reminder of their vulnerability. Each swing of their swords, each arrow fired, and each Qi technique practiced carried newfound urgency. They realized that strength was no longer just a goal—it was a necessity for survival.

From a distance, the village chief observed the scene silently. Watching the youths train with such fervor brought a faint smile to his tired face. Perhaps this tragedy, as devastating as it was, could serve as a catalyst for growth—not just for individuals, but for the entire village. In times of crisis, unity and resilience often emerged from despair.

Suddenly, he felt a presence approaching. Without turning, he spoke in a low voice, "Did you find anything?"

The Hunting Elder, Lin Jianhong, stepped forward, his expression somber. His usual confident demeanor was replaced by a haunted look, the weight of recent events clearly visible on his face.

"No," he admitted reluctantly. "But I believe it's the work of The Fangbound Dominion . Last night, I felt the mark on my arm burning intensely. It's possible they were nearby—perhaps even watching me."

The village chief frowned, his jaw tightening slightly. "I see. Then we must prepare for battle. Gather all the warriors in the village and arm them immediately. Increase patrols throughout every corner of the settlement. We cannot afford to let our guard down, not even for a moment."

Lin Jianhong nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood. But what about reinforcements? Is there any response from Azurepeak City?"

"There should be," the village chief replied, his tone measured but tinged with concern. "However, it has only been two days since I sent the letter. You know as well as I do that it will take time for help to arrive—if it arrives at all. Until then, we are on our own. Our survival depends entirely on how prepared we are."

Lin Jianhong sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging under the burden of responsibility. "We'll hold out as long as we can. For now, I'll organize the patrols and ensure everyone is ready."

With that, Lin Jianhong turned and left, leaving the village chief alone once again. The old man gazed toward the horizon, his thoughts clouded with uncertainty. He knew the coming days would test the limits of their strength and resolve. Yet, despite the looming threat, he refused to give in to despair.