It was a white figure holding a bow, face hidden beneath a black mask—beside it hovered a wolf's head, its body trailing away into smoke, floating in the air with a white mask.
This was…
*Kindred!*
The Eternal Hunters—Kindred!
A champion from his previous life's game, League of Legends.
To see it here—Qian Jue was shaken to his core.
In his mind, memories slowly resurfaced.
That final moment before his transmigration… A stormy night, lightning splitting the heavens. He had been at his computer, playing *League of Legends*, controlling his favorite jungle champion, Kindred. In the middle of a chase after a marked enemy, lightning struck the building. The surge coursed through his computer, the screen exploding into a blinding white light that swallowed him whole.
"So… that's how it is. Kindred…"
Qian Jue recalled everything he knew of this champion:
Kindred, the twin essences of death—divided into Lamb and Wolf, separate yet inseparable. To those who accepted their fate, Lamb's bow granted release, a gentle passing from the land of the living. But those who tried to flee from death—Wolf hunted them down, tearing them apart in merciless pursuit. Since mortals first conceived the idea of death, Kindred had been worshipped across Runeterra as its embodiment.
In the lore of *League of Legends*, Kindred was considered one of the few true deities. Yet even this god of death was balanced within the game, made mediocre, surviving only through its unique mark mechanic and the devotion of a niche group of summoners.
...
By the time Qian Jue came back from his recollections, the awakening ritual was reaching its peak. He felt the spectral image of Lamb slowly merge with his body, until with one final flicker, the spirit fused completely.
Yet strangely—unlike other Beast Spirits—his body did not physically transform. Instead, a black mask appeared upon his face.
It was carved like ancient wood, two pointed ridges rising like ears at the top, and at the center of the forehead a curved sigil was etched. From the mask's hollowed eyes burned two flames of ghostly blue, dancing in place of his own eyes.
"Th-this…"
Su Yuntao stared at the mask, utterly stunned.
The radiant brilliance from the ritual had already told him this child was awakening something powerful. But with Tang San's case fresh in mind—such dazzling light yielding nothing but a useless Blue Silver Grass—he dared not hope too much.
And yet now, seeing the mask, the eerie blue fire… he knew instantly.
"A top-tier Martial Spirit… This is definitely a top-tier Martial Spirit!"
Excitement shook Su Yuntao's hands and feet. Not only would he be richly rewarded by the Spirit Hall for reporting such a discovery, but being the one who guided such a prodigy would bring him endless benefits in the future.
Tang San, too, was watching. From Su Yuntao's shocked reaction alone, he could tell Qian Jue's spirit was extraordinary. And he himself had never heard of any mask that could transform a child's eyes into flickering flames.
Just looking at it, he could feel the weight of something ancient and mysterious.
"Congratulations, my friend…" Tang San whispered to himself, lips curling into a faint smile.
For a brief moment, a pang of jealousy threatened him. If he truly had awakened only Blue Silver Grass, while Qian Jue possessed such a terrifyingly powerful spirit… he would have felt envy, even bitterness.
But he knew better. He had another Martial Spirit—the hammer. And just as he could sense Qian Jue's immense power, he could also feel the overwhelming strength of his own.
So in truth, both of them had gained remarkable spirits. How could that not bring joy?
Finally, Su Yuntao snapped out of his daze. He brought over the blue crystal sphere for testing, kneeling before Qian Jue. Yet as he raised his head, his eyes met the mask—those flickering blue flames staring back.
A shiver ran down his spine. An irrational fear gripped him.
His knees buckled, and with a yelp he fell back onto the floor.
"W-what… is this…"
Breath ragged, eyes wide, Su Yuntao scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding. Why had he suddenly remembered his first terrifying hunt of a spirit beast? Why did he feel fear?
"Master Spirit Master, are you alright?"
Qian Jue's voice broke his thoughts. He himself had just awoken from the experience, marveling at his body. It felt weightless, unbound by gravity. Every sense—breath, sight, hearing—was heightened, as if the world had become sharper.
And within, streams of energy flowed through his meridians—his first touch of soul power.
'So this is soul power… it feels just like the inner force described in those wuxia novels.' He tried moving it, and though clumsy, he found it could indeed be controlled—if with difficulty.
But his musings were cut short when he saw Su Yuntao collapse. For a moment, he panicked—had his body changed into something monstrous?
A quick glance reassured him. His form was normal—only the mask on his face, and beside him the spectral Wolf floated silently, its smoky body coiling as it circled him.
'Could it be the Wolf that scared him?' Qian Jue almost laughed. 'But it looks so cool…'
Still, he asked with concern, "Are you alright, Master Spirit Master?"
Su Yuntao steadied his breath, forcing composure back. "It's fine, child. Now—try recalling your spirit. Just use your thoughts. Imagine calling it back."
With a thought, both the mask and the Wolf faded, disappearing from sight. His youthful face returned. Only then did Su Yuntao truly relax, exhaling in relief.
"Good. Now let us test your innate soul power. Place your hand here."
Without hesitation, Qian Jue pressed his palm against the crystal.
Instantly, an enormous suction locked his hand in place. His soul power surged outward uncontrollably, almost painful as it rushed through his meridians.
The sphere lit up, its deep-blue glow spreading until it shone like a flawless sapphire, dazzlingly bright.
In this test, even the faintest glow meant a child possessed soul power. But this radiance—only one result was possible: "innate full soul power!"
"As expected… innate full soul power." Su Yuntao murmured, not surprised but deeply impressed.
With a flash of green light, he released Qian Jue's hand. The boy sagged, half his soul power drained away.
"What's your name, child?"
"My name is Qian Jue."
Su Yuntao nodded vigorously. "A fine name. Qian Jue—will you join Spirit Hall? With your talent, we will provide the finest cultivation. At least a Spirit Saint, someone whose spirit matches yours, will become your teacher. What do you say?"
Qian Jue blinked, silent.
Seeing hesitation, Su Yuntao pressed further, "Every one of your spirit rings will be carefully chosen for you. And when your level rises, we could even request the help of our two honored Elders—both Title Douluo—to hunt spirit beasts for you. What do you think? Join us!"
"Uncle… I think—I need time. I should discuss with my family first." Qian Jue dodged politely, not knowing how else to refuse.
"Good, good. Speaking with family is wise." Su Yuntao didn't push further. Spirit Hall was vast; he was confident few could resist its allure.
"For my records then—what is the name of your Martial Spirit, and what are its abilities?"
"My Martial Spirit is called 'Qian Jue' (Kindred). Its function… combat. It greatly enhances my body's strength."
(I don't play League of Legends so I don't know much about it, but from what I found, the champion Kindred has a different name on some servers. The name is Qian Jue, which is the same as the main character's name in this fanfic.)