…The air between them hummed with a mixture of raw soul energy and the faint pulsing of Spirit Spring power. Every step, every subtle shift in pressure was calculated. Mo Xuan's eyes never left the beast; he was learning its rhythm, analyzing its strength, and most importantly, gauging his own limits.
The Ice-Fang Beast lunged again, this time faster, its claws slicing through the snow like knives. Mo Xuan leapt back, feeling the cold sting of the wind as the air compressed around him. With a thought, he released a pulse from the Spirit Spring, forming a thin, nearly invisible barrier beneath his feet. The beast's momentum was disrupted slightly—it skidded on the glowing snow, forced to adjust mid-strike.
Better, the ancient beast whispered in his mind, its voice slick with amusement. Do you feel it? The Spring's power isn't just for sustenance… it bends the battlefield to your will.
Mo Xuan's lips curled faintly. I know.
He dove to the side, letting the Ice-Fang Beast overcommit. With careful timing, he directed a concentrated pulse of Spring energy to the snow beneath it. The snow glimmered and compressed, creating a subtle gravitational shift that slowed the beast's stride just enough for him to land a glancing strike with his dagger along the flank—shallow but precise, meant to assert dominance rather than injury.
[Soul Power Growth Detected: 9.4 → 9.5]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 14 → 18/100]
The beast growled, amber eyes narrowing, now fully aware of the invisible influence Mo Xuan wielded. Its attacks became more deliberate, testing him, measuring his response, challenging the subtle manipulations he applied through the Spring.
Mo Xuan remained calm, focusing on the spatial shifts beneath him. Each pulse of Spring energy subtly altered the snow's density, redirecting the beast's weight, its balance, its center of gravity. It was a fight of anticipation and control rather than raw force.
Minutes passed, the cold wind whipping snowflakes around them in a swirling blur. Finally, the Ice-Fang Beast stopped, panting, cautious but restrained by the invisible influence of Mo Xuan's Spring. He allowed the energy to ease, stepping back.
[Wild Beast Contained, Non-Lethal]
[Soul Ring Progress: +4%]
The beast glared at him, then slowly retreated into the trees, leaving faint glowing pawprints where the Spirit Spring energy lingered. Mo Xuan watched it disappear, expression unreadable, though a faint warmth of satisfaction crept through him.
Well done, the ancient beast purred in his mind. You're finally learning how to apply subtlety. Efficiency over destruction—remember this. It is the difference between survival and annihilation.
Mo Xuan did not respond aloud, merely noting the internal praise. His eyes shifted toward the village below. Already, he could see faint traces of awakening among the villagers—the subtle glow of their newfound soul energy, faint hints of vitality that had been imperceptible before.
[Village Soul Power Increase: Minor awakenings reinforced, +0.5 Level]
He returned to the village slowly, keeping his movements deliberate. Along the way, he paused to pour additional Spring water into a few wells and sprinkle some crystals along the snow-laden paths. Even these small interventions rippled faintly through the air, subtly strengthening those who would pass by.
By mid-afternoon, several villagers were demonstrating minor but noticeable enhancements:
A young hunter caught his thrown spear mid-flight, moving with precision he had never possessed.
A teenage girl lifted a heavy log without strain, her body responding almost instinctively to the faint energy pulses lingering in the air.
A boy practicing archery felt his reflexes sharpen, allowing him to aim with uncanny accuracy.
Mo Xuan observed quietly, expression unreadable. All small increments… yet each contributes to growth. My first Soul Ring will not wait long.
Later, he returned to his earthen hut, brushing snow from his coat. The Spirit Spring pulsed faintly, warming the room with an almost imperceptible golden light. He drank a small amount, letting it purify his body and nourish his soul.
[Soul Power: 9.5 → 9.6]
[Spirit Spring Mastery: 18 → 22/100]
Within his Sea of Consciousness, the ancient beast stirred again, stretching as if waking from a long slumber. Its voice echoed in his mind, equal parts teasing and serious:
You are improving. Soon, you will require nothing from the outside world. You will bend the environment itself to your will, and the weak will not even touch you.
Mo Xuan allowed himself a faint smile. Patience. Every increment, every controlled encounter, builds power. Every soul strengthened… every spirit contained… is another step closer.
Snow continued to fall outside, the village quiet beneath its weight. But within Mo Xuan, the currents of soul energy, Spirit Spring mastery, and calculated strategy were building like a storm waiting to break.
He closed his eyes, feeling the faint stirrings of his first Soul Ring—the edge of power, just beyond reach, waiting for the moment of awakening. The path of ascension was long, but every step he took was deliberate, every choice calculated, every battle a lesson.
And the ancient beast inside him purred quietly, stretching, as if promising:
Soon… we will ascend. And when we do, no one will stand in our way.