After returning from the Soul Hunting Forest, two months passed in a flash. Clearly, that wasn't nearly enough time for Han Feng to reach another breakthrough. So, after completing his registration at the Spirit Hall, Han Feng slipped into the easy life of a self-proclaimed "slacker."
Hard work? Never heard of it. I'll just coast by on the soul power welfare check: two free levels a year. That's the dream."
But something did bother him.
When Han Feng went to register at the Spirit Hall, the assessment showed that his soul power was only level 15!?
That couldn't be right. In the past six years, he'd gained 12 levels just from passive growth. His first soul ring was a 400-year beast—plenty strong enough to boost him by at least one more level. On top of that, he had an external soul bone. Sure, it was only century-grade, but even that should reasonably add another level of power.
By that logic, he should be at least level 16 or 17… and yet, only level 15?
Which meant one thing:
His innate soul power might've been as low as half a level to one full level at most.
He had twin martial souls—both seemingly powerful. But his natural soul power was this bad?
Look at Tang San, look at Bibi Dong… Was he some kind of faulty product?
Thankfully, he still had his "golden finger" cheat: automatic two-level increases in soul power each year. Without that, Han Feng might've truly given up on himself.
Two months flew by, and Han Feng finally "achieved his dream" of entering the Stan City Junior Soul Master Academy—as a self-funded student.
And sure enough, Han Feng was not the chosen one.
No cute girls asking to share a dorm. But as a self-funded student, he at least got decent treatment—four students per dorm, with separate facilities for boys and girls.
Not that it mattered—Zhang Lingling, doting mom that she was, flat-out refused to let her baby boy stay in the dorms.
As for whether that broke school rules?
Well… the headmaster of Stan City's academy was just a level 41 Soul Ancestor, and a support-type soul master at that. Not exactly a powerhouse.
There were no wise, all-knowing masters either. Most of the teachers were average. A few stood out, but none were exceptional.
To them, someone like Han Dang—Han Feng's father and a Soul Ancestor—was already considered a big deal. Most of the teachers were only around the level of a Soul Grandmaster. Naturally, Han Feng had no intention of treating them with any reverence.
That said, even though Han Feng was a defense-type soul master, no one dared to mess with him.
Let's be real—his parents alone were deterrent enough. But even without them, a level-15 soul master like Han Feng wasn't going to get bullied by a bunch of kids.
Most sixth-year students—ready to graduate—were only around level 12 or 13!
And if someone did try to bully him, Han Feng would just… snitch.
He wasn't stupid. His martial soul might be strong, but with only one soul ring and no offensive capabilities, he'd lose if they ganged up on him. And there was no way he'd reveal his external soul bone in public.
He wasn't Tang San. He didn't have Xuan Tian Arts. No hidden weapons, no poisons. He was six years old—how was he supposed to fight off a mob?
Besides, with his dad watching over him, even the teachers wouldn't dare to mistreat him.
So at school, Han Feng basically turned into a little tyrant. Even the headmaster didn't get much respect from him.
Still, Han Feng wasn't completely idle.
It was true—once he realized his soul power increased on its own every year, his motivation to train seriously dropped. Why bother working hard when lying around was more efficient?
He had no grand ambitions. Fame brings danger, as the saying goes. He wasn't interested in becoming a soul grandmaster at age six or a soul elder at seven—that kind of freakish notoriety was the last thing he wanted. Not that he could reach those heights anyway.
Currently at level 15, he figured, in six years, without lifting a finger, he'd be at level 27. That was right around the level Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing would be at when they entered Shrek Academy.
So why stress?
That said, Han Feng wasn't entirely aimless. Coming from the 21st century, his imagination far exceeded anything native to Douluo Continent.
After just one day of so-called "meditation" (in reality, a personal brainstorming session), Han Feng developed a plan for his cultivation.
Step One: Don't Waste the Cheat
He wouldn't waste his cheat—two levels of soul power per year for free. Even if he wasn't actively increasing his quantity of soul power, he could still focus on improving its quality.
After all, why let all that power go to waste?
He came up with the idea of compressing his soul power—making each level of power denser and more potent. Sure, he couldn't make it three or four levels per year, but if he could make each level twice as effective…
Wouldn't that be like gaining five or six levels per year?
No average soul master would ever think of this.
Most people struggle desperately just to reach the next level. Who in their right mind would make leveling up even harder for themselves?
Only Han Feng—whose power wasn't earned through training—could afford to do something like this.
Besides, compressing power was much easier than building it from scratch. It was the difference between creating something out of nothing and refining what already existed.
Step Two: Expand His Arsenal
Since Han Dang had forbidden him from using the external soul bone in public, Han Feng quickly realized just how few tricks he had up his sleeve. Aside from the first skill of his Blazing Heaven Shield, he had almost nothing to show for himself.
Unacceptable.
Look at Tang San—how many flashy moves did he have at six?
Martial soul? Check. Martial arts? Check. Soul skills? Check. Hidden weapons? Check. With just under level 30 soul power, he gave a level-76 Zao Wou-Ki a run for his money.
Han Feng, being the self-respecting edgelord that he was, naturally found this inspiring.
For him, the easiest way to increase his combat options was simple: create his own soul skills.
He wasn't bragging—he didn't have to spend all his time grinding soul power like other soul masters. With more time and a modern imagination, developing original skills wasn't just a dream—it was completely doable.
Was he afraid someone might dissect him for research?
Not really.
Tang San could "invent" Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, and a full suite of hidden weapons by age 12. Why couldn't Han Feng create a few simple soul techniques of his own?
To this end, he pestered his father almost every day after school to teach him everything he knew about using shields, hoping to find inspiration.
Over half a year, Han Feng learned a lot of shield techniques… but made zero progress on self-made soul skills.
What he did manage was thoroughly annoying Zhang Lingling—who felt left out and began "punishing" Han Dang at night out of jealousy.
Han Dang was not amused.
"When he's close to Zhang Lingling, I get jealous. Now he's close to me, she's jealous. What the hell am I supposed to do?"
Eventually, Han Dang made a silent vow: someday, this cursed child is getting shipped off far, far away. Maybe twice a year visits, tops.
Until then, he played the smart card—he sent Han Feng off to spend time with Zhang Lingling instead. With a serious face, he told him:
"Your Blazing Heaven Shield isn't just a shield—it's got flame affinity too. Go learn fire control from your mom. It'll help you unlock your martial soul's full potential."
Han Feng didn't argue—and surprisingly, it actually worked.
While training under Zhang Lingling to control fire, Han Feng stumbled upon the first spark of a self-created soul skill.