**Chapter Two: First Steps Into a New Future**
The training grounds behind Nuoding Academy were quiet in the early morning, bathed in soft gold from the rising sun. Tang San stood at the center, eyes closed, breathing steady.
Inside, the *Quantum Core* pulsed like a second heart.
He focused on his spirit power, slowly guiding it into the familiar Blue Silver Grass martial soul. Thin vines burst from his palm, flowing naturally—but then something different happened.
> **Quantum Core Analysis Initialized**
> [Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass]
> Mutation Grade: Low (Evolving Potential Detected)
> Hidden Trait: Ancestral Linkage (Sealed)
> Recommendation: Begin Parallel Cultivation Flow?
> Y/N
**Parallel cultivation?** he thought. The idea clicked instantly—two flows of spirit power running in tandem, like dual processors. He nodded mentally.
> **Parallel Flow Activated. Syncing with Host's Neural Pathways… Success.**
He released a slow breath as two distinct currents of energy flowed through his body—one along the traditional cultivation meridians, and the other through neural-spirit nodes that hadn't even existed before. He could feel it already: not only was he recovering spirit power faster, but it was *denser*. Sharper.
He smiled.
"I can rewrite the way spirit energy flows," he whispered. "This world runs on rules I can learn to *bend*."
"Tang San!"
The familiar voice made him open his eyes. Xiao Wu ran toward him, waving excitedly. "Master asked me to bring you to the Spirit Hall. You're about to awaken your second martial soul, right?"
He nodded slowly. *The Clear Sky Hammer.*
But this time, he was going to do something new.
—
**Later – Spirit Awakening Room**
Grandmaster frowned as Tang San placed his hand on the awakening stone. "You've already awakened one martial soul, so don't be surprised if this one rejects you. Only extremely rare individuals—"
"I understand," Tang San said, hiding a grin.
*Let's see what the Quantum Core can do during this…*
As the awakening energy surged through his body, he directed the Quantum Core to *scan and stabilize* the second martial soul awakening. A surge of pain ripped through him as the Clear Sky Hammer exploded into existence behind him—but it didn't stop there.
> **Unstable awakening detected. Initiating Quantum Seal Harmonization… Success.**
> Clear Sky Hammer – Variant Detected: *Core-Bound Weapon*
> Passive Ability: Gravity Compression
> Active Ability Unlocked: *Void Shatter Strike*
Grandmaster's jaw dropped. "T-Two martial souls! And that… that hammer…"
Tang San let the weight settle in his hand. The Clear Sky Hammer felt denser than steel, but light in his grip—like it was built for more than just brute force. He could feel the space around the hammer *bend* when he moved it.
"I think it'll be useful," he said simply, concealing his excitement.
Xiao Wu clapped from the side. "Tang San, you're already amazing! You've got a real monster's talent."
No. Not just a monster's talent.
He looked down at his hands.
*This world doesn't know what's coming. I won't just become a god. I'll forge a path beyond divinity.*
---
**Next Chapter Preview – Chapter Three: First Hunt, First Ring**
Tang San travels with the academy to Spirit Hunting Forest—but instead of following the script, he seeks out a mutated beast that doesn't exist in the canon timeline. There, he'll test his Quantum Core's ability to *harvest and evolve* a soul ring beyond known limits.