# Chapter 3: Brothers in Battle
**Six Months After the First Spar**
"Again!" Lin Feng called out, wiping sweat from his brow as he and Tang San faced each other in their usual training spot.
Tang San grinned—a rare, genuine expression that few in the village ever saw. "You're getting better at reading my movements."
"And you're getting more creative with your techniques," Lin Feng replied, settling back into his fighting stance. "I can see that battle-hungry glint in your eyes, Tang San. No point hiding it from me."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Tang San said, but his slight smile betrayed him.
"Sure you don't," Lin Feng teased. "That's why you suggested we 'explore' the neighboring villages last week. Very peaceful exploration, I'm sure."
Their daily sparring had evolved into something more than simple training. Both boys had discovered in each other a kindred spirit—someone who understood the deep, almost addictive satisfaction that came from testing one's limits in combat. While Tang San tried to maintain his quiet, gentle facade, Lin Feng had gradually drawn out his competitive nature.
What had started as daily sparring sessions had expanded into expeditions to nearby villages, where they would seek out worthy opponents among the local children. To any observer, it looked like innocent childhood adventures. The reality was far more calculated.
"Ready for today's match?" Tang San asked, his stance already shifting into the fluid forms of his hidden techniques.
"Always," Lin Feng replied, activating his enhanced cultivation. The Hermit's Profound Heaven Art flowed through his meridians, providing energy and focus that made his child's body perform like a trained warrior's.
They clashed with the familiarity of partners who had fought countless times, each knowing the other's preferred techniques and patterns. But Lin Feng always held back just enough to keep their matches competitive—he couldn't afford to completely dominate Tang San and risk losing his most valuable sparring partner.
After their morning session, they set off for **Grass Village**, a farming community about two hours' walk from Holy Spirit Village. Lin Feng had been systematically cataloging the strongest children from each nearby settlement, and today's target was promising.
"Tell me again why we're going all the way to Grass Village?" Tang San asked as they walked.
"There's a boy there named **Shi Meng**," Lin Feng explained. "I heard he's been boasting about his strength, claiming he could beat any child from the surrounding villages. Thought it might be... educational to test that claim."
Tang San shot him a knowing look. "Educational. Right."
When they arrived at Grass Village, they found Shi Meng easily enough—a stocky eight-year-old who was indeed larger and stronger than most children his age. He was currently showing off by lifting heavy farming tools and intimidating smaller kids.
"Shi Meng!" Lin Feng called out confidently. "I heard you're the strongest kid in Grass Village. Want to prove it?"
The challenge was accepted with predictable arrogance. Shi Meng was strong, but his technique was crude compared to the refined combat skills both Lin Feng and Tang San had developed. The fight was over in minutes.
**[OPPONENT DEFEATED! PLUNDER INITIATED...]**
**[SHI MENG (GRASS VILLAGE CHILD) DEFEATED! ANALYZING POTENTIAL PLUNDER...]**
**PLUNDER OPTIONS AVAILABLE:**
1. **Physical Trait: [Dense Muscle Fibers]**
- *Original Effect:* Natural muscle density that provides enhanced strength without increased size
- *System Description:* "Improved muscle efficiency. Choosing this will enhance your physical power."
2. **Technique: [Overwhelming Force Strike]**
- *Original Effect:* A crude but effective technique that focuses all strength into single, devastating attacks
- *System Description:* "A basic power-focused combat technique. Choosing this will improve your striking power."
3. **Talent: [Intimidating Presence - Minor]**
- *Original Effect:* Natural ability to make others nervous through size and confidence
- *System Description:* "A psychological advantage in confrontations. Choosing this will enhance your ability to unnerve opponents."
Lin Feng selected the **Dense Muscle Fibers** without hesitation.
**[INTEGRATION COMPLETE! Your existing [Enhanced Grip Strength] and [Explosive Leg Strength] have evolved with [Dense Muscle Fibers] into [Refined Physical Enhancement]. Your muscle density and efficiency have increased significantly, providing 3x the combined strength boost of the original traits.]**
Tang San watched with interest as Lin Feng seemed to briefly zone out after the fight, not knowing he was experiencing a system integration. "Are you alright?"
"Perfect," Lin Feng replied, flexing his hands experimentally. The integration had been more significant than usual—the system was beginning to combine his various physical enhancements into more cohesive abilities.
Over the following months, their expedition pattern continued. **Iron Village** provided **Teng Fei** (Age 7), a wiry boy whose natural agility had been honed by chasing escaped chickens. Lin Feng plundered his **[Swift Footwork]**, which integrated with his existing speed enhancements to create **[Phantom Steps]**—a technique that allowed him to seem to briefly disappear and reappear in combat.
From **Stone Village**, they found **Gao Shan** (Age 9), a patient child who spent hours sitting perfectly still while fishing. His **[Unwavering Focus]** merged with Lin Feng's battle experience to become **[Combat Meditation]**—the ability to maintain perfect clarity and tactical awareness even in the most chaotic fights.
**River Village** offered **Liu Shui** (Age 8), whose **[Fluid Adaptation]** allowed him to quickly adjust his fighting style mid-combat. This integrated with Lin Feng's martial arts mastery to create **[Formless Combat Arts]**—making his fighting style nearly impossible to predict or counter.
Each victory made Lin Feng stronger, but more importantly, each expedition deepened his friendship with Tang San. The quiet, mysterious boy had begun to open up, sharing insights about combat theory and technique that hinted at knowledge far beyond his apparent age.
"You know," Tang San said one evening as they walked home from **Wheat Village**, "sometimes I feel like you understand things about fighting that most adults don't."
"Same to you," Lin Feng replied carefully. "Where did you learn to analyze combat situations so well?"
"I... I've always been interested in these things," Tang San said vaguely. "What about you?"
"Natural talent, I suppose," Lin Feng lied smoothly. "We make a good team."
"We do," Tang San agreed with a rare smile. "I'm glad we're friends, Lin Feng."
*Friends,* Lin Feng thought with surprising warmth. In his previous life, he'd had subordinates, family members, and business associates, but very few true friends. The concept was... pleasant.
**Two Weeks Before the Awakening Ceremony**
Their final expedition took them to **Sword Village**, a community known for its blacksmiths and metalworkers. Here, they encountered **Jian Chen** (Age 10), a boy who had been helping his father forge weapons since he was old enough to hold a hammer.
The fight was different from their previous encounters. Jian Chen moved with an instinctive understanding of blade work, even when fighting empty-handed. His strikes had the precision of someone who understood the geometry of cutting, the angles of attack that swords demanded.
"Interesting style," Tang San observed after they'd defeated him. "He fights like someone who's spent his life around weapons."
Lin Feng nodded, already anticipating the plunder options.
**[JIAN CHEN (SWORD VILLAGE CHILD) DEFEATED! ANALYZING POTENTIAL PLUNDER...]**
**PLUNDER OPTIONS AVAILABLE:**
1. **Talent: [Innate Sword Affinity]**
- *Original Effect:* Natural understanding of sword techniques and weapon balance
- *System Description:* "An inborn talent for blade work. Choosing this will accelerate your learning of sword-based techniques."
2. **Technique: [Precise Strike Methodology]**
- *Original Effect:* Instinctive knowledge of where and how to strike for maximum effect
- *System Description:* "Battlefield precision techniques. Choosing this will improve your accuracy and critical strike capability."
3. **Physical Trait: [Steady Hands]**
- *Original Effect:* Enhanced fine motor control from years of delicate smithing work
- *System Description:* "Improved manual dexterity. Choosing this will enhance your precision with tools and weapons."
Lin Feng chose **[Innate Sword Affinity]** without hesitation.
**[INTEGRATION COMPLETE! [Innate Sword Affinity] has been enhanced and integrated with your martial arts mastery. You now possess [Master's Sword Instinct] - An advanced understanding of all blade-based combat, enhanced learning speed for sword techniques, and intuitive weapon balance. This talent will significantly improve your compatibility with sword-type Martial Souls.]**
"Well," Lin Feng said with satisfaction, "that was educational."
"Why do you always look so pleased after fights?" Tang San asked curiously.
"Don't you?" Lin Feng countered. "That moment when you overcome a challenge, when you prove you're stronger than you were before?"
Tang San considered this. "I... yes, actually. There is something satisfying about testing yourself."
"See? I knew you were a battle maniac like me."
"I am not a battle maniac," Tang San protested, but he was grinning.
**The Day Before the Awakening Ceremony**
Lin Feng and Tang San returned to Holy Spirit Village to find Old Jack waiting for them at the village entrance, his weathered face showing a mixture of anger and exhaustion. Standing beside him, somewhat unsteadily, was Tang Hao with his ever-present wine jug.
"Lin Feng!" Old Jack's voice cracked like a whip. "Where have you been? I've had **five** different village chiefs come to complain about you and Tang San this past month!"
"Complain about what, Grandfather?" Lin Feng asked innocently.
"About you two showing up in their villages and challenging their children to fights!" Old Jack threw his hands up in frustration. "The chief of Stone Village said you made half his children cry! The chief of River Village thinks you're some kind of... of tiny bandits!"
Tang San looked appropriately sheepish, but Lin Feng couldn't help but smile slightly. "We were just making friends, Grandfather. Friendly sparring matches."
"Friendly?!" Old Jack sputtered. "Gao Shan's mother said you defeated her son so thoroughly he's been practicing combat moves in his sleep!"
Tang Hao, who had been quietly observing the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "The boys are strong." His words were slightly slurred, but his eyes were sharp as they studied both children. "Stronger than they should be."
Something in Tang Hao's tone made both boys tense slightly. Lin Feng felt a chill—how much had the former Clear Sky Douluo noticed?
"They're six years old!" Old Jack protested. "They shouldn't be 'strong' anything except strong at playing with toys!"
"Heh," Tang Hao took another drink. "Kids grow up fast these days. Tomorrow they'll awaken their Martial Souls. We'll see what they're really made of then."
That evening, Lin Feng lay in his small bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow would change everything. The awakening ceremony would reveal his Martial Soul, and with it, his true potential in this world. More importantly, it would unlock new possibilities for his King's Plunder System.
He reviewed his current status mentally:
**Enhanced Abilities from Plundering:**
- **[Refined Physical Enhancement]** - Combined muscle density, grip strength, and explosive power
- **[Phantom Steps]** - Enhanced speed and agility with brief invisibility effects
- **[Combat Meditation]** - Perfect focus and tactical awareness during battle
- **[Formless Combat Arts]** - Unpredictable and adaptive fighting style
- **[Master's Sword Instinct]** - Advanced understanding of blade combat
- **[Hermit's Profound Heaven Art]** - Enhanced cultivation technique combining Tang Sect methods with martial arts mastery
Each ability had been enhanced to twice its original strength and integrated with his existing skills. He was no longer just a reincarnated martial artist—he was something entirely new.
*Tomorrow,* he thought with anticipation. *Tomorrow I'll see what kind of Martial Soul I've been blessed with. And then... then the real adventure begins.*
In the distance, he could hear Tang San moving about in his own home, probably unable to sleep as well. His best friend had no idea what was coming, but Lin Feng was certain of one thing—whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
The King's Plunder System pulsed gently in his consciousness, ready for the next phase of his journey.
*Just one more day,* Lin Feng thought as sleep finally claimed him. *One more day, and everything changes.*