The Fallen

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The scene left everyone in awe. The five bandits with soul power had all fallen, their lives extinguished by Lin Yongming's blade.

"A child actually killed the boss! Run, run for your lives!"

The remaining bandits, seeing Lin Yongming standing tall and imposing, dropped their weapons and scattered in panic.

"Don't let a single one escape! After them!" The reinforcements from Wurto Town, including the Spirit Hall and the town's garrison, quickly moved in. Hearing that there were over twenty bandits, they had sent fifty soldiers to handle the situation.

With the danger now past, Lin Yongming felt the weight lift from his shoulders.

"Ugh…" Lin Yongming winced as he looked at his wounds, the pain finally catching up to him. He knelt on one knee, exhausted and injured. His soul power was nearly depleted.

"Ming'er!"

"Xiao Ming!"

Lin Yongming's parents and the village chief rushed to his side, their voices filled with concern.

"Ming'er, why did you have to be so reckless? If something had happened to you, how could I go on living?" Yinglan, tears streaming down her face, hugged her son tightly, ignoring the blood staining his clothes.

"Mom, it hurts…" Lin Yongming smiled weakly as his mother accidentally pressed against the claw wounds on his arm.

"Xiao Ming, the village owes you so much today. But next time, don't push yourself like this. You're still a child with endless potential," the village chief said, his voice trembling with fear and relief.

"Chief, how could I stand by and watch when our village was in danger? As a soul master, it's my duty to protect everyone. It's just… those five uncles… I wish I had returned sooner," Lin Yongming sighed regretfully.

"Xiao Ming, this isn't your fault. Don't blame yourself," the chief quickly reassured him, worried that Lin Yongming might carry unnecessary guilt.

"Ming'er, your wounds are still bleeding. The Spirit Hall's soul masters are here. I'll go get them," Lin Chong said, noticing the blood still seeping from Lin Yongming's chest.

Before Lin Chong could move, a man in Spirit Hall attire approached.

"Everyone, I'm a healing soul master. Let me take a look."

"Yes, please!"

Lin Chong and the others stepped aside, giving the healer space to work.

"Bishop, did Lin Yongming just kill a Soul Ancestor? And does he really have a thousand-year purple soul ring?" Xu Qing, standing nearby, asked the white-haired bishop in disbelief.

"Yes, he's already a 24th-ranked Grand Soul Master. His first soul ring is a hundred-year ring, and his second is a thousand-year purple ring. It's truly astonishing," the bishop replied, equally amazed by Lin Yongming's combat prowess.

"So, Lin Yongming single-handedly took down two Soul Elders and a Soul Ancestor? That's… even stronger than me."

"And he's only seven years old?" Xu Qing stammered, his voice filled with awe.

"Bishop, is this the innate full soul power genius the Pope has been keeping an eye on? A seven-year-old Grand Soul Master with a thousand-year purple soul ring, defeating enemies two realms above him. Is this the terrifying potential of innate full soul power?" another deacon standing beside Xu Qing chimed in. This was someone Lin Yongming had met before.

"What's more, is he really blind?" a female deacon added, her voice filled with doubt.

"Given his ability to fight a Soul Ancestor, whether he's blind or not is irrelevant. When we report this to the Pope, she will undoubtedly send someone to investigate," the bishop said firmly.

The bishop could already imagine the Pope's reaction upon receiving this news. Even though the Soul Ancestor Lin Yongming defeated didn't have the best soul ring configuration, defeating an opponent two realms above him was a feat that would make Lin Yongming stand out among his peers.

The bishop could also foresee Lin Yongming being taken under the wing of one of the Spirit Hall's elders, propelling him to unimaginable heights.

Under the healing soul master's care, Lin Yongming's wounds healed quickly, forming scabs that would fall off in a couple of days.

"Thank you, sir!" Lin Yongming stood up and bowed slightly.

"No need for formalities. We're both Grand Soul Masters. Just call me brother," the healing soul master replied humbly. After all, he was in his thirties, while Lin Yongming was only seven and already a Grand Soul Master.

"Regardless, thank you for healing me. Otherwise, I'd be bedridden for days," Lin Yongming said with a nod.

"Lin Yongming, you've truly amazed us. Defeating a Soul Ancestor as a Grand Soul Master is a feat to be proud of," the bishop said as he approached with the others.

"Greetings, Bishop!" Lin Yongming clasped his hands in respect.

"No need for such formalities. With your talent, you'll surpass us in no time," the bishop said with a warm smile.

"I still want to thank you for bringing reinforcements to Thunder Rain Village," Lin Yongming replied politely.

"You're being too modest. We didn't come for you. We received a plea for help from the villagers. When soul masters threaten a village, the Spirit Hall cannot stand idly by."

"Such soul masters are what we call 'the fallen,' and they are our primary targets. Unfortunately, we arrived too late. Thankfully, you were here," the bishop explained solemnly.

"Well, now that the threat has been dealt with and it's getting late, I'm sure you and the villagers are exhausted. We'll visit again another day."

"Let's move out!" the bishop ordered, his tone firm.

The group quickly rounded up the remaining bandits and left Thunder Rain Village. The village chief escorted them to the outskirts of the village.

Lin Yongming watched them leave, his gaze lingering on the corpse of the bandit leader.

This battle had made him realize his lack of practical combat experience, which had nearly cost him dearly.

"It seems I need to focus not only on improving my soul power but also on gaining practical combat experience. Compared to soul beasts, humans are far more cunning," Lin Yongming thought, silently formulating a new training plan for himself.

"Child, are you tired? Let's go home and rest," Yinglan said, gently taking Lin Yongming's hand.

With the crisis resolved, the villagers gathered around to express their gratitude to Lin Yongming.

"Uncles, aunties, please just call me Xiao Ming. We're all from the same village. Calling me 'soul master' makes it seem like my family are outsiders," Lin Yongming said, noticing how the villagers addressed him with reverence.

"Yes, Ming'er is right. There's no need to be so formal," Lin Chong added, supporting his son.

Lin Yongming understood that the villagers held soul masters in high regard, a mindset deeply ingrained in them. However, as fellow villagers, he didn't want to create a divide between his family and the others. He knew his parents had spent their entire lives building relationships with these people, and he didn't want to see that bond weakened.

After expressing their thanks, the villagers, still shaken, returned to their homes. Lin Yongming and his parents also headed back to their house.

Meanwhile, back in Wurto Town, the bishop quickly penned a detailed report about Lin Yongming's achievements and sent it off that very night.

By the next afternoon, the letter had reached the hands of the Pope in Spirit City.

"What!" The Pope stood up in shock after reading the letter.

"Teacher, what has surprised you so much?" a young girl standing beside her asked curiously.

"Take a look for yourself."

"A seven-year-old, 24th-ranked Grand Soul Master with a thousand-year purple soul ring, defeating a Soul Ancestor!"

"Teacher, may I go and recruit him myself? I want to see his strength with my own eyes," the girl said, her eyes gleaming with determination as she held the letter.

"Very well. Take two Purple-clothed Deacons and ten elite team members with you. And while you're at it, track down that fallen soul master," the Pope agreed.

"Understood, Teacher. Dong'er will not disappoint you," the girl replied with unwavering resolve.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 60 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 180 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.