New Path

The moon hung heavy in the night sky, its silver glow casting long shadows through the towering trees. Huo Ye sat cross-legged on the damp forest floor, breath slow and rhythmic. Each inhale pulled power into his lungs, circulating through his blood with the steady pulse of life itself.

But this time… something was different.

The heartbeat of his Mental Blood Martial Soul no longer pulsed with weakness. It beat in rhythm with the primal energy of the Primal Moon Ape coursing through his veins. Every thrum sent vibrations through his bones — stronger, heavier. His muscles bulged subtly, veins pressing against his skin as if they could burst at any moment. Yet there was no pain. Only strength.

With each breath, the sensation sharpened. The Haki of Three Wills flowed naturally, as though his very existence thrived on it. His breathing cultivated more than just soul power — it reinforced his body, refined his senses, and settled his mind.

As he exhaled, a faint shimmer of black energy flickered over his knuckles before fading into the night.

Armament Haki.

It wasn't much yet — just a thin pulse of power. But he could feel its potential. This breathing art wasn't limited to traditional cultivation. It was willpower — pure and absolute.

Boom!

The sound of something crashing in the distance jolted him to his feet. His enhanced senses, sharpened by Observation Haki, spread outward. His breath slowed, and in an instant, the darkness of the forest painted itself in his mind — the rustle of leaves, the scurry of spirit beasts, the heartbeat of something… larger.

A 1,000-year-old Thunder Armadillo.

Slow. Cumbersome. But powerful.

Huo Ye cracked his knuckles, feeling the bones shift slightly under his skin. It had been two years since his exile, but this… this was the first time he felt eager to fight.

He sprinted toward the beast.

The world blurred as his feet pounded against the earth — faster, stronger. His body felt light despite the thickening muscle beneath his skin. The Primal Moon Ape's passive enhancement wasn't just raw strength; it was endurance, speed, and vitality.

He broke through the trees just as the massive beast crashed into a boulder, its thick metallic shell sparking against the stone. The Thunder Armadillo snorted, crackling with electric energy.

It turned — beady eyes locking onto Huo Ye.

"Come on," he muttered under his breath. "Let's see how strong I really am."

The beast roared. Lightning surged through its body as it barreled forward, aiming to crush him under its weight.

Huo Ye exhaled. His vision sharpened.

Observation Haki.

Time didn't slow down, but the beast's movements became predictable. He could see the weight shifting in its legs, the direction it leaned. His foot shifted — a small step to the right — and the beast missed him by inches.

The ground trembled. Dust exploded into the air.

Without wasting a second, Huo Ye lunged forward. Fist clenched. He felt the energy pulse through his breath — solid, iron-like power flooding his muscles.

Armament Haki.

His fist slammed into the beast's side. The metallic shell cracked on impact, a web of fractures spreading from the point of contact. The beast howled in pain.

Huo Ye staggered back, eyes wide.

"I… I actually broke it."

But the fight wasn't over. The beast twisted, claws crackling with lightning, swiping toward him with enough force to rend stone.

The old Huo Ye would have panicked. He would've hesitated.

But this time…

He stepped forward.

Lightning seared the air. The claws came down — but his body blurred. He moved faster than he thought possible, weaving under the attack with the agility of a predator. His fist came up again, this time smashing into the beast's exposed underbelly.

With a final roar, the Thunder Armadillo collapsed. Blood seeped into the earth, its breathing slowing until it stilled.

Huo Ye exhaled, breath steadying. His pulse slowed.

The power was real.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, gaze lifting to the night sky. The full moon hung high, its silver light bathing him in power. But there was no time to bask in victory. His thoughts drifted to the three martial souls he had been given.

Dragon-Type Martial Soul. Sharingan. Thousand-Armed Bhuda.

Gifts — but not for him.

Huo Ye smirked.

The Sharingan, one of the most iconic abilities in all of anime… He remembered Huo Yuhao, the protagonist of Soul Land 2. A Spirit Eye user who struggled through countless hardships.

What if… what if he gave him the Sharingan?

His grin widened. With a gift like that, he could change the future — guide Yuhao down a different path. Away from the Tang Sect.

For the first time in years, excitement surged through his veins.

As the moon hung high above, he stood tall — power thrumming in his chest. He had been nothing but an outcast. A mistake.

But now…