The Coastal Spirit Master Academy wasn't large or famous like Shrek. It didn't train geniuses or future Titled Douluos. But it had solid instructors, real cultivation resources, and—most importantly—a combat field by the sea.
For Karim, it was perfect.
> "This is where I'll polish my weapon."
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🧭 Arrival
The academy was built atop a stone ridge overlooking the ocean. Karim arrived with just a cloth bag, barefoot as usual. The moment he walked through the gates, other students whispered.
"Hey, that's the sea brat with the hammer."
"He awakened with innate rank eight… crazy."
"But he's from a fishing village, right? Probably no technique…"
Karim didn't react. He didn't come here to make friends. He came here to get stronger.
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🛠️ Weapon Training Begins
Day one: spirit essence rotation, soul energy channeling.
Day two: breathing control, core compression.
Day three: weapon technique class.
The instructor, Master Chen, called him out early.
"You there—boy with the hammer. Step forward."
Karim summoned the Abyssal Tide Hammer, the weight sending a soft shockwave into the stone ground.
Master Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Ever swung that in a fight?"
Karim nodded. "Every night. Against waves and current."
"Hmph. Good. But now you'll hit something that hits back."
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⚔️ First Combat Test
They paired him with a spirit master two years older—a Rank 10 with a Stone Arm martial soul. Solid defense, heavy punches.
"Begin!"
Karim didn't hesitate. He launched forward—no spirit rings, just raw body power and martial soul synergy.
CRACK!
The hammer struck the ground as the older boy dodged.
But the impact sent a burst of compressed water pressure, forcing him to stagger. Before he could recover, Karim closed in.
BOOM.
The Stone Arm cracked. The older student hit the wall.
Silence.
Then, applause.
Master Chen whistled. "That hammer… it's not just heavy. It's smart. Reactive. Like the tide."
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💡 Discoveries
Over the next weeks, Karim trained every day—before dawn, after class, late at night.
He discovered his hammer could:
Absorb water from the air and ground to grow denser.
Release bursts of pressure after striking, disrupting balance.
Shift its weight subtly during swings, like the ocean's pull and push.
His body grew with it—arms lean but strong, legs stable, movements fluid.
> "It's not just about smashing. It's about momentum. Redirection. Control."