In the snowy clearing, Tang San laughed gleefully as he played, the joy in his expression infectious. Far in the distance, hidden in the shadows, Tang Hao watched his son and began to question everything he thought he knew.
Ah Yin's death had indeed devastated him.
But the real reason he had let Tang San grow up freely, without interference, was because the boy was too mature almost unnaturally so.
Yet now, seeing Tang San genuinely enjoying himself with children his own age, Tang Hao couldn't help but wonder if he had been overthinking things. Maybe his son was just a bit too precocious, not some reincarnated god or ghost as the rumors suggested.
After all, what kind of adult could actually play so naturally with little kids?
As for Tang San's cultivation method well, that must be due to his bloodline. As the child of Tang Hao and Ah Yin, perhaps he was simply born with the Blue Silver Emperor's legacy and didn't need a martial soul awakening ceremony to begin training.
Still, Tang Hao couldn't shake the doubts swirling in his mind—especially regarding Tang San's refined footwork and martial techniques.
"I'll wait until next year when Xiao San awakens his martial soul. If it's not the Clear Sky Hammer, then like Old Jack says, maybe this really is the end of the road for me. But if it is the Clear Sky Hammer, then with Xiao San's early maturity and my personal guidance, he could become the youngest Titled Douluo in the continent's history. When that time comes… we'll have our chance to strike back at the Spirit Hall—together."
With eyes glinting with determination, Tang Hao turned and headed toward the forge, intending to sleep the entire day.
Meanwhile, Tang San was still gleefully running through the snow, dodging snowballs thrown by Zhou Qing and the others. With a flourish of his "Controlling Crane, Catching Dragon" technique, he snatched a snowball midair and launched it right back at Zhou Qing, laughter lighting up his face. He had no idea his father had been watching from the shadows just moments before.
"Qing-ge, heads up!"
"No—!"
Zhou Qing's face twisted in panic. He shut his eyes and swung his arms wildly: "o(>﹏<)o"
But it was no use. Tang San's snowball struck him squarely in the head, sending him toppling into the snow.
"Why do you only target me?!"
"Because you can take a hit."
Tang San's explanation was irrefutable.
After all, Zhou Qing practiced the Mysterious Heaven Technique. Even though he didn't have much internal power yet, it still circulated through his body, naturally strengthening his defenses. Compared to the other children of Holy Soul Village, he was definitely more durable.
Zhou Qing could only groan in despair, "I'm starting to hate snowball fights..."
"I'm different."
Tang San casually tossed a snowball into the air, juggling like a street performer. One after another, he hurled snowballs at Zhou Qing like a living snowball-launcher, incorporating hidden weapon techniques to make each throw curve beautifully through the air and hit Zhou Qing right on the forehead.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
In no time, Zhou Qing's head was buried under a pile of crushed snowballs.
Dusting off his hands, Tang San grinned. "I'm starting to really like this game."
Zhou Qing, buried in snow: "…"
Damn it all!
Since when was Tang San so devious?
All because he didn't want to learn Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track? Was he bullying Zhou Qing for having "short legs"?
Just wait until I awaken my martial soul. Once I start training as a proper soul master, I'll develop a movement technique that surpasses Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. Let's see who's faster then...
But happy days never last long.
In the blink of an eye, another year passed.
Throughout the year, Tang San and Zhou Qing split their time between studying, training, caring for the Spirit Resonance Turtle, and regularly tidying up their hidden base deep within the forest. They also shared many joyful moments with the other children of Holy Soul Village:
Spring brought honey from wildflowers, summer cicadas to chase, autumn gifted fruits from the forest, and winter—snowbirds to catch.
Carefree and unburdened!
For the first time, Tang San truly felt alive—reclaiming the carefree childhood he had missed in his previous life. Bit by bit, he grew brighter, lighter, happier.
Now, as spring returned, both Tang San and Zhou Qing were six years old. The two had already found Old Jack and were waiting together at the village entrance.
Earlier, Old Jack had visited Tang Hao to inform him about the upcoming martial soul awakening, but—unsurprisingly—Tang Hao greeted him with his usual indifference.
Old Jack had thought that since the villagers no longer came to Tang Hao for farm tool repairs, the man might reflect and improve himself. Instead, he shamelessly began mooching off a child, even taking the money Tang San earned to buy liquor.
When the village refused to sell him wine, he just went to the next village over.
He had become... utterly useless.
Fortunately, Tang San had truly grown into a dependable child.
"Honored Soul Master, you've arrived!"
Outside Holy Soul Village, Su Yuntao appeared as expected. Old Jack greeted him with respect.
"Hm."
As usual, Su Yuntao's brows carried a trace of pride, though this time his eyes seemed a little tired. Still, he skipped the formalities. "Let's hurry. I'm on a tight schedule and still have several villages to visit."
"Please follow me."
Old Jack quickly led the way, with Tang San and Zhou Qing following behind.
Su Yuntao glanced at the two boys—both around 1.5 meters tall—and raised an eyebrow. "These two are of awakening age?"
"Yes, honored Soul Master," Old Jack replied respectfully.
Su Yuntao was a bit speechless. How could six-year-olds already be this tall?
But he quickly brushed off the thought. A spark of anticipation lit up in his eyes.
"Who knows… maybe these two will awaken innate soul power!"
He couldn't help getting his hopes up.
Once they arrived at the open space where Holy Soul Village's Martial Soul Hall stood, Su Yuntao brought the remaining seven children together with Zhou Qing and Tang San inside.
"Line up from shortest to tallest. One at a time."
Su Yuntao's tone was gentler now, even slightly excited. After all, there was a good chance that two children today might possess innate soul power.
If so, and he reported it to the sub-hall master, he'd surely earn a hefty reward—enough to buy Silk Silk the latest fashions…
Ahem!
Clearing his throat, Su Yuntao began arranging the Soul Awakening Stones and motioned for the first child to step forward.
Tang San, meanwhile, eyed the stones curiously and whispered to Zhou Qing, "I've carved similar soul-guiding inscriptions into refined iron before. When I injected soul power, golden light particles appeared and drifted into the body, making me feel like something inside wanted to break out. But maybe because refined iron isn't compatible with those inscriptions—or maybe because I was too young—it didn't work fully."
Zhou Qing nodded slightly.
Different soul-guiding inscriptions react differently with various metals… that much they had discovered during their experiments. And clearly, the core inscriptions in the Soul Awakening Stones weren't suited for refined iron.
As for awakening martial souls only at six years old…
Zhou Qing didn't entirely buy it. Perhaps it was just a rule of thumb developed by the Spirit Hall and the major sects—that six was simply the most effective age to awaken…
"Martial Soul: Scythe."
At that moment, Su Yuntao had completed the first awakening.
Upon seeing the martial soul, a scythe, a flicker of disappointment passed through his eyes. Still, he handed over the soul power testing crystal.
But the child didn't trigger any reaction from the crystal.
"Innate Soul Power: 0. I'm sorry, you won't be able to become a soul master. Next."