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"Oh." Soul Ring, soul beast—these two novel terms echoed incessantly in Tang San's mind. Although he couldn't be sure his guess was right, his inability to break through the bottleneck with the Mysterious Heaven Method made the Soul Ring seem like a clear breakthrough.
By now, Jack had come back to his senses, looking down at Tang San with surprise, "Xiaosan, you wouldn't happen to be the one with innate full soul power and the Bluesilver Grass Martial soul that the master mentioned?"
Tang San nodded, "That's me."
Old Jack squatted down to face Tang San, "Xiaosan, I didn't expect your talent to be so outstanding. It's a pity you have such a father, who didn't pass on a good Martial Soul to you. Otherwise, you might have really become the second Soul Sage in our village. Tell me, are you willing to go to a specialized school to learn the ways of the Soul Master? Only there can you find the most accurate knowledge about Martial Souls."
Tang San had already developed a strong interest in Martial Souls, especially since it related to his own Mysterious Heaven Method, but he still did not give an immediate affirmation, "Grandpa Jack, I have to ask my dad about this."
Jack then came to a realization. Indeed, no matter how sensible the child was, he was ultimately a child; Tang Hao's opinion had to be sought.
Determination flickered in his eyes. Despite his reluctance to meet that slovenly ghost, for the sake of having another Soul Master emerge from the village, he couldn't care less about his personal grievances.
"Let's go, Xiaosan. Grandpa will take you home." Old Jack first sent the other children back with their parents before taking Tang San back to the blacksmith shop.
In the morning, it was Tang Hao's routine time to sleep, and the blacksmith shop was quiet.
"Tang Hao, Tang Hao." Old Jack didn't care if Tang Hao was asleep or not; he was very disgusted with the slovenly blacksmith. If it weren't for the low prices of the farm tools he forged, he would've long wanted to kick Tang Hao out of the village.
While calling out for Tang Hao, Old Jack's gaze swept around, wanting to find a chair to sit on, but looking at all the worn-out stuff, he didn't have the courage to pull one over. He was no longer young and had no wish to risk falling and breaking bones here.
"Who's making all that racket?" Tang Hao's voice, tinged with anger, rang out as the curtain to the inner room was lifted, and he walked out slowly.
His gaze first settled on his son before turning to Jack, "Old Jack, what's the matter?"
Jack replied irritably, "Today is your son's Martial Soul Awakening day, don't you know how important that is? Other families are accompanied by both parents, but you, always the same."
As if he hadn't heard Jack's sarcasm, Tang Hao's gaze returned to his son, "Xiaosan, your Martial Soul has awakened? What is it?"
Tang San said, "Dad, it's Bluesilver Grass."
"Bluesilver Grass?" For some reason, Tang Hao, who was usually indifferent to everything, suddenly shuddered upon hearing those three words, and a peculiar light showed in his eyes.
Only Tang San noticed the change in Tang Hao's expression. Old Jack, of course, didn't care what a slovenly blacksmith looked like but went straight to the point, "Although it's Bluesilver Grass, Xiaosan is someone with innate full soul power. Tang Hao, I've decided. This year's work-study placement in the village will go to Xiaosan. He'll go and study at the Notting City Primary Soul Master Academy. The village will cover his travel expenses."
"Bluesilver Grass, Bluesilver Grass," Tang Hao murmured twice, then suddenly lifted his head, his eyes revealing a firmness Tang San had never seen before, he said in a deep voice, "No."
"What did you say? I must have heard wrong," Jack said, digging his ears in astonishment, looking at Tang Hao, "You should know how precious this opportunity is. Even though our Holy Soul Village has once produced a Soul Sage, we get only one slot a year. Other villages have to share a single slot between two or three. Do you understand? This is a great opportunity. Maybe, Xiaosan could become a distinguished person in the future."
Tang Hao gave Jack a cold look, "What's the use of being a distinguished person? All I know is that if he leaves, no one will cook for me. Bluesilver Grass—what do you think a Bluesilver Grass Martial Soul could cultivate into? That's just a wasted Martial Soul."
Old Jack shouted angrily, "But he has innate full soul power. With just one Soul Ring, even the lowest quality, he could immediately become a Soul Master. A Soul Master—do you understand? It's been many years since our village had a Soul Master."
Tang Hao said indifferently, "That's your real motive, isn't it? I said no, and that means no. You can leave."
"Tang—Hao." Old Jack's anger was now at its limit.
Tang Hao remained languid, "No need to be so loud, I'm not deaf. I've said it; you can leave."
"Grandpa Jack, please don't be angry. I won't go learn to be a Soul Master. Dad's right, Bluesilver Grass is just a wasted Martial Soul. Thank you for your goodwill."
Although Jack intensely disliked Tang Hao, he was very fond of the well-behaved Tang San. Gradually, his anger subsided, and he sighed deeply, "Good boy, Grandpa is not angry. All right, I'll be leaving now." With that, he turned and walked towards the door.
Tang San hurriedly followed to see him off. He could disregard his father, but Jack was the village head and had been good to him; he wouldn't skimp on courtesy.
Jack stopped at the blacksmith shop's door, turned to Tang Hao, and said meaningfully, "Tang Hao, your life is over just like this, but Xiaosan is still young. Don't you think you should give him a means to make a living? Don't fail him; as a Soul Master, at least he won't end up as destitute as you. If you change your mind, come find me. There are still three months until this year's registration for the Notting Soul Master Junior College."
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