Although Tang Hao regarded both the Clear Sky Hammer and Blue Silver Emperor as top-tier martial souls, he still considered his Clear Sky Hammer superior. Tang San, now aware that his Blue Silver Grass could evolve, felt a surge of motivation. If his martial soul evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor and he raised his level, he might stand a chance against Su Ming!
Tang San eagerly asked, "Father, can you awaken the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline for me now? I want to grow stronger!"
Tang Hao shook his head regretfully. "Little San, I can't awaken it for you. You'd need to reach the ancestral land of the Blue Silver Emperor and find the Blue Silver King to help with the awakening."
"Ah Yin is still recognized as the ruler of the Blue Silver Grass, but in her current state, she can't help you awaken your bloodline. And even with her influence, you'll need the approval of most Blue Silver Grass plants for the awakening to succeed."
"Right now, your level is too low for that. Wait until you reach level fifty; then we'll discuss it. At that level, your bloodline will activate automatically, giving you a spirit ring with growth potential. As you become stronger, that ring will evolve along with you."
Hearing this, Tang San was disappointed. Level fifty seemed so far away, and he wasn't sure when he would reach it.
Tang Hao hadn't mentioned that it was technically possible to attempt the awakening now, but the risk of failure was high. For the Blue Silver Grass to evolve into the Blue Silver Emperor, it required the approval of the majority of the Blue Silver Grass, the Blue Silver King, and the previous Blue Silver Emperor.
Ah Yin's approval wouldn't be an issue, but Tang San's current strength wouldn't garner widespread acceptance. Additionally, as a human in a world where humans and spirit beasts were natural enemies, the difficulty was even greater.
Tang Hao dismissed the thought for now. "Let's go, Little San. We'll return to the academy and see if your teacher knows anything about this."
Tang San could only hope his teacher had answers. This spirit bone was too strange—it carried the aura of a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone, yet seemed useless in every other aspect.
A few days later at Thunderclap Academy, Yu Xiaogang was surprised to see Tang San and Tang Hao return so soon. "Little San, Lord Haotian, why are you back?" he asked.
Unlike before, only the three of them were present, so Tang San and Tang Hao could speak openly. Tang Hao recounted everything that had happened and had Tang San show the spirit bone.
Yu Xiaogang was shocked, not only to learn that Tang San's mother was a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast but also that Tang San's spirit power hadn't increased after absorbing her spirit bone. Moreover, the bone granted only one useless skill.
Yu Xiaogang pondered the theories he knew, finding it perplexing. No such case had ever been recorded. He knew Bibi Dong possessed a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and most likely a corresponding spirit bone, yet no reports indicated any issues like this.
He made up his mind. Yu Xiaogang had already planned to go to Spirit Hall to gather information on training dual martial souls for Tang San. Despite their strained relationship, he was confident that Bibi Dong still harbored feelings for him. He was certain he could obtain the dual martial soul training techniques and subtly inquire about Tang San's situation without mentioning his name, of course.
Feeling optimistic, Yu Xiaogang reassured them, "I'm not sure what's going on either, but don't worry. I'll look into it thoroughly in the coming days."
Tang San's heart sank at this. If his teacher didn't know, what if the spirit bone remained useless even after his bloodline awakening? Wouldn't that mean he had wasted a spirit bone slot?
Tang Hao said, "Let's go, Little San. At least we know it has a hundred-thousand-year aura. For now, don't worry too much about it. Let's focus on your training."
"If we can't increase your training speed through the spirit bone, we'll push harder with regular practice. You don't want to face Su Ming in the upcoming Spirit Master Tournament and lose again, do you?"
Tang San clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "Father, I can endure anything. I want my spirit power to reach at least level forty by the start of the tournament. Whatever it takes, I'll withstand it!"
Tang Hao considered his options. One way to accelerate Tang San's progress was to attach a spirit ring to the Clear Sky Hammer, but he wouldn't let Tang San waste the potential of his rare twin martial souls.
He decided to let Tang San rest less and train harder. He was confident his son could handle it.
At the same time, Su Ming and his group finally returned to Heaven Dou City after several days of travel.
Ning Rongrong stretched lazily, her figure gracefully outlined as she said, "Finally, we're back! I'm exhausted. Spending over forty days just to get a spirit ring—now it's time to buckle down and really train!"
Xiao Wu teased her, "Rongrong, you say that, but I don't quite believe it! You were just complaining about how tired you were. Will you really work hard?"
Ning Rongrong replied, "Xiao Wu, I'm a support-type spirit master! I'm genuinely tired. It's not just the physical exhaustion; it's the mental strain as well."
Hearing her mention mental exhaustion, Zhu Zhuqing stole a glance at Su Ming, which he noticed, prompting her to quickly look away.
Su Ming merely smiled. Since the trip to Star Dou Forest, he had sensed Zhuqing's occasional, shy glances. Helping her absorb the ten-thousand-year spirit ring had certainly raised her regard for him. He hadn't even thought of that at the time; he simply hadn't wanted to deny the strength in her eyes.