Tang San: Is This What Mom Tastes Like?

Tang San took the bowl and chopsticks and looked at the table.

There were steamed white-flour buns, stir-fried meat with vegetables he had never seen before, and a huge basin of some kind of meat that made his mouth water.

"Eat up. Don't just sit there. You two still have school after breakfast."

Mrs. Li picked out a piece of Hundred-Year Soul Beast meat, streaked with fat and stewed until it fell apart, and put it in Tang San's bowl.

Tang San was astonished. This is for me?

In the six years since he had come here, he had barely eaten meat a handful of times, much less something as exquisite as Hundred-Year Soul Beast meat.

"It's delicious. Thank you, Auntie. Thank you, Brother Yan."

"You're welcome. You're so skinny. Eat some more."

At the table, Li Yan suddenly asked,

"Where's Dad? Is he still asleep?"

"Your father cultivated all night. It seemed like he had something pent up inside him. I'll go take a look."

Mrs. Li got to her feet. Before she could open the door, she felt a powerful fluctuation of spiritual power coming from Li Gang inside.

"Is Dad... about to break through?"

Li Yan's face lit up.

Tang San was happy too. For such a kindhearted family, he wished nothing more than for things to keep getting better.

In the courtyard, they ate and waited. After about the time it took an incense stick to burn, Li Gang's hearty laughter rang out from the room.

"Hahaha! I've broken through to rank forty! One more Soul Ring, and I'll be on equal footing with that old geezer Xiao Shan."

He strode out of the room and tensed when he saw the three people outside.

Had he gained another son?

His wife's illegitimate son?

"Dad, you broke through to rank forty?"

"Mm. Once I get my fourth Soul Ring, our family will be able to strut around Nuoding City."

Li Gang patted his chest.

"By the way, who's this child?"

"Oh, he's a friend I met at the academy. His name is Tang San. You can call him Xiao San. He's a new student this year."

Tang San hurried over to Li Gang. "Greetings, Dean."

"You're both good children. Cultivate hard at the academy from now on."

Li Gang knew that if his son had taken the initiative to bring a friend home, the boy was definitely no ordinary person.

As he shoveled food into his mouth, he casually sounded Tang San out about his family and talent.

When he learned that Tang San's father was a blacksmith, a look of recollection crossed his face.

"I came from a poor village too. My old man was the village blacksmith back then, but before I could give him a good life, he went and died without a word."

"Enough of that gloomy talk. Xiao San, what's your Martial Soul? How much Innate Soul Power do you have?"

"I remember the academy offers scholarships. As long as your talent is good enough, you can get one, and it'll take some of the burden off your father. Blacksmithing really isn't easy for ordinary people."

Hearing Li Gang say that, Li Yan felt reassured. It seemed his father understood what he meant.

He couldn't be sure whether Tang Hao was watching from the shadows right now, but Tang Hao definitely couldn't find fault with the sincerity they had shown Tang San this morning.

"My Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, and I have Innate Full Soul Power."

Tang San hid nothing. This whole family were good people.

When Li Gang heard Blue Silver Grass, he had wanted to offer some encouragement, but when he heard Innate Full Soul Power, he was dumbfounded.

That was Innate Full Soul Power. A genius like that would be fought over anywhere, yet he had deigned to attend his little academy.

Although it was only Blue Silver Grass, his Innate Full Soul Power was the real deal.

"Good lad! You're the most talented student since Nuoding Academy was founded."

"As dean, I can't let this pass without a gesture. On behalf of the academy, I'm awarding you five hundred Gold Soul Coins. The academy will also cover all your Soul Rings while you're studying at Nuoding Academy."

Li Yan nodded in satisfaction. As expected of a man who could run a Spirit Hall Academy, his father was clearly capable. It was only his Innate Soul Power that had held him back. Otherwise, wouldn't he have done better than Tang Hao?

And helping Tang San hunt for Soul Rings would be an immense favor.

"Dean, is that really all right?"

"Of course it is. If anyone objects, let them spar with you. Nuoding Academy's graduation standard is to become a One-Ring Soul Master. In a few days, you'll be one yourself, and no one at the academy will be your match."

Tang San nodded, taking the kindness to heart. He would repay it a hundredfold in the future.

After the meal, Li Yan and his father headed toward Nuoding Academy with Tang San. Two Luo Sanpao each carried a piece of luggage on their backs, making for a rather comical sight.

"How about this, Xiao San? Your talent is excellent. Every day you waste is one less day of cultivation. Once we've put your bedding in order, come with Uncle Li to the Soul Hunting Forest. I guarantee you'll get a First Soul Ring you're happy with."

Tang San nodded, moved. "But I don't know what kind of First Soul Ring I should get."

"What's so difficult about that? Just ask my son. Don't be fooled by his age. His theoretical knowledge is the best in the academy. Even the teachers can't match him."

Hearing this, Tang San humbly asked Li Yan for guidance.

Li Yan held nothing back. As things stood, Tang San had already developed a favorable impression of his family. As for the choice of Soul Ring, that would determine Tang San's future.

"Blue Silver Grass's strength lies in its vitality. As the saying goes, 'Wildfire cannot burn it all away; the spring breeze brings it back to life.' Xiao San, your First Soul Ring would be best taken from a life-type Plant Soul Master around four hundred years old."

"Life-type doesn't mean it lacks killing power. Some unusual Plant-type Soul Beasts can steal others' vitality. In terms of attack, that's a dimensional strike."

"Xiao San, think about it. Other Soul Masters defeat their opponents with attacks, but in the future, you'll drain their vitality dry."

"Also, once Blue Silver Grass's vitality improves, you'll be able to use Soul Skills common to plant-type Soul Masters, such as Entanglement, on your own."

"I have the perfect choice in mind. It's called a Senluo Tree Kui. It has no other advantages; its sole advantage is that it can absorb the spiritual power of the earth's veins and turn it into a means of attack as it grows."

"Within its attack range, it's quite hard to kill. It also reproduces endlessly and can have its clones take damage in its place."

"However, Soul Beasts like that are only found in the Star Dou Great Forest. So, Dad, you should first find some reliable people you trust and take Xiao San with you. Then you can get all the Soul Rings you need."

Tang San's eyes lit up.

Within a certain range, Blue Silver Grass could reproduce and grow endlessly, and it could even take damage in his place. Once his Soul Power took shape in the future, this would be a devastating weapon with an inexhaustible supply. Brother Yan truly was a divine genius!

Tang San also had an idea: if Blue Silver Grass became tough enough, it would make an endless supply of Hidden Weapons.

"Brother Yan, thank you! I really want that Soul Ring!"

Li Gang smiled. "All right, then. Xiao San, spend a few days getting familiar with the academy. Once Uncle Li has contacted his friends, we'll go together."

Tang San nodded obediently.

From Li Gang, he felt the weighty love of a father.

"By the way, son, don't sit idle these next few days. Look for a suitable Soul Beast for your old man too."

Li Yan waved a hand. "I know, Dad. How could I forget you?"