Tang San Panics at the Thought of School

The next day, Lin Manshan got up early and arrived at Tang Hao's home under Old Jack's lead. Because of Tang Hao's visit yesterday, Old Jack did not call out loudly. Instead, he quietly took Tang San away. Along the way, Tang San asked Old Jack all sorts of questions about the academy. Old Jack had already introduced these things to Lin Manshan back at home, so he simply listened in silence.

While they were still not too far away, Lin Manshan used the magpie bird he had left at Tang Hao's doorstep to observe his movements. Through a gap in the window, he was surprised to discover that after Tang San left, Tang Hao immediately got up. After tearfully finishing his porridge in the kitchen, he began packing his things, seemingly preparing to go out. About half a quarter-hour later, Tang Hao shut the door and left, but he did not head in Lin Manshan's direction.

Instead, he headed southeast.

"Could he be going to see the Blue Silver Emperor?" Although Nuoding City was not a major city within Fasnu Province, it was close to the border between the Two Great Empires, giving it a highly unique geographical position. It happened to lie northwest of the Star Dou Great Forest and was not far away, making it one of the closest human towns to the Star Dou Great Forest. Sacred Soul Village lay directly south of Nuoding City, even closer still.

"Perhaps that was why Tang Hao brought Tang San to settle in Sacred Soul Village in the first place. This location is in the same direction as where the Blue Silver Emperor is, and close enough too." Lin Manshan's eyes flickered as he immediately ordered the magpie bird to follow him. The magpie bird was small and flew at a decent speed. As long as it did not encounter any flying Spirit Beasts, observing from the air should not be dangerous.

The magpie bird flapped into the sky, flying farther and farther away, and soon lost its connection with him.

Although the Beast Taming Technique was ingenious and allowed real-time observation, it had a range limit. With his current Soul Power, the maximum distance at which he could establish a connection was less than two li. Why do I feel like a base station? The more Soul Power I have, the better the signal? Lin Manshan curled his lips. Ever since cultivating his Soul Power, he had awakened a special sensory ability that allowed him to detect and distinguish the souls around him. At the very least, if a villager died within three hundred meters of his home, he would definitely be the first to know.

Because a familiar soul would disappear.

"It's a pretty good ability for preventing ambushes. Unfortunately, I can only sense living things with souls." Lin Manshan was inwardly satisfied as he turned to look at Tang San, who was still asking questions.

"I've learned the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and Sleeve Dart Manufacturing Method just by reading them. I've also gotten a general grasp of Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon and some basic Hidden Weapon Techniques. It's only the Mysterious Heaven Skill that I've gained nothing from."

"And the Mysterious Jade Hand and Purple Demon Eye. As for Immortal Herbs and the Poison Usage Method, they aren't important to me."

"Do I have to wait for Tang San to write them down himself?" Lin Manshan turned back and sighed to himself. That possibility was extremely low.

"Fortunately, cultivating Soul Power seems to be slowly improving my physique and cultivation talent as well. Over the past two months, my Soul Power has risen by one level. Of course, that might just be because the first ten levels are easy for Spirit Masters to cultivate, with absolutely nothing to do with my improved physique." Lin Manshan speculated inwardly. "Still, I have been growing rather quickly lately."

Glancing at Tang San from the corner of his eye, he recalled that they had both been born in January, with him only a few days older than Tang San. They had originally been about the same height, but after cultivating Soul Power for only three months, he had clearly become taller and sturdier than Tang San.

"If I absorb a Soul Ring, I'll probably shoot up even more." According to Old Jack, Spirit Masters generally grew faster than ordinary people. In Lin Manshan's view, this was easy enough to understand. People grew by eating food and absorbing nutrients, while Spirit Masters could obtain vast amounts of energy directly by absorbing Soul Rings. Wasn't that like taking hormones, drastically shortening the growth cycle?

"No wonder Zhu Zhuqing's curves were so exaggerated at such a young age." An image immediately appeared in Lin Manshan's mind.

"Xiao Wu, are you tired from walking? Do you want to stop and rest for a while, maybe eat something?" Seeing the slight flush on Lin Manshan's face, Old Jack could not help stopping.

"Grandfather, I'm fine. I'm not tired yet." Lin Manshan was startled and hurriedly steadied his thoughts before replying.

Old Jack nodded and continued onward. Renting a horse carriage cost too much, so they traveled on foot the entire way.

Sacred Soul Village was neither particularly far from nor particularly close to Nuoding City. After half a day of walking, the three of them finally arrived.

Though it was not a major city, it was near the Empire's border after all, so its walls were built quite solidly. The three followed the flow of people through the city defense inspection. When Old Jack pulled out two Spirit Hall certificates from his bundle, the soldiers' attitude visibly became much more respectful. They glanced at Lin Manshan and Tang San behind him, then waved them through without even inspecting them carefully.

"The difference between social classes." Watching the soldiers' expressions shift from impatience to respect, Lin Manshan tightened the bundle hanging in front of his chest and sighed inwardly. It contained the Copper Soul Coins he had picked up over the past two years, nearly a hundred in total. Based on the currency exchange rate of Douluo Continent, one Gold Soul Coin was equal to ten Silver Coins, or one hundred Copper Soul Coins.

The purchasing power of a single Gold Soul Coin was enough to support the normal living expenses of an ordinary family of three for several months. By that calculation, these hundred-odd Copper Soul Coins already counted as a considerable sum.

He had no doubt that without those two certificates, the soldiers might very well have confiscated this money on some fabricated pretext.

The three of them were dressed extremely plainly. At a glance, they were Ordinary Commoners. If the soldiers wanted to bully them, they would.

He had actually picked up more money than this, but he had already given part of it to his Adoptive Mother, Miao Ni.

Because his chances of finding money had become far too frequent, practically miraculous, he kept most of it for himself to avoid causing unnecessary misunderstandings.

As for returning lost money, once or twice was fine. Too many times would be suspicious.

Moreover, because Work-Study Students at Nuoding Academy could earn meal money by doing odd jobs for the academy, he had refused the living expenses that Old Jack's family had scraped together before he left home. However, cultivating Soul Power was tied to Physical Strength, and he could not live on steamed buns and porridge every day. Bringing this money along could ease the burden somewhat. If it was not Enough, he would think of other ways after entering the academy.

"There are so many people at the academy, and there are nobles too. Hopefully, I can pick up more." Honestly, if there had been a ding and some system to explain this damned luck, Lin Manshan might have found it easier to accept. Adding points while playing simulator games in his previous life? As a modern person, he always found it unreal, but being able to pick up money when he went out really was a good thing.

"I'll just take things as they come... If money becomes a real problem, I can only find a job." Lin Manshan sighed inwardly. He truly did not want to ask Old Jack for money.

"Xiao San, Xiao Wu, once Grandfather takes you two to the academy, I'll be heading back. You must listen to your teachers at the academy. Whatever you do, don't leave on your own. When the term ends, Grandfather will come pick you up. By then, it'll be nearly New Year."

After entering the city gates, Old Jack gave them instructions as they headed toward Nuoding Academy.

"Grandpa Jack, you're leaving so soon?" Having left home for the first time, Tang San's face was clearly filled with panic.

"???" Lin Manshan's face twitched. Did you seriously never leave home even once during your twenty-nine years in your previous life?

You're panicking just over going to school?