Those Who Play With Hammers Are Bad People?

When the show ended, Ah Yin was still clutching Jiang Zhen's hand, chattering excitedly about how amazing the Little Soul Master in the play had been.

Hearing her soft voice, Jiang Zhen slowed his steps. Suddenly remembering something, he placed both hands on Ah Yin's shoulders.

"Ah Yin, Brother has something to tell you. You have to remember it, okay?"

Jiang Zhen gently brushed his fingertip across her cheek. His tone was serious yet gentle.

"If you ever see someone carrying a Big Black Hammer, stay far away no matter how fierce that person looks, understand?"

Little Ah Yin blinked her deep-blue eyes and tilted her head. "Why? Is there something wrong with hammers...?"

"Mm, they're bad."

Jiang Zhen made up a simple little story for her.

"Brother once met someone carrying a big hammer. He didn't use it for work. Instead, he used it to smash other people's houses and steal children's things. He was especially fierce."

"And his child learned to carry a little hammer too, bullying children younger than him. He wasn't well-behaved at all."

He did not mention any names, but he had pointed out the most distinctive weapon.

After all, on Douluo Continent, the most famous people whose Martial Soul was a hammer were those of the Clear Sky Sect Lineage.

Little Ah Yin's eyes widened slightly. Her tiny brows furrowed as she nodded hard. "Bad! I won't play with people who carry hammers!"

"So good."

Jiang Zhen rubbed her hair, feeling relieved inside.

He knew that telling Ah Yin too much now would be useless. It was better to first leave her with the impression that "hammers" were "dangerous." That way, if she ever encountered Tang San and Father, she would be more vigilant.

The two continued walking. Little Ah Yin was still muttering softly, "Hammers are bad."

Her serious expression made Jiang Zhen laugh despite himself.

Jiang Zhen brought Little Ah Yin back to the Tailor Shop. Boss Wang had already finished the clothes—four outfits.

Two were light blue, one was pale cyan, and one was rice white. They all had simple designs but exquisite workmanship. At Ah Yin's request, tiny Blue Silver Grass Patterns had been embroidered on the collars and cuffs, which suited her perfectly.

Jiang Zhen had Little Ah Yin change into one of the light-blue outfits. It fit her perfectly. The collar reached just to her neck, the sleeves were neither too long nor too short, revealing her little hands, and the hem fell slightly below her knees, making it look like a tiny dress.

Ah Yin stood before the mirror and looked at her reflection. With her blue-gold hair, deep-blue eyes, and light-blue clothes, she looked like a Little Fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

"Pretty,"

she whispered, reaching out to touch the Blue Silver Grass Pattern on her clothes. A sweet smile spread across her face.

Seeing her like that, Jiang Zhen could not help smiling too.

He paid the remaining money, then led Little Ah Yin out of the Tailor Shop.

They had not gone far when Jiang Zhen noticed that there seemed to be more Spirit Masters on the street.

Most of them wore neat Jing Suits and were streaming toward West City in groups of two or three. Even the air carried an agitated energy.

He led Little Ah Yin to the side and looked along with the flow of people. A Giant Oval Building suddenly filled his vision—it was the Great Soul Arena of Vast Sea City.

The building stood over a hundred meters tall. Its Gray-Black Stone Wall was carved with ferocious spirit beast patterns, while the dome of the Main Arena shimmered with a Cold and hard Metallic Sheen.

Jiang Zhen led Ah Yin toward the entrance of the Great Soul Arena.

On its Right side, he saw an information board.

The Vast Sea City Great Soul Arena had one Main Venue and twenty Sub-Arenas, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of spectators at once.

Its matches were divided into three categories: Sparring Matches, which did not injure people; Death Matches, fought between mortal enemies; and Gambling Matches, which determined the winner and loser through wagers. The match formats included One-on-One, Two-on-Two, and Group Battles of seven to ten people.

Newcomers had to spend ten Gold Coins to register and receive an Iron Spirit Badge. Before each match, they also had to have their Soul Power tested so that an opponent could be assigned.

He lowered his head and glanced at Little Ah Yin, who was clutching her Tanghulu. Her eyes were curious, but she was not making a fuss. He quickly came up with an idea.

Today, he had only brought Ah Yin out to buy clothes and visit the market. The Soul Arena was crowded and noisy, and there was no need to hurry to watch a match today.

Thus, Jiang Zhen tightened his hold on Ah Yin's hand, skirted around the crowd, and headed toward the Courtyard Outside the City as he casually explained:

"That's a place where Spirit Masters compete. When Brother has time in the future, I'll take you to watch the excitement from far away."

Little Ah Yin nodded as if she understood. Her attention soon returned to the Tanghulu in her hand. She took small bites of the Sugar Coating and followed him with light steps.

Ah Yin was still holding the unfinished Tanghulu. She took a bite now and then, walking briskly and occasionally glancing at Jiang Zhen, her eyes filled with dependence and delight.

After leaving the city, Ah Yin turned back to look at the Vast Sea City Gate.

"Brother A Zhen," Ah Yin suddenly said, "will we come back again in the future?"

Jiang Zhen turned to look at her and nodded with a smile. "If you want to come, I'll bring you again in the future."

Ah Yin nodded hard, her little face filled with anticipation.

The evening breeze swept gently past, carrying the fragrance of street food and the fading echoes of a distant stage.

Their figures gradually vanished into Vast Sea City's twilight, leaving only a string of light Footsteps and sweet laughter slowly dispersing through the air...

At Nuoding Academy's Back Mountain, moonlight filtered through the Sophora Leaves, scattering fine Light Spots.

On the Open Ground, Tang San and Xiao Wu stood in Sparring Match stances. Xiao Wu had tied her hair into a long scorpion braid. With a whirl of her Skirt Hem, she pounced toward Tang San.

Her Soft Skill, driven by Level 14 Soul Power, carried a light breeze as her claws reached straight for his shoulder.

"First Spirit Skill, Blue Silver Entanglement!"

Tang San shifted his Footsteps slightly, and Blue Silver Grass condensed by Level 15 Soul Power shot from his palm.

The dark-purple vines deftly wrapped around Xiao Wu's ankle. With a light tug, they made her stagger to a stop.

"I lost again!"

Xiao Wu pouted and reached down to slap away the Blue Silver Grass wrapped around her foot, her cheeks puffed out like little buns.

Tang San smiled helplessly and withdrew his Martial Soul. He took the Water Pouch from his waist and handed it to her.

"Your Soft Skill is already very nimble. You're just a little short on Soul Power."

Just kidding. Your Third Brother has Tang Sect Secret Art!

Xiao Wu took the Water Pouch and drank twice before suddenly reaching out to tug at Tang San's sleeve.

"Then you have to practice with me more in the future!"

Tang San nodded. He gently brushed the Grass Clippings from her hair with his fingertip. Moonlight fell over the two figures leaning against each other, suffused with the youthful warmth of a Young Boy and Girl.

"Brother~"

"Xiao Wu~"

Behind the Old Sophora Tree not far away, a figure wrapped in a Tattered Gray Cloak stood silently.

Tang Hao was half-hidden in the Tree Shadow, his exposed eyes fixed on the Young Boy and Girl.

For some reason, he suddenly remembered Ah Yin from those years ago—she had looked just as vibrant.

His fingers unconsciously tightened around the Cloak Edge, and an extremely soft sigh escaped his throat.

A wisp of breeze happened to blow past. Several tender green Sophora Leaves spiraled down onto the Cloak Top, sticking to the tattered fabric.

He did not brush them away. His gaze returned to Tang San, and his expression gradually darkened. This child's Twin Martial Souls were the hope of the Clear Sky Sect and also what he held dear.

Once Tang San grew stronger, he would surely be able to defeat the Spirit Hall with this talent. Then he could bring the child back to the Clear Sky Sect openly and honorably.

As for Ah Yin, she was still sleeping in the cave, and no one knew when she would recover.

But what he did not know was that the grass had long since changed appearance, and even the Spirit Bone he had hidden beside it had already been taken away...