Braving the Path to Tempering the Heart
Little Ball brought the two little ones to a clothing store under the Seven Treasure Merchant Association. Immediately, a sales assistant dressed in gorgeous clothes came forward to greet them. After all, Little Ball's tiger ears and tail were very famous in Notting City. The sales assistant felt that a big business had come to her today.
"Miss Tuanzi, are you free to come to our Seven Treasure Clothing Store today? Are you bringing these two little girls to buy laundry clothes? Our Seven Treasure Merchant Association has the best and most complete selection of goods, and we also offer custom-made services."
Tang San looked down at his clothes. He wasn't wearing the wrong clothes; they were men's clothing. How could people mistake his gender? He could only explain in a childish voice, "Saleswoman, I'm a boy. I need a few sets of men's clothes that fit me. Also, do you sell fabric here? I'd like to buy some too."
Tang San planned to buy a few sets of men's clothing as a temporary measure, and also a few batches of fabric as a backup, in case his wardrobe was swapped again and he had nothing to wear. Tang San didn't want to wear women's clothing. He already looked quite feminine, and he absolutely refused to wear women's clothing; that was his bottom line. When he was a child, he was powerless to resist being humiliated by being forced to wear a little skirt. Tang San still couldn't find that photo album in Teacher Yu Xiaogang's study.
The sales assistant looked slightly surprised, subtly sizing up Tang San's attire and appearance. She couldn't believe such a cute and pretty little girl could be a boy. She quickly concluded that the young lady of the Dragon Gate Sect had some strange quirks, then smiled and said to Tang San:
"What kind of men's clothing would this young master like? Our shop, backed by the Seven Treasure Merchant Association, has the most complete selection of clothing on the Douluo Continent, from clothes made of ordinary fabrics to custom-made clothes made of Soul Beast fur! Please follow me!"
Tang San felt the title "Young Master" was a bit odd, while Yu Linglong tried hard to suppress her laughter. Soon, Tang San selected several sets of men's clothing and some fabric. After swiping his card, the group left Seven Treasure Clothing Store with the help of a saleswoman. Tang San secretly remarked that the clothes and fabric were indeed expensive, costing over three hundred Gold Soul Coin.
However, the men's clothing was indeed made of good materials. It should be made of the fur of Soul Beast, which is breathable, warm, and very soft and comfortable to the touch. Afterwards, Little Ball Tuantuan used her Gold Card and VIP card to clear the way for eating and drinking. Tang San also ignored his junior sister Yu Linglong's coquettishness and accompanied her to watch a children's animated movie, Minions.
The group took a guided sightseeing cable car to the Notting City Children's Amusement Park. At first, Tang San was reserved, insisting he was an adult and reluctant to play with a bunch of little kids. However, Little Ball Tuantuan noticed the curiosity in Tang San's eyes and his frequent glances at Yu Linglong playing happily. She couldn't help but say, "San-ge, just because you're out once doesn't mean you can just let loose and play! Don't pretend to be an adult all day. Go on! Look how happy your little master is!"
Just then, Yu Linglong got off the bumper car, grabbed Tang San's hand, and looked directly at the carousel. She excitedly said to Tang San, "San-ge, don't just stand there! Come on, your senior sister will take you to play all over the amusement park today!"
Tang San could only smile wryly as his junior sister Yu Linglong, pulled him away. Little Ball waved to them and tossed her milk tea aside, indicating that she would wait for Tang San and Yu Linglong to have fun.
Before long, Tang San was infected by Yu Linglong's cheerful laughter and gradually became immersed in it Tang San also had a happy childhood. All the things from his past life began to fade away from Tang San. This day, Tang San felt that it was the happiest day he had ever had.
After Tang San completely let go, he and Yu Linglong played all over the children's amusement park. In the end, the two little ones were so tired that they fell asleep. Little Ball carried one in each arm and put them in the back seat of the Soul Guidance Off-Road Vehicle that had been prepared in advance. She had completed her mission for the day and it was time to return to the Dragon Gate Sect.
Tang San felt he had slept the most peacefully of the day, free from the oppressive atmosphere of the Tang Sect, the bullying and ridicule of the Inner Sect disciples, and completely detached from the Tang Sect, that inhumane training ground for killers.
The next day, Tang San woke up in his small room and stared blankly at his Cartoon Pajamas. He then turned around and saw the neatly folded men's clothes and fabric, which made him breathe a sigh of relief. At least the things he bought yesterday when he let his guard down hadn't been replaced with women's clothes.
Tang San got up and changed out of his pink Cartoon Pajamas. He knew without a doubt that it was Aunt Erlong's doing. He knew that Aunt Erlong, who seemed so energetic on the surface, actually liked this childish thing.
Tang San changed his clothes and went to wash up. Standing at the sink, he looked at his incredibly handsome face in the mirror. His large blue-gold eyes revealed determination. Since he had decided to start a new life, he had to face himself. No matter how beautiful or attractive the outside world was, he was still himself! He would definitely uphold his integrity and maintain his bottom line! Today, he would start by getting used to his appearance! After getting ready, Tang San ate a hearty breakfast at the Dragon Gate Sect. As usual, the cafeteria lady gave him a full and sumptuous meal. Tang San felt that his good looks were sometimes a privilege; other sect disciples didn't receive such treatment.
Today, Tang San planned to try Path to Tempering the Heart technique. After all, he had been cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill for a long time, but was stuck at the first level and unable to break through. Moreover, Tang San also envied his junior sister's omnipotent Mental Power. He thought of using Mental Power to control Hidden Weapons attacks, which would make Hidden Weapons even more unpredictable.
Tang San wanted to walk the Path to Tempering the Heart, to prove himself to his teacher Yu Xiaogang! Tang San was destined to be extraordinary, to inherit all of Yu Xiaogang's skills, and to bring glory to the Dragon Gate Sect! Tang San had completely come to regard the Dragon Gate Sect as his home. The Tang Sect? That heartless sect could go to hell! Tang San had lived in the Dragon Gate Sect for many years and felt that it suited him better here. His parents doted on him, his teachers taught him all sorts of theoretical knowledge, and he had a clever and mischievous senior sister to cultivate with him—all of this was Tang Sect the Tang San could never give him.
Tang San has now come to his senses. That Teaching Elder in the Scripture Pavilion had ulterior motives; he must have taken advantage of Tang San's loyalty to the Tang Sect and his talent for cultivation to play a sneaky trick. Without one of those qualities, Tang San would have died that day. If his cultivation had been discovered, every elder of the Tang Sect who came to his rescue would have wanted to kill him!
Soon, Tang San arrived at the main square of the Dragon Gate Sect. Looking at the Path to Tempering the Heart with its hundred steps, the sect disciples who were exercising nearby squatted down upon seeing Tang San, took out a lollipop from their Storage Soul Tool, and offered it to Tang San, greeting him:
"It's Tang San! You're up so early, while the Young Sect Master is still lazing in bed! Hmm? Tang San, are you going to attempt the Path to Tempering the Heart? Isn't that too early for you? The Path to Tempering the Heart isn't easy to conquer!"
Tang San instinctively took the lollipop. His junior sister probably liked snacks; he wasn't a child who liked sweets! He silently tucked it into his robes and then began asking the sect disciples, "Is the Path to Tempering the Heart difficult? What happens when you enter it? Big brother, have you ever attempted the Path to Tempering the Heart?"
The disciple from the training sect, his eyes gleaming, looked at Tang San's large, curious blue-gold eyes and coughed to cover it up, saying:
"The Path to Tempering the Heart is an introductory test set by our sect leader. To date, very few have been able to pass it on their first try. Once you step into the Path to Tempering the Heart, you will enter the Illusion of Obsession. Being able to see through the illusion is very beneficial for improving your Sea of Consciousness. However, among the disciples I've seen who have passed the Path of Path to Tempering the Heart on their first try, even Senior Sister Si Si had to take three tries! Tang San, do you really want to try the Path to Tempering the Heart today? It's too dangerous! Your Sea of Consciousness hasn't been opened up yet!"
Tang San narrowed his beautiful eyes, gave a confident smile, and nodded to the disciple who was exercising. Then, in front of the sect disciples who were stunned by Tang San's adorable appearance, he stepped onto the Path to Tempering the Heart.
I wonder what my obsessive illusion is? My family? The Tang Sect? Or... the Dragon Gate Sect?