The Mystery of His Origins

From the original story, Tang San did not learn of the concept of the awakening ceremony from Old Jack until he was six and about to awaken.

Before that, he had shown almost no desire to explore this new world he had arrived in.

Was that a good thing? No.

It was clearly a sign of social withdrawal.

After all, Spirit Hall sent people to Sacred Soul Village every year to conduct the awakening ceremony.

In other words, from a psychological perspective, Tang San in the original story had already entered a withdrawn state during this period due to prolonged emotional neglect and loneliness.

That was why, when he later met Xiao Wu and the Grandmaster, he clung to them as though they were lifelines.

Fortunately, neither of them was some expert at psychological manipulation. Otherwise, Tang San would surely have been KFC'd into a loyal simp.

Just thinking about it was enough to make one shed a tear.

In short, after conducting a psychological analysis of Tang San, Chen Feng settled on his approach.

He would ease Tang San's loneliness through conversation, then lessen his symptoms of emotional deprivation with some care and concern.

In practice, this meant frequently going to play with Tang San. Even when Tang San was initially cold toward him, Chen Feng did not mind.

He acted like an oblivious fool who could not read the room, telling Tang San all sorts of stories he had heard in his previous life.

The humanistic ideas of ancient and modern times, from both East and West, were hidden within those stories and brought bit by bit into this world by Chen Feng.

Tang San had been rather indifferent at first, but gradually, he became drawn in by those interesting tales.

It was as if he saw a vibrant, colorful real world within them, and the people in those stories began to stir his heart.

He felt regret for The Little Match Girl; he was moved by the friendship between Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya; he applauded Hou Yi for shooting down the suns to protect the common people; and he yearned for the beautiful love stories in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.

Through his interactions with Chen Feng, Tang San's cold, withdrawn shell gradually melted away, and he slowly became more cheerful.

In Chen Feng's eyes, Tang San now resembled a wandering hero more than an assassin.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone knocked on Chen Feng's door, and Old Jack's voice came from outside.

"Xiao Feng, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Grandpa." Having formed an initial plan for the future and no longer feeling so lost, Chen Feng opened the door and walked out.

"You didn't say a word after your martial soul awakened. Even Xiao San could tell something was off with you. He told me to have you meet him at the usual place tomorrow morning. He wants to have a proper talk with you." Old Jack studied Chen Feng's expression but did not see anything unusual.

"I understand, Grandpa. I'll go find Xiao San tomorrow morning." Chen Feng nodded.

He really did need to speak with Tang San. He needed to determine whether Tang San's attitude would change after Martial Soul Awakening.

If nothing changed, that would be fine. If it did, Chen Feng would need to make plans early.

"Xiao Feng, I heard Lord Soul Master invited you to join Spirit Hall. Is that true?" Old Jack asked.

"Yes, Brother Su did say that, but I haven't decided yet." Chen Feng nodded.

After the awakening ceremony, Su Yuntao had invited both him and Tang San, but Chen Feng had muddled through it with a delaying tactic.

"What are you thinking?" Old Jack asked as he sat down on a stool beside him.

"For now, I'm not considering joining Spirit Hall," Chen Feng said after thinking for a while.

"Why?" Old Jack was somewhat puzzled. "Don't you like reading? Spirit Hall has such an extensive collection of books, and you could also receive guidance from Lord Soul Master."

Because Chen Feng did not want to abandon the experimental material he had painstakingly cultivated. He had invested two or three years of effort into Tang San already, creating sunk costs. How could he casually set Tang San aside and head to Spirit Hall alone?

Besides, Chen Feng would need the blood of Tang San after his martial soul evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor to help repair his own martial soul. That made leaving even more impossible.

Tang San would never join Spirit Hall. Even if he himself were willing, Tang Hao certainly would not be.

Moreover, Spirit Hall's factions were highly complicated. Even on the surface, there were the two largest factions led by Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu. Who knew how many more existed in secret?

The Hall of the Pope and the Worship Hall currently appeared harmonious, as though everyone got along well, but where there were people, there were factions. Who knew what undercurrents flowed beneath the surface?

Besides, Bibi Dong's mental state was also a major problem.

Tang San had not yet entered the City of Slaughter, and even after guiding him for several years, Chen Feng did not dare claim he could completely set him straight.

But Bibi Dong had not only cleared the City of Slaughter, she had even begun her divine trials, inheriting the godhood of the God of Malice.

Who knew what she had experienced in the City of Slaughter, what changes had taken place in her mindset, or what changes the God of Malice's divine trials would bring her?

If Bibi Dong had been someone inherently kind and resolute like Captain America, Chen Feng might have been willing to believe she could control malice.

But judging from the original story, she had instead been controlled by malice.

She was basically beyond saving.

How was anyone supposed to conduct research under a crazy woman like that?

Just look at the outrageous things she would do later: the Spirit Hunting Operation, the massacre of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the pursuit of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Who did she think she was, Hun Tiandi?

Every one of those ridiculous moves was simply forcing every faction into becoming her enemy.

Even Qin knew to befriend distant states and attack nearby ones. Even Little Mustache knew to seek allies. Did Bibi Dong have any diplomatic strategy at all?

In Chen Feng's view, Spirit Hall's defeat was largely attributable to the failure of its diplomatic strategy.

Or rather, it had no diplomatic strategy to begin with.

That crazy woman Bibi Dong pushed everyone to the opposite side, so its downfall was naturally foreseeable.

Chen Feng could not possibly join in with a doomed loser.

As he saw it, he had only two paths: either join a force with relatively simple internal factions, or build one himself.

But there was no need to tell Old Jack any of this. Chen Feng did not want the old man to know such complicated things. Knowing too much meant danger.

So he merely smiled and said:

"Isn't it because I can't bear to leave you, Grandpa? How could I feel at ease leaving you here alone while I went to Spirit City?"

"You little rascal, always sweet-talking your grandpa. I'm in good health. I don't need you to take care of me."

As he spoke, Old Jack sighed again.

"Ah, if you don't want to go, then don't. I know you must have your reasons. You've been smart since you were young, and you're bound to do great things someday. I only hope you can protect yourself, avoid dangerous things as much as possible, and live well."

"Yes, I understand, Grandpa." Chen Feng nodded solemnly.

"Also, there's something else I need to tell you." Old Jack's voice suddenly became somewhat low.

"What is it?"

"Actually, I'm not your biological grandfather. I found you while hunting once." Old Jack spoke in a heavy voice.