Conversation and Testing

I know. What's wrong?

Seeing Old Jack's grave expression, Chen Feng blinked, not quite understanding why Old Jack was being so serious.

As a transmigrator, he had long known that he and Old Jack were not related by blood. He had most likely been picked up.

But what did that matter?

In Chen Feng's eyes, the grace of raising someone outweighed the grace of giving birth.

If one gave birth but did not raise the child, even severing a finger could repay the debt; if one did not give birth but raised the child, even a hundred lifetimes would not be enough to repay it. Of course, this did not include children obtained through trafficking.

Old Jack had raised Chen Feng for six years and given him a home in this world. Chen Feng had long regarded the old man as family, so he did not understand why Old Jack had chosen this moment to reveal it.

"I've always treated you as my own grandson, but there's something I can't keep from you. When I found you, I also discovered something on you."

Old Jack took a cloth bundle from his clothes. After slowly opening it, Chen Feng saw a sword-shaped Jade Pendant inside, engraved with a tiny character for "Chen."

"This should be something your family left for you. I never knew when I should give it to you, but now that you're about to become a Soul Master, I'll return it to you."

Chen Feng stared blankly at the Jade Pendant, not knowing what to say.

Seriously, what kind of ancient novel setup was this? A jade pendant and an orphan—wasn't this trope completely overused?

Could some sleazy man be watching everything he went through right now, then writing it into a novel to make money?

No way, right?

"What's wrong, Xiao Feng?" Old Jack asked, puzzled by Chen Feng's daze.

".Nothing." Chen Feng took the Jade Pendant, then looked at Old Jack and said seriously,

"No matter what, you are my grandfather. That will never change."

"Good, good." Old Jack wiped his eyes and turned away.

Early the next morning.

On a small hill beside Sacred Soul Village, Chen Feng was dressed in black and held the Tai Chi Bagua Sword as he practiced swordsmanship at a relatively slow pace.

Not far from him, an ordinary-looking child in gray hemp clothes sat atop a large rock, staring intently at the sliver of pale white just appearing in the east.

The two children went about their own tasks, one moving and one still, yet they somehow created a particularly harmonious scene.

After a while, when the pale white in the east was swallowed by the rising sun, the boy in gray finally closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

Meanwhile, Chen Feng's sword forms gradually came to an end, concluding his practice for the day.

He had kept up this training every day ever since he learned to walk, choosing the same little hill Tang San had used in the original work.

Before, Chen Feng had used a wooden stick to practice swordsmanship. He had searched hard to find it: a perfectly straight stick of just the right thickness and length.

He had loved that wooden stick dearly, treating it as his "peerless fine sword," and had used it for years.

Even now that he had a Martial Soul, he had not thrown the stick away and planned to keep it forever.

As for what Chen Feng practiced, it was the Tai Chi Swordplay he had learned online in his previous life.

In truth, Chen Feng somewhat regretted practicing Tai Chi Swordplay now. He thought that perhaps it was because he had always practiced swordsmanship that he had awakened a Sword Spirit.

Naturally, that idea made no sense, because everyone knew that Martial Souls were inherited through bloodlines.

The notion that practicing swordsmanship could awaken a Sword Spirit was pure nonsense, completely illogical.

After finishing his sword practice for the day, Chen Feng put away his Martial Soul and greeted the boy in gray.

"Morning, Xiao San. You're really diligent, coming here every day without fail."

"Morning, Xiao Feng. Aren't you the same? I've never seen you miss a day." The boy in gray stood up and patted the dust from his clothes. "And you always arrive before me. You were the one who found this place first, too."

"Ah, I get here first because practicing swordsmanship takes longer for me. Besides, dawn is when yin and yang are divided. Practicing swordsmanship at this time produces the best results."

Chen Feng walked over and sat beside Tang San. "By the way, you told Grandpa yesterday that you wanted to talk to me. What did you want to discuss?"

"Of course, Martial Souls." Tang San looked at Chen Feng seriously. "The expression on your face after awakening your Martial Soul yesterday was off. What happened? Is there something wrong with your Martial Soul?"

"There is... a tiny problem, but don't worry. I can solve it." Chen Feng forced a smile.

Tang San stared at Chen Feng's face. After a moment, he sighed. "You said before that we were good friends, but you're not acting like you consider me a friend right now."

Chen Feng looked at the ground, hesitated for a while, then said in a somewhat low voice,

"Fine. The problem is actually rather serious, but I've already thought of a solution."

"Can you tell me about it? Of course, if it involves the secret of your Martial Soul, then forget it," Tang San said.

"It's not really a secret." Chen Feng shook his head and roughly explained the problem with his Martial Soul.

"That's the situation. I've decided to research Martial Souls and find a way to promote their evolution. That way, high-quality blood will be easier to obtain, and I can use it to repair my own Martial Soul."

"I see." Tang San nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Is there anything I can do? My Blue Silver Grass is a plant-type Martial Soul. Does it meet your requirements?"

"It does, but are you willing to cooperate with my research? In theory, I'm confident that I can evolve your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, but this concerns your future. Are you willing to follow my plan?" Chen Feng asked in return.

He watched Tang San's youthful face, observing every change in expression and the look in those lively eyes.

Chen Feng knew that Tang San's reaction at this moment would reveal how effective his efforts over the past few years had been. It would determine his future attitude toward Tang San, and it also concerned the future of his Martial Soul.

Then, without the slightest hesitation, Tang San spoke.

"Isn't that only natural? We're good friends. Your Martial Soul has a problem now, and I can help you. Would I refuse?

"Besides, if my Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul can evolve, that would greatly benefit me too. Whether out of friendship or reason, I couldn't possibly refuse. But you have to explain your plan to me first."

Hearing Tang San's answer, Chen Feng smiled happily.

"Of course. I'll use my plan to convince you."

"And if you can't convince me, don't blame me for refusing to listen to you," Tang San said with a smile.

"Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"

"Oh? You're quite confident. Then why don't you analyze my Martial Soul first and let me see what you're capable of?"