I, Tang San, Will Not Eat Handouts

"There is a way for this child to attend the academy."

As soon as Su Yuntao said this, Old Jack and Tang San immediately turned their attention to him.

Zhu Rong had roughly guessed Su Yuntao's solution.

It was nothing more than having villages without children qualified to become Soul Masters contribute their Work-Study Student slots.

For those villages with no children qualified to become Soul Masters, it made no difference whether they used those slots or not.

When other villages happened to have two children qualified to become Soul Masters, they would "borrow" slots from nearby villages that had "extra" Work-Study Student places.

Everyone was quite willing to do this. Helping a future Soul Master might mean they would repay the favor once they grew up.

"Before coming to Holy Soul Village, I visited several villages that had no children with Soul Power. Their Work-Study Student slots can be used by you."

Su Yuntao patted Tang San on the shoulder as he spoke.

He felt it was a pity for this child, but with Innate Soul Power at rank eight, after cultivating for a few years, he could casually find a ten-year soul ring and become a Soul Master.

Then he would be able to collect one Gold Soul Coin from Spirit Hall every month. Though he would not become an expert, it could still improve his life somewhat.

Su Yuntao had come from humble origins himself and understood the hardships of ordinary people. One look at Tang San's clothes told him what his family circumstances were like.

Becoming a Soul Master and collecting Gold Soul Coins was his only way out.

Su Yuntao's suggestion made Old Jack's eyes light up. If Tang San could also attend a Soul Master Academy, then Holy Soul Village would have two Soul Masters!

After a long moment, seeing Tang San give no response, Old Jack hurriedly cupped his hands toward Su Yuntao and said:

"Thank you, Master Su. Little San, why aren't you thanking Master Su?"

This child was usually clever and likable. Why was he being so thoughtless today?

Old Jack thought with some dissatisfaction.

Su Yuntao was, after all, a Soul Grandmaster. Not only had he taken the initiative to help, but Tang San had not even said thank you. What sort of behavior was that?

"You took away the slot that belonged to me, made up for it with a slot nobody else wanted, and still expect me to thank you?"

At that thought, Tang San's eyes reddened!

But in Old Jack and Su Yuntao's eyes, Tang San looked so moved that he was about to cry!

"Thank you, Master Su!"

Tang San practically gritted out those words. The situation was stronger than he was; he had no choice.

Judging from the aura this man had shown during his Martial Soul Awakening, he was not his match yet. He absolutely could not act rashly...

Zhu Rong curled his lip. As expected of the Tang San who called Dai Mubai Boss Dai when weak and Dai Mubai by name when strong!

"When should I let him have a taste of the sword?"

Zhu Rong stroked his chin, his gaze distant as he considered how to teach Tang San a lesson and how to set Tang Hao up.

He no longer cared about the Tang Sect techniques Tang San possessed. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track for dodging skills? Mysterious Jade Hand for blocking damage? Purple Demon Eye for seeing an opponent's movements clearly?

Those might have been useful before Zhu Rong awakened Judgment Heavenly God Kail, but now they were useless!

The Blade of Sanction might be two holy swords, but its method of attack was entirely different from that of ordinary swords!

The proper way to use the Blade of Sanction was to activate the holy swords with Soul Power, mentally lock onto the target, and attack from afar.

The holy swords would unleash holy and flame-attribute attacks upon the locked target, dealing damage.

Of course, they could also be used as ordinary swords.

As long as Zhu Rong mentally locked onto him, even if Tang San cultivated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to its highest realm, it would be useless. There would be no avoiding it and no escaping it.

Zhu Rong's current attack range was roughly twenty meters. Only his powerful soul from having lived two lives allowed him to possess such formidable spiritual power.

His attack range would grow along with his spiritual power.

After Su Yuntao explained the enrollment time to Old Jack, he hurriedly left.

There were still several villages waiting for him to help with Martial Soul Awakening.

Only Old Jack, Zhu Rong, and Tang San remained at the entrance to Holy Soul Village.

"Little San, after you go back, have a proper talk with Tang Hao. He can't be allowed to affect your future!"

Old Jack said this without any intention of seeing Tang San home. He still had to make something delicious later to celebrate properly.

He also had some "secrets" to tell Zhu Rong.

He had no time to go persuade Tang Hao. Go or don't go, it was up to them! The slot had been given to them anyway.

Tang San nodded without replying. After giving Old Jack and Zhu Rong a deep look, he turned and left.

He was afraid that if he did not leave now, he would not be able to stop himself from attacking them!

Based on Old Jack's conduct today, as well as Zhu Rong hindering his cultivation and damaging his talent, this grandfather and grandson had already embarked upon the Path to Death!

But now was not the time to act. Once he went off to school, his father would still have to live in the village. Without Old Jack's aid, he...

Hmph, I, Tang San, am upright and honorable, standing tall beneath the heavens. I will never accept handouts! Old fool, even if I starve to death, I will never eat another grain of your rice.

Tang San thought to himself.

He was glad that he had seen this grandfather and grandson's true faces today. Otherwise, after becoming strong, he might have repaid them tenfold or even a hundredfold.

Dugu Bo: Yes, yes, yes! And all I got was a ten-thousand-year infamy!

"Hmm?"

Tang San left without saying a word, leaving Old Jack completely stunned!

He stood rooted to the spot, not knowing what to say.

Six years ago, Tang Hao had brought Tang San to Holy Soul Village. Old Jack had taken them in and allowed them to settle there.

Old Jack had helped build their home, and most of their food had been provided through his assistance.

Over the past six years, no one knew how much grain he had sent Tang Hao and Tang San!

If not for pitying Tang San, Old Jack would have driven them out long ago because of Tang Hao's lazy, good-for-nothing ways.

The grain Old Jack provided was more than enough to feed the two of them, but Tang Hao traded it for alcohol...

"Grandpa?"

Only when he heard Zhu Rong's voice did Old Jack come back to himself. He gently shook his head and said with a bitter smile:

"Grandson, let's go home."

Zhu Rong nodded and supported Old Jack as they headed home.

Old Jack was kind, but he was not foolish. Otherwise, he would not have become the village chief.

From Tang San's expression and behavior, he understood that he might have made a mistake!

He had "raised" two ungrateful wretches!

Only his adopted grandson, at such a young age, could give up the temptation of joining Spirit Hall in order to care for him.

After Tang San returned to the thatched hut, he heard Tang Hao's voice the moment he stepped inside:

"What Martial Soul did you awaken?"

Tang Hao's voice was lifeless, devoid of any emotion.

Upon hearing this, Tang San, whose face was dark and gloomy, rubbed his face before replying:

"Father, my Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. My Innate Soul Power is rank eight."

"Blue Silver Grass? Blue Silver Grass?!"

Tang Hao's tightly shut eyes suddenly opened. His brow furrowed as he found it hard to believe that Tang San had awakened Blue Silver Grass!

When children awakened their Martial Souls, they would generally awaken the stronger Martial Soul of their parents.

My hammer is actually inferior to Blue Silver Grass? Innate rank eight is passable...