Ancestral Hall Awakening Conceals Strength, Dealing with Stewards to Accumulate Slacking Value

The first crow of the rooster woke Tang San. It wasn't the sound, but the thought of his Martial Soul awakening today that stirred him awake subconsciously. He felt for the small cloth pouch by his pillow—the one Granny Wang had given him yesterday. It held only half a sweet potato left from breakfast, his prepared "rations."

He turned over, not getting up immediately, but waiting with his eyes closed for the system prompt. Sure enough, after a moment, a familiar mechanical voice sounded in his mind: [Actively extended rest time, avoided early exertion, Slacking Value +1, current total 7 points].

"Just 3 more points and I can exchange for a Soul Power boost," Tang San mused inwardly, before slowly sitting up. When dressing, he deliberately chose his oldest coarse cloth clothes to appear more "ordinary" and less conspicuous in the ancestral hall later.

Stepping out of his room, Tang Hao was no longer in the yard. The blacksmith shop door was ajar, the furnace not yet lit. A bowl of warm porridge sat on the table, with a note beside it, written by Tang Hao with charcoal ash: "Don't push yourself during the awakening. Come back early when it's done."

Tang San picked up the porridge and drank it. It was bland, unsweetened, but he drank it earnestly—this was a rare display of concern from Tang Hao, and he wouldn't waste it. After finishing, he folded the note and put it in the cloth pouch. Just as he reached the yard entrance, he saw Old Jack approaching with some village children, Huzi leading the way, the same boy who had invited him to play yesterday.

"Xiao San, we've been waiting for you!" Old Jack called out with a smile. "Steward Su Yuntao is already at the ancestral hall. Let's hurry, we don't want to keep him waiting."

Tang San nodded and followed Old Jack towards the ancestral hall. On the way, Huzi sidled up and whispered, "Xiao San, what do you think our Martial Souls will be? I hope it's a hammer, like your dad's, good for blacksmithing!"

Tang San deliberately slowed his pace, falling slightly behind. "I don't know. Whatever it is, it's fine. I'm weak anyway, even if I awaken a Martial Soul, I might not become a Soul Master." His words were half true, half false, fitting his "slacking" persona while preemptively laying the groundwork for an impression of weakness.

[Actively weakened self-expectation, avoided the "desire for strength" competitive mindset, Slacking Value +1, current total 8 points]

The system prompt had just finished when they arrived at the ancestral hall. It was the most imposing building in the village. A man in a white robe stood at the entrance, a Martial Soul Hall emblem embroidered on his chest. He held a black box in his hand; this must be Su Yuntao.

"Everyone here?" Su Yuntao scanned the children, his tone laced with impatience. "Come in quickly, don't waste time. I have other villages to visit."

Old Jack quickly plastered on a smile. "Thank you for your trouble, Steward. The children are well-behaved, please proceed with the test."

The children followed Su Yuntao into the ancestral hall, where six black stones had been arranged in a circle. Su Yuntao placed the box in the center and addressed the children, "I'll call your names one by one. Step into the stone circle and place your hands on the box. Don't be nervous, just follow my instructions."

The first to be called was Huzi. He eagerly ran into the circle and placed his hands on the box. Su Yuntao chanted something, and the box suddenly glowed with white light. A phantom image of a small wooden hammer slowly materialized on Huzi's hand.

"Martial Soul, Wooden Hammer." Su Yuntao glanced at it, then took out a blue crystal ball and handed it over. "Come, let's test your Soul Power."

Huzi placed his hand on the crystal ball, but it didn't light up. Su Yuntao pouted. "No Soul Power, a waste Martial Soul. Next."

Huzi walked out with his head hanging, his eyes slightly red. Tang San watched him, not stepping forward to comfort him—approaching now might draw Su Yuntao's attention. It was better to "mind his own business" and save up Slacking Value.

[Avoided unnecessary emotional comfort, reduced extra social consumption, Slacking Value +1, current total 9 points]

The next few children awakened either hoes or sickles, all of them trash martial souls with no Soul Power. Su Yuntao's expression grew increasingly displeased until he called out, "Tang San."

Tang San took a deep breath and slowly walked into the stone circle. He deliberately walked slowly, even stumbling a bit, feigning "nervous legs." Su Yuntao frowned. "Stand steady, place your hand on the box."

Tang San complied. The moment his fingers touched the box, he felt a warm current flow into his body from his fingertips. He knew this was the power of Martial Soul awakening. Recalling the original story, he deliberately suppressed the Soul Power within him, especially the Clear Sky Hammer, holding it back with all his might.

Soon, the phantom image of Blue Silver Grass appeared from his hand, thin and soft, much dimmer than the other children's Martial Souls. Su Yuntao glanced at it, his tone perfunctory. "Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass. A type of useless Martial Soul. Let's test your Soul Power."

The blue crystal ball was handed over. Tang San's heart stirred; this was crucial. He couldn't reveal his Level 10 Soul Power (a slight increase), nor could he let the crystal ball remain completely dark, as that would be too abnormal. He lightly touched the crystal ball with his fingertip, releasing only a faint wisp of Soul Power.

The crystal ball lit up only a little, not much brighter than a firefly. Su Yuntao, without even looking closely, waved his hand. "Faint Soul Power, barely counts as having Soul Power, but this much, not even a Soul Warrior. It's like not awakening at all. Next..."

Before he could finish, the crystal ball suddenly brightened again, a little more than before. Su Yuntao paused, then looked back at Tang San. "You weren't using your full strength just now, were you? Try again."

Tang San's heart skipped a beat. He quickly feigned panic, pulling his hand away and then placing it back, this time releasing even less Soul Power than before. "Steward, I... I did my best. I'm weak, I don't have the strength."

[Avoided over-exerting Soul Power, refused the Steward's 'second test' request, Slacking Value +1, current total 10 points]

The system prompt came at the perfect moment. Su Yuntao stared at Tang San for a few seconds. Seeing his pale face (which was actually an act) and glancing at the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, he finally shook his head. "Alright, you can go."

Tang San breathed a sigh of relief and slowly walked out of the stone circle. As he stood to the side, he heard Su Yuntao say to Old Jack, "This village is no good. Only one person barely has Soul Power, and it's Blue Silver Grass, useless. I'm leaving now, the next village awaits."

Old Jack tried to persuade him to stay, but Su Yuntao had already packed his box and left without looking back. The children gradually dispersed. Huzi came over and patted Tang San's shoulder. "Xiao San, it's okay. At least you have Soul Power, you're stronger than me."

Tang San smiled, saying nothing. His mind was filled with the system panel—10 Slacking Value points, just enough to exchange for "slight Soul Power increase." He deliberately lagged behind. Once Old Jack and the other children were far away, he found a secluded corner and opened the system panel.

[Consume 10 Slacking Value points to exchange for 'Slight Soul Power Increase'?]

"Exchange," Tang San thought inwardly.

Instantly, a warmer current, stronger than the last, surged through his body. The Soul Power in his dantian felt noticeably more abundant. The system prompt sounded again: [Exchange successful, current Soul Power Level: Level 11 (Slight Increase), Slacking Value remaining: 0 points].

"Level 11?" Tang San was overjoyed. This was more than he had expected. He touched his wrist; although the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul didn't reappear, he could feel it was more resilient than before.

Just as he was about to head home, footsteps approached from behind. Tang San turned to see Tang Hao. He didn't know when he had arrived, standing under a nearby tree, holding a wine gourd, looking at him with a complex expression.

"Dad, why are you here?" Tang San quickly walked over.

Tang Hao didn't answer, merely shaking his gourd. "Awakening finished? Let's go back, I've stewed some sweet potato soup."

Tang San nodded and followed Tang Hao home. On the way, Tang Hao suddenly spoke, "When Su Yuntao tested your Soul Power just now, you weren't using your full strength, were you?"

Tang San's heart tightened. Just as he was about to explain, Tang Hao waved his hand. "No need to hide it from me. If you don't want to say, don't. But remember, hiding your strength is fine, just don't joke with your own safety."

Tang San was stunned, then felt a warmth spread through his heart. He looked at Tang Hao's retreating back and said softly, "Dad, I understand."

Back home, the blacksmith shop's furnace was already lit, and the aroma of sweet potatoes wafted from the pot. Tang San sat at the table, watching Tang Hao ladle the sweet potato soup into bowls. He suddenly felt that even if he was slacking, with a father like this by his side, it seemed pretty good.

Drinking the sweet potato soup, he began to plan for the days ahead. His Martial Soul had awakened; next, he had to wait for Old Jack to arrange his admission to Nuoding Academy. Before that, he needed to quickly accumulate more Slacking Value, aiming to raise his Soul Power further before heading to the academy.

The sun outside slowly climbed higher, shining on the small stool in the yard, as if waiting for its owner to sit down again and continue on this path of "slacking to become strong."