Side Quest

In the room, Xiao Tianyang opened his eyes. His gaze was bright, and a blood-red flash of fire seemed to flicker through his pupils before vanishing in an instant, leaving everything as normal.

Exhaling a breath of stale air, Xiao Tianyang relaxed and muttered, "This Minor Soul Power Pill really is potent. Such a tiny pill actually let me level up. If I had a few more..."

Just as Xiao Tianyang was taking it for granted, the wooden door creaked open. The figure who entered was a burly, slovenly dressed man who looked to be in his fifties, with clouded eyes.

Xiao Tianyang recognized him almost immediately—Tang San's father, Tang Hao!

"It's good that you're awake."

After saying that, Tang Hao waved his hand. "Village Chief, I'll leave this child to you."

"What a pitiful child."

As the voice came, Tang Hao stepped aside of his own accord, revealing an elderly man behind him. His temples were gray, yet he was dressed with meticulous neatness.

If Xiao Tianyang had guessed correctly, this old man should be the village chief of Sacred Soul Village, Old Jack.

"Tang Hao, it was fortunate that you were here this time as well."

At that point, Old Jack seemingly did not wish to say more. Looking at Xiao Tianyang, his eyes softened. "Tianyang, do you recognize Grandpa?"

Xiao Tianyang lowered his head, his eyes flickering as he thought, So I was originally from Sacred Soul Village. That makes things easier—I can stay without having to make up an excuse.

Even though he now had the strength to protect himself, Xiao Tianyang still wanted to get close to the father-and-son pair, Tang Hao and Tang San.

Especially the latter. He was the future Sea God with the Protagonist Halo over his head. Even if Xiao Tianyang had no ulterior motives, surely he could benefit a little from being near him?

But Village Chief Old Jack had clearly misunderstood.

Seeing Xiao Tianyang's expression only made his heart ache more. He could not help stepping forward to rub Xiao Tianyang's head as he consoled him, "Child, I know you're hurting right now, but everything will pass. Come, go home with Grandpa first."

Thoughts raced through Xiao Tianyang's mind.

At a time like this, I absolutely can't let any flaws show. I'll just keep quiet and act dazed—that'll seem more natural!

Having made up his mind, Xiao Tianyang did not raise his head, lest anyone spot a flaw. He got to his feet with an utterly dull expression and walked to Village Chief Old Jack's side like a soulless doll.

Though he was no professional actor—and, without exaggeration, Tang Hao should certainly have been able to see through such a ruse given his strength—he did not.

There was only one reason: Xiao Tianyang had been far too ordinary before.

Even within all of Sacred Soul Village, his family had been practically invisible. If not for Village Chief Old Jack's kind heart and familiarity with every household in the village, it would have been perfectly normal not to recognize Xiao Tianyang.

And Tang Hao was currently in the depths of his slump. He could not even be bothered to care for his own son, much less anyone else.

Xiao Tianyang even suspected that Tang Hao had only brought him back with the same mindset one might have when picking up scrap.

That was why Xiao Tianyang's act managed to fool him.

As for Village Chief Old Jack, he did not suspect anything either, merely wearing a helpless expression.

With a trace of pity, Village Chief Old Jack took Xiao Tianyang's hand, raised his head, and said, "We'll be going now."

In response, Tang Hao waved them off, then returned to the anvil, picked up the hammer from the ground, and began his daily blacksmithing work with a series of clanging strikes.

Xiao Tianyang remained silent from beginning to end. Even after Village Chief Old Jack brought him home and tried to comfort him, he maintained the same state.

It was not until the sun had set in the west at dusk that Village Chief Old Jack silently sighed. "Tianyang, how about coming to live at Grandpa's house?"

He had already said everything he could, yet Xiao Tianyang remained like this. It made him distressed and deeply worried.

Moreover, in Village Chief Old Jack's eyes, Xiao Tianyang was only a five- or six-year-old child. No matter the circumstances, leaving him to live here alone was not a solution.

Especially after such a drastic change in his family, he needed someone by his side to help ease the knot in his heart.

But Xiao Tianyang did not see it that way. He had finally gotten an opportunity to be alone—how could he possibly let it slip away?

Thus, he forcefully suppressed his emotions, lowered his voice, and said in a choked tone, "Grandpa Jack, I want to stay home alone for a while. Is that okay?"

This reason was more than sufficient, but it likely would not be enough to make such a warmhearted old man leave.

So Xiao Tianyang immediately added, "Don't worry, Grandpa Jack. I won't do anything foolish."

Sure enough, with those words as reassurance, Village Chief Old Jack only felt more heartbroken. Still, he rose and walked toward the door, not forgetting to remind him, "Tianyang, if you feel sad, just cry it out. You might feel better afterward."

"Remember, if you have any difficulties, come find Grandpa. Grandpa will definitely think of a way to help you!"

Xiao Tianyang did not rise to see him off. He merely nodded woodenly, his performance so natural that even he was secretly amazed by it.

After waiting for a long while, he finally heard the door close. Only then did Xiao Tianyang let out a sigh of relief and mutter to himself, "Good thing I'm quick-witted. Otherwise, if I'd exposed a flaw and someone noticed something, that would've been troublesome."

But Xiao Tianyang swiftly put those thoughts aside. He hurriedly climbed onto the bed, sat cross-legged, and began examining his body.

His condition was naturally exceptionally good. Not only was he uninjured, but a scorching energy within his Dantian was nourishing his body.

Opening his eyes, Xiao Tianyang quickly began making calculations in his mind.

In this dangerous world, if I want the strength to protect myself, I can only rely on myself. At least I have the system—that counts as a shortcut.

And there are quite a few ways to obtain Lottery Points. Designated tasks probably require certain trigger conditions, while defeating Soul Masters or Soul Beasts doesn't mean I have to kill them. There's plenty of room to work with here.

But first, I should go meet Tang San. He is the future protagonist, after all. Maybe I can get some benefits from him...

Just as he thought this, a notification suddenly rang out from the system in Xiao Tianyang's mind.

"Ding!"

"The host has triggered a side quest: [Contact Tang San]. Objective: establish a good friendship with him."

"Mission Reward: Lottery Points ×10!"

Xiao Tianyang sat up in bed, his face filled with shock. "So this is how quests are triggered!"

He immediately asked the system, "How many Lottery Points does it take for one draw?"

This was an important question—one he had forgotten earlier, only remembering it now.

"Replying to the host: the Lucky Draw mode has now been unlocked. There is only one type: spend 100 Lottery Points to initiate a random draw!"

"100 points for one draw? And it's random?"

Xiao Tianyang could not help twitching the corner of his mouth. This was a little different from what he had imagined!

But then he shook his head. "I really am being too greedy. Forget it—100 points it is. Better than nothing."

With that thought, he felt much more at ease. Lying back down, he quickly fell asleep.