Birthday

He didn't tell anyone about this, not even Old Jack or Su Yuntao, the Spirit Hall deacon who had helped him awaken his Martial Soul.

After all, they were outsiders.

[The Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, General Principles, First Rule: Never let anyone you cannot completely trust know the full extent of your true strength.]

Tang San had long since memorized the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, and he believed in its general principles without the slightest doubt, treating them as the ultimate truths of life.

The curtain was suddenly swept aside, and Tang Hao strode out. His expression was one of shock, and his eyes were bloodshot. It looked as though he had just been crying.

Before Tang Hao could say anything, Tang San showed him his other Martial Soul. Black light shimmered, and a hammer appeared in his left hand.

The hammer was entirely black, with a handle about half a foot long and a cylindrical head. It looked like a miniature blacksmith's hammer, but a strange light glimmered across its dark surface, and a faint pattern wound around its cylindrical head.

As soon as it appeared, Tang San felt all his inner strength drained away. The hammer was extraordinarily heavy, and even lifting it took considerable effort.

When Tang Hao saw the hammer Martial Soul, the lifeless look in his eyes seemed to flare back to life. He grew excited again. "Twin Martial Souls! You actually have Twin Martial Souls! My son, my son!"

Tang Hao abruptly pulled Tang San into his arms, holding him tight with his strong, solid arms.

His movements were rough, and the strength of his embrace even made Tang San's bones creak faintly. Yet, held in his father's arms, which felt like iron, Tang San felt more at ease than ever before.

Family affection. Was this what it felt like?

Tang San closed his eyes slightly. He wished time could stop right there. His father's love, the warmth of family—it felt wonderful!

This was the first time since his birth that Tang San had felt a father's love. The feeling was so beautiful.

Although he had lived through two lifetimes, and although he had been nearly thirty in his previous life, this was still a feeling he had never experienced before.

At that moment, Tang San couldn't help thinking, Having a father is wonderful. Being a son is wonderful.

The father and son stayed in each other's arms for a long time before finally, reluctantly, letting go.

"Xiao San, remember: from now on, use the hammer in your left hand to protect the grass in your right. Always." Tang Hao's expression was utterly serious.

Tang San felt a little confused, but he was too filial to argue with Tang Hao.

At noon, after their meal, Tang San washed the pots and dishes, then cleaned the house.

Only after finishing all that did he return to his day-in, day-out hammering. Unexpectedly, Tang Hao didn't go to sleep. Instead, he watched Tang San work from the side.

After watching for a while, Tang Hao stopped him when he was drenched in sweat.

"You're doing it wrong."

Tang San lifted his soot-blackened face and looked at the tall, burly Tang Hao. "Dad, what should I do, then?"

Tang Hao began teaching him some forging techniques, then demonstrated them himself, guiding Tang San through them step by step.

And so Tang San began three months of hammering. Only later did he learn that Tang Hao had taught him the famous Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique, which could be used not only for forging but also in combat.

In Notting City, inside a luxurious mansion, Lin Ye sat on a swing in the courtyard, gently rocking back and forth.

He held a copy of the Encyclopedia of Soul Beasts and read it with great interest.

The Ice Empress sat close beside him, holding half a watermelon and scooping out mouthfuls with a spoon. She looked entirely at ease.

Time flew by. It had been more than nine months since Lin Ye had transmigrated into this world, and his long-awaited sixth birthday was almost here.

Over the past few months, Lin Ye had eaten and drunk well, and was no longer malnourished as he had been at first.

His short, thick black hair lay neatly over his small head like ink, giving him a lively air. His red eyes drew particular attention, gleaming like two brilliant rubies with a mysterious, translucent light.

His face still had a hint of baby fat, making him look adorably plump. His fair skin contrasted strikingly with his black hair and red eyes, making the special little boy stand out in any crowd.

His small body swayed with the swing, a smile spread across his face. Tomorrow was his birthday.

Tomorrow, he would awaken his Martial Soul. Lin Ye could hardly wait.

Over the past six months or so, he had also consumed the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew he had obtained at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well. With the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Blazing Apricot Jiao Sparse he had taken earlier, these Immortal Herbs should give him a solid foundation. He was sure his Innate Soul Power wouldn't be low.

After spending all this time together, the Ice Empress had changed somewhat. Most noticeably, she no longer opposed Lin Ye at every turn like she had at first.

Just then, the Snow Empress entered the courtyard with light, graceful steps.

But the Snow Empress wasn't alone. Two figures, one tall and one short, followed behind her.

Lin Ye hopped off the swing and went over to greet them. "Grandpa Dugu, Sister Yan, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

Sure enough, it was Dugu Bo and his granddaughter, Dugu Yan. Ever since the Snow Empress had helped them, the two of them had often come by for visits.

After seeing each other so often, the two sides had naturally grown close.

"Haha, we heard you were about to awaken your Martial Soul, so we came to congratulate you. Why be so formal between us?" Dugu Bo said with a hearty laugh.

At first, he had been very respectful around Lin Ye. But after spending more time with him, he realized that the little boy was easy to get along with and wasn't spoiled and overbearing like most rich kids. Gradually, they had grown familiar, and he no longer spoke so stiffly.

"Sure. Make yourselves at home."

Lin Ye didn't bother to entertain the two of them. They had come so many times that they were already quite familiar with the place.

In fact, the grandfather and granddaughter even had rooms of their own here.

Lin Ye sat back down on the swing. Dugu Yan came over and began gently pushing it from behind.

On Lin Ye's advice, she had taken the Celestial Grade Herb Earth Dragon Golden Melon. Her Soul Power had surged, and her Martial Soul had even evolved from the Jade Phosphorous Serpent into the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor.

And thanks to Lin Ye and the others, the severe poison afflicting her and her grandfather had also been neutralized.

Because of all this, she was always especially close to Lin Ye.

"Xiao Ye, you're awakening your Martial Soul tomorrow. Have you decided which Soul Master Academy you want to attend?" Dugu Yan asked.

Lin Ye shook his head. "I'm not going. Why go to a Soul Master Academy and waste time?"

"How can you say that? You should spend more time with kids your own age. Don't you want to make new friends?"

Dugu Yan felt that children ought to act like children. Playing with others their age was good for their physical and mental health.

Lin Ye could guess what she was thinking. Dugu Yan still saw him as a child, but he had already experienced school once and didn't want to go through the same routine all over again.

"Let's not talk about that, Sister Yan. I wouldn't get along with those little brats anyway. Let's talk about you instead. By the way, what level is your Soul Power now?"

At that, Dugu Yan's face brightened. "I broke through to level 31 not long ago. I have you to thank for that. If you hadn't pointed out the Earth Dragon Golden Melon, how would I have gotten this opportunity?"

Sister Yan's talent isn't that great, Lin Ye thought. Dugu Yan was thirteen and at level 31, the same level as Tang San in the original story—but Tang San hadn't eaten any Immortal Herbs early on.