Waiting by the Stump

"Who saw me do it? Do you have proof? Don't go around accusing people without evidence." Lin Ye put his hands on his hips, looking smug.

There were three scratch marks on his face, left by a furious Lin Qiu'er.

Last night, while Lin Qiu'er was fast asleep, he had given her a depilation service—nothing more than a response to her pranks on him.

Now it seemed this trick was pretty effective.

Mm, if this brat messes with me again, I'll just keep shaving her fur off. Shave her completely bald, hehehe.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

On the same hilltop in Holy Soul Village, Tang San slowly exhaled a mouthful of turbid air as the purple light in his eyes gradually faded.

Tang San let out a long sigh and muttered to himself, "The Purple Demon Eye keeps improving, but the Mysterious Heaven Skill hasn't made any progress at all. I wonder if absorbing a soul ring could break through the Mysterious Heaven Skill."

After a moment, he stood up and headed down the mountain. The mountain path was rugged and uneven, but Tang San seemed completely unaffected. He darted left and right, leaping and dodging, moving as if on flat ground.

Though a small matter, it was enough to show his extraordinary skill, far beyond that of an ordinary six-year-old child.

Tang San's back gradually faded into the distance. But just then, a figure appeared atop the mountain as if from nowhere—it was Tang Hao, burly and imposing as a bear.

"Mysterious Heaven Skill, Purple Demon Eye..."

Tang Hao murmured, catching the key points of Tang San's words. His eyes flickered, and his hands, hidden beneath his sleeves, clenched into fists before slowly relaxing.

On the other side, nearing home, Tang San slowed his pace and touched the hidden weapon on his wrist, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

The thing on his wrist was called a Sleeve Arrow, one of the hidden weapons of the Tang Sect. It was a fine tool for sneak attacks, backstabs, and killing for plunder.

With the Sleeve Arrow, he was confident he could handle any soul master who wasn't too strong.

[Tang Sect Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, General Principles, Article Two: What is a hidden weapon? A weapon used covertly to overcome the enemy is a hidden weapon. If the enemy knows you intend to use it, it is no longer a hidden weapon but an open weapon.]

This was his secret.

Tang San hadn't even told Tang Hao about the hidden weapons.

He pushed open the door, and the aroma of rice porridge wafted into his nose.

Tang San skillfully ladled out the porridge, then called toward the inner room, "Dad, time to eat."

He waited for a while, but there was no response, and Tang Hao didn't come out.

He went inside to check—Tang Hao wasn't home. Tang San was puzzled. Usually at this time, Tang Hao would be sleeping in. Where had he gone today?

Just as he was wondering where to look for him, Tang Hao returned.

"Xiao San, what were you doing this morning?" Tang Hao asked flatly.

"I went out to exercise. I go for a run every morning." Tang San's expression was calm as he spouted nonsense with a straight face.

In his mind, Tang Hao was just an ordinary blacksmith—easy to fool however he pleased.

In truth, he wasn't exactly lying; it was just that this "exercise" wasn't the same kind.

Tang Hao was silent but didn't expose his son's pretense.

"No forging today. Pack your things. Tomorrow, Old Jack will take you to Notting City."

"Notting City? What for?" Tang San was taken aback.

Tang Hao glanced at him and said, "Don't you want to become a soul master? Tomorrow, Old Jack will take you to the city, to Notting City Elementary Soul Master Academy. You'll learn about soul masters there."

"Dad, I can really go to the soul master academy?" Tang San was overjoyed.

The next day, in front of the blacksmith shop, Tang Hao watched Tang San walk away until his figure disappeared from sight, then turned and went back inside.

On the ground was a line of writing: "Dad, take care of yourself. The porridge is in the pot—don't forget to drink it. And try to drink less from now on. Xiao San is leaving. Don't worry about me."

His gaze shifted from the words on the ground to the iron pot nearby. Tang Hao rushed over and yanked off the lid.

He didn't care that it was hot. He lifted the pot directly and gulped down the porridge noisily, his murky eyes inexplicably misting over.

Tang San and Old Jack made their way toward Notting City Elementary Soul Master Academy. Along the way, Tang San kept asking questions, and Old Jack didn't mind his chatter, patiently answering them all.

Through Old Jack's stories, Tang San filled in many gaps in his knowledge, learning about the colorful world outside, and he eagerly looked forward to the life ahead.

What he didn't know was that someone was already waiting for him outside Notting Elementary Academy.

Notting City was just a small town, but the soul master academy was built quite impressively.

Notting Elementary Soul Master Academy was the largest complex of buildings in the city. From the front, the tall archway stood over ten meters high and twenty meters wide, all constructed from sturdy stone, giving it a grand appearance.

Inside, the trees cast pleasant shade, and the environment was beautiful.

And this was only an elementary academy—a testament to the status of soul masters.

Today was the start of the school term at Notting City Elementary Soul Master Academy, so Lin Ye was here, waiting like a hunter for his prey, anticipating Tang San's arrival.

In his spare time, Lin Ye noticed that Lin Qiu'er was also a foodie. Right now, she was staring at the skewers in Bing Di's hands, swallowing her saliva nonstop.

That won't do—can't let the Auspicious Beast go hungry.

Thinking this, Lin Ye took a grilled sausage and brought it to Lin Qiu'er's lips.

"Come on, open up."

The aroma of the roast wafted over, and Lin Qiu'er, already unable to resist her cravings, obediently opened her mouth.

Then Lin Ye shoved the sausage sideways into her mouth, pinched her lips shut, and pulled out the bamboo stick.

Lin Qiu'er blinked, her big round eyes wearing a dazed expression, looking adorably silly and cute.

Lin Qiu'er: "..."

I may not be human, but you're a real dog.

Seeing her dumbfounded look, Lin Ye burst out laughing, finding it quite amusing to tease her.

Lin Qiu'er rolled her eyes wildly, but good food couldn't be wasted, so she happily savored this unfamiliar treat, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

After downing one grilled sausage, Lin Qiu'er licked her lips, still wanting more, and went off to beg Bing Di for another.

Watching this, Xue Di couldn't help but smile softly.

Amid their laughter and banter, the person Lin Ye had been waiting for finally appeared.

Dressed simply, Tang San and Old Jack arrived at Notting City Elementary Soul Master Academy, only to be stopped at the school gate by the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper looked down at the old man and the boy, "What are you here for? Don't you see what kind of place this is? Do you think country bumpkins like you belong here?"

Old Jack was plainly dressed, and Tang San even more so—his clothes had a few patches on them.

Both had the appearance of villagers, which made the gatekeeper's gaze carry a hint of disdain.

Old Jack smiled apologetically, "Young sir, we're from Holy Soul Village. This child is the work-study student our village is sending this year."

The gatekeeper raised an eyebrow and sneered, "A country boy having soul power? I find that hard to believe. You're not fakes, are you?"