Departure, Trial

Mang Tian ignored their excitement and said calmly, "You both saw it just now. My first Soul Spirit was also a white Ten-Year Soul Spirit, and it was just as weak."

"But through hard work, I was able to obtain a hundred-year, even a Thousand-year Soul Spirit."

"At its core, it was because I am a Forging Master. Through Forging, I can earn enough money to buy the Soul Spirits I want."

"You two are both very talented at Forging. What your teacher can do, I believe you can do as well."

Nothing was more persuasive than a living example. The gloom in Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin's hearts was swept away at that moment.

They were no longer dealing with a malignant mutation and a Useless Martial Soul. They also had their teacher as a goal, and hope was instantly reignited within them.

They still had a chance to become powerful Soul Masters!

"You didn't ask for leave today and skipped work without reason. I'm deducting one day's wages from both of you." With those words, Mang Tian left the Tang Family home.

Yet those words did nothing to affect the brothers' elated mood.

Once Mang Tian left, the dark clouds hanging over the Tang Family immediately dispersed, and their harmonious home became cheerful once more.

"Sorry, Dad, Mom. We made you worry." Tang Wuyang said shamefully, while Tang Wulin also lowered his head in apology.

Lang Yue pulled her two sons into her arms again. "Dad and Mom should be the ones apologizing to you. We made you bear such enormous pressure at such a young age."

Tang Ziran lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought.

Na'er looked at the four of them before her. Her lips moved as though she wanted to say something, but in the end, she swallowed the words.

After dinner, exhausted by the day's turmoil, Tang Ziran and Lang Yue went to sleep early.

Na'er also seemed extremely tired and fell into a deep sleep.

Only Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin could not sleep.

They quietly left the house and went to the small park they both knew well.

As they looked at the tranquil night sky, the emotional swings and experiences of this day—from great joy to profound sorrow, then hope rekindled—seemed to affect them more than the previous three years combined.

Sitting on the grass in different spots, they moved their thoughts in unspoken coordination. Bai Ze and the Little Grass Snake appeared in their respective palms.

Looking at the little creature, Tang Wuyang affectionately stroked its tiny head. "From now on, we're partners. Right, I should give you a name."

Soul Spirits generally accompanied their masters for their entire lives. When the master died, the Soul Spirit would dissipate along with them.

Studying Bai Ze carefully, Tang Wuyang fell into thought. "What should I call you? Hmm..."

Just then, Bai Ze spread its small wings and flapped them up and down. Its snow-white feathers resembled stardust.

Tang Wuyang's eyes lit up. "How about Xing Yu?"

Xing Yu affectionately licked his hand without showing the slightest resistance.

Seeing how harmoniously Tang Wuyang got along with his Soul Spirit, Tang Wulin's lips curved upward slightly before he turned his attention to his own Little Grass Snake.

"Thank you, little guy. You brought me hope." Tang Wulin spoke softly.

The Little Grass Snake seemed to sense something. It raised its head slightly and flicked out its tongue.

As if it understood Tang Wulin's words, the Little Grass Snake lay in his palm and gently twisted its body.

At the same time, a ray of moonlight shone onto the Little Grass Snake. A flash of silver-gray suddenly flickered across its indigo scales.

"Huh? Did this appear after the mutation too?"

Tang Wulin completely believed Teacher Mang Tian's words.

He now firmly believed that his mutated Blue Silver Grass was no longer a Useless Martial Soul.

Tang Wulin watched as the silver-gray on the Little Grass Snake gradually faded, revealing its original indigo color. An idea immediately came to him. "I'll call you Qing Yue. How does that sound?"

A gentle breeze blew as the moonlight shifted, and soon it was time for day and night to change over.

In the morning, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin awoke from Meditation and discovered that it was already daylight.

They had only planned to meditate for a while before returning home. They had not expected that when they opened their eyes, it would already be the next day.

They stood up from the lawn, shook the dew from their bodies, and were just about to head home together.

"Linlin, Yangyang!" Lang Yue's anxious call rang out at that moment.

The two hurriedly answered in unison, "Mom, we're here!"

Lang Yue ran up to her two sons, panting heavily. "Something happened. Na'er, Na'er..."

"What happened to Na'er?" Tang Wuyang suddenly had a bad feeling.

Lang Yue steadied her breathing slightly and said anxiously, "Na'er... she left."

"What?" Tang Wuyang's pupils widened slightly. Leaving Lang Yue and Tang Wulin behind, he sprinted toward home.

Tang Wulin frowned upon hearing the news and hurriedly followed Lang Yue back home.

The moment Tang Wuyang rushed into the room the three of them shared, he understood.

Yes, Na'er had left. The only thing on her bed was a note.

"Dad, Mom, Wulin Ge, Brother, I'm leaving. Thank you for taking care of me these past few years."

"But I remembered who I am. My family came to take me home, and staying with you will bring danger to you."

"So I can only leave with them."

"I was truly, truly happy during the days I spent with you."

"I don't want to leave either, but the memories I recovered tell me that I must leave this place. There are still so many things waiting for me."

"Brother, I will always remember the way you stood in front of me to protect me, and I will remember all the warm, happy memories you gave me. —Na'er."

When Tang Wuyang saw the note, he went completely numb. His hands trembled slightly as well.

Ever since Na'er had come to their home, she had brought considerable burdens, but she had also brought them much laughter and joy.

Having a younger sister had made Tang Wuyang happier than he knew how to describe.

Whenever he watched Na'er eat the snacks he had bought with the money he earned from Forging, Tang Wuyang felt especially fulfilled.

Especially when Na'er smiled at him, Tang Wuyang felt that all his hardship had been worthwhile.

As if he had remembered something, Tang Wuyang turned around and rushed out of the house.

"Na'er! Na'er..."

His tearful cries echoed through Aolai City as Tang Wuyang ran frantically, trying to find that silver-haired little girl.

For some reason, Tang Wuyang felt that Na'er was nearby, yet no matter how he searched, he could not find the slightest trace of her.

Slowly coming to a stop, Tang Wuyang raised a hand to wipe away the tears on his face and shouted, "Na'er, I know you can hear me."

"Na'er, congratulations on finding your family. After you go back, make sure to eat properly. If anyone bullies you, write me a letter and tell me. I'll definitely come find you."

After saying that, Tang Wuyang could no longer hold back. He squatted on the ground, hugged his knees, and burst into tears.

Na'er leaned against a wall, large tears rolling down her cheeks as she tightly hugged the somewhat worn cloth doll in her arms.

Tang Wuyang had bought it for her when he first received wages. The experiences they had shared over the past few years kept flashing through her mind.

"Brother... Brother..." Na'er murmured repeatedly, her tears falling like pearls from a broken string.

"Miss, it's time to go back."

Tang Wuyang cried in place for a long time, tightly clutching one of the few traces Na'er had left behind.

It was a small Silver Pendant. It resembled a scale and looked like a silver gemstone. A silver thread ran through it, while faint multicolored light flickered within.

After Tang Wulin found his younger brother, he hugged him from behind, hoping to make him a little less sad.

"Wuyang, don't be sad. Let's work hard together and become powerful Soul Masters."

"I believe that one day, we'll reunite with Na'er."

Tang Wulin's words made Tang Wuyang's originally dim eyes brighten slightly.

But only slightly.

After Tang Wulin brought him home, Tang Wuyang went to school in a daze and went to the workshop to forge in a daze.

For several days in a row, Tang Wuyang was like a man who had lost his soul. He even stopped the Meditation he did every night.

After leaving Mang Tian's Workshop, Tang Wuyang would wander through the streets and alleys of Aolai City, hoping to see the figure he had always followed.

Worried about his younger brother's condition, Tang Wulin focused most of his attention on Tang Wuyang. Even in class, he constantly watched Tang Wuyang's movements.

Because of his poor mental state, Tang Wuyang repeatedly made mistakes while Forging and was harshly scolded by Mang Tian.

A week passed like that before Tang Wuyang's spirits finally recovered a little.

Red Mountain Academy.

"Tang Wuyang." Lin Ximeng called from behind the lectern.

"Here." Tang Wuyang stood up.

After a week, the gloom caused by Na'er's departure had finally faded somewhat.

He walked to the lectern and reached out to take the recommendation letter Lin Ximeng handed him.

This was a recommendation letter specially issued by Red Mountain Academy. With it, he and Tang Wulin could enroll in the Intermediate Soul Master Academy.

Any student who became a Soul Master during their time at a primary academy could be recommended directly to the Intermediate Academy for further study.

Receiving this letter also meant that Tang Wuyang had graduated from the primary Soul Master Academy.

Wan Yunchao, seated across the aisle from him, waggled his eyebrows and said, "You're graduating. Let's spar sometime!"

"You've practically gone crazy looking for your sister these past few days. Even though I lost to your brother, I still have to see what your Soul Skill is."

Tang Wuyang shot him an annoyed glare. "No time. I still have to go to the workshop."

Because they had kept making mistakes over the past few days, Mang Tian had increased both their working hours to three hours.

Wan Yunchao curled his lips. "Coward. I think you're just scared of losing to me."

Tang Wuyang frowned, a trace of anger flashing in his eyes. "I'm not a coward. Fine, let's fight. The little woods after school."

The moment school ended, Wan Yunchao urged Tang Wuyang along. Tang Wulin had wanted to go too, but Tang Wuyang said, "Brother, I'm fine. You go to the workshop first. I'll finish quickly."

Tang Wulin considered it and felt that letting Wuyang vent a little might not be bad, so he did not follow them and instead headed straight for the workshop.

There was a large patch of little woods behind Red Mountain Academy, where students usually attended nature classes.

After school, few people came here.

Three years had passed, yet Wan Yunchao was still fat. The moment school ended, he eagerly dragged Tang Wuyang into the little woods.

"Tang Wuyang, I guarantee your Soul Skill can't be as powerful as mine."

Tang Wuyang said nothing after hearing him.

"Fine, here it is."

Wan Yunchao stopped and impatiently released his Martial Soul.

A flash of cold light appeared, and a short blade materialized in his palm.

Compared to before he had a Soul Ring, the short blade now looked somewhat wider and had additional patterns on it.

A faint glow pulsed from the blade's edge as a white Ten-Year Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.

Wan Yunchao silently activated his Soul Ring. At once, Blade Aura burst from the upper half of the short blade.

"See that? This is my First Soul Skill, Blade Aura."

"My family spent an extra ten thousand Federation Coins to have the Spirit Transmission Master select my Soul Spirit."

"My Soul Spirit is also a blade, and it can directly attach itself to my Martial Soul."

"So? Impressive, right?"

Tang Wuyang frowned slightly, growing impatient. "Are you fighting or not? You talk too much."

Wan Yunchao glared at Tang Wuyang. "You actually dare say I talk too much? I'm warning you to surrender now."

"As long as you admit you're inferior to me, I'll let you go. Otherwise, my Blade Aura doesn't have eyes."

As he spoke, he swung his blade backward. Wherever the Blade Aura passed, a small tree as thick as a bowl was instantly severed at the waist.

Tang Wuyang's gaze sharpened. "You talk too much."

Wan Yunchao was just about to speak when he saw a Qilin Phantom condense behind Tang Wuyang. A white ring identical to his own rose from beneath Tang Wuyang's feet.

The Qilin Phantom merged directly into Tang Wuyang's body. Dragon Horns appeared on his forehead, while a dragon tail emerged behind him.

Then, the multicolored halo that had been surrounding him abruptly turned into a single blue-white color, and a wave of cold suddenly swept through the deserted little woods.

Crisp cracking sounds rang beside Wan Yunchao's ears. Though he did not understand what was happening, he instinctively moved away from Tang Wuyang.

With a crashing sound, several Ice Chains appeared from thin air and shot toward Wan Yunchao, trying to bind him.

Wan Yunchao hurriedly swung the short blade in his hand.

Just as the Blade Aura and Ice Chains were about to collide, the Ice Chains carrying threads of cold abruptly melted into an equal number of water ribbons.

The water ribbons passed unimpeded through the incoming Blade Aura, while Tang Wuyang himself stepped two paces to the side and directly avoided the attack.

In contrast, Wan Yunchao's legs were tightly bound by the water ribbons, leaving him with no time to pursue Tang Wuyang.

The next moment, Tang Wuyang, having evaded the attack, waved his right hand. The water ribbons wrapped around Wan Yunchao's calves instantly turned back into ice, freezing him in place.

"Brr, so cold! Tang—Tang Wuyang, you're cheating! If you've got the guts, come closer!"

Tang Wuyang did not speak, but the ice freezing Wan Yunchao's calves continued creeping upward.

"Brr, brr, no—not fighting anymore. I—I surrender."

With a thought from Tang Wuyang, the ice around Wan Yunchao instantly melted and turned into water that scattered across the grass.

"It's over. I'm leaving first." Without waiting for Wan Yunchao to react, Tang Wuyang turned and left the little woods.

Just as Mang Tian had previously guessed, Tang Wuyang's First Soul Skill was Water Element Control.

More precisely, it was Water and Ice Element Control.

To make up for lost time, Tang Wuyang sprinted to Mang Tian's Workshop.

To his surprise, Mang Tian and Tang Wulin, who should have been in his own workshop, were waiting for him in his Forging Room.

"Teacher." Tang Wuyang respectfully greeted Mang Tian.

Mang Tian nodded. "You graduated? You'll be attending the Intermediate Academy in Eastsea City, right?"

Tang Wulin said, "Yes, Teacher. Wuyang and I were just planning to tell you."

Tang Wuyang nodded and added, "Once we go to Eastsea City, we won't be able to continue learning Forging with you."

As soon as he spoke, reluctance appeared in both their eyes.

Mang Tian said blandly, "I simply like the quietness here. That doesn't mean I won't leave."

"In fact, the jobs you usually take are all ones I accepted from Eastsea City."

"You cannot fall behind in your Forging studies. I also have a workshop in Eastsea City."

"I've already made arrangements. Once you get there, each of you will have your own dedicated workshop."

"Once some time has passed and I'm free, I'll go there to guide you as well."

Upon hearing Mang Tian's words, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin both smiled, warmth rising in their hearts.

Mang Tian fixed his blazing gaze on them. "Eastsea City is a true metropolis, unlike Aolai City. Before you go, you must first complete my trial."

"Otherwise, you won't be qualified to continue learning Forging from me there."

After saying that, he led the two of them into his Forging Room.

"A test?" Tang Wuyang entered Mang Tian's workshop, full of confusion.

Tang Wulin, following close behind, was also stunned. "Teacher, what test?"

A glint flashed through Mang Tian's eyes. "Thousand Forging!"