Gifts, Leaving Home

"Right, I'll give these to you."

After saying that, Mang Tian raised his hand, and two metal rings appeared in his palm.

The two metal rings looked dull and gray, but upon closer inspection, they were actually forged from Thousand Refinements Deep Sea Silver.

"These are works from my earlier years. Each one has eight cubic meters of storage space, perfect for you two right now."

Tang Wulin looked at Mang Tian in surprise. He and Tang Wuyang had studied Soul Master knowledge at the primary academy for three years, and combined with Mang Tian's words, he naturally realized what his teacher was holding.

Naturally, Tang Wuyang understood as well. He hurriedly refused, "Teacher, these should be Storage Soul Tools, right? No, we can't accept them. They're too valuable."

Tang Wulin shook his head repeatedly as well. "That's right, Teacher. You already gave us two pieces of Sinking Silver. How could we accept such precious Soul Tools too?"

Mang Tian said, "They're merely the lowest-grade Storage Soul Tools. They don't even have Soul Guidance Batteries and can only be charged by Soul Masters injecting Soul Power into them themselves. They aren't worth much."

"You've worked here with me for so long, and your wages were never high to begin with. Consider these your bonuses."

Before either of them could refuse again, he grabbed the brothers' right hands and slipped the Sinking Silver Rings onto them.

The slightly oversized Sinking Silver Rings automatically tightened to fit their wrists the moment they were put on.

The brothers looked at the Sinking Silver Hammers on their right wrists, warmth filling their hearts.

Tang Wulin's eyes reddened slightly. Tang Wuyang pressed his lips together and said, "Teacher..."

Before he could finish, Mang Tian interrupted him. "As the saying goes, a boxer never lets go of his fists, and a singer never stops practicing his tunes."

"For Forging Masters like us, that means never letting go of our hammers."

"Do you two plan to carry these two pairs of such heavy Forging Hammers everywhere every day?"

"Wulin, Wuyang, remember this. Thousand Refinements Metal that has undergone Blood Sacrifice needs to be used often. Throughout that process, your aura, bloodline, and Soul Power will slowly nourish it."

"The longer you use them, the more compatible they will become with you. If you become powerful enough in the future, these two pairs of Sinking Silver Hammers may even have a chance to undergo another evolution."

"All right, go home and pack up. Come see me once more before you leave for Eastsea City."

"Yes." After agreeing, Tang Wuyang turned and walked toward the door.

Tang Wulin followed behind Tang Wuyang. Just as he took a step, he seemed to remember something and turned back to ask, "Teacher, you said earlier that these bracelets were your work. Does that mean that aside from being a Forging Master, you're also a Soul Engineer?"

Upon hearing that question, Tang Wuyang, who had nearly reached the door, was drawn in by the topic and turned around as well.

Mang Tian fell silent for a moment before saying, "I suppose so. But I'd rather acknowledge myself as merely a Forging Master. I'm destined not to go far down the path of a Soul Engineer. You'll understand later."

"Also, cultivate your Soul Power properly. Remember, Soul Power is the foundation of everything. No matter how talented you two are or how naturally strong you may be, there will always be a limit."

"Besides, no matter what profession you pursue, Soul Power is essential. Take Forging, for example. The further you advance, the more crucial the strength of your Soul Power becomes. It can even be decisive."

"So, when it comes time for you to fuse with your second Soul Spirit in the future, don't make a choice so casually again."

"Yes." The two answered respectfully in unison.

Seeing that his disciples were still holding their Sinking Silver Hammers, Mang Tian said, "Try out your Sinking Silver Rings. Just inject Soul Power into them and use your mind to sense and control them. They can take in whatever you intend to store."

The brothers nodded together, then each began circulating the Soul Power in their bodies.

With the advancement of technology, Soul Tools had long since become deeply integrated into people's lives. Most civilian Soul Tools were no longer powered entirely by Soul Power, but because the earliest Soul Tools had been, the name had remained.

Humanity had long learned to use wind power, water power, and other sources as foundations to create energy similar to Soul Power.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin encountered some Soul Tools in daily life as well, such as the Soul Guidance Lamps in their home, the Soul Guidance Television they watched, and even the forging table they had always used.

But actually owning a Soul Tool was a first for both of them.

A faint silver glow flickered. With a thought from Tang Wuyang, he felt his hands suddenly grow lighter as the two Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammers were stored inside the Sinking Silver Ring on his wrist.

Though eight cubic meters of storage space was not particularly large, it was more than enough to hold a pair of Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammers.

Activating the Sinking Silver Ring consumed a bit of Soul Power, but the amount was so tiny that it could practically be ignored.

Therefore, even though Tang Wuyang had only reached Level 11 in Soul Power, it placed no burden on him at all.

A flash of silver light flickered beside him. Tang Wuyang turned his head and saw that Tang Wulin had also successfully stored his twin hammers in his Sinking Silver Ring.

Mang Tian nodded. "Go home. Remember what I told you earlier."

"Yes."

On the way home, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin were both immersed in joy.

Top-grade Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammers, Sinking Silver Rings—the joy in their hearts could no longer be described with words.

"Ziran, have you really made up your mind?" Lang Yue looked at her husband, sorrow evident in her eyes.

Tang Ziran sighed. "My cowardice has already affected Linlin and Yangyang's futures. I can't go on like this."

"For our two sons, what do these things amount to?"

"I've already agreed to it."

A heavy mist filled Lang Yue's eyes. "But if we do this, we won't know when we'll be able to see Linlin and Yangyang again."

Tang Ziran wrapped an arm around his wife. "If Linlin and Yangyang were ordinary people, then as long as they were happy, it would be fine for our family to live an ordinary life here."

"But our two sons are not ordinary. On the contrary, they are both exceptional."

"If not for my cowardice, if they had obtained good Soul Spirits during their first fusion, they definitely could have gone farther down the path of Soul Masters."

"Mang Tian told me that Linlin and Yangyang are resilient by nature and more mature than children their age."

"Moreover, they are both extremely talented at Forging. As long as they continue learning under him, they will definitely become beings who surpass him in the future."

"Mang Tian is already a Six Star Master Craftsman Level Forging Master. What kind of level would surpassing him be?"

"But whether they pursue Forging or become Soul Masters, Soul Power and Soul Spirits are the foundation of everything."

"As their father, I've been cowardly for so many years and run away for so many years. It's time for me to take a gamble for my sons."

"I've made up my mind. For my sons, I'll risk everything."

Eastsea City was the second-largest coastal city in the eastern region of the Sun Moon Federation.

It was an important port city in the region, known for marine transportation and marine resource development.

Thanks to its utilization of marine resources, it had a permanent population of more than three million and was quite prosperous.

Even within the entire Sun Moon Federation, it could be considered a second-tier city.

At East Sea City Soul Guidance Station, a dark-blue Soul Guidance Train slowly pulled into the platform.

The train came to a stop, its doors opened, and people streamed out one after another, most carrying luggage of all sizes.

In an instant, the previously quiet platform became bustling, with a dense crowd flowing toward the exit.

Tang Wuyang adjusted the backpack on his shoulders and followed the crowd out with Tang Wulin.

It was their first time coming to such a large city, and both of them curiously looked around at everything.

Although the sights before them were novel, neither of them looked particularly well. Their moods were somewhat low.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin had come to attend school and report to Eastsea Academy in Eastsea City.

They had originally thought that at least one of their parents would accompany them, but Tang Ziran had said that they were already big boys and should gain more experience.

He had simply handed each of them a train ticket and sent them aboard the Soul Guidance Train.

Although Lang Yue had carefully explained many precautions to them before they left home.

When they truly arrived here, however, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin still felt lost.

"Brother, there are so many people here. I'm having trouble telling which way is which."

"I'm a little confused too. Let's just follow the crowd out of the station first!"

After leaving the station with the crowd, the feeling of being squeezed finally disappeared.

Looking back at the enormous building, Tang Wuyang could not help secretly marveling. This station alone was more magnificent than even the tallest building in Aolai City.

Following Tang Wulin's gaze and looking around, he saw a broad street before them.

In the distance stood rows of towering buildings. All kinds of Soul Guidance Cars sped continuously along the streets, while the roads teemed with people. Pedestrians moved through them like densely packed ants, bringing Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin an indescribable sense of pressure.

Tang Wulin pulled Tang Wuyang to an empty corner off to the side, took a water bottle from his backpack, and drank a mouthful.

While his brother drank, Tang Wuyang took out a slip of paper from an inner pocket of his backpack.

Tang Ziran had written the note for them, explaining what they were supposed to do after arriving in Eastsea City.

At that moment, a thin middle-aged man approached them with a smile. "Little friends, is this your first time in Eastsea City? Where are your parents?"

Tang Wuyang was reading the note, while Tang Wulin put away his water bottle and leaned over to look at it too.

The very first line on the note read: Do not easily trust any stranger.

Tang Wulin looked up at the middle-aged man, shook his head, and did not respond.

Tang Wuyang simply ignored him. After confirming what they were supposed to do next, he grabbed his brother and quickly headed in one direction.

Before long, they arrived in front of a guard post marked with the words "Administrative Law Enforcement." Two uniformed law enforcement officers stood at the entrance.

Tang Wuyang stepped forward and said, "Hello, Uncle Officer. May I ask where the shuttle to Eastsea Academy is?"

As a famous academy in Eastsea City, Eastsea Academy arranged shuttle buses to pick up students at the station every year during enrollment.

As long as they found the shuttle bus, they would be able to reach the academy smoothly.

One of the officers pointed into the distance. "Over there. You two little ones, where are your parents?"

Tang Wulin stepped forward, standing beside Tang Wuyang, and puffed out his chest. "Uncle, we're not that young anymore. We can report to the academy ourselves. Thank you."

"Thank you, Uncle." Tang Wuyang thanked him as well before running with Tang Wulin in the direction the officer had indicated.

After weaving through the crowd, they indeed saw a sign with a white background and blue lettering. The words "Eastsea Academy" were prominently displayed on it.

Beneath the sign stood two tables and chairs, behind which sat several young men and women who looked seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in blue athletic uniforms.

Seeing Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin run over, a girl with orange-brown hair tied in a ponytail smiled at them. "Are you two little brothers here to register?"

The girl had phoenix eyes, a well-proportioned figure, and a sweet appearance. She gave off a very friendly impression.

"Hello, Sister. My name is Tang Wulin, and this is my younger brother, Tang Wuyang. We're both here to register." Tang Wulin politely introduced himself and his brother.

Tang Wuyang also greeted her with a smile. "Hello, Sister."

Liu Yuxin examined the two boys before her with surprise. They looked extremely alike and appeared to be eleven or twelve years old, but incoming students needed academy recommendations to enroll.

That meant that these two boys were both only nine years old.

Though they were still very young, both of them were exceptionally beautiful.

Yes, Liu Yuxin preferred to use beautiful to describe the two boys before her. Their exquisite yet slightly childish faces carried traces of bewilderment and unease.

"Hello, I'm Liu Yuxin, a first-year student of Eastsea Academy's advanced division. I'm in charge of receiving new students this time, so I'm your senior sister."

"Come on, fill out these forms first, then show me each of your primary academy recommendation letters."

Liu Yuxin took out two forms and handed one each to Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin.

The two obediently accepted them and filled in their information. Looking at Tang Wulin's form, Liu Yuxin unconsciously read it aloud. "Tang Wulin, nine years old, graduated from Red Mountain Primary Academy in Aolai City, Level 12 Plant System Soul Master, Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass."

"Oh? Your Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass?"

Tang Wulin nodded, but he did not mention his Twin Martial Souls.

Before the two had set out for Eastsea City, Tang Ziran had told them that once they reached Eastsea Academy, Tang Wulin could appropriately reveal his Second Martial Soul, since Eastsea City was unlike Aolai City.

But Tang Ziran had also warned Tang Wulin not to casually show off that he possessed Twin Martial Souls.

Therefore, Tang Wulin did not explain anything to this senior sister he had just met. Although she seemed nice, one should always remain wary of others.

Liu Yuxin smiled sweetly. "It's truly impressive that you cultivated Blue Silver Grass to Level 12 at such a young age!"

Without hearing the usual contemptuous remarks, Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang, who was filling out his form beside him, could not help forming an even better impression of this senior sister.

Liu Yuxin did not know what they were thinking and continued with a smile. "There's also a senior at our academy whose Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, and his strength is quite good."

"Actually, after tens of thousands of years of inheritance and development, the innate quality of a Martial Soul is no longer as important as it was in ancient times. Through fusing with Soul Spirits, it can be improved to a certain degree after birth."

"Once you reach the higher grades, you'll realize that what your Martial Soul is actually doesn't matter much. What matters is having a sufficiently high Soul Power Level and talent in mecha."

"After all, once you have a mecha, even a Soul Master with an ordinary Martial Soul can become powerful."

Tang Wulin nodded. "Thank you, Sister. I understand."

Liu Yuxin returned his smile, then looked at the form Tang Wuyang had already completed.

"Tang Wuyang, nine years old, also graduated from Red Mountain Primary Academy in Aolai City, Level 11 Beast Martial Soul Soul Master, Martial Soul: Qilin."

"Eh? Your Martial Soul is a Beast Martial Soul?" Liu Yuxin asked in surprise.

The two were brothers and the same age, so they should be Twins. Liu Yuxin had instinctively assumed Tang Wuyang's Martial Soul would be similar to Tang Wulin's, likely a Plant System one as well. She had never expected it to be an entirely unrelated Beast Martial Soul.

But she quickly concealed her surprise and maintained her smile. "It's quite a good Martial Soul. Although your Soul Power is one level lower than your brother's, I'm sure you'll catch up to him soon. Keep it up."

After saying that, Liu Yuxin stamped both forms and returned them to the two brothers. She then gave each of them a small metal badge.

"Wear this metal badge around your neck. Before enrollment, it will serve as your pass for entering and leaving the academy. Once you arrive there, you'll still need to register and collect your supplies."

"Get on the Soul Guide Bus behind you. Once there are a few more people, it will take you to the academy."

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin thanked her in unison again, then walked toward the bus together.

A senior male student from Eastsea Academy beside Liu Yuxin curled his lip. "Yuxin, why did you say so much to those two little country bumpkins?"

"The older brother's Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. That's a Useless Martial Soul. Not every Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul wielder is like our senior, whose Martial Soul has a trace of Blue Silver King Bloodline."

"And that younger brother's Soul Power isn't even higher than his brother's. One look tells you he must usually be lazy and never cultivates properly. His Soul Power is so low."

Liu Yuxin glared at him. "You're not allowed to discriminate against junior students. At nine years old, he cultivated Blue Silver Grass to the Soul Master level. How do you know Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass doesn't possess a king's bloodline?"

"Besides, having lower Soul Power for now doesn't prove anything. Tang Wuyang's Martial Soul is a Beast Martial Soul. How can you be sure he's truly lazy rather than having some other reason?"

"Perhaps these two beautiful little junior students will become favored sons of heaven someday."

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin did not hear that exchange. Otherwise, they would have liked this senior sister even more.