Nuoding City

Fu Shiyan stood at the entrance of the courtyard, a smile on her face, watching Xue Qinghe board the carriage and drive away into the distance.

Just then, he heard footsteps behind him.

Tang San walked to his side, followed his gaze to the alley entrance, and asked softly:

"Master, Xue Qinghe..."

Fu Shiyan raised her hand and said calmly:

"It's nothing. He probably discovered the connection between Tian Yu and me and wants to test me."

Tang San was taken aback for a moment, then asked for instructions:

"Should we send a letter to Tian Yu and ask him to come back?"

There was a moment's hesitation in his expression as he said this.

Deep down, he didn't actually want Dai Tianyu to come back.

During the two years that Dai Tianyu was away, his master was his only master.

Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others were just students following along; they weren't nearly as close to him as he was.

When Dai Tianyu left, he was indeed somewhat reluctant, but more than that... he felt a secret joy that he didn't even want to admit.

However, he naturally wouldn't say these words aloud.

Fu Shiyan shook her head and replied softly:

"No need."

Then, he turned to look at Tang San, a hint of teasing in his voice:

"Why didn't you go find Xiao Wu and the others? Aren't you afraid she'll bring the whole dessert shop back to you?"

Tang San smiled, shook his head, and said:

"Xue Qinghe came by, which caused a delay."

"If I go now, they'll probably all have bought everything, so I won't go and join the fun."

Fu Shiyan shook her head with amusement and gently patted Tang San's head.

"You."

"Sometimes she really doesn't act like a nine-year-old."

Then, he withdrew his hand, turned around, and walked in front of Tang San, saying:

"Alright, let's go back."

"When Xiao Wu and the others come back, tell them they'll have another day off tomorrow."

"I will take you back to Holy Soul Village at dawn tomorrow."

After saying that, he turned and went back into the main room.

Tang San stood there, watching his master's figure disappear through the door, the smile from before still lingering on his lips.

After a long while, he turned his gaze away and looked towards the alley entrance.

Xue Qinghe... Dai Tianyu... and the word "test" that Master mentioned.

He always felt that his master seemed to know everything and had foreseen everything.

As a disciple, all he needed to do was follow his master's instructions.

That's... fine too.

Then he thought about how he would be setting off back to Holy Soul Village tomorrow, and with his master, and that he might see his mother soon. A feeling of anticipation welled up in his heart.

Holy Soul Village...

Mother...

As evening approached, a noisy chattering sound came from the entrance of the courtyard.

Xiao Wu was the first to rush in, carrying large and small bags of oil paper, her pink ponytail bouncing merrily with her movements.

Ma Hongjun followed behind, his arms full of children, his chubby face beaming with a satisfied smile.

Oscar strolled leisurely at the back, slowly munching on a piece of pastry.

"Third Brother! We're back!"

Xiao Wu the oil paper package in her hand, ran towards Tang San like presenting a treasure:

"Look! I brought you these! Red bean cakes, osmanthus sugar, and this shop's most famous candied fruit! I bought one of everything!"

Tang San accepted it and thanked him with a smile.

Ma Hongjun leaned closer, winking and grinning:

"Third Brother, you didn't go, the line was incredibly long! But it was worth it! Absolutely worth it!"

Oscar leaned against a pillar, his peach blossom eyes filled with a smile:

"Third Brother, if we don't have class tomorrow, we can go shopping again. There are still several things we haven't tried today."

Tang San smiled slightly upon hearing this:

"I was just about to tell you—Master said you're getting a day off tomorrow."

"Real?!"

Xiao Wu was the first to jump up.

Ma Hongjun was so excited that he almost threw the snacks in his hand away:

"A holiday?! No school tomorrow?!"

Oscar's eyes lit up as well:

"This is really good news."

Xiao Wu excitedly spun around, then suddenly remembered something and looked at Tang San:

"Third Brother, we have a day off tomorrow, let's go to the Seven Treasure Pavilion in the west of the city."

Tang San shook his head and replied:

"I'm going back to Holy Soul Village tomorrow."

"Holy Soul Village?" Xiao Wu blinked and said sweetly, "Then I'll go too!"

She grabbed Tang San's arm and said in a clingy, coquettish tone:

"Xiao San, I want to go too! Take me with you!"

Tang San was somewhat exasperated by her shaking, and could only gently coax her:

"Xiao Wu, I have some things to take care of when I go back this time, and it's inconvenient to bring you along. Next time, I'll definitely take you back next time, okay?"

Upon hearing Tang San's reply, Xiao Wu pouted, let go of his arm, and turned away, ignoring him.

Tang San followed and coaxed Xiao Wu for a while before her expression brightened and she smiled again.

"It's a promise! You must take me next time!"

"Okay, definitely."

Xiao Wu nodded in satisfaction, then ran back to her room with her snacks.

At this moment, Ma Hongjun leaned closer and lowered his voice:

"Third Brother, what are you going back for? What's so fun about Holy Soul Village?"

Tang San shook his head, offering no further explanation.

Seeing this, Ma Hongjun didn't press the matter, but patted him on the shoulder:

"Alright, be careful on the road."

Oscar nodded as well:

Go early and come back early.

As night fell, the courtyard fell silent.

Tang San lay in bed, gazing at the moonlight outside the window, unable to fall asleep for Jiujiu.

I'm going back tomorrow.

He returned to the small village where he spent five years of his childhood.

Back to the place where my father, my memories, and... Grandpa Jack are.

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten.

Tang San had already gotten up and was sitting cross-legged in the front yard, circulating his Mysterious Heaven Skill.

The Soul Power within his body flowed smoothly, and a faint blue-gold halo surrounded him.

Hearing the door open behind him, he stopped his practice, stood up, and turned around.

Fu Shiyan, dressed in black, pushed open the door and stepped out.

Upon seeing this, Tang San quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed:

Good morning, Master!

Fu Shiyan smiled and nodded:

"Okay. Let's go."

He did not intend to bring any entourage on this trip.

Fu Ze had been sent out on a mission several days ago, and Fu Shiyan no longer needed any guards.

Over the past two years, he has advanced to the level of an 81-level Soul Douluo through his own cultivation.

He then manifested a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring through the system, breaking through to level 83.

After Tang San's sixth Simulation, he extracted some of his Faith Power to enhance his cultivation. Combined with the new character settings added in the fifth Simulation, he materialized the six Spirit Bone sets, External Soul Bone, and Soul Tool one by one, and once again materialized a 100,000-year ninth Spirit Ring.

He is now a level 93 Titled Douluo.

He had made preparations for his trip to Holy Soul Village.

One day later, in Nuoding City.

Two figures descended from the sky and landed slowly in a deserted spot outside the city.

Fu Shiyan concealed her aura and looked at Tang San beside her, saying:

"Let's go into town and take a look around."

Tang San nodded and followed behind Fu Shiyan as they Nuoding City one after the other.