Holy Soul Village

Fu Shiyan took Tang San for a casual stroll through the city and then visited an old friend—the former Nuoding City.

Although the other party's initial "help" was not of their own volition, they did provide Fu Shiyan with initial financial support.

When the old city lord saw Fu Shiyan, he was so shocked that he couldn't speak for a long time.

In just three short years, the young man who once possessed extraordinary qualities now seemed even more unfathomable to him, even inspiring a sense of instinctive awe.

After exchanging pleasantries for a few moments, the master and apprentice took their leave.

In the afternoon, the two were already standing at the entrance of Holy Soul Village.

Under the big locust tree at the village entrance, several villagers were chatting together.

Upon seeing Fu Shiyan and Tang San approaching, their gazes were simultaneously drawn to them—for no other reason than that the two's clothing and demeanor were completely out of place in this impoverished little village.

"Who is this... for?"

"I don't know, he looks like an important person."

Amidst the whispers, someone went to inform Old Jack.

The crowd parted to make way, and Old Jack, with his white hair, walked out with faltering steps.

His cloudy old eyes sized up the two strangers in front of him, his gaze lingering on Fu Shiyan's face for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing across his face.

This person... looks familiar.

But he couldn't remember.

After all, it had been a full three years since Fu Shiyan last met him at the gate of the Nuoding Academy.

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward as the villagers whispered among themselves, not daring to speak loudly, and only daring to steal glances at the two.

Tang San stepped forward, breaking the silence.

He looked at Old Jack, then at the familiar faces behind him, and greeted them one by one:

"Grandpa Jack."

"Auntie Ali."

"Uncle Sanfeng"

"Uncle Wang..."

The villagers whose names were called looked at each other in bewilderment.

Auntie Ali looked blankly at the person beside her and asked quietly:

"Is this kid calling me? Do you know him?"

Uncle Sanfeng also shook his head and replied quietly:

"I don't know him. How could I possibly know such an important person?"

The doubt in Old Jack's eyes deepened.

He carefully examined the blue-haired boy before him: handsome face, upright posture, faint aura of power surrounding him... he couldn't connect him with anyone in his memory.

Tang San smiled slightly and said softly:

"Grandpa Jack, it's me, Tang San Xiao San. I'm Tang Hao's son."

"Xiao San?!"

Old Jack's eyes widened suddenly, his wrinkled face filled with disbelief:

"You... you're the Xiao San? You really are the Xiao San?!"

These words immediately caused an uproar among the villagers behind him.

"What?! Xiao San?!"

"That brat from Tang Hao's family?!"

"Impossible! That child has black hair, right? This kid has blue hair!"

"They don't even look alike! Xiao San is so thin and small, this kid is so handsome!"

But people had already gathered around, curiously examining Tang San.

Tang San was jostled and forced to retreat repeatedly.

"Auntie Ali! I really am Xiao San!"

Looking at the familiar faces before him, a flood of memories rushed back to him, and he said urgently:

"Auntie Ali, have you forgotten? When I was three years old, you gave my family three catties of rice!"

Auntie Ali's hand froze in mid-air.

"Uncle Sanfeng! The time my father got drunk, you were the one who cooked for me! You said it wasn't easy for a little kid like me to take care of a drunkard, so you cooked me a bowl of noodles!"

Uncle Sanfeng's eyes widened.

"Uncle Wang! My father still owes you 200 Silver Soul Coin for drinks."

Grandpa Wang opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word for a long time.

The villagers looked at each other.

A moment later--

"Oh dear! She's Xiao San!"

"Good heavens! This child has changed so much!"

"Why is your hair blue? It looks so good!"

"Xiao San! Do you still remember me? I'm Li Danniang! I even held you when you were little!"

After Tang San's identity was confirmed, the atmosphere instantly became lively.

Auntie Ali grabbed Tang San's hand, looked him up and down, her eyes filled with surprise:

"Oh my gosh, what Xiao San! He's grown so much! So handsome! That hair, those eyes... tsk tsk tsk, he's much better looking than his dad!"

Uncle Sanfeng also smiled and came over:

"That Xiao San's really made something of herself now! Judging by her outfit, she's definitely got some talent!"

Old Jack pushed through the crowd and walked shakily to Tang San.

He reached out his calloused hand and gently patted Tang San's shoulder, tears glistening in his cloudy old eyes.

"Good... good boy... you really are Xiao San..."

His voice trembled as he continued to ask:

"Where's your father? How is he? Where have you two been all these years? You haven't even sent a message to the village..."

Tang San felt a warmth in his heart and said softly:

"Grandpa Jack, my father is doing well... I'll tell you more about him later."

Old Jack nodded repeatedly, wiping the corner of his eye.

Suddenly, Auntie Ali leaned over and asked with a smile:

"Hey Xiao San, have you found a wife yet?"

Tang San was taken aback by the question. He never expected that someone would ask him this question when he was nine years old.

The older women nearby immediately perked up:

"Yes, yes, yes! With Xiao San as handsome as him, no wonder some girls are interested in him, right?"

"How old are you? Twelve or thirteen? It's about time you got engaged!"

"Oh, what nonsense are you talking about? The Xiao San is only nine years old!"

Nine years old?! And so tall?!

Tang San was both amused and exasperated, waving his hands repeatedly:

"No, no, I'm only nine years old, what do I need a wife for...?"

Auntie Ali, however, refused to let it go.

"Nine years old isn't young anymore! It's good to settle things first! Auntie will introduce you to a few good ones!"

Tang San's forehead was covered in sweat, and he subconsciously looked to his master for help.

Fu Shiyan stood aside, smiling, watching him being surrounded by enthusiastic villagers, without offering any help.

Tang San, however, quickly turned his eyes and walked over to Fu Shiyan, introducing her to the surrounding villagers:

"Grandpa and Grandma, uncles and aunties, and Grandpa Jack, this is my master."

"Master..."

Fu Shiyan then spoke, her voice not loud, but it quieted the surrounding noise somewhat:

"Fellow villagers, Xiao San has important business to attend to. We can catch up after he's finished."

Upon hearing this, Old Jack nodded quickly:

"Yes, yes, yes! We have important business to attend to! Xiao San, you guys go ahead and do your work, come over for dinner tonight! Your grandpa will cook you something delicious!"

Tang San breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed.

The crowd then parted to make way.

Then, Fu Shiyan and Tang San walked through the village and headed towards the back mountain behind the village.

Behind them, the villagers were still chattering amongst themselves:

"The Xiao San has really made something of herself..."

"Is that his master next to him? He looks incredibly powerful..."

"That old bastard Tang Hao, he's really lucky..."

Tang San heard the voice behind him and a smile appeared on his lips.

Immediately, his gaze fell upon the familiar forest not far away, and his expression became serious.

Mother...

He's here.