Tai Tan Joins

Just then, the door to the council chamber was pushed open again.

Three figures filed out.

It was Tang Hao, Ah Yin, and Tai Tan who rushed out after hearing the commotion.

As soon as they stepped outside, they saw Niu Gao's departing figure, Fu Shiyan standing under the eaves, and Tang San standing beside Fu Shiyan, about to withdraw his Martial Soul.

They had also sensed that fluctuation of Soul Power inside the hall.

It was this fluctuation that drew them out.

At this moment, Tang San's Spirit Ring had retracted, leaving only a faint blue-gold halo surrounding him.

Tai Tan's gaze instantly fixed on Tang San.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

He looked at Tang San, then at Tang Hao, then at Ah Yin, and finally back at Tang San. His lips moved, and his voice trembled slightly.

"Master... Young Master... that Spirit Ring just now..."

He paused, seemingly unable to believe his own judgment, and asked cautiously:

"Is this old servant... mistaken?"

Tang Hao looked at him like this, a complicated expression flashing in his eyes.

He nodded slightly and replied in a low voice:

"You read that right. Xiao San is now Soul Ancestor."

Upon hearing this, Tai Tan's mouth gaped open wide enough to fit an egg.

He turned his head sharply and looked at Tang San again, scrutinizing him from head to toe with shock in his eyes.

"Soul Ancestor?! The Young Master is only... only a few years old this year?!"

Tang Hao glanced gratefully at Fu Shiyan and replied:

"She's nine years old this year."

Upon hearing this, Tai Tan's voice changed, and he stammered, "..."

"Young Master is nine years old this year... Soul Ancestor?!"

He took a deep breath, trying to get his mind working, and continued:

"Moreover, Young Master's Soul Ring Configuration... if this old servant is not mistaken, the Second Soul Ring is a thousand years old! The fourth Spirit Ring... the fourth Spirit Ring is even ten thousand years old!"

He became increasingly shocked as he spoke, and by the end, his voice was trembling.

Such talent, such Soul Ring Configuration —he'd never even heard of it, let alone seen it before!

Tang Hao and Ah Yin exchanged a glance.

Their gazes simultaneously turned to Fu Shiyan, who was standing to the side.

Tang Hao straightened up, turned to Tai Tan, and said with a serious and earnest expression:

"Tai Tan."

Tai Tan was taken aback, and quickly replied:

"This old servant is here."

Tang Hao looked at him and said, word by word:

"From now on, treat Brother Fu with the same respect you show me."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word carried Qian Jun weight:

"He is a benefactor to our family."

Tai Tan's expression hardened upon hearing this.

He abruptly turned to Fu Shiyan, solemnly bowed deeply, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Your His Excellency Tianqing! This old servant was blind and only focused on being amazed by the Young Master's talent, forgetting to pay my respects! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

He straightened up, his gaze fixed intently on Fu Shiyan:

"Master is right. If Your Majesty ever needs my services, this old servant will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Fu Shiyan looked at him and smiled slightly:

"Chief Tai Tan, you're too kind."

He raised his hand in a gesture of support:

"There's no need for such formalities."

Tai Tan was helped up, his face still showing respect.

He then turned to look at Tang San, a simple and honest smile on his face:

"Young Master is truly a genius! This old servant would die without regrets to have witnessed such a prodigy in Young Master life!"

Tang San was a little embarrassed by his praise and quickly said:

"Grandpa Tai Tan, you flatter me..."

Tai Tan waved his hand:

"Young Master, there's no need for such modesty. This old servant speaks only from the heart!"

He paused, then looked at Tang Hao, his expression filled with a touch of emotion:

"Master, you and your mistress have truly raised a fine son!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Hao exchanged a glance with Ah Yin, his eyes filled with a mixture of relief and complex emotions.

Then, Tang Hao walked up to Fu Shiyan and stopped.

He raised his head, looked at Fu Shiyan, a complex expression flashing in his eyes, and said:

"Brother Fu."

"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you today."

Fu Shiyan shook her head, her tone calm:

"Brother Tang, you flatter me."

Tang Hao gave a wry smile and said nothing more.

He turned to look at Ah Yin, and the two exchanged a glance, as if they were communicating silently.

A moment later, Ah Yin looked at Tang San standing beside Fu Shiyan and said softly:

"Xiao San, are you coming back with us?"

Tang San was slightly taken aback and subconsciously looked at Fu Shiyan.

Fu Shiyan didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

Tang San then turned to look at Ah Yin and said:

"Mother, I want to follow my master."

Upon hearing this, Ah Yin didn't insist, but simply smiled gently:

"Alright then. You can stay with Mr. Fu."

She paused, then added:

"You must listen to your master."

Tang San nodded seriously:

Yes, Mother.

Tang Hao didn't say anything more.

He gave Tang San a deep look, then cupped his hands in a respectful bow to Fu Shiyan before turning and leaving.

Ah Yin walked beside him, her slender figure contrasting sharply with his tall back.

The two walked further and further apart, eventually disappearing beyond the walls of the Academy.

Tai Tan stood there, watching Tang Hao's departing figure, and sighed heavily.

He then turned around, looked at Fu Shiyan, and bowed deeply with a respectful expression:

"Your His Excellency Tianqing, I thank you for your magnanimity in dealing with today's events."

Fu Shiyan raised her hand in a gesture of support:

"Chief Tai Tan, there's no need for such formalities."

Tai Tan straightened up, then looked at Tang San standing to the side, a simple and honest smile on his face:

"Young Master, how have you been these past years?"

Tang San was slightly taken aback, then quickly returned the greeting:

"Grandpa Tai Tan, you can just call me Xiao San."

Tai Tan laughed and waved his hand:

"That won't do. You are the master's son, so you are this old servant's Young Master."

Tang San opened his mouth, as if to say something, but was interrupted by Tai Tan:

"Young Master, there's no need to refuse. It's this old servant's duty."

He paused, then looked at Fu Shiyan, his expression showing a hint of eagerness:

"Your His Excellency Tianqing, I have a request."

Fu Shiyan looked at him, a knowing glint in her eyes:

"Chief Tai Tan, is this about the enrollment of the Beichen Academy?"

Tai Tan was taken aback, then scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly:

"Your Majesty's insight is as keen as yours. This old servant's thoughts cannot escape Your Majesty's notice."

He straightened his expression and said seriously:

"This old servant has a grandson Tai Long, who is fifteen years old this year. His Soul Power is level twenty-seven, Innate Soul Power is level seven. Although his talent cannot compare to that of a prodigy like the Young Master, it is still quite good."

He paused, then continued somewhat embarrassedly:

"This old servant believes that if we could allow him to join the Beichen Academy and receive some guidance from His Majesty, that would be an immense blessing for him."

Fu Shiyan smiled slightly:

"The grandson of the Tai Tan patriarch is naturally eligible to join the Academy."

Upon hearing this, Tai Tan's face instantly lit up with ecstatic joy:

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Fu Shiyan waved her hand and continued:

"Speaking of which, Chief Niu Gao has already chosen to join the Academy. His grandson is also on the enrollment list this time. Tai Long can keep him company then."

Tai Tan was taken aback, then even more delighted:

"The Old Rhino has joined too?! That's great!"

He rubbed his hands together, unable to stop smiling.

Fu Shiyan looked at him, then changed the subject:

"Chief Tai Tan, have you considered joining the Academy as well?"

Tai Tan was startled, then abruptly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief:

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty means that even this old servant can do it?"

Fu Shiyan nodded with a smile:

"Chief Tai Tan is one of the three great master craftsmen of the Douluo Continent, with unparalleled skill in forging. It would be ideal if you could teach the students in the Academy who excel in strength attributes."

Tai Tan was stunned upon hearing this.

He stared blankly at Fu Shiyan, speechless for a long time.

It took him a while to come to his senses, his voice trembling slightly:

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty thinks so highly of this old servant... This old servant..."

As he spoke, he bent his knees and was about to kneel down!

Fu Shiyan reacted quickly and reached out to support him:

"Chief Tai Tan, there's no need for that."

Fu Shiyan shook her head and continued:

"Chief Tai Tan flatter me. The Academy needs your skills, and you need a place to make a living. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Tai Tan nodded repeatedly, too excited to speak.

He paused, then looked at Fu Shiyan, his expression serious, and said:

"Your Majesty, now that this old servant has joined the Academy, I will naturally do my utmost. However, this old servant has a request."

Fu Shiyan nodded slightly:

"Chief Tai Tan, please speak."

Tai Tan took a deep breath and said slowly:

"Ever since we withdrew from the Clear Sky Sect, our Four Single-Attribute Clans have always helped each other. Over the years, the four clans have gathered every two years to share resources and overcome difficulties together."

He paused, then continued:

"This year is a year for reunion. I was thinking, could we take this opportunity to invite the other two clan leaders as well, and talk to them about the Beichen Academy?"

He looked at Fu Shiyan, his eyes filled with expectation:

"Old Rhino has joined, and so has Old Servant. If Old Goat and Old White Bird can come too, then our Four Single-Attribute Clans can be reunited."