"Since you're the birthday boy and you want to celebrate tomorrow, Little San, I have no objections."
Village Chief Jack had planned to celebrate Tang San's birthday that evening, but Tang San had said several times that he wanted to wait until tomorrow, so Jack couldn't insist.
"I'm really sorry for the trouble, Grandpa Jack."
Facing Village Chief Jack, who had brought meat for the occasion, Tang San apologetically turned down his offer to celebrate that day.
Tang San had a wish of his own now. He wanted to spend his birthday with his mother once she had a human form again that night.
After night fell, Tang San waited in his room until he heard Xiao Qing fall asleep. Only then did he get up and slip out.
By moonlight, Xiao Qing watched Tang San disappear into the darkness, then tossed the Prism Ball in his hand.
"Just as I thought. The Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone from the Blue Silver Emperor's left leg is still in that cave. Otherwise, Tang San wouldn't sneak out in the middle of the night."
"Thunder Feather, let's go!"
Xiao Qing braced a hand on the windowsill and vaulted onto Thunder Feather's back. Bathed in moonlight, he drew steadily closer to the cave where he had found Ah Yin earlier that day.
"It really is a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone! Mom didn't lie to me. I really can help her."
Tang San opened the box he had taken from the stone wall. Inside lay a left leg bone like a piece of sky-blue crystal.
Without hesitation, Tang San took out the Soul Bone and began absorbing it. He had to get back before dawn, or Xiao Qing would wake up, find him gone, and surely start asking questions.
Perhaps because Tang San's