Tang San's Gratitude

Yu Xiaogang placed the clay pot onto the small coal stove, first spreading out the herbs Tang Hao had sent on a bamboo sieve to sort through them.

"At least he has some eye for quality." Yu Xiaogang snorted; despite his dismissive words, his hands didn't stop as he meticulously picked out the impurities.

Following the prescription on the back of the note, he first soaked the Codonopsis and Astragalus in warm water. Only after the herbs had fully absorbed the water did he pour them, along with the soaking liquid, into the clay pot.

The flame of the coal stove was small, licking the bottom of the pot and emitting a faint, crackling sound.

Yu Xiaogang pulled up a small stool and sat by the stove, watching as the water in the pot slowly began to bubble like fish eyes, the bitter scent of the herbs mingling with the aroma of the charcoal fire.

After a while, the medicinal decoction in the pot had thickened into an amber hue.

Yu Xiaogang extinguished the fire and strained the liquid into a coarse ceramic bowl.

At this moment, Tang San arrived at Yu Xiaogang's residence.

Tang San looked at the medicine on the table and asked Yu Xiaogang with some confusion, "Teacher, are you ill?"

Yu Xiaogang was wiping the medicinal stains from the rim of the pot with a cloth; he didn't even look up as he replied, "It's not for me to drink; I brewed it for you."

He pushed the strained decoction toward Tang San. The amber liquid in the coarse bowl was still steaming, a hint of herbal freshness cutting through the bitterness.

"This is a formula I prepared for you to nourish your body."

Tang San froze for a moment, staring at the steaming bowl. The rich medicinal fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose stirred a wave of warmth in his heart.

"Wait." Yu Xiaogang rummaged through a cabinet and pulled out a small paper packet, opening it to reveal some crystalline crushed rock sugar. "Add two spoonfuls, lest it be too bitter."

Watching his teacher clumsily sprinkle the rock sugar into the bowl, Tang San couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth lift slightly.

He picked up the bowl and stirred it gently with a spoon; tiny sugar granules swirled within the amber liquid, adding a touch of sweetness to the bitterness.

Tang San thought to himself that Yu Xiaogang was truly good to him, and he must defeat Xu Yuan to repay the kindness Yu Xiaogang had shown him.

He drank the medicine in small sips, the warm liquid sliding down his throat and spreading a glow from his stomach to his limbs and bones.

Tang San could feel his meridians, which had been tight from days of grueling training, gradually relaxing as if soaked in warm water.

Setting down the coarse bowl, a small amount of liquid remained at the bottom.

Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang, his gaze more resolute than ever, his tone carrying an unquestionable solemnity: "Teacher, please rest assured. I will drink this medicine properly, and I will never slacken in my cultivation. Next time I spar with Xu Yuan, I will definitely win. Not just to prove your theories are correct, but to ensure I do not live up to the effort you have invested in me."

Yu Xiaogang's hand, which was wiping the pot, paused, and he looked up at Tang San.

The boy's face still held a trace of childishness, but his eyes were startlingly bright, filled with determination, gratitude, and an unyielding tenacity.

A warmth spread through Yu Xiaogang's heart, and the gloom he had felt regarding Xu Yuan dissipated significantly.

"Having this heart is enough." Yu Xiaogang set the pot aside, his tone softening. "But remember, winning is not the goal; it is to help you see your own path clearly. Once you truly master the fusion of control and lethal poison, you will understand that the path I have chosen for you is the one most suited to you."

"Yes, Teacher." Tang San nodded vigorously, a surge of heat welling up in his chest.

Watching Tang San finish the medicine, Yu Xiaogang reached out and patted his shoulder: "Go on. Today's soul skill training is doubled; I will be waiting for you at the training ground."

He thought to himself that he was truly clever to claim the medicine as his own.

This way, Tang San would be even more obedient and would never question his words.

In the blink of an eye, two and a half years passed. During this time, Xu Yuan's level had risen to 20.

Over these two and a half years, Xu Yuan's Tang Sect techniques had improved significantly, and he would occasionally spar with Xiao Wu.

By offering her pointers, he had helped Xiao Wu develop her Soft Technique considerably.

During these two and a half years, Tang San had sought out Xu Yuan for spars every few days, but he had been defeated by Xu Yuan every single time.

Xiao Wu looked at Xu Yuan and asked curiously, "Brother Yuan, where are you going for this period of time?"

Xu Yuan leaned into Xiao Wu's ear and whispered, "Xiao Wu, I've reached level 20. I'm going out to hunt a soul beast and obtain my second soul ring."

In reality, he had reached level 20 long ago, but because he lacked a second soul ring, his level had remained stuck at 20.

Upon learning that Xu Yuan was already level 20, Xiao Wu covered her mouth in surprise, staring at him.

Level 20 at eight years old?

That was a genius among geniuses.

In these two and a half years, she had read many books and had never seen anyone reach level 20 at the age of eight.

Xiao Wu's eyes widened, and it took her a long time to find her voice: "Brother Yuan, you... you aren't lying to me, are you? Level 20 at eight years old? This is even more impressive than Tang San!"

In these two and a half years, Tang San's soul power had also increased rapidly, and he was now level 18, a unique genius within the entire Notting Academy.

Yet Xu Yuan had quietly reached level 20, which completely overturned her understanding of a soul master's cultivation speed.

Xu Yuan smiled and flicked Xiao Wu's nose: "What would I gain from lying to you?"

Xiao Wu finally came to her senses and hurriedly grabbed Xu Yuan's arm, her eyes full of worry: "Then are you going alone? Hunting soul beasts is very dangerous!"

Xu Yuan said cheerfully, "It's fine. I've saved up some money, so I can hire someone to help me hunt the soul beast."

Xiao Wu breathed a slight sigh of relief, though she still frowned: "You must find a reliable soul hunter! I've heard some hunters are very unscrupulous and will raise their prices on the spot!"

Xu Yuan ruffled Xiao Wu's hair, his tone relaxed: "Don't worry, Master Zhao knows an old soul hunter in town who used to help him transport ore; his character is trustworthy. I've already asked Master Zhao to put in a word, and I'll be meeting up with him shortly."

Xiao Wu was still uneasy, counting on her fingers as she urged: "Then you must stay close to the soul hunter and don't wander off on your own! If you encounter a soul beast you can't beat, run immediately—don't try to be a hero! Also, it's best to find a safe place to rest every night; don't camp out in the forest..."

The nagging words were filled with concern, and Xu Yuan listened patiently, nodding in response from time to time.

Sunlight fell upon Xiao Wu's earnest face, gilding the fine hairs on her skin with a golden edge, making her look like a small beast protecting its young.

"Got it, little housekeeper." Xu Yuan smiled and pinched Xiao Wu's cheek. "When I get back, I'll bring you those specialty carrots from that shop. Didn't you say you wanted to eat them last time?"

Xiao Wu blushed at Xu Yuan's words and swatted his hand away. "Who's a little housekeeper! I'm just... just afraid you're clumsy and will get bullied by a Soul Beast!"

Though her words were stubborn, the worry in her eyes could not be hidden.

Xu Yuan looked at Xiao Wu and said, "Mm-hmm, I'm heading out then."

Before leaving, Xu Yuan kissed Xiao Wu on the cheek, then turned and ran.

Xiao Wu was frozen in place, startled by the sudden touch, her cheeks instantly turning as red as a ripe apple.

By the time she snapped out of it, Xu Yuan had already run far away.