Because Yu Xiaogang's second phase of training for Tang San involved participating in Soul Fighting matches, Tang San packed his schedule full of them, with one-on-one, two-on-two, and team battles every day.
Yet even with such a packed schedule, Tang San felt a burning gaze fixed on him every day. At first, he simply thought it belonged to someone who had witnessed his strength and taken an interest in him.
However, the gaze did not diminish as time passed, and Tang San grew suspicious of it.
Today, Tang San decided to go find the person who kept watching him. He said to Ma Hongjun, who was grouped with him, "Fatty, I have some business to take care of and need to leave for a bit. You head back by yourself."
Ma Hongjun wore an "I understand you" expression and teased, "Got it, don't worry, I won't tell Xiao Wu and Li Pei about this."
Tang San retorted irritably, "What are you talking about, you dead fatty? I'm leaving on legitimate business."
Ma Hongjun looked at Tang San with a grin, nodded, and turned to run off.
Watching Ma Hongjun's retreating back, Tang San could not help but sigh.
Yet Tang San had no time to dwell on Ma Hongjun's antics, because the person watching him was about to leave the Great Soul Arena, and he needed to see her before she departed.
Tang San's speed was fast, and he quickly caught sight of Yin Lan's figure. Observing the somewhat timid woman, Tang San hid in the shadows near her.
As he followed, he caught a full view of the woman. Her silver-blue long hair was tied back, and she possessed spiritual eyes and an exquisite face, making her look precisely like a fairy of nature.
This woman was one of the most beautiful he had ever seen, yet facing such a beauty, Tang San felt no blushing or racing heartbeat. Instead, he felt a sense of familiarity, much like the bond of a chained fate.
Because of this peculiar feeling, Tang San began to take an interest in the woman, so during the past few days of battles, he had continuously used his spiritual power to observe her movements.
Her reaction, however, shocked him. She had actually watched his battles to the point of tears. His fights weren't all that bloody-they were just ordinary combat-so why would they easily move someone to tears?
Moreover, she kept murmuring something, but the distance was too great and his cultivation was insufficient, so he could not hear what she was saying at all.
Yet seeing her moved expression, he felt no resentment; instead, he felt a surge of pride, arrogance, and heartache.
Could this woman truly be his fated partner?
That's right, if she wasn't his fated partner, why would his very first glimpse of her feel so familiar? Perhaps it was a romance ordained several lifetimes ago.
Having confirmed his feelings toward the woman, Tang San began to doubt himself. He was fond of Xiao Wu, after all-how could he possibly fall for someone else?
Yet the surging emotions within his heart defeated his own logic. How could this predestined feeling compare to his youthful, budding infatuation? Furthermore, if Xiao Wu knew about this, she would definitely understand him.
Thus led to the moment where Tang San blocked Yin Lan's path.
"Miss, why have you been watching me these past few days?"
Seeing the son of her heart appear before her, Yin Lan felt deeply moved, yet also afraid. For her son's safety, she could not acknowledge him.
Yin Lan lowered her head and said softly, "I'm fine. I just saw that you were very amazing, so I couldn't help watching a few extra times."
More than a few times-she had stared at him the entire match, keeping her eyes fixed on him the moment he stepped into the arena.
Tang San smiled faintly. "Is that so? I'm honored to have Miss's favor. May I ask what your name is?"
Yin Lan replied softly, "My name is Yin Lan."
Seeing Yin Lan lower her head in shyness, not even daring to meet his gaze, Tang San felt a wave of satisfaction well up inside. No girl had ever spoken to him quite like this.
Tang San said gently, "Hello, Miss Yin Lan. If you have time right now, I'd like to invite you to a meal."
Yin Lan was startled, but unwilling to miss the chance to spend time with her son, she nodded and accepted Tang San's request.
And so the two of them, each harboring their own thoughts, arrived at a dining table.
Once they sat down, Tang San asked, "Miss, I haven't seen you around before. Are you a student from somewhere?"
Yin Lan said, "I'm a student at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and I only came here for practical training."
Tang San asked with a frown of doubt, "Miss, a month ago we ran into people from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the Star Dou Great Forest, but you weren't among them."
"I had matters to attend to earlier, so I didn't follow the team to the Star Dou Great Forest, and instead came to Suotuo City ahead of time to rendezvous," Yin Lan said flusteredly.
After all, she was not originally a student of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy; she had only just joined the academy through the arrangements of Shangguan Li and Shaohua.
Tang San said indifferently, "Is that so? Then I haven't seen you participate in any Soul Fighting these past few days either?"
Yin Lan answered, "Teacher Qin said that reaching the Gold Soul Fighting Badge is enough for us, and since I've already attained the Gold Soul rank, I didn't participate in the battles. But I don't want to just sit around and do nothing, so I watch the fights every day."
Hearing this, Tang San nodded. He was very pleased with Yin Lan; she possessed strength yet was not content with the status quo, and she constantly worked hard to grow stronger every single day. Most importantly, her appearance struck right at his heart's desire.
"Miss Yin Lan, I wouldn't have thought you're a Soul Master who refuses to settle for the status quo," Tang San said happily.
Watching Tang San's joyful expression, Yin Lan smiled along with him. Amidst this warm and harmonious atmosphere, the time for their meal slipped away just like that.
As Tang San watched Yin Lan depart, Tang Hao, who had been observing from the shadows, felt his anger flare up. Yin Lan hadn't even shared a meal with him since her resurrection, nor had she spoken with him for such a long time-why could Tang San do so?
Meanwhile, unaware of this father and son's unusual behavior, Yin Lan walked happily down the road back to her inn. She had finally gotten to see her son Tang San; he was living so well, so healthily, and was even gentle toward a stranger like her.
Walking along the path, Yin Lan suddenly burst into tears. Looking at how sensible Tang San was-having grown up without a mother's company-he had still managed to blossom into such an outstanding person.
She desperately wanted to know what he looked like when he was little, what kind of hardships he had experienced in his childhood? Did he miss his mother? Did he ever ask his father why he didn't have a mother?
Thinking of how many years she had missed out on Tang San's life, the joy in Yin Lan's heart turned to sorrow, and she wept all the way down the road.
Yet the current Yin Lan also knew she could not return to the inn yet. If either Shangguan Li or Shaohua discovered her present state, they would instantly know she had gone to see Tang San.
Xiaosan, for your sake, I will definitely not expose myself, Yin Lan silently vowed in her heart. She had already failed to fulfill her duties as a mother; if she couldn't even protect his life, how could she still call herself his mother?
Yet what Yin Lan did not know was that while she regarded him as her son, he regarded her as his future wife.
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