Old Thoughts Linger, Yet Towards the Sun

This familiar face sent Su Qing's thoughts drifting into the distance. Recalling the resolve with which she had stayed behind to cover his retreat, he couldn't help but offer a self-deprecating smile. If only he had been a little stronger, if only the plan had been a little more meticulous...

"Xiao Qing, what are you thinking about? You were fine a moment ago, why are you crying?"

Before Tang Ya could even marvel at how Su Qing had become as beautiful as a girl, she saw the misty haze welling up in his eyes. What was wrong with this kid? Could it be that he was crying tears of joy from awakening a super-powerful martial soul? Or was it possible that his entire family had been wiped out when he was very young, leaving him with a deep, blood-soaked vendetta?

Tang Ya's voice pulled him back from his thoughts. That was right; he would grieve for Gu Yuena's departure, but he would not be crushed by it. He would continue to live on, carrying the hope she had left behind. With him, Su Qing, around, the soul beast clan she cared for so deeply would never become fish on a chopping block for others to slaughter.

"It's nothing. I just awakened such a powerful martial soul that the sudden shift in my heart was a bit much to process, that's all."

He waved his hand and turned his gaze toward Tang Lin, who was holding the soul power testing crystal.

"Uncle, please help me test my soul power."

"Alright."

Tang Lin nodded. He already had a few guesses regarding Su Qing's soul power. Based on the strange phenomena that occurred when the martial soul appeared, he could conclude that the boy's Innate Soul Power was definitely above level eight. As for why he didn't guess Innate Full Soul Power? Don't joke around; he had stayed in Tiandou City for so long and had never even seen Innate Full Soul Power. How could such a genius be so easy to encounter? Did he think this was a novel?

The moment Su Qing touched the crystal, a dazzling light filled the entire stone. Tang Lin's eyes widened. It really was Innate Full Soul Power. This kid... he was a beast.

"Wow!"

Tang Ya's mouth formed an 'O' shape, but this look of shock didn't last long before she shouted with pure joy, "I didn't expect Xiao Qing to be so amazing! He's worthy of being the little brother of the boss of Tiandou City; he didn't embarrass me!"

"That goes without saying! The boss of Tiandou City must have face!"

Su Qing echoed her sentiment. Although Tang Ya was boisterous and carefree, she had no malicious intent. Seeing a friend awaken a powerful martial soul made her genuinely happy for him. There weren't many girls as kind as her, and Su Qing certainly wouldn't spoil her mood.

Looking at the crystal before him, Tang Lin's heart was surging with turbulent waves. He knew all too well what Innate Full Soul Power signified. Coupled with that piercing, silver-white spear, as long as this kid grew up, he would undoubtedly become a peerless expert capable of suppressing an entire era.

Unfortunately, given the boy's aptitude, he would never look twice at the Tang Sect. Even if he did, the Tang Sect lacked the resources to provide him with sufficient cultivation. As the sect master, he had at least that much insight. However, helping him awaken his martial soul today could be considered a good deed; if Tang Ya ever ran into trouble in the future, he would surely step in to help. Thinking of this, Tang Lin breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Almost every sect in Tiandou City, large or small, was eyeing the Tang Sect like a tiger watching its prey, especially the Iron Blood Sect, which was always looking for an opportunity to annex them. If he and his wife ever met with an accident, he hoped that at least Tang Ya could stay out of it and live a happy life.

"Dinner's ready!"

Not long after, Tang Rou's voice drifted from the kitchen. The father and daughter, accustomed to home-cooked meals, didn't have much of a reaction, but Su Qing, just standing at the kitchen door, was already drooling. God damn it, heaven only knew what Youyou had been feeding him every day. It was bitter and astringent, and the more he chewed, the worse it tasted. The real kicker was that if he didn't chew, he couldn't swallow it. If this continued, he truly felt he would develop pica.

Today, he had finally seen the clouds part to reveal the moon. Does anyone understand? He was finally eating normal food!

And so, following a series of moves that involved Su Qing wolfing down his food like a storm, only a few plates remained on the table, along with three stunned people. The three of them even subconsciously hugged their own bowls to their chests. Although Su Qing's way of eating was indeed not very polite, the couple still felt mostly heartache.

A child so beautiful and so talented had never even had a full meal. How could there be such heartless parents in this world!

"Xiao Qing, if you aren't full, Auntie Tang will make more for you. Also, just treat the Tang Sect like your own home. Come to the Tang Sect whenever you're hungry in the future; Auntie will make you delicious food. You're still at the age where you're growing, so don't mistreat yourself."

With tears in her eyes, Tang Rou pulled Su Qing into her arms and rubbed his head, her heartache plain to see.

"Mom, you've never said that to me."

Tang Ya, however, was not happy. Why were her parents never this patient with her? Zero stars.

"You silly girl, isn't the Tang Sect your home? And which meal don't you eat the most of? Don't give me that; Xiao Qing is a special case, can you compare?"

Halfway through her scolding, Tang Ya pointed weakly at the clean dining table, but Tang Rou anticipated it, and her retort died in the cradle.

"No wonder Tang Ya has such a lively personality. A child who grows up in love is truly different."

Feeling the warm atmosphere of Tang Ya's family, Su Qing smiled knowingly. It was similar to his situation at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. Sometimes Youyou would scold him like this, especially when he was a picky eater. But he couldn't be blamed for that back then; he didn't recognize the other herbs, but the one Youyou served that day was crushed rhubarb.

After the meal, Tang Ya's parents briefly inquired about Su Qing's situation. Upon learning that he was the only one left in his family, Tang Rou felt remorse for her earlier thought that Su Qing's parents were heartless. She felt she shouldn't have jumped to the conclusion that his parents were irresponsible.

Tang Lin patted Su Qing on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Xiao Qing, you have awakened your martial soul now, and your future is limitless. Uncle hopes you won't dwell in the sorrow of the past. Look toward the future and live a brilliant life; that way, the spirits of your parents in heaven will surely be comforted."

He had seen the situation when Su Qing awakened his martial soul earlier, but he hadn't said anything at the time. He figured the boy must have really wanted his parents to know he had awakened a top-tier martial soul.

"I know, Uncle. But before I left, I made a promise to the older brothers and sisters who raised me in the neighborhood that I would return to report that I was safe as soon as I finished awakening my martial soul. I can't stay here too long, or they will worry."

He knew well that Tang Ya's parents were good people, and the conditions here were better than at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, but leaving without a word to Youyou and the others who had raised him simply wasn't his style. Therefore, he bid the couple farewell.

"So that's how it is. Then you mustn't delay. I'm sure those brothers and sisters of yours are still worried about you. How about this, I will personally see you to the city gates."

Fearing he might get lost in Tiandou City alone, Tang Lin even went out of his way to escort him to the outskirts. Su Qing couldn't help but sigh in his heart; his luck was truly good. At the very least, everyone he had met so far had been a good person.

"Alright, thank you, Uncle!"