"So that's what happened. No wonder the Dragon Duke and Snake Matriarch ran off in the middle of the night!"
Sitting in the classroom, Gu Tian had ignored the teacher's lecture and listened to Ao Linxi's account of last night's hunt from beginning to end. His mind had been in turmoil ever since. He knew Tang Hao would have to face Spirit Hall sooner or later, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon—or to cause such a commotion.
"Wait... five Titled Douluo attacked at once?" Gu Tian rubbed his nose, his eyes glinting with a strange look. "The Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo are one thing, but they even roused the three old monsters from the Worship Hall. Tang Hao must have fought until half his life was spent this time."
"Hmph. He blew up eight Soul Rings. Even if he survived, he'd be as good as crippled for the rest of his life." Ao Linxi idly played with her nails and spoke in a cool voice.
Gu Tian froze for a moment, then couldn't help laughing.
If Gu Tian had known the real reason behind the incident, he would have been even happier. If Tang San hadn't rushed to register as a Soul Master at Spirit Hall just to show off his Clear Sky Hammer, how would that little clerk, Su Yuntao, have grown suspicious? Spirit Hall had made its move entirely thanks to Tang Hao's good son.
Gu Tian looked out the window at the same scenery as yesterday. Now that Tang Hao had fled, the safeguards that had once belonged to Tang San had vanished completely. Tang Hao had taken Ah Yin's Blue Silver Emperor and hidden it away, so it would be difficult to find for the time being. But that also meant that, from now on, no Titled Douluo would be secretly watching his every move during school.
"A kid with no dad to protect him is in for a rough time." Gu Tian's lips curled into an evil smile as he began plotting how to make life a little harder for this protagonist.
After the first class, the classroom was buzzing. Meng Yiran was pestering Gu Tian about where they should go for the weekend, while Na'er and Xiao Wu huddled together, sharing their new hair ornaments. Gu Yue sat to one side, her dark green eyes occasionally glancing toward the classroom door, as if she had sensed something out of the ordinary.
At the back of the classroom, Tang San was polishing his newly made Sleeve Arrows. He had received a Gold Soul Coin from Spirit Hall yesterday, and it had rekindled his fighting spirit. As he saw it, once his Hidden Weapons were ready, he could still win back his pride.
"Creak—"
The classroom door swung open.
Yu Xiaogang walked in. He looked dreadful today. His rigid face was deathly pale, and his sunken eye sockets were bloodshot. He moved stiffly, even stumbling over the threshold as he entered.
"Teacher?" Tang San immediately sensed that something was wrong and stood up, concern filling his eyes.
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, his expression complicated beyond words—guilt, sympathy, and even a hint of fear buried deep within. He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound as steady as usual.
"Everyone, quiet down."
The classroom fell silent.
Yu Xiaogang surveyed the room. His gaze lingered on Gu Tian for half a second before quickly moving away.
"Due to some special adjustments within the academy, the school leadership has decided to bring the winter break forward this year," Yu Xiaogang announced with difficulty. "All academic and practical classes this afternoon are canceled. Once this class ends, you can return to your dorms, pack your bags, and get ready to go home for the New Year."
"Wow!"
A wave of cheers swept through the classroom. For children only six or seven years old, being with their families was far more appealing than dry theory lessons.
Meng Yiran excitedly tugged at Gu Tian's sleeve. "Gu Tian, this is wonderful! I'm on my first day of class and we're already getting a break! Since the break's starting early, why don't you come celebrate the New Year with me at the Peerless Dragon and Snake Mansion? Grandpa and Grandma will definitely like you!"
Na'er and Xiao Wu gathered around too, and everyone chattered excitedly.
At the back of the classroom, Tang San wore a genuine smile for the first time in ages.
"We're on break... and it's starting early." Tang San clutched the strap of his schoolbag, his heart brimming with joy. "I was worried Gu Tian would disturb my cultivation if I stayed here. Now I can go back to Holy Soul Village, turn this month's allowance into good wine for Dad, and tell him I've already reached level twelve as a Soul Master. He'll be happy, won't he?"
Tang San was already imagining himself back at the humble blacksmith's shop, smelling the familiar charcoal smoke and listening to his old man's rough but hearty snores. It was the only comfort he had in this world.
Seeing Tang San's face alight with longing, so eager he could hardly wait, Gu Tian couldn't help sighing inwardly.
"Poor kid." Gu Tian sneered to himself. "The home you're so eager to return to probably doesn't have a single whole brick left."
Standing at the lectern and watching Tang San's radiant smile, Yu Xiaogang felt his heart ache again and again. He was clutching a bloodstained Clear Sky Sect token so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.
"Xiao San... I'm sorry." Yu Xiaogang repeated the words silently in his heart. In the end, he had chosen to keep the truth hidden. He knew that if he told Tang San now, the child might collapse on the spot. To keep Tang San alive, he had to let this cruel secret remain buried in darkness a little longer.
"All right, dismissed."
At Yu Xiaogang's command, the students rushed out of the classroom as if they'd been pardoned.
Tang San was the fastest of them all. He swept down the corridor like a breeze, and even as he passed Gu Tian, he left a gust of wind that seemed to carry his high spirits.
Watching Tang San's retreating figure, Gu Tian turned to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, take Yiran back to the dorm and start packing. I'll head out for a little while with Gu Yue and Na'er."
Then he took the two girls by the hand. "Come on, let's go too. The rain's about to fall over Nuoding City. We need to find a good spot to watch the show."
Na'er turned to look outside and scratched her head. "How could it rain in the middle of winter, Gu Tian?"
Tang San hurried back to Dorm Seven.
The cheers about the break still echoed over the academy, but Tang San had already efficiently packed his slightly worn travel bag. He hadn't spent long in the dorm, and most of that time had been consumed by cultivation and resentment, but now, for once, a hint of ease showed between his brows.
"Brother San, I'm so jealous. You get to go home and see your family so soon." Wang Sheng stood nearby, carrying Tang San's kettle, his eyes full of envy. "I'm stuck here helping out so I can save up for next semester's fees."
Tang San patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder. It was probably the first time in half a year he had acted so much like a child.
"Wang Sheng, keep cultivating. When we're back after the break, I'll teach you a few fighting techniques." As he spoke, Tang San touched the Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night at his waist. Inside lay everything he had accumulated these past few days at the blacksmith's shop with that one Gold Soul Coin.
His thoughts were filled with his father, Tang Hao. He wanted to tell his father in person that he not only had a hundred-year First Soul Ring, but that his Soul Power had also leapt all the way to level twelve. In the history of Holy Soul Village, no one had ever advanced this quickly.
After saying goodbye to Wang Sheng, Tang San practically took three steps at a time as he hurried out of the academy gate and raced toward Holy Soul Village.