Early Holiday!

"So that's how it is. No wonder Dragon Duke and Snake Matriarch ran off overnight!"

Gu Tian sat in the classroom, ignoring the teacher's lecture. He had been listening to Ao Linxi recount the siege from last night, and his heart remained unsettled for a long time. Although he knew Tang Hao would eventually face Martial Soul Hall, he hadn't expected it to happen so soon, nor with such earth-shattering intensity.

"You're saying... five Titled Douluo attacked at once?" Gu Tian rubbed his nose, a strange look in his eyes. "Not to mention Ghost and Chrysanthemum, even those three old monsters from the Worship Hall were stirred up. Tang Hao must have gambled away half his life this time."

"Hmph, he detonated eight soul rings. Even if he doesn't die, he's basically crippled for life," Ao Linxi said indifferently, listlessly fiddling with her nails.

Gu Tian paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh out loud.

However, if Gu Tian knew the real reason behind this incident, he would likely be even happier. If Tang San hadn't been in such a rush to register as a soul master at Martial Soul Hall just to show off his Clear Sky Hammer, how could that little deacon Su Yuntao have grown suspicious? Martial Soul Hall's actions were all thanks to Tang Hao's "good" son.

Gu Tian looked out the window at the same scenery as yesterday. Since Tang Hao had fled, the "cheat" protections that originally belonged to Tang San had completely vanished. Although Ah Yin, that Blue Silver Emperor, had been taken away and hidden by Tang Hao, making her hard to track for the time being, this also meant that for the rest of his school life, there would no longer be a Titled Douluo watching his every move from the shadows.

"Life isn't going to be easy for a child without a daddy to protect him." A wicked curve tugged at the corner of Gu Tian's mouth as he began to plot how to increase the difficulty of life for this protagonist.

After the first period ended, the classroom became rowdy. Meng Yiran was pestering Gu Tian about where to go for the weekend, while Na'er and Xiao Wu were huddled together sharing a newly bought hair accessory. Gu Yue sat to the side, her dark green eyes occasionally sweeping toward the classroom door, seemingly sensing an unusual aura.

In the back row, Tang San was bowing his head, wiping the Sleeve Arrow he had just crafted. He had received a Gold Soul Coin at Martial Soul Hall yesterday, which had reignited his fighting spirit. In his view, as long as his hidden weapons were ready, he could still settle the score.

"Creak—"

The classroom door was pushed open.

Yu Xiaogang walked in. His state today was abysmal; his stiff face was a deathly pale, and his deep-set eye sockets were bloodshot. His gait was somewhat mechanical, and he even stumbled over the threshold as he entered.

"Teacher?" Tang San keenly sensed something was wrong and immediately stood up, his eyes filled with concern.

Yu Xiaogang glanced at Tang San, his expression complex to the extreme—guilt, sympathy, and even a deeply hidden trace of fear. He took a deep breath, struggling to make his voice sound as steady as usual.

"Students, settle down."

The classroom went quiet.

Yu Xiaogang scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Gu Tian for half a second before darting away.

"Due to some special adjustments within the academy, the school leadership has collectively decided that this year's winter break will begin early," Yu Xiaogang announced with difficulty. "All academic and practical combat classes for this afternoon are canceled. Once this class ends, you may return to your dorms to pack your luggage and prepare to go home for the New Year."

"Wow—!"

A wave of thunderous cheers erupted in the classroom. For these six or seven-year-old children, the company of family was far more attractive than boring theoretical lessons.

Meng Yiran excitedly tugged at Gu Tian's sleeve. "Little brother Gu Tian, this is great! It's my first day of class and we're already on break! Since it's early, why don't you come back to the Peerless Dragon and Snake Mansion with me for the New Year? Grandpa and Grandma will definitely like you!"

Na'er and Xiao Wu also crowded around, everyone chattering away.

In the back row of the classroom, Tang San revealed a rare, genuine smile.

"Break... an early break." Tang San gripped the straps of his bag, his heart filled with joy. "I was worried that practicing here would be interrupted by Gu Tian, but this is perfect. I can go back to Holy Soul Village, trade this month's allowance for good wine to give to Dad, and tell him I'm already a level twelve soul master. He'll definitely be happy."

Tang San even began to fantasize about returning to that simple blacksmith shop, smelling the familiar charcoal fire, and hearing his father's rough but heavy snoring—his only solace in this world.

Gu Tian watched Tang San's longing, impatient expression and couldn't help but sigh.

"What a pitiful kid," Gu Tian sneered inwardly. "The home you're so excited to return to probably doesn't even have a single intact brick left."

Yu Xiaogang stood on the podium, watching Tang San's radiant smile, his heart aching in spasms. He was clutching a blood-stained Clear Sky Sect token so tightly that his knuckles were white.

"San... I'm sorry," Yu Xiaogang whispered to himself. He had ultimately chosen to keep it hidden. He knew that if he told Tang San the truth now, the child would likely collapse. For Tang San to survive, he had to let this cruel secret remain buried in the darkness for a while longer.

"Alright, dismissed."

At Yu Xiaogang's command, the students rushed out of the classroom as if granted amnesty.

Tang San was the fastest, sweeping through the corridor like a light breeze. As he passed Gu Tian, he even kicked up a gust of spirited wind.

Gu Tian watched Tang San's retreating figure and turned to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, take Yiran back to the dorm to pack your things. I'm going out for a bit with Gu Yue and Na'er."

Then, he took the hands of the two girls. "Let's go, too. It really is going to rain in Nuoding City; we need to find a good spot to watch a great show."

Na'er tilted her head to look outside and scratched her head. "It's the middle of winter, how could it rain, Brother Gu Tian?"

Tang San sped back to Dormitory Seven.

The cheers of the holiday still echoed over the campus, but Tang San had already efficiently packed his slightly worn bag. Although he hadn't spent much time in this dormitory, and most of it had been consumed by cultivation and hatred, a rare sense of relief now showed on his brow.

"Brother San, I'm so envious of you, getting to go home and see your family so soon." Wang Sheng stood to the side, helping Tang San carry his water bottle, his eyes full of envy. "I'm the one who's miserable; I have to stay behind and work to save up for next semester's fees."

Tang San patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder—this was perhaps the most child-like he had acted in the past six months.

"Wang Sheng, practice hard. When you come back next semester, I'll teach you a few combat techniques." As Tang San spoke, he touched the Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night at his waist, where the results of the Gold Soul Coin he had earned at the blacksmith shop over the past few days lay.

His mind was entirely on his father, Tang Hao. He wanted to tell his father in person that he not only possessed a hundred-year first soul ring, but his soul power had also jumped to level twelve. Such a rate of progress was absolutely unprecedented in the history of Holy Soul Village.

Bidding farewell to Wang Sheng, Tang San took two steps at a time, quickly crossing the academy gates and speeding toward Holy Soul Village.