Tang Ling's Return

Deep within the bamboo forest of Star Dou Forest.

A Rou had already awakened and was sitting propped up against the headboard. Xiao Wu held a bowl of hot soup, feeding her spoonful by spoonful. Mother and daughter murmured softly to each other, occasionally letting out a quiet laugh. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the bamboo leaves, scattering dappled shadows across them.

When Tang Ling pushed the door open and entered, Xiao Wu immediately set down the bowl, jumped off the bed, and scampered over to him. She tipped up her little face to look at him.

"Big Brother! You're back! Are you all right? Those bad people didn't come looking for trouble again, did they?"

Tang Ling looked down at Xiao Wu's sparkling eyes. Five years had passed, and the little girl had grown quite a bit taller, yet her clingy nature had not changed in the slightest.

"I'm fine." He reached out and rubbed her head, then walked to the bedside and glanced at A Rou's complexion. "You're recovering well."

A Rou hurriedly tried to rise and bow, but Tang Ling stopped her with a raised hand. "Stay lying down."

"Benefactor..." A Rou's eyes reddened slightly. "We've troubled you again this time. If you hadn't arrived in time, Xiao Wu and I would have..."

"It won't happen again." Tang Ling sat down in the bamboo chair beside the bed, his tone calm. "Spirit Hall will no longer hunt you. You can live in Star Dou Forest without worry."

A Rou and Xiao Wu were both stunned.

Spirit Hall would no longer pursue them? How could that be possible? For five years, they had fled and hidden everywhere, nearly dying at Spirit Hall's hands several times. Spirit Hall had always hunted hundred-thousand-year soul beasts to the bitter end. Why would they suddenly give up?

"Big Brother," Xiao Wu asked, tilting her head, her large eyes full of confusion, "how do you know Spirit Hall won't hunt us anymore?"

Tang Ling picked up the unfinished bowl of soup from the table and took a sip. Without changing expression, he said, "I had a talk with Spirit Hall's Pope. She agreed."

Had a talk?

A Rou and Xiao Wu looked at each other. He had a talk with Spirit Hall's Pope, and the Pope simply agreed? Wasn't he making it sound far too easy?

But on second thought, Xiao Wu realized that Big Brother could send a hundred-thousand-year Dark Evil Tiger flying with one palm strike and defeat Spirit Hall's Titled Douluo with a single finger. Having "a talk" with the Pope did not seem like such a big deal after all.

"Big Brother is amazing!" Xiao Wu threw herself forward and hugged Tang Ling's arm, her little face filled with admiration. "Does that mean Mother and I can go anywhere we want from now on? We don't have to hide from Spirit Hall anymore?"

"Mm."

"Then I want to go to the human world with Big Brother!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up as she blurted out, "Mother said the human world is so much fun! There's lots and lots of delicious food, and lots and lots of pretty—"

"Xiao Wu!" A Rou softly cut her off, her voice carrying a touch of helplessness. "Don't make trouble. Our benefactor has countless matters to attend to. How could he have time to take a little girl like you running around everywhere?"

Xiao Wu pouted and looked at Tang Ling pitifully, her big eyes full of expectation.

Looking at her like this, Tang Ling suddenly recalled the system's first task—"Before Tang San awakens his martial soul, make contact with his first fated girl—Xiao Wu."

He had completed that task five years ago and received the reward that allowed him to break through to the Deity Transformation stage.

From that moment onward, Xiao Wu's fate had completely veered off its original course. Even if she encountered Tang San again, she would not become his companion, much less sacrifice herself for him.

Her fate had been completely rewritten by him.

At that thought, Tang Ling's mood suddenly improved. He patted Xiao Wu on the head, and his tone carried a rare gentleness. "You can come with me if you want, but you have to behave."

Xiao Wu's eyes instantly shone like two little stars, and she nodded vigorously. "Mm-hm, mm-hm, mm-hm! I promise I'll behave! If Big Brother tells me to go east, I absolutely won't go west! If Big Brother tells me to chase chickens, I absolutely won't chase dogs!"

Seeing her daughter like this, A Rou let out a helpless sigh, but her eyes held a gratified smile.

"Benefactor," she paused, and the smile on her face faded slightly, replaced by a more solemn expression, "actually... Xiao Wu and I have discussed it. We've relied on your care all these years, Benefactor, and we truly have no way to repay you. If you do not mind, Xiao Wu and I would like to follow by your side. Whether it's serving tea and pouring water, or doing any other odd jobs, as long as we can be of help to you, we are willing."

Xiao Wu nodded forcefully as well. "Yes, yes, yes! Big Brother, I may not be grown up yet, but once I am, I'll be able to help you fight! Whoever bullies Big Brother then, I'll be the first to beat them up!"

Tang Ling looked at the mother and daughter and fell silent for a moment.

Follow him?

With his Void Refinement cultivation, he truly had no need for any attendants in the entirety of Soul Land. But these two...

His gaze fell on Xiao Wu. The little girl's talent would be considered high-grade even in the cultivation world.

Her Soft Bone Rabbit true form had granted her remarkable flexibility and speed. If she cultivated his techniques, it would not be impossible to train her into a capable assistant in the future.

As for A Rou, her value was likewise not to be underestimated. Tang Ling's gaze lingered on A Rou for another moment. Sensing his eyes on her, a faint blush rose on A Rou's fair face, and she subconsciously lowered her head.

"Fine." Tang Ling withdrew his gaze, his tone calm. "You may follow me. But think it through carefully. Following me means leaving Star Dou Forest and the environment you are familiar with. And following me may not necessarily be more comfortable than living here."

A Rou hurriedly shook her head. "Benefactor's kindness to Xiao Wu and me is a debt A Rou could never repay in her lifetime. As long as we can be of help to you, we can go anywhere."

Xiao Wu also bounced over. "I'm not afraid either! Wherever Big Brother is, Xiao Wu will be!"

Tang Ling nodded and said nothing more.

By evening.

Tang Ling stood atop a cliff outside the bamboo forest, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze passed over the endless layers of forest canopy toward the distant north.

The direction of Holy Soul Village.

By his calculations, tomorrow would be the day the children of age from Holy Soul Village went to Notting City to awaken their martial souls.

Tang San had waited nearly six full years for this day.

The task list on the system interface was refreshing:

[Main Quest: Appear at Tang San's martial soul awakening ceremony. Turn Tang San's martial soul awakening into the most unforgettable memory of his life. Reward determined by the degree of emotional torment.]

"What are you looking at?" Xiao Wu's voice came from behind him.

The little girl bounced up the cliff and sidled up beside Tang Ling. Following his gaze northward, she saw nothing but an endless expanse of forest.

"I'll take you to watch something interesting tomorrow." Tang Ling withdrew his gaze, his tone casual.

"What's interesting?" Xiao Wu was immediately intrigued, curiosity written all over her large eyes.

Tang Ling's lips curved faintly. In the lingering glow of the setting sun, his smile seemed deeply meaningful.

"A martial soul awakening ceremony."