Tang San accepted the letter.
"Then I'm sorry for the trouble, Deacon Su."
Su Yuntao gave him a few more reminders about when to report and what to keep in mind, then packed up the awakening equipment and left Holy Soul Village.
He walked briskly, working out how to report this once he returned. Discovering a promising child with innate full soul power counted as a considerable achievement.
Tang San walked home clutching the recommendation letter, but felt little joy.
The unexpected change to Purple Rose Vine had already thrown his memories of two lifetimes into disarray. For now, he could only take things one step at a time.
He pushed open the door. The heavy smell of alcohol filled the house. Tang Hao sat slumped against the wall in a corner, clutching a wine gourd and drinking morosely with his head lowered. His dispirited appearance was exactly as Tang San remembered.
"Father," Tang San said. "I awakened my martial soul today. Purple Rose Vine, with innate full soul power."
Tang Hao's eyes had been bleary with drink, but at the words "Purple Rose Vine," he jolted so sharply that wine sloshed out of the gourd in his hand.
He raised his head. A glimmer of clarity flashed through his clouded eyes as he stared fixedly at Tang San.
"Little San, what did you say? You awakened a Purple Rose Vine martial soul?"
"That's right." Tang San nodded, paused, then slowly opened his other hand. "And I have a second martial soul."
As his words fell, a small, pitch-black iron hammer appeared in his palm.
The hammer was ancient in design and weighty, carrying a faint, cold gleam. It was none other than the Clear Sky Hammer.
The little hammer hovered above his fingertips, its metal shining with a deep,