Back to Holy Soul Village

Su Xianling had not said all that because she never intended for Chu Heng to complete the training. But according to her original plan, it would take him quite some time to master Qi Observation. During that time, his Soul Power would naturally grow as he continued to cultivate.

By Su Xianling's initial estimate, Chu Heng would need to reach around level sixteen in Soul Power and spend a long time practicing Qi Observation, until he could accurately judge the strength of different targets, before he stood a chance of knocking down every target in the set before him.

With his current reserves of Soul Power, he could not do it, even if he wasted as little as possible on every shot.

For now, though, she kept her plans to herself.

Su Xianling patted Chu Heng's shoulder, and her smile faded.

"You're progressing even faster than I expected. In that case, I should increase your training a little."

Chu Heng:

"..."

Ignoring the change in his expression, Su Xianling continued:

"I hope you master what you need to learn here soon. Don't disappoint me."

Then she ruffled his hair with a beaming smile.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed.

It had been a full year since Chu Heng left Holy Soul Village and came to the Spirit Hall Branch Hall in Nott City.

It had not been an exciting year for him, but it had certainly kept him busy.

Unfortunately, the system had fallen silent again after issuing its last quest, and cultivation only grew harder as a Soul Master advanced. So although Chu Heng never slacked off, the growth of his Soul Power slowed.

Even now, his Soul Power Level was only sixteen.

But compared with when he had first arrived at Spirit Hall, his Soul Power, physical strength, and combat ability were worlds apart.

That day, Chu Heng returned to the familiar training ground. Looking at the equipment that had accompanied him through countless sessions, he let out a slow breath.

I'm going to pass today!

[Current Soul Power: 280/282]

Chu Heng flexed his wrist and circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill. As his Purple Demon Eyes activated, his gaze swept across the targets weaving past one another.

Bang!

Bang!

"..."

Bullets of Soul Power struck the bull's-eyes with unerring accuracy. With a dull thud, the last human-shaped target toppled backward. At the same time, Chu Heng's remaining Soul Power fell to around ten points.

"I did it!"

"Not bad."

Praise and applause sounded behind him. Chu Heng turned to find Su Xianling watching him with appreciation.

"All that practice wasn't for nothing."

Chu Heng broke into a grin.

"Of course! Look who taught me!"

Su Xianling raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? You've learned to flatter me now?"

Chu Heng kept a straight face.

"I'm just telling the truth."

Su Xianling chuckled, but her gaze soon softened as she looked at him.

The past year really had been hard on the child.

"Thanks for all your hard work."

Chu Heng blinked.

"Hm?"

"You've been at Spirit Hall so long. You must miss home, don't you?"

Home...

At her words, his parents' faces sprang to mind. He had been in Nott City for a full year now.

He had only gone home for a few days over the New Year, and because he had not wanted to interrupt his cultivation, he had soon returned to Spirit Hall. Thinking about it now, he really did miss home.

After a moment's silence, Chu Heng nodded honestly.

"A little."

"Then go visit."

Su Xianling tapped her fingers in rhythm.

"You've finished this stage of training. I'm giving you two weeks off. Go spend time with your parents and get some proper rest."

"Really?"

"Of course."

The undisguised delight on his face made her heart ache a little.

He was only six or seven, after all.

"Go on, get ready."

"Okay!"

That evening.

Chu Heng packed almost everything. But Nott City was some distance from Holy Soul Village, and it was too late to set out, so he planned to leave early the next morning.

It was then that the long-silent system chimed again.

[Ding!]

[Story Check-in Quest: The Missing Tang Hao]

[Quest Requirement: Return to Holy Soul Village with Tang San and pick up the letter Tang Hao left for his family]

Chu Heng stared at the quest before him.

"Tch..."

He did not remember this part of the story very clearly. It had been a long time since he read the original work, and with everything he had to do lately, parts of the plot had gradually slipped his mind.

But now that the system had given him a quest, he had no reason to ignore it.

And since the quest had appeared now, Tang San was probably about to return to Holy Soul Village too.

Chu Heng rubbed his chin.

If he wanted to go back with Tang San, he would have to wait for him outside the academy first thing tomorrow morning. That would be far too deliberate.

"Forget it."

Chu Heng quickly made up his mind. Rather than go out of his way to intercept Tang San, he would return to Holy Soul Village first and find an excuse to visit Tang House once Tang San arrived. It would still be a coincidence, but at least it would be less obvious.

He might as well keep up appearances where he could.

The next day.

Chu Heng left Nott City shortly after dawn.

To make sure Tang San did not reach Holy Soul Village before him, he had set out early and arrived before noon.

A year had passed, but Holy Soul Village had changed little. Some villagers spotted him from afar, yet did not dare greet him because they failed to recognize him at first. Only when he came closer did they realize Chu Heng had returned.

Chu Heng went home first. His parents were delighted by his unexpected return. Afterward, he found time to visit Old Jack and several other village elders.

Not long after lunch, a lively murmur of voices rose outside.

Something stirred in Chu Heng's mind, and he stepped out of the house.

Sure enough, several villagers were greeting a familiar boy on the road.

Tang San.

Beside him was another familiar figure, dressed in pink, her scorpion braid swaying gently with her steps.

Xiao Wu.

They're here!

Chu Heng went back inside, picked up a jar of wine, and headed straight toward Tang House.

Near Tang House, he "happened" to run into Tang San and Xiao Wu, who had just returned.

"Tang San?"

Chu Heng feigned surprise.

"You're back too?"

Then he looked at Xiao Wu.

"Sister Xiao Wu, you're here too."

Tang San was just as startled to see him.

"Chu Heng? When did you get back?"