"Tang San, Su Chen, what Martial Souls did you two awaken?" Old Jack was beside himself with excitement. Holy Soul Village had not produced a Soul Master in over a decade. He had thought that even one would leave him completely satisfied. He had never expected two children with the potential to become Soul Masters.
"Grandpa Jack, I have two Martial Souls. One is Blue Silver Grass, and the other is the Clear Sky Hammer." Tang San turned his left hand over, and Blue Silver Grass hovered above his palm. Then he turned his right hand over, and a hammer wreathed in lightning hovered above that palm.
"Grandpa Jack, my Martial Soul is a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon. I'm afraid I might give you such a fright that you fall ill, so I'd better not show it!" Su Chen rubbed a finger beneath his nose and smiled smugly.
"Heh, heh, as long as you can become Soul Masters, that's all that matters. To think Holy Soul Village would have two children capable of becoming Soul Masters at once! Hmm, it looks like I'll have to make a trip to Nuoding City. Don't worry, you two. I'll definitely secure another work-study place for you!" Joy blossomed in Old Jack's heart, and his gaze was resolute.
Because Holy Soul Village had once produced a Soul Saint, it received one work-study place every year. Other villages, however, had to share a single place among several villages.
One had innate full Soul Power at level ten, and the other at level twenty. Old Jack had faith that Tang San and Su Chen could become Holy Soul Village's second and third Soul Saints.
"Nuoding City? Work-study students? Village Chief, how could a low-tier academy like that compare with Spirit Hall?" Su Yuntao hurriedly interjected.
"Spirit Hall?" Old Jack looked taken aback.
"Yes, you haven't heard yet, have you? Both of them have already agreed to join Spirit Hall. Naturally, once they join, they'll study at Spirit Hall's exclusive Soul Master Academy!" Su Yuntao smiled.
"Is that true, children?" Old Jack looked at Su Chen and Tang San in delighted surprise. As village chief, he knew perfectly well which Soul Master Academy was better. In his eyes, Spirit Hall's exclusive Soul Master Academy was an institution far beyond their reach. Once accepted as a student, all tuition fees would be waived.
Su Chen nodded, but Tang San added, "Grandpa Jack, I still need to ask my dad."
"Yes, you should ask your dad. Master, you still need to help awaken Martial Souls in other villages, don't you? I won't keep you. Come, Tang San. I'll go see your dad with you. Whatever it takes, I'll make sure you get to study at Spirit Hall's Soul Master Academy," Old Jack said solemnly.
"I'll come with you. I still have some time!" Su Yuntao looked at Tang San. He had already visited seven villages, and not a single child there had the potential to become a Soul Master. In his view, the odds of finding one in the remaining villages were slim. He had to bring both Tang San and Su Chen into Spirit Hall.
On the way, Tang San learned from Su Yuntao that obtaining Soul Rings required hunting Soul Beasts, and that hunting Soul Beasts was extremely dangerous. However, neither Su Chen nor Tang San needed to worry. Once they entered Spirit Hall's exclusive Soul Master Academy, they could apply to their teachers and the academy for help. As long as their Soul Power met the requirements, someone would help them hunt Soul Beasts for their first four Soul Rings. For their fifth, sixth, and seventh Soul Rings, they would have to form their own hunting teams. Once their Soul Power reached level eighty or level ninety, they could ask Spirit Hall's consecrated Douluo to hunt Soul Beasts for them.
In addition, Spirit Hall would reward the families of outstanding students with a substantial sum of money.
The benefits of attending Spirit Hall's exclusive Soul Master Academy far exceeded those offered by the empire's Soul Master Academies. There was just one requirement: anyone who enrolled had to join Spirit Hall after graduation. That was understandable. After spending so much money and effort nurturing them, how could Spirit Hall not expect something in return?
"Tang Hao!"
Old Jack stood inside the smithy. An overpowering smell of alcohol drifted out of the bedroom, making his white brows draw together.
"Who's making all that racket?"
An extremely disgruntled voice came from the bedroom, and a muscular man emerged, unkempt, bearded, and utterly dispirited. He glanced around, his gaze lingering briefly on the Spirit Hall badge on Su Yuntao's chest, then said, "Oh, it's you, Old Jack!"
"Tang Hao, this is Master Su Yuntao from Spirit Hall. Your child has innate full Soul Power and qualifies to study at Spirit Hall's exclusive Soul Master Academy. Master Su Yuntao came specifically to discuss this with you," Old Jack explained.
"Oh. San, what's your Martial Soul?" Tang Hao showed no surprise whatsoever at Tang San having innate full Soul Power.
"Dad, I have two Martial Souls. One is Blue Silver Grass, and the other is the Clear Sky Hammer!" Tang San opened both hands and summoned his two Martial Souls again.
"Blue Silver Grass? The Clear Sky Hammer?" Tang San froze for a moment, and a flicker of sorrow passed through his eyes.
"Tang Hao, don't hesitate. Being able to attend Spirit Hall's exclusive Soul Master Academy is a supreme honor. The village will cover both children's travel expenses," Old Jack said with a generous smile.
"Sir, on behalf of Spirit Hall, I welcome your child into our ranks!" Su Yuntao bowed slightly, extending a friendly invitation.
"No. I refuse," Tang Hao said coldly.
"Sir, perhaps you don't realize that your child can receive a better education at our Spirit Hall's exclusive Soul Master Academy." For Tang San's sake, Su Yuntao continued trying to persuade him.
"I said no. I refuse! Who'll cook for me if he leaves?" Tang Hao's voice held no trace of emotion.
"Tang Hao!"
Beside them, Old Jack could no longer contain himself and roared at Tang Hao.
"There's no need to shout. I'm not deaf," Tang Hao said flatly.
"Sir, whether you agree or not, I'm taking him straight to Spirit Hall today." Su Yuntao stamped his foot, and two Soul Rings appeared around him: one white, one yellow. Purple Soul Power gathered behind him into the image of an upright wolf. For Tang San's sake, he intended to use force. He reached for Tang San's hand, intending to drag him away.
Bang!
With a light slap of his palm, Tang Hao not only knocked Su Yuntao's hand aside but also sent him staggering three steps backward. Su Yuntao's eyes filled with shock. He had never imagined that a mere blacksmith could possess such astonishing strength.
Su Yuntao probably had no idea that the blacksmith before him was none other than the mighty Clear Sky Douluo. Even without using his Martial Soul or Soul Skills, he could thrash the Immovable Wisdom King, Zhao Wuji. How much easier would it be to deal with a mere level-twenty-six Soul Grandmaster whose Soul Rings even included a white ten-year Soul Ring?
The smithy fell deathly silent, and a fight seemed ready to erupt at the slightest spark. Tang San stepped between the two men, disappointment in his eyes, and said with helpless sorrow, "Master, I won't join Spirit Hall. I'll listen to my dad and become a blacksmith instead. Even making farm tools will be enough to support us. Thank you for your kindness."
"Ah!"
Seeing Tang San's attitude, Su Yuntao sighed helplessly and turned away. "There are still three months before the academy term begins. If you change your minds, you can come find me at Spirit Hall in Nuoding City. Come, Su Chen. I'll take you to the Soul Master Academy in Spirit City to register."
"All right, Uncle."
Su Chen smiled, a gleam of smug amusement flashing through his eyes as he surveyed the masterpiece he had created single-handedly. Since he had decided to join Spirit Hall, how could he easily let Tang Hao and Tang San, its two greatest obstacles, off the hook? All of this was only just beginning.
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