[Ding! Detected an increase in Tang Wulin's favorability toward the host. Current favorability: 83.]
"I'll grow stronger through my own hard work!" Tang Wulin's eyes were utterly resolute as he said this.
A smile finally broke through Tang Ziran's silence. Lang Yue also came out of the room, hurried to the sofa, and swept Tang Wulin into her arms. All three were too overcome with emotion to speak.
"Now that's more like it." Jiang Mingyuan nodded in satisfaction.
Oh, right. System, can I draw another trait now? Draw one for me, Jiang Mingyuan communicated inwardly with the system.
[Ding! Drawing a trait for the host.] [Ding! Congratulations to the host on drawing the trait "Golden Dragon King Bloodline"!] [Golden Dragon King Bloodline: A supreme bloodline at the pinnacle of the dragon race's pyramid. Equipping this trait can greatly enhance the strength of the target's martial soul. Their own bloodline will also be influenced by the Golden Dragon King bloodline, advancing toward an even more powerful level.] [Ding! Since the host's phoenix bloodline is of an exceptionally high rank, fully on par with the Golden Dragon King bloodline, the Golden Dragon King bloodline offers little improvement to the host's martial soul. The system can help the host reconstruct it as a second martial soul.]
Oh! Golden Dragon King Bloodline. Among Tang Wulin's remaining traits, this counted as a jackpot.
But his own phoenix martial soul could already be used like twin martial souls, so there was no need to add another martial soul. In this version, the competition was no longer entirely about martial soul strength; it was about skill and bloodline.
System, can a trait be removed after it's equipped? Jiang Mingyuan asked inwardly.
[Ding! Informing the host: traits can be removed. However, the same target cannot equip the same trait again. If the host has spare traits, they can be gifted to others.]
Oh!
Jiang Mingyuan thought of something fun. If he drew a negative trait and equipped it on an enemy, wouldn't that amount to weakening them out of thin air?
When he came back to his senses, Tang Wulin and his parents were looking at him with gratitude.
"Little Yuan, thank you. Having a friend like you is Wulin's greatest stroke of luck," Tang Ziran thanked Jiang Mingyuan gratefully.
"I'll go buy some good vegetables and meat. Stay for a meal, Little Yuan," Lang Yue said, equally grateful.
Jiang Mingyuan was in a good mood too. He replied with a smile, "Sure. Wulin is always telling me what a great cook you are, Auntie. Now I get to try your cooking myself."
"All right. I'll go buy the groceries now." Lang Yue wasted no time, immediately returning to her room to change before heading out.
Tang Ziran also fetched the car keys from the bedroom.
"I'll come too. I'll drive you. Wulin, have fun at home with Little Yuan."
Soon, only Jiang Mingyuan and Tang Wulin remained in the house. Tang Wulin was positively bursting with excitement.
"Brother Yuan! Thank you!"
Tang Wulin truly felt blessed to have been born into a family like this, with parents who loved him so much. On his birthday last year, his father had even taken time off so the whole family could go to an amusement park together.
It was at that amusement park that he had met Jiang Mingyuan.
Tang Wulin wiped away the tears that had spilled from his excitement.
This was wonderful.
"Oh, right."
Jiang Mingyuan stood up, walked to the balcony, and pulled open its window. Brilliant sunlight poured in. He turned around, his back to the light.
Tang Wulin was a little curious.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a halo around Jiang Mingyuan. He slowly extended his left hand with a smile, and fiery red wings unfurled behind him.
"Wulin, want to experience the wonders of the sky?"
Tang Wulin instantly understood what Jiang Mingyuan meant. He sprang to his feet and took Jiang Mingyuan's hand.
"Yes!"
Soon, pedestrians strolling along the street suddenly noticed something unusual in the sky.
A child playing in the park pointed skyward and cried in a piping little voice, "A big bird! Mommy, look! There's a big bird in the sky!"
Holding Tang Wulin securely in his arms, Jiang Mingyuan beat his wings, and the two soared straight into the sky.
What kind of soul master had wings but still needed a soul skill to fly?!
The Emerald Swan flapped her wings desperately, following the pair like a little tail.
"Haha! Wulin, how does it feel?"
Jiang Mingyuan flew fast, the air rushing against their faces wonderfully cool.
"It's so exciting! So cool! This feels amazing!!!"
Tang Wulin shouted excitedly. But they were a hundred meters up, after all. By the time his voice reached the ground, the pedestrians heard only an "Ah!"
Someone shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Aack! Oh no! A soul beast is snatching children!"
After making a wide circuit, Jiang Mingyuan slowly landed on the rooftop and released Tang Wulin from his arms. Tang Wulin planted his feet on the ground without the slightest wobble in his legs.
"Brother Yuan! That was incredible! Flying feels so amazing!"
The cold air brushing across his skin as they flew had felt wonderfully refreshing. Looking down upon everyone below from high above had also stirred an indescribable thrill in Tang Wulin's heart.
"Hehe. I'll take you flying again when I have time. And Wulin, once you cultivate to Soul Douluo, you can use soul power to lift yourself up by force and fly for a little while!"
"Really?" Hearing that he could fly too made Tang Wulin even more determined to work hard at his cultivation.
"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?"
"Then I'll definitely work hard at cultivating. I'll become a Soul Douluo!" Tang Wulin said, skipping along as they headed downstairs together.
"Hey, how could Soul Douluo be enough? Wulin, you need to set your sights higher and farther."
"Then I'll become a Titled Douluo!"
Jiang Mingyuan smiled without answering.
Tang Ziran and his wife returned with a pile of ingredients and plenty of snacks.
That evening, Lang Yue busied herself cooking in the kitchen.
Jiang Mingyuan and Tang Wulin sat on the sofa, eating snacks and watching television. Meanwhile, Tang Ziran handled some work matters in his room.
"Oh, right." Jiang Mingyuan remembered something. It probably wasn't his place to bring it up, but since it had come to mind, he might as well mention it now.
Just then, Tang Ziran finished his work and came out of the room. Jiang Mingyuan said, "Uncle Tang, Wulin is still so young. Not every place hires child workers. If you can't find somewhere suitable, I can help you get in touch with someone."
"Haha. Little Yuan, you don't need to worry about that. I've already picked out a place for Wulin."
Tang Wulin looked curiously at his father. Was he going to help out at Dad's workplace?
"Wulin, do you still remember your Uncle Mang Tian?"
Tang Wulin had a good memory. A quick search through his mind soon brought up the right person: a tall, burly middle-aged man with a rather fierce-looking face.
"I remember. He came to our house before. He's really tall and strong."
"That's right, him. Your Uncle Mang Tian is an excellent blacksmith. I told him about your situation, and he said he could give you a chance. You can learn forging from him."
Tang Wulin's eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly, "Really? Dad, when can I start?"