Chapter 16

Lan Changsheng had yet to react to those words, but he could feel killing intent erupting from Tang San.

Tang San thought, My mother was forced to sacrifice herself by Spirit Hall, and now this Yu Xiaogang is using Spirit Hall to threaten my uncle. This man already has...

With a smack, Tang San took a heavy blow to the back of his head, and his killing intent scattered completely. The slap sent him staggering. Baring his teeth, he clutched the back of his head and stared at Lan Changsheng in bewilderment.

He felt that his uncle seemed angry.

Then Lan Changsheng's voice transmission sounded in his ears. "Don't worry. The people from Spirit Hall can't do anything to me yet. Besides, neither his voice nor the man himself can leave this room.

"And could you stop thinking about fighting and killing every time something happens? I really don't know how Tang Hao has been teaching you these past few years. Just you two wait. Once I resurrect Ah Yin, I'll have her keep you both in line."

Then, with a backhanded motion, he pinned Yu Xiaogang to his seat, leaving him unable to move.

By now, Tang San could no longer spare a thought for what would happen to Yu Xiaogang. His mind was filled with one thought: Uncle just said my mother-he's going to resurrect my mother!

Having lived two lives, Tang San had never experienced much maternal love. After his rebirth in this life, his father, Tang Hao, had been a man left despondent by love. Ever since Tang San could walk, he had mostly been the one caring for Tang Hao.

The image of his mother, Ah Yin, that emerged from Tang Hao's and Lan Changsheng's words was that of a gentle, kind, beautiful, and gracious woman.

It filled him with longing.

Once Yu Xiaogang's struggles had grown less fierce, Lan Changsheng said to him, "Most of your theory is a summary and consolidation of your predecessors' experience. Without deductions of your own, you've limited yourself and others."

"So I really was wrong?" Yu Xiaogang picked up the manuscript spread before him, his fingers trembling. His hand stopped on one page, but he did not turn it for a long time.

"I wouldn't say it was entirely wrong. It's just that you haven't finished walking your path. So, Xiao San, have you made your own decision about the path ahead of you?"

Tang San was still immersed in the news that his mother would soon be resurrected and did not hear Lan Changsheng. Then he received another slap in exactly the same spot.

"I understand, Uncle! I'll think for myself about the path ahead and stop blindly trusting those theories or experiences!" Tang San crouched on the floor, clutching his head as he loudly gave his assurance.

He gave Lan Changsheng no chance to follow up with a kick.

At last, Lan Changsheng heard the system notification.

[You have established your authority as an uncle before your nephew, Tang San. Under your loving discipline, Tang San will no longer stray down the wrong path. Reward: one percent mastery of the Law of Life. The Second Trial can be unlocked soon. Please keep up the good work, host!]

"Could you let me see it? What exactly is Tang San's first Soul Skill?" Yu Xiaogang, who had remained silent all this time, now looked at Lan Changsheng with anticipation in his eyes.

Lan Changsheng raised his hand, and the Blue Silver Emperor Spear condensed in his grasp. Its sharp aura stung Yu Xiaogang's skin.

"This place is too small. It wouldn't be suitable for me to demonstrate. Xiao San, show him just how powerful your first Soul Skill is!"

"Yes!"

Then Tang San condensed that Blue Silver Dagger in his hand again, leaving Lan Changsheng wondering whether the system's claim that he had not strayed down the wrong path was really true.

Tang San flung the dagger at a large tree outside the window. With a whistle through the air, the dagger buried itself to the hilt in the tree.

"It's actually that sharp?" Yu Xiaogang exclaimed in shock. "Unfortunately, it's only a Soul Ring less than a hundred years old."

"Don't worry. I have plenty of ways to increase this Soul Ring's age." Lan Changsheng did not mention that the Soul Ring itself would automatically increase in age.

At present, no Soul Master other than Tang San could do this. Telling him would be useless and might even bring Tang San trouble.

Now Yu Xiaogang no longer thought of Tang San's First Soul Ring as merely a useless white Soul Ring. He simply felt that this must also be some mysterious family's legacy.

"Then can Tang San still be my student?" Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled.

"That depends on Xiao San's wishes." Since Tang San had been able to come to that realization earlier, Lan Changsheng believed he would make the right choice himself.

Tang San considered it for a while, then bowed to Grandmaster. "As the saying goes, a teacher for a day is a father for life. You will always be my elder. In the future, when there's something I don't understand, I'll still have to seek your guidance."

"Good, good, good!" Yu Xiaogang said "good" three times in succession. "From now on, don't call it seeking guidance. We should call it discussing things with each other."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Lan Changsheng left with Tang San. Before stepping outside, Tang San glanced back one last time at Yu Xiaogang, sitting alone in the room, and felt that much of the numbness surrounding Grandmaster had faded.

He could feel a scholar's drive to explore and thirst for knowledge bursting forth from him.

"Where's your father?" Lan Changsheng could not help asking after all. Had Tang Hao been here today, perhaps he would not have had to go to all this trouble and make another trip.

Tang San had thought of this too and said with some embarrassment, "Father... Father said I wouldn't be in any danger in Nuoding City, so he said he was going to find somewhere to go into seclusion and heal his injuries."

Lan Changsheng could not help saying inwardly to Ah Yin, "It really hasn't been easy for Xiao San to grow this old."

The voice Ah Yin sent back also carried a trace of anger. "Brother, give Tang Hao a good beating the next time you see him. You don't need to spare him for my sake."

Lan Changsheng knew there was no use saying any of this now. He waved a hand at Tang San. "No need to see me off. You really shouldn't be in any danger here. With this matter over, there should be much less trouble too. From now on, focus on your studies and cultivate diligently."

"Yes, Uncle! Then when can I see Mother?" Tang San looked at Lan Changsheng expectantly.

Hearing this, Lan Changsheng asked Ah Yin inwardly, "Would you like to come out and see him?"

But the other side fell silent. The silence lasted until Lan Changsheng thought Ah Yin did not want to come out. "Yes, Brother. Let me talk to Xiao San."

"All right."

"Xiao San, although your mother hasn't been resurrected yet, her consciousness has already awakened. Let's go somewhere else so you can talk to her."

With that, Lan Changsheng teleported with Tang San to a deserted spot outside the city.

He took out Ah Yin's seed and handed it to Tang San.

Only then did Tang San see his mother for the first time, albeit in this form.

Once Tang San cradled the pale blue-green seed in his palm, several tender green shoots emerged from it and gently touched his palm.

The sensation, like a mother's caress, instantly brought moisture to Tang San's eyes. A few tears slid down his face as he gently raised his hand, bringing the seed close to his cheek.

He called softly, "Mother..."