The next morning-
"Ling Yu, I'm heading home to sort out my things first. You should get ready too."
"How about we all go to Kasuo City Intermediate Soul Master Academy after the graduation ceremony? Most people from Nuoding City go there to continue their studies," Wang Sheng said as he began packing his things.
"You're leaving?" Unexpectedly, the first to speak wasn't Ling Yu, but Xiao Wu. She looked at Ling Yu with a complicated expression and bit her lip.
Ling Yu's heart trembled. Because of my arrival, Tang San and Xiao Wu's relationship hasn't crossed that boundary. Certain turning points often deepen the feelings between people, and I've erased that possibility.
So Tang San hasn't been overly affectionate toward Xiao Wu during this time. He might not even take her as his little sister later on.
If the two of them were together, Tang Hao might not say anything. But if they go their separate ways, would Tang Hao, bent on revenge, still allow Xiao Wu to wander freely through human society? Does this mean I've harmed her?
What should I do?
"Ling Yu? Ling Yu?" Wang Sheng called to him, looking at his blank expression.
Ling Yu instantly snapped out of his thoughts. "Brother Wang Sheng, I've thought it over. I won't go this year after all. I plan to apply directly to an advanced academy later. My family doesn't have much money, after all, and I can cultivate at a junior academy too."
"Well..."
"All right, it's your decision. With your talent, you can afford to skip an intermediate academy, and staying here really does save money. Don't forget to let Director Su and the others know."
Wang Sheng sighed. If Ling Yu were willing to attend an intermediate academy, his talent would certainly attract the academy's attention. When that happened, fellow townsmen like them might receive some care too, but he couldn't force Ling Yu to come along.
Hearing Ling Yu's answer, Xiao Wu raised her eyebrows, feeling somewhat delighted. But when she thought about how he would leave eventually, she still felt a little sad. After all, he was the first person to care for her unconditionally and also feel sympathy for Soul Beasts.
After Wang Sheng left, only Ling Yu and Xiao Wu remained in the dormitory.
"Why aren't you out playing today?" Feeling a little awkward, Ling Yu spoke first to break the silence.
"Stay out of Sister Xiao Wu's business." Xiao Wu was a little disgruntled, inwardly blaming Ling Yu for not telling her about going to an intermediate academy, for not treating her as a friend.
"Then, Sister Xiao Wu, would you do me the honor of joining me for a nice meal today? I only collected my first Soul Master subsidy yesterday. I was just thinking of having something nice and buying Grandpa a few things."
"If you're paying, I'll go." The corners of Xiao Wu's lips lifted, and she couldn't suppress the smile in her eyes.
"My pleasure." Imitating the gentlemanly gestures he remembered, Ling Yu bowed slightly and elegantly extended one hand, looking at her with a smile.
Xiao Wu gave a smiling huff and took Ling Yu's hand. The two headed to the shopping street.
On the morning the holidays began-
"Xiao Wu, what are you..." Tang San looked at Xiao Wu helping Ling Yu carry his things, puzzled.
"Ling Yu invited me to visit your village, so I'm coming with you." Xiao Wu blinked at Ling Yu, as though saying, Didn't you tell him?
Ling Yu shrugged, as though replying, He's busy all day, and I never see him. How was I supposed to tell him?
Xiao Wu nodded.
Watching the two of them, Tang San felt a trace of something he couldn't quite put into words.
The three children headed toward Holy Soul Village. Looking at the small hill in the distance, Ling Yu's thoughts stirred. Tang Hao went to see Yu Xiaogang today to give him a token. It must be because he really has something to attend to during this period and needs someone to look after things. So he really will be away for a while. This is a good opportunity for Xiao Wu to leave, but what if there's some kind of spiritual power lock on her?
When they entered Holy Soul Village, Tang San ran excitedly toward his home. The moment he reached the entrance, he called out, "Dad, I'm back!"
A figure soon appeared at the entrance. Old Jack walked out, his face full of bitterness, and sighed. "Xiao San, Xiao Yu, you're back!"
"Grandpa Jack, why are you here?"
"I came to find your father so we could go pick you up together. I didn't expect you to get back first."
"Your father..." Old Jack sighed again, handed Tang San a sheet of paper, then walked toward Ling Yu.
"Grandpa!" Ling Yu ran over and hugged his arm.
"How did you grow so big all of a sudden? You're getting more handsome by the day. How many girls are you going to charm to death?" Old Jack beamed, sweeping away his earlier bitterness.
"Grandpa, I'm a Soul Master now! Absorbing a Soul Ring helps the body develop. I also bought lots of things for everyone in the village." Ling Yu took his Spirit Hall certificate and badge from his pocket.
Old Jack's voice trembled as he accepted the certificate and looked up at the sky. "Holy Soul Village finally has someone to carry on its legacy!"
"Oh, and who is this?" Old Jack looked at Xiao Wu, who stood some distance away carrying their things.
"This is our classmate, Xiao Wu. She's here to visit our village." Ling Yu quickly waved her over.
"Xiao Wu, this is my grandpa. You can call him Grandpa Jack." As Xiao Wu ran over, Ling Yu hurried to introduce them.
"Hello, Grandpa Jack!"
"What a good girl, and so adorable!" Old Jack hurriedly praised her, leaving even Xiao Wu a little embarrassed.
"Xiao San, don't be sad. Come with Grandpa. You can live with us from now on. A father like that isn't worth it!" Remembering Tang San's situation, Old Jack quickly turned back to comfort him.
Tang San shook his head and tucked the paper into his clothes. "Grandpa Jack, I still have something to do. You go ahead." With that, he walked into the smithy and closed the door.
Old Jack sighed and led Ling Yu and Xiao Wu home.
"What's wrong with him?" Unable to hold back any longer, Xiao Wu asked on the way.
"Who knows where Xiao San's father has gone? He left a letter saying he'd left for his son's own good, and that if Xiao San stopped being a Soul Master someday, he should return to the village and become a blacksmith."
"He doesn't take the slightest responsibility. What kind of father does that!" Old Jack was filled with indignation.
"What about his mother?"
"I don't know. His father never mentioned her, and we've never seen her either."
"I see." Xiao Wu thought of her own mother and felt a little sad, then thought of the father she had never met.
Suddenly, Xiao Wu remembered something and asked, "Ling Yu, what about your mom and dad?"
Ling Yu shook his head.
"I found Xiao Yu on my way back to the village. All he had on him was an iron tag engraved with his name." Old Jack sighed.
"I'm sorry... I..." Xiao Wu was a little flustered, a flicker of heartache passing through her eyes.
"It's all right. The debt of being raised is greater than the debt of being born. I was lucky to meet Grandpa too." Ling Yu smiled to show he didn't mind. He had also thought about his parents in this life, but a Body Martial Soul awakened at random, so he had no way of tracing his family through his Martial Soul.
After settling Xiao Wu into the guest room, they began making lunch together.
After eating, the two went to the smithy to bring Tang San a meal, but received no response. They could only leave the food at the entrance and remind him from outside not to forget to eat.
That afternoon, after the two followed Old Jack around to distribute their purchases from the shopping street to the villagers, Ling Yu took Xiao Wu to the small hill near the village.
"Ling Yu, where are we going?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.
"To the top of the hill. There are some things I want to tell you." Ling Yu smiled faintly.
"What is it that we have to go all the way to the hilltop to talk about?"
"Something very important. No one else can hear it."
"Oh!" Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks.