An incomparably delicious flavor blossomed across her taste buds, the fragrance of meat juices spreading over her tongue. Tang Shan froze.
Lin Huan watched the stunned little female Little San before him. Judging by her expression, this was probably her first time eating anything so delicious, and her brain had momentarily frozen.
Honestly, he had never expected a genderbent Tang San to have such a miserable life. That bastard Tang Hao had failed to keep his lower half under control, gotten Ah Yin pregnant, and caused Spirit Hall to discover them.
And it was his own incompetence that had forced his wife to sacrifice herself, yet he blamed a little girl like this. What a beast.
That was something he really wanted to rant about. You were a Soul Douluo, and your wife was already pregnant. Why run off to a big city? Getting discovered by Spirit Hall's people-what was that if not being sick in the head?
If they had given birth in a small town like Nuoding Town, they would definitely have been fine. Instead, he had run into a big city to court death. That was pure insanity. No wonder the novel had so many conspiracy theories surrounding it. You really couldn't think too deeply about this stuff; there were too many bugs.
While Lin Huan was thinking, Tang Shan came back to her senses and began gnawing on the chicken wishbones in her hands like a starving ghost, looking as though she hadn't eaten for three days and nights.
"Don't rush. I've got plenty more here, and rice too. Eat slowly. Nobody's fighting you for it."
Watching her eat like a starving ghost, Lin Huan reached out and rubbed Tang Shan's head. She was a little grubby, but she would probably look quite pretty once she was cleaned up.
Tang Shan looked at the large bowl of piping-hot rice being offered to her, with that delicious taste still in her mouth, and tears slipped helplessly from the corners of her eyes. Ever since she could remember, she hadn't lived a single good day.
Her father, Tang Hao, refused to provide for her and left her to fend for herself. If Village Chief Old Jack hadn't helped her out from time to time, she would probably have starved to death long ago.
And now, eating the delicious food offered by this stranger, she actually felt warmth from someone she didn't know. That warmth seemed to give all the grievances she had suffered over the years somewhere to pour out.
"Why are you crying? Did you choke?"
Seeing Tang Shan burst into tears, Lin Huan reached out to wipe them away, while considering that the genderbent Tang San seemed to have a personality similar to Huo Yutong's.
Both could be moved to floods of tears by the slightest kindness. This looked like it was going to be fun. Huo Yutong versus Huo Yuhao, Tang Shan versus Tang San-just imagining it was entertaining!
"N-no... it's not that... it's just so delicious... I've never eaten anything this good before."
Tang Shan wiped her tears too, feeling more aggrieved with every bite. She didn't know why her father hated her so much. She even suspected that he wasn't her father.
Perhaps that Tang Hao was only a human trafficker, and she was some rich family's daughter who had been sold into the mountains?
Hearing her explanation, Lin Huan nodded slightly. Soon, Tang Shan had eaten her fill. For the first time in all these years, she felt so satisfied that a burp escaped her.
Knowing that her behavior was rather unladylike, Tang Shan felt her cheeks grow hot. She scratched her head sheepishly, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
"Full?"
"Mm-hmm. Thank you, big brother."
"It was nothing. By the way, you look six already. Have you awakened your Martial Soul?"
"Awakening my Martial Soul... my father won't let me..."
At the mention of awakening her Martial Soul, Tang Shan shook her head dejectedly. For some reason, Tang Hao looked as though he would kill her if she awakened it.
"He won't let you awaken your Martial Soul? Are you sure? Awakening a Martial Soul is a major turning point that determines a person's entire life. Why won't your dad let you?"
"I don't know..."
Faced with that question, Tang Shan shook her head blankly, clearly knowing nothing. Seeing this, Lin Huan stroked her head and said gently:
"How about this? I'll help you awaken your Martial Soul. That'll make it easier for you to live a better life."
"Awaken my Martial Soul... big brother, can awakening a Martial Soul really change my life?"
Hearing about awakening her Martial Soul, Tang Shan hesitated. Old Jack and this kind big brother both said it was important, but she was afraid Tang Hao would beat her, so she was still wavering.
"Yes, it's very important. Let me explain some things about Soul Masters."
Lin Huan explained the matters of Soul Masters to Tang Shan. When she heard she could obtain supernatural power, she yearned for it. She wanted to become stronger too, and soon nodded in agreement.
"Big brother, I've made up my mind. I want to awaken my Martial Soul!"
"All right. I'll help you, you adorable little girl."
Afterward, Lin Huan awakened her Martial Souls for her. A small blade of grass sprouted from her right hand, and then she felt something appear in her left hand as well. Holding it out to look, she found a small hammer.
"So these are Martial Souls?"
Tang Shan looked at the grass and hammer in her hands, curiosity flashing in her eyes. Lin Huan explained:
"That's right. These are your Martial Souls, Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer. Pretty decent. Twin Martial Souls. Come test your Soul Power. You're sure to have Innate Full Soul Power."
"Okay, big brother!"
Tang Shan placed her hand on it, and the crystal ball immediately blazed with dazzling light that filled the entire sphere.
"Not bad. Finding someone with Innate Full Soul Power in this little village is rare. Little girl, your future potential is at least Titled Douluo."
Lin Huan rubbed her head and praised her. Naturally, Tang Shan was overjoyed. Feeling the powerful force within her body, she sensed that both her physique and mental power had grown considerably stronger.
Was this the supernatural power of this world? It really was powerful. No wonder Grandpa Jack and this big brother cared so much about whether I had awakened my Martial Soul.
And as Tang Shan felt his large hand stroking her head, she found it so warm and comfortable. This feeling... was like having her real father there.
Actually, Tang Shan wasn't wrong to think that. Lin Huan had created this Martial Soul Realm, and Tang Shan herself was also a character he had created. Originally, no such person had existed.
But like Nüwa creating humans, Lin Huan had molded a new life into being. Strictly speaking, Tang Shan was his own daughter, unrelated by blood.
Of course, Huo Yutong counted too, as did her mother, Huo Yun'er. After all, the Huo Yun'er whose mind Sea God Tang San had branded was still in the Divine Realm. This Huo Yun'er was also his own creation.
So, strictly speaking, Tang Shan wasn't wrong to feel a fatherly closeness toward the big brother before her.
As that thought settled, this utterly unfilial notion took root and sprouted deep within her heart. If she could choose, she wished her father weren't some Tang Hao, but this big brother instead.
I... I really want to call him Daddy...
The thought flashed through Tang Shan's mind, but she shook her head. How could she have such an utterly unfilial thought? No, no!
As someone with a feudal mindset, Tang Shan was still very filial at heart. Even though Tang Hao left her to fend for herself, she remained filial, unless he truly disappointed her beyond all hope. But that point was approaching. At the very least, Tang Shan now wanted Lin Huan to be her daddy.
"Um, big brother, what's your name? Thank you for treating me to a meal. If I get the chance, I'll definitely repay your kindness."
Tang Shan felt that the big brother before her was truly special. Her own father abused her every day and wouldn't even feed her, yet this handsome big brother, who didn't even know her, was willing to give her food and awaken her Martial Souls.
He's so special!
"Me? Just call me Lin Huan."
"All right, Big Brother Lin Huan. I'll remember your name. If I have the chance, I, Tang Shan... Tang Zhaodi, will definitely repay you."
Seeing the little blue-haired girl make such a solemn promise, Lin Huan smiled, stroked her head, and nodded in reply:
"Mm, I believe you. By the way, you can register with the Spirit Hall deacon. Oh, and Spirit Hall has a grudge against your hammer Martial Soul, so you'd better only reveal your Blue Silver Grass."
"My hammer? Big Brother Lin Huan, do you know my hammer Martial Soul?"
"Yes. The Clear Sky Sect. They have a blood feud with Spirit Hall. One idiot caused those two major powers to become blood enemies."
"One idiot?"
"Right. He married a hundred-thousand-year-old wife, but instead of keeping her properly hidden, he couldn't control his lower half, got her pregnant, and still took her running all over the place."
Lin Huan waved casually. Tang Shan didn't know anyway. Listening to these secrets, Tang Shan, the person involved, looked thoughtful. She didn't know that blasted Clear Sky Sect or Clear Sky Douluo. They weren't acquainted.
But according to Big Brother Lin Huan, once she became a One-Ring Soul Master, she could receive a Soul Master allowance!
That was a whole Gold Soul Coin! One Gold Soul Coin... a sack of coarse rice only cost two Copper Soul Coins on the market right now. If she was frugal, that would keep her alive for a very, very long time.
"By the way, Big Brother Lin Huan, do you know how to obtain a Soul Ring?"
But Tang Shan didn't know how to obtain a Soul Spirit yet, so she asked him. After all, obtaining a Soul Ring was bound to be somewhat difficult.
"I do. You'll need to go to the Spirit Pagoda. That's where you can obtain a Soul Spirit. But the Spirit Pagoda is very, very far from here. You'd have to walk for a long time to get there."
"A long walk... then what am I supposed to do...?"
Hearing that she might not be able to obtain a Soul Ring, Tang Shan wilted instantly. She looked at Lin Huan helplessly, hoping he could give her an answer.
Lin Huan stroked his chin and considered for a moment. Then a light bulb lit up above his head, and he instantly had a good idea.
"Little Shan'er, I happen to have a spare Soul Spirit. Its name is... Supreme Blue Silver Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo! Though it's only ten years old with a white ring, you absolutely mustn't underestimate it."
As he spoke, he took out a cyan Poké Ball. Tang Shan looked curiously at the Soul Spirit Ball before her, her eyes filled with inquisitiveness.
"Is this a Soul Spirit?"
"Yes. Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo. Its defining trait is toughness, and it suits your Blue Silver Grass very well. It's yours."
Lin Huan handed the Soul Spirit Ball over, simply giving it to her. Mainly, he was curious whether this Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo would actually produce Blue Silver Pole Vault.
Besides, this was the era of Douluo Dalu III: The Legend of the Dragon King. Soul Spirits could increase their age. This plant-type Lone Bamboo Soul Spirit was definitely better than that blasted Mandala Snake.
Looking at the Soul Spirit Ball Lin Huan offered her, Tang Shan wanted to refuse, but only by becoming strong could she repay his kindness.
For a moment, she was caught in a mental storm. Seeing her hesitation, he pushed the Soul Spirit Ball into her hands and said:
"Take it. It's not anything particularly precious. Just work hard."
At his words, Tang Shan's eyes instantly brimmed with hot tears. They were clearly just strangers meeting for the first time, yet Big Brother Lin Huan treated her so well...
Thud!
The next instant, Tang Shan dropped heavily to her knees. Lin Huan froze for a moment, then saw her speak earnestly to him:
"Thank you, Big Brother Lin Huan. I, Tang Shan, thank you for giving me a new life."
There was no way to repay the kindness of being remade, save by making anew with her benefactor.
Now, Tang Shan had already placed Lin Huan above herself in importance. If anyone wanted to kill Big Brother Lin Huan one day, then let them step over her corpse!
"There's no need. It's just one Soul Spirit. Cultivate diligently. Once you've cultivated to Titled Douluo, I'll be able to say that I, Lin Huan, just taught a Titled Douluo."
Lin Huan lifted the tearful little blue-haired girl to her feet. Only then did Tang Shan wipe her tears, looking at the person before her with eyes full of reverence.
Soon, Tang Shan began absorbing the Soul Spirit. A white Soul Ring appeared, and under Lin Huan's guidance, she quickly learned to unleash her Soul Skill.
"First Soul Skill, Blue Silver Pole Vault!"
Then a pole the same color as Blue Silver Grass appeared in Tang Shan's hands. She planted it against the ground and vaulted three meters into the air.
"Purple Demon Eye!"
Purple light flashed through Tang Shan's eyes, and she instantly locked onto a wild rabbit darting through the woods. Then she employed the Tang Sect Hidden Weapons technique, All or Nothing!
She hurled the Blue Silver Lone Bamboo in her hands. Whoosh! The Blue Silver Lone Bamboo shot out, tearing through the air with a series of whistles.
The wild rabbit was instantly pierced through and pinned to the ground. Tang Shan's face lit up with delight. So this was a Soul Skill? So powerful!
Soon, Tang Shan landed and hurried over, picking up the wild rabbit that the Blue Silver Lone Bamboo had pinned dead to the ground.
"Big Brother Lin Huan, the Soul Spirit you gave me is so powerful. I feel like my Blue Silver Grass has become several times tougher, as hard as bamboo. A Soul Skill weapon like this is so powerful too, much harder than ordinary bamboo."
Holding the wild rabbit, Tang Shan looked at Lin Huan with a face full of delight and an expression of admiration.
"Not bad. Among current Soul Skills, enhancement-type and weapon-type Soul Skills are the most powerful and practical. Your Blue Silver Lone Bamboo Pole Vault is a rare weapon-type Soul Skill, which shows that this Soul Spirit is highly compatible with you."
Lin Huan glanced at the Soul Skill and pondered it carefully, only to discover in surprise that Blue Silver Lone Bamboo Pole Vault seemed to be a weapon-type Soul Skill along the same lines as Blue Silver Overlord Spear.
Its power naturally went without question. Furthermore, after unleashing the Soul Skill, the toughness of Tang Shan's own Blue Silver Grass would increase by twenty percent. Absorbing Lone Bamboo had also made her Blue Silver Grass much tougher.
After considering it this carefully, he realized that the compatibility really was high. And now, having obtained her first Soul Ring, Tang Shan was very happy too. She had finally mastered supernatural power!
And the Mandala Snake had been NTR'd. The godslayer Mandala Snake wouldn't get to meet Tang Shan. It was over!
Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo: Hahaha! Listen well, Mandala Snake! Tang Shan's first Soul Spirit isn't you, Mandala Snake, but me, Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo!
Mandala: No! NTR! Why am I still getting NTR'd even after becoming a Soul Beast?! Nothing left but futile sorrow!
"Big Brother Lin Huan, please take this prey. Thank you for giving me a new life. I, Tang Shan, swear to heaven that I will remember your kindness and never forget it. Otherwise, may heaven strike me with lightning."
The third and fourth updates for October 25.