Old Jack had always felt that Qian Jue and Tang San were different from the other village children—more mature, more thoughtful. But never, in his wildest dreams, had he imagined that both of them would awaken with innate full soul power. This was truly a blessing from the heavens!
Yet, even in his joy, a question nagged at him. Why did the Spirit Hall master only mention Qian Jue, but not Tang San?
Su Yuntao noticed the doubt in Old Jack's eyes and gave a helpless sigh.
"His Martial Spirit is Blue Silver Grass, Village Chief. You know what that means."
"Blue Silver Grass… why must it be Blue Silver Grass?" Old Jack murmured, his joy dimming.
"Yes. Why couldn't it have been even an average Martial Spirit? Why did fate hand him one so useless?" Su Yuntao also couldn't help but sigh.
After a long silence, Old Jack crouched down and gently patted Qian Jue's head. "Good child, with talent like yours, I'm glad I made the right decision to take you in. Grow strong, little one. One day, this entire village will take pride in your name."
Qian Jue nodded happily, though he said nothing.
Old Jack patted him once more, then turned toward Tang San. Holding the boy's arms firmly, he spoke with warmth and regret:
"Xiao San, I never imagined you'd also be so gifted. It's just a pity that your father couldn't pass down a strong Martial Spirit to you. If he had, you and Qian Jue could have stood side by side as legends. But tell me, would you be willing to attend a proper academy with Qian Jue? There, you'd learn the most accurate knowledge about Martial Spirits. Who knows? Maybe you'll find a way to make your Blue Silver Grass stronger."
Before Tang San could answer, Su Yuntao shook his head. "Village Chief, once a Martial Spirit awakens, it cannot change. Blue Silver Grass isn't entirely hopeless, but it's too weak. Even with spirit rings, it won't grow powerful. Sending him to school would be a waste."
Tang San bowed slightly. "Grandpa Jack, I would like to go… but I must ask my father first."
Old Jack sighed. "You're right. You're still a child. Decisions like this rest with your father. Don't worry—I'll speak with Tang Hao myself. I'll make sure you get a chance."
Determination flared in Old Jack's eyes. He couldn't bear the thought of Tang San living an ordinary, wasted life because of a weak Martial Spirit. Even if there was only a sliver of hope, he had to fight for it.
Su Yuntao then spoke up. "Well, Village Chief, I'll be accompanying Qian Jue to meet his father. I need his support for Qian Jue to join Spirit Hall. You know as well as I do, Spirit Hall is the most powerful organization in the world. Only within it will Qian Jue receive the best training."
"Very well," Old Jack agreed quickly. Then, turning to Tang San: "Xiao San, go home for now and talk to your father. Once I finish matters with Qian Jue, I'll come find you."
"Yes, Grandpa. Please don't worry," Tang San replied sweetly.
"Good child." Old Jack rose to his feet, took Qian Jue's hand, and called out to Su Yuntao: "Let's go."
"Right, let's move."
As they left, Qian Jue glanced back at Tang San. "I'll come find you later, Xiao San!"
He wasn't worried. After all, he knew Tang San carried twin Martial Spirits. The academy would welcome him, regardless of what others believed. For now, he needed to get rid of Su Yuntao. Tang San's destiny was to stand against Spirit Hall—if Qian Jue wanted to stay by his side, he couldn't tie himself to that organization.
And so, Qian Jue parted ways with Tang San, accompanying Su Yuntao and Old Jack to his home.
---
"Deng Sheng, Deng Sheng! Come out! Great news—wonderful news!"
As they neared the house, Old Jack spotted Deng Sheng at his shop window.
"Is it true? Did Xiao Jue awaken a Martial Spirit that can be cultivated?" Deng Sheng cried, hurrying outside. He already knew what day it was, and what this meant. If Old Jack came with such excitement, then surely Qian Jue had awakened a spirit fit for a soul master!
Old Jack clasped his hands. "Congratulations, Deng Sheng. Xiao Jue awakened a top-tier Martial Spirit, with innate full soul power! You're now the father of a soul master!"
Deng Sheng froze, stunned. "A… a top-tier Martial Spirit? Really? Which one? Is it strong?"
"Strong? It's extraordinary! Look—this is Su Yuntao, a Spirit Hall master. He oversaw the ceremony himself. He's come to speak with you about supporting Qian Jue's entry into Spirit Hall. What do you think?"
Su Yuntao stepped forward politely. "Mr. Deng, my name is Su Yuntao. I presided over Qian Jue's awakening. His talent is one of a kind. Please allow him to join Spirit Hall. Only there will he receive the cultivation he deserves."
"Join… Spirit Hall? For what?" Deng Sheng asked, still dazed.
Su Yuntao blinked, momentarily caught off guard. 'For what?' What could someone like Qian Jue possibly be tasked with? After a pause, he explained:
"Qian Jue won't be given chores or missions. His only duty will be to cultivate. When he matures, he'll likely become one of Spirit Hall's honored offerings, safeguarding its security. Nothing more."
"Oh… I see." Deng Sheng finally looked at Qian Jue. Their eyes met—silent understanding passing between them. After months of living together, they had built a quiet bond.
"Spirit Master, we'll need some time to think about it. You're based at the Spirit Hall in Nuoding City, right? Once we've decided, we'll come tell you."
Su Yuntao misread the moment as hesitation. Believing they were simply overwhelmed by the good news, he nodded. "Take your time. But when you've made your choice, you must come find me at Nuoding Spirit Hall."
"Of course. We'll come," Deng Sheng replied respectfully.
Satisfied, Su Yuntao patted Qian Jue's head once more. "Little Jue, I'll be waiting for you. Until then—farewell."
With that, he strode off, soon disappearing from sight.
Only once he was gone did Deng Sheng, still in disbelief, turn to Old Jack. "Village Chief… I'm not dreaming, am I? Qian Jue really awakened a powerful Martial Spirit?"
"Of course it's real! Deng Sheng, you're the father of a genius soul master now. Just wait—our whole village will one day be known as the birthplace of a prodigy!" Old Jack rubbed his hands together, already daydreaming of the future.
At last, he sighed, patting Qian Jue's head. "Work hard, Xiao Jue. Become a top-tier soul master as quickly as you can. I hope I live long enough to see that day. Now, I must visit Tang Hao and persuade him to let Tang San attend the academy. We still have a quota for work-study students."
He glanced at Deng Sheng. "In fact, this quota is thanks to you too. For years, no one in our village could use it. But this year, fate blessed us with two geniuses. You may not know, but Tang San also has innate full soul power. It's just a shame his father's inheritance left him only with Blue Silver Grass. Still, I won't let him waste his potential. I'll recommend him for the work-study spot. Maybe, just maybe, he'll gain something from it. You know better than anyone how rough their family has it—Tang Hao spends every coin on wine at your shop."
Deng Sheng nodded quickly. "Yes, yes. Tang Hao may be a drunkard, but Tang San's a good boy. I'd like to help him too."
"Exactly. If Qian Jue doesn't join Spirit Hall, he'll need to study at an academy anyway. But with talent like his, no academy would dare charge you tuition. In fact, they'd likely reward you for letting him in. You have nothing to worry about."
"I understand… but if he joins Spirit Hall, they'll take him away, won't they?" Deng Sheng asked quietly.
Old Jack gave him a long look. "Deng Sheng, I know you've grown attached to Qian Jue. But don't become a burden to him. Spirit Hall truly is the strongest force in this world. I fully support Qian Jue joining them—you mustn't hold him back from his future."
Deng Sheng lowered his gaze. Strangely, the news of Qian Jue's great Martial Spirit no longer filled him with joy.
Then, Qian Jue finally spoke.
"I won't join Spirit Hall."
Both men froze, turning to him in shock.
"Why not, Xiao Jue? Don't be stubborn. Spirit Hall is the greatest organization—only there will you get the best cultivation."
Qian Jue met their eyes calmly. "Precisely because it's the strongest. If I join them, everything will be too easy. With my talent, doors will open for me, hands will pull me forward—I'll grow up like a flower sheltered in a greenhouse. That's not what I want. I'll go to Nuoding Academy with Tang San instead."
His words left them speechless. Was this really a child speaking? A child who could already think about his environment, about how it would shape him? They stared at him as though he were some strange creature.
"Enough, Grandpa Jack. You wanted to see Tang San's father, didn't you? Let's go together. Uncle Deng, wait here—I'll be back later, and we can discuss things properly then."
Unable to bear their stares any longer, Qian Jue urged Old Jack forward.
"…Very well. But hurry back," Deng Sheng muttered.
"Let's go, then," Old Jack said, though his face twisted at the thought of dealing with Tang Hao again. Still, for Tang San's future, he pushed on, leading Qian Jue toward the blacksmith's home.
…