When Qian Jue and Old Jack arrived at Tang San's home, they found the boy alone, hammer in hand, forging away at a block of iron ore.
But his posture was unusual. Every strike carried the weight of his entire body, the hammer landing with a force that seemed to shake the ground. Each impact rebounded violently, and rather than simply absorbing the blow, Tang San twisted his body with the returning force, attempting to spin the hammer around for another strike.
It was clearly an attempt at the art of 'using strength against itself'.
But theory was easier than practice. More often than not, the hammer slipped from his hands or threw his balance off, sending him stumbling. Even when he managed to complete a full rotation, the hammer would land clumsily beside the iron, missing its mark entirely.
Watching him, Qian Jue instantly recognized what Tang San was trying to practice—none other than the secret technique of the Clear Sky Sect: the 'Random Cloak Hammer'.
So, just as in the original work, Tang Hao must have seen his son's talent and decided to start grooming him.
Indeed, Tang Hao now knew of Tang San's twin spirits. And ever since Old Jack had scolded him so fiercely, he had begun to sober up a little. So when Tang San told him that Old Jack had suggested he attend Nuoding Academy as a work-study student, Tang Hao actually considered it—and, to Tang San's surprise, agreed.
This alone filled Tang San with joy. Ever since awakening his spirit, he could feel his father's attitude shifting, no longer as cold and indifferent as before. Whatever the reason, Tang San cherished that tiny step closer to fatherly affection.
So when Old Jack and Qian Jue came by, expecting to face resistance, Old Jack was shocked. Instead of the endless persuasion he thought he'd need, Tang Hao simply agreed and told him to come back when it was time to pick Tang San up.
Old Jack nearly wept with relief.
"At last… Tang Hao has turned over a new leaf!"
Content, the old village chief left with a smile, leaving only Qian Jue behind.
Seeing Tang San preparing to head to Nuoding Academy in three months, just as in the original story, Qian Jue finally felt at ease.
He grabbed Tang San's arm.
"I'll be going to Nuoding Academy too. We can live together there. But while you're going in three months, I might leave in a couple of days to check things out first."
"Huh? A couple of days? But classes don't start for another three months—what's the point of going so early?" Tang San asked in confusion.
"I need to find someone who can guide me. Otherwise, I'd just be wasting those three months. You're lucky—you have your father to teach you. Don't underestimate him, Xiao San. He may seem… broken right now, but there's no doubt he's a man of great skill."
Tang San's gaze softened with gratitude.
Qian Jue was the first person to ever speak of his father in such a way. In all the months he'd known him, Qian Jue had never once insulted Tang Hao. Even if he didn't interact much with him, he'd often remind Tang San to bring his father food. That silent respect spoke volumes.
"Alright. Then we'll meet again in three months. When the time comes, I'll give you a gift," Tang San said solemnly.
Qian Jue laughed and patted his shoulder.
"Three months? I'll still be around for two more days. I'll figure out my spirit first, then head off. Don't worry, I'll say goodbye before I leave. Now I should get back—Uncle Deng is waiting for me."
…
After parting ways with Tang San, Qian Jue wandered home, unable to resist repeatedly summoning and retracting his Qian Jue Mask spirit, grinning the whole way.
Not long after Tang San went inside, Tang Hao emerged from his room.
"Xiao San, start cooking. By the way, I haven't asked you yet—what spirit did that boy awaken?"
"Father, Qian Jue awakened a top-tier spirit. He called it the Kindred Mask. Apparently, it greatly enhances physical abilities. Oh, and like me, he has innate full spirit power!"
"The Kindred Mask? Top-tier spirit? Innate full power? …Why have I never heard of such a thing?" Tang Hao muttered with a frown.
"Maybe he's the first to awaken it," Tang San replied. "Father, Qian Jue is really amazing. I've learned so much from him these past months. He even said you're a man of great ability—that you can teach me. Since he has no one to guide him, he's planning to go to Nuoding Academy early to find a teacher."
Tang Hao's brows furrowed deeper.
"He really said that?"
"Yes! And I think so too. Even your blacksmithing skills are far too good to waste away in this village. Why would you—"
"Enough!" Tang Hao cut him off harshly. "Go make dinner. I'm hungry."
He turned away, face dark, and shut himself back inside.
"…Alright," Tang San muttered, stunned at first, but then a small smile spread across his face.
So… Father really is a man of ability after all.
…
Two days later, after getting more familiar with his spirit, Qian Jue bid farewell to Tang San and set out for Nuoding City with Deng Sheng.
The Nuoding Spirit Academy was a landmark of the city, easy enough to find after asking around. Soon, the two of them arrived at its gates.
"Hey, you two! What are you doing here? Quit loitering!" The academy's gate guard barked at them.
Deng Sheng was about to step forward, but Qian Jue stopped him.
"Excuse me, sir, could you let the Grandmaster know we're looking for him?"
"Grandmaster? What Grandmaster? We don't have anyone like that here. Move along!" The guard sneered, his tone growing harsher by the second.
Qian Jue didn't waste words. With a thought, his Sheep Spirit surged forth, the ancient mask manifesting on his face. Two eerie blue flames flickered within its hollow eyes, staring the guard down.
"I'll say it again—we're here to see the Grandmaster. Go inform him."
The guard froze as a chill of death crept up his spine. This kid… was dangerous.
He stumbled back a step, stammering, "Y-You! Don't try anything funny. This is the Spirit Academy—you cause trouble here, you'll pay dearly!"
Qian Jue's voice dropped like ice.
"This is the last time. One incense stick's worth of time. Bring him here. If not—next time, I won't be so gentle."
At the same time, he sent his invisible Wolf Spirit to give the guard a sharp nip from behind.
"YAAAH!"
The man leapt up like a cat with its tail stepped on, clutching his backside with a twisted expression. After a long moment of writhing, he dared a glance at Qian Jue's glowing eyes—only to immediately look away again.
"Go," Qian Jue ordered, calm but terrifying.
Those two simple words had him running for his life. Only once he was out of sight did the guard's eyes brim with tears of humiliation. Inwardly, he cursed the boy, vowing to file a complaint later. Still, his legs carried him, against his will, straight to the Grandmaster's quarters.
He knocked on the door, putting on his most pitiful expression.
"Who is it?" came a steady, deep voice from within.
"Grandmaster," the guard said, lacing his words with grievance. "There are two people at the gate, a man and a boy. The kid looks freshly awakened as a spirit master, but he forced me to come get you. He even struck me when I refused. I had no choice but to report this to you…"
'Creak'—the door opened.
The Grandmaster stepped out, expression unreadable. As he closed the door behind him, he asked casually,
"How exactly did the boy hit you? Where did he hit?"
The guard faltered. Wait—that's right. How did the kid even hit me? He never even touched me!
"I-I don't know… But it must've been him! He admitted it himself!" the guard blurted resentfully.
The Grandmaster's eyes flickered, and with a single calm remark—
"He wouldn't hit you without reason."
—the guard fell silent.
Without another word, the Grandmaster strode toward the gate, the guard trailing nervously behind. Soon, they spotted Qian Jue and Deng Sheng waiting patiently.
"I am the Grandmaster," the man said in a low, gravelly voice. "I don't believe we've met. What business do you have with me?"
By now, Qian Jue had dismissed his Sheep Spirit. The man before him was of average height, a little thin, his appearance unremarkable save for the strict posture he carried. His hair was neatly parted, his eyes sharp and serious, hands clasped neatly behind his back.
Under that piercing gaze, Qian Jue suddenly felt nervous, his rehearsed words slipping from his mind.
"Uh… Could we speak in private? This place isn't very convenient."
The Grandmaster frowned. "Just you and me?"
He had assumed the older man was the one seeking him out, not this boy. Yet it was the child speaking, while the adult remained silent in the background.
"Yes, just me," Qian Jue nodded. "Uncle Deng only brought me here. He'll head back now."
Turning to Deng Sheng, he added, "Uncle Deng, go ahead and get back to work. Whether this works out or not, I'll find you at the shop later. Don't worry."
"Alright," Deng Sheng said with a small sigh, ruffling Qian Jue's hair. "Do your best. I'll wait for your good news."
With that, he left, glancing back several times as he went.
Qian Jue stood straight and met the Grandmaster's eyes.
"…Very well. Follow me," the Grandmaster said at last.
The two walked together in silence all the way to his quarters. The Grandmaster remained composed, gaze fixed ahead, unbothered by Qian Jue's curious stare.
Inside, after shutting the door, the Grandmaster sat behind his desk, regarding the boy with detached calm.
"Alright. Speak. What is it you want from me? Don't bother trying to outwait me—you won't."
…