After packing up a few belongings, the Grandmaster set out with Qian Jue to the grocery shop where Deng Sheng was still waiting.
When Qian Jue told him he had successfully taken a teacher, Deng Sheng's honest face lit up with joy. Even the heavy load on his shoulders suddenly felt lighter.
On the way back to Holy Spirit Village, the Grandmaster kept mulling over Qian Jue's martial Spirit. He asked questions along the road—sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes his eyes flashing with excitement as inspiration struck.
By the time they returned, the sky was already darkening. At Qian Jue's suggestion, the Grandmaster resisted the urge to see Tang San immediately, and instead spent the night at Qian Jue's home.
---
The Next Morning
On top of a small hill.
"See, Teacher? I told you he'd be here. Every morning we come here to cultivate facing the sunrise. Xiao San says training at dawn gives the best results."
Qian Jue pointed toward Tang San, who sat cross-legged on a boulder, cultivating silently. He grinned at the Grandmaster.
the Grandmaster nodded approvingly. "That shows you both have perseverance."
Qian Jue chuckled at the praise. "Heh, I think so too." He led the Grandmaster closer just as Tang San finished his breathing cycle and stood.
Tang San turned and spotted them.
"Xiao Jue, you're here. And… this uncle is?"
"Didn't I tell you yesterday I went to the city to find someone who could guide me? Well, here he is. He's my teacher now. And I told him about you too—he's quite interested."
Tang San gave a polite bow toward the Grandmaster.
"Good morning, Uncle. Do you have guidance for me?"
His tone was respectful—after all, if Qian Jue had accepted him as a teacher, the man must be extraordinary.
the Grandmaster went straight to the point.
"I heard your martial Spirit is Blue Silver Grass. Do you believe you can cultivate such a spirit into that of a high-level Spirit master?"
Tang San answered without hesitation.
"Blue Silver Grass may be weak, but it has advantages too. It doesn't consume much energy, and it spreads quickly. I think… it can be done."
the Grandmaster's eyes gleamed. "Confident, good. But tell me: do you know what kind of Spirit beast's ring you should add for your first spirit ring? Should it be from a plant-type or beast-type? What attributes should that beast have? What's the best age limit? How should your Blue Silver Grass develop in the future? Have you thought of any of this?"
Tang San blinked. "I… haven't thought that far. I don't have that kind of knowledge yet. Once I enter the academy, I plan to study it."
the Grandmaster gave a small, knowing smile.
"The academy won't teach you that. They don't know how to match spirit rings properly, nor how to nurture the development of your martial Spirit. And none of them has experience guiding a twin martial spirit."
The last words struck Tang San like thunder. His expression hardened instantly.
His father's warning rang in his head: 'Never let anyone know you have twin martial spirits. Never use the second one unless your life depends on it.'
Even Qian Jue didn't know. Yet this man had seen straight through him.
Tang San's brows drew tight. His left hand shifted slightly, brushing against the hidden bone-piercing needles tucked inside his sleeve. If things went south, he was prepared to fight with his life on the line.
Qian Jue quickly spoke up, noticing the tension.
"Xiao San, don't be nervous. He won't hurt you."
Tang San glanced at his friend. The reassurance cooled his nerves a little. If Qian Jue trusted this man, then perhaps he wasn't a threat. Still, Tang San's gaze remained sharp as he asked,
"How did you know I have twin martial spirits?"
the Grandmaster wasn't fazed. He simply replied with confidence:
"Because Qian Jue told me that although your martial spirit awakened as Blue Silver Grass, you also had innate full soul power. Perhaps others wouldn't understand what that means. But if I didn't, I'd be unworthy of the name 'Grandmaster.'
Blue Silver Grass is a weak martial spirit. Out of thirty people who awaken with it, only one might have soul power—and usually less than level one. Yet you were born with full innate power. That cannot come from Blue Silver Grass alone. The only explanation is that you possess another martial spirit, and it must be a top-tier one. Only the strongest martial spirits grant full innate power."
His words were calm but unwavering.
Tang San slowly eased his stance. Still, he argued, "But every rule has an exception. What if my Blue Silver Grass is… special?"
the Grandmaster shook his head. "There's no such thing as a special Blue Silver Grass—unless it mutated."
"Mutated?" Tang San asked.
And so the Grandmaster explained patiently: the inheritance of martial spirits, family lineage, and how mutation could sometimes cause drastic changes—like powerful parents giving birth to a child with a useless spirit, or the reverse.
After listening, Tang San's defenses softened completely. Suddenly, he stepped back, dropped to his knees, and kowtowed three times.
"Teacher, please accept me as your disciple! Please guide me in cultivating not only my Blue Silver Grass, but also my twin martial spirits."
the Grandmaster's heart swelled. He laughed warmly, helping Tang San back up.
"Silly child, can't you see? That's exactly why I came—to take you as my disciple!"
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"Hahaha! Good. Very good."
the Grandmaster's smile trembled with unspoken emotion. Ever since he discovered he could never break through his own limits, he had thrown himself into research. People mocked him with the title "Grandmaster," scoffing at his lack of strength.
But knowledge alone was never enough. To prove himself, he needed a student who could shake the world. Only then could he show the path he had chosen was not in vain.
"Xiao San," he said softly, "show me your martial spirits. Both of them."
Tang San obeyed. First, the Blue Silver Grass shimmered into his palm. the Grandmaster nodded slightly—ordinary, as expected.
Then Tang San raised his other hand. Darkness surged, forming a small black hammer radiating with ancient weight.
the Grandmaster's eyes widened. His whole body trembled.
"Clear Sky Hammer… Tang San, you… you're his son. No wonder. No wonder you have such talent…"
He forced himself to steady, then said firmly,
"Put it away. From now on, don't reveal this hammer lightly. And most importantly—never attach a spirit ring to it without my permission. Remember this, above all else."
Tang San nodded. His father had told him the exact same thing.
"Teacher, but why…?" he asked hesitantly.
"It's not time for you to know yet. For now, just remember—this is for your future."
Tang San accepted the order, etching it into his heart.
"Good. Now let's go meet your father."
---
The three returned to the blacksmith's shop. Tang Hao emerged, gruff and half-asleep as always.
But when he learned his son had taken a teacher, his eyes narrowed dangerously. The air grew heavy with pressure. Even so, the Grandmaster bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Lord Hao Tian."
Recognition flickered in Tang Hao's eyes. After questioning him, and hearing his reasoning, Tang Hao's vigilance eased. In the end, he tossed over a token engraved with six emblems—the highest order of Spirit Hall.
"Borrow this. Three months from now, when the academy begins, I'll send him to you. Make sure he gets the best spirit rings for his first steps. But remember—no matter what, he is still my son. Since he's chosen this road, I'll see that he walks it well."
the Grandmaster accepted silently. He wanted to ask about Tang Hao's past, but was cut off sharply.
"Don't ask what shouldn't be asked. Leave."
Outside, Tang San hurried over. "Teacher, my father didn't make things hard for you, did he?"
the Grandmaster ruffled his hair. "Of course not. Even your father acknowledges that while I lack strength, my knowledge stands tall."
Tang San bowed deeply. "Thank you, Teacher."
the Grandmaster instructed: for the next three months, before the academy began, Tang San was to train under his father. Qian Jue, meanwhile, would focus on perfect control of his soul power and developing his martial spirit. Whenever his father brought him to the city, he was to report his progress.
Both disciples answered in unison: "Yes, Teacher!"
With that, the Grandmaster departed swiftly.
Qian Jue and Tang San watched him go, then turned to each other with grins.
"From now on, I'm your senior brother, Xiao San. Come on, call me 'Shixiong'."
Tang San bowed politely. "Senior Brother Qian, please guide me well."
Qian Jue blinked—he had only been joking. He hurriedly helped Tang San up.
"Hey, don't be so formal! Just call me Jue-ge. Feels more like brothers that way."
Tang San smiled. "Alright then, Jue-ge."
Qian Jue slung an arm around his shoulder. "Good! From now on, anyone bullies you, tell me!"
Tang San laughed, then dashed off, realizing he hadn't even eaten breakfast yet.
Qian Jue watched him go, chuckling softly. 'From today on… we're brothers under the same master.'
---