Chapter 23: Father and Son
Just as Su Yuntao expected, the next two children showed no talent for cultivation.
But when it came to Tang San, the golden light surrounding him—though dimmer than Anjila's—was still far brighter than the others. Su Yuntao's eyes lit up.
*Could Spirit Village's ancestors really be blessing us twice in one day? First a genius, now another potential Spirit Master?* He didn't expect Tang San to match Anjila—just being able to cultivate would be enough.
"Ah… Blue Silver Grass. A waste martial soul."
The moment he saw Tang San's martial soul, Su Yuntao's face fell. No掩饰 needed—pure disappointment. *What a waste of time.*
He turned to pack up. He still had to take Anjila to Notting City.
"Uncle, you haven't tested my spirit power yet!"
Tang San quickly grabbed Su Yuntao's sleeve. As a reborn soul, he knew his innate spirit power was full—but without the test, how could he secure a work-study spot at Notting Academy? How would he meet Xiao Wu?
"Ugh, fine! What's the point of testing a废 martial soul? Here—put your hand on this."
Grumbling, Su Yuntao pulled the crystal back out.
"Full innate spirit power!"
The crystal blazed just as brightly as before. Su Yuntao's face lit up again.
*Twice in one day?!* Two children with full innate spirit power—unheard of! Even if one had Blue Silver Grass, full innate spirit power was so rare it overshadowed the martial soul's weakness.
At the very least, Su Yuntao knew: this boy might not get the same treatment as Anjila in Spirit Hall, but he wouldn't be ignored either.
"Child, what's your name? Will you join Spirit Hall?"
Tang San froze. *This isn't right.* In his past life, Su Yuntao had turned and left without a word upon seeing Blue Silver Grass. *This girl really changed things.*
"I'm Tang San," he said carefully. "I need to ask my father first."
Of course, he had no intention of joining Spirit Hall. But this excuse would buy time.
"Alright," Su Yuntao nodded. "Go ask your parent. I'll wait outside."
He didn't mind. For another prodigy, a few extra minutes were worth it.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Tang San stepped out—knowing full well he wouldn't actually consult Tang Hao. He just needed to deliver the news of his dual martial souls. According to the original timeline, this should be the first time he ever felt his father's love.
As for Su Yuntao? He'd make up an excuse later. With a "废 martial soul," he doubted the Spirit Elder would care much.
Outside, he saw Anjila and Old Jack deep in conversation. This time, no killing intent stirred in him.
He'd reasoned it through: *So what if she's a super martial soul heading to Spirit Hall? I'm the Shura God King—I've defeated Qian Ren Xue, who had a divine martial soul and 20-level innate spirit power. This girl? Barely a ripple.*
This life, he carried tens of thousands of years of godly memory. He knew Spirit Hall's every plan, every hidden opportunity on the continent. A single variable—no matter how talented—was trivial to manage.
With that thought, he reached his ramshackle home.
"Dad!"
Tang San found Tang Hao hammering at the forge.
"What's all the shouting?" Tang Hao didn't look up, but his eyes darkened with turmoil. He'd sensed everything—the awakening, the Blue Silver Grass.
*Blue Silver Grass… so it really is her legacy.* That meant the soul inside might truly be his son. But those self-created魂 skills? No child could devise such refined techniques. Even his grandfather, Tang Chen—the continent's strongest—only began creating魂 skills after becoming a Titled Douluo.
Tang San, oblivious to his father's inner storm, beamed with excitement. "Dad! My martial soul awakened—it's Blue Silver Grass!"
"Blue Silver Grass, huh? Not bad," Tang Hao muttered, still focused on his work. He'd already感知 it—no need for surprise.
"But Dad… I have another martial soul."
Tang San assumed his father's distant look was grief for his mother.
Tang Hao's head snapped up. Shock flooded his face.
Without a word, Tang San slowly raised his left hand. A strange, miniature hammer materialized in his palm.
"Dual martial souls… you have dual martial souls!" Tang Hao lunged forward and crushed Tang San in a fierce embrace. *My son! A genius! Of course he'd create his own魂 skills! What was I thinking earlier?!*
Only when Tang San gasped for air did Tang Hao loosen his grip. He stared into his son's eyes for a long moment—then spoke, voice thick with emotion:
"Remember this: in your future, always use the hammer in your left hand to protect the grass in your right. Always."
A fire reignited in Tang Hao's heart—dormant for six long years. *Full innate spirit power. Dual martial souls. Masterful self-created魂 skills. With my guidance as a former Hao Tian Douluo… the Hao Tian Sect will rise again! And we will make Spirit Hall pay for Ah Yin's death!*
He wouldn't tell Tang San any of this yet. The boy was too young—such burdens could wait.
And deep down… a sliver of doubt still lingered. Tang Hao had convinced himself this was his son—but humans were masters of self-deception. Some truths, once seen, left invisible scars no amount of denial could erase.
…
"Why does asking a question take so long?"
Outside the wooden hut, Su Yuntao paced anxiously.
Old Jack sighed and stepped forward. "Master Su Yuntao, Tang Hao's probably drunk again. Shall I go urge him?"
"Go ahead. Lead the way, Chief Jack."
Just as they turned to leave, Tang San appeared around the corner.
"Uncle… I'm sorry. My father doesn't want me to become a Spirit Master."