Chapter 158: Patching things up won't stop the internal rot; it's a falsehood built on hatred.
Spirit Hall!
These three words were like three red-hot daggers, stabbing fiercely into Tang San's ears.
The soul power around his body had been somewhat scattered due to shock.
But at this moment, it surged violently like wildfire doused with oil!
The Blue Silver Grass martial soul manifested uncontrollably.
Faint blue grass shadows whipped wildly around him, radiating an aura of fury.
The instant he heard "Spirit Hall," his eyes ignited with overwhelming rage.
That flame was cold and savage, almost tangible.
They hunted his father… forced him to hide his identity and separate from his flesh and blood… deprived him of the guidance he should have received…
Good!
What a "Spirit Hall"!
Tang San clenched his teeth so hard he could taste blood.
In his heart, he engraved that name with the coldest killing intent.
Spirit Hall… you already have a path to death!!!
Sensing the violent surge of soul power and the nearly tangible hatred emanating from Tang San, Yu Xiaogang was startled.
He quickly stepped forward and firmly pressed down on Tang San's trembling shoulder.
"Xiao San! Calm down!"
His soul power carried a soothing intent as it flowed in, slightly calming Tang San's boiling killing intent.
"Hatred needs strength to support it. As you are now, you are far from enough."
Staring into Tang San's eyes, Yu Xiaogang spoke sternly, "Your father endured all these years to protect you, to give you the chance to grow."
"If you act recklessly, you will only betray his sacrifice."
If Tang San went to Spirit Hall now, it would be nothing but suicide. He had no intention of watching his most crucial disciple die.
Tang San's chest heaved violently.
After a long while, the chaotic soul power and the ferocity in his eyes were gradually forced back into his body.
When he opened his eyes again, although the hatred had not faded, he had at least regained basic rationality.
Seeing him calm down, Yu Xiaogang finally released his grip.
Then he asked, "Do you understand now why I have always forbidden you from cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul at this stage?"
Tang San frowned.
"Is it because… the second martial soul is unstable in the early stages and may conflict with the first martial soul?"
He voiced his earlier understanding cautiously.
Yu Xiaogang slowly shook his head.
"That is only the surface reason, or rather, a secondary one."
He clasped his hands behind his back and looked toward the deep night sky, beginning to explain one of the core secrets of the soul master world.
"The reason twin martial souls are called a supreme talent lies in the 'late-stage advantage' of soul ring attachment."
Looking at Tang San, his eyes burned with intensity.
"When your first martial soul reaches rank sixty, that is, the Soul Emperor realm, everything about you will reach a new height."
"And that is precisely the best time for you to begin attaching soul rings to your second martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer."
Yu Xiaogang's voice carried a bewitching force, as if painting a grand blueprint.
"Think about it, Xiao San."
"At that time, you can rely on your Soul Emperor-level body and foundation to seek soul rings for the Clear Sky Hammer."
"No longer a hundred-year or thousand-year… You can directly aim for ten-thousand-year soul rings!"
"Even if your opportunity is sufficient, all the soul rings you attach to it in the future could be above ten thousand years! One hundred thousand years is not impossible either!"
All ten-thousand-year or higher soul rings?!
Tang San's breathing stopped instantly.
The light in his eyes burned hotter than ever, like two blazing flames.
He understood!
He completely understood!
Why had his teacher been suppressing him from cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul?
This was not a restriction, but… accumulation!
It was saving all potential and explosive power for the most critical moment, for when his foundation was strongest, to unleash a shocking feast of soul rings!
At that time, once the Clear Sky Hammer appeared, it would shake the heavens!
Seeing the light erupting in Tang San's eyes, Yu Xiaogang knew he had believed him and felt somewhat relieved.
But to fully regain Xiao San's trust, he had to go further.
"At that time, even if Lin Qingmo's first soul ring is a thousand-year one, even if he has extraordinary encounters, before your twin martial souls, especially with your second martial soul composed entirely of high-year soul rings, he will fade into insignificance."
"Your path leads to the true peak."
"His is merely a rugged shortcut. Which is superior is obvious at a glance."
These words were like gentle rain nourishing Tang San's heart, which had long been dried out by repeated setbacks.
All his confusion, doubt, and unwillingness were completely washed away by this grand vision of the future.
So his teacher was neither rigid nor conservative.
He was planning a more solid, more promising path for himself!
And he had actually doubted his teacher… How shameful!
A surge of guilt, along with rekindled and even stronger admiration, welled up in Tang San's heart.
He took a step back.
Then he bent deeply at the waist, performing the most solemn disciple's salute to Yu Xiaogang.
"Teacher, your disciple was foolish. I harbored doubts earlier. Please forgive me."
His voice carried sincere gratitude and restored trust.
"I understand now. I will follow all of the teacher's arrangements."
Tang San bowed respectfully.
The heart Yu Xiaogang had been holding in suspense finally settled.
An uncontrollable smile of relief and satisfaction appeared on his lips.
Success!
The crack in their trust had finally been patched, at least for now.
Using this great secret about Tang San's background and future, along with the grand promise of twin martial souls, he had once again firmly tied Tang San's heart to his side.
He reached out to help Tang San up and said gently, "It's good that you understand. Your road is long, and there is no need to rush. Laying a solid foundation is the most important thing."
However, deep within Yu Xiaogang's heart, an inescapable shadow lingered.
The blueprint he had just described was indeed exciting.
But there was a core problem he had concealed.
Or rather, he simply did not know the answer.
How exactly should twin martial souls be cultivated to ensure safety and maximize the 'late-stage advantage'?
Yu Xiaogang did not know.
Those grand and impressive theoretical notes of his, when it came to twin martial souls, were actually blank, or at best, bold speculation based on limited observations.
Across the entire Douluo Continent, there was only one known example of someone who had successfully cultivated twin martial souls to the highest level.
The moment that name surfaced in his mind, Yu Xiaogang's expression became uncontrollably complex.
Nostalgia, resentment, guilt, helplessness… all kinds of emotions intertwined, causing a sharp pain in his heart.
Bibi Dong.
The woman who now sat in the position of Pope of Spirit Hall.
How had she cultivated her twin martial souls?
What dangers had she experienced, and what methods had she mastered?
He knew nothing.
Looking toward Spirit Hall in the distance, Yu Xiaogang's eyes grew dark and unreadable.
For Xiao San!
For this disciple, he was treated like his own son!
And to prove that his path was correct!
In the future, he might have no choice but to face the person he least wanted to face in this lifetime, to seek that "method of cultivation" he did not even know existed.
The thought filled him with deep exhaustion and powerlessness.
…
The night wind swept through the forest, carrying strands of coolness.
Master and disciple, each harboring their own thoughts, walked silently toward the dormitory.
The moonlight stretched their shadows long, intertwining them together.
They seemed close, yet beneath the surface, unknown variables had already been planted.
End of Chapter