This fantasy chapter of rewriting reality quietly drew to a close.
Duan Yuanchen attempted to continue rewriting, trying to make Tang Hao kill Tang San.
However, the rewritten words were like quicksand, instantly distorting and reverting to their original form.
This made him realize a critical issue: he could not manipulate experts into committing murder.
But through his previous attempts, he confirmed that he could certainly hit people!
Unwilling to give up, Duan Yuanchen turned his gaze toward himself.
A self-deprecating smile curled at the corners of his mouth: "Since I cannot control others, I shall start with myself!"
He gently picked up the coin pouch on his person, as if grasping the key to changing his fate.
Placing it on the table, he said, "Next, I shall take stock of my wealth."
[Duan Yuanchen poured over three hundred bronze coins out of the coin pouch.]
He directly modified the keywords within, changing "bronze" to "gold."
[Duan Yuanchen poured over three hundred gold coins out of the coin pouch.]
But reality was like a bucket of cold water over his head; those words remained stubbornly in place, mocking his powerlessness.
[Duan Yuanchen poured over three hundred silver coins out of the coin pouch.]
Trying again, his fingertip lightly touched the word "bronze."
Instantly, the word seemed endowed with life, slowly transforming until it finally settled as "silver."
This time, the rewritten text remained.
Duan Yuanchen quickly untied the knot of the coin pouch and flipped it over.
Amidst a clattering sound,
A total of over three hundred glittering silver coins poured out.
They danced upon the tabletop, flickering with an enticing luster.
Duan Yuanchen reached out and picked up a silver coin.
As his fingertips rubbed against the cold texture, a realization flashed in his eyes: "So... rewriting reality cannot be too outrageous!"
In the days that followed, Duan Yuanchen seemed to have found a new source of amusement.
His prank targets were aimed directly at Tang San, precise and ruthless every time.
"Hey, Tang San, let's try something different today! Smithing? No, no, no, it should be'striking'!"
A playful smile curled on Duan Yuanchen's lips as he modified the text.
This caused the iron hammer in Tang San's hand to swing down violently, but it deliberately veered away from the anvil.
Accompanied by the whistling sound of wind, it headed straight for a vital spot.
Tang Hao, who was nearby teaching his son, immediately grabbed the hammer's handle.
He directly issued a ban: "Little San, you are not suited for smithing. You'd better stop learning!"
Happy days flowed by silently like sand through fingers.
In the blink of an eye, more than three months had passed since the brilliance of the Spirit Awakening.
Duan Yuanchen's cultivation had already reached level 10 spirit power! He had caught up to Tang San!
On an early morning a few days before Notting Academy was set to open,
Tang Hao walked slowly toward Old Jack.
His voice was low and firm: "Village Head Jack, I want Little San to go to Notting Academy."
Hearing this, a flash of relief and reluctance appeared in Old Jack's eyes as he patted Tang Hao's shoulder.
"Don't worry! Little San is a smart and hardworking child. I will help him secure an extra Working-student quota."
"I heard that several nearby villages don't have suitable candidates. I'll make some rounds; I'm sure I can get it done."
Old Jack sought a future for Tang San, his figure weaving through various villages.
Using his silver tongue and years of prestige,
He secured a precious Working-student quota for Tang San from those hopeless villages.
The three of them arrived at Notting Academy looking travel-worn.
Before the academy's main gate, however, stood an arrogant Young Gatekeeper.
"Halt! You hicks, do you know what kind of place this is? You dare try to barge in?"
The Young Gatekeeper's voice was full of disdain as he pulled the iron gate shut.
Old Jack hurried forward, his face piled with smiles as he explained to the Young Gatekeeper.
"Young man, they are the new Working-students recruited by our academy."
"All the paperwork is complete. Look, these are the certificates issued by the Spirit Hall."
He carefully pulled two yellowed sheets of paper from his robe and handed them over.
The Young Gatekeeper took the certificates, a flash of surprise in his eyes, followed immediately by a sneer.
"Working-students? And innate full spirit power? Haha, do you think I'm stupid?"
He deliberately emphasized the words "innate full spirit power," as if it were the most unbelievable joke in the world.
"What 'Blue Silver Grass Rope'? It sounds like a piece of junk rope."
"And what 'Book Martial Soul'? I've simply never heard of it."
"Saint Spirit Village? Hmph, I think 'Beggar Village' is more like it."
The Young Gatekeeper's words were like sharp blades, each sentence cutting into Old Jack's heart.
"What did you say? You are deliberately making things difficult for us!"
Old Jack's face instantly turned ashen.
He suddenly looked up, eyes wide, glaring at the Young Gatekeeper.
His voice trembled with rage: "Saint Spirit Village is our pride; I will not allow you to insult it so!"
"Oho, getting angry with me? If you want to beg, go somewhere else!"
Seeing this, the Young Gatekeeper's temper flared even more.
He gave a contemptuous laugh and reached out to push Old Jack away: "What, you want to get physical? Look at yourself first!"
However, Tang San's figure moved like a cheetah, interposing himself between the two.
He clenched his fists tight and gave a sudden shove forward.
Duan Yuanchen, who had long since summoned his Martial Soul, completed the rewrite of reality.
[Tang San knelt down forcefully toward the Young Gatekeeper!]
Thud!
A heavy, dull sound echoed from the ground.
Without any warning, Tang San knelt before the Young Gatekeeper.
The moment his knees collided with the stone pavement, it felt as if even the air vibrated.
"Little San, you..."
Old Jack's eyes widened.
He looked at the suddenly kneeling Tang San with total disbelief, his words full of anxiety and confusion.
"Grandpa Jack, I'm fine."
Tang San's voice was calm and steady as he looked up.
He stared straight ahead, as if he were doing something he believed was right and necessary.
"Little San, what are you doing? Get up quickly... don't do this..."
"Though we are born of humble origins, we still possess indelible dignity and backbone!"
Old Jack tried to reach out to pull Tang San up, his eyes flickering with complex emotions.
The Young Gatekeeper was stunned!
The hand he had intended to use to grab Old Jack hung suspended in mid-air.
It was only inches away from Tang San's face, yet it seemed fixed by an invisible force.
His eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly agape, clearly dazed by this sudden turn of events.
"I..."
Tang San was also somewhat surprised by his own actions, but a strange emotion surged within him.
It made him feel that this kneel, though not his intention, was exceptionally comfortable.
It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and his soul had gained unprecedented release and peace.
The Young Gatekeeper had no choice but to cough twice.
He said with feigned authority, "Don't think this kneeling will let you slip through. I'm not the type to soften easily."
[Tang San's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he swiftly and accurately grabbed the Young Gatekeeper's extended wrist!]
Duan Yuanchen's mischievous heart was still at work.
An imperceptible smile curled at his lips as he continued to rewrite reality.
[Tang San's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he swiftly and accurately grabbed the Young Gatekeeper's vitals!]
The Young Gatekeeper instantly let out a blood-curdling scream: "Aaaah—!"
The sound was sharp and piercing, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
His legs clamped together violently, and his body involuntarily doubled over.
His face turned bright red, and his eyes bulged, filled with disbelief and humiliated rage.
"Uh..."
Tang San stared wide-eyed at his own hand, his face full of bewilderment.
His intention had only been to grab the other's hand; he hadn't expected such a misunderstanding to occur.
"Stop! All of you, stop!"
A steady, powerful voice suddenly rang out, carrying an unquestionable authority.
Yu Xiaogang had appeared not far behind them at some point.
His gaze swept sternly over everyone, clearly dissatisfied with the chaotic scene before him.
He walked over, attempting to calm this sudden storm: "What are you doing at the school gate? Where is your decorum?"