Chapter 159: Tang San: Mother

"Thank you." Xueke felt a little moved; searching for this ultra‑rare spirit beast, Qian Renxue must have spent a lot of effort, right? She really… I'm crying to death! Xueke didn't look at any other spirit beasts, directly thrust the dagger in her hand into the emerald demon bird's eye, ending its life, and a shallow purple spirit ring slowly rose.

Xueke slightly adjusted her state, then used soul power to draw the spirit ring, beginning her own second spirit ring absorption.

While Xueke was absorbing the spirit ring, Atolis arrived beside Qian Renxue. He was no longer as at ease as before; instead he seemed restrained. The earlier concealment of the soul skill effect had been exposed, and Atolis now didn't know how to face Qian Ling'er. Thinking of having deceived her, he felt his toes digging into the ground, as if his three rooms and a hall would be scraped out.

Qian Renxue smiled and looked at Atolis.

"Little fellow, is there something?"

"I just wanted to apologize to you; the soul skill effect I mentioned earlier wasn't the complete state."

Atolis awkwardly scratched his head, his words revealing embarrassment. He still had to leave the Spirit Hall with Ake and head to Noding City; thinking of that, he felt very sorry for Qian Ling'er, who had always protected them.

Watching his behavior, Qian Renxue just smiled and said, "A soul skill is each spirit master's secret; there's nothing to apologize for. Being cautious is natural; you don't even know my soul skill, do you?"

Qian Renxue, during her conversation with Atolis, casually mentioned some matters about Ake.

"Didn't expect you grew up in Sacred Soul Village, and you met Ake there as well; so you also know Tang Hao, right?"

Atolis's body tensed; Tang Hao's whereabouts had been discovered. Since the Spirit Hall knows Tang Hao is hiding in Sacred Soul Village, why hasn't it acted? Could it be deliberately letting him go?

"Your Highness also knows Uncle Tang Hao? But he's just a blacksmith." he probed cautiously.

Qian Renxue looked indignant, feigned displeasure with a cold snort, "What blacksmith? He's the Heavenly Douluo who fled the Spirit Hall's siege. If his son's martial soul hadn't been the innate full‑soul‑power Blue Silver Grass, the Spirit Hall wouldn't have found him. Forget it, why are you, a clueless kid, saying this?"

Atolis furrowed his brows, showing contemplation. So, just by Tang San's martial soul, Tang Hao had already been exposed. But then again, only six years have passed; Tang San hasn't even changed his surname, his martial soul is still the innate full‑soul‑power Blue Silver Grass, how could he not be investigated?

Now it seems perhaps Bibi Dong deliberately let Tang Hao go; after all, if not for Tang Hao, Bibi Dong wouldn't have had the chance to kill Qian Xunji in revenge. In a sense, Tang Hao owes Bibi Dong a favor.

Atolis asked, a bit conflicted, "Your Highness, will the Spirit Hall eliminate Uncle Tang Hao?" He had often mooched meals there as a child; although Tang Hao always ignored him, at least he never threw him out.

A hint of inexplicable emotion flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes; she gave Atolis a deep look and asked, "What? Are you close with them?"

Atolis felt as if something was gradually wrapping around his body; he hurriedly waved his hand, "Just normal, just normal. I'm only a bit curious."

Qian Renxue patted Atolis's shoulder, "Alright, stop overthinking. Tang Hao is a titled Douluo; he has no benefit, so why would the Spirit Hall provoke him? As long as he doesn't step out himself, no one cares."

Atolis let out a sigh of relief and smiled at her.

With this little interlude, Atolis no longer disturbed Qian Renxue and quietly stood beside Xueke, keeping watch.

At this moment, while merging the spirit ring, Xueke seemed to reach a critical point, her whole body trembling uncontrollably. Absorbing the thousand‑year spirit ring was difficult, but thanks to her deep foundation, a fierce throbbing pain surged through her meridians; had her will not been firm, she might have been overwhelmed quickly.

Xueke let out a silent sigh of admiration, then swiftly adjusted her state; soon her aura steadied, allowing Atolis to exhale.

Sure enough, Ake was fine; the thousand‑year second ring succeeded.

"Ugh" she exhaled, Xueke slowly opened her eyes; bright amber pupils gleamed, and her entire spirit, energy, and mind were greatly enhanced.

"I did it!" Xueke exclaimed, leaping from the ground; a yellow and a purple spirit ring rapidly rose from her feet, the most striking being the thousand‑year grade purple spirit ring, its bright purple aura exuding nobility. From this moment, Xueke's strength had fully entered another level.

"Congratulations, Ake," Qian Renxue said with a smile.

Now the distance to defeat you is one step closer; Xueke looked at Qian Renxue, excitement shining in her beautiful eyes.

The emerald demon bird, a top‑tier avian spirit beast, indeed matches her Swan martial soul, and the soul skill she obtained is even stronger than imagined.

Qian Renxue said, "Since you've completed the second spirit ring absorption, we should leave the Star Dou Great Forest. Now even the outskirts have thousand‑year spirit beasts; let's depart quickly."

Because Xueke's spirit ring absorption took so long, it was already dawn; the three ate a bit and set off. At Xueke's request, they headed toward Noding City.

Most of the Star Dou Great Forest lies within the Xingluo Empire, with two‑fifths in the Tiandou Empire, and Noding City is directly west of Martial Soul City, not far from the forest's edge—indeed, it's the first point of impact. This is why Xiao Wu, after transformation, would head to Noding City.

But Qian Renxue's party entered the Star Dou Great Forest from the Xingluo Empire border, so the journey is longer.

Qian Renxue's party rushed toward Noding City; even accounting for Atolis, whose soul power is only level fourteen, the trek neared a thousand li.

Half a month later, Qian Renxue's party finally sighted Noding City. As a spirit master, traveling on foot is always much faster than by carriage.

Although Noding City isn't a large city, its proximity to the Tiandou Empire border means its walls are fairly sturdy. After Qian Renxue's group, like other pedestrians, passed inspection, they entered the city.

Time flew; two months later.

Noding City, Noding Academy.

At the academy entrance, Lao Jieke brought Tang San to report to Noding Academy, but the gate guard gave him a hard time.

At that moment of difficulty, Yu Dashi, passing by the entrance, intervened; the master wore a stiff smile, grabbed Tang San's hand, and led him inside.

Later in the corridor, he employed his lifelong knowledge in a grand bluff, making the naive Tang San proclaim "One day as teacher, lifelong as father," and perform a respectful kowtow.

The master, moved, looked at Tang San, "One day as teacher, lifelong as father—good, good, seems I indeed chose correctly."

As the saying goes, seeing the subtle reveals the outcome; details decide success. Though the master and disciple had not spent much time together, the master already understood the child well; they seemed born as master and disciple. Yu Xiaogang firmly believed this was destiny! "Let's go, I'll take you to the administration office to report." The master again grasped Tang San's hand; his normally dry large hand was slightly sweaty from excitement.

Noding Elementary Spirit Master Academy wasn't as large as it appeared, mainly divided into several areas: the main teaching building, the playground, and the dormitory building east of the playground.

Although merely an elementary spirit master academy, the requirements for students were very strict; even those living beside the academy had to reside within and be under unified management.

The administration office on the first floor of the main teaching building was staffed by a teenage‑looking blonde girl who handled new student reception, assisted by two teachers under thirty.

Tang San had never seen such a beautiful girl; golden hair fell smoothly behind her, each strand seeming to hold sunlight's sheen. Her deep violet eyes were profound and mysterious, as if they could see into the deepest of hearts; her lashes fluttered lightly, making even the air dance. A gentle smile graced her eyes, possessing a unique charm. The moment he first saw her, Tang San was struck by this beauty, leaving a deep impression, but it was not a superficial romantic feeling, rather a deeper emotion.

He didn't know why, but Tang San felt this girl could become his mother; an inexplicable joyous feeling rose within his body, a very gentle…

When he sensed this gentle aura, Tang San suddenly felt an urge to cry, as if it were a soaking emotion, as if he were receiving a mother's caress.

Now Tang San feels like a lonely child who has finally seen a mother he never knew.

"That's my mother's scent!!! 'Mother!'"

Tang San tried to shout but was quickly restrained by Yu Xiaogang's big face and flat head, whose nervous call snapped him out of the strange emotion.

"Little San! Little San!! Snap out of it!!!"

At this moment, Tang San suddenly came to his senses, finding himself standing in the bustling administration office,

Yu Xiaogang also looked at Tang San with some surprise, how did his well-behaved disciple suddenly call Teacher Qian Mom? This cannot be spoken nonsense! How old is he? After realizing his mistake, Tang San quickly composed himself, the seventh article of the Tang Sect's Profound Heaven Treasure Record states: "Even if Mount Tai collapses before one, one's expression does not change; even if the Yellow River bursts at the top, one's face does not startle!" A true hidden-weapon master always has a calm mind at any time!

Yu Xiaogang also looked at Tang San with surprise; how could a fine disciple suddenly call Teacher Qian "mother"? He shouldn't say that; how old is she? After realizing his embarrassment, Tang San quickly composed himself, recalling the Tang Sect's "Heavenly Treasure Record" principle: "When Mount Tai collapses before, its color does not change; when the Yellow River bursts at its source, its surface does not startle!" A true hidden‑weapon master always keeps a cool mind.

Having just lost composure, he must never again let that gentle aura cloud his mind!

"Sorry, teacher, I just thought of my mother."

Yu Xiaogang, unable to hold back, forced an awkward smile, patted Tang San's palm reassuringly, then turned to apologize to Qian Renxue.

"Really sorry, Teacher Qian, my disciple just left home and may not have settled his mind yet, apologies."

Qian Renxue's face bore a gentle smile, "It's fine, but from now on, when you live alone at the academy, you can't just casually call other teachers, okay?"

Looking at her smile and the fresh aura about her, Tang San's guard relaxed involuntarily; it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen, and also the gentlest.

"Thank you." Tang San bowed respectfully. As a disciple of the Tang Sect, he usually didn't care how others viewed him, but this young female teacher seemed somewhat different; her aura held an inexplicable attraction for him.

Seeing that Qian Renxue wasn't angry, Grand Master also breathed a sigh of relief. This Teacher Qian is no ordinary teacher; at just over ten years old she is already a Soul Ancestor like Principal Nuoding, she is among the most talented soul masters on the Battle Spirit Continent, wherever she goes she is an honored guest. After the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect declined, Yu Xiaogang's life became even harder, and now he cannot afford to offend her.

Yu Xiaogang handed over the certificate to Qian Renxue, speaking gently: "Teacher Qian, this child is a work-study student sent this year from Holy Soul Village; please help him register."

Qian Renxue nodded, handing the certificate to the two teachers beside her who had been eager to show themselves, a hint of curiosity appearing in her beautiful eyes.

"Grand Master Yu, have you found a genius disciple who can bring your theory to life?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's awkward smile could not be contained; today could be said to be his happiest day, and also the day he laughed the most.

"That's right, this child San possesses outstanding talent; he will surely surpass the path I once walked."

Qian Renxue almost couldn't keep her composure, "The path you once walked? What kind of path does a mere Soul Master walk?"

She maintained her gentle persona, comforting: "Grand Master Yu, I believe that as long as one works hard, they will surely be rewarded!"

Just then, a teacher beside them exclaimed, "Incredible, it's innate full soul power!"

Another teacher, looking at the report in hand, said to Tang San: "Child, as a teacher of the academy, I must remind you: a master is not casually taken. Any soul master, whether or not they graduated from the academy, can only acknowledge one master; otherwise, they will not be tolerated by the world. Do you really think Grand Master is suitable? He is not a teacher of our academy."

Seeing the martial soul entry, he sighed with a hint of regret: "Although your martial soul is merely Bluesilver Grass, you possess innate full soul power."

Seeing the words "innate full soul power" on the certificate, the teachers present all showed surprise, but the Bluesilver Grass turned their astonishment into regret.

Tang San gave Qian Renxue a puzzled look: "Teacher Qian, what's inappropriate about this? Doesn't Nuoding Academy prohibit students from taking other teachers?"

Qian Renxue feigned hesitation for a moment, then said: "How could it be? Grand Master merely has unrecognized talent, not being acknowledged by the world. With you here, his theory might just succeed, after all, even the strongest teacher's power is not one's own."

"It would only pose a threat when hunting for soul rings, and besides, Bluesilver Entwining isn't bad either."

"With Grand Master present, there's no need for Qian Renxue to intervene; Tang San will naturally become an ordinary genius, drifting further from those transmigrators like Atolis, let alone her."

Qian Renxue slightly wondered what expression Yu Xiaogang would have when he discovered that Ake's second soul ring was a thousand-year one—would he grant Tang San the ability to absorb a thousand-year second ring, or would he try to think of a way to take Ake as a disciple through deceit? Hearing Qian Renxue's comfort, Yu Xiaogang's anger at the two young teachers subsided somewhat; he didn't even glance at them, curled his lip in a disdainful smile, and pulled Tang San away as he turned and left.

"Those absolute geniuses who became Soul Ancestors in their teens are acknowledging me, yet you two twenty- or thirty-something teachers who haven't even broken through level thirty—what are you? Do you even deserve to mock me, Yu Xiaogang?"

From behind came the faint flattering voices of two male teachers toward Qian Renxue.

"Grand Master is indeed 'invincible,' but only in theory. Of course, his theories must become reality. Teacher Qian, I still recall Grand Master having some saying about the ten core competitiveness of martial souls; it's utterly laughable—don't let him fool you!"

"Yes! Teacher Qian, Grand Master is just a clown; everyone sees him as a joke. You're so beautiful, you'd better watch out for any ill intentions he might have toward you! This guy used to be quite skilled at deceiving girls."

After a while, Qian Renxue exchanged a few more words with them, then she wanted to find an excuse to slip away, after all Tang San had also seen the pigeons, and staying here was pointless.

Just as she was about to leave, Qian Renxue heard a clear, childish cry of 'Mom!'

She turned her head and saw a pretty little girl standing in the hall, about the same age and height as Tang San just moments ago. Her lovely face was fair with a hint of red, her delicate, tender appearance like a ripe peach, making one want to take a bite.

Although her attire was very plain, she looked quite neat; her black long hair was braided into a scorpion tail that hung past her hips, and her pair of big, watery eyes brimmed with tears as she stared fixedly at Qian Renxue.

The girl dashed forward, a nimble rabbit kick over eagle leapt over the table in front of her and plunged into Qian Renxue's embrace, sobbing heartbrokenly.

(End of chapter)