"Xiao Lin said that it was impossible for a Blue Silver Grass martial soul to awaken with innate full soul power unless it wasn't actually Blue Silver Grass. And he also said that if I had twin martial souls, then it was even more unlikely for one of them to be something as useless as Blue Silver Grass."
Tang San repeated Xiao Lin's speculation aloud while secretly observing Tang Hao's expression.
"Blue Silver Emperor… That was her martial soul."
A complicated look flashed through Tang Hao's eyes. On the one hand, he didn't want his own identity—or Tang San's—to be exposed. On the other hand, he saw potential in Xiao Lin, who seemed like a theoretical genius with unique insights into martial souls.
"Xiao San, from now on, never mention the Blue Silver Emperor in public. At most, say that your martial soul is the Blue Silver King."
Tang Hao had only just realized that a Blue Silver Grass martial soul awakening with innate full soul power was highly unusual.
If they didn't provide an explanation—such as claiming it was a Blue Silver King—others might grow suspicious.
Fooling idiots was easy. Deceiving experts, however, would be utterly foolish.
"Understood. Xiao Lin also suggested the same thing."
Tang San nodded seriously, acknowledging the advice.
"What!? That brat, Xiao Lin…"
Tang Hao's face showed shock. When he realized that Xiao Lin had helped Tang San conceal this matter, it proved that Xiao Lin was trustworthy.
"What kind of martial soul did Xiao Lin awaken?"
Tang Hao was now intrigued by Xiao Lin. He realized that Xiao Lin could potentially take Grandmaster's place as Tang San's guide.
The only question was: How much did Xiao Lin actually understand about martial souls?
"Xiao Lin awakened the Qiu Long Staff. He also has innate full soul power—it's a top-tier tool martial soul."
Tang San didn't hide anything from Tang Hao and even mentioned that Xiao Lin had gone home to study his martial soul and decide what kind of spirit ring to absorb.
"Did he say what kind of spirit ring your Blue Silver Grass should have?"
Tang Hao was very invested in Tang San's growth. Tang San was his hope for vengeance, so he naturally wanted him to be as strong as possible.
"Not yet."
Tang San was also unsure about what kind of spirit ring he needed.
On one hand, he needed a spirit ring to continue growing. On the other, he didn't want to end up with a trash spirit ring.
He decided that he would ask Xiao Lin about it tomorrow.
"Let's go see this Xiao Lin."
"Huh?"
Tang San stared at Tang Hao, who now stood with his back straight and firm.
Was this still the same drunken father he knew? He looked like a completely different person.
"By the way, Dad, can I still learn blacksmithing?"
Tang San was worried that becoming a soul master would prevent him from forging metal, so he hurriedly asked.
If he wanted to bring Tang Sect techniques to prominence in this world, he couldn't neglect blacksmithing. He had long admired Tang Hao's skills.
"You can."
Tang Hao responded indifferently. Blacksmithing was a core skill of the Clear Sky Clan. Even if Tang San didn't ask, Tang Hao had already planned to teach him.
Meanwhile, at Old Jack's house.
Xiao Lin was repeatedly swinging his Qiu Long Staff, drawing applause from Old Jack.
"Good! Good! Xiao Lin, you're amazing!"
"Grandpa, what's so amazing? I'm just casually swinging it around."
A hint of excitement appeared on Xiao Lin's face. The staff was truly fun to use.
Not to mention, this was a real staff—a top-tier staff. Even if it were just an ordinary wooden stick, he'd be willing to play with it for a lifetime.
"Hehe, Xiao Lin, would you like to go to Nuoding City and enroll as a working student?"
Old Jack sat in his chair, smiling happily as he asked.
"A working student? But isn't the school term starting in three months?"
Xiao Lin was slightly surprised. Why bring this up so early?
"I don't mind going, but what about Xiao San?"
"Xiao San has to go too. But our village only has one free slot. If Xiao San wants to go, he'll have to pay tuition. I can help cover half of it."
Old Jack was fair about it. These two were the village's most promising children—how could he let them go without an education?
"Alright, I'll talk to Xiao San about it later. And Grandpa, don't worry too much about the money. Once we officially become soul masters, we can collect stipends from the Spirit Hall."
As a modern-minded person, money was the least of Xiao Lin's concerns. Even if he weren't a soul master, he had ways to earn money.
"Becoming a soul master is great! Xiao Lin, you're really making something of yourself."
Old Jack laughed heartily, stroking his white beard.
At that moment, a knock came at the door.
"Knock, knock!"
Xiao Lin and Old Jack, who had been chatting and laughing, were interrupted.
"The door isn't locked. Come in."
Old Jack called out, figuring it must be a villager dropping by around lunchtime.
The door creaked open. A tall, muscular figure stepped into the room.
"Tang Hao? What are you doing here?"
Old Jack blurted out in surprise.
However, he quickly regained his composure and put on a serious expression.
"Tang Hao, I've already heard about Xiao San's situation. You should work hard at blacksmithing for the next three months and save up money for Xiao San's tuition."
"Xiao San is going to be a soul master. You can't let his talent go to waste."
Old Jack spoke earnestly. However, Tang Hao completely ignored him, instead locking eyes with Xiao Lin, who was holding his Qiu Long Staff and curiously looking at him.
Such a powerful tool martial soul. It appeared unassuming, yet its weight was no less than Xiao San's Clear Sky Hammer.
"Xiao Lin, right? Xiao San tells me you know a lot about martial souls?"
Tang Hao cut straight to the point.
"Of course! No one in the entire Fasinuo Province understands martial souls better than I do."
Xiao Lin immediately understood that this was a test. He confidently answered, even making a subtle gesture as if adjusting imaginary glasses.
Tang Hao was momentarily stunned. Very few children could speak so naturally in front of him—even Xiao San couldn't.
"I have a question for you. How should one cultivate a Blue Silver Grass martial soul?"
As soon as Tang Hao asked, all eyes turned to Xiao Lin.
Not only Old Jack, but even Tang San—who had been eavesdropping outside—peeked inside with curiosity.
"Blue Silver Grass? That's too easy."
Xiao Lin smirked and confidently answered.
"Everyone knows that Blue Silver Grass is a trash martial soul. But in my eyes, it's actually quite excellent."
Hearing this, the three people present were intrigued.
A trash martial soul could actually be excellent?
"Let me explain. As we all know, the principle of evolution is survival of the fittest. Blue Silver Grass may lack strength, but it has an extremely high reproduction rate, strong vitality, and outstanding adaptability."
"It can be found almost everywhere in the world. (And don't argue with me about underwater or magma—it's irrelevant.)"
"As a martial soul, Blue Silver Grass has four major advantages."
"Four advantages? Let's hear them."
Tang Hao's eyes flashed with surprise. Could Blue Silver Grass really be more than it seemed?
"First, its widespread presence means the cheapest possible simulated cultivation environment."
"Second, its adaptability allows it to absorb almost any type of spirit ring."
"Third, its weakness means summoning it consumes almost no soul power. It can overwhelm enemies with sheer quantity, and even if destroyed, it won't harm the user much."
"Fourth, its strong vitality. If Xiao San focuses on life energy and reaches the Title Douluo level, he could practically become immortal."
Xiao Lin smiled smugly, eager to impress Tang Hao and secure help for his first spirit ring.
"Immortal…? Immortal!?"
Tang Hao's eyes turned blood-red as his face twisted in pain and regret.
Had A'Yin's sacrifice been unnecessary all along?
Had he and Xiao San been the cause of her fate?