Chapter 13: Seeking a Mentor

Although Tang Xi wore a look of regret, her eyes betrayed the stubbornness deep within her heart.

A year ago, her fourth brother’s personal bodyguard had sacrificed himself to protect her during an avalanche. She had faced death nine times and lived to tell the tale, and now she had finally risen again.

She was still far from her goal, but it was no longer beyond reach.

“Enough, don’t act coy after benefiting,” Tang Hao said as he ruffled her silver hair, his usually stern eyes softening into a smile. “Since you’ve chosen crowd control abilities, your future depends on finding partners you can truly trust and rely on. Have you thought it through?”

Tang Xi understood his concerns and reassured him, “Dad, don’t worry. I’ll definitely watch each other’s backs with Xiao San.”

But Tang Hao hesitated at those words, shaking his head with a sigh. “Fine, it’s your choice. But in the future, you and Xiao San might not walk the same path.”

He reached out again, gently stroking the girl’s soft hair. “Come on, let’s go home.”

———

They returned to Saint Soul Village, and at Tang Xi’s insistence, they used the few soul coins they had to buy Tang San a complete set of new clothes for school.

By the time Tang San received the new outfit and a fresh set of bedding, he had become nearly numb, looking resigned as he asked, “So, you’re really sending me away, huh?”

In the village, when pigs were slaughtered for the New Year, they were fed a special meal before their death as a humane practice. Tang San felt that his own father spending a fortune on him must mean he was about to be sold.

Tang Xi jumped in alarm, pulling Tang San inside before Tang Hao’s expression could darken.

During their absence, the village chief had already completed Tang San’s enrollment paperwork. In one month, he and Tang Xi would both begin their studies at Notting Academy.

Perhaps sensing that his children would soon be sent away, Tang Hao stopped drowning himself in alcohol and began personally teaching Tang San blacksmithing.

The Haotian Hammer in his hand became a forging hammer, but in Tang Hao’s hands, it seemed no different—each strike, seemingly casual, sent invisible ripples of energy through the air.

During the day, Tang Xi watched Tang Hao instruct Tang San, and at night, she and Tang Hao would sneak out while Tang San slept. Under Tang Hao’s guidance, she practiced combat moves and awareness—the battle techniques of a titled Douluo. Even the smallest inflection in Tang Hao’s voice was studied again and again by Tang Xi, fearful of missing any fragment of knowledge.

Their schedule was tight and fulfilling, and the month passed like the blink of an eye. As the start of school at Notting Academy approached, Tang Xi, as a current student, had to return to register a few days early.

———

On the last night of training before enrollment, Tang Hao stopped teaching the steadily improving Tang Xi. He stood with his hands behind his back and asked in a steady voice:

“I’ve been holding you back from seeking revenge. Do you resent me for that?”

“I don’t resent you, but I’m very curious,” Tang Xi replied with a playful laugh. She obediently walked to a nearby tree and began gently digging the soil with a twig as she spoke.

“I’ve been wondering what kind of force the Martial Soul Hall really is—strong enough to bring a titled Douluo like you to despair. But after pondering so long, I realized that unless I see it with my own eyes, it’s just a waste of brainpower. So I stopped.”

“You’re getting there,” Tang Hao said, watching the child dig a hole. Though he didn’t know what she was doing, he stepped forward and brushed aside the soil beneath the tree roots.

Beneath lay a ceramic jar.

Tang Hao frowned. “What’s this?”

“It’s fruit wine I tried brewing a month ago. It’s been buried underground for several months now, and the aroma has grown richer,” Tang Xi answered softly, a faint smile lingering on her face as she opened the jar and a fragrance drifted out.

She pushed the jar toward Tang Hao and said seriously and obediently, “Dad, I’ve kept your words in my heart. I’ve always been bad at hiding things, so I thought—if I can secretly do something without you noticing, then maybe that’s a sign of initial success.”

“So please rest assured. I know that Xiao San’s and my identities are inevitably linked. Before I’m fully prepared, I won’t rush into revenge.”

This child…

Tang Hao was stunned.

He had never seen anyone grow so fast. This continent was no shortage of geniuses, but geniuses were often arrogant. To find one who heeds advice and genuinely improves—that was rare indeed.

Inhaling the wine’s fragrance, Tang Hao closed his eyes slowly and said solemnly:

“Xueyuan, I gift you a technique. In critical moments, it will allow you to fight beyond your level. But this is a secret of the Haotian Sect. Do not use it except when absolutely necessary.”

This was no longer mere guidance—it was true passing of a legacy.

———

Tang Xi was momentarily stunned, then understood immediately. She knelt down and solemnly bowed to Tang Hao.

“Xueyuan pays respects to Master!”

———

A few days later.

At the gates of Notting Academy.

A plain-looking black-haired girl stood with her hands folded politely before her, warmly watching the passersby with a faint smile on her lips.

Soon, the person she was waiting for appeared at the gate. Led by Old Jack, Tang San arrived, and upon seeing Tang Xi, a smile also broke across his face.

From today, he would explore the cultivation world alongside Tang Xi!

But halfway there, guards at the academy’s entrance suddenly stepped forward to block them.

“Stop! Who are you?”

Old Jack, unwilling to cause trouble, quickly forced a smile. “Young man, we come from Saint Soul Village. This child is our village’s work-study student sent this year.”

The gatekeeper frowned and glanced back at Tang Xi waiting behind. With a tone dripping with sarcasm, he said, “Can a thatch nest really hatch a golden phoenix? A small village having two people with soul power? You lot must be imposters.”

Tang Xi, having studied at the academy for a year, knew well the school’s attitude toward work-study students. She cleared her throat and reminded, “Village chief, show him the enrollment certificate.”

Old Jack promptly produced a paper and handed it to the gatekeeper. The guard barely glanced at it before bursting into scornful laughter.

“Blue Silver Grass as a Martial Soul? And with innate full soul power? Ridiculous! I’ve been a gatekeeper here for four years and have never heard of a student with innate full soul power. This kid’s Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass—how could it be full soul power? I bet this Martial Soul Hall certificate is forged!”