Tang San ultimately decided to make Xuan Tian Gong his main cultivation method, supplemented by the Blue Silver Grass Art and Hammer Technique.
First of all, he had died in his previous life just to obtain Xuan Tian Gong. To give it up now would make all his past efforts meaningless it simply wasn't worth it.
Second, both the Blue Silver Grass Art and Hammer Technique could complement Xuan Tian Gong. They were granted by his martial souls and naturally suited him. There was no need to chase after stronger techniques that didn't align with his own nature.
Third, he now possessed the internal scripture diagram. In the future, when his cultivation reached higher realms, he might be able to draw inferences from each and achieve a true fusion of the three techniques—perhaps even pioneer a brand-new system of cultivation unique to himself.
If he wanted to surpass the Tang Sect, then he would have to innovate in martial arts as well—create something even more powerful than Xuan Tian Gong.
However—
The most important reason was just one: he couldn't cultivate it.
"Sān'er, I've decided to focus on the technique derived from the circulatory system. So, I'm afraid your Xuan Tian Gong will have to be set aside."
Zhou Qing said with a bright smile.
Tang San: "…"
At that moment, a strange scene played out in Tang San's mind—
Zhou Qing: Xuan Tian Gong, you should go. I'm afraid my martial soul will get the wrong idea.
Xuan Tian Gong: But I was here first!
Zhou Qing: Sorry, we're just not meant to be.
Xuan Tian Gong: Sob sob sob (╥╯^╰╥)
Tang San never imagined that his precious Xuan Tian Gong would be "dumped" one day. And to make things worse, his mind had clearly been influenced by spending too much time with Zhou Qing—his thoughts were getting weirder by the day…
"Oh, right."
Zhou Qing seemed to recall something and turned to Tang San. "Both your martial souls come with innate techniques that aren't any weaker than Xuan Tian Gong. Based on martial soul inheritance theory, your father… probably isn't someone ordinary."
Tang San had considered this before, but he had been hesitant to admit it. "You mean… my father is really the Clear Sky Douluo?"
"Same name as Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo. And the Clear Sky Sect's martial soul is the Clear Sky Hammer. The weapon martial soul you release from your left hand is also a hammer. Don't you think the evidence is a bit too obvious?" Zhou Qing countered. "Maybe he really is the Clear Sky Douluo… But if so, why is he living in such a slump?"
"Maybe it's because he had everything handed to him his whole life, so he couldn't handle any setbacks." Tang San said the one thing Zhou Qing didn't dare voice.
Right now, he had no expectations of Tang Hao.
The Clear Sky Sect—one of the top three sects. Zhou Qing had read about it in the books he bought. A prestigious clan. Tang Hao was even the son of the previous sect master.
Just based on that, Tang San found it hard to relate to him. After all, in his past life, he had only been an outer disciple of the Tang Sect, constantly looked down upon by the inner sect. Tang Hao, on the other hand, was the sect master's son—a born prodigy.
To Tang San, such people were like hot-house flowers. They might have strong cultivation, but their personalities were fragile. A single failure could plunge them into deep self-doubt.
"Uh… is it really okay to talk about your dad like that?" Zhou Qing scratched his head, realizing he may have influenced Tang San a bit too much.
"I just got a little carried away," Tang San replied, shaking his head.
"There's still time before school starts at Nuoding Academy. You should go talk to your dad," Zhou Qing suggested, quickly changing the subject.
"Okay."
Tang San nodded.
Upon returning home, the first thing he did was head straight to the still-snoring Tang Hao.
"You're back?"
Tang Hao opened his eyes immediately, sat up lazily, and casually asked, "Your martial soul awakened? What is it?"
"Blue Silver Grass. But… innate full soul power."
Tang San spoke while carefully watching Tang Hao's expression.
Although he had seen his reaction before in secret, upon hearing the words Blue Silver Grass, Tang Hao's murky eyes still lit up with a brief clarity.
Tang San took note of that subtle shift.
"Oh." Tang Hao responded with disinterest and lay back down. "Go play or whatever. Just remember to bring me food. I'm going back to sleep."
Tang San stood silent for a moment, then slowly raised his left hand. Black light surged forth, and a small black hammer materialized in the air.
The soul power it emitted caused Tang Hao, who had just closed his eyes, to bolt upright in bed. He stared wide-eyed at the little hammer, lips trembling, and in the next moment, he threw his arms around Tang San—his tone a world apart from before.
"My son! My boy!"
Tang San: "…"
He felt his father's embrace, but no warmth stirred within him. Instead, all he could notice was the pungent stench of alcohol and sweat.
The Blue Silver Grass had only made Tang Hao slightly nostalgic. But this hammer… it made him erupt with emotion.
Tang San didn't know how to evaluate him. Deep down, he couldn't help but feel a vague sense of dislike.
Only after a long moment did Tang Hao release him, looking unusually serious.
"In the future, you must use the hammer in your left hand to protect the grass in your right. Do you understand?"
"I'm going to enroll in Nuoding City's Elementary Soul Master Academy."
From Tang Hao's words, Tang San guessed that maybe he had failed to protect his mother—leading to his current depressed state. But after receiving warmth and companionship from Zhou Qing, Tang San no longer resonated with his father's emotions—especially knowing Tang Hao was a titled Douluo.
Instead, he found him unbearably weak.
As for love between men and women…
Tang San could understand it. But in his past life, having remained single into his thirties, he couldn't truly empathize.
Even so—
Having never experienced a mother's love in this life, Tang San silently swore: if he ever found out who killed his mother, he would have his revenge, no matter what.
If the culprit was already dead, he would dig up the grave and leave their bones exposed to the elements!
"You want to become a Soul Master?" Tang Hao asked. "Saint Soul Village does have a work-study quota, but… have you really thought this through?"
"It's still better than staying here," Tang San replied coolly.
Tang Hao frowned deeply. He realized that maybe it was because he had failed to care for Tang San before that the boy, upon awakening his martial soul and discovering he had innate full soul power, now wanted to leave him behind.
That couldn't happen!
Twin martial souls. Innate full soul power.
That was the foundation to one day becoming a Titled Douluo! And with the second martial soul left untouched, he could wait until then to begin adding spirit rings to it.
At that point, all the spirit rings on the second martial soul could be over fifty thousand years. His soul power level could soar to 95 and beyond through spirit ring absorption alone.
Then, he would return to the Clear Sky Sect with two soul bones as an offering of atonement. With his older brother's support, and the strength of the sect, they could unite with other factions to stand against Spirit Hall.
But now… it seemed Tang San was beginning to have a problem with him.
Ps: read advance in patreon.com/XenTronix