"Uncle, what is Innate Full Soul Power?" Tang San asked.
Su Yuntao looked at him and replied instinctively:
"When someone awakens their martial soul, besides the strength of the martial soul itself, the amount of soul power is also extremely important.
Most people awaken without any soul power. They can never become Spirit Masters. But as long as even a trace of soul power appears, they can cultivate through meditation.
The amount of soul power at awakening determines your starting point and future cultivation speed. The higher your innate soul power, the faster you'll cultivate. Innate Full Soul Power is the highest level one can have at awakening."
"The highest…?"
Through their exchange, Tang San finally understood why his Xuantian Technique couldn't advance. In this world, his internal energy had been converted into soul power—and every ten levels required a spirit ring to continue cultivating.
Finally, it was Long Cheng's turn.
During the ceremony, golden light gathered toward his left hand. Instantly, a crimson gauntlet covered his forearm.
It was the Boosted Gear.
Long Cheng actually possessed twin martial souls. His second was True Longinus—but he chose not to reveal it.
"A red gauntlet?"
Su Yuntao frowned slightly.
Martial souls were generally divided into Tool Souls and Beast Souls. Tool Souls manifested as objects, while Beast Souls transformed the user's body significantly.
Long Cheng's gauntlet had characteristics of a Tool Soul, yet also carried a faint beastly aura—strangely mixed.
(At this stage, others could only sense something resembling a Beast Soul. The Boosted Gear was a sealed sacred gear, and Long Cheng was still too weak for its true dragon aura to manifest.)
Su Yuntao didn't dwell on it. Martial soul mutations were common. Even something as powerful as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon could mutate into trash.
"Test your soul power."
Long Cheng placed his hand on the crystal ball.
Brilliant light burst forth again.
"Another Innate Full Soul Power?!"
Su Yuntao was stunned. He had traveled through six villages without finding a single Spirit Master. Now there were two in one day.
He looked at Long Cheng with burning eyes.
Tang San had Blue Silver Grass—though talented, it seemed unimpressive. But Long Cheng's gauntlet, despite its strangeness, was clearly superior.
If he could recruit this child into Spirit Hall, the rewards would be substantial.
"You're Long Cheng, right? Your talent is excellent. If you join Spirit Hall, you'll receive the best education."
Long Cheng understood the implication—but Su Yuntao was destined to be disappointed.
"Sorry, Uncle. Tang San is my brother. We've decided to attend Nuoding Academy together."
Su Yuntao sighed but didn't push further. He handed over a card.
"This is my identification. Take it to the Spirit Hall in Nuoding Town. They'll provide assistance. If you change your mind, you're welcome to join."
"Thank you, Uncle."
After the ceremony, everyone exited.
"How was it, Spirit Master?" Old Jack asked respectfully.
"Not bad. Two Spirit Masters—Long Cheng and Tang San. Both Innate Full Soul Power. With proper education, they may achieve great things."
Old Jack was overjoyed and repeatedly thanked him.
Back at the blacksmith shop, Old Jack strongly encouraged the boys to attend Nuoding Academy. After a heated discussion, Tang Hao finally agreed.
Tang San received the work-study student slot. With Su Yuntao's recommendation, Long Cheng had no issue enrolling.
After Old Jack left, Tang Hao asked about their martial souls.
When he learned Tang San possessed both Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer, something flickered in his dull eyes.
He solemnly made Tang San swear: always use the hammer in his left hand to protect the grass in his right—forever.
Long Cheng then revealed that he too had twin martial souls, displaying the Boosted Gear and True Longinus.
Tang Hao was genuinely shocked.
He instructed Tang San to use only Blue Silver Grass without permission. Long Cheng was told to use only the Boosted Gear.
He could sense that both sacred gears were of the same level—but True Longinus radiated extreme holy power. If Spirit Hall discovered it, trouble would follow. After all, Spirit Hall inherited the Six-Winged Angel martial soul.
Seeing Tang Hao's reaction reminded Long Cheng of his godmother—Blue Silver Emperor Ah Yin. Her cultivation was gone. Recovery would take an unknown amount of time.
Long Cheng opened the system interface.
He didn't want to rely on it. Blind dependence wouldn't lead to true peak strength. The system could give—and take away.
For six years, he had barely used it, only letting it accumulate points without affecting his cultivation.
He now had over five thousand points.
But restoring Tang San's mother required at least 500,000.
He closed the interface.
By the time he saved that much, he and Tang San might already be gods.
Before departure, Tang Hao taught them the Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique.
Tang San also forged iron training blocks into sleeve arrows for both of them. Though Long Cheng had studied Tang Sect knowledge, he lacked hands-on experience.
With his sons leaving, Tang Hao seemed less desolate. Yet Long Cheng knew—revenge against Spirit Hall would begin.
Chapter 5 – Enrollment
It was the day Nuoding Academy began admissions.
Early in the morning, Old Jack arrived at the blacksmith shop.
Soon, Long Cheng and Tang San stepped out with their luggage.
"Why are only you two here? Where's Tang Hao?"
"Grandpa Jack, Father is still sleeping. Please keep your voice down," Tang San said.
"Hmph. His sons are leaving to study, and he doesn't even see them off?"
"Father prepared our luggage last night and gave us his instructions. Maybe… he just doesn't like farewells," Long Cheng said.
Old Jack snorted but said nothing further.
"Let's go. Nuoding Academy is quite far."
The two boys glanced one last time at the shop they'd lived in for six years before following him.
Inside, Tang Hao pushed open his door.
There was no trace of sleep in his eyes.
He stood at the doorway, watching their retreating figures until they disappeared.
Only after a long while did he turn back inside.
On the floor were simple words left for him:
Dad, we're leaving. Take care of yourself. Drink less. The porridge is in the pot—don't forget.
Tang Hao rushed to the iron pot.
Ignoring the heat, he lifted it and drank the boiling porridge directly, swallowing mouthful after mouthful.
[TL note: chill out dude you might swallow even the pot]
At some point, a mist filled his once-clouded eyes.
On the road, seeing the boys glance back occasionally, Old Jack asked:
"Xiao San, Xiao Cheng—are you reluctant to leave the village… or your drunk father?"