After all those revelations, I discovered from Old Jack that there was only one working student position available at Nuoding Academy. The elderly village chief had tried desperately to secure additional spots from nearby villages, visiting every contact he had cultivated over the years, but his efforts proved fruitless. Each village guard their precious academy slots jealously, unwilling to share opportunities with outsiders.
"I'm sorry, Shihao," Old Jack had said with genuine regret, his weathered hands clasped behind his back as he delivered the disappointing news. "I've exhausted every connection I have, called in every favor owed to me over the decades. The competition for academy positions has become fiercer each year."
I could see the weight of responsibility in his tired eyes, the way he blamed himself for being unable to provide better opportunities for the village children. But I had already anticipated this outcome and formulated my response accordingly.
"Don't worry about finding me a spot, Old Jack," I replied with a reassuring smile that masked my true intentions. "I can secure funding from Spirit Hall for my tuition fees."
The relief that washed over the old man's face was palpable, though I could tell he still harbored concerns about my decision to align with Spirit Hall. Like most common folk, he viewed the organization with a mixture of respect and wariness, understanding their power while fearing their influence.
During those crucial three months following my awakening, I dedicated myself to an intensive study of Tang San's cultivation methods. Using my Six Eyes at full capacity, I carefully observed and analyzed how he circulated his internal energy and soul power to practice the Mysterious Heaven Technique. Initially, the complexity of his movements and energy flows seemed overwhelming, leaving me feeling somewhat discouraged about my ability to replicate such advanced methods.
However, the Six Eyes proved their extraordinary worth as I gradually began to understand the intricate patterns of his cultivation. Not only could I replicate Tang San's techniques with remarkable accuracy, but I found myself able to improve upon them in subtle yet significant ways. My enhanced perception allowed me to identify inefficiencies in his energy circulation and optimize the pathways for better results.
The only limitation I discovered was that my Six Eyes weren't perpetually active like Gojo Satoru's abilities. Instead, they required manual activation and consumed considerable soul power during use. This meant I didn't need a blindfold to reduce mental strain, but I had to carefully manage my energy reserves to maintain the technique's effectiveness.
"This is actually better," I mused during one of my training sessions. "Having conscious control over when to activate the Six Eyes means I can conserve energy for critical moments."
Through persistent observation and practice, I successfully mastered not only the Mysterious Heaven Technique but also acquired several other Tang Sect secret arts. The Purple Demon Eye technique enhanced my visual perception beyond normal human limits, while the Mysterious Jade Hand method strengthened my grip and manual dexterity to superhuman levels. I also learned Controlling Crane Catching Dragon, a grappling technique that allowed me to manipulate opponents' movements, and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, a footwork method that made my movements unpredictable and difficult to follow.
With the Six Eyes' assistance, I improved each of these techniques, refining their execution and adapting them to work synergistically with my cursed energy manipulation. The combination of Tang Sect martial arts and Jujutsu Kaisen abilities created a unique fighting style that I was confident would catch any opponent off guard.
Regarding my Blood Manipulation technique, I had established a strict safety limit of 200 milliliters—a conservative amount that accounted for my young body's limitations. As a six-year-old, I couldn't afford to be reckless with blood loss, so I carefully calculated this threshold to ensure I could use the technique effectively without risking my life.
"200ml should be enough for most situations," I reasoned, "and once I obtain Ah Yin's soul bone, this limitation will become irrelevant."
With all my preparations complete, I waited patiently for the day Old Jack would escort Tang San to Nuoding City. The opportunity I had been planning for months was finally approaching, and I felt a mixture of excitement and apprehension about the dangerous gambit I was about to attempt.
The morning of their departure arrived with typical village bustle. I watched from a distance as Tang San bid farewell to his father, the interaction between them as cold and distant as always. Tang Hao barely acknowledged his son's departure, already deep in his cups despite the early hour.
"Perfect," I thought, observing Tang Hao's dismissive attitude. "This will make my job much easier."
As soon as the cart carrying Tang San and Old Jack disappeared from view, I noticed that Tang Hao had also vanished from his usual haunts, leaving behind only the pungent smell of alcohol that seemed to permanently permeate his dwelling. This was the moment I had been waiting for—the house was completely unguarded, and both father and son were absent from the village.
Without hesitation, I set out to locate the waterfall that concealed the entrance to Ah Yin's hidden sanctuary. The sun was already beginning its descent toward the horizon as I searched the forested areas surrounding Holy Spirit Village. Hours passed as I combed through every stream and rocky outcropping, growing increasingly frustrated by my inability to locate the secret entrance.
Finally, as dusk approached, I discovered a waterfall that emanated unusual spiritual energy. Through my Six Eyes, I could clearly perceive that the soul power signatures surrounding the area matched Tang Hao's distinctive energy pattern. More intriguingly, I detected traces of a different, more ancient power—one whose diluted essence I recognized from Tang San's Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
"This has to be it," I whispered, studying the energy patterns with intense concentration. "But those soul power traces... they're definitely Tang Hao's work. Some kind of alarm system, perhaps?"
My initial plan had been to enter through the cave directly, but the presence of Tang Hao's soul power made me reconsider. If those energy signatures were indeed a detection system, my intrusion might somehow alert him to the theft, even from a distance. I spent additional time searching for alternative entrances, reasoning that if other access points existed, they would likely be less well-guarded.
However, my thorough exploration revealed no other viable options. The waterfall cave appeared to be the only entrance, which made tactical sense—if soul beasts had discovered alternative routes, they would have invaded the sanctuary long ago.
"If there was another way in, Tang Hao wouldn't have relied solely on this entrance," I concluded reluctantly. "I'll have to risk the direct approach."
Rather than attempting the infiltration immediately, I decided to implement a more sophisticated strategy. According to my knowledge of the timeline, Tang San would reach Nuoding City by tonight, and by tomorrow morning, he would depart with Yu Xiaogang to hunt for his first spirit ring. This created a perfect window of opportunity.
I retreated to a safe distance and rested until just before sunrise, conserving my energy for the critical operation ahead. As the first bird songs announced the approaching dawn, I knew the time for action had arrived. Before proceeding with the theft, I carefully composed a note designed to manipulate Tang Hao's protective instincts and create maximum confusion.
Moving swiftly and silently, I entered the cave and immediately began searching for the Blue Silver Grass that served as Ah Yin's current form. The plant was exactly where I expected to find it, glowing with subtle spiritual energy that marked it as far more than an ordinary specimen. I carefully excavated around its base, taking extreme care not to damage the delicate root system.
Digging deeper into the specially prepared soil, I soon discovered the ornate box containing Ah Yin's soul bone. The artifact radiated power even through its protective container, confirming that this was indeed the 100,000-year soul bone I sought. I quickly extracted both the soul bone and the Blue Silver Grass, attempting to store them in my system inventory.
The grass was immediately rejected by the storage system, which apparently recognized it as a living being and refused to accommodate it. I would have to carry it manually, which complicated my escape but remained manageable.
"No time to worry about that now," I muttered, tucking the plant carefully into my shirt while securing the soul bone in my inventory.
Before departing, I placed the note I had prepared in a prominent location where Tang Hao would be certain to discover it. The message was designed to provoke maximum emotional response while directing his attention away from the real culprit.
"Tang Hao," the note read, "I have taken your wife. Your son will be next. Meet me in Tiandou City if you want to see her again. Don't even think about destroying any Spirit Hall branches, or I will burn your precious Blue Silver Grass to ashes."
My strategy was based on psychological manipulation and misdirection. By claiming that Tang San would be targeted next and demanding a meeting in Tiandou City, I hoped to force Tang Hao into a panicked search for his son. When he failed to locate Tang San in Nuoding City—because the boy would already be hunting spirit beasts with Yu Xiaogang—his anxiety would drive him toward Tiandou City, buying me precious time to escape and absorb the soul bone.
The success of this plan hinged on several assumptions, but I felt confident in my reasoning. Tang Hao's protective instincts toward his son were genuine, even if poorly expressed, and the threat to both his wife and child would override his typical analytical approach. Additionally, I suspected that his encounter with Xiao Wu, the 100,000-year rabbit spirit beast disguised as a human girl, would provide an additional distraction.
"If Tang Hao discovers Xiao Wu's true nature," I reasoned, "he'll likely spend considerable time investigating whether other ancient spirit beasts are hiding in the area. That should keep him busy long enough for me to complete my mission."
I ran from the cave as quickly as my small legs could carry me, pushing my enhanced physical capabilities to their limits. The Blue Silver Grass seemed to pulse with agitation in my arms, somehow sensing that it was being separated from its familiar environment. I ignored its distress, focusing entirely on putting as much distance as possible between myself and the crime scene.
Fortune smiled upon me when I discovered the carcass of a recently deceased spirit beast in the forest. Without hesitation, I tore open its abdomen and, holding my breath against the nauseating stench, crawled inside the body cavity. The disgusting hiding place was perfect—few people would think to search inside a rotting corpse, and the beast's lingering spiritual energy would help mask my own power signature.
Using my Blood Manipulation technique, I formed a thin tube of hardened blood that pierced through the beast's hide, creating an inconspicuous breathing apparatus that allowed me to remain concealed for extended periods. The process was revolting, but it served its purpose admirably.
Periodically, I activated my Six Eyes to monitor the surrounding area, watching for signs of pursuit or investigation. After what felt like hours of nauseating concealment, I detected a powerful surge of soul power racing toward Nuoding City—undoubtedly Tang Hao responding to my carefully crafted deception.
"Excellent," I thought with satisfaction. "The plan is working perfectly."
Once I was certain the immediate danger had passed, I emerged from my disgusting hiding place and made my way to a nearby village. I had already planted a letter in Old Jack's house explaining that I was departing for Suotuo City to pursue educational opportunities. As a six-year-old child with no apparent connection to Tang Hao's family, there was virtually no chance that anyone would associate me with the soul bone's disappearance.
After securing a proper bath and a decent meal—both desperately needed after my ordeal in the beast's carcass—I found a secluded location to begin the soul bone absorption process. This was the moment I had been planning and preparing for over many months.
As I settled into a meditative position and withdrew the soul bone from my inventory, I felt the Blue Silver Grass in my other hand suddenly grip my wrist with surprising strength. The plant was clearly trying to communicate its distress, perhaps sensing what I intended to do with the soul bone that contained its essence.
Ignoring the plant's obvious objections, I activated both my Six Eyes and the Mysterious Heaven Technique simultaneously, using their combined power to facilitate the soul bone's integration with my body. The process was more challenging than I had anticipated—the bone's immense power caused significant strain on my meridians as it began to merge with my physical form.
However, as soon as the soul bone's primary ability activated, I felt the damaged meridians beginning to heal themselves. The regenerative power was extraordinary, mending the microscopic tears and reinforcing the energy pathways throughout my body. The process continued for nearly an hour, with waves of healing energy cycling through my system until the soul bone had completely integrated with my physiology.
The abilities I gained were exactly what I had hoped for. "Wildfire Cannot Destroy the Grass, It Grows Again With the Spring Wind" was an incredibly powerful healing skill that would naturally restore my health over time. By channeling additional energy into the ability, I could accelerate the healing process dramatically, potentially restoring myself to full health even from the brink of death. The skill could regenerate lost limbs and was said to be capable of saving someone as long as they retained even a spark of life. Most importantly for my current situation, I could also channel this healing power to help others when necessary.
The soul bone also granted me the ability of flight, allowing me to soar through the air without waiting to reach the Title Douluo rank—an advantage that would prove invaluable in future conflicts and escapes.
With the absorption complete, I turned my attention to the Blue Silver Grass, which had remained surprisingly docile during the process. It was time to address the elephant in the room.
"I have both good news and bad news for you," I announced, knowing that the plant could understand human speech despite its current form.
"I know you can understand my words, Ah Yin. After all, you were once a 100,000-year soul beast with intelligence surpassing most humans. The good news is that I successfully stole your soul bone from Tang San and Tang Hao, preventing them from potentially misusing your power."
If Ah Yin could have spoken, I imagine she would have asked how the fuck is that considered as good news?
"The bad news," I continued, "is that your son Tang San is no longer truly alive. The original child was replaced by an adult soul from another world—a 29-year-old man masquerading as your innocent boy."
"I've observed him closely since we were both very young. His maturity, his advanced skills, his cultivation methods—none of it was natural for a child. The final proof is something only I can see with my special abilities: there's a curse in the shape of an embryo constantly attached to Tang San's soul. Just as you were reborn as Blue Silver Grass with your original soul intact, the real Tang San's soul was displaced by this foreign invader."