"So that's why you want me to remind you one day, when the time comes, not to forget where you came from? "
In that instant, Tang San seemed to understand Zhou Qing's concern—or perhaps, his fear.
Zhou Qing feared that, in the future, if he became part of the nobility of the Heaven Dou Empire, he too would become one of those who uphold the very system, turning into the kind of person he despised right now.
To be honest, Tang San wasn't sure himself—if he eventually joined that system, became a beneficiary of its rules, would he still be the same person he was now?
In his previous life, he'd heard many stories: people who were humble and thrifty when poor, yet after achieving top marks in the imperial exams and entering officialdom, gradually lost sight of their original ideals.
Before taking office, they spoke of justice and righteousness. But once they became officials, they started hoarding wealth and oppressing the people.
And honest officials?
They rarely met a good end.
In his past life, Tang San couldn't fully grasp the reasons behind this. He could only sigh and blame the times. But now, after hearing Zhou Qing's explanation, he suddenly understood the deeper truth.
Once you enter that invisible, intangible system of rules and power, you are forced to uphold it. If you refuse, you become an enemy of everyone inside that system.
And when that happens, rejection follows—and even the threat of death.
[The political arena is dangerous! Best not to enter!]
This warning suddenly popped into Tang San's mind.
But then, another dilemma arose.
If he didn't enter that system, if he didn't build connections and alliances, could he really rebuild the Tang Sect on the Douluo Continent?
Just as Zhou Qing had said, the "cake" of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires had already been sliced and distributed. If they wanted a share, they'd have to step into the system. Otherwise, they wouldn't even get crumbs.
But once inside—
Tang San instinctively resisted it.
It wasn't about some grand external reason. It was just who Tang San was at heart—proud and solitary.
Yes, while he wasn't above stealing the Tang Sect's secret techniques, in the end, he gave everything he had to recreate the long-lost Buddha Fury Tang Lotus and even threw himself off a cliff to prove his resolve. Whatever the reasons for that leap, he saw himself as a man of principle.
And now, reborn into a new life, he was like a reformed sinner trying to wipe his past clean. Let alone the fact that his past life was another lifetime entirely.
So, in this moment, Tang San's gaze revealed a trace of confusion.
But at the same time, he felt genuinely touched.
Zhou Qing was asking him—at the crucial moment in the future—to remind him, or even to wake him up if he strayed.
[At the very least, I must live up to Zhou Qing's trust.]
Tang San's gaze became firm again.
A true confidant is hard to find.
And besides—
Friendship.
Brotherhood.
Loyalty.
Those things were more important than the Tang Sect.
"That's right. That's exactly why." Zhou Qing looked down at his own hands and suddenly laughed. "What can I say? Having such strong talent comes with its own kind of troubles."
"Get lost! "Tang San finally snapped out of his thoughts and laughed, "Let's focus on the present first. We're still just Soul Masters—we're not even Grand Soul Masters yet."
That much was true.
But Zhou Qing felt that, as a transmigrator, he should have a greater purpose beyond simply cultivating. Otherwise, his entire life would revolve around his Martial Soul, like a puppet on strings. That would be far too boring.
"I'm heading out." Tang San suddenly stood up.
"Where to? " Zhou Qing asked in surprise. "Usually after working at the forge, don't we discuss Soul Tool core formations and spar to sharpen our combat techniques? "
"Back to the forge."
"But didn't your shift end? "
"I just remembered... There's a customer who might urgently need their weapon. I should finish it quickly. Besides, it's a challenge for my forging skills too." Tang San walked toward the exit of the library, waving back without looking.
"'Might'? Urgently need it? "Zhou Qing frowned.
He suspected Tang San had probably met some visiting Soul Master in Notting City and was interested in checking them out. After all, Notting City was now a mixed bag of characters—who knew whether some seemingly ordinary traveler might turn out to be a noble clan heir in disguise?
"How urgent is it really? "
"Are you coming to forge too? "Tang San didn't answer directly. Instead, seeing Zhou Qing catch up, he smiled and asked.
"That's right."
Zhou Qing nodded. "My first soul skill, Wing Chun, revolves around punch force and even utilizes blood energy. But I don't fully understand the essence of blood energy yet. When I punch, I can feel my whole body's cells vibrating. I think it's related to... vibration."
"And forging, hammering iron blocks—it's also about using vibrations and high heat to remove impurities or break down materials into finer parts. Different forging techniques have different efficiencies, but at the core, it's all vibration."
"So I figured... Why not try it out? Maybe it'll give me some insight."
Tang San was stunned.
He'd thought Zhou Qing was just curious about his mysterious customer and looking for an excuse to tag along. But unexpectedly, Zhou Qing could even grasp the fundamental principle of forging metal blocks.
Truly remarkable!
At the same time—
Elsewhere in Notting City, Xiao Wu had taken on a mission at the Notting Guild to serve as a guide for a visiting young noblewoman.
"Hello! I'm the adventurer who accepted your commission—Xiao Wu. You can call me Sister Xiao Wu."
Xiao Wu found the "young lady" who had posted the request at an inn not far from the guild.
Standing beside the girl was a maid whose soul power aura clearly surpassed level 40.
[Wow, she actually has a Soul Ancestor guarding her. This young lady really is something.]
Although Xiao Wu had a feisty personality, she wasn't stupid. Still, she didn't bother hiding her boldness. Hands on her hips, she glanced at the noble girl—who, though only about six years old, already showed some "curves"—and couldn't help but envy her.
[When will I ever grow that big?]
"Sorry, we were hoping for a mature Soul Master, not a twelve-year-old girl like you," the maid said.
"Twelve? Don't judge a book by its cover! "Xiao Wu protested.
"Ah... Sorry, I didn't mean it that way; it's just..."
"I'm only six years old! "
When Xiao Wu revealed her real human age, both the noble girl and the maid were stunned.
They were shocked that someone as tall as Xiao Wu was only six years old.
"You're already a Soul Master? " the young noblewoman asked in disbelief.
"Of course! How else would I take a mission from the Notting Guild? "Xiao Wu said proudly, one hand on her hip, the other ruffling the noble girl's hair. "What's your soul power level? "
"Nine... almost ten. I'm about to get my first soul ring," the noble girl said simply, then turned to the maid. "We'll take her."
"This... very well."
The maid, though reluctant, had no choice but to agree.