"Thank you, Uncle Lin, I'll bring you some tea later."
After apologizing to the guard, Tang San pulled Old Jack's hand and headed toward the Spirit Hall branch in Nuoding City.
Old Jack had never been to such a place before. Although he had visited Nuoding City many times, he had only seen the towering buildings of the Spirit Hall from the outside. This was his first time entering.
At this moment, Old Jack was like a county bumpkin, looking left and right, examining the furnishings of the Spirit Hall with wide-eyed wonder. He marveled at everything, not daring to touch the shiny decorations for fear of breaking something he couldn't afford. His movements were cautious.
"Grandpa, this is your first time entering the real Spirit Hall. Any thoughts? How does it compare to the stone house in our village?" Tang San, who wasn't exactly a regular but was still a familiar face, asked with amusement.
"Incomparable, simply incomparable. What's the word you use? Right—magnificent," Old Jack said with a wistful sigh. "This kind of place… I've never been somewhere so beautiful. If our village's Soul Hall could be this bright one day, the children would definitely have better lives."
"Don't worry, Grandpa. That day will come," Tang San said with a smile.
As the two chatted, Su Yuntao emerged from a hallway. Upon seeing them, his eyes lit up and he waved cheerfully. "Little San, you're finally here. I figured you'd return once Nuoding College started. I've been timing my visits. Just happened to be free today—no work."
"Brother Tao, I'm really sorry," Tang San said, slightly embarrassed.
"You kid, always so serious. No need to apologize. I graduated from Nuoding College myself—I'll go with you. Like visiting my alma mater, though there probably aren't any teachers left I know," Su Yuntao laughed, scratching his head. His eyes shifted to Old Jack. "Old village chief, your first real visit here? How do you feel? You can come by often. I, Su Yuntao, still carry a bit of weight here."
"I wouldn't dare trouble Master Su. Just came with Little San today," Old Jack replied modestly, though his face held a joyful smile. He knew Su Yuntao's respect came from Tang San's status, but it still brought pride.
They didn't chat long before a woman in a short skirt appeared, holding a stack of documents. It was Su Yuntao's girlfriend, Si Si.
"Little San, long time no see. Why haven't you visited lately?" Si Si's eyes brightened. She walked over with a smile and pinched Tang San's round cheek. "So cute."
Do girls just like pinching kids' cheeks? Tang San thought helplessly. Though he wanted to resist, all he could do was wear a disgusted expression, prompting laughter from Su Yuntao and Old Jack.
"Since you're here, do you want to visit Master Ma Xiunuo?" Su Yuntao asked. "He's been thinking about you—and your blue silver tea."
"Of course. I brought some with me," Tang San said. "But my grandfather..."
"This is the Spirit Hall. He'll be fine," Su Yuntao reassured him. Si Si then led Old Jack to the back garden, offering tea and snacks while chatting about family matters.
Seeing this, Tang San relaxed. The others here didn't know Old Jack, but with Sister Si Si accompanying him, it was safe—and perhaps even an opportunity to build rapport with Spirit Hall staff.
Tang San and Su Yuntao walked down a hallway lined with portraits of past branch masters. They soon reached a door.
Knock knock knock!
"Come in," a serious voice called.
Su Yuntao opened the door.
The room was simply furnished: a desk, a bookshelf, and a green plant by the window. Simple, but fresh.
At the desk sat an elderly man, wrinkles lining his face. He held a feather pen, eyes focused as he signed papers with intense concentration—but he radiated energy.
This was Ma Xiunuo.
"Little Tang," he greeted.
Unlike others who called him "Little San," Ma Xiunuo used a slightly more formal "Little Tang," showing more respect.
His stern face softened. The tension in the room eased, as if the moss-covered grooves on an ancient stone had been swept clean.
Poor Su Yuntao, standing beside Tang San, greeted Ma Xiunuo but only received a nod. Seeing him every day didn't compare to Tang San's long-awaited visit.
"Grandpa Ma Xiunuo, how have you been lately?" Tang San greeted him and apologized for not visiting sooner. He handed over a small jar.
"What's this?" Ma Xiunuo asked.
"Dried blue silver grass leaves," Tang San explained. "Brother Tao said you missed the tea I made."
The so-called blue silver tea was made by carefully selecting the tender leaves of blue silver grass, drying them, and stir-frying them thirty-six times. The resulting tea had a unique, refreshing flavor—lightly sweet with a lasting aftertaste. It could even refresh the mind.
To Tang San, it was like coffee without side effects—or a natural stimulant.
"Then I'll gladly accept, Grandpa." Ma Xiunuo glared at Su Yuntao playfully, then smiled and opened the jar. A faint fragrance drifted out. It wasn't strong, but its freshness seemed to dispel his fatigue.
"If not for your discovery, Little Tang, no one would've known blue silver grass had this effect."
After storing the jar, Ma Xiunuo asked, "Why haven't you joined the Spirit Hall?"
"Little Tang, Spirit Academy is very good—much better than mine. Don't you want to go? Your martial soul may be just blue silver grass, but with your innate soul power at level six, you qualify. Say the word, and I'll write a recommendation letter and send you there personally."
"Thank you for your kindness, Grandpa Ma Xiunuo, but I won't be joining for now," Tang San replied, shaking his head.
He couldn't mention his true reasons—it came down to identity. If he joined, Tang Hao would likely punish him.
Facing Ma Xiunuo, he offered a more detailed version of the excuse he gave Su Yuntao:
"You know I love researching soul cultivation theory. The Spirit Hall holds the most extensive records, but I'm still just a six-year-old with a weed martial soul. Would the Academy's soul king-level teachers believe a child's words?
They'd probably think I was trying to challenge their authority… and Grandpa, you know how wild my ideas can be. But breakthroughs often come from unconventional thinking.
Soul masters value strength. As a civilian soul master with no power or backing, I'd be bullied—and if I fought back, it would change who I am.
At the very least, I don't want to be changed by the Academy's environment. I don't enjoy fighting—I prefer studying and learning."
Ma Xiunuo sighed. "I may have worried too much. You've clearly thought this through over the past three months. The Spirit Academy used to have a good environment, but in the last six years, many small noble families joined the Hall. Their children attend the Academy, and yes—they do look down on talented civilian kids."
"Nuoding College offers more freedom. Just don't be overly ambitious—it won't help you."
"Don't worry, Grandpa Ma Xiunuo. You know my temperament. Even if I propose a theory, I'll back it with evidence or test it on myself first. I won't speak recklessly," Tang San assured him.
After more conversation, Tang San prepared to leave for Nuoding Academy.
"Alright. We'll have plenty of time to chat later. Su Yuntao, take Little Tang to the Academy."
"No problem. I'm free today."
Su Yuntao escorted Tang San and Old Jack to Nuoding Academy.
The Academy was large—comparable to a modern high school. Truly a soul master institution.
When the gatekeeper saw Su Yuntao, he immediately opened the gate without questions. He didn't even ask to see Tang San's martial soul certificate. His face was all smiles, as if Su Yuntao were the school's owner.
So this was a soul master's status. Ordinary people didn't dare resist.
Tang San now better understood the reverence soul masters commanded.
"Little San, study hard. Grandpa's heading back," Old Jack said, handing over a small bag with five silver soul coins. "A little pocket money. Get something tasty. You're growing. I'll come pick you up at the end of the semester."
"Thank you, Grandpa," Tang San said. Warmth surged in his heart, moistening his eyes.
After Old Jack left, Tang San turned to Su Yuntao. "Brother Tao, just show me where the academic affairs office is. I'll go alone. I need to learn independence."
"Alright then. When you want to hunt for soul rings, come to the Spirit Hall and find me," Su Yuntao said, pointing him in the right direction and giving a few brief instructions before leaving.
After he left, the gatekeeper cautiously asked, "Little brother, is Master Su Yuntao your relative?"
Tang San shrugged. "I call him Brother Tao. What do you think?"
The gatekeeper smiled awkwardly but still reminded him kindly, "Hurry to register. It's almost noon. The teachers will break for lunch soon. If you're late, you won't get into the dormitory."
"Thank you."
Impressed, Tang San thanked him, picked up his luggage, and rushed to the academic affairs office.
The teacher receiving new students looked at his martial soul certificate and exclaimed, "You're Tang San?"
"That's me. You know me?" Tang San guessed perhaps Ma Xiunuo or Su Yuntao had briefed the school.
"Yes. Su Yuntao explained everything to the principal. You're a work-study student, so while tuition is covered, you'll help care for the library. We know you like to read."
The teacher completed the paperwork, handed Tang San a school uniform, and then produced a new quilt. "We prepared this so you'll be warmer at night."
"Thank you, Teacher," Tang San said, gratefully accepting it.
Outside the office, he soon encountered a disheveled middle-aged man. Unkempt hair, stubbled beard, and a plain robe—Tang San guessed this must be Yu Xiaogang.
The Spirit Hall does recruit civilian soul masters. But unless you have innate full soul power, you're often overlooked. If someone claims Bibi Dong or the Golden Generation were civilians...
Well, in a world where martial souls are inherited by blood, do abilities like Death Spider Emperor, Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, Moon Blade, Nine-Tailed Fox, or Flame Lord really seem civilian?
You can say their families fell from grace and were later absorbed into the Spirit Hall—but you can't say they were ever truly commoners