Thinking about his Martial Soul.
Ye Qiu postponed his meal to the evening.
Watching Old Jack and Tang San leave, Ye Qiu happily went back home.
All the way back, Ye Qiu was studying his Martial Soul.
Looking at the small tadpole on his fingertip... It was indeed tiny.
It was hard to imagine its function, and no wonder Su Yuntao had judged it to be a useless Martial Soul.
As soon as he got home.
Ye Qiu stood beside the water tank in front of the door, attempting to merge with his Martial Soul.
Under Ye Qiu's gaze, a small tadpole-like shape clung to his fingertips.
It resembled black fibers, like strands of yarn, rapidly spreading across Ye Qiu's body.
Ye Qiu could feel his body brimming with power.
He looked towards the water tank.
Then came a sharp, raspy shout of shock.
"Holy shit—!"
Ye Qiu stared at the 'monster' in the water tank, disbelieving.
Its main color was jet black, with wisps of white fibers interwoven throughout.
The biggest characteristic was the two white patches on its eyes.
As it spoke, Ye Qiu could even see the rows of sharp teeth in its mouth and the long tongue!
"No way."
Ye Qiu staggered back two steps.
He touched his face and looked at his now strong arms.
He of course recognized what was covering him.
His heart couldn't help but race.
"My Martial Soul is Venom?"
The voice was husky, with a hint of uncertainty.
Ye Qiu took a deep breath, and the smooth blackness on his head receded like a tide.
It felt like he was wearing a tight leather suit.
He slowly walked towards the water tank. "Damn! Damn it! My, my head?! Don't do this to me!"
Ye Qiu stared at the headless reflection in the water tank.
He was terrified.
His hands frantically clawed at his neck, trying to pull his head out.
If any villagers passed by... Even in broad daylight, they would have been scared to death.
Fortunately, it was a false alarm.
Ye Qiu's head successfully grew back, the blackness reweaving itself into a head. His face was slightly pale; he was scared stiff.
But then,
a bright smile bloomed on Ye Qiu's pale face. It was radiant.
He had a bold guess in his heart!
Ye Qiu held the water tank, and half of his face began to boil and surge from the inside, transforming into Venom.
A voice, hoarse yet childish, spoke.
"I understand now."
"I am Venom, right?"
As the words fell,
Ye Qiu noticed a spider silk descending before him, with a small spider hanging from it.
Venom's white eyes contracted.
Ye Qiu slowly raised his hand and gently poked his finger onto the spider.
"Want to try?"
Gurgle!
Ye Qiu's body began to swell, like a fluid surging towards the spider.
"Damn! I'm stuck, I'm stuck!"
"..."
"Great! It worked!"
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Ye Qiu's body had become much stronger.
After his Martial Soul merged with him, he could not only climb walls and run on roofs, but he also wove himself a hammock. He often liked to entertain himself.
He would wildly perform feats like splitting bricks with his bare hands, smashing bricks with his head, and even, with a surge of courage, testing his… well, his lower region with a brick!
After these tests, Ye Qiu was filled with confidence and anticipation for the future.
Although he had obvious weaknesses, no one knew that as long as he found a way to compensate beforehand, it would be fine. Things like fearing high temperatures weren't a problem.
The sun was shining brightly.
Ye Qiu packed his things simply.
He still had the wine gourd hanging at his waist as he followed Old Jack to Tang San's home.
People with innate soul power were few and far between in the village.
Getting a spot as a work-study student, which other villages didn't need, was a piece of cake.
"Tang Hao, I'm here to take Tang San, as agreed."
Old Jack called out.
He led Ye Qiu into the blacksmith shop. A wave of heat and a foul smell of alcohol hit them.
The corners were piled high with scrap metal and empty bottles and jars that had once held alcohol.
"Yo, good morning! Little San, and Uncle Hao!"
Ye Qiu greeted Tang Hao and his son with a smile, offering a piece of candy to Tang San.
"Little San, want some candy?"
"No, thank you."
Tang San shook his head, his tone slightly better than before.
Ye Qiu shrugged helplessly.
Tang Hao, who was sitting at the dining table drinking his soup, with a messy beard, ignored everyone.
He simply lifted his eyelids and glanced at Ye Qiu, his cloudy eyes betraying no emotion.
But Ye Qiu wouldn't let him off the hook so easily.
Smiling, he stepped forward and opened the gourd of wine hanging at his waist.
"Uncle Hao, want some wine?"
"Pour it!"
A hoarse and unpleasant voice sounded. Tang Hao casually tossed the rice soup in his hand away.
He placed the empty bowl on the table.
"Alright!"
Ye Qiu immediately filled Tang Hao's bowl.
The liquor was a clear green, with a few bits of Blue Silver Grass floating in it.
No one bought his brew.
Only Tang Hao liked it, and that was by chance.
Snap!
Tang Hao reached into the bowl with his blackened, fishy hand, stirred it around, and then poured it out.
He put the 'cleaned' bowl back on the table.
Ye Qiu didn't show any sign of distress.
He refilled Tang Hao's bowl with his private, secret recipe.
"Uncle Hao, you want some more sugar?"
Tang Hao sipped the liquor, savoring it like he was drinking tea.
Looking at the colorful candies Ye Qiu offered.
Tang Hao glanced at him.
He nodded slightly, then with a large hand, scooped up all the candies from Ye Qiu's hand.
The smile on Ye Qiu's face became even brighter.
He clasped his hands together and rubbed them, his large black eyes blinked, revealing a hint of worldliness.
"Uncle Hao, I'm going to school, and you see..."
Before Ye Qiu could finish speaking.
Tang Hao waved his hand, impatiently saying: "Don't waste your breath, I have no money."
"Haha, it's alright. Xiao San is so capable; he'll be rich someday."
Ye Qiu wasn't bothered.
The money Tang Hao owed for alcohol was nothing to a Soul Master.
Hearing this,
Tang San didn't reply, but instead looked at his unkempt old man.
"Xiao San, you don't need to pay for his drinks."
Tang Hao casually instructed, tossing a few candies into his mouth without even looking at Ye Qiu.
"Understood, Dad."
Tang San nodded seriously.
"What?!"
Ye Qiu's expression shifted slightly.
Even though the liquor was just the trash water he'd used to wash the bottles, with some Blue Silver Grass soaked in it, he'd never forced anyone to buy it.
It was the fruit of his labor.
"Uncle Rat, how can you do this? Aren't you bullying an honest person?!"
Old Jack, who was helping Tang San pack up, also noticed the commotion.
Ye Qiu couldn't help but chime in immediately:
"Tang Hao, don't go too far. You're trying to take even a child's things!"
"What's all the fuss about? Just a bit of debt for alcohol and a handful of candy. My mouth is about to taste like nothing."
Tang Hao didn't even turn his head.
He popped a few of the grassy-flavored candies into his mouth, washing them down with the special grass wine given to him, chewing slowly.
His eyes showed a look of intoxication, like his wife was in there.
"Even if it doesn't have any flavor, it's clean! I made it myself!"
Ye Qiu frowned.
He had picked up a lot of the bottles and even distilled them; they were absolutely clean and hygienic.
This dignified Clear Sky Douluo, how could he be so shameless!
I wish everyone a happy life!
(End of this chapter)