# Chapter 10: Return Home
As Chen Sheng lay in his bed that night, his mind wandered to thoughts about the larger political landscape of the Douluo Continent.
Tang San and Xiao Wu both harbored deep hatred for Spirit Hall—Tang San because of his mother's sacrifice and his father's persecution, Xiao Wu because of the common belief that Bibi Dong had killed her mother.
But no matter what, Chen Sheng reflected, I'm still very grateful to Spirit Hall. They help commoners awaken their martial souls for free, and they provide generous monthly subsidies to Soul Masters. Without their system, countless talented individuals from poor backgrounds would never have the opportunity to cultivate.
His thoughts turned to Bibi Dong and her complicated relationship with Yu Xiaogang. The almost fanatical obsession she maintained despite his weakness and betrayal seemed puzzling from an outside perspective.
Then again, that's none of my business, Chen Sheng concluded pragmatically. Matters of the heart rarely make logical sense.
For now, I've come into contact with too few characters to fully confirm my theories about this world's deeper secrets. I need to observe more before making any definitive judgments about Spirit Hall, the Clear Sky Sect, or any other major faction.
---
The next morning brought a new routine. Chen Sheng had agreed to help Xiao Wu with her training, which meant early morning sessions before classes and occasional shopping trips to purchase training equipment and supplies.
After their morning exercises, Chen Sheng and Xiao Wu headed into Notting City's commercial district to buy some basic training gear—weighted ankle bands, protective padding, and other items that might help improve her conditioning.
By the time they finished purchasing everything, it was already noon.
Chen Sheng suggested they eat at a small restaurant before returning to the academy. Naturally, he paid for both their meals.
On the way back, Chen Sheng's curiosity finally got the better of him. "Xiao Wu, can I ask where your home is? Why don't you even have a single bronze soul coin on you?"
Xiao Wu's face stiffened instantly, and her eyes darted around nervously. "Well... my home is very far from here. I actually eat very little. I've been eating wild fruits and carrots along the way to get here."
"Then why didn't you choose a school closer to home?" Chen Sheng pressed gently. "Don't other academies have work-study student programs?"
Xiao Wu's expression grew flustered. "Why are you asking so many questions? You're being annoying! I'll tell you later, okay?"
She quickened her pace, clearly wanting to end the conversation.
Chen Sheng couldn't help but feel sympathetic as he watched her hurry ahead. She doesn't even know why she came to such a distant place, he mused. With her spirit beast identity, as long as she avoided Titled Douluos, no one could see through her disguise. There were plenty of small cities between the Star Dou Great Forest and Notting City where she could have enrolled.
What puzzled him most was the sheer distance involved. The Star Dou Great Forest spanned across both great empires, and Notting Academy was quite far from the Heaven Dou Empire's border, let alone the forest itself.
How did Xiao Wu manage to travel such a long distance to reach Notting Academy? Chen Sheng wondered. The Heaven Dou Empire has plenty of remote cities with academies. Unless... this was somehow orchestrated by Tang Hao to ensure she and Tang San would meet.
His thoughts turned darker as he considered the implications. I remember that Xiao Wu's mother wasn't actually killed by Bibi Dong. She was severely injured by a powerful spirit beast when she went to the Land of Great Evil searching for her husband. But if Bibi Dong had really killed Xiao Wu's mother, and Xiao Wu had hidden nearby witnessing everything, would Bibi Dong—with her Titled Douluo mental force—not have noticed a transformed Soft Bone Rabbit nearby?
Bibi Dong is the owner of twin martial souls. There's no situation where she couldn't absorb a 100,000-year soul ring. Even if she couldn't absorb it herself, she could have captured and raised Xiao Wu for future use. But Bibi Dong didn't do any of that, which makes one wonder about the true story.
---
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows near the academy, Tang Hao was having his own thoughts about the situation.
After six years of observation, if Xiao Wu plans to separate from Tang San, I'll find an opportunity to act, the legendary Titled Douluo thought coldly.
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Tang Hao's eyes as he considered his plans.
He didn't feel particularly sad about Ah Yin's sacrifice anymore—after all, many of the events leading to that outcome had been secretly orchestrated by him. But he felt his actions had been unfair to the Clear Sky Sect, and even more unfair to his father.
Spirit Hall was truly too much, Tang Hao's thoughts grew darker. To force me to reveal myself, they even came to my door to threaten me! This led to my father being so infuriated that he died! It's simply unforgivable!
His thoughts shifted to Chen Sheng, the mysterious boy who had grown up alongside his son. His martial soul is a White Tiger, and he's clearly a genius. The stronger Tang San's allies become, the happier I'll be. When Tang San grows up, it will be time to take revenge on Spirit Hall!
Tang Hao's expression grew more calculating as he thought about Xiao Wu. What a pleasant surprise—a 100,000-year soul beast in human form, and she's in the same dormitory as Little San! That's essentially a free 100,000-year spirit ring and spirit bone!
At first, I considered directly showing myself and capturing Xiao Wu to keep her in captivity. But Little San's strength is still too weak to bear the pressure of a 100,000-year spirit ring. Unless the spirit beast voluntarily sacrifices itself... which would require Xiao Wu to develop deep feelings for him, just like Ah Yin did for me.
A slight smile touched Tang Hao's lips as he remembered Ah Yin's voluntary sacrifice. Since I could do it, Little San should be able to as well. I believe in my son!
That Chen Sheng boy might also become Little San's partner and contribute to the future fight against Spirit Hall. I should encourage their friendship.
---
Back at the academy, Chen Sheng and Xiao Wu found that only Wang Sheng and a few others were present in Dormitory 7. Tang San had already gone to Yu Xiaogang's place for his evening training session.
I've successfully ignited Tang San's competitive spirit. He's cultivating even harder now, which means more opportunities for me to earn treasure chests from his emotional responses.
Chen Sheng thought.
Chen Sheng had developed a careful strategy over the past weeks.
He would spar with Tang San regularly, dominating the matches but occasionally revealing deliberate flaws that made Tang San believe he was getting closer to victory. This kept the protagonist motivated and constantly pushing himself to improve.
---
One Year Later
Time passed swiftly at Notting Academy. During that year, Chen Sheng maintained his routine of occasionally sparring with Tang San and training Xiao Wu, all while his own strength improved by leaps and bounds.
The treasure chests he accumulated during this period varied wildly in quality. Most contained mundane items that left him disappointed—random modern-world objects, and other practical but unremarkable rewards.
However, he did receive two exceptional prizes months ago: Soul Ring Age Improvement Cards.
The first card increased his Shadow Leopard soul ring's age by 100 years, bringing it from 490 to 590 years. The second card was even more powerful, adding 200 years and pushing the ring to 790 years total—approaching the threshold of a thousand-year soul ring.
The dramatic increase in soul ring quality had propelled his cultivation forward rapidly.
By the end of the year, Chen Sheng's soul power had reached level 19, placing him among the academy's elite despite being only seven years old.
His character panel now displayed impressive statistics:
『[Master/Host: Chen Sheng]
[Physique: 30]
[Soul Power: 19]
[Martial Souls:
1. White Tiger: One soul ring (790 years, yellow)
2. Six-Winged Archangel: No soul rings]
[Talents: Super Healing, Soul ring aura Concealment.]
[Stored Items: Various modern objects, enhancement cards, Titled Douluo Time Card]』
---
As the academy's summer vacation approached, Dean announced vacations.
Early one morning, the three students set off from Notting Academy. They weren't in a rush, walking at a leisurely pace and stopping frequently to rest or observe interesting sights along the road.
They finally arrived at Saint Spirit Village at noon on the second day. The familiar sights of Chen Sheng's childhood home brought a warm feeling to his chest—this place represented the peaceful years before his system awakened and his life became complicated.
As soon as they entered the village, Tang San couldn't contain his excitement. He rushed directly toward his house, shouting loudly,
"Dad! I'm back!"
Village Chief Jack heard the commotion and walked out to greet them. Seeing Chen Sheng and the others at the village entrance, he smiled warmly and nodded in welcome.
"Grandpa Jack!" Chen Sheng called out, genuinely happy to see the old man who had raised him after a year.
However, when Tang San reached his house, he found it empty. The forge was cold, and there was no sign of his father anywhere.
Jack approached Tang San with a sympathetic expression and handed him a letter.
"Your father left this for you. He said he had urgent business to attend to and couldn't say when he'd return."
Chen Sheng secretly chuckled to himself. Tang Hao hasn't left for anything. He's just hiding nearby, watching everything as usual.
Tang San opened the letter with trembling hands, his young face showing a mixture of disappointment and resignation.
The message was brief and characteristically vague, offering no real explanations or promises of return.
I knew it, Tang San thought bitterly. Father is hiding something from me. Something important enough that he can't even tell me the truth.
"Uncle Hao must be gone for something important. He will definitely come back soon"
Chen Sheng put his hand on Tang San shoulder comforted him.
He wiped tears from the corners of his eyes and thanked Old Jack quietly before walking away to be alone with his thoughts.
『DING! DETECTED Tang San's Gratitude and Determination emotions toward host's presence. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
Even Tang San's emotional moments provide opportunities, Chen Sheng noted. Though I do feel genuine sympathy for him. Having a father who loves you but constantly keeps secrets and maintains distance must be incredibly painful.
As the sun set over Saint Spirit Village, the three young Soul Masters settled into the familiar routines of their childhood home. But they were no longer the same children who had left a year ago.
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Please don't be angry if you don't like you have more novel and fanfictions I have more to write.
I already deleted my fanfiction because of bad comments, for some one it's entertaining to talk bad but for someone it's work that not praised or supported.