[TL/N: Soul Master Competition and all the other names I used in the earlier chapters will be changed to Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.]
"Mom, he insisted on taking you back to that cave. It was only through Master's intervention and strength that you were barely allowed to stay here," Tang San said indignantly.
He had already lowered his expectations of his biological father, Tang Hao, and even tried to make amends for him in his heart.
However, that slap and the subsequent argument had woken him up.
Tang Hao not only failed to fulfill his responsibilities as a father but also refused to admit his mistakes, preferring to repeat them rather than change.
Especially abandoning his mother in the dark, damp cave, it was completely incomprehensible.
No matter the reason, he shouldn't have left his mother there to rot. And even knowing there was a more suitable environment for her now, he still insisted on taking her back to that cave. He was utterly hopeless!
"What?"
Hearing that Tang Hao wanted to take her back to the original place, Ah Yin, in her illusory form, trembled. Her eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
But since Tang San had said it himself, she had no choice but to believe it.
Now that there was finally hope for rebirth, how could she miss it? Compared to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, the original cave was simply hell.
Previously, Tang Hao had placed her in that hellish cave, and she hadn't complained much because she had no voice and trusted him.
But now, she had been moved to a place considered a sanctuary for plant soul beasts, a place that offered her hope for rebirth. How could she possibly want to return to that cold darkness?
"How could he be so heartless?"
At this moment, Ah Yin was in turmoil. She had paid such a high price, sacrificing her life and cultivation, only to receive this disregard in return.
Seeing his mother's distraught state, Tang San quickly comforted her, "Mom, don't worry. I will absolutely not let you go back to that place, and Master has promised to protect you too."
Hearing this promise, Ah Yin finally felt relieved.
This place was extremely beneficial to plant soul beasts, so naturally, she didn't want to leave. Having died once, she longed to live even more.
Moreover, by staying here, she could still see Tang San often and receive meticulous care from his Master.
Next, Ah Yin and Tang San began to talk freely.
The topic mainly revolved around Tang San's upbringing, naturally involving two key figures: Tang Hao and Lin Mu.
Tang San vividly described their roles: one was an irresponsible, absent father, and the other was a Master who wholeheartedly cared for him like a parent.
After listening to Tang San's detailed account, Ah Yin remained stunned.
Tang Hao not only disregarded her feelings but was also so irresponsible towards his son, what was the point of her sacrifice back then?
The only thing that made her happy was that although Tang San didn't have a responsible father, he had the best Master in the world, who had nurtured him into an excellent Soul Master.
However, she felt she could never repay the kindness of Lin Mu's dedicated teaching and care.
While the two were talking, Lin Mu was gathering herbs in the garden nearby.
At this moment, Dugu Bo, unable to contain his curiosity, finally asked, "Master... is that Blue Silver Emperor truly the young master's mother?"
"That's right. She was once a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form but lost all her cultivation due to a sacrifice."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Mu stopped what he was doing. He looked up at Tang San and saw the heartwarming scene between mother and son. A slight smile appeared on his lips.
Dugu Bo, who was about to speak, immediately swallowed his words.
Upon reflection, he realized that Lin Mu treated Tang San as his own son, and the Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin, was Tang San's mother; perhaps... sparks could fly between them in the future?
Some time later, Lin Mu took Tang San and left the Sunset Forest.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Upon returning to the academy, Lin Mu and Tang San arrived at the training ground, only to be informed by the waiting teacher, Sun Buyu, that the Three Education Board Members had important matters to discuss with him.
Thus, Lin Mu had no choice but to make his way to the Educational Hall.
Seeing Lin Mu slowly walk in, Meng Shenji quickly went to greet him, bowing slightly. He said with a hint of urgency, "Teacher Lin Mu, you've finally arrived."
"What brings you three Board Members here?"
Seeing their impatient expressions, Lin Mu frowned slightly. 'Did they have something to ask of me?'
Noticing Lin Mu's reaction, Meng Shenji immediately explained, "Teacher Lin Mu, it's not that we have something to ask of you, but His Majesty has something he wishes to ask."
Hearing this, Lin Mu's brows furrowed even more.
Although he was a teacher at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it didn't mean he was willing to serve the Heaven Dou Royal Family directly as a subordinate.
Immediately, he looked up at Meng Shenji and said firmly, "Board Head Meng, if it's about official appointments or titles, there's no need to say anything more. I refuse."
Upon hearing this, the three Board Members were all stunned.
Especially Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin, who couldn't understand Lin Mu's answer. Since he was a citizen of the Heaven Dou Empire, why was Lin Mu so resistant to the Royal Family's favor?
Only Meng Shenji sighed sadly, his heart filled with regret for the Empire losing such a pillar of strength.
If Emperor Xue Ye had fully supported Lin Mu back then instead of listening to Prince Xue Xing, perhaps Lin Mu's attitude toward the Royal Family would have been much better, at least not as resistant as it is now.
Most importantly, there would be virtually no better opportunity to win him over in the future.
After a moment of silence, Meng Shenji shook his head slightly, suppressing his thoughts, and solemnly said, "Teacher Lin Mu, this matter has nothing to do with appointments, but rather with the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Lin Mu raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. "Board Head Meng, I've already taken on the role of leader for the Royal Fighting Team. Apart from that, the tournament has nothing to do with me. Are you suggesting I participate?"
Hearing this, the three Board Members were immediately stunned; they hadn't really considered this possibility.
According to the rules of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, any young Spirit Master under the age of twenty-five could participate. Lin Mu was only twenty-four years old, not exceeding the age limit.
From this perspective, Lin Mu was perfectly capable of participating in this year's tournament as a student.
Moreover, with Lin Mu's strength comparable to a Super Douluo, even if he randomly picked six weak teammates, he could easily crush every team and win the championship single-handedly.
"Teacher Lin Mu... there are still two days until the start of the tournament. If you want to register, it's still not too late," Bai Baoshan said earnestly, eyes lighting up.
If Lin Mu could represent the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it would undoubtedly bring an unprecedented victory and inspire the entire nation.
Lin Mu merely smiled disdainfully at this.
In his eyes, all the participants, including the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation Team, were trash compared to him. He could crush them even without using his martial soul.
Would he even have the face to participate in a children's game like this? It would be bullying.
"I have no interest in playing games with children. If that's all, I'm leaving."
At this moment, Meng Shenji spoke up quickly: "Teacher Lin Mu, wait! His Majesty would like to invite you to attend the opening ceremony of the preliminary rounds as a special guest."
"The opening ceremony?"
Only then did Lin Mu realize that Emperor Xue Ye wanted him to lend his support and prestige to the event. With his current fame, he was even a notch above the Sword Douluo in terms of public interest.
After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Very well. I agree."