As the afternoon sun began to dip behind the distant hills, Tang Hao and Tang San returned from the Spirit Hall of Holy Spirit Village. The ceremony had ended without issue, and no one suspected a thing. But Tang Hao had remained silent the entire walk back, his weathered face unreadable. Only when they reached the small house again did he finally speak.
"You have her spirit."
Tang San looked up in surprise. "Huh?"
Tang Hao stared at the faintly glowing Blue Silver Grass drifting from Tang San's palm.
"That grass… it's hers. Your mother's."
A silence settled between them. Tang Hao's eyes shimmered, not with joy, but with grief restrained too long. "I never thought I'd see it again…"
He turned without another word and gestured for Tang San to follow him. Not toward the house—but into the forest. Deeper and deeper they went, until Tang San realized they were approaching a waterfall cascading over a sheer cliff face. Tang Hao parted the curtain of water with a practiced movement, revealing a hidden cave behind it.
They stepped through.
Tang San's eyes widened at the glowing spiritual grass inside. At the center, a stalk swayed gently… and then it shimmered, coalescing into the semi-transparent figure of a woman.
Delicate. Serene. With long flowing hair like silken vines. She was beautiful in a way that felt ancient, untouched by time.
Tang Hao knelt beside her, eyes misted over. "Ah Yin… this is our son."
Tang San's breath caught. "Mother…?"
Ah Yin gave a warm smile. "You've grown well, San'er."
He stumbled forward, emotions swelling in his chest. "You can talk?"
"She awakened not long ago," Tang Hao said. "It was because of a certain… accident. A child found this cave. Absorbed a piece of her spirit bone. And through that, her consciousness returned."
"I don't know how he was guided here," Ah Yin continued gently, "but I hold no hatred toward him. In fact… it was through that strange energy he carried that I could finally awaken."
Tang San knelt, trembling. "I have so many questions…"
"You'll have time," Ah Yin said, kneeling across from him. "But first, let me guide you. Your martial soul—the Blue Silver Grass—is not weak. It is a royal lineage. One that, properly nurtured, can surpass all others."
She pointed toward his spirit, still summoned. "Most control-type soul masters choose rings that enhance binding or poison. But your path should be different."
"Different how?"
"Life," she said. "Your grass is alive. It can heal. Nurture. Protect. Its essence is vitality. Focus your spirit rings on those that reinforce this life force—regeneration, recovery, vitality enhancement."
Tang San's brows furrowed. "But will that… make me strong?"
Tang Hao spoke up, arms crossed. "Strength isn't just about destroying everything in your path. Survival. Endurance. Control. That is power too."
Ah Yin nodded. "Blue Silver Grass already possesses natural binding and growth functions. You don't need to pursue what is already present. But by choosing the path of life, you will evolve your spirit faster—bring it closer to what it was meant to become."
Tang San swallowed. "The Blue Silver Emperor?"
Ah Yin smiled, her figure flickering like a candle. "Yes."
Tang Hao placed a heavy hand on Tang San's shoulder.
"There's one more thing. I didn't say it earlier, because you were still processing everything."
He paused, tone shifting.
"You have two martial souls."
Tang San froze.
Tang Hao continued. "I know. I could feel it during your awakening. You hid the hammer—but not from me."
Tang San lowered his head. "I didn't know what to do…"
"That's good," Tang Hao said firmly. "The Clear Sky Hammer is a blade without a sheath. If others find out you carry it—alongside your mother's grass—they'll come for you. That hammer is your last resort. Never reveal it until you're ready to face the world. For now, you'll train with the grass."
Tang San looked up. "And you'll train me?"
"No," Tang Hao said, stepping back.
"She will."
Ah Yin raised her hands toward the glowing stalk of spirit grass that connected to her body. It flared with life, resonating with Tang San's own spirit.
"For now," she said, "you and I will grow together."