After coming out of the cafeteria, Tang San rubbed his round belly and thought to himself, The first floor's food is good enough to fill me up, but if I want to grow stronger, I'll need better nutrition.
He had five silver soul coins—equivalent to five hundred copper coins. Enough to get by, but not enough to eat well.
To strengthen my physique, I need money.
How can I earn it?
Blacksmithing?
That was a possibility. But it would cost time, and he couldn't afford to waste much. He needed to identify the right soul beast for his Blue Silver Grass soul ring.
As for Yu Xiaogang's theory that plant-type souls should use animal soul rings—
Tang San dismissed it as nonsense.
A soul wasn't a tangible thing. It existed between energy and matter. Likewise, his Blue Silver Grass soul wasn't a literal plant. As long as the soul ring's attributes were compatible, even an animal-type soul ring could bond.
For instance, Blue Silver Grass was known for its vitality, and the Emerald Swan, an animal-type soul beast, was also renowned for life force. Why wouldn't they be compatible?
To Tang San, as long as the soul ring matched in essence, any type of soul beast would work.
Otherwise, would I need to find a "hammer soul beast" for my Haotian Hammer?
Determined, he headed to the Spirit Hall to do research.
When Master Ma Xiunuo saw him, he was pleasantly surprised but puzzled. "Little Tang, did something happen? Why are you back so soon?"
"I've reached level ten in soul power," Tang San said. "I came to find information on which soul beast is most suitable for my Blue Silver Grass."
Ma Xiunuo was stunned.
Level ten?
Had he cultivated so fast?
In just three months, rising four levels was unheard of—especially with Blue Silver Grass. Was he dreaming? Or had Tang San become a fallen?
No.
Fallen cultivators were violent and unstable. Even an average person could spot something off. But Tang San's eyes were clear and composed. Besides, Holy Spirit Village had no access to such dark methods.
But how did he cultivate so fast?
As both Tang San's elder and the head of the Nuoding Spirit Hall branch, Ma Xiunuo felt obligated to ask.
"It might be due to a mutation in my Blue Silver Grass. Ordinary ones wouldn't have six levels of innate power."
Tang San couldn't reveal the truth about the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone or Mysterious Heaven Skill. So he attributed his growth to martial soul mutation.
Still, that explanation wasn't complete. He added:
"Also, I read in the Spirit Hall's books about simulated cultivation environments. Blue Silver Grass is everywhere. Back in Holy Spirit Village, I used it as bedding and filled the yard with it."
Ma Xiunuo smiled. "A spirit mutation, plus a highly compatible environment… yes, Blue Silver Grass has advantages that way. Alright then—Grandpa will decide for you. You can use the Spirit Hall's backyard from now on."
"Grandpa Ma Xiunuo, I…"
"I know, you don't want special treatment," Ma Xiunuo interrupted, now serious. "So we'll treat it as rent. Your payment is to clean the Spirit Hall. I won't have anyone else do it anymore. Can you handle that?"
"Yes." Tang San understood the gesture and agreed. Refusing would only offend him.
"There's one more thing."
"What is it? If I can help, I will," Tang San replied immediately.
"You little fox," Ma Xiunuo chuckled. "It's nothing difficult. Just promise that if you publish articles in the future, consider submitting them to our Spirit Hall's Soul News first."
"Of course."
If he ever released theories publicly, he'd naturally choose the most authoritative paper. Plus, he didn't know anyone from Tian Dou News or Star Luo News.
When Tang San first learned that newspapers existed in the Douluo Continent, he was surprised. How does such a backward society have newspapers?
But he didn't think too much—more exposure was good for his reputation.
"And one last thing," Ma Xiunuo added. "If your future research or theories are based on knowledge openly shared by the Spirit Hall, you may publish freely. But if it's private content, do not share it. Understood?"
"Understood."
Tang San nodded solemnly.
Knowledge of soul cultivation was priceless. It could elevate a small clan into a powerful sect. Such things couldn't be carelessly spread.
That night, Tang San cleaned the backyard of the Spirit Hall and began researching which soul ring to choose for his first breakthrough.
···
The Next Day
Dawn broke over the horizon.
Tang San hurried to class. As it was the first lesson, he needed to be there—meet his classmates and leave a good impression.
On the way, he ran into Xiao Wu, who had some impression of him and decided to tag along.
She noticed he hadn't returned last night but said nothing.
In class, she realized Tang San was the only familiar face among the new students. Unable to contain her energy, she started chatting.
"What a coincidence! We're in the same class. What's your martial soul? What's your soul power level? Mine's a rabbit—Soft Boned Rabbit. Super cute! And I have full innate soul power!"
"Blue Silver Grass, six levels of innate soul power," Tang San answered simply.
"Blue Silver Grass? Is six levels high talent?" Xiao Wu asked, trying to gauge the average so she wouldn't stand out too much.
Luckily, she asked Tang San. Most other kids wouldn't have known.
"It's considered excellent—better than 70% of soul masters." On the continent, those with innate power above level five were seen as highly talented and often recruited by top forces.
"Wow! So I'm that amazing? Haha, I really am something!" Xiao Wu laughed, nodding proudly and giving Tang San a look of admiration—as if he were especially good at compliments.
Her long scorpion-tail braid swayed with every nod. It almost begged to be tugged.
Tang San resisted.
The other boys did not.
Bang!
Xiao Wu spun with reflexive fury, kicked over a desk, and glared at the boy who'd pulled her braid. "What are you doing?!"
Tang San: ??? Old Siji, don't mess with her.
"I-I didn't mean to, sorry!" the boy stammered.
"Hmph."
Just then, a young man in a black robe entered the room. He held a black-covered book, walked to the podium, and wrote "Mo Hen" on the board.
"Hello, everyone. I'm your head teacher, Mo Hen. My martial soul is a long spear. I have level twenty-seven soul power, and I'm a strong-attack type soul master."
"We'll be together for six years, so let's get to know each other. Introduce yourselves, starting from the front row."
His eyes landed on Xiao Wu.
She jumped up. "My name is Xiao Wu—'Wu' as in dancing. My soul is the Soft Boned Rabbit. Call me Sister Xiao Wu. I'm a one-ring soul master, level thirteen!"
With flair, she activated her soul ring. The yellow ring rose and fell around her—startling the whole class.
Low-key?
Not possible.
No one expected a new student to already have a soul ring. The graduation requirement of the junior academy was becoming a soul master—she could technically graduate now.
Mo Hen's expression sharpened. Six years old, hundred-year soul ring… can a civilian manage that? Probably a noble's daughter sent out to experience life. That personality is too bold for a commoner. Most working students are far more reserved. Best to tread carefully.
He mentally added a "Do Not Offend" label to her and gestured for her to sit.
Then he pointed to the next student—Tang San.
"My name is Tang San, from Holy Spirit Village. My soul is Blue Silver Grass, which may have mutated. I started with six levels of soul power, and through hard work over the past three months, I've reached level ten. I'd like to request a leave after class to go to the Soul Hunting Forest."
Tang San's tone was calm and respectful.
Mo Hen's eyes lit up.
A genius among civilians!
He didn't know what the Blue Silver Grass could grow into—but at this rate of cultivation, Tang San was destined for greatness.
People often overestimated how common high innate soul power was. Even in the Douluo era, above level five was rare. Among major sects, soul masters were many—but soul kings were already considered mid-to-high tier.