Chapter 9: Would You Be Willing to Go to the Spirit Martial Hall with Me?

Soul Master? What use is a Soul Master? Can they even protect the people they love?

Tang Hao had been drowning in sorrow and self-medication for six years; how could he possibly wake up from that at this moment? He only saw the person he missed day and night when he was intoxicated. He missed her so much.

The sorrowful longing did not last long. After seeing Old Jack off, Tang Niannian returned and interrupted Tang Hao’s stupor.

"Why won't you let me awaken my Martial Soul?" Tang Niannian’s resentful voice rang out.

Tang Hao remained indifferent. "Because I am your father."

"..."

With that cold, dismissive sentence, Tang Niannian felt like she could kill him.

"System, can I use money to crush him to death?"

[I am afraid not, Host. He is a Titled Douluo; mere Gold Soul Coins won't be enough to kill him.]

"..."

Tang Niannian was speechless. Forget it. Whatever. Even if he didn't let her go, she would find a way herself. Besides, Tang San was still here; Tang Hao shouldn't truly forbid both of them from going. If they didn't go, how would Tang San ever restore the glory of the Tang family? He should be secretly happy to have a daughter with a system.

Tang Niannian rolled her eyes at Tang Hao and turned to leave.

Later that evening, Tang San returned from practicing his Mysterious Heaven Technique, carrying some vegetable leaves. He skillfully went to the kitchen to light the fire and cook. Before long, he called Tang Niannian and Tang Hao to eat.

Every day it was white rice porridge with vegetable leaves; Tang Niannian was sick of it. Over the past year, the living standards in Holy Soul Village had improved significantly, and the houses had all been renovated. As for why their Tang household remained so miserable, it was entirely due to Tang San’s pride and Tang Hao’s indifference. As long as they had something to eat, they didn't care about anything better.

Tang Niannian truly thought they were insane. Money was practically handed to them, yet they remained stubbornly proud, claiming they wanted to earn their own keep.

Whatever.

As a result, their "earning their own keep" consisted of nothing but vegetable leaves and rice porridge. Tang Niannian was tired and fed up. After two bites, she lost her appetite. She decided that later, she would just open a portal to Nuoding City to get something decent to eat.

"Niannian, what’s wrong? Is your appetite bad today? Why aren't you eating more?" Seeing Tang Niannian put down her chopsticks and bowl so quickly, Tang San assumed she wasn't feeling well and couldn't help but ask with concern.

Tang Niannian sighed. She suddenly remembered what had happened that afternoon, and it served as the perfect excuse. She let out two heavy, dramatic sighs. "San, it’s the day for the village’s Martial Soul awakening in a few days. Old Jack came to talk to Dad today, but he won't let us go. You know how much I want to become a Soul Master. Just thinking about not being able to awaken my Martial Soul makes me unable to eat or sleep. I feel awful everywhere."

As his younger sister, Tang Niannian enjoyed many privileges. Tang San might not be sincere with outsiders, but he was always genuine with his own sister—especially in these early days. Although he had crossed over and never experienced fatherly love or family affection, he knew he had a little sister he needed to protect and care for. Through their daily life together, he had naturally come to view Tang Niannian as an inseparable part of his life. In his subconscious, she was even more important than Tang Hao; he favored his sister above all else.

Therefore, even though Tang Niannian’s way of addressing him was strange, he didn't scold her. Instead, he looked at Tang Hao, who was sitting across from him, silently sipping his porridge.

"Father."

When there was a disagreement between father and daughter, it required Tang San, acting as both son and brother, to mediate. Though he didn't understand why Tang Hao wouldn't let them awaken their Martial Souls, he trusted that his father had their best interests at heart. Now that the living conditions in Holy Soul Village had soared, he wouldn't mind staying even if he didn't become a Soul Master.

"Father, let Niannian go. She has talked about becoming a Soul Master since she was little; it’s her dream. If you feel that there will be no one to take care of you if both of us leave, I can stay. Just please agree to let Niannian go to school."

Tang San’s self-sacrificing spirit made Tang Niannian feel a bit ashamed. She silently gave him a thumbs up, happy to reap the rewards of his effort.

Tang San’s words did indeed move Tang Hao. However, he remained cold and indifferent. "Suit yourselves, as long as you remember to come back and cook."

The implication was that he had agreed.

A smile blossomed on Tang San’s face. He looked at Tang Niannian with eyes full of doting affection. Tang Niannian smiled back. As expected, it took the original male lead to speak up; she, a mere cannon-fodder sister, could never shake the heart of a "living father" like Tang Hao!

"Then I’m going to tell Old Jack!" Tang Niannian didn't want to be stared at by Tang San anymore. She made up an excuse and, without waiting for either of them to respond, slipped away. To hesitate for even a second would be a disrespect to the delicious food in Nuoding City!

*

On the day of the Martial Soul awakening, Old Jack arrived at the Tang house with his cane to collect the siblings. The process was exactly as Tang Niannian had read in the books. The one sent to awaken their souls was the legendary Soul Master whom netizens jokingly called the "Blind Douluo," Su Yuntao.

After Su Yuntao went through his routine, his already lackluster eyes became even dimmer. It was rare to find someone with innate full soul power, but to be paired with the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul? Su Yuntao sighed repeatedly, holding no expectations for Tang Niannian at all.

Suddenly, golden light erupted from Tang Niannian’s body, illuminating the entire room. A gold-inlaid bronze mirror appeared before her chest, emitting a scorching light, much like the power of the sun, making it impossible to look at directly.

Su Yuntao stared at the mirror in shock. He had originally intended to dismiss it as a trash Martial Soul, but when he realized he couldn't grasp the nature of the mirror, he knew something was wrong. He hurriedly asked Tang Niannian to test her soul power.

As expected, the crystal ball shattered.

!?

Su Yuntao was stunned.

It shattered... It actually shattered!!!

"Oh, this..." Tang Niannian was also baffled. Goodness, she had blown up the crystal ball!

"Uncle, what happened?" Tang Niannian asked innocently. Although she suspected she might have innate soul power exceeding the limit, she felt it was better to play dumb.

Su Yuntao looked embarrassed; this was his first time encountering such a situation. Regardless of anything else, this had to be reported to the Spirit Hall. Excluding the possibility of a faulty crystal ball, this child would have a massive impact on his future career. He had to report this child, and get a promotion!

Su Yuntao crouched down, patted Tang Niannian’s head, and said in a soft, soothing voice, "It’s alright, just a small incident. Child, would you like to come with me to the Spirit Hall?"