Douluo Continent: This Tang San is different

Chapter 2 This Tang San is Different

Soul Master.

In everyone's eyes, they are an extremely prestigious profession, the most respected profession on the continent, without exception.

However, in Tang San's view, the common people's respect for Soul Masters was less about reverence and aspiration.

Everyone aspires to become a Soul Master.

Ever since Tang San was old enough to understand, he has been studying the knowledge to become a Soul Master.

Where does knowledge come from?

It is none other than the infamous "Blind King" from various fan fiction novels: Su Yuntao.

This person comes to Holy Soul Village every year.

It was actually quite easy to make contact with him; Tang San found him and talked to him.

At first, Su Yuntao didn't want to pay any attention, but when Tang San offered to help him pursue girls, Su Yuntao stopped in his tracks.

Then, when he came back the following year, Su Yuntao was very enthusiastic towards Tang San, and brought him the "Encyclopedia of Martial Souls" which introduced various soul beasts, as well as the Elementary Meditation Method issued by the Spirit Hall.

Afterwards, Tang San suggested going to the Notting City Spirit Hall to look at books. Su Yuntao, seeing Tang San's intelligence, felt a little pity and agreed.

Therefore, Tang San and Su Yuntao are now old acquaintances, so he wanted to ask Old Jack if Su Yuntao would really arrive in the afternoon.

"Grandpa Jack, I'm off now."

After receiving Old Jack's affirmation, Tang San waved to Old Jack and headed towards the hillside near the village, where there was a grove of trees, which was Tang San's wood-gathering area.

Arriving at the familiar woods, Tang San gazed at the Blue Silver Grass scattered everywhere. Although he was already used to it, he still sighed softly, thinking to himself, "This is one of the reasons why I started learning earlier. Those fan fiction novels are unreliable. In this real world, hunting is not so easy. Without experience, catching prey is purely a matter of luck. Plus, hunting itself requires luck, so it's more practical to gather firewood."

Hunting, theory and practice are two completely different things.

Anyway, Tang San doesn't have that ability.

Besides, you can't even find a mouse in this place, so what's the point of him hunting?

Although there are birds in the forest, they are very small, about the size of sparrows. There is no rubber or similar material, so they cannot make slingshots or shoot them.

As for using baskets as traps.

We don't even have enough rice at home, how can we use it as bait for birds?

Such a waste.

However, he once asked old Jack why there were no large prey in the woods.

They were then told that Holy Soul Village had a good geographical location, situated at the border of two great empires, where merchants from both countries frequently traveled between them. Holy Soul Village also had large tracts of farmland suitable for cultivation, making it more prosperous than other villages and preventing famine.

However, the so-called prosperity is only in comparison with other villages. The villagers can only eat meat during festivals.

Twenty years ago, there might have been ordinary animals like rabbits in the woods near Holy Soul Village, but now, they have all been hunted to extinction.

In that case, it would naturally not be his turn as a time traveler.

There is a stream near Holy Soul Village.

However, Tang San had no fishing experience.

If it weren't for cheating, it would be impossible to catch a fish on the first try. It's not something that can be done with just a fishing rod, a fishing line, a fishing hook, and an earthworm.

Instead of waiting, it's more practical to gather firewood.

This is the only way for the poor to immediately convert their money into cash.

Two hours later, Tang San, carrying a load of firewood that was much taller than him, wiped the sweat from his face and headed towards Holy Soul Village, first returning to his dilapidated home.

Tang San placed the firewood in the small shed by the door and divided it evenly into two portions, keeping one portion at home, since firewood was needed for blacksmithing and cooking.

The other portion will be delivered to Old Jack's house later; it's payment for the eggs, and Old Jack will give him two more eggs.

A bundle of firewood can be exchanged for four eggs.

"Ha~"

Tang Hao lifted the curtain and came out of the bedroom, yawning. He then walked out of the house to wash up and saw Tang San dividing firewood. He asked, "Have you been to Old Jack's?"

"Um."

Tang San hummed in response, then fell silent, clearly not wanting to have any further interaction with him.

Although the person in front of him seems to care about him more than the one in the original story, it might be because he only started practicing the Xuan Tian Gong this year.

This wasn't Tang San trying to see if Tang Hao would treat him better if he stopped cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

How could I joke about my own talent?

However, after inheriting the memories related to the martial arts manual from Tang San, he did not gain any relevant cultivation experience, meaning he did not know where the meridians for circulating internal energy were located.

Without understanding these things, how dare he practice recklessly?

That would be playing with one's life. Who knows if one's cultivation goes wrong, or if one dies suddenly, and whether one can travel back to the real world again.

After dividing the firewood, Tang San took an egg out of his pocket and placed it next to Tang Hao, who was washing his face. Then he carried the firewood and headed towards Old Jack's house.

At least, Tang Hao raised him when he was still an infant for a year or two.

Although it only lasted a year or two, after which it was in a state of semi-retirement and semi-laid-off...

After washing his face, Tang Hao picked up an egg, didn't even peel it, threw the whole thing into his mouth, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it whole—a very wild way of eating...

···

Upon returning to Old Jack's house, Tang San placed the firewood in the backyard.

"You silly child, Grandpa has plenty of firewood," Old Jack said, feigning anger. "It's not like we're short a few eggs. Honestly, why are you being so serious?"

"Grandpa Jack, this is what I should do. After all, if I keep eating your food for free, the other people in the village will gossip." Tang San smiled, took out another egg from his pocket, cracked it, peeled it, and ate it as he said, "Besides, I have to be self-reliant."

"If your father had your mindset, how could your family be so poor? With that physique, he could find a job in Notting City in his spare time, even just carrying bricks, and earn enough money to get married." Old Jack sighed at Tang San's thoughtfulness while also complaining about Tang Hao, "I really don't know what's going on in his head."

Tang San was not in a position to comment on this.

Boom boom boom!

Just then, a knock came from the door. A man dressed in a white outfit, wearing a white cloak and with a blue badge pinned to his left chest, smiled at Tang San and Old Jack inside the house and said, "Old Village Chief, I've arrived."

This person was none other than Su Yuntao.

Because of Tang San, in recent years, Su Yuntao's attitude towards Old Jack has become increasingly respectful, a respect for an elder rather than awe of strength.

Perhaps in Su Yuntao's view, the fact that he was able to raise such a smart child as Tang San was thanks to Old Jack.

"Brother Tao, it's been a while. Hope you're doing well."

Tang San quickly swallowed the egg in his mouth and greeted Su Yuntao, "Grandpa Jack said you weren't supposed to come until the afternoon, did you come earlier?"

"According to the original schedule, I was supposed to arrive in the afternoon, but I had a date with Sisi today, so I set off at three in the morning," Su Yuntao explained. "Also, you kid, you haven't been to our Spirit Hall's library since you finished reading it. Master Matthew has been talking about you a lot lately."

"It's because Sister Sisi spoils me so much. I'll feel embarrassed. Also, I'm worried that Brother Tao will be jealous, aren't I?" Tang San said shyly.

Although Tang San had not yet awakened his martial soul and the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline was still a long way off, and his appearance was ordinary, his lively personality was undeniable.

Outgoing children are always popular.

As for going to the Spirit Hall to read books... This is a real world, and he must understand the spirit beasts in depth. He can't believe those fan fiction novels, otherwise he'll get himself into trouble and have nowhere to cry.

If Tang San were to let those netizens analyze things, he felt he would become even more unreliable than Yu Xiaogang.

"Master Su, I'll be troubling you again this year." Old Jack bowed slightly and got down to business with Su Yuntao. "I've already arranged for the parents of the children of suitable age to wait with them in the center of the village. Shall we go now?"

"Alright, the sooner it ends, the sooner I can go on my date with Sisi." Su Yuntao also wanted to finish quickly. Although he was happy to see Tang San, helping someone awaken their martial soul was indeed a rather tedious task. Not only did he have to travel, but he also had to consume his soul power.

He was just a high-level Soul Master with limited Soul Power, which was quickly depleted.

Afterwards, Tang San followed behind Su Yuntao along with Old Jack, and couldn't help but ask, "Master Su, is it really true that martial soul awakening can only occur at the age of six?"

"What, does the mistress want to awaken her martial soul ahead of schedule?"

Su Yuntao laughed loudly, "That won't do. The Spirit Hall stipulates that one must awaken their spirit at six years old. I can't let someone awaken their spirit ahead of time. The reason, you know, is that I don't really like reading. And—"

"You little rascal, you call Master Su when you need something, and Brother Tao when you don't, right?"

Tang San widened his eyes and said in a cute manner, "I just thought you must be tired from your long journey, Brother Tao. I was just joking to help you relax."

Su Yuntao smiled and then said, "I find this reason rather lame... As for your martial soul awakening, let's talk about it when you're six, which is next year. Although I don't know why you can only awaken your martial soul at six, it has always been the case throughout history, so there must be a reason for it."

"Haha, Little San, you must want to become a Soul Master ahead of time. But Master Su Yuntao is right, these things can't be rushed," Old Jack said kindly, patting Tang San's head. "You're so smart, you'll definitely become a Soul Master in the future."

Upon hearing this, Su Yuntao didn't say much, but just sighed inwardly.

How difficult is it to become a Soul Master?

First, a martial soul needs to possess soul power.

This first step alone has stopped more than 90 percent of people on the mainland.

However, Su Yuntao still sincerely hopes that Tang San can awaken a martial soul with innate soul power next year.

Two years ago, Tang San planned which spirit beast to choose for his second spirit ring, which indeed gave him a powerful spirit skill.

With such wisdom, if one becomes a Soul Master and continues on that path successfully, one will surely become a Soul Master who surpasses him.

As long as Tang San awakens his martial soul and possesses soul power next year.

As long as he had a little soul power, Su Yuntao was certain that Tang San could cultivate. Even if he couldn't reach a high level, he could still become a theoretical master and surpass that joke in the soul master world.

Arriving at the center of the village, where the Spirit Hall is located.

Every village has a Spirit Hall.

But in reality, it was just a stone house.

In small villages like Holy Soul Village, where the Spirit Hall doesn't station any spirit masters, the village chief is responsible for managing the village and regularly hires people to clean it.

Because Su Yuntao was coming, the stone house had been cleaned a few days ago and looked very tidy.

Only Su Yuntao and eligible children can enter the Spirit Hall for Spirit Awakening; everyone else, including Old Jack and Tang San, must wait outside.

Nine minutes later, Su Yuntao came out with five children and shook his head at Old Jack: "Their martial souls are all things like Blue Silver Grass, sickles, hoes, and spatulas; none of them have soul power."

"Sigh~"

Old Jack sighed and comforted the children and their parents, telling them to take them home. "It's better that they don't have soul power. With their martial soul awakened, doing the corresponding work will be easier."

Su Yuntao chatted with Tang San for a few minutes before leaving Holy Soul Village and heading to other villages.

After helping Old Jack home, Tang San said goodbye and returned to the blacksmith shop, waking Tang Hao, who was taking a nap.

"What's all the noise about?" Tang Hao rubbed his eyes, looking a little impatient. "Did your martial soul awaken ahead of schedule? What is it? Show it to us!"

Clearly, Tang Hao knew that Su Yuntao had been there and was likely watching him from the shadows.

After all, Tang San and Su Yuntao were getting a little too close, and he was worried that his identity would be discovered.

However, Tang Hao was clearly overthinking it.

Given Su Yuntao's impatient nature, he's eager to go back and meet Sisi. Even if he wanted to invite Su Yuntao to his home, he wouldn't come.

Thinking this, Tang San spoke with the innocent words of a five-year-old, saying, "I think Grandpa Jack is right. You should cheer up. If you keep being so decadent, you'll get moldy. At least repair your house, right? Otherwise, no one in the village will want to marry me."

Tang Hao raised an eyebrow, sat up from the wooden bed, and said in surprise, "I didn't realize you were so precocious. You're actually thinking about marriage?"

"You don't want our Tang family line to die out, do you? Do you know the saying 'three generations of poverty'? If you're poor for three generations, you won't be able to find a wife, and then your bloodline will end." Tang San stared with his big, watery eyes, making Tang Hao's scalp tingle. "You look incompetent, so I suppose your father, my grandfather, wasn't very capable either. He was poor, and by my generation, it's been exactly three generations."

"What kind of twisted logic did that idiot from the Spirit Hall teach you?" Tang Hao gritted his teeth in anger, wanting to catch up with Su Yuntao, who had already left the village, and smash him to pieces with a hammer.

This perfectly normal son of his can spout a whole bunch of fallacies, and he can't even refute them all.

In the end, Tang Hao gave up on the idea of ​​killing Su Yuntao. He got out of bed, walked to the stove, and began to light a fire, pull the furnace, and forge iron. He said, "Don't think that I'll support you. I'll teach you a set of blacksmithing moves. Remember them and practice on your own. You can save the money you earn in the future."

"If the house needs repairs, you'll have to do it yourself from now on. I won't help you."

"Also, don't practice the meditation method you got from that wolf cub. Before your martial soul awakens, it's useless no matter how you practice. You won't be able to sense any soul power at all. The martial soul is the foundation of cultivation."

As expected of a Title Douluo, have they already discovered that he is practicing the Mysterious Heaven Skill?

However, before a martial soul awakens, even a titled Douluo cannot sense fluctuations in soul power?

It seems that's how it should be.

Otherwise, each sect could determine a child's talent before their martial soul awakens, without needing to rely on a crystal ball.

Furthermore, he cultivates the Xuan Tian Gong, which is said to be a pure Taoist technique. The internal energy he cultivates is balanced and peaceful, unlike that of a Soul Master, which produces so-called soul power fluctuations.

Internal force, soul force.

Perhaps before a martial spirit awakens, internal energy is simply internal energy, without undergoing the transformation of the martial spirit, so others cannot perceive it.

While pondering, Tang San observed Tang Hao practice the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique. With the talent brought by his transmigration—photographic memory—he had already memorized it.

But he can't memorize it all at once; that would be too much.

"Practice it again, I didn't remember it!" Tang San said, puffing out his cheeks, his voice full of self-righteousness.

Tang Hao: "..."

He is my son, he is my son...

Tang Hao silently recited the instructions several times in his mind and continued practicing the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique until Tang San said he had memorized it. He had already practiced it more than twenty times.

However, when Tang Hao asked Tang San to try, Tang San made him realize something else—Tang San was unable to wield the forging hammer.

It can be lifted, but that's all it is.

The reason is that Tang San only started cultivating the Xuan Tian Gong this year, and he doesn't have much internal energy. He picked up the forging hammer and swung it a few times, but he already had no strength left.

Tang Hao: "..."

I've been speechless a lot today.

"I think it's a problem with the tools. You should have a forging hammer specially made for me that's the right size for my height," Tang San said again, speaking with conviction.

Tang Hao rolled his eyes at him and went back to his room to sleep.

Tang San sighed helplessly, "There aren't even any rabbits in the nearby mountains, and the fish in the river are hard to catch. Why is it so difficult to have a healthy body in such a poor family?"

Tang San has the means to get rich, but he can't use them.

The reason is simple.

Firstly, his identity issue attracted attention, forcing him and Tang Hao to begin a life on the run.

Secondly, there's the issue of age. Although he could plan a soul ring for Su Yuntao, the villagers didn't know, and Old Jack certainly wouldn't follow his nonsense.

Trusting his intelligence is one thing, but following his ideas is quite another.

A young man with no beard is unreliable.

This principle also applies to the Douluo Continent.

"We should focus on cultivating our internal energy first, and try to strengthen our physique. Otherwise, our soul power might be very low when our martial soul awakens."

As the son of Tang Hao and the Blue Silver Emperor, Tang San was certain that he possessed innate soul power, but given his malnutrition, it was impossible for him to have full innate soul power.

Tang San, the martial arts hero in the original novel, didn't know exactly how old he was when he started cultivating, but he did know that around the age of six, he felt that his internal energy could no longer improve and that he had encountered a bottleneck.

Now, Tang San only fully understood the Xuan Tian Gong at the age of five. If he were to cultivate it at this time, he would never reach the innate full soul power in a year.

However, it doesn't matter if the cultivation speed is a bit slow in the early stages. With the Xuan Tian Gong's bonus in the later stages, the speed of soul power improvement will definitely not be slow.

And the next plan...

(End of this chapter)