What surprised him even more was that the young man gave him a sense of familiarity. He couldn't explain why — it wasn't the aura, but rather an innate intuition.
After making discreet inquiries among the surrounding nobles about the white-robed youth and receiving no answers, Xue Qinghe became all the more resolved to forge a connection with him. Not because of his sister's plea from the day before, but because this young man might one day become a pillar of the empire.
Tang San sat playing the harp in silence, his heart perfectly still — as tranquil on the inside as the serenity he projected outward.
A whole year had passed. A year ago, he could never have imagined that he would be performing on an instrument before a crowd today. When he had first begun learning under his aunt, his heart had been full of doubt.
But after a month went by, Tang San realized that the path his father had pointed him toward was exactly right.
Training in the City of Killing had been about cultivating the heart. Here at the Moon Pavilion, it was the same.
As he gradually settled into stillness here, recalling everything that had transpired over the past four years and the entire arc of his growth, he discovered just how exhausted his spirit truly was.
This year had given his body and mind the finest rest they had ever known. Though he had not cultivated deliberately, everything he had learned over the years gradually fused together within that tranquility. Even the final barrier among his eight extraordinary meridians — the Du meridian — had begun to loosen.
Level fifty-seven. That was Tang San's current Soul Power rank.
Five years, climbing from level forty-two or forty-three to level fifty-seven — an average of three levels per year. On the surface, that paled in comparison to the speed he had achieved during his two-plus years at Shrek Academy. But in truth, once one surpassed the fortieth level, the amount of Soul Power required for each advance was incomparable to before.
Twenty years old, level fifty-seven. Tang San had already far surpassed Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. Most importantly, he was no longer the Tang San who possessed a multitude of separate skills and had to consciously control each one.
He was the Tang San who had fused all his abilities into a single crucible and taken the most critical step toward becoming a true powerhouse.
From the undisguised admiration in his aunt's eyes over recent months, Tang San knew that his time here was drawing to a close. It was only the thought of seeing his father that sent ripples through his otherwise still heart.
He had waited far, far too long for the unknown truth. Though he had his own guesses, until he heard it from his father's lips, how could he be certain?
Tang San knew that the road ahead of him stretched long and far, but this year at the Moon Pavilion was unquestionably a turning point in his life. He had crossed the threshold of youth — his twentieth birthday was imminent, and he was now an adult.
The graduation ceremony proceeded smoothly. Each student received a graduation certificate from the Pavilion Mistress, Tang Yuehua, and joyfully threw themselves into the arms of their waiting families.
When Tang Yuehua finished with all of them, Tang San's duty for the day was also complete. She walked over to his side. "You performed well today. Inside and out, you were the same."
Tang San offered a faint smile and lightly strummed the harp strings, letting the final lingering note drift away. "Thank you."
Just then, a clear voice rang out. "Aunt Yuehua, would you introduce us?"
Tang Yuehua turned to see Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, dressed in casual attire, approaching alongside the freshly graduated student Xue Ke, who escorted him with elegant grace.
She had long known of Xue Ke's identity — most of the students had — and she had noticed the special way Xue Ke treated Tang San. Even when Tang San had taken over her original performance slot, the princess had shown not the slightest displeasure.
"Your Highness." Tang Yuehua offered a slight bow.
Xue Qinghe hurriedly returned the gesture. "Aunt Yuehua, why do you do that? I cannot accept such formality."
Tang Yuehua laughed softly. "Stop calling me 'Aunt' all the time. Am I really that old?"
Xue Ke chimed in with a playful smile beside them. "Of course you're not old, Teacher. You're like a big sister to me."
Tang Yuehua smiled. "Now there's a girl who knows how to talk." As she spoke, she shifted half a step to the side so that the Xue siblings could see Tang San clearly. "Let me introduce you. This is my nephew, Tang Yin."