Chapter 55: Chaotic Wind Hammer Technique (Part 3)

Tang San didn't conceal anything. "It was the Mandala Snake."

Ma Xiu Nuo was greatly startled. "No wonder, no wonder. It's actually the most troublesome of the low-level Soul Beasts—the Mandala Snake. A Hundred-Year Mandala Snake at that. No wonder it had such an effect. But—wait, that's not right! Your Martial Soul is clearly of the plant type. How can you use an animal-type Soul Ring? Child, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Although Xiao Chenyu and his group were just children, their understanding of Martial Souls wasn't deep enough. But this Deacon, Ma Xiu Nuo, had worked at Spirit Hall for decades. He knew the basic rules of Soul Rings better than anyone and immediately grasped the key point.

Tang San shook his head. "Grandpa Ma, I'm not mistaken. Why can't a plant-type Martial Soul use an animal-type Soul Ring? Under certain conditions, it is possible. My teacher calls it the Soul Master Mimicry Theory."

Ma Xiu Nuo's face changed dramatically. "May I ask who your teacher is?"

Tang San replied, "Everyone calls him the Great Master."

"The Great Master? The one who once published the 'Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul,' and was later expelled from Spirit Hall? He's actually here in our Nuoding City?"

Hearing Ma Xiu Nuo's words, Tang San only just learned that the Great Master had a background with Spirit Hall, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

Ma Xiu Nuo's expression suddenly turned serious. "Tang San, would you be willing to join Spirit Hall?"

Tang San was taken aback. "Grandpa Ma, didn't I just come to Spirit Hall to register?"

Ma Xiu Nuo shook his head. "No, it's not the same. Registering with Spirit Hall is something most Soul Masters do to receive the subsidy allocated by the state. But joining Spirit Hall means becoming a Soul Master exclusive to Spirit Hall. Your training would also directly enter a school specially established by Spirit Hall."

Tang San shook his head again. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. I've already started studying at Nuoding Junior Soul Academy."

Ma Xiu Nuo sighed. "Indeed, we're a step late. Even for us at Spirit Hall, there's no precedent for forcibly poaching students from an academy. Forget it. This is all that boy Su Yun Tao's fault. He should have brought you directly to Spirit Hall from the start. I'm afraid the Great Master wouldn't agree to you joining Spirit Hall either, after all..."

Tang San smiled faintly. "You can't say that for certain. If I had come to Spirit Hall, perhaps I wouldn't have obtained such an excellent Soul Ring. Wouldn't you agree, Grandpa Ma?"

Ma Xiu Nuo paused, then laughed. "You make a fair point. Alright, your advancement assessment is now complete. From this moment forward, you are a glorious Soul Master of the Tian Dou Empire. Welcome to the ranks of the Soul Masters. In the future, you can collect your monthly subsidy from Spirit Hall using the badge you'll receive shortly. The subsidy for a Soul Master is one Gold Soul Coin per month. When you reach the level of Great Soul Master, the subsidy will increase to ten Gold Soul Coins. As for the matter of an animal Soul Ring being applied to a plant Martial Soul, I will report it as soon as possible."

"Thank you."

When Tang San left Spirit Hall, his Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night now held an extra badge specially crafted by Spirit Hall. The badge was circular; his name was engraved on the back, and on the front were two interwoven brambles, symbolizing his level as a Soul Master. Even Tang San, who came from a blacksmith's background, couldn't tell what metal the badge was made of.

Leaving Spirit Hall, Tang San quickly ran in the direction of Nuoding Academy. With Ma Xiu Nuo's directions, he took a shortcut this time, saving at least half the travel time.

Just as he was about to reach the academy, Tang San suddenly heard a familiar sound. His steps stopped involuntarily.

Clang, clang, clang...

The hammer sign, the tall yet somewhat crude house, and the rhythmic sound of hammering coming from inside—this was a blacksmith's shop.

From the outside, this blacksmith shop was much larger than the one at his home, with quite a few customers coming and going.

The blacksmith shop. Tang San couldn't help but remember his father's words. Tang Hao had once told him that in the future, he should find a blacksmith shop to work at to supplement his living expenses.

But now that he had his duties as a Work-study Student, did he still have time to work here?

Having grown up living in a blacksmith's shop, Tang San felt a certain affection for the blacksmith's trade. He gave the shop a long, deep look before finally running toward the academy.

The Great Master's body was recovering quickly. Tang San used the money the Great Master had given him to buy some food from the cafeteria and brought it back, eating together with him. The Great Master could already walk now and told Tang San there was no need to look after him. He should just attend his classes normally these days and focus on reading the book the Great Master had given him.

Leaving the Great Master's room, Tang San returned to the Work-study Student dormitory. This time, Dormitory Seven wasn't empty. Most of the Work-study Students were there, chattering excitedly about something.

"Xiao San, you're back!" Xiao Wu was sitting back against her bed. Of course, what she was leaning against were the blankets she now shared with Tang San.

"Xiao Wu, take me to the places we're supposed to clean. A promise is a promise. Starting today, the cleaning duty is all mine." Keeping one's word was the foundation of character. Tang San had always been very good at this.

Xiao Wu glanced at him. "Clean what? You've gotten lucky. You don't have to clean anymore from now on."

Tang San was stunned. "Why?"

Xiao Wu said with a touch of pride, "Did you think I, your Sister Xiao Wu, held that title for nothing? Xiao Chenyu's group arranged work for all of us Work-study Students. We don't have to do it anymore, but we still get paid. You put in quite a bit of effort this time, so I'll let you off easy."

Although Tang San kept his promises, he was by no means an inflexible person. He chuckled. "Well, that's great. From now on, you really are the Sister Xiao Wu of the whole Nuoding Academy."

Xiao Wu sat up, hugging her knees, her rosy cheeks looking at Tang San curiously. "So, how did your evaluation at Spirit Hall go?"

Tang San said, "It worked out. I'm a Soul Master now."

(End of Chapter)