Tang Yin didn't waste any time—he unleashed his Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul right away.
Tang Hao stared, eyes huge, mouth twitching. "No wonder… no wonder," he muttered, almost talking to himself.
Tang San stood off to the side, watching the scene unfold. He frowned, jealousy bubbling up inside him, even though he tried to push it down. Tang Hao had never acted like this before—not with him, not with anyone. Usually, Tang Hao treated them both the same. But now? Things were definitely different.
"Dad, I awakened a Blue Silver Grass Spirit too," Tang San said quickly, sticking out his right hand.
A strand of Blue Silver Grass appeared in his palm. But honestly, compared to Tang Yin's Martial Soul, Tang San's looked plain and rough—just the same as any grass you'd find by the roadside.
Tang Hao's hope flickered for a second. But as soon as he realized Tang San's spirit was nothing special, just the most ordinary kind, disappointment swept across his face. He turned his attention back to Tang Yin and ignored Tang San.
"Dad…" Tang San just stood there, shocked, his heart sinking. It hurt more than he expected.
"Tang Hao, Xiao Yin and Little San both got Innate Full Spirit Power. I'm planning to send them to the Spirit Master academy in the city!" Old Jack announced.
Tang Hao looked rattled. "Innate Full Spirit Power?" He seemed to remember something, but tried to act indifferent, grumbling, "I'll decide what to do. Stay out of it."
Old Jack exploded. "Stay out of it? If it wasn't for me, who knows what would've happened to those two under your care!"
"I said it's not your business. Get out!" Tang Hao snapped.
Old Jack rolled his eyes. "Like I want to stay in this dump! If it weren't for Xiao Yin and Little San, I wouldn't set foot in here. School starts in three months, and I'll be back to pick them up. Just wait and see."
Old Jack left, fuming. Tang Hao's face darkened and he said nothing.
Then, out of nowhere, Tang San spoke up. "Dad, I didn't have a change like my brother, but I have a second Spirit. Look!" He showed a tiny, pitch-black hammer in his hand.
Tang Hao couldn't hold himself back. He rushed over, staring at the little hammer. "Twin spirits! Real twin spirits!"
Tang San felt a rush of excitement, like he'd finally gotten his dad's attention. Tang Yin's eyelid twitched. Nothing about Tang Hao's reaction surprised him. Sects and old families always cared more about their inherited Martial Souls than anything else.
"Xiao Yin, do you have twin spirits too?" Tang Hao leaned in hopefully.
Tang Yin answered, "I just have the one Spirit." He skipped mentioning the Blue Silver Domain, figured there was no need.
Disappointment sank into Tang Hao's face again. His brow furrowed. He thought, "So the Clear Sky Hammer lost to the Blue Silver Emperor…" And then something clicked. He remembered that only one person with the Blue Silver Emperor spirit could exist at any time. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass would always stay ordinary. The bloodline in him would go to waste. Without that evolution, Blue Silver Grass was pretty much useless.
"Dad, why didn't my Blue Silver Grass change like my brother's? His is so much stronger!" Tang San asked, puzzled.
He wanted to be like Tang Yin too. Everyone wants to look impressive, and he'd inherited Tang Hao's features. But Tang Yin's face was delicate, like it was carved by an artist—not like Tang Hao at all.
Tang Hao didn't answer. He kept things close.
"Do you two want to become Spirit Masters and attend the academy in the city?" Tang Hao asked.
"Yes," Tang Yin said.
"I'll listen to you, Dad," Tang San replied.
Their voices overlapped, but neither wanted to back down. They glanced at each other and quickly looked away.
Tang Hao took a moment, patted Tang San on the head, and said, "Let's eat."
After the meal, Tang Yin and Tang San separated. Tang San went back to his room, hammering iron like he always did. Tang Yin thought quietly about what came next.
The Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul wasn't just powerful—it came with Innate Full Spirit Power. But what was really special about Blue Silver Grass? Vitality. This stuff grew everywhere, and its life force was unbeatable. He didn't need poison spirit rings, like Tang San had used in the past. With that much vitality, he could carve his own path.
Moments ticked by. Outside, Tang Hao and Tang San argued over blacksmithing. Tang Yin figured out right away—Tang Hao was teaching Tang San the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method. And he wasn't included. Was it because he never awakened the Clear Sky Hammer?
Three months passed in a blur.
Tang San had all sorts of techniques and learned a lot from Tang Hao. Tang Yin, though, got nothing. He never learned a meditation technique, never meditated once. Tang Hao never even thought about teaching him. He kept his secrets close. Tang Yin felt like those months went to waste.
—
Nuoding City. Elementary Spirit Master Academy.
Tang Yin, Tang San, and Old Jack arrived—and instantly got hassled by the gatekeeper. Just when things looked like they'd turn ugly, Yu Xiaogang, wearing a long black robe, showed up. He told off the gatekeeper, grabbed the two Spirit awakening certificates, and looked them over.
"Two Blue Silver Grass Spirits, both with Innate Full Spirit Power?" he read, disbelief creeping into his voice. "How is this even possible?"
Yu Xiaogang couldn't shake his surprise. His own Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit mutated, but his innate spirit power was only half a level. Yet here were two kids with ordinary Blue Silver Grass, and they had Innate Full Spirit Power.
"Old sir, leave them to me," Yu Xiaogang said, forcing a smile.
Old Jack agreed, patting their shoulders. "Xiao Yin, Little San, work hard here. I'll come get you when you're on break!"
"Goodbye, Grandpa!" Tang Yin and Tang San said together.
"Follow me," Yu Xiaogang called, leading the way.
Tang San nodded. "Teacher, thank you."
Tang Yin shot Tang San a look, but kept quiet.
Yu Xiaogang laughed, "The title 'teacher' is a big deal. Most people just call me Grandmaster, unless you really want to be my disciple." His eyes shined with excitement.
"Will you teach us how to cultivate our Spirits?" Tang San asked, serious now. He needed guidance, and if Yu Xiaogang genuinely knew his stuff, Tang San would take him as a teacher.
Tang Yin kept silent. He knew a good teacher could change everything. But Yu Xiaogang? He wasn't interested.
"Grandmaster, hand me my Spirit awakening certificate. If you want Little San as a disciple, go ahead," Tang Yin said, stepping up.
Yu Xiaogang blinked, caught off guard. Before he could react, Tang Yin snatched his certificate and walked right past.
"Brother?!" Tang San called after him.
Tang Yin glanced back, then kept moving.
Yu Xiaogang frowned, but didn't chase him. Instead, he turned to Tang San. "If your brother has twin spirits, he's going to have some pride."
Tang San disagreed. "My brother doesn't have twin spirits, just Blue Silver Grass Spirit."
Yu Xiaogang scowled, "No way. How can a single Blue Silver Grass Spirit have Innate Full Spirit Power?"
Tang San explained, "Maybe it's because my brother's Blue Silver Grass looks different—it has gold patterns, not like regular Blue Silver Grass."
Yu Xiaogang perked up. "Oh? So maybe it's a mutated Spirit?"
Tang San asked, "What's a mutated Spirit?"
Yu Xiaogang smiled, "A mutated Spirit is…"