Bathing felt profoundly private. In my past life, I never considered such trivialities; I accepted clean, private bathrooms without thought. The sharp scent of ammonia, typical of public latrines, stung my nostrils. While less repulsive than anticipated, the odor compelled a grimace.
Thick steam clung to the air in the vast, humid hall of the public bathhouse. Rough stone chilled my soles, and rows of doorless stalls offered minimal seclusion. A large pool surrounded by long wooden benches served as the hub of activity at the center of the room. The scent of cheap bar soap mingled with the damp mustiness of an old building shielded from the sun.
The fading evening sunlight filtered through small vents high upon the walls, casting amber beams that pierced the heavy mist. As darkness crept in from outside, oil lamps in the corners flickered to life and cast a dim yellow glow across the rippling surface of the pool.
After a full day at the forge, grime made my skin tacky despite the lack of heavy sweat. I decided to utilize the free facilities, though I never expected the spectacle that awaited me.
"Tang San!" Wang Sheng called as he approached, a small entourage of students trailing behind him. The boy always drew a crowd. Even after Xiao Wu seized his title as 'Boss,' old habits died hard.
He slapped a hand onto my shoulder. "I heard you went into town to find work. It looks like you succeeded."
I shrugged his hand off and met his gaze with a flat expression. "Why are you naked?"
"Huh?" Wang Sheng blinked, looking confused. "You're asking why someone is naked while bathing?" His expression suggested he thought I lacked common sense.
I suppressed the urge to strike him. Instead, I gestured toward the towel wrapped around my waist and pointed at the other students.
"Oh," Wang Sheng nodded with hands on his hips, allowing his manhood to swing freely without shame. "Towels are a useless luxury!" he proclaimed. The boys behind him, equally bare, nodded in fervent agreement. "Besides, you don't need to bother drying off. Li over here possesses the Martial Soul Cloth; he has assisted all the working students since we entered the academy," he added, pointing to a thin boy in the back.
I glanced at the boy, who seemed to bask in the sudden attention. "Can you summon multiple cloths at once, or just one?" I asked.
"Um, no?" he replied, looking puzzled. "I can only summon one." He stared at me with an innocent, confused gaze. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason," I replied curtly, turning away. A prickle of unease crawled over my skin. "Wang Sheng, I'll see you all back at the dorm," I said, quickening my pace toward the showers. I made a mental note never to let any of them touch me or Xiao Wu.
I stepped under a showerhead in the corner, letting the cold stream wash away the soot and sweat clinging to my skin. Despite the primitive facilities, the chill of the water offered a brief respite. I finished my business with haste and dried off, eager to escape the noisy, humid atmosphere of the bathhouse.
Once fully dressed, I hurried through the corridors until I reached the dormitory.
The spacious room lacked luxury. Dorm 7 was a large hall with high ceilings, where ten simple wooden beds lined the walls. Thin mattresses rested on the frames, and the pillows had long since lost their shape.
"Xiao Wu, I'm back," I announced as I walked toward my bed. I found Xiao Wu sitting there, knees tucked to her chest, staring blankly out the window. She appeared uncharacteristically somber, lacking her usual spark of energy.
I realized then that she still lacked her own bedding. I would have to buy some for her tomorrow. It seemed strange that the Tang San from the original story allowed Xiao Wu to go without a bed for years. Did he secretly enjoy sharing a mattress with a young girl? Regardless, Xiao Wu was not a peaceful sleeper; this rabbit tended to kick in her sleep.
"San-ge, you're finally back!" Xiao Wu pouted, barely hiding her relief. "What took you so long? It's boring here."
"Most people use their free time to meditate," I remarked, meeting her eyes.
"Instead of that, tell me about your trip to the city!" she exclaimed, her curiosity reigniting instantly.
I fought the urge to sigh. "There isn't much to tell. I spent the entire day at the blacksmith's forge," I said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed beside her.
Physically, her body had barely reached seven years of age, yet I knew she had spent thousands of years as a Spirit Beast in the forest. Her fascination with the human world made sense. Even so, she likely feared wandering the city lest she encounter a Spirit Douluo or a Titled Douluo capable of uncovering her true nature.
Fortunately, I enjoyed storytelling. I began to describe the bustle of Nuoding City, the shops lining the streets, and the forge where I worked. I spoke of the white-hot iron sparking under the hammer and the rhythmic clanging that had become a familiar melody. Xiao Wu listened with wide eyes, occasionally interrupting with innocent questions about the strange things humans did.
The girl eventually drifted off to sleep while I explained the mechanics behind the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method. I smiled faintly, adjusted her position, and pulled the blanket over her.
I glanced around the room. The other students slept soundly, with only a few still sitting in quiet meditation. I took a deep breath, crossed my legs, and began my own session. My goal was not to increase my spirit power directly; the Inner World Core handled that task automatically.
While my spirit power remained locked at 10 until I obtained a spirit ring, meditation was far from pointless. While level increases represented vertical growth in quality, Spirit Masters often overlooked horizontal expansion, specifically the density and control of energy. Each level possessed a capacity limit; until reached, spirit power quality permitted further refinement. No sane person would intentionally stall their progression, yet for me, this was a golden opportunity to build an unrivaled foundation.
Levels 10, 20, and beyond were crucial milestones. I faced no horizontal growth limits like other Spirit Masters. To ignore this now would make it harder to maximize my capacity later. Even without constant active meditation, I had to ensure the process remained on track.
After a day of operation, the Inner World Core restored my spirit power to its maximum at level 10. I had worried that someone might notice the temporary dip in my energy earlier, but that concern proved groundless.
I lacked the spiritual sense to feel every detail within my body, yet I sensed the spirit power swirling within the core. It grew denser by the second as proto-primordial qi began to form.
Even with the automatic operation, the actual shaping of the Inner World Core required my active focus.
I directed the flow of proto-primordial qi with precision, attempting to transform the spherical core into a hexagonal sphere. Beyond the unique aesthetic of a hexagon, the Spirit World Core Formation Guide recommended it as the most stable structure for long-term energy development. A perfect sphere seemed ideal, yet proved harder to maintain as energy capacity increased.
An uncomfortable sensation stirred in my lower abdomen, as if something moved sluggishly beneath my skin. Fortunately, the feeling didn't break my concentration.
Ugh, this is slower than I anticipated. I had barely managed to form a single vertex on the core's surface after several minutes. However, the lack of progress didn't deter me. Consistency provided the key to a strong foundation.
The night wore on in silence, or so I thought until I felt a hand grip my shoulder. Immense, foreign spirit power suddenly enveloped me. Before I could react or summon my Martial Soul, my vision blurred. The world spun for a moment before I realized I stood outside the dormitory, likely in the woods behind the academy.
Pale moonlight filtered through the canopy and illuminated the ground covered in dry leaves and tangled, ancient roots. The air here felt colder and damper, carrying the sharp, crisp scent of pine and soil. The silence felt unnatural, as if every creature in the forest held its breath.
My muscles tensed. My Martial Soul stood ready for activation, alongside the Shroud Flora. Whoever brought me here possessed power far beyond my current level.
Before me stood a disheveled, middle-aged man. His dull gray cloak featured a patchwork of rags and stains, suggesting he neglected his appearance for years. His short black hair was a mess, and a thin, unkempt beard covered a rugged face. Deep-set eyes appeared weary, burdened by hidden sorrow. Yet, behind that exhaustion lay an aura so oppressive and potent it made the air feel heavy.
I adjusted my stance and forced an expression of disbelief. "Father?"
The man remained silent for a moment before giving a stiff nod. "Son, I know you have many questions. One day, I will explain everything," he said, his voice thick with fatigue. "I met with the Grandmaster, and he provided important information regarding you."
"I always knew you would awaken your mother's lineage," he continued, his voice weak yet tinged with pride. I also detected a hint of ambition in his words. "Even to the point of awakening such strong innate power. I am proud of you, Son."
"Father, I don't understand," I said, playing the part of the original Tang San. I appeared confused and desperate for answers. "How did you get here? What have you been doing? Are you a Spirit Master?"
Tang Hao nodded slowly. "I am injured, and my enemies continue to hunt me. That is why I must hide. At first, I gave up," he said, stepping closer to place a rough hand on my shoulder. "But the talent you've shown gives me hope. I believe that one day, you will avenge your mother."
"What do you mean, Father?" I asked, my voice pitched with shock.
"It is not yet time for you to know the truth. I came here because of my injuries," he said, his tone turning grave.
A look of feigned realization crossed my face. "The Grandmaster must have told you about the Soul Link."
Tang Hao nodded. "Yes. I planned to stay hidden until you grew stronger. But if you truly can heal your father's wounds, then I can assist you far more than I could before."
Heh, naturally. You would make an excellent pawn, or protector. I fought to keep the spark of ambition from my eyes. Instead, I adopted a serious expression and gave a firm nod.
"Don't worry, Father. I will do everything in my power to heal you."
I immediately summoned my Blue Silver Grass, infused with the Shroud Flora. A dim blue-green light pulsed from my palm, illuminating the gloom. The sharp, fresh scent of the forest filled the air.
I directed the vines toward Tang Hao. But as the leaves brushed against his gray cloak, he leapt back with startling speed.
A jolt of fear struck my heart. Does he suspect something? I surreptitiously opened my HUD, eyeing the items I could sell to reach 50 credits if things turned sour.
"Wait," Tang Hao raised a hand, signaling me to stop. "I can feel the injuries reacting poorly to your spirit power."
He stared at my palm with a deep frown. "My wounds are old and festering with the residual energy of my enemies. The life force you possess, while pure, has an overly aggressive 'predatory' nature. If I allow it into my body now, it will trigger a violent rejection from the chaotic energies within me."
"It's a pity. It seems we must wait until you are stronger and possess finer control, Xiao San," he said. Before I could respond, he vanished, leaving only a faint swirl of dust behind.
I scanned the surroundings, but the forest stood empty and silent.
Fuck.
I grimaced in frustration.