Douro Continent

Chapter 55 Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique (Part 3)

Tang San didn't hide anything and said, "It's a Mandala Snake."

Matthew was taken aback. "No wonder, no wonder! It's the most troublesome low-level soul beast, the Mandragora Snake. And a hundred-year-old Mandragora Snake at that! No wonder it has such an effect. No, that's not right. Your martial soul is clearly plant-type, how can you use an animal-type soul ring? Child, you must be mistaken."

Previously, Xiao Laoda and his group were just children and did not have a deep understanding of martial spirits. However, this Deacon Matthew had worked in the Spirit Hall for decades and was very clear about the basic rules of spirit rings. He immediately realized the key.

Tang San shook his head and said, "Grandpa Matthew, I'm not wrong. Why can't a plant-type spirit use an animal-type spirit ring? Under certain conditions, it's possible. My teacher calls it the spirit mimicry theory."

Matthew's expression changed drastically. "Excuse me, who is your teacher?"

Tang San said, "Everyone calls him Master."

"Grandmaster? The one who once published the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, and was later expelled from the Spirit Hall? He's actually in our Notting City?"

After hearing Matthew's words, Tang San realized that Grandmaster actually came from the Spirit Hall, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer.

Matthew's expression suddenly turned serious. "Tang San, are you willing to join the Spirit Hall?"

Tang San was taken aback for a moment. "Grandpa Matthew, didn't I come to register at the Spirit Hall?"

Matthew shook his head and said, "No, it's different. Registering with the Spirit Hall is something most Spirit Masters do to receive subsidies from the state. Joining the Spirit Hall, however, means becoming a Spirit Master exclusively for the Spirit Hall. Spirit Master training will then directly enter a school specially established by the Spirit Hall."

Tang San shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that won't work. I've already started studying at the Notting Junior Soul Master Academy."

Matthew sighed and said, "It's indeed too late. Even for our Spirit Hall, there's no reason to forcibly poach people from the academy. Let it go. It's all Su Yuntao's fault. He should have brought you directly to the Spirit Hall. I'm afraid Grandmaster wouldn't have agreed to you joining the Spirit Hall either, after all..."

Tang San smiled slightly and said, "You can't say that. If I had come to the Spirit Hall, I might not have gotten such a good spirit ring. Don't you think so, Grandpa Matthew?"

Matthew paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "What you said makes sense. Alright, your advancement assessment is over. From now on, you are a proud Soul Master of the Heaven Dou Empire. Welcome to the ranks of Soul Masters. From now on, you can collect your monthly stipend from the Spirit Hall using the badge I'll give you later. The Soul Master stipend is one gold soul coin per month. Once you reach the Great Soul Master level, the stipend will increase to ten gold soul coins. I will report the matter of using animal soul rings on plant-based martial souls as soon as possible."

"Thanks."

When Tang San left the Spirit Hall, his Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moon had an additional badge specially made by the Spirit Hall. The badge was round, with his name engraved on the back and two intersecting thorns on the front, symbolizing the level of a Soul Master. Even Tang San, who came from a blacksmithing background, could not tell what metal the badge was made of.

Aside from the Spirit Hall, Tang San quickly ran towards Notting Academy. With Matthew's guidance, he took a shortcut this time, saving at least half the time.

Just as they were about to reach the academy, Tang San suddenly heard a familiar voice. His steps involuntarily halted.

Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong...

A hammer-shaped sign, a tall but somewhat rough building, from which rhythmic hammering sounds constantly emanate – this is a blacksmith's shop.

From the outside, this blacksmith shop looks much bigger than the one at Tang San's house, and there are quite a few customers coming and going.

At the blacksmith shop, Tang San couldn't help but recall his father's words. Tang Hao had once told him that he should find a job at a blacksmith shop to supplement his income.

But now that I have a part-time job to do, do I still have time to work here?

Having grown up in a blacksmith shop, Tang San had developed a deep affection for the profession. He took a long look at the blacksmith shop before running towards the academy.

The master's health was recovering rapidly. Tang San used the money the master had given him to buy some food from the cafeteria and took it back to the master, eating with him. The master was now able to walk and told him not to take care of him. He was told to go to class as usual for the next few days and to read the book the master had given him.

After leaving the master's room, Tang San returned to the work-study student dormitory. This time, Dormitory 7 was no longer empty; most of the work-study students were there, chatting animatedly.

"Xiao San, you're back." Xiao Wu leaned back on the bed, of course, with the blanket she was sharing with Tang San behind her.

"Xiao Wu, take me to where we should clean. Keep your word; from today onwards, the cleaning duties are mine." Keeping promises is fundamental to being a good person. Tang San has always done this very well.

Xiao Wu glanced at him and said, "Why bother cleaning? You're lucky, you won't have to clean anymore."

Tang San was taken aback and asked, "Why?"

Xiao Wu said with a hint of smugness, "Do you think I'm doing this for nothing? Xiao Chenyu has arranged all the work for us work-study students. We don't have to do it anymore, and we'll still get paid. You've put in a lot of effort, so I'll let you off easy this time."

Although Tang San kept his promise, he was by no means a rigid person. He chuckled and said, "That's not bad. From now on, you'll be the Little Wu of the entire Notting Academy."

Xiao Wu sat up, hugged her knees, and looked at Tang San curiously with her rosy cheeks, asking, "How did the Spirit Hall's appraisal go?"

Tang San said, "It's done. I'm a Soul Master now."

(End of this chapter)