Chapter 20: (Edited) Chapter 20: Su Ming: Tang San, I’ll keep your secret. Just don’t ask for too much in return, alright?
Tang San nodded in agreement. Although his father had told him not to reveal his second spirit, there was no helping it since his teacher had already discovered it. He trusted that the teacher wouldn't disclose it.
Then, Tang San extended his left hand, revealing a small blue hammer—it was the Haotian Hammer!
"This is—!"
Yu Xiaogang stared in shock at the small hammer in front of him!
So, Tang San's second spirit was the Haotian Hammer! Plus, he was attending school as a work-study student instead of being at the Haotian Sect.
Tang San was puzzled as to why his teacher was so surprised. Was there something wrong with his spirit?
"Teacher, is there something wrong with my spirit?"
Yu Xiaogang snapped back to reality and immediately grasped Tang San's shoulders, saying, "Little San, you must remember that from now on, you cannot use your second spirit in front of others without my permission!"
"I can't tell you everything right now, but you'll understand in the future!"
"Got it, Teacher."
Tang San put the Haotian Hammer away, feeling quite confused. Why did his teacher sound just like his father?
Next, Yu Xiaogang began explaining the development paths for spirit masters and suggested that Tang San pursue a control-type direction, to which Tang San nodded in agreement!
After these discussions, Yu Xiaogang suddenly remembered that he hadn't asked Tang San how he had gotten the injury on his face.
He immediately asked, "Little San, how did you get that injury on your face? Didn't you just start school today?"
Then, Tang San awkwardly recounted the incident to Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang sighed, "I didn't expect Su Ming to be so skilled at such a young age."
He then confidently added, "But don't worry, Little San. As long as you follow my guidance, surpassing him will just be a matter of time!"
Then, Yu Xiaogang took out a belt-like spirit tool. Originally, he planned to give it to Tang San tomorrow, but after thinking it over, he decided to give it to him now.
"Little San, this spirit tool is for you. It contains a total of twenty-four jade stones, each one cubic."
Tang San gratefully replied, "Thank you, Teacher."
It was said that one should not refuse gifts from elders, and this was likely a welcome gift from the teacher to his student.
Yu Xiaogang said, "I obtained this spirit tool thirty years ago, and it has been buried for so long. You can give it a name!"
Tang San thought for a moment and said, "Let's call it 'Twenty-Four Bridges on a Moonlit Night.'"
Yu Xiaogang nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad. That's a good name. You should go back and prepare. Tomorrow, I'll take you to hunt soul beasts to obtain your first soul ring."
After everything was settled, Tang San returned to the dormitory.
As soon as he entered, he saw Su Ming and Xiao Wu both practicing.
Upon seeing Xiao Wu's new bedding, Tang San realized that Su Ming had already helped her buy it. For some reason, he felt a faint sense of loss, unsure if it was just his imagination. Then, Su Ming noticed the noise at the door and looked over, recognizing it was Tang San returning, so he ended his practice.
Concerned, he asked, "Tang San, you're back! I bought some ointment for you. Apply it quickly, and in a few days, your face will be less swollen."
Tang San took the ointment Su Ming had bought, but looking at Su Ming's caring expression, he felt a strange discomfort, though he knew it was a kind gesture.
Then, he suddenly thought of something and quietly said to Su Ming, "Su Ming, can you keep my dual spirit a secret?"
Su Ming replied, "Don't worry, my lips are sealed. We're from the same village and will be living and learning together in the future. Unless you expose your talent yourself, I won't say a word."
The girls thought: Ah, yes, you're good at keeping secrets, but your thoughts aren't so discreet. We all know!
Seeing Su Ming's assurance, Tang San felt a bit more at ease.
Although Su Ming's words sounded nice, he secretly thought: Tang San, I can keep your secret, but there will be a price. It's not too much; I'll be keeping Xiao Wu for myself. Don't even think about the Eight Spider Lances and Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well for now. That's only fair, right? After all, those are external possessions; your dual spirits are the most important, heh heh!
Then, Tang San turned to Xiao Wu and asked, "Xiao Wu, were you just practicing?"
Xiao Wu replied, "Yes, why?"
Tang San asked in confusion, "But aren't you at level ten innate soul power? What's the use of practicing without an additional soul ring?"
At this moment, Su Ming interjected, "I made her practice. Without an additional soul ring, the results of continued practice will be reflected after obtaining one. This is one of the theories released by your teacher, and I looked into it! I think this theory should be true, considering it was 'organized' by the Master from the Spirit Hall!"
Tang San twitched his mouth at Su Ming's words. So, Su Ming was purposely provoking him. At the same time, he understood—so that was it.
He didn't care whether the Master's theory was copied or not; as long as it was useful to him!
In fact, Su Ming found Xiao Wu a bit strange. Since she was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form, she had her own foundation. Even before becoming a Titled Douluo, her soul power would increase rapidly, even without active cultivation.
However, today, just as he was about to start practicing, Xiao Wu suddenly asked him whether she could continue practicing without an additional soul ring.
This surprised Su Ming. When did Xiao Wu become so diligent? Something felt off, but he still answered her.
What Su Ming didn't know was that Xiao Wu already knew about this cultivation theory. She was just asking to confirm, especially since she was technically not at level ten but rather at level eleven, having already formed her first soul ring.
Therefore, after asking Su Ming about this, he wouldn't question why she continued to cultivate even though her soul power was at level ten.
However, Xiao Wu still made a slight miscalculation. Su Ming knew what her early cultivation was like; how could she suddenly start practicing diligently?
Xiao Wu had also experienced a butterfly effect because of the diary. She knew that Su Ming's strength would increase rapidly in the future. She didn't want to fall behind, and she even wanted to fulfill her wish of "defeating Su Ming once," so she started to work hard at her cultivation!
Later on, Su Ming and Xiao Wu ignored Tang San and began their practice.
Tang San realized he could continue practicing at this stage as well, so he started cultivating, and the other roommates, seeing this, also set aside everything else to practice together!
The three of them directly motivated the entire dormitory, and soon everyone in the dorm was getting involved in the cultivation!