Tang San didn't want to lose this father, nor did he wish for anyone to know about his past, so naturally, he wouldn't tell Tang Hao that this was because he practiced the Mysterious Jade Hands from the Tang Sect.
To be good at using hidden weapons, the most basic requirement is the integration of vision, hand strength, and focus. As the saying goes, "When the mind arrives, the eyes arrive; when the eyes arrive, the hands arrive." Thus, in the training methods of the Tang Sect's inner sect, there is an extremely high demand for vision and hand strength.
The Purple Demon Eyes are cultivated by taking advantage of the brief moment of purple air that arrives as the sun rises in the east, greatly enhancing one's vision.
The Mysterious Jade Hands can make one's palms extremely tough and isolate them from any poison.
These two abilities are compulsory courses for disciples of the Tang Sect's inner sect. Although Tang San's Mysterious Jade Hands were far from perfect, they were sufficient to protect his palms from developing blisters.
"Just a bit more effort and it will be done today," Tang San exerted himself swinging the hammer in his hand. In this monotonous process, his heart wasn't calm. After all, his understanding of this world was still very basic, as it was only a small village.
This world was called Soul Land, and on the continent, there were two great empires, or one could also describe them as two alliances. Within both empires, there were numerous territories awarded to vassals, and countless armed noble forces.
One of these empires was the Tiandou Empire, where Tang San resided; the other was the Xingluo Empire to the south.
The Fasinuo province was located at the border of these two countries, and Notting City, next to the village of Saint Soul, was less than two hundred miles away from the Xingluo Empire.
From conversations among villagers, Tang San learned that on the Soul Land continent, there was no martial arts like in his old world, but there was something called Martial Soul. It was said that everyone had their own Martial Soul, and among them, a very small portion of people could cultivate their Martial Souls, forming a profession called Soul Master. The most noble profession on the continent was the Soul Master. Like the Soul Sage who, according to legends, emerged from Saint Soul village a hundred years ago, was a Soul Master; "Soul Sage" is a title given at a certain Soul Master level.
Martial Souls were divided into two categories, Tool Souls and Beast Souls. As the names suggest, Martial Souls that were tools are called Tool Souls, and those that were animals are known as Beast Souls. Comparatively, the range covered by Tool Souls is wider, and most people have Tool Souls. Among them, the proportion of Tool Souls that cannot be cultivated is higher than that of Beast Souls.
Tang San once saw a villager whose Martial Soul was a hoe, clearly a Martial Soul that could not be cultivated. But even so, when tilling the land, he was still faster than the average villager.
That's all Tang San understood. Since everyone has their own Martial Soul, Tang San also wanted to know what his own Martial Soul was. Is it a Tool Soul or a Beast Soul, and can it be cultivated?
In Soul Land, people's Martial Souls awaken at the age of six. In a few days, Tang San would turn six as well. For some reason, he vaguely felt that his inability to break through in his Mysterious Heaven Method was somehow related to this Martial Soul.
Tang San wasn't particularly interested in becoming a Soul Master, but he had resolved to become a high-level hidden weapon expert at the Tang Sect inner sect level, so how could he lack Inner Strength?
"Tang Hao, are you busy?" While Tang San was striving towards his ten thousandth forging, an old voice came from outside.
It was the afternoon, and Tang Hao was working, forging farm tools. At the call, he simply grunted in response.
Tang San, curious, stepped out from his room and saw an elderly man at the door. The man appeared to be in his sixties, tall and thin, but lively and clean, with well-groomed hair, a stark contrast to Tang Hao.
This man Tang San knew; he was the village chief, Elder Jack.
"Xiaosan, come here, let Grandpa have a look at you," Elder Jack beckoned to Tang San.
The village chief was a good man, and everyone in the village respected him. A few years back, during the most difficult times for Tang San's family, he had often brought them food.
"Grandpa Jack, hello," Tang San approached Elder Jack and respectfully saluted him. He always remembered those who treated him well.
Tang Hao coldly said, "Is there something you need, village chief?" Elder Jack was actually less than a decade older than him but insisted on being addressed a generation higher, which Tang Hao always found slightly irksome.
Elder Jack seemed accustomed to Tang Hao's attitude and said, "Tang Hao, Xiaosan is almost six, right? He should participate in the awakening ceremony this year."
Tang Hao glanced at Tang San and said indifferently, "Then let's participate. When is it?"
Elder Jack replied, "It's in three days. I'll come pick him up then." His tone clearly suggested that if it were left to Tang Hao, there might be a delay.
Tang Hao nodded and turned his attention away from the village chief.
However, Tang San asked with some curiosity, "Grandpa Jack, what is the awakening ceremony?"
Elder Jack answered seriously, "Every one of us has our own Martial Soul. At about six years old, we undergo an awakening ceremony. With a Martial Soul, our abilities in certain areas will be enhanced. Even the most common Martial Soul can provide some help. If you happen to have an outstanding Martial Soul that can be cultivated, then you might even become a Soul Master. The awakening ceremony only happens once a year, and I can't let you miss it. A deacon from Notting City's Martial Soul Hall will personally assist the children of our village with their awakening. That deacon is a Great Soul Master."
While speaking the words "Great Soul Master," a look of envy was clearly visible in Jack's eyes.
Tang San, who only had a vague idea about Soul Masters, seized the opportunity to inquire further, asking, "What does 'Great Soul Master' mean?"