Only one meter, the leaf flew just one meter before it could no longer maintain its spinning momentum, because it was no longer rigid, and once it left Tang San's fingers, the effect of the Mysterious Heaven Method's inner strength naturally dissipated.
"My power is still too weak," Tang San said with a helpless shake of his head. He stood up, knowing it was time to go back. Today, he would leave the village, and who knew when he would next return to this mountaintop.
With a light tap of his toes, powering his shins, Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and headed down the mountain.
The familiar scent of porridge greeted his nose. This was the last meal he would make for his father before leaving, so of course, Tang San did not skimp. He checked the fire beneath the stove, added some water to the pot of porridge, ensuring that his father would have hot porridge to eat when he woke.
Old Jack had already arrived, perhaps because of the trip to Notting City today, he had donned a new set of clothes, adding a touches of robustness to his appearance.
"Xiaosan, let's go. Your lazy drunkard of a dad isn't going to wake up," Jack beckoned to Tang San.
Tang San gestured for Jack to be quiet, "Grandpa, please keep it down. Dad hates it most when someone disturbs his sleep." As he spoke, he pulled a charred piece of wood from the stove and scribbled a few lines on the ground. Then, with one last lingering look at his father's bedroom door, he shouldered his bundle and quietly left with Jack.
Tang San knew little of this world's script; he had only occasionally glanced at the children learning to read at the private school in the village. However, with the foundation of his previous life, he had managed to grasp some basic characters.
The door curtain was lifted, and a tall figure emerged from the interior room. There wasn't a trace of sleepiness in Tang Hao's eyes. As he approached the doorway, he could still faintly see the retreating figures of Old Jack and the slender Tang San.
Tang Hao stood still, not moving until the backs of Tang San and Village Chief Jack had completely disappeared. He continued to stand there, motionless for a good while.
As if suddenly remembering something, Tang Hao turned back into the blacksmith shop and looked at the message Tang San had left for him on the ground.
It was a simple message, "Dad, Grandpa Jack and I have left. Take good care of yourself, drink less. Porridge is in the pot, don't forget to eat."
His gaze moved from the words on the ground to the iron pot beside him, and Tang Hao rushed over, sweeping the lid off the pot with one hand and lifting the pot with both hands.
Because Tang San had just added water, the porridge in the pot hadn't come back to a boil yet, but Tang Hao didn't care, pouring the porridge directly into his mouth, gulping it down. In his red-rimmed eyes, a misty layer of moisture had formed at some point.
Walking on the road, Tang San walked silently beside Old Jack, frequently looking back toward the village.
"Xiaosan, do you miss the village or that drunkard dad of yours?" Jack smiled as he patted Tang San's head and asked.
"A bit of both," Tang San replied softly.
Jack chuckled softly, "You're so much more sensible than a few of my good-for-nothing grandsons. How great it would be if you were my grandson. That old drunk Tang Hao is really lucky. Don't worry too much. The world outside is vast, and at the academy, you'll make many friends and learn a lot. Once you become a Soul Master, the state will give you a monthly stipend, and your family's life will improve."
Tang San, having lived two lives, listened to Jack's words and gradually returned to his normal state of mind, his heart unable to contain his longing for the outside world, "Grandpa Jack, can you tell me about the academy? What is that place like?"
Jack grinned and explained, "An academy is naturally a place for learning. Although I've never attended, I still know quite a bit. Our village has a quota for one work-study student each year, but it's been many years since any work-study student went to study. Work-study students get many benefits, such as waiver of tuition and accommodation fees; you only need money for food. You can earn your meals by doing simple jobs at the academy, like cleaning classrooms. Overall, being a work-study student at the academy is almost free. If you were paying to study, the fees would be unaffordable for us poor folks."
Tang San said, "Dad told me to find a job in a blacksmith shop when I get to the academy."
"You? Work in a blacksmith shop? What a joke. Tang Hao must have lost his mind," Old Jack responded irritably, "How old are you? Not even as tall as a forging hammer. Which blacksmith would take on an apprentice like you? Besides, blacksmithing is a disregarded trade; working won't earn much. All you need to do is study well at the academy."
"However, if you make achievements at the academy, you should really have your drunkard father save some money for you. There is no work-study quota for the Intermediate Soul Master Academy, and it's quite expensive to study there. Just the stipend from being a Soul Master won't be nearly enough."
Since Tang San possessed innate full soul power, Old Jack already considered him a Soul Master.
Looking puzzled, Tang San asked Jack, "There's an Intermediate Soul Master Academy too? What's the difference between it and the Primary Soul Master Academy? They're both academies, so they should teach knowledge related to being a Soul Master, right?"
With great patience, Jack explained, "Of course, they're different. The Primary Soul Master Academy teaches basic things and some cultural courses. It only accepts children whose Martial Souls have just awakened, with a six-year educational system. At the age of twelve, if they don't have much promise, they'll only become common Soul Masters. But if they have good potential, most will choose to attend the Intermediate Soul Master Academy for further study until they are eighteen. Things taught in the Intermediate Academy are more profound, but the difficulty of the studies will also increase significantly. If you can't meet the academy's requirements, you'll be unable to graduate on time, which is different from the Primary Academy."