"It seems so," Lan Si said. "Master must be from a noble family. He has lived a life of luxury since childhood, so naturally, he thinks like a noble and doesn't view things from our commoner's perspective."
"According to you, the subsidies provided to soul masters by the Spirit Hall come from the empire. So I'd like to ask, where does the empire get its money? From those nobles? From those sects?"
Lan Si shook his head repeatedly. "No, neither. It comes from the common people, from us. As the saying goes, 'taken from the people, used for the people.' If there were no Spirit Hall, would the empire provide subsidies to soul masters? Or would the empire allow commoners like Tang San and me to awaken our martial souls? Would you even receive a disciple like Tang San, who has innate full soul power?"
"This…" Lan Si's questions left Yu Xiaogang in a difficult position because he had never thought about these issues. His impression of the Spirit Hall was solely based on Bibi Dong's greed for his theories and abandonment of him, which led to his resentment.
Lan Si gave a definitive answer: "The answer is no. At least, besides the Spirit Hall, I haven't heard of any other force that would allow commoners to awaken their martial souls. If the two great empires were willing to issue favourable policies like the Spirit Hall, with their financial power, how many hearts could the Spirit Hall win over?"
"That's not a reason for the Spirit Hall to overstep its bounds and buy people's hearts." Seeing that Yu Xiaogang was at a loss, Tang San spoke up to refute Lan Si on behalf of Yu Xiaogang.
Although Lan Si's words had some validity, Tang San thought that the two great empires were like the courts of his previous life, while the Spirit Hall was akin to a religious organisation, which should not interfere with the court.
"This is a deeply ingrained feudal mindset," Lan Si thought disdainfully of Tang San but didn't get angry. He spoke again, "Since that's the case, you can certainly hate the Spirit Hall because it has encroached on noble interests. It's understandable that you lean towards the nobility. Also, don't go to receive the soul master subsidies. Otherwise, enjoying the favourable policies of the Spirit Hall while simultaneously cursing it, don't you think that's very shameless?"
Lan Si shrugged.
"You…" Tang San was left speechless.
Lan Si's words were harsh, but they did make some sense. Tang San didn't expect to be lectured by a six-year-old today.
Yu Xiaogang, who was sitting next to Tang San, noticed that Tang San seemed somewhat swayed and worried, quickly frowning and asking, "Lan Si, who taught you these things?"
"Does it need to be taught?" Lan Si shrugged again.
"Your thoughts are dangerous. As an elder, I advise you to abandon these ideas. Such thoughts will harm you and your family," Yu Xiaogang said seriously.
"The Spirit Hall awakened my martial soul and returns a portion of the money taken from the common people back to the common people. I still understand this simple principle of clear gratitude and resentment," Lan Si said. "In the end, Master is a noble and naturally indifferent to the Spirit Hall. Since Master thinks that providing subsidies to soul masters is wrong, then don't go to the Spirit Hall to claim them. After all, this money comes from commoners and has nothing to do with you nobles."
"Unreasonable." Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red. He turned his head away and stopped paying attention to Lan Si.
In the past, Yu Xiaogang had been contentedly receiving the Spirit Hall's subsidies while thinking that it was money from the empire, and thus, he might as well take it.
Otherwise, it would be a benefit for the Spirit Hall.
Now, with Lan Si's words, if the subsidies were really cut off, how could he continue his research on invincible theories?
He might not even be able to afford food.
Lan Si sneered and turned his attention back to his book, enjoying the peace.
Yu Xiaogang told Tang San, "Little San, don't follow Lan Si's example. The Spirit Hall has grand ambitions and is not a good thing."
"Yes," Tang San replied respectfully.
The saying goes, "A teacher is like a father"
Tang San always remembered this principle.
He also saw in Yu Xiaogang's eyes the emotion that only his father, Tang Hao, showed him.
This indicated that Yu Xiaogang had truly regarded him as his son.
Comparing the father who treated him like his own child to a young and inexperienced stranger, he naturally leaned towards Yu Xiaogang.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, after traveling overnight, Lan Si finally returned to the familiar city—Nuoding City.
Due to Lan Si's remarks the previous evening, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San's attitude toward him had become much colder. Lan Si couldn't be bothered and got off the carriage, first reporting his safety at Otto's Blacksmith Shop, then heading to the central Spirit Hall to undergo the soul master assessment.
Compared to a gold soul coin subsidy, he was more interested in his current soul power level.
The guard at the entrance was still the same one who had spoken with Otto three months ago. When he saw Lan Si, he greeted him with a smile, "Isn't this Ah Si? From your clothes, you must be studying at Nuoding Academy. What brings you to our Spirit Hall?"
"Uncle, I'm here to assess my martial soul level," Lan Si replied.
"Oh, I see. Then go right in. Master Ma is on the first floor; you can go find him directly," said the guard, his eyes showing admiration as he spoke.
"Thank you." Lan Si nodded and quickly entered the Spirit Hall.
The guard's envious gaze followed Lan Si into the Spirit Hall. Another guard asked, "What's up? Do you know this kid?"
"Of course, he's Otto's nephew from the blacksmith shop, with innate fifth-level soul power."
While the two guards were talking, Lan Si had already arrived at the reception hall.
Lan Si knocked on the slightly open door.
"Oh, who is it? Come in," an elderly voice came from inside.
It was a bright office. Master Ma sat behind a large desk, his neatly kept soul master outfit and the standard three-sword emblem on him showing that he was a great soul master.
Walking into the reception hall, closing the door, Lan Si stood in front of the desk and directly stated his purpose, "Hello, Master Ma. I'm here for a soul master assessment."
At this moment, Master Ma had already forgotten about Lan Si. He smiled at Lan Si and said, "Child, I'm hardly a master. Come on, I'll take you for the advancement assessment."
As he spoke, Master Ma stood up, walked out of the reception hall, and led Lan Si to a spacious room on the second floor.
Master Ma first introduced Lan Si to the Spirit Hall, then indicated that Lan Si should release his martial soul and soul ring.
Lan Si walked into the room, stood still, raised his right hand, and focused. The Sacred Universe Techniques soul power combined with the green lotus martial soul flowed slowly from his palm.
A white flame rose from his palm, and the dazzling green lotus with a metallic sheen slowly appeared. A circle of bright yellow hundred-year soul rings rose from under Lan Si's feet, their brilliant light swirling around his body.
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Please checkout my other fic - "Douluo Dalu: Stealing Through The Heavens". If you liked this fiction, I promise you will like it too.