Old Jack comforted Tang San, "Tang San, don't worry too much. Your father is a grown man; he'll be fine. But what about you? What will you do when your father's not around?"
Tang San calmed himself, putting the letter away, and said to Grandpa Jack, "Don't worry, Grandpa Jack. I can take care of myself, and I also have Su Ming and Xiao Wu with me. We'll learn and improve together!"
"As for money, Grandpa Jack, I'm already a spirit master. I receive a gold spirit coin stipend from Spirit Hall every month!"
Old Jack smiled and nodded, "Good, good! Make sure you get along well with Su Ming and Xiao Wu. You two boys are the pride of Holy Soul Village!"
Afterward, Old Jack left to let Su Ming, Tang San, and Xiao Wu chat. With Tang San's father gone, having companions like Su Ming and Xiao Wu around should make things easier for him.
Once Jack had left, Tang San hesitated for a moment before asking Su Ming, "Su Ming, could you lend me Xiao Wu for a moment? I have something to discuss with her."
Su Ming raised an eyebrow. What was Tang San planning? Was he going to do what he did in the original story, telling Xiao Wu that his father was gone and he was all alone, then asking her to be his sister? But now, Xiao Wu was Su Ming's sister; she had nothing to do with Tang San!
Still, Su Ming left the decision to Xiao Wu. He trusted that Xiao Wu wouldn't agree to be Tang San's sister this time.
Su Ming turned to Xiao Wu, giving her the choice.
Xiao Wu understood his meaning and had a good guess about why Tang San wanted to speak with her. But there was no way she'd give Tang San the chance. She didn't want to be his sister—she wouldn't follow the same tragic path as in the original story. Having Su Ming as her brother was enough!
Xiao Wu responded, "Tang San, if you have something to say, just say it. There's no need to keep it from my brother Su Ming—he's not an outsider, and there's nothing he can't hear."
Su Ming felt warmth in his heart upon hearing this. All the care he had given her over the past year hadn't been for nothing!
When Su Ming received the system's reward, the Soul Power Body Refinement Technique, he had tested it himself for a few days and found it effective. Then, he passed it on to Xiao Wu. Since Xiao Wu was a 100,000-year-old spirit beast in human form and had condensed her own spirit rings, she didn't have any issues with spirit power control; she just needed practice.
Just to be safe, Su Ming also gave her the Soul Power Guiding Technique and guided her in practicing it. Xiao Wu's talent, as a 100,000-year-old spirit beast, proved exceptional—she quickly mastered it!
However, Su Ming did have one concern: due to her body-refining practice and the earlier use of the body-refining liquid, Xiao Wu's second spirit ring would be at least 2,000 years old. How could they hide that? If anyone noticed, it would cause a lot of trouble, especially since they had no powerful backers.
Fortunately, the system had recently given Su Ming a Camouflage ability that could alter the appearance and aura of his spirit rings. While Su Ming had no worries, what about Xiao Wu?
System: Don't worry, Xiao Wu also has the Camouflage ability. Bet you didn't see that coming! Still, to keep you from doubting me, I'll throw in a little something extra, kekeke!
If the women knew what the system was planning, they'd call it a sneaky devil!
Tang San's face stiffened at Xiao Wu's response. He realized that he'd need Su Ming's approval for this; otherwise, it would be disrespectful.
"Alright," Tang San replied, leading the two to a quiet spot behind the mountain.
Then, Tang San turned to Su Ming and said, "Su Ming, I want Xiao Wu to be my sister as well. Please allow it."
Su Ming's face darkened immediately. Has it been too long since I beat you up, Tang San? Are you getting too cocky? You're basically trying to steal Xiao Wu from me!
However, Su Ming held back, curious to see how Tang San would explain himself. "Explain your reasoning. If I'm not satisfied, you're getting a beating."
Tang San, feeling a bit awkward, explained, "It just came to me recently. My father isn't around anymore, and I'm alone now. I've been a bit envious of the bond between you and Xiao Wu, so I thought I'd ask Xiao Wu to be my sister. That way, if Xiao Wu is ever in danger, we can protect her together."
Su Ming's face was covered in black lines. He had guessed it right!
Xiao Wu couldn't hold back any longer. "Tang San, having Su Ming as my brother is enough! Besides, how can you say you can protect me like he does?"
"With your strength, you can barely fight me to a draw, and that's only because you don't let me get close! If we fought hand-to-hand, you wouldn't stand a chance. As for my brother Su Ming, you're nowhere near his level! His control techniques are far superior to your Blue Silver Bind!"
Tang San wasn't upset at her words; after all, she was right. Still, he defended himself, "Xiao Wu, that's only because I haven't shown my full strength. Recently, I've forged some special tools that will make a difference."
Then, turning to Su Ming, Tang San proposed, "Su Ming, if I can prove that my strength isn't weak—maybe even stronger than yours—will you let Xiao Wu be my sister?"
Su Ming clenched his fists. That's it—I can't hold back anymore! Tang San's gotten cocky just because he finished forging some hidden weapons!
Fine then! Looks like I'll have to teach him a lesson again—show him who's boss!
Su Ming sneered, "If you can beat me, I'll agree. As for whether Xiao Wu becomes your sister, that's up to her. How's that?"
Xiao Wu could tell that Su Ming was angry—really angry. Tang San was in for it!
Tang San nodded and looked at Xiao Wu, waiting for her opinion.
Xiao Wu shrugged. "If Su Ming agrees, I don't mind. But I don't think you can beat him. What you're doing is dangerous, Tang San. Don't get yourself beaten too badly."
Tang San, full of confidence, replied, "Don't worry, I've got this!"
Then, Tang San spoke seriously to the two of them, "When I show you my strength, I'll be using some things I've forged. I hope you both can keep it a secret—I don't want anyone else to know about them yet. Today, I'm showing them to you to prove myself."