Tang San asked somewhat hesitantly,
"Teacher, I still have a bit of an impression of that Yin Zhang. Grandpa Jack used to talk about him all the time, saying that even though Yin Zhang delayed his Spirit Awakening by a year, he still had Innate Full Soul Power. After absorbing his first spirit ring, his spirit power jumped straight past Rank Ten. At just seven years old, he was already close to becoming a Spirit Grandmaster."
A trace of reminiscence flickered through Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
Thinking back, the moment he had first seen Yin Zhang, that boy was actually the very first person he had wanted to take as a disciple.
But after so many years, whenever Yu Xiaogang recalled the looks of disdain from Yin Zhang and Ma Xiunuo back then…
He still could not help cursing aloud,
"They really are two beasts!"
Tang San raised his head in surprise.
"Teacher, what did you just say?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head. Naturally, he could not possibly admit that he had once wanted to accept Yin Zhang as a disciple and had been rejected—that would make him seem far too pathetic.
He continued instead,
"Spirit Hall itself is not a good thing either. Although spirit masters receive a monthly allowance of one gold coin from Spirit Hall, you must understand that there are many unsavory people within it. In a few years, when you grow up, you'll understand what kind of organization Spirit Hall truly is."
"But before that, you still need to undergo my six years of teaching here at Nuoding Academy. Right now, there are still five years left."
He waved his hand.
"Alright, we won't talk about Yin Zhang anymore. Today, I'll continue explaining the hundred possible development paths of this so-called Blue Silver Grass. Take out your notebook, listen carefully, and write everything down."
Tang San nodded blankly.
"Mm, I understand."
---
At the gates of Nuoding City.
Yin Zhang stood there, gazing at the bustling streets, a strange sense of time distortion rising in his heart.
Seven short years had passed. Returning to Nuoding City now felt almost like experiencing transmigration all over again—it gave him an indescribably unreal sensation.
Beside him, Hu Liena looked around at the lively town, lost in thought.
"So, Xiao Zhang, is this the place you lived for seven years?"
Yin Zhang shook his head slightly.
"No. This isn't my home. My home is Saint Spirit Village—it's still some distance away."
Hu Liena looked at him in confusion.
"Then why aren't you taking me to see your home?"
Yin Zhang hesitated.
Saint Spirit Village had long since been occupied by Tang Hao and Tang San, father and son, for seven full years. If he went back now, he would inevitably face Tang Hao.
Yin Zhang was confident that even if he couldn't win, he could still escape. But Hu Liena was different. Although her talent was outstanding, she was currently only a Spirit Elder. Facing a furious Tang Hao, she would be completely helpless—and might even become a burden during an escape.
Thinking this through, Yin Zhang could only shake his head helplessly.
Grandpa Jack… it's not that I don't want to go back and see you.
Still, it wasn't as if there was no solution at all.
Yin Zhang's eyes flickered slightly. He could simply find a way to have Old Jack come to Nuoding City instead. In a few more years, once his strength was sufficient to kill Tang Hao single-handedly, there would be nothing left to worry about.
With that thought, a faint smile appeared on his face. Hu Liena noticed it and was slightly taken aback.
"Ahem," Yin Zhang said, regaining his composure. "Since we've arrived in Nuoding City, I'll first take you to meet one of my grandfathers."
As he spoke, he led Hu Liena toward the city center.
The Nuoding City branch of Spirit Hall was located at the very heart of the city, occupying the most prosperous and valuable location.
While walking, Hu Liena asked curiously,
"Grandfather? Which grandfather?"
Yin Zhang replied,
"When I first came here from the village, it was Grandpa Ma Xiunuo who took me to the Soul Hunting Forest to hunt for my spirit ring, officially allowing me to become a Spirit Master."
Hu Liena nodded.
"Then I want to meet Grandpa Ma too."
At that moment, a faint look of mockery flashed across Yin Zhang's face.
"Speaking of which, when your teacher brought the two Titled Douluo—Chrysanthemum and Ghost—to Nuoding City back then, they came straight to Spirit Hall. At that time, Grandpa Ma Xiunuo was just—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Hu Liena grew even more curious, but from Yin Zhang's tone, it was obvious that he held little respect for her teacher.
Could it have started from that incident?
Did the teacher behave improperly toward Grandpa Ma Xiunuo?
Hu Liena didn't know the details. She only hoped that when she met Ma Xiunuo later, she would show enough respect so that he wouldn't dislike her.
This was the typical thinking of someone hopelessly in love.
---
Yin Zhang and Hu Liena soon arrived at the Nuoding City Spirit Hall branch.
Before they even entered, they heard a familiar yet distant voice.
"Sisi, are you free tonight? The restaurant in Nuoding City just launched a new dish. How about we go try it together?"
"Forget it. I have things to do tonight."
At the entrance of Spirit Hall, Su Yuntao stood there, watching Sisi walk away and join another colleague.
His hands clenched tightly at his sides.
"Brother Tao?"
A calm male voice suddenly sounded behind him.
Su Yuntao turned around and saw a handsome young man standing beside a beautiful woman. He frowned slightly.
"Are you calling me? Do we know each other?"
Yin Zhang smiled faintly.
"Brother Tao, my name is Yin Zhang. Have you forgotten? It's understandable—seven years have passed, and I've changed a lot since I was a child."
Hu Liena stood to the side, smiling as she quietly sized Su Yuntao up.
Su Yuntao was only somewhat handsome, an ordinary deacon who usually handled nearby village affairs and Spirit Awakenings.
"Yin Zhang? You—you—you… you're Yin Zhang?!" Su Yuntao pointed at him in disbelief.
Yin Zhang nodded with a smile.
"Yes. Seven years have passed, and I've grown up, so I came back to take a look."
He then gestured toward Hu Liena.
"This is Hu Liena, my girlfriend. Brother Tao, you can just call her Liena."
Su Yuntao looked a bit flustered. Being seen in such an awkward moment made him feel extremely embarrassed.
"H-Hello, Liena," he said.
Hu Liena smiled politely.
"Hello, Brother Tao. I'm Brother Zhang's girlfriend. Please take care of me in the future."
Su Yuntao coughed lightly.
"Let's not stand around here talking. It's cold outside—let's go in first."
The two followed Su Yuntao into Spirit Hall, walking straight toward the door of Ma Xiunuo's office.
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