Chapter Three: The Arrival of Little Taozi
After returning from the blacksmith’s shop, the weary Xu Sheng lay down on his bed and slowly closed his eyes...
A ray of sunlight streamed in. At Xu Sheng’s door stood a hunched old man named Jack, accompanied by Tang San and five or six children of various ages, mostly around Tang San’s age.
Jack glanced at Tang San and patted his shoulder with a sigh. “Xiao San, go inside and call Xu Sheng out. That guy’s definitely still sleeping in!”
It seemed he didn’t take his own words from yesterday seriously—words that had gone in one ear and out the other.
Tang San nodded. “Yes, Grandpa Jack.”
The children behind him all covered their mouths to stifle their laughter. To have forgotten about the Spirit Awakening was unforgivable; this guy must have lost all faith in becoming a Spirit Master!
Unlike them, who were all passionate about becoming esteemed Spirit Masters. With such an attitude, how could he ever become one worthy of respect?
Tang San sighed as he reached the door, then pushed it open and stepped inside lightly.
Inside, he saw Xu Sheng sleeping peacefully on the bed. He quickly shook Xu Sheng’s hand.
“Brother Sheng? Why are you still sleeping? The Spirit Awakening ceremony is about to begin!”
Xu Sheng was naturally a lazy type, but... with that handsome face, he was in a league of his own.
Gradually waking from his sleep, Xu Sheng rubbed his drowsy head and slowly sat up, looking at the familiar figure beside him in confusion. “Xiao San?”
Then he immediately covered his forehead and cursed silently, “Wait, damn it, I think I forgot the Spirit Awakening is today! That old geezer Jack is probably going to start nagging again!”
Tang San pointed toward the door with a wry smile. “Brother Sheng, let’s hurry out. Everyone’s waiting for you outside, and some are getting impatient.”
Hearing that, Xu Sheng’s expression soured. “Impatient? Xiao San, go out and tell them to wait for me! I really don’t understand what the rush is! Except for you, they’re all useless without spirit power, just worrying over nothing!”
Spirit Awakening couldn’t compare to tidying up his handsome appearance.
That was simply impossible!
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Tang San’s keen gaze sharpened slightly as he silently wondered, “Except for me? What does Brother Sheng mean by that?”
He kept his expression neutral. “Well then, Brother Sheng, please hurry up. Grandpa Jack will get angry if you’re late!”
After finishing his grooming, Xu Sheng finally pushed open the door and stepped outside.
He wore immaculate white clothes, and his godlike features—sharp, sculpted lips pressed slightly together—exuded an aloof, cold aura.
He truly was like a jade among strangers, a peerless young lord! Perhaps his only flaw was the faint trace of youthful innocence still lingering on his face.
“Wow! Is this guy really from our village? I’ve never seen him before...”
“He’s so... so handsome! It’s understandable he’d sleep in a bit,” a little girl said, eyes shining as she gazed at Xu Sheng.
A boy nearby crossed his arms stubbornly. “Hmph, he’s nowhere near as handsome as me!”
Another boy scoffed. “You? Please! His features were carved by God himself, while yours look like a lump of worthless clay!”
Tang San rolled his eyes. “Of course, Brother Sheng always causes a stir whenever he shows up! But it’s no surprise—he’s definitely a pretty boy!”
Even Jack was momentarily stunned, covering his mouth as he coughed softly. “Ahem... Xiao Sheng, now that you’re here, come quickly. Don’t keep the Spirit Hall masters waiting!”
Sometimes he wondered if Xu Sheng was from some noble family, since most people born in this small village looked quite ordinary...
Everyone except Xu Sheng.
Xu Sheng nodded slightly and slowly joined the group, enjoying the admiring glances from the little girls and the envious stares from a few others. He said calmly, “Alright, let’s go.”
Tang San and the others followed Jack toward the village center.
At last, before them stood a massive stone, its center marked with a palm print. Jack’s eyes lit up as he pointed at it with heartfelt pride.
“Children, look! That palm print was made by the Spirit Saint of our Holy Spirit Village! It’s a symbol of our village’s pride!”
The other children gazed at old Jack with reverence, hanging onto every word.
Only Xu Sheng rolled his eyes, lightly tapping Tang San’s shoulder and whispering, “Old Jack’s bragging again. Xiao San, do you really think this place can produce a Spirit Saint?”
Tang San shook his head. “I don’t know, but since Grandpa Jack says so, it’s probably true.”
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Xu Sheng scoffed, “Tch, how much of what old Jack says can you really believe?”
At that moment, Tang San’s ears twitched. Hearing a rush of wind from afar, he looked toward the sound’s direction and mentally shouted, “Purple Extreme Demon Eye!”
As his words settled, Tang San’s eyes gradually turned purple, emitting a faint dark glow...
Xu Sheng noticed the sudden purple glow in Tang San’s eyes, which then disappeared as quickly as it came.
He then looked in the same direction, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Looks like Xiao Taozi has arrived.”
He himself had none of Tang San’s flashy skills, just a plain ordinary person.
Shortly after, a man dressed in the Spirit Hall’s distinctive pale blue attire approached calmly.
Old Jack greeted him with a bow. “Lord Su Yuntao!”
Su Yuntao answered with a serene expression. “Are all the children here?”
He had traveled through several villages to conduct Spirit Awakenings, but without exception, no child possessed spirit power. Naturally, he had little interest in Holy Spirit Village as well.
Jack respectfully replied, “War Spirit Lord, all the children in our village who need awakening are here.”
Su Yuntao cast a casual glance at Tang San and the others and shook his head slightly. But when his eyes landed on Xu Sheng, whose aura was completely different from the rest, a faint gleam appeared.
He spoke softly to the children, “I am Su Yuntao, a Level 26 War Spirit Master. I will be conducting your Spirit Awakening.”
Xu Sheng studied Su Yuntao with a hint of admiration. “Xiao Taozi has quite the aura, but unfortunately, he’s no different from a tool.”
Tang San looked at Su Yuntao with curiosity and thought, “Is this what a Spirit Master looks like? He doesn’t seem particularly extraordinary.”
Su Yuntao waved his hand. “Now, all of you, follow me...”
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