The shocked silence that followed Tang San's revelation lasted only a moment before boss Xiao's followers erupted in confused muttering.
"A Spirit Master? But he's only first year!"
"That's a hundred-year spirit ring... on Blue Silver Grass?"
Boss Xiao himself had gone pale. His confident smirk had vanished, replaced by calculation and fear.
"You... you're really a Spirit Master?" he stammered. "But your spirit is Blue Silver Grass!"
Tang San walked forward calmly, his yellow ring circling his body with steady rhythm. "My spirit may be Blue Silver Grass, but that doesn't make me weak. Shall we begin, or would you prefer to concede now?"
Behind him, Luna stood quietly, her white hair catching the afternoon light. She watched carefully, ready to help if needed, but confident in Tang San's abilities.
Xiao Chen-Yu glanced at his defeated followers, then at Tang San's spirit ring. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"I... my name is Xiao Chen-Yu, sixth year student. Spirit: Wolf. Eleventh rank, first ring battle Spirit Master."
As he spoke, blackish-green light surrounded his body. His muscles swelled, his eyes turned pale green, and sharp claws extended from his fingertips. A white ring rose from beneath his feet—a ten-year spirit ring.
Tang San noted the difference immediately. White versus yellow. Ten years versus hundred years. Even at the same rank, Tang San had a significant advantage.
"Blue Silver Grass," Tang San said calmly, raising his right hand.
Deep blue vines emerged from his palm, thicker and stronger than any Blue Silver Grass anyone present had ever seen. Black patterns like snake scales marked the vines, and they moved with serpentine grace.
The working students gasped. Wang Sheng stared in awe. Even Xiao Wu looked impressed.
Xiao Chen-Yu charged forward with a roar, his wolf-enhanced speed carrying him across the distance in seconds. His claws came down toward Tang San's shoulders.
Tang San didn't even flinch. He raised both hands to meet the attack, his Mysterious Heaven Skill surging through his palms, making them hard as jade.
Peng!
The collision sent out a shockwave. But Tang San stood unmoved while Xiao Chen-Yu stumbled backward, shock written across his face.
"Impossible! How—"
Tang San didn't let him finish. Using Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, he caught Xiao Chen-Yu's wrists and pulled him forward. A shoulder strike to the abdomen sent the larger boy flying backward three meters.
Luna smiled slightly. Tang San had trained so hard this past year—his combat skills were formidable.
"Blue Silver Grass, bind!" Tang San called out.
More than ten thick vines erupted from the ground beneath Xiao Chen-Yu's feet, wrapping around his legs and torso before he could react.
"What—!" Xiao Chen-Yu struggled, but the vines held firm.
"My spirit ring is from a datura snake," Tang San explained calmly. "My Blue Silver Grass has the snake's toughness. You can't break free. And it has paralytic venom. Would you like me to demonstrate?"
Xiao Chen-Yu's face went white. "I... I admit defeat! I surrender!"
Tang San released the binding. "Since you've admitted defeat, honor your agreement with Xiao Wu."
Xiao Chen-Yu looked between Tang San and Xiao Wu. "Should I call you boss or her?"
Wang Sheng stepped forward. "Tang San-ge is the strongest among the working students. He even beat Xiao Wu-jie in sparring. But he doesn't care about being 'boss' of the academy—he has more important things to do."
Tang San shrugged. "Xiao Wu can handle the politics. I'm too busy with my studies and work."
Xiao Wu stepped forward confidently. "That's right. Tang San is stronger than me, but he's letting me be the public face. From now on, I'm Xiao Wu-jie, your Supreme Sister."
She raised her hand, and red light surrounded her. Rabbit ears sprouted from her head, and a yellow spirit ring rose from beneath her feet.
"Xiao Wu. Spirit: Rabbit. Twelfth rank, first ring battle Spirit Master."
Xiao Chen-Yu slapped his forehead. "Two first-year Spirit Masters with hundred-year rings... I'm convinced. You're Xiao Wu-jie from now on. We'll handle your chores!"
"Good!" Xiao Wu said smugly.
Tang San turned to her. "I need to go register at Spirit Hall. Can you finish here?"
"Go, go. I'll handle everything."
Luna immediately fell into step beside Tang San as he left.
"You're coming?" Tang San asked.
"Of course. I need to register too. Besides, we're companions—we do things together."
The walk to Spirit Hall took about thirty minutes. People on the street glanced at Luna's white hair and pretty face, but no one thought anything unusual—many Spirit Masters had distinctive features influenced by their spirits.
Spirit Hall was a massive domed building dominating the city center. A single sword emblem marked it as a Branch Spirit Hall.
Two guards stood at the entrance.
"State your business," one said, then noticed their academy uniforms. "Students from Notting Academy?"
"We're here to register as Spirit Masters," Tang San said politely.
"Both of you? At your age?" The guard looked impressed. "Go on in. Find Spirit Grandmaster Ma Xiu-Nuo on the second floor."
"Thank you."
Inside, the dome ceiling was covered in golden murals of countless spirits. Sunlight through crystal windows made everything shimmer.
"It's beautiful," Luna whispered.
They climbed to the second floor and soon encountered a familiar face.
"Grandmaster Su Yuntao!"
The spirit master who'd awakened Tang San's spirit turned, accompanied by a young woman.
"Tang San! From Holy Spirit Village!" Su Yuntao's eyes widened. "You've already obtained your first spirit ring? And this is...?"
"My classmate Luna," Tang San said. "We're both here for certification."
Su Yuntao's companion, Sisi, glanced at Luna with mild interest. "Pretty girl. What's your spirit?"
"Nine-Tailed Fox," Luna said calmly.
"Rare! Come, I'll take you to Grandmaster Ma Xiu-Nuo."
Su Yuntao led them to an office where an elderly man sat behind a desk.
"Grandmaster Ma Xiu-Nuo, I've brought students for certification!"
The old man looked up. "Yuntao, always in a rush. These children are so young—both Spirit Masters already?"
"This is Tang San, the one with innate full spirit power and Blue Silver Grass. And this is his classmate Luna."
Ma Xiu-Nuo smiled kindly. "Call me Grandpa Ma Xiu-Nuo. Let's get you certified."
He led them to a testing room filled with spirit-enhancing stones.
"Release your spirits and show me your rings."
Tang San stepped forward. "Tang San, first year at Notting Academy. Spirit: Blue Silver Grass. Eleventh rank, first ring tool Spirit Master."
Deep blue vines emerged, marked with snake patterns. His yellow hundred-year ring rose.
Ma Xiu-Nuo's eyes widened. "Blue Silver Grass with a hundred-year ring! Remarkable!" He handed Tang San a crystal ball. "Channel your spirit power."
The ball glowed yellow. "Thirteenth rank! Your ring boosted you two ranks!"
"My teacher is Grandmaster," Tang San explained.
"Ah, Grandmaster's theories in practice! Excellent." Ma Xiu-Nuo turned to Luna. "Now you, young lady."
Luna stepped forward confidently. "Luna, first year at Notting Academy. Spirit: Nine-Tailed Fox. Eleventh rank, first ring attack Spirit Master."
Fox-shaped flames danced across her fingers as her yellow ring rose.
Ma Xiu-Nuo nodded approvingly. "A Nine-Tailed Fox spirit—very rare! And a hundred-year ring as well. Touch the crystal ball."
Luna did. The ball glowed yellow.
"Eleventh rank. Your ring didn't boost you as much as Tang San's, but that's normal—different spirits respond differently. You're both certified!"
He handed them badges. "One gold coin per month stipend. When you reach Spirit Grandmaster, it becomes ten gold coins."
"Thank you, Grandpa Ma Xiu-Nuo!"
As they left Spirit Hall, Luna felt relief. Everything had gone perfectly. Ma Xiu-Nuo had treated her like any other talented student—just a human girl with a rare spirit. Her secret was safe.
"One gold coin per month," Luna said. "That's quite good."
"Xiao Wu will rush here the moment she finds out," Tang San predicted.
As they walked, Tang San noticed a smithy. The sound of hammering echoed from within.
"My father told me to find work at a smithy," Tang San said. "And I need a place to forge my hidden weapons."
"Then let's ask," Luna said. "Together."
Tang San smiled and took her hand. "Together."
They entered the smithy side by side.