Chapter 50: Are You Trying to Scam Me?

Outside the gates of Norland City.

"Feng Ge, Xiao Wu, and I are going back too."

After more than half a year, Tang San and Xiao Wu had both grown taller. Tang San appeared more robust, likely a result of daily iron forging. His face carried a determined expression.

Beside Tang San, Xiao Wu looked around with curiosity, seemingly wondering where the Saint Soul Village, mentioned by Xiao San, would be.

"Sure."

Wang Feng nodded, glancing at Xiao Wu. Although still dressed in the Norland Academy uniform, she, like Tang San, had grown a bit taller.

"Oh, Xiao Chenyu has already gone to the Intermediate Academy. I wonder how boring it will be for the next few years."

Xiao Wu pouted, "Fortunately, I still have Xiao San to play with. Feng Ge is too powerful; I can't beat him, so I don't want to feel uncomfortable."

The three of them set off towards the direction of the Saint Soul Village, chatting along the way.

The Junior Academy had few people, and after Xiao Chenyu left, there was almost no one to spar with Xiao Wu. Only Tang San spent a long time practicing with her. Wang Feng rarely joined them, as sparring with both of them required him to significantly suppress his own strength.

Most of the time, Wang Feng was either immersed in the Soul Beast Forest or researching meditation and cultivation methods.

"Feng Ge, has your soul power not decreased?"

Tang San suddenly asked, "Over this year, we've had a few sparring sessions, and I feel like your strength hasn't diminished. I wonder if your soul power has decreased..."

Tang San was still concerned about the matter of the Thousand-Year-Old Soul Ring. Although Wang Feng had said that it wouldn't have any impact, over the past year, Tang San rarely saw Wang Feng use his martial soul. Even in occasional sparring, he relied solely on his physical prowess to keep up with them.

"No, my soul power hasn't decreased..."

Wang Feng shook his head.

Hearing this, Tang San felt relieved.

"That's good. It seems that the side effects of the Thousand-Year-Old Soul Ring on Feng Ge might not be as severe as Master imagined."

"Hehe, then we've surpassed Feng Ge. You're probably still at the fifteenth level."

Xiao Wu waved her fist, "Next time, Xiao San and I will definitely defeat you."

Hearing this, Wang Feng suddenly felt a bit trance-like. In the past half-year, he had been immersed in combat training and various research, neglecting the improvement of the two's soul power. Although he lamented his slow progress due to compressing his soul power, it seemed... even at this slow pace, he was still advancing much faster than the majority of people.

"I look forward to it very much."

Wang Feng smiled and said a sentence.

Speaking of which, Wang Feng couldn't help but glance at Tang San. He vaguely remembered that in the original work, during this year, Tang San's father left, and Tang San and Xiao Wu established a formal sibling relationship.

"It's time to go back and see Grandpa Jack."

Wang Feng looked towards the distant village, and his gaze suddenly became a bit misty.

Saint Soul Village.

"Hey, Xiao San, your village looks pretty good from here..."

In the afternoon, the three finally arrived at the entrance of Saint Soul Village.

One year seemed to have brought little change to this small village; the water in the central pillar fountain at the village gate remained clear.

Occasionally, a few villagers returned from work, carrying various kitchen utensils, and playful children followed them, chattering.

"What is that middle pillar with two handprints on it?"

Xiao Wu skipped over, asking as she looked at the pillar.

"It's Feng Ge's masterpiece... Several years ago, our Saint Soul Village was quite barren. It didn't look like this... with clean stone paths and beautiful fountain gardens."

Tang San walked over, explaining with a smile.

At this moment, voices suddenly came from a distance.

"Xiao San, Xiao Feng, you're back?"

An elderly and familiar figure approached from afar, it was Old Jack.

Having not seen each other for a year, Wang Feng noticed a few more wrinkles on Grandpa Jack's face, a sign that time had aged him.

"It's winter break, so we came back early."

Wang Feng walked over, supporting Old Jack.

"You kids, really. Such a long journey!"

Old Jack scolded Wang Feng with a glare, "But it's good you're back."

Speaking of which, Old Jack suddenly looked at Tang San, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Xiao San, your father..."

"Grandpa Jack, I'll go check on my father right away."

Tang San excitedly replied, then led Xiao Wu towards the blacksmith shop.

Xiao Wu had wanted to see the story on the pillar, but hearing Tang San's rare excitement, she followed him directly.

"...Uncle Hao should have left by now, right?"

Wang Feng suddenly spoke.

"Yeah, he left... How do you know?"

Old Jack nodded subconsciously and replied, "Yeah, he left... Xiao Feng, how did you know?"

Wang Feng didn't answer, just supported Old Jack to the blacksmith shop, watching Tang San lost in thought inside.

"That Hao fellow is really irresponsible..."

Old Jack complained, "After handing me the letter, he left directly, without considering Tang San's feelings... I'll give the letter to Tang San."

Saying that, he went inside and handed the letter to Tang San.

Wang Feng thought, Uncle Hao probably came to see Xiao San, right?

However, with Hao's personality, it's unlikely that he would directly meet Tang San. He probably watched from some corner.

Thinking about it, Wang Feng walked in and said to Tang San:

"Tang San, Uncle Hao has probably visited you in Norland City."

Hearing this, Tang San was stunned.

"Really, I happened to see it occasionally. He came several times, always secretly watching you. Sometimes while you were working, sometimes during your classes..."

Wang Feng smiled and said, "So, you don't have to feel sad. Uncle Hao cares about you. It's just that, for some reason, he doesn't want to meet you."

Hearing this, Tang San's eyes became slightly sour.

"I understand, thanks, Feng Ge."

Wang Feng waved his hand and said:

"Then I'll go back first. You and Xiao Wu tidy up your place."

Saying that, Wang Feng supported Old Jack and walked out.

Wang Feng walked through the village, and most households had prepared some small gifts. After taking care of these matters, Wang Feng arrived at the familiar little forest.

Although only a little over a year had passed, Wang Feng felt as if he had a dreamlike feeling of being in a different world.

In this little forest, there were too many tears he shed back then.

Touching each familiar big tree and the various trap marks left on them, stepping on the creaking twigs and grass beneath his feet.

Wang Feng picked a strand of Blue Silver Grass, put it in his mouth, chewed it twice, and sighed:

This is where the dream began.

After a while, Wang Feng suddenly stopped. His gaze fell ahead...

Squeak...

A rough and familiar chirping sound made Wang Feng feel as if he had crossed through time.

On the ground in the distance, there lay a small green bird, convulsing at this moment, with fresh blood still on its body.

Wait a minute, why does this scene feel so familiar?

Wang Feng looked at the small bird, and he was astonished:

"F*ck, could it be... the injured bird I saved more than a year ago? Why do you look so injured again? Are you trying to scam me?"