Chapter 6 : divide and conquer

The Grandmaster retreated back to his resident to go back to his normal life. The boys talked among themselves explaining in detail what their spirits were. After telling Ling what he and Tian had discuss Ling revealed a very surprising fact about his spirits, He couldn't get different rings for each.

His two spirits acted like one spirit, The Ultimate Flame controlled by the Eyes of Fate. Tian decided to add rings only his spear spirit, keeping the wolf as a secret Spirit. Koto, obviously was only publicly keeping his essence weapon as his only Spirit. All boys having their own unique cultivation method decided to spread out to one day gather back together.

They each will spread out to the different top academy around the globe to spread their influence and create super teams for Koto's future empire. Koto to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Tian to the Blue Tyrant Academy, and Ling to stay with the grandmaster, and under him keep his spirits a secret while slowly building up his power.

To them, Ling had the toughest job, to not only remain hidden with his massive talent but also keep the grandmaster safe and run their business, it wasn't something neither Koto or Tian wanted to do. Luckily Ling was more than adept and willing to do such a thing. It was right up his forte.

Koto should have been the one to go to Blue Tyrant Academy as it fitted in with him the most, but he wanted to be the one to connect to the royals of the Imperial Academy. Entering these Academy would be easy with the Grandmasters influence added unto with their own talent.

The forest nearby did not have the spirits they were looking for, so the boys decided to obtain their spirit rings on their own, Ling having to get lucky and be the one to regularly check the list of spirits beast added into the forest. It was fine to him, there was no rush. His job was to build up the business side of this trinity force, learning under Koto and the Grandmaster, he himself had many ideas for new medicines and herbs to make Jade Pavilion prosperous

Tian departed first, into a carriage of recruitments of the Academy, his strong offensive spirit plus full innate spirit power quickly got him accepted. The very next, Koto headed out to make his journey to the Imperial Academy.

Not wanting to cause any scenes, Koto woke up before sunrise, and having prepared the night before. Quickly wearing his outfit, he left with as little noise as you could make to form new friends and grow even more powerful.

Little did he know, The Grandmaster and Ling woke up an hour before he even did, already expecting what he would do. They respected his wishes and silently watched his back slowly fading into the distance. They were both sad both they knew this group of family would one day gather up once again.

Watching his brothers back, the silver robe waving with the morning breeze completely fading, Ling could not hold himself back, he projected his voice with both hands to the side of his mouth, " Big Brother!!!!! One day when we meet up again, i wont need protection from you two again, I might even be the one protecting you guys! " he yelled as loud as his lungs and throat would allow. " so be prepared.." he whispered, trying to keep any tears from falling. Both of his brothers did not cry, so why should he! He thought desperately keeping his tears yet they he couldn't stop them all.

Slowly more and more tears fell from his eyes, Xiao slowly rubbed Lings hair in support. He kept staring into where Koto was originally at and thought to himself ' at times like this, its ok for a man to cry Ling, im sure your brothers were crying too' He knew Koto all too well, no matter how much they tried, Koto would surely have noticed them watching them. He also knew Koto was particularly walking slower than he should have, thoughts of turning properly clouded his mind yet he continued on, walking straight and proud for his brother to see.

Eyes glistening with little droplets of tears, Koto kept straight on, slowly making his ways to the Imperial Academy, unlike Tian, he wanted experimented on his way thus leading him to walking. It was also a type of training to him, with flickers of different colored lights appearing then and now. He was obviously practicing his hidden abilities.

" of course Ling, of course" he muttered walking even slower until fully stopping. He stared into the dark sky, as if fated, the sun slowly rised, creating a truly beautiful scenery. Grasses and trees quietly breezing with the morning wind, " when we meet again, Let us brothers drink upon the blazing sun for our future victories"

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Throughout the years, Xiao would only accept one more student by the name of Tang San, who himself was also a genius and absorb many of the theories the grandmaster had, even testing the ones the three brothers themselves couldn't. Out of all the students, Tang San was the only one with a plant spirit, thus being the only one able to prove any of the theories based on plant spirits.

Ling, who was 3 years older, finally felt the way a senior brother would feel. He would later think to himself, ' is this why my brothers were so protective of me?' when looking at Tang san. Having

Ling was present in many of Tang San's lecture, even helping him follow through with the theory his brother came up with. The one which would allow spirit masters to obtain rings beyond the normal limit.

To Tang San, Ling was the perfect senior brother. He was always supportive and answered many of his questions, some even the grandmaster couldn't answer. He was good for sparring practices, furthering his understanding of how the world's residence fought and this so called "spirit ability". Through the spars, he was already able to make certain estimates on where his Tang Sect skills and weapons stood on the ladder of power. His brother quickly took care of all of his expenses, and even provided with herbs he'd never had access to, but he still followed his father's instruction and joined a smithy.

His brother did not question him on personal levels, his feelings to Ling was almost the same as his teacher, one to trust and not kill if his secret was to be somehow found out. According to Ling and the Grandmaster, he still had two more senior brothers, each more powerful than Ling who he still havent even needed to show his ring to win against him. Although, Ling claimed that their standing in power was now unsure as he truly has grown stronger.

Waking up early to cultivate, attending school than enter the forge. Secretly building Tang Sect's hidden weapons, then attending his teachers lecture and somehow sparing with Xiao Wu as well, Tang San spent his days busy.

On one of his break, he had traveled back home to see his father with Xiao Wu, there he learned of his father's disappearance, and on that day he also made Xiao his sister, promising to protect him.

When he returned back, his teachers normal desk was gone and for some reason he could swear he saw an expression he never seen on his brother before, anger.

He did not inquired as to what happened as the Grandmaster had acted like nothing happen, he even slowly forgot what he saw on his brother, although a small voice does sometimes asked in his head " what happened for brother Ling to be mad?"

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It has been 6 years, many special events had passed for Tang San, carrying Xiao on his back as he walks his way to Suotuo city. His master had told him to enter this school named Shrek, apparently it was ran by a good friend of his. Speaking of the grandmaster, Tang San no longer had as much worries as he did when he first met him.

During the years, his other senior brothers had sent over immortal treasure herbs to them. Even without meeting them, to Tang Sang, he was eternally grateful for they solved the main problem with his teacher. The immortal herbs were able to evolve his teachers spirit into a new level, allowing him to finally surpass the grandmaster rank.

While he was extremely happy and surprised when the grandmaster held the herbs in his hand, Xiao himself wasn't surprised, He had already expected this to happen. This was one of Koto and Tian's goals after all, anything those boys put their mind on was good as being accomplished.

There were even Herbs for Tang San and Xiao Wu, apparently through exchanges of letters, his senior brothers knew of him. The immortal herbs had purified and increased their powers by multiple folds.

When those treasures had came, Ling had received a letter, as much as he tried to keep his expression, Tang san knew whatever was in that letter was something serious. Sure enough, after 5 months, Ling left for the Star Luo Empire, that day had been sad for both him and Xiao who got close to him after Ling had gifted her a golden carrot.

"Brother… why did that master of yours make you travel to such a distance for an unranked school? Grumbled Xiao, " we were accepted by many high tier academy, were we not?" she pouted and lightly kicked her legs " i'm so tirreed!!" she said exaggeratedly with her cheeks puffed up.

" you know no one forced you to follow me right?" although Tang Sand said this, he was glad his sister had decided to follow him.

Xiao tighten the hold on his neck, " as your sister of course i have to follow you" she said like it was the most obvious fact, " im hungryyy" she said, rubbing her stomach.

Looking at his sister who just ate not an hour ago, and was now complaining to her heart's content, Tang San sweat dropped " aren't i the walking?" he asked her, it had been a while since his sister claimed she was tired and hopped on his back, " how are you even tired?" he asked, not really expecting an answer.

"Tsk" Xiao lightly patted Tang San's head and said rather matter of factly " idiot brother, i'm complaining for you" she said proudly with a huge grin, completely dropping her facade of tiredness. It was apparent this girl had more energy than even Tang San. poking her tongue out, she punches to the distant air yelling " onwards we go!" in her normal cherrily voice, bringing a smile to Tang San's face.

"ok"