Volume One

Since the soul beasts here are basically raised by the empire, high-level soul beasts are actually quite rare. Furthermore, over these past two years, Su Xing's Blacksmith Shop has been developing quite well.

Tang San gave an awkward smile: "What a coincidence, my soul power just reached level twenty as well. My teacher said he's taking me to the Soul Hunting Forest today to hunt a soul beast and obtain my second soul ring. Since you're also heading to the Soul Hunting Forest, why don't we go together?"

After preparing all these supplies, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang hired a carriage in the city and gave the driver five Soul Silver Coins.

After all, aside from bragging, making presentations, and knowing a few more soul beasts and martial souls than the average person, Su Xing really couldn't think of any exceptional qualities this guy, Yu Xiaogang, possessed.

It was quite obvious that Tang San and Xiao Wu had become like siblings, the kind of "siblings" that hung a sheep's head but sold dog meat, carrying a hint of ethical ambiguity.

But because Su Xing had been busy manufacturing new firearms, he had been unable to prioritize obtaining his soul ring, dragging the matter out for nearly half a year.

The good thing was that during these six months, Su Xing's cultivation had not fallen behind, and he had accumulated a large amount of soul power within his body.

Seeing the white radish in Tang San's arms, Su Xing couldn't help but want to cover his nose and mouth.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Come out, Luo Sanpao!"

During this period, whenever Nuoding Academy was on break, Xiao Wu would follow Tang San back to Holy Soul Village, and their relationship had grown much closer.

Consequently, Su Xing had recently planned to find time to head to the Soul Hunting Forest east of Nuoding City to hunt a soul beast and obtain his second soul ring.

Over these two years, after learning of Su Xing's talent, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang had hinted multiple times that he wanted to take him as a disciple, but without exception, Su Xing had brushed him off every time.

Upon entering the Soul Hunting Forest, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's eyes suddenly lit up. Following a soft "pfft" sound, a pale purple soul power emanated from his palms. After a ripple of soul power, a creature appeared before them.

After presenting the Soul Hunting Token, the three of them walked into the Soul Hunting Forest.

A few days later, early in the morning, in front of Nuoding Academy.

Grandmaster said to Tang San.

"Luo-luo."

"What about you?" Su Xing asked again.

According to the information relayed back by Luo Sanpao, there were clearly soul beast fluctuations ahead.

"Sanpao's sense of smell is very keen; it can detect the traces and strength of soul beasts. Since it consumes very little soul power, I can keep it released for long periods."

Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang curled his lips and said hypocritically: "In that case, Su Xing, you should just come with us to the Soul Hunting Forest. That way, Xiao San and I can look after you."

Yu Xiaogang was wearing a tight-fitting outfit today, making him look a bit more dashing than usual, but his stiff face still gave off an extremely discordant feeling.

Hearing Tang San say this, Su Xing's mind raced; he was also quite curious about Tang San's current strength. "Uh, since that's the case, then we can go together."

Hearing Su Xing's laughter, Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly. He always felt that Su Xing was mocking him, but he had no proof.

Tang San was highly alert and quickly noticed Su Xing's arrival. He asked with some curiosity: "Brother Su, you're out so early today, where are you headed?"

After two years of uninterrupted hard training, Su Xing's soul power had long reached level twenty. As long as he obtained one more soul ring, he could advance to become a Great Soul Master.

Before long, Luo Sanpao suddenly stopped. Its large eyes looked in a certain direction, and it kept letting out "luo-luo" sounds.

Time flew by; in the blink of an eye, two years had passed.

These two people were none other than the master and disciple, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.

"N-nothing, I just feel that your martial soul, Grandmaster, is really cute." Su Xing half-squatted down and petted the Grandmaster's martial soul, Luo Sanpao, just like petting a dog.

"Uh, then I'll trouble you both." Su Xing was speechless. He gave an awkward smile, forcing out the innocent, naive expression expected of his current age.

It walked along while sniffing at something.

Seeing Luo Sanpao's dazed appearance, Su Xing ultimately couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

Hearing this, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's expression shifted slightly. Clearly, because he had hinted multiple times about taking Su Xing as a disciple only to be brushed off, he was certainly unhappy with Su Xing, though he found it difficult to show it too openly.

Along the way, Yu Xiaogang talked incessantly to Tang San, continuing to lecture on his proud theories, while Su Xing closed his eyes to rest. After all, he had woken up a bit early today and was still feeling a little sleepy.

"Alright, you two follow me. Let's go buy some essentials for the Soul Hunting Forest first." Yu Xiaogang glanced at the two of them and walked toward the academy exit.

"Sanpao, lead the way."

"There seems to be movement ahead!" Grandmaster's voice rang out.

Outside the Soul Hunting Forest, it was as bustling as ever. There were many teams formed to hunt soul beasts, and various shouts rose one after another, making it exceptionally noisy.

Therefore, it was naturally impossible for Su Xing to take this level twenty-nine Yu Xiaogang as his master.

At this moment, two rings were circling around the Grandmaster's feet. Both rings were yellow, clearly both being century-level soul rings.

The journey of over four hundred miles was not short, but it wasn't too far either. At the speed of the carriage, they arrived at the Soul Hunting Forest by noon the next day.

Soon, the three of them arrived at a general store. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang had Tang San buy a few water skins, some cured meat, flatbread, and fruit, and finally, he bought a full twenty pounds of white radishes.

Luo Sanpao seemed to understand the Grandmaster's words, shaking its head and wagging its tail as it walked forward. Although its body was a bit chubby, its movements were quite agile.

"What kind of soul beast is ahead?" Seeing this, Tang San took out a short sword made of clear blue material from his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges and asked.

Pale purple fur, drooping little ears, deep blue eyes, a chubby body, and four short, thick legs—it looked exactly like a dog, and a dog fatter than a pig at that.

The blacksmiths relied on the firearm blueprints drawn by Su Xing to manufacture simple guns and ammunition, which they then sold to low-level soul masters in Nuoding City. This allowed Su Xing to make a fortune, effectively achieving financial freedom in Nuoding City.

"Pfft!" Su Xing had finished breakfast and just arrived at the main gate, ready to set off for the Soul Hunting Forest, when he discovered two people—one tall and one short—not far ahead of him.

Hearing this, Su Xing was silent for a moment before saying: "I'm planning to go to the Soul Hunting Forest to hunt a soul beast and obtain my second soul ring."

After boarding the carriage, under the skilled driving of the coachman, the three of them headed toward the Soul Hunting Forest in the northeast of Nuoding City.

During this period, Su Xing had returned to Holy Soul Village a few times, but since he didn't like Tang San and Xiao Wu, he naturally didn't go back with them, instead taking time to visit Grandpa Jack on his own.