Tang San, Support System Soul Master

"Xiao San, are you okay?" Gu You asked with concern.

"I'm fine. It went very smoothly." Tang San knew what Gu You wanted to ask, so he added, "Just like when we set out the fish creel back then."

Hearing Tang San's words, Gu You smiled as well.

Gu You had never expected Tang San to remember that. At the time, Gu You and Tang San had known each other for exactly a year. During that year, Gu You had discovered that Tang Hao truly treated Tang San terribly. It was bad enough that Tang San often went hungry and cold; instead of Tang Hao taking care of young Tang San, Tang San was the one looking after the alcoholic Tang Hao.

It was winter then. There was no grain left in the fields and no wild fruit on the trees. Gu You noticed Tang San trembling for no reason. Thinking about how Tang Hao treated Tang San, he forcefully dragged Tang San to the river to fish.

But fishing was not a reliable way to get food, so Gu You made a simple fish creel and placed it in an unfrozen stretch of water, waiting for fish to swim in on their own. Tang San had asked whether it could catch fish, and Gu You had answered, "No problem. Everything will happen according to plan." In the end, they really did catch fish with the creel. Gu You gave the fish to Tang San, allowing him to drink fish soup for the first time in winter.

By bringing up that incident now, Tang San showed that his Soul Skill was indeed as Gu You had expected. It might truly have been influenced by Gu You's words, and its effect might even be exactly what Gu You had described.

"Congratulations, Xiao San. You're officially a Soul Master now." Su Yuntao walked over and gave Tang San's shoulder a hearty pat.

Ma Xiunuo also came over and asked, "Xiao San, how are you feeling now? If you're all right, we'll leave the Spirit Beast Forest as soon as possible."

Tang San nodded. The group quickly packed up and headed toward the Forest exit. Both Gu You and Tang San had obtained their First Soul Rings, and their physical condition had improved as well. Since they no longer needed to search for Soul Beast tracks, they moved much faster than they had on the way in.

After the group left, a man in a black robe came to the fallen Lightning-Struck Wood. Looking in the direction Gu You and the others had gone, his gaze was indifferent.

He muttered to himself, "Support System, huh? Although he didn't choose the Yu Xiaogang I prepared, his childhood playmate happens to be a genius—and a genius who happens to study Martial Souls."

"Control System and Poison. Heh, completely different from Ah Yin. I didn't expect that brat to think exactly the same way Ah Yin did. He's got some ability after all."

"Gu You, huh? With his Martial Soul research and Innate Full Soul Power, he can not only give Xiao San proper guidance regarding Martial Souls, but also become Xiao San's support."

"Yu Xiaogang, that useless fool who wanted to steer Xiao San toward the Control System. I even spent time finding a village near the city where he was. Still, running into Gu You counts as good luck."

"I didn't expect Xiao San to obtain a Spirit Bone so quickly. It's only a hundred-year one, but replacing bones in the future won't be difficult. Let him be."

"Spirit Hall people. Hmph. I'll spare your life since you didn't grow greedy."

With one kick, he crushed the fallen Lightning-Struck Wood. The black-robed man's figure vanished in an instant, as if he had never appeared at all. Only the missing Lightning-Struck Wood proved that he had once been there.

As they headed toward the Forest exit, Su Yuntao, who was walking at the front, asked, "Xiao San, you still haven't told us what your Soul Skill does."

Tang San smiled mysteriously. "Rather than telling you what my Soul Skill does, why don't you experience it for yourselves?"

As he spoke, a yellow Soul Ring appeared around Tang San. He raised his right hand, light bursting from his palm as three thick Blue Silver Grass vines shot out and wrapped around the three men's arms.

"What?!" "Th-This is?!" "!"

The two cries came from Ma Xiunuo and Su Yuntao. They were shocked by the physical strength and Soul Power flowing from the Blue Silver Grass wrapped around their arms. Although Gu You had been mentally prepared for the Soul Skill's effect, the sudden replenishment of strength and Soul Power still startled him.

Tang San said with a smile, "The First Soul Skill's effect is this: as long as I'm standing on the ground—or, in other words, in contact with the ground—I can draw a strange energy from the earth. That energy is converted into life force within my body. Through contact with the Blue Silver Grass, I can transfer that life force to others, and I can also convert it into restored physical strength and Soul Power. It can still work without touching the ground, but the effect will be weakened."

Ma Xiunuo and Su Yuntao were stunned by the powerful Soul Skill effect and asked again, "It can restore both physical strength and Soul Power?"

Tang San nodded firmly.

Su Yuntao muttered, "Is this the Martial Soul of someone with Innate Full Soul Power? This effect is way too strong."

At that moment, Gu You made a suggestion. "Since we're leaving here anyway, Xiao San, try supporting all three of us at once and see how long you can keep it up."

Then he turned to Su Yuntao. "Brother Tao, please carry Xiao San. He's a Tool Soul Master, and he just absorbed his Soul Ring. He can't keep up with our speed while supporting us."

Su Yuntao agreed, carrying Tang San on his back as they prepared to set off. Tang San and Gu You exchanged a glance and nodded at the same time. The three Blue Silver Grass vines wrapped around their arms again, and three figures rushed toward the outer edge of the Forest.

Before the sky had completely darkened, the group successfully left the Spirit Beast Forest.

"Xiao San, how do you feel? Can you still hold on?" As soon as they left the Forest, Gu You asked Tang San how he was doing.

Tang San's face was slightly pale, but he still shook his head and replied, "I'm not doing too well. My Soul Power is almost completely exhausted. Brother Tao, put me down."

The instant Tang San's feet touched the ground, color immediately returned to his face, and he revealed an expression of enjoyment.

Gu You rubbed his chin, thinking, It looks like this Soul Skill's duration and effect differ greatly depending on whether he's touching the ground. Its priority is Xiao San first, then the support targets. Compared to supporting teammates, self-preservation takes priority.

Before long, Gu You's group was discovered by patrolling Spirit Hall guards and escorted out of the Spirit Beast Forest. Because of Ma Xiunuo's status as the Spirit Hall master, everyone rested well for a night under the guards' arrangements before setting off back to Nuoding City.

"Finally back. This journey felt so long." Looking at the Nuoding City walls before him, Gu You stretched lazily.

By the time they returned to Spirit Hall, it was already afternoon. Ma Xiunuo said to the two of them, "You've worked hard these past few days. Go back to the academy and get a good night's rest. Wait for me in the basement tomorrow afternoon." After saying that, he rubbed both their heads and turned to leave.

"Xiao You, did something happen?" After Tang San absorbed his First Soul Ring, he had sensed a slight discord in Ma Xiunuo's actions and attitude, as if some important concern weighed heavily on his heart. But Ma Xiunuo had barely spoken during the return journey, and Tang San could find no excuse to ask what had happened.

"Something important did happen, but I can't tell you right now." Gu You shook his head at Tang San. "You'll know what it is tomorrow. If I tell you now, I guarantee you won't sleep tonight."

"Hey, you jerk, now I won't be able to sleep tonight either." Tang San charged at Gu You, who turned and ran. The two chased and roughhoused their way back to the academy.

PS: To clarify in advance, Ma Xiunuo wasn't trying to silence anyone. After all, there was no better place for that than the Forest. If he didn't act in the Forest, it was even less likely that he'd do it after returning home.

The whole family was having dinner tonight, so I had to finish early. I probably won't get home before eleven, and I won't be able to watch the new card stream either. Sad. I suddenly noticed the tips and monthly votes—I'm immensely grateful. Tomorrow, I'll see whether I can squeeze out an extra update. Lastly, please give recommendation votes, bookmarks, and monthly votes.