Grandmaster, Long Time No See

Not long after the two left, two figures slowly emerged.

"Yu Xiaogang, that trash, can really run. We could've just given him the stuff and gone back to report, but now we have to search for him everywhere. What a pain."

The speaker had an alluring appearance, his entire body clad in orange-yellow armor. It was Yue Guan, who had just arrived from Holy Soul Village.

"Enough. Stop complaining. It's been so many years already—what's the point of being angry? If you don't want to look for him, go back and report now. Leave this matter to me." Gui Mei's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a trace of helplessness.

Yue Guan, who had been idly playing with a flower petal in his hand, froze. The petal was instantly crushed to pieces in his grip. Its fragments drifted down with the wind, like his shattered mood at that moment.

"Old Ghost, what do you mean by that? Aren't you a victim in this matter too?" Yue Guan raised his voice, staring directly at Gui Mei.

Hearing this, Gui Mei took a deep breath and slowly said,

"What's the use of being angry? Do you dare lay a hand on him?"

Yue Guan punched a towering tree beside him. In an instant, the tree snapped and crashed down, its falling branches letting out a deafening roar. Leaves scattered across the ground, startling the birds nearby into flight.

A Mandala Snake suddenly shot out from beneath the tree.

It had been sleeping peacefully when someone suddenly destroyed its home. Who wouldn't be angry? But after its snake eyes glanced at the two men and sensed their terrifying auras,

its instincts told it one thing: it couldn't afford to provoke them. Run.

It vanished from the spot in an instant.

"I refuse to accept this! If that trash hadn't dreamed of rising to the heavens in a single step and even dared to lay his hands on the Saintess, how could the Pope have died? How could we have been implicated and incurred the Great Enshrined's wrath? Even now, if we weren't still useful to Bibi Dong, I'm afraid the two of us wouldn't even have a place in Spirit Hall!"

Seeing Yue Guan like this, Gui Mei could not help patting him on the shoulder.

"Enough, don't be angry. Let's finish the mission as soon as possible, then go back to drink and eat meat. Stop thinking about things that make you unhappy."

"Fine. Let's go."

Yue Guan sighed helplessly, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart before continuing onward with Gui Mei.

Meanwhile, Grandmaster and Tang San were still moving forward when Zhu Luo suddenly began making repeated snorting sounds.

"Not good. Danger."

Grandmaster's expression changed slightly. Any soul beast capable of making his martial soul give such a warning was undoubtedly extremely dangerous. His gaze immediately became vigilant as he quickly scanned the surroundings.

Just as he spoke, a massive blue-purple snake suddenly shot out from behind them, flicking its tongue. Even from far away, they could smell its foul stench.

"Th-this is a Mandala Snake over four hundred years old!"

The moment he saw the Mandala Snake, Grandmaster cried out. His voice carried a hint of panic, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"Xiao San, run!"

Having been born in the Tang Sect of Bashu, Tang San understood this kind of snake as well. Even he would have a hard time dealing with it now. Avoiding battle was best.

As he spoke, Tang San activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track. His figure moved like a ghost through the forest, swiftly darting ahead.

"Damn, this kid runs fast."

Seeing this, Grandmaster hurriedly chased after him.

In a situation like this, whoever ran slower became the front line.

As Tang San ran, he glanced back at Grandmaster. The Mandala Snake was relentlessly pursuing them from behind, closing the distance with astonishing speed. He hurriedly shouted,

"Teacher, snakes can't turn! Don't run in a straight line!"

At that moment, a voice slowly rang out.

"Grandmaster, long time no see. You seem to be in rather sorry shape these days?"

As the voice spoke, two figures instantly swept over from the low sky.

Under the pressure they radiated, the Mandala Snake did not dare move at all.

Grandmaster, whose face was still somewhat pale, also breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing them.

He stood where he was, panting heavily.

"Xiao San, no need to run."

Tang San paused, then walked back.

"Teacher, who are they?"

After taking a few breaths, Grandmaster's breathing gradually calmed.

"Spirit Hall Elders, Yue Guan and Gui Mei."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands slightly toward the two.

"Gentlemen, long time no see. Thank you for your help today."

Yue Guan nodded with a faint, ambiguous smile.

"It was nothing. Why thank us? After all, you were once an elder of Spirit Hall. Since we happened to encounter you, we had to help. From the looks of it, Grandmaster, have you come here to obtain a soul ring? Could it be that you've broken through to rank thirty?"

Grandmaster's expression darkened somewhat at those words. Being unable to break through to rank thirty was the greatest thorn in his heart. Yue Guan had brought it up like this—he did not know whether the man was deliberately trying to disgust him.

However, circumstances forced his hand, and Grandmaster still squeezed out a smile.

"You two elders naturally know my situation, so there's no need to mention it. I came this time to obtain a soul ring for my disciple."

"Oh? Grandmaster, you've never accepted a disciple before, yet you've taken one now? It seems this boy's talent must be extraordinary." Yue Guan asked casually.

Grandmaster frowned, growing somewhat wary. After considering it, he replied with a faint smile,

"Yes. He has Innate Full Soul Power, so I decided to take him as my disciple."

"Innate Full Soul Power?" Yue Guan asked suspiciously.

Tang San could not help panicking inwardly.

"Teacher?"

But Grandmaster acted as though he had not heard him and continued,

"Come to think of it, Spirit Hall is the one that gave me this disciple. Back then, your people believed Blue Silver Grass had no potential, which is why I was given the opportunity."

Naturally, Yue Guan and Gui Mei knew about this. Tang San, the son of a village blacksmith. Blue Silver Grass. Innate Full Soul Power.

If that were all, they would not have cared. But that blacksmith's name was Tang Hao!

"Oh, then our people must have misjudged him. How could Spirit Hall possibly let someone with Innate Full Soul Power slip away?" As Yue Guan spoke, his gaze turned toward Tang San.

"Kid, your talent is quite good. Are you interested in joining Spirit Hall? I can tell you that if you're willing, I can personally guide you."

Grandmaster's expression stiffened at this, and he immediately said,

"Elder Ju, he is already my disciple. Isn't it somewhat inappropriate for you to say such things in front of me?"

Yue Guan merely smiled indifferently.

"What's inappropriate about it? Spirit Hall has resources, and what could he possibly gain by cultivating with you? I simply don't want to see a pearl buried in dust. Kid, tell me your decision."

Grandmaster began to panic as well. A Titled Douluo publicly taking a disciple—the temptation was something practically no one could refuse.

If Tang San knew who his father was, he would absolutely never join. But Tang Hao had forbidden him from revealing his identity.