Could You Be a Grandmaster?

Plant-type Martial Souls were exceedingly rare. Aside from Blue Silver Grass, any that could cultivate possessed some unique abilities.

Because of Tang San, Yu Xiaogang had spent the past two years researching this type of Martial Soul. Now, hearing that there was actually a plant-type Soul Master among this group—

His heart immediately stirred.

"Yes, Uncle. Junior Li Xun's Martial Soul is called Thousand Hands Great Buddha. It's a wood carving, and it can control trees. He wants to hunt a Lone Bamboo for his Second Spirit Ring."

Seeing that Yu Xiaogang seemed inclined to stay, Yu Tianheng's eyes lit up. He hurriedly stepped forward.

"Oh? A wood carving that controls trees!" Yu Xiaogang froze, somewhat caught off guard.

He had originally assumed it was a Martial Soul formed from some rare plant.

He had not expected it to be a wood carving.

"Logically speaking, a wood carving should be a Tool Martial Soul. How could it possess the traits of a plant-type Martial Soul?"

After pondering for a moment, Yu Xiaogang's face showed realization. "It must have undergone a mutation—and a Positive Mutation at that."

His own Martial Soul was mutated, except it was a negative and malignant mutation.

Now that he had encountered a positively mutated Martial Soul, complicated emotions inevitably arose within him.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang stop to think, Yu Tianheng hurriedly moved in front of him. "That's right. And there are quite a few plants Li Xun's First Spirit Ability can control."

"A Mutated Martial Soul... controlling trees..." Yu Xiaogang repeated the two phrases, thoughts churning rapidly through his mind.

The uncle and nephew had not deliberately lowered their voices. Li Xun and the others heard everything clearly.

Seeing Yu Tianheng reveal Li Xun's information to an outsider just to spend a little more time with his uncle, they all frowned.

A Soul Master's information was extremely important; sometimes, it could determine a person's life or death. However, since the information he had revealed was not detailed, there was little they could say.

Li Xun did not think much of it. He had known all along that Yu Tianheng had some ulterior motives. This time, the other party had merely finally made his move.

He was not someone who held grudges.

Once he obtained his Second Spirit Ring, Yu Tianheng could help him test just how much a Genin was worth.

"Could you show me your Martial Soul?" Yu Xiaogang turned around and followed Yu Tianheng's guidance to Li Xun, lowering his head to ask.

If it had been an ordinary Martial Soul, Yu Xiaogang might not have paid it any attention.

But Mutated Martial Souls were exceedingly rare, and Li Xun happened to be able to control plants. The first people Yu Xiaogang thought of were himself and Tang San.

Because of his Martial Soul, his Soul Power had been stuck at level twenty-nine, unable to advance any further. Tang San, meanwhile, also needed a plant-type Soul Master as a reference.

Yu Xiaogang's stiff tone and stern expression as he looked down at him—

Made Li Xun frown.

It was a condescending question. Only someone who placed himself very highly would maintain such an attitude even in everyday interactions with others.

"My apologies, Senior. Before I left home, the elders of my family taught me that one should not casually reveal one's Martial Soul before others." Li Xun smiled up at Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang frowned at that. "Your Martial Soul may have mutated. This mutation may not necessarily be positive; perhaps, as time passes, it will develop in a negative direction."

At this point—

Yu Xiaogang clasped one hand behind his back and placed the other over his abdomen.

He gazed into the distance. "And one of my Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul happens to concern Martial Soul mutations."

"Through your Martial Soul, I can determine whether what has happened to you is good or bad."

Do you think I'm Tang San? That I'd kneel before you after being fooled by just a few words?

Watching Yu Xiaogang's pose, Li Xun could not help rolling his eyes. "There's no need, Senior. I know my own Martial Soul well enough.

Besides, we've already been out for a long time. I still need to obtain my Spirit Ring, so I won't disturb you any further."

After saying that, Li Xun called to Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan and headed deeper into the forest.

As for Grandmaster and Tang San, Li Xun had merely wanted to see what they looked like. He had no intention of becoming involved with them.

If he laughed and chatted with them while also snatching away their opportunities, he would find himself disgusting.

Yu Xiaogang was stunned by Li Xun's reaction.

"Li Xun, do you know who my uncle is?!" Seeing Li Xun actually ignore his uncle Yu Xiaogang, Yu Tianheng could not help shouting angrily.

"Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul? Could you be Grandmaster?" A thought struck Qin Ming.

Not many people in the Soul Master World knew Yu Xiaogang, but Grandmaster was a famous figure.

Of course, some also said he was a famous clown.

Though controversial, his Ten Core Competencies theory was indeed widely known. It had also helped organize part of the teaching material for children.

Yu Xiaogang did not answer Qin Ming's question. He simply stood with his hands behind his back, watching Li Xun's retreating figure.

"My teacher is Grandmaster." Tang San hurriedly introduced Yu Xiaogang's identity.

"Greetings, Grandmaster."

Qin Ming bowed slightly in salute. "Li Xun and the others are still young and do not know your esteemed name. Please forgive them."

"Why not come with me and take a look at the Second Spirit Ring Li Xun has chosen? You could also offer the child some advice."

After Qin Ming finished speaking, he told Yu Xiaogang about Li Xun's martial soul and First Spirit Ability.

A strange look flashed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes after hearing this. "Hmph. According to my theory, Tool Martial Souls are generally suited for support, yet this child chose the control path.

Moreover, the shortcomings of his First Spirit Ability are obvious. Using his Second Spirit Ring to enhance the toughness of plants on that basis is truly a waste of talent."

Qin Ming deeply agreed.

The plants produced by Li Xun's First Spirit Ability were no taller than half a meter. Any soul master with even a little combat experience could not possibly be restrained by them.

Not to mention that plants feared fire and ice.

If he encountered a soul master with an elemental attribute in battle, Li Xun would effectively be missing two spirit rings. That would not benefit him in the Soul Master Competition a few years from now.

After Qin Ming offered a few more words of persuasion, Yu Xiaogang took the chance to step down. He truly needed to see Li Xun's Wood Carving Martial Soul for himself and figure out why it possessed two different traits.

Because it contradicted his theory.

"Brother, how old a Lone Bamboo are you planning to choose? Wasn't that seven-hundred-year one from before good enough?" Ning Rongrong asked in confusion.

They had been in the forest for quite some time, yet Li Xun showed no sign of stopping and kept leading them forward.

"Li Xun, further ahead in this area is the Thousand-Year Main Bamboo." Dugu Yan turned her head toward Li Xun.

Li Xun smiled faintly. "The Thousand-Year Main Bamboo is exactly what I'm looking for."

The main bamboo was the oldest bamboo in a bamboo grove. Basically, all the other bamboo had propagated from it.

Though Lone Bamboo stood alone, its roots were still connected to the main bamboo. As long as they followed the outskirts deeper inside, they would find it.

"What? You want to choose a thousand-year Spirit Beast as your Second Spirit Ring?" Dugu Yan's beautiful eyes widened in shock.

Ning Rongrong was equally astonished. "Brother, isn't that too big a leap?"

Both of them had consumed Whale Rubber, and she had heard of its effects. She just had not expected Li Xun to choose a thousand-year Spirit Beast for his Second Spirit Ring.

"It's fine. Not just me—even your Second Spirit Ring should be able to reach around six to seven hundred years."

Li Xun rubbed Ning Rongrong's head and smiled. "Don't worry. I'm confident."

As the three talked, they spotted a Lone Bamboo over twenty meters tall standing ahead. Its originally green surface was already beginning to show traces of purple.