Ah Yin, I've Let You Down!

Behind Holy Spirit Village, the mountains rose and fell in winding ridges, with towering ancient trees reaching into the clouds, forming something like a primeval forest.

But at this moment, the forest had lost its usual tranquility. A terrifying pressure shrouded it; birds in the sky fled in all directions in fright, while beasts on the ground trembled and lay prone.

"Ahhh!"

"Who was it? Who took my soul bone! Who took my Ah Yin!"

"Die, die! All of you, die!"

"Yes, Spirit Hall! It had to be Spirit Hall! Ah... Spirit Hall, I will never rest until one of us is dead!"

Inside the cave beneath the waterfall, Tang Hao stared at the empty stone chamber. His eyes split with rage, and fury surged through him.

The seed he had planted six years ago was gone, and so was the soul bone!

After arranging everything for Tang San, Tang Hao had intended to return and bid Ah Yin farewell before heading to the Star Luo Empire to smash several Spirit Hall branches. That way, he could draw Spirit Hall's attention and buy Tang San time to grow.

He had been too ashamed to face Ah Yin for the past six years. But their son had awakened Twin Martial Souls—how could he not tell Ah Yin such wonderful news?

Though he was not sure what state Ah Yin was in now, he still had to show her some consideration, didn't he?

Yet this trip back had revealed that both Ah Yin and the soul bone were gone.

Tang Hao immediately hefted the Clear Sky Hammer and began searching the nearby mountains.

Perhaps some strange Spirit Beast had appeared nearby and eaten Ah Yin.

Even if Ah Yin had been eaten, the soul bone would surely remain. There was still hope!

Tang Hao released his Spiritual Power with all his might, carefully probing the surrounding mountains.

But before long, he fell into despair.

Within his perception, the area was nothing more than an ordinary forest. Only a few places contained faint traces of Soul Power.

How the hell was he supposed to find anything like this?!

Boom!

The Clear Sky Hammer came crashing down on the last fleeing boar Spirit Beast. The earth-shaking blast roared into the heavens, instantly flattening it into a pancake.

After searching the nearby mountains and villages for a long while, Tang Hao still found not a single clue.

He had even slaughtered every Spirit Beast in the mountains, yet he still could not find... the soul bone.

He should have known. It had not been done by a Spirit Beast at all—it had been stolen by someone.

Otherwise, why would the three-hundred-pound lead box have disappeared as well?

Suddenly, Tang Hao's body went limp. He dropped heavily to his knees, covering his face with his rough, aged hands. His eyes turned bloodshot as he choked out in agony.

"Little San, Ah Yin, I've let you down!"

Thinking of how he had not come to see Ah Yin even once in six years, he was filled with regret. If he had visited Ah Yin often, this never would have happened.

But now, it was too late to say anything.

Then Tang Hao thought of the soul bone—the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone he had prepared for Tang San. It was gone now!

It felt as though knives were twisting through his heart. It hurt—hurt so much.

Did that not mean half of his plans had been wasted?

After crying bitterly for a long time, Tang Hao finally pulled himself together. His eyes were filled with bloodshot veins, and his face was cold as frost.

"Spirit Hall, I'll make you pay!"

Whether Spirit Hall had stolen it or not, he only wanted someone to vent his fury on now.

Then he looked toward Nuoding City.

"Little San, I'm sorry. Your father hasn't fulfilled his duty as a father. But there are things I must do. I can no longer stay by your side as you grow up."

After saying that, he turned toward Spirit City, his gaze sharp and fierce.

He did not dare go to Spirit City, but the other Spirit Hall branches could not stop him.

This time, he would destroy several more Spirit Hall branches to avenge the theft of the soul bone.

What?

Spirit Hall was not the thief?

If he said they were, then they were!

"Still, that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast is a problem. If she runs away, Little San will lose his Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring."

Suddenly recalling that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, Tang Hao's expression turned hesitant.

He was worried that the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast had merely entered human society on a whim and would return to the Spirit Beast Forest after he left.

What if he could make her fall in love with Little San?

Remembering the scene of Ah Yin's sacrifice, a bold plan arose in Tang Hao's heart.

Shaking his head, Tang Hao ultimately decided to put off his plan to smash Spirit Hall branches for the time being.

He would observe that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast for a few more days. If she showed no intention of leaving, it would not be too late for him to go out then.

After all, Tang San obtaining a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring was tied not only to his revenge plan, but also to the revival of his clan.

Time slowly passed, and everything at Nuoding Academy continued as usual.

One day, the gatekeeper quietly came to Dorm Seven and leaned close to Mu Zhe's ear to whisper a few words.

Mu Zhe was somewhat surprised upon hearing them. Tang San had actually gone out again with Yu Xiaogang.

"Do you know where they went?"

"Young Master, I found out that they're going to the Spirit Beast Forest for practical training."

Mu Zhe nodded. That made sense. Many students paid tuition, yet had no chance to break through to become Soul Masters even after six years.

Therefore, to keep students from feeling cheated, Nuoding Academy arranged for teachers to lead them into the Spirit Beast Forest to observe Spirit Beasts. Of course, they only looked around the outer regions.

Moreover, the main purpose of this trip was to hunt Spirit Rings for students who had broken through to become Soul Masters. The sightseeing was only secondary.

"Alright, go back."

Mu Zhe then called over another student from his dormitory and gave him a few instructions. The student hurried away.

The student's gaze toward Mu Zhe was filled with reverence.

Back when school had first started, the students in Dorm Seven had refused to accept Mu Zhe. How dare he act so arrogantly? In the end, Mu Zhe had beaten all of them by himself.

From then on, none of those students dared defy Mu Zhe's orders again.

Dorm Seven. The student came to Xiao Wu's side and quietly said a few words, immediately making her face alternate between red and pale.

Damn it!

Mu Zhe had actually summoned her while Tang San was away to...

But aside from humiliation and anger, what could she do? It was all simply her master's task.

Xiao Wu made her way to Dorm Seven with forced composure. Seeing that Mu Zhe was the only one inside, she could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. If what came next got out, how could she ever show her face at Nuoding Academy again?

She then looked at Mu Zhe, her eyes full of shame and indignation, and asked in a sweet voice, "What are you making me do this time?"

Ever since what had happened at the start of school, Mu Zhe would always call her to Dorm Seven to do strange things whenever Tang San went far away.

It humiliated and enraged her beyond measure.

"Hm? What should you call me?"

Mu Zhe raised an eyebrow. It had been too long since he had requested door-to-door service. This little Xiao Wu... had gotten too full of herself.

Dark light swirled in his eyes, as if something terrifying was about to burst forth.

Xiao Wu jumped in fright and immediately changed her words. "M-Master, what do you wish to command?"

It was simply that she had been Nuoding Academy's big sister for too long and had failed to react in time.

Remembering what she had experienced before, Xiao Wu's body trembled faintly. If she did not follow Mu Zhe's orders, he would probably take matters into his own hands.

In truth, Xiao Wu was now more concerned with submitting to Mu Zhe's strength. If Mu Zhe made a move against her, he could easily pin her beneath him.

Mu Zhe nodded in satisfaction. "Start by massaging my legs."

He was tired from cultivation. It was not excessive for him to enjoy himself a little, was it?

Though she was unwilling in every possible way, Xiao Wu could only move over and sit beside Mu Zhe, stretching out her hands to begin gently kneading his legs.

This was truly infuriating!

As Nuoding Academy's publicly acknowledged boss, she had never even enjoyed such service herself.

But what else could she do?

Mu Zhe was stronger than her and held something over her that she could not resist.

There was nothing shameful about submitting to the strong. Was that not how Spirit Beasts lived?

With that thought, Xiao Wu did not feel quite so humiliated anymore.

"Xiao Wu, has Tang San not been giving you enough money?"

Mu Zhe glanced at Xiao Wu. Her little pink outfit accentuated her figure well enough, but it looked... rather tacky.

"How did you know?"

Xiao Wu looked at Mu Zhe in surprise. Apart from the one Gold Soul Coin she received from Spirit Hall each month, all she had was the few silver soul coins Tang San gave her.

Honestly, it was not even enough for her to eat carrots a few times.

"I can tell from your clothes. Look at mine—can the two even be compared?"

"Hmph. I'm naturally pretty. I don't need clothes to make me look good."

Xiao Wu only felt a little sour. She truly envied Mu Zhe's lifestyle. Just his clothes alone outclassed everything she owned.

After all, Mu Zhe's looks were no worse than hers.

But so what if Mu Zhe was amazing? She could still talk tough.

Mu Zhe smiled faintly. Xiao Wu's envy had nearly overflowed from her eyes just now. "How about this? If you massage me properly, I'll give you these Gold Soul Coins."

As soon as he spoke, a money pouch appeared in Mu Zhe's hand.

When he lightly shook it, crisp clinking sounds rang out.

"Really?"

Hearing that, Xiao Wu's hands unconsciously pressed harder, and her voice carried a trace of delight.

"Of course."

"Then it's a deal." Xiao Wu immediately began working even harder.

Though the transaction felt somewhat strange, weren't humans all like this?

They exchanged labor for payment. That was what she was doing now, so it was... quite reasonable.

Thinking about it that way, Mu Zhe did not seem all that bad.

But as soon as that thought arose, Xiao Wu shook her head. No, beneath that gentle exterior lurked a demon.