Yu Xiaogang: Chen Fan? Without my theory's assistance, you're far inferior to Xiao San

Tang San's expression was as steady as ever as he answered solemnly, "Yes, Teacher."

Seeing Tang San's composure, Yu Xiaogang felt even more satisfied.

A ten-year-old twentieth-rank Soul Master, with such a resolute and steady temperament—he was simply the most perfect uncut jade tailor-made for his theories!

His Soul Master theories would surely flourish through Tang San and astonish the entire continent!

Ma Chengfeng, the headmaster of Nuoding Academy standing nearby, could not help adding a word at this point.

"There aren't many geniuses rising to prominence on the continent right now. This generation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has one called Chen Fan, who is about the same age as you, Xiao San."

"I heard he also has Innate Full Soul Power. A friend from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect mentioned him to me last time—he's only reached rank twenty as well."

Ma Chengfeng continued, "Although his Martial Soul is a powerful dragon-type one, and on the surface it is far stronger than your Blue Silver Grass, Xiao San, your Cultivation Speeds are nearly identical. That shows just how astonishing your talent is. You may even have a chance to surpass that Chen Fan in the future!"

Listening to this, Yu Xiaogang spoke indifferently.

"There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters."

His tone was steady.

"I will use my theories to select the most perfect Soul Rings for Tang San."

In his heart, he had long since mapped out a one-of-a-kind path for Tang San.

Although Yu Xiaogang clearly knew that the fundamental trait of Blue Silver Grass was its vigorous and tenacious vitality, he insisted on "thinking outside the box" and recommending Soul Beasts brimming with toxicity for Tang San.

And though he initially had no intention of following the conventional path of Blue Silver Grass, choosing instead to strengthen its toxicity, he abandoned that plan halfway through his later designs and turned toward control.

To outsiders, this line of thinking would probably seem extremely strange, perhaps even contradictory.

Yet in Yu Xiaogang's heart, it was the perfect shortcut to the pinnacle.

Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, Ma Chengfeng nodded in deep agreement.

"Master is absolutely right. A Soul Master's development is far more important than the innate quality of their Martial Soul."

Yu Xiaogang's gaze settled on Tang San's calm face, and his tone carried powerful confidence.

"Though Chen Fan belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and his Soul Ring Years should not be lacking in principle, they absolutely cannot compare to the Soul Rings I have carefully matched for Tang San, nor to the Soul Beasts those Soul Rings come from."

He paused, his voice growing even more certain.

"His growth potential is far inferior to Xiao San's. And after adding a Second Soul Ring, his Actual Combat ability will likely be even further behind."

Tang San listened quietly, with little turmoil in his heart.

Competing with others for superiority was not his pursuit.

But he knew how much grievance and mockery his teacher had endured over the years because of his mutated Martial Soul and unrecognized theories.

As long as he could help his teacher fulfill his dream, then if he truly met that Chen Fan one day, he would certainly defeat him openly and honorably.

This was his responsibility as a disciple—to clear his teacher's name.

A teacher for a day, a father for life.

At the same time, deep within the Star Dou Great Forest.

The mist among the trees gradually thickened, carrying the damp scent of grass and wood.

Chen Fan carried the unidentified blonde woman on his back, his steps steady and showing not the slightest sign of fatigue.

He turned his head and softly said to Na'er, who was following closely beside him.

"Actually, there's no need to slaughter the Soul Beasts in this forest indiscriminately. We should avoid them whenever we can."

"After all, we are the invaders."

"Other than when we have no choice but to obtain Soul Rings, most of the time, there's no need for killing."

At his words, Na'er's clear Purple Eyes instantly lit up.

She nodded vigorously, and a pure smile spread across her face. Clearly, Chen Fan's words had made her especially happy.

Though she had no memories, the girl only felt sweetness filling her heart.

It was as though something important had been acknowledged.

But the smile had not yet fully faded from her face.

Whoosh—

A swift gray shadow suddenly shot out from the bushes at the side, carrying a foul gust of wind straight at them!

It was a century-old Gale Wolf!

Its target was Chen Fan, who carried Qian Renxue on his back and was somewhat hindered in his movements.

Chen Fan's pupils contracted, and his body sank slightly. At this moment, it truly was not easy for him to exert himself against an enemy.

But then he saw that the smile had already vanished without a trace from the delicate, adorable face of the girl beside him.

Her gaze suddenly turned cold.

An invisible, intangible pressure of utmost nobility erupted from her petite body!

A flash of silver light swept past.

The Gale Wolf that had leaped into the air suddenly stiffened midair, its powerful body locking up.

Its eyes instantly went dull, all life vanishing from them.

"Thud."

The Gale Wolf fell rigidly to the ground, its limbs twitching twice before it went still.

It had actually been frightened to death.

Once she had finished, all the coldness on Na'er's face faded away, and she returned to her sweet, well-behaved appearance.

She raised her head to look at Chen Fan, earnestly adding to what he had just said:

"Mhm, Chen Fan, you're right."

"We really should protect Soul Beasts and not hurt them carelessly."

Chen Fan: "..."

He lowered his head to look at the Gale Wolf's corpse, its eyes still wide open, then looked back at Na'er, whose face clearly said, "We're good children who love animals." For a moment, he was...

Speechless.

"Let's find a place to rest first."

After a while, Chen Fan finally spoke, breaking the silence in the woods.

Na'er nodded obediently.

The two soon found a dry cave nearby.

The cave was not large, but it was enough to keep out the wind and rain. It was a decent place to shelter for the time being.

Chen Fan carefully lowered the blonde woman from his back, letting her lean against the stone wall in the corner so she could lie more comfortably.

After settling everything, he gave Na'er a few instructions at the cave entrance before walking outside alone.

The roars of beasts occasionally echoed in the distance.

Yet Chen Fan's heart remained calm as still water.

He slowly closed his eyes and focused on sensing the power within his body.

Candle Dragon Shadow.

This Martial Soul was like a vast, sleeping treasure vault, containing endless power.

Unfortunately, his current Soul Power was far too weak.

So weak that he could only barely push open one door at the very outermost layer of that vault, catching a glimpse of its most superficial power.

The Power of Cold and Heat brought by his First Soul Skill.

Chen Fan spread open his right hand, and with a thought, a wisp of black-and-white candle flame ignited in his palm.

The temperature of the surrounding air abruptly rose, as though midsummer had arrived.

Then, as his Soul Power shifted again, the flame went out, replaced by a thin layer of white frost forming in his palm.

The scorching heat instantly turned into bitter winter cold.

This was the Power of Cold and Heat.

On the surface, it was merely two extreme energies that controlled temperature.

But Chen Fan always felt that something far more profound lay hidden behind it.

Cold and heat...

Cold and heat...

Two lines flashed through his mind.

One came from the Thousand Character Classic he had read before crossing over.

"Cold comes, heat departs; autumn harvests, winter stores."

It spoke of the order of the four seasons, of cold and heat alternating between heaven and earth.

But immediately afterward, another line surfaced in his heart.

"Time never stays; the seasons flow like water."

In that instant, a flash of insight struck Chen Fan's mind, and understanding dawned on him!

How could the cycle of cold and heat be nothing more than a simple change in temperature?

It was clearly time flowing soundlessly, the very shape of passing years and changing ages!