Tang Hao Arrives, Exploiting Free Labor

A year passed quietly. Lin Mu successfully cultivated to level fifty; as long as he absorbed a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, he could become a Soul King.

In fact, he had broken through two months ago, but he had not decided which Soul Ring to absorb, so he had delayed until now.

As far as he knew, Soul Power could continue accumulating even without absorbing a Soul Ring. Once one was absorbed, it could raise his Soul Power Level in one go, though the process might be relatively slower.

That morning, Lin Mu got up early. It was the day Nuoding Academy let out for break, and he had to see Tang San off one last time.

Inside the Nuoding Academy dormitory, Tang San had already packed his things, folding and refolding his bedding several times.

He was clearly going home, yet his mood was extremely heavy. Compared to his Master, who deserved full marks in every way, his drunkard father was an absolute mess.

Sometimes, he had even thought about how wonderful it would be if his Master were his father.

"Tang San, is something wrong with you? How many times have you folded that bedding already?"

Xiao Wu sat at the edge of the bed, her face full of impatience.

She was already in a bad mood, and watching this fool repeat the same thing over and over was giving her a headache.

Only after Xiao Wu spoke did Tang San stop what he was doing. He raised his eyes to look at her leaning against the headboard and asked in surprise, "Xiao Wu, break has already started. Aren't you packing up to go home?"

"I don't have a home. I'll be staying at the academy this break."

"No home?"

Tang San looked stunned. Soon, a trace of pity appeared in his eyes. At least he still had a father and a Master. Although his father was a useless drunkard, his Master treated him very well.

Just then, Xiao Wu seemed to think of something. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she hurriedly looked at Tang San. "Little San, is your home far from the academy? How about I go to your house to play?"

"This..."

Tang San was tempted when he heard that, but when he thought of his Master's teachings, he hesitated again.

His Master had said that he needed to be careful not to fall into a woman's trap. The prettier the woman, the better she was at deceiving people.

Seeing Tang San hesitate like this, Xiao Wu immediately put her hands on her hips and glared fiercely at him with her big eyes. "I'm just going to your house to play. Do you have to be so stingy?"

Seeing Xiao Wu's displeased expression, Tang San gave a bitter smile. He could only set aside his Master's teachings for the time being and said, "I'll take you home with me, all right?"

"That's more like it."

Xiao Wu pouted, looking as though she was magnanimously overlooking his offense.

After packing their things, the two made their way from the dormitory to the academy gates, where they happened to see Lin Mu walking toward them.

"Master."

Tang San respectfully bowed to Lin Mu. Over the past year, this most basic etiquette had already been etched into his bones.

Although Lin Mu disliked such cumbersome formalities, when it came to Tang San, they had to be doubled.

"Little San, you can't slack off after you get home either. And take this dried food with you to eat on the road."

Lin Mu took out a bag of dried food from his Storage Bracelet and handed it to Tang San.

These were cheap things, but they were exactly what Tang San needed most. After all, he had been an orphan in his previous life, and Tang Hao was extremely irresponsible, so he desperately craved familial affection.

"Thank you, Master."

Looking at the dried food in his hands, Tang San's eyes brimmed with tears. The emotion in his heart was beyond words. This was care his father had never given him.

Beside him, Xiao Wu watched with envy in her eyes. If she did not have her reservations, she would have wanted to become Lin Mu's disciple too.

"All right, go early and come back early."

Lin Mu patted Tang San on the shoulder. He had plans of his own as well. This was a good chance to relax and settle the matter of his fifth Soul Ring while he was at it.

After seeing Tang San off, Lin Mu returned to the inn to cultivate.

That night, Lin Mu flipped through the Complete Guide to Soul Beast Species of the Star Dou Great Forest in his room, searching for a Soul Beast suitable for his fifth Soul Ring.

Once a Soul Beast reached ten thousand years, its strength increased dramatically. Some Soul Beasts with powerful bloodlines could even unleash strength far beyond their actual age.

For example, a Ten Thousand Year Dark Demon Evil God Tiger could rival a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

With his current strength, he could deal with Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts, but they could not exceed thirty thousand years. And Soul Beasts with powerful bloodlines had to be considered carefully as well.

Just as he was wavering.

Knock, knock—

A heavy knocking suddenly sounded, pulling Lin Mu from his thoughts back to reality.

Lin Mu's eyes narrowed, a trace of doubt flashing through them. Who would come looking for him at this hour?

As a soul master who had traveled the world for many years, Lin Mu had never done anything cruel or immoral, but he had inevitably made some enemies, such as the Fire Leopard Sect.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Mu slowly stood up and walked over to open the door.

As the door creaked open, a tall figure stood outside, draped in a simple gray robe, his entire face hidden in the shadows of the corridor.

"Tang Hao!"

Lin Mu's breath caught, and his nerves instantly tensed, but he quickly calmed down again.

Facing a Titled Douluo—and the Clear Sky Douluo who possessed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring—he would not even have a chance to run.

Tang Hao had come to his door at this time most likely to entrust Tang San to him. He probably meant no harm; otherwise, he would have broken in just now.

"Who are you?"

Lin Mu barely steadied himself, raising his eyes toward Tang Hao outside the house as he asked in a low voice.

Tang Hao took several steps forward and entered from outside. Under the lamplight, his weathered face was revealed, messy black hair draped over his shoulders. He looked both unkempt and dejected.

He was quite a match for Yu Xiaogang.

"My name is Tang Hao. I'm Little San's—your disciple's—father."

Tang Hao had secretly observed Lin Mu before and found that he was indeed a rare genius, at least far more reliable than Yu Xiaogang.

In his view, Tang San becoming this man's disciple had one advantage: when the time came to deal with Spirit Hall, he could be of considerable help.

A seventeen-year-old Soul King—he was far more formidable than Tang Hao had been at that age.

"Tang Hao?"

Lin Mu murmured the name, then his eyes widened as he feigned shock. "You're... the Clear Sky Douluo?"

"Don't mention that old title anymore. Although I don't know why you took Little San as your disciple, I can tell that you treat him well. I'm relieved to entrust him to you."

Tang Hao's gaze flickered. With Lin Mu, this genius, they truly might have a chance to take revenge on Spirit Hall.

"This is for you. It may be useful."

As he spoke, Tang Hao took out a pitch-black token and tossed it to Lin Mu.

After settling these matters, Tang Hao intended to leave, but Lin Mu stepped forward and stopped him first.

"Senior, since you're already here, why not do me a favor?"

Lin Mu had been worrying over his fifth Soul Ring. Now that Tang Hao had appeared, how could he possibly let such free labor go?

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Hao still agreed. He would treat it as Tang San's apprenticeship gift.