Chrysanthemum Douluo Comes Looking for Trouble

"Brother, my Soul Power increased by six levels. I'm level thirty-seven now!"

Xiao Wu clung to Tang San's arm, her face brimming with excitement and joy. Her previous sadness had already been tossed aside.

Seeing how delighted she was, a trace of complexity flashed through Tang San's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by gentleness. He lightly patted her head and said, "Mm, I know."

Then, he turned to Lin Mu and asked, "Master, I've already reached level forty. When will we go hunt for my Fourth Soul Ring?"

At the mention of hunting Soul Rings, Xiao Wu's delicate body trembled slightly, and a trace of instinctive resistance and gloom flickered deep within her eyes.

Lin Mu took it all in, but his expression remained unchanged. After pondering briefly, he said, "There's no rush. The choice of your Fourth Soul Ring needs careful consideration."

He had long since made a plan. Tang San's Fourth Soul Ring had to be at least ten thousand years old.

Generally speaking, the limit for a Fourth Soul Ring was five thousand years. Even with the aid of the Body Tempering Pill, Yu Tianheng only dared to attempt one that was six thousand years old.

Absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring not only meant enduring an energy impact far beyond one's limit, but also facing the soul shock unique to Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings.

Many experts above the rank of Soul King only had thousand-year Soul Rings as their fifth ring.

"Tang San, I plan to have you absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."

"Ten thousand years?"

Tang San's pupils contracted, his face filled with shock. Even though his physique surpassed that of Soul Masters at the same level, he had no confidence in absorbing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

However, since his master had said so, he must have his own plans.

"This is the External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances. I found it in the corpse of the Man Faced Demon Spider you killed."

Before he finished speaking, Lin Mu took out the Eight Spider Lances from his Storage Bracelet and handed them to Tang San.

Looking at the Eight Spider Lances in his hands, Tang San's eyes gleamed with delight.

After his master's teachings, he had gained some understanding of the various Spirit Bones. Among them, the most powerful were undoubtedly External Soul Bones, because they could continuously evolve.

"The Eight Spider Lances can greatly improve your physique. Combined with the Body Tempering Pill, your body will definitely be strong enough to withstand a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. As for the soul shock—"

After a pause, Lin Mu continued, "The pills I gave you were mixed with Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. Your spiritual power is now far beyond that of those at your level, enough to withstand the soul impact brought by a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring."

After listening to his master's explanation, Tang San's doubts vanished, replaced by absolute trust and anticipation for a Ten Thousand Year Fourth Soul Ring.

"Alright, fuse with the Eight Spider Lances first. We can discuss the Fourth Soul Ring later."

"Yes, Master."

Tang San did not question him in the slightest and immediately began fusing with the External Soul Bone, while Xiao Wu stood nearby to guard him.

Lin Mu did not remain idle either. He walked to the edge of the herb garden and gathered some rare medicinal herbs that were old enough and highly potent, though they had not yet reached the level of Immortal Herbs.

Although these herbs lacked the miraculous effects of Immortal Herbs, they could still be used to refine pills that aided cultivation.

As for the younger herbs, Lin Mu left them untouched and allowed them to continue growing. They might come in handy someday.

Just as he finished gathering the herbs, Tang San successfully fused with the Eight Spider Lances.

At first, Tang San was unfamiliar with the eight spider legs. Only with Lin Mu's guidance did he barely manage to retract them into his body. In any case, he could practice slowly later.

Suddenly, a dark green figure silently descended into the valley. It was Dugu Bo.

Looking at the herb garden, more than half of which had been harvested, Dugu Bo felt as if his heart were bleeding. Yet he did not dare show the slightest resentment, much less question it.

He hurried forward, bowed deeply to Lin Mu, and said respectfully, "Old Slave greets Master."

Tang San and Xiao Wu were not surprised by Dugu Bo's appearance or form of address. Dugu Bo had come several times before and always called him that.

Only after Lin Mu raised a hand in acknowledgment did Dugu Bo dare straighten up. He reported, "Master, that fellow Ju Hua Guan went to Heaven Dou Royal Academy again today to ask about your whereabouts."

Lin Mu frowned slightly. Ten days ago, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan had already visited Heaven Dou Royal Academy once, and Dugu Bo had relayed the news then as well.

Clearly, the strength he had displayed when defeating Dugu Bo had already drawn the attention of Spirit Hall's upper ranks.

However, Lin Mu was not overly concerned.

With his connection to Qian Renxue, Spirit Hall would at least not send assassins after him. Even if Bibi Dong truly went mad, he could easily escape with Tuo Na Duo of Hurricane.

As for Chrysanthemum Douluo, although his Soul Power Level was considerably higher than Dugu Bo's, his actual combat strength was not especially outstanding. He was not much stronger than Dugu Bo.

With a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, and his enhanced Kirin Fire, Lin Mu would not fear Chrysanthemum Douluo even in a direct confrontation.

"You don't need to worry about this."

Lin Mu's expression remained calm. He glanced at Dugu Bo and said indifferently, "While I'm away, you will guard this place. If you perform well, I may consider helping Dugu Yan resolve the backlash from her Martial Soul."

The moment those words fell, a bright gleam flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes. He could barely suppress the excitement and gratitude in his heart.

Then, he dropped to both knees and said in a trembling voice, "Old Slave will certainly do everything in his power and never fail Master's trust!"

Meanwhile, at Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Education Committee.

Inside the main hall, Xue Qinghe calmly looked at the bewitching man before her. Three Committee Members stood behind her.

"Half a month has already passed. Where is Lin Mu?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo's shrill voice carried a hint of impatience. His gaze swept over Meng Shenji and the other two, filled with lofty scrutiny.

Meng Shenji felt anger rise within him, but facing a Titled Douluo—and an elder of Spirit Hall at that—he could only suppress his displeasure and respectfully say,

"Your Excellency Yue Guan, Teacher Lin Mu never said when he would return. We truly do not know where he is."

At that moment, deep down, Meng Shenji even hoped Lin Mu would never return.

If such a peerless talent were recruited by Spirit Hall, it would undoubtedly be an enormous loss to the Heaven Dou Empire, perhaps even threatening the empire's very foundation.

"Oh, is that so?" Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes narrowed as he said coldly, "Could it be that you are playing games with me?"

Looking at the overbearing Chrysanthemum Douluo, a bone-chilling hatred flashed deep within Xue Qinghe's lowered eyes.

That woman actually wanted to take her person!

"Fine, then."

Chrysanthemum Douluo waved a hand and continued in a tone that brooked no objection, "Her Holiness the Pope has issued an order. Within three days, you must find this person's whereabouts. Otherwise, you will be openly defying the Pope's Order. The consequences are not something you can bear!"

After saying that, he gave the four no chance to argue. With a flash of his body, he transformed into a streak of golden light and vanished from the spot.

Only after he left did Meng Shenji let out a long breath, his face so dark it seemed ready to drip water.

"We already did everything we could to seal off the news. I never expected word to leak out anyway and draw Spirit Hall here."

Committee Member Zhi Lin's expression was equally grim. He said coldly, "It seems Spirit Hall must have planted spies within this academy!"

Meng Shenji shook his head helplessly. "Spirit Hall is powerful. It is hardly strange for them to have informants within the academy."

Then, he turned to the silent Xue Qinghe beside him and said solemnly, "His Highness the Crown Prince, you have seen the situation. The circumstances are pressing. Before Spirit Hall can act, we must find a way to completely win Teacher Lin Mu over to the empire's side!"

"Chief Meng Shenji, rest assured. Qinghe understands the stakes."

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, a deeply agreeable expression appearing on her face, though a strange glint flashed through her eyes.

Of course, she would keep Lin Mu firmly under her control—but not for the Heaven Dou Empire. It would be for her empire!