"Wait!"
Yu Xiaogang shouted urgently.
"We spotted this soul beast first!"
Yu Xiaogang strode forward, his gaze fixed on the Ghost Vine.
He had planned for this soul beast to become Tang San's Second Soul Ring.
Tang San's First Soul Ring had come from a Mandala Snake, greatly enhancing his toughness and toxicity, but its attack range was limited.
A soul beast like the Ghost Vine, according to his theory, was highly likely to grant a soul skill called Parasitic Seed, making up for Tang San's weakness in attack range.
How could he not panic when the soul beast was about to be taken from him?
"You spotted it first?"
The Red-haired Soul King raised a brow and snorted.
"We've already finished fighting it. We're only one final blow away. Now you suddenly jump out and say you spotted it first?"
His gaze swept across Yu Xiaogang's group, pausing briefly on the emblem on Lin Dashan's chest.
"People from a Soul Master Academy?"
A flicker of understanding crossed the Red-haired Soul King's eyes, though there was even more disdain in them.
This was the Soul Hunting Forest, where killing people and stealing treasures were forbidden.
If this had been a wilderness forest, the three Soul Kings on their side would have acted long ago!
"That's right! We're from Nuoding Academy!"
Yu Xiaogang felt the pressure coming from the other side, but for Tang San's opportunity, he forced himself to step forward and tried to reason with them.
"We have planned for this soul beast for a long time. We intended to obtain its Second Soul Ring for this disciple of mine."
As he spoke, he stepped aside.
Tang San understood immediately and stepped forward. With a thought, a crystalline Blue Silver Grass spread out from his palm.
At the same time, a bright yellow Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.
"Blue Silver Grass can cultivate this quickly?"
A hint of surprise flashed through the Red-haired Soul King's eyes.
The child looked to be under ten. For a Trash Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass to reach the Soul Grandmaster realm at this age was simply inconceivable.
This boy's talent was likely anything but ordinary.
But surprise was surprise. It would not make him change his mind.
Impatience appeared on his face, and his voice suddenly rose. "I don't care how long you've planned this! Leave this place immediately! Spirit Hall is taking this soul beast!"
He deliberately emphasized the words "Spirit Hall."
Spirit Hall's authority could not be offended!
"This..."
Yu Xiaogang was truly unwilling to accept it.
His mind raced, and he thought of a possibility.
"Sir, Yu Cheng is only killing this soul beast to build up his courage and see some blood, isn't he?"
In Yu Xiaogang's view, the limit for a First Soul Ring was at most a little over four hundred years.
This Ghost Vine was six hundred years old. Letting Yu Cheng absorb it would be no different from suicide!
"Noisy!"
The Red-haired Soul King lost his patience.
A blazing surge of Soul Power erupted from his body like a volcano!
His red hair moved without wind, every strand standing upright like burning flames.
Five Soul Rings emerged beneath his feet once more, and a terrifying pressure like tangible ocean waves crashed fiercely toward Yu Xiaogang and the others!
"Soul King!"
Lin Dashan's expression changed drastically as he cried out.
He hurriedly stepped forward, shielding Yu Xiaogang and Tang San behind him.
He cupped his hands toward the Red-haired Soul King. "Please calm your anger, sir! We will leave at once!"
As he spoke, he tugged hard at Yu Xiaogang's sleeve, signaling him not to say another word.
At this moment, turmoil churned in Lin Dashan's heart.
As the dean, he naturally knew that Yu Cheng had broken through to Level Ten.
For a child with Innate Level Two Soul Power to reach Level Ten at this age through his own efforts truly qualified him as a genius.
But Lin Dashan had never expected Spirit Hall to deploy such a lineup just to help Yu Cheng hunt his First Soul Ring!
He had never seen the Soul King before him at Spirit Hall's branch in Nuoding City. Looking at the others, all of them carried themselves with composed dignity. They were clearly no ordinary fighters either.
Without a doubt, these people came from the Fasnuo Martial Soul Main Hall!
Could Yu Cheng be the illegitimate son of some important figure in Spirit Hall?
An absurd thought surfaced in Lin Dashan's mind.
Facing that terrifying pressure, Yu Xiaogang staggered back repeatedly. His face turned pale, and his chest felt stifled.
The absolute gap in strength filled him with a heavy sense of helplessness.
Reason told him that he could not continue arguing.
Yet when he looked at the soul beast on the ground, then at Tang San beside him, intense unwillingness surged through his heart.
Tang San possessed extraordinary talent. He was Yu Xiaogang's entire hope for proving his martial soul theories.
He could not accept this!
Yu Xiaogang clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, but that pain was far less than the frustration in his heart.
"Sigh."
All his unwillingness ultimately became a sigh.
Just then, Tang San, who had remained silent the entire time, suddenly took a step forward.
"Yu Cheng, this soul beast is very important to me. Since we're from the same village, I hope you'll give it to me."
His eyes locked tightly onto Yu Cheng, and determination filled his dark pupils.
It was as though he would not leave today if Yu Cheng refused.
"You're only using it for practice, to gain hunting experience. Since you can't absorb its Soul Ring, why waste it for nothing?"
Tang San spoke.
After experiencing the despair of the dungeon, Tang San's mindset had quietly changed.
He cultivated even more desperately than before.
To the point of becoming somewhat extreme.
He never wanted to experience that helpless feeling of being at someone else's mercy again.
The Ghost Vine before him was an excellent match for his martial soul. He was absolutely unwilling to give it up so easily!
Even if the other side had a Soul King expert!
Even if they came from Spirit Hall!
He still had to fight for it!
The atmosphere on the scene became subtle.
The Red-haired Soul King frowned, but he did not immediately flare up. Instead, he simply turned his gaze toward Yu Cheng.
Clearly, he had handed the decision over to Yu Cheng.
Yu Cheng's expression remained calm as Tang San stared straight at him.
"Tang San, I'll be honest with you."
His tone was flat. "I plan to absorb this Soul Ring as my First Soul Ring."
"What? A six-hundred-year Soul Ring as your First Soul Ring?! Are you insane?!"
Yu Xiaogang was the first to cry out.
His face was filled with extreme shock, along with a sense of absurdity.
He looked at Yu Cheng as if he were looking at a madman.
"According to my theoretical research, the limit for a First Soul Ring is four hundred and twenty-three years!"
"This is an iron law verified through countless cases!"
"Beyond that limit, a Soul Master's body and meridians simply cannot withstand the impact of the Soul Ring's energy. You... you're courting death!"
His heart was full of contempt.
And an inexplicable anger.
Challenge the limit?
With this kid's Innate Level Two Soul Power?
It was simply an insult to his life's research!
Young people truly did not know their limits. He was willing to throw away his life just to show off!
"So that's what it is!"
Lin Dashan, standing nearby, instead revealed an expression of sudden realization.
Then, the way he looked at Yu Cheng became filled with complexity.
Why had Spirit Hall sent out a Soul King to help Yu Cheng hunt his First Soul Ring?
Yu Cheng must have been a chosen test subject.
The limits of Soul Ring age had always been a topic eagerly researched by all major forces.
Yu Cheng had decent talent, was born a commoner, and had no background. Even if the experiment failed, the aftermath would be easy to handle. At most, they would pay a few Gold Soul Coins.
Moreover, Yu Cheng was an orphan. They would not even need to pay compensation.
He was simply the perfect experimental subject!
"Sigh."
Lin Dashan could not help sighing and shaking his head.
He had originally held some goodwill toward this diligent Work-Study Student.
What a pity.
"Xiao San, let's go."
Lin Dashan urged him again, his voice low.
He glanced at Yu Cheng, and there was a trace of pity in his eyes.
Yu Xiaogang also looked at Yu Cheng as if he were already dead.
He seemed to have already seen Yu Cheng struggling in agony beneath the impact of Soul Ring energy, only to explode and die in the end.
However, Tang San remained where he was.
"Yu Cheng!"
Tang San raised his voice.
"Do you dare bet against me?"
"Since we both want this soul beast, let's have a fair spar."
"The winner gets ownership of the soul beast!"
Tang San lifted his chin, his fists clenched at his sides as Soul Power faintly rippled around him.
Ever since leaving the dungeon, he had cultivated almost madly, and his Mysterious Heaven Skill had improved significantly.
He was confident that among those of the same rank, he was absolutely inferior to no one!
What was more, Yu Cheng did not even have a Soul Ring!
Looking at Tang San, who resembled a stubborn mule, Yu Cheng suddenly found it somewhat amusing.
"Why should I bet with you?"
Yu Cheng spread his hands.
"This Soul Ring was mine to begin with. You want to take it, yet you make it sound so righteous. Isn't that a little unreasonable?"
"You..."
Tang San choked on Yu Cheng's words, and a flicker of anger crossed his face.
But the determination in his eyes did not lessen in the slightest.
Seeing this, Yu Cheng's eyes shifted as though he had thought of something.
A smile curled across his lips. "Fine, we can fight. If I lose, you can have this Ghost Vine."
Then his tone changed. "But what if you lose? What do you have to wager? You can't expect to get something for nothing, can you?"
Before you continue