Tang Hao Appears, a Life-or-Death Gamble

Wang Qi's intention to send them away could not have been more obvious. Even Tang San, a shut-in from the Tang Sect in his previous life whose conduct was basically guided by the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Codex, could no longer sit still. Blushing, he tugged at Yu Xiaogang's sleeve, wanting to leave.

Yu Xiaogang did not care in the slightest. He knew that if he failed to get this done today, Wang Qi, having realized he had been exposed, would definitely leave.

He had only one chance. Yu Xiaogang had to seize it.

"Wang Qi, with your intelligence, you should be able to guess why I came to see you today, so I'll get straight to the point. Xiao San is my disciple. He possesses Innate Full Soul Power and has cultivated to level nineteen at only eight years old. He is just one step away from becoming a Soul Grandmaster."

"But Xiao San's Martial Soul is the useless Martial Soul known as Blue Silver Grass. For his better development in the future, I hope you can help Xiao San evolve his Martial Soul. I, Yu Xiaogang, would be endlessly grateful."

Listening to Yu Xiaogang, Wang Qi felt like cursing. Endlessly grateful? Who the hell needed his gratitude? Where were the benefits? Where was the promise? He had mentioned nothing, yet he wanted to freeload with a single sentence of gratitude?

Even without any benefits, Wang Qi would have extracted the bloodline for the data on the Simulation Panel. But Yu Xiaogang wanted to freeload without even offering anything? Was this a joke?

"Grandmaster, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm tired. Here are a few Gold Soul Coins, if you don't mind—" Wang Qi set a small pouch of Gold Soul Coins on the stone table and turned to leave. Yet the moment he rose, an aged voice sounded beside his ear.

[Help Tang San complete his Martial Soul Evolution, or die!]

The instant the voice entered Wang Qi's ears, he knew that the greatest obstacle to his plan of obtaining the bloodline had arrived.

Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao. A legendary figure who had fought three enemies alone when breaking through to become a Titled Douluo and severely wounded the Pope of Spirit Hall.

If the suffix entry on Yu Xiaogang's Simulation Panel had not been Breaking the Shackles of Talent, Wang Qi would never have wanted to come into contact with a lunatic like Tang Hao at this point in time.

What did Breaking the Shackles of Talent mean? It meant breaking through the theoretical upper limit of talent.

Qian Renxue's talent was high, wasn't it? Yet even her Innate Soul Power was only Innate Full Soul Power. As for twenty levels of Soul Power, that was god-given Soul Power. It had absolutely nothing to do with Innate Soul Power.

If Qian Renxue's Innate Soul Power had truly been level twenty, then her cultivation speed would have been more absurd than that of most wish-fulfillment fanfics.

Having experienced Innate Soul Power of level 5.9 and level 7.9, Wang Qi had every right to speak on the matter.

Yet the ability of Yu Xiaogang's Golden Sacred Dragon bloodline was to break the shackles of talent. What kind of outrageous entry was that? If he missed it, Wang Qi would slap himself twice even in his dreams.

Ignorance was not frightening. Missing an opportunity was. Wang Qi did not want to miss it, so he made a huge gamble.

He abruptly turned around. After taking two deep breaths, Wang Qi sat back down and looked at Yu Xiaogang, who wore the smug expression of a petty man reveling in success. Wang Qi sighed.

"As expected of the Grandmaster. Not only are you skilled at researching Martial Souls, you're even better at scheming against people."

Yu Xiaogang smiled at Wang Qi. Tang San, who had just been moved by Yu Xiaogang's words, became somewhat angry. "Apologize to my teacher, or I won't let you off."

With that, Tang San released his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul and prepared to act. Wang Qi, however, helplessly reached out to grab Tang San's hand.

Tang San looked puzzled, while Yu Xiaogang was extremely satisfied. He signaled Tang San to let Wang Qi grab him. In an instant, a sudden change occurred—Wang Qi completed Martial Soul Possession in the blink of an eye.

One yellow and one purple Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up at once. Two golden flames instantly enveloped Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. As the golden flames faded, they were replaced by Magma Vines that completely wrapped Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. The two were restrained before they could even react.

Gripping two Magma Vines, Wang Qi's yellow Soul Ring lit up again. Magma vines appeared in his other hand and covered a large tree nearby. As Soul Power surged forth, the golden patterns on the Magma Vines glowed faintly. Immediately, golden flames engulfed the tree.

"Phew." Wang Qi let out a long breath and shouted into the sky, "Senior, I wonder whether my Soul Skill is worthy of your notice? Half my Soul Power is gone now. Take a guess—does human flesh burn longer, or does wood?"

"Senior, don't frighten me with killing intent. I'm a timid person. What if I get nervous and release my Soul Skill, burning the two of them to death?"

"Don't worry. Junior Tang San's ears have been sealed, so he can't hear our conversation. Could Senior do this junior a favor and come out for a meeting?"

Wang Qi activated his Soul Skill, and the yellow Soul Ring beneath his feet emitted a faint glow. Any Soul Master knew that a Soul Skill in such a state could be unleashed at any time.

A fierce wind blew past, and a black shadow abruptly appeared at the entrance to the small courtyard, neither too close nor too far away.

"Senior, you nearly scared me."

"Who are you? What is your relationship with Spirit Hall? And why is your Second Soul Ring a thousand-year Soul Ring?"

"Senior, you asked so many questions at once that I don't even know how to answer. But I advise you to calm down a little, otherwise I'm truly worried I might make a mistake."

"Now, to answer your questions. The force behind me, my relationship with Spirit Hall—Senior, can't you see my value? If I truly possess the ability to help others evolve their Martial Souls?"

"If you calm down a little, you should be able to guess my identity and background. As for the age of my Second Soul Ring, I can't say. But I can give you a hint: take something priceless to the Great Soul Arena. There, you should find the answer you seek."

Compared to the truth, people were more willing to believe what they already believed. Especially a battle-obsessed genius like Tang Hao. If Wang Qi had actively revealed that he had no background at all, Tang Hao would instead have become suspicious.

Sure enough, after Tang Hao fell silent for a moment, the killing intent around them diminished greatly. Through his black cloak, Tang Hao stared into Wang Qi's eyes. "Then why did you attack Xiao San and Grandmaster?"

The question made Wang Qi want to curse. Why had he attacked Tang San and Grandmaster? Wasn't it because Tang Hao had forced him to? If Tang Hao were dead, Wang Qi would not only attack them—he would directly kill the two bastards.

But one had to bow under a low roof. Wang Qi sighed and explained as calmly as he could, "If Senior had not warned me, then at most this would have been a failed transaction, and I would have left Nuoding City."

Upon hearing Wang Qi's words, Tang Hao fell silent. Damn it, he had gotten too worked up. Otherwise, things would not have developed into this passive situation.

"What exactly do you want?"

"Before Senior appeared, what I wanted was simple: research Martial Souls, evolve my own Martial Soul, and become a Titled Douluo. But Senior appeared, and I can no longer research Martial Souls with peace of mind. Therefore, I need two oaths from Senior."

"Of course, I will also swear upon my Martial Soul that I will help Tang San's Martial Soul complete its transformation. Rest assured, my demands are not complicated. Senior only needs to swear two things. First, before I take the initiative to provoke you, you will not attack me. Second, you will never take the initiative to tell anyone about everything that happened today, in any form."