Grandmaster, How Did You Disappear?

Ye Hao took a deep breath, sat cross-legged on the ground, and released his Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul. The massive Spider Emperor appeared behind him in an instant, its terrifying pressure rising wildly as the weaker soul beasts nearby scattered in all directions.

Above the already-dead Death Demon Spider, a yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring was slowly drawn toward Ye Hao's head by his Soul Power. The soul ring was golden-yellow, dazzling like gold.

Ye Hao felt his entire body grow hot as scorching energy surged through him. His internal organs ached from the impact, and his body trembled faintly without stop.

A tyrannical force firmly settled a yellow soul ring beneath the Death Spider Emperor's feet. At that moment, something inside Ye Hao seemed to crack with a "crack," as though breaking free from shackles, and his Soul Power instantly transformed into a warm current.

It filled every corner of Ye Hao's body, making him seem like a small furnace. At the same time, the Death Spider Emperor quietly underwent a transformation. Its pair of Scarlet Eyes became increasingly ferocious and terrifying, as though anyone who met its gaze would fall into hell.

Within ten meters of Ye Hao, flowers and grass began to wither, trees rotted away, and the ground became devastated. A foul stench filled the air.

Even the corpse of the Death Demon Spider melted into a puddle of dark green liquid. Ye Hao's first soul ring had changed him greatly, and the poison of the Death Spider Emperor Poison had risen to another level as well.

After quite some time, Ye Hao abruptly opened his eyes. Eight sharp black spider spears spread open behind him in an instant, black armor covered his chest, and his face was filled with savagery. Under the cover of night, his Scarlet Eyes glimmered with a cold light, while four small eyes beneath them spun wildly. Ye Hao could sense every abnormality around him—rustling grass, swaying branches, lush leaves—none could escape his eyes.

Ye Hao was overjoyed. In his excitement, he quickly withdrew his Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul possession.

Looking around at the withered, desolate surroundings, Ye Hao could not help sighing. The Death Spider Emperor truly deserved to be called a top-tier beast martial soul. He wondered what kind of scene it would create once he became a Titled Douluo.

Before that, Ye Hao still needed to work much harder. Though he had already obtained his first soul ring and broken through level ten Soul Power, his current Soul Power was probably around level twelve. Even so, he needed to make more plans for the future.

This Death Demon Spider had likely been around four hundred years old. Fortunately, it had not exceeded the maximum age limit for a first soul ring.

After casually patting the dust off his clothes, Ye Hao quickly returned to the campsite. As he neared it, he moved quietly. Seeing Tang San meditating peacefully nearby, Ye Hao noticed a faint purple aura surrounding Tang San's body, something others would be unable to detect.

Now that Ye Hao had obtained the first soul ring of his life, his spiritual power and concentration had greatly improved.

Mysterious Heaven Skill?

It was the cultivation method of the Tang Sect where Tang San had been in his previous life. At present, that was the only explanation.

Without saying a word after returning, Ye Hao lay down on the blanket to rest. Having just absorbed a soul ring, he was exhausted. Getting a good night's sleep was what he needed most.

This was the Soul Hunting Forest, also a Soul Beast Forest. Though it could not compare to the Star Dou Great Forest, soul beasts still thrived here. Who knew how many dangers were currently hiding in the undergrowth?

Just like that Death Demon Spider. It had been sleeping peacefully when a sudden "torrential downpour" fell upon it.

In the end, it had fulfilled Ye Hao and indirectly accomplished the Death Demon Spider Emperor. Surely your spirit in heaven could rest in peace.

Death Demon Spider: ()()

Not long after Ye Hao lay down, Tang San slowly opened his eyes. Looking at the half-asleep Ye Hao, he found himself feeling complicated.

Tang San had already noticed the earlier commotion. Though the two places had been far apart, he was Tang San, after all.

Ye Hao's aura was stronger than before. He had gotten ahead of him. A soul ring? Had he obtained one?

Thinking back to what Grandmaster had said earlier, Tang San was now filled with curiosity about Ye Hao. What secrets was he hiding?

Even his teacher thought so highly of him and had instructed Tang San to befriend him rather than become enemies with him.

Though Tang San did not understand why, he still listened to his teacher. After all, his father had left, and his teacher had indirectly become Tang San's only emotional support in this world.

Treat Ye Hao as a friend?

After thinking for a moment, Tang San decided to give it a try. What if they got along well?

Having left Holy Spirit Village and become separated from his father, Tang San was all alone apart from his teacher. It was not easy to come across a "friend."

The following morning, the light of dawn spilled across the land. In the forest, Tang San had already risen and begun tidying himself up.

Ye Hao, on the other hand, looked groggy. He had not slept for the past few days, and last night he had found it impossible to sleep through the night. The wilderness truly was not a place for sleeping.

Without realizing it, Ye Hao had already been in this world for four days. Not a single one of those days had been peaceful, and even sleeping at night had not been guaranteed.

"Let's keep moving."

Seeing that it was about time, Grandmaster began urging them onward to continue searching for soul beast tracks.

Tang San's soul ring had yet to be found. The Soul Hunting Forest was vast, but so far, nearly all the soul beasts they had encountered had been ten-year ones or those just shy of a hundred years. There was still no sign of a hundred-year soul beast suitable for Tang San.

Ye Hao was in no hurry as he continued strolling through the forest, trailing behind the master and disciple ahead of him. Honestly, if he had not been broke, he probably would have left long ago. Who wanted to keep following them around? As long as the Mandala Snake meant for Tang San did not appear, Ye Hao figured they would either come up empty-handed today, or they would have to make do hurriedly for another night.

Feeling irritated, Ye Hao casually picked up a stone from the roadside and threw it into the distance.

The stone traced an arc through the air, and with a "plop," it seemed to strike something.

Ye Hao paid it no mind and continued walking...

"Rustle, rustle, rustle..."

A dark green snake head suddenly emerged from the nearby grass. Its ruby-like eyes stared brightly at the three people before it as its tongue flicked in and out wildly.

Vaguely visible on its head was a raised bump.

Ye Hao's heart tightened. He hurriedly pointed at Tang San and Grandmaster ahead. The great snake understood at once and nodded at Ye Hao. (What a good person.) It twisted its long body and smashed toward the two of them.

Caught off guard, Tang San and Grandmaster hurriedly dodged.

Grandmaster was shocked. "This is a Mandala Snake. Mandala Snakes are venomous snake-type soul beasts, and their venom is extremely potent. It also has a paralytic effect. Why would one appear here?"

Tang San's eyes lit up as he continued, "A Mandala Snake? Teacher, how is this soul beast?"

"Mm."

Grandmaster nodded confidently. "This soul beast is very suitable for you. According to my—"

Before Grandmaster could finish, the Mandala Snake opened its bloody maw and instantly bit Grandmaster, swallowing him whole in a single gulp. It even let out a satisfied burp.