Grandmaster Limited to Theory

Soul Hunting Forest.

This was a place where the empire raised Spirit Beasts in captivity. Though it was called "captive breeding," to low-level Spirit Masters, it remained a jungle steeped in blood and death.

Rotting fallen leaves carpeted the ground, giving off a nauseating miasma.

Towering ancient trees blocked out the sunlight, making the forest feel dark and sinister.

Yu Xiaogang led Tang San along a secluded trail.

Though they had already ventured deep into the forest, with danger lurking everywhere, he still kept his hands clasped behind his back, maintaining the bearing of an "expert."

Only his slightly hurried breathing and the fine cold sweat on his forehead revealed his nervousness.

"Little San, look at that Lone Bamboo."

Yu Xiaogang pointed at a tough plant by the roadside and launched into an endless lecture, not forgetting to take a jab at someone along the way.

"Though this plant-type Spirit Beast is durable, it lacks flexibility. If used as Blue Silver Grass's first Spirit Ring, it may increase its attack power, but it would lose the essence of the Control System."

"I'd wager that Ye Liuyun most likely chose this sort of low-level Spirit Beast that can be found everywhere, or perhaps something like a Ghost Vine."

When Ye Liuyun was mentioned, a scornful curl appeared on Yu Xiaogang's lips.

"His shortsighted approach is completely draining his future for the sake of his meager current strength. It's like a beggar smashing the bowl he'll use to beg in the future just to fill his stomach for one meal. Utterly foolish!"

Tang San nodded silently, taking the lesson to heart.

If he had been choosing his own Spirit Ring, he would have thought the plant before them was quite suitable for his Blue Silver Grass.

His vigilant gaze swept across the surroundings, while from the corner of his eye, he also examined the "Grandmaster" walking ahead of him.

Along the way, his teacher had explained many theories, and some of them did make sense.

But...

Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang's frail back, and a trace of doubt rose in his heart.

This was a Spirit Beast Forest, fraught with danger.

Though his teacher was a Soul Grandmaster, his physical condition... seemed inferior even to adults who regularly worked the fields.

After walking such a short distance, he was already panting, and his reactions were astonishingly slow.

If danger appears, can he really protect me?

By comparison, Ye Liuyun's appearance in the cafeteria surfaced in Tang San's mind.

That youth, who looked about the same age as him, carried an unexpectedly oppressive presence.

It was the aura of a strong man.

And his teacher... was more like a scholar who could only talk strategy on paper.

Of course, as a former Tang Sect assassin, Tang San had seen scholars who remained unflinching even when Mount Tai collapsed before them.

Such people buried themselves in books and clung stubbornly to principles, seeming rigid and pedantic, yet their upright spirit instinctively commanded respect.

But why did the Grandmaster give off such a hollow feeling?

Just then.

"Luo luo—"

A low growl came from ahead.

Several hulking ten-year Nether Wolves with green light glowing in their eyes leaped out from the bushes, surrounding master and disciple in a fan-shaped formation.

Though they were merely ten-year Spirit Beasts, their bloodthirsty savagery still made the air tense.

"They're only a few ten-year Nether Wolves. Nothing to fear."

Yu Xiaogang forced himself to remain calm. Turning to Tang San, a glint flashed through his eyes as he sought to establish his authority before his disciple.

"Little San, watch closely. Today, I'll show you what the art of Spirit Master combat truly is."

Tang San perked up, quietly tightening his grip on the Sleeve Arrow in his hand, his eyes blazing.

Is he finally going to make a move?

He also wanted to see what earth-shattering methods this Grandmaster, who had proposed the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, possessed.

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and formed hand seals. His stiff face reddened as he shouted.

"Come out! Luo Sanpao!"

Pfft—!

A muffled sound like a fart rang out.

Then, amid a cloud of pale yellow smoke, a plump, round creature rolled out. It was pale purple all over and looked like a cross between a pig and a dog.

It was only half a meter tall. Its large eyes blinked innocently as it let out a babyish cry at the vicious Nether Wolves.

"Luo luo!"

Tang San: "..."

In that instant, Tang San's expression froze somewhat.

This is... the Grandmaster's Martial Spirit?

What combat ability does this thing have? Is it going to charm the wolves to death?

Before Tang San could recover, Yu Xiaogang had already given the attack order with a solemn expression.

"Fart like thunder, shake the heavens and split the earth, Luo Sanpao!"

As that utterly embarrassing chant was uttered, the creature named Luo Sanpao suddenly stuck up its backside.

Boom!

A yellow shockwave erupted with a deafening blast, sending the lunging Nether Wolves flying.

Though the Spirit Beasts had been driven back, Tang San's brow furrowed even more deeply.

That's it?

This is the strength of a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster?

Not only was the attack range short and its power dispersed, but this method of attacking... was simply undignified.

Tang San rapidly calculated in his mind.

If that earlier strike had been replaced by Ye Liuyun's strange Blue Silver Grass, those Nether Wolves would likely have already been bound to the ground, unable to move.

Ye Liuyun would not even have needed to act. Tang San himself could have dealt with them in a single breath using his Sleeve Arrows.

And his teacher... actually needed to chant such a spell and rely on such a childish method?

Perhaps Ye Liuyun was right not to take him as his master?

After dealing with the Nether Wolves, Yu Xiaogang recalled his Martial Spirit. His face was somewhat pale; clearly, even that level of expenditure had not been easy for him.

Yet he still did not forget to put on the airs of an expert.

"Ahem, Little San, did you see that? This is a Mutated Martial Spirit."

"Though my Martial Spirit mutated in an unfavorable direction, under the guidance of my theories, it can still unleash power beyond its level."

"Those strong people born with powerful Martial Spirits are nothing special."

"Only those who can surpass others even in adversity can be called strong."

"There are no useless Martial Spirits in this world, only useless Spirit Masters."

Tang San lowered his head, recalling why he had become his disciple.

That was right. He had not become the Grandmaster's disciple because of his strength, but because he admired his knowledge.

Especially that saying: there were no useless Martial Spirits, only useless Spirit Masters.

How could anyone but a true Grandmaster say such a thing?

And wasn't his Blue Silver Grass a useless Martial Spirit?

He needed someone like the Grandmaster to train him.

The two continued onward.

As night fell, Yu Xiaogang scattered some Beast Repellent Powder around their camp and confidently declared that they would be safe through the night.

However.

In the middle of the night, a suffocating stench of blood broke the silence.

"Hiss—"

A gigantic dark-green figure ignored the so-called Beast Repellent Powder and charged straight into the camp!

Tang San awoke upon noticing the faint disturbance and immediately surveyed his surroundings.

Yu Xiaogang, who had been sleeping soundly nearby, was startled by Tang San's movements and looked around in panic.

A giant snake over four meters long, dark green all over with a triangular head, slithered nearby with a rustling sound.

"A Datura Snake?!"

Yu Xiaogang, still half-asleep, saw what it was and was frightened out of his wits. His expert's poise vanished instantly, and even his voice went shrill.

"How is this possible?! Why would a four-hundred-year poisonous creature be in the outskirts?! Doesn't the Beast Repellent Powder work on it?!"

In his panic, he summoned Luo Sanpao, intending to use the same trick again.

"Fart like smoke, induce sleep and slumber, Luo Sanpao!"

Pfft—!

Another cloud of yellow smoke sprayed out.

But this Datura Snake was clearly not some low-level creature like the Nether Wolves. Its body was exceptionally agile. With a strange twist in midair, it directly dodged the smoke, opened its blood-filled maw, and lunged at Yu Xiaogang with deadly venom dripping from its fangs!

"Luo luo!"

With a sweep of its tail, the Datura Snake struck Luo Sanpao, which cried out miserably before turning into a streak of light and retreating into Yu Xiaogang's body.

Pfft!

His Martial Spirit injured, Yu Xiaogang spat out a mouthful of blood. His entire body went limp as he collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with despair and terror.

"It's over... it's over..."