The shrunken Golden Lion lay on Tang Heng's palm, all four paws in the air, belly exposed as it enjoyed its master's petting.
Wu Qingfeng and the others beside him were already staring, dumbfounded.
The Golden Lion, which had been haughty and utterly imperious just moments ago, like nobility among Soul Beasts, now looked every bit the pampered pet.
Why had you kept up that dignified act in Star Luo for three years?
The Spirit Transmitter grumbled inwardly.
Wu Qingfeng felt a little better about it. After all, it was the Golden Dragon Martial Soul. Legend had it that the blood of the Dragon Kings flowed through its body.
Dragons were the mark of emperors! The Dragon Clan stood at the very top among Soul Beasts, so it was understandable that this thousand-year-old Golden Lion had chosen to submit to Tang Heng.
Just like his dear sister-in-law, who often came by late at night to discuss the mysteries of Martial Souls and life with him...
Ahem, ahem. His thoughts had strayed.
"The money's been transferred. We'll get going now."
"Take care, Principal Wu. And you're welcome back anytime, little genius."
Tang Heng nodded, then followed Wu Qingfeng out of the Spirit Pagoda.
After the two had left, the Spirit Transmitter hurriedly reported everything that had just happened to the branch tower master.
Eastsea City, Spirit Pagoda conference hall.
Qin Feng looked over the information about Tang Heng that his subordinate had sent to his communicator. Even with his discerning eye, he couldn't help marveling at the boy's extraordinary talent.
If he could bring Tang Heng into the Spirit Pagoda, perhaps he wouldn't have to remain in that backwater place, Aolai City, after the next selection conference.
At that thought, Qin Feng looked up at the red-haired woman in the seat of honor.
Her breathtaking beauty could topple kingdoms, and her proud temperament was like that of a phoenix descended into the mortal world.
Leng Yaomo, Sky Phoenix Douluo, vice tower master of the Spirit Pagoda.
She was surrounded by countless honors.
If headquarters hadn't issued a new development plan today, Qin Feng might never have met this Sky Phoenix Douluo in his entire life.
He looked at the information in his hand, a glint of resolve passing through his eyes.
After returning to the academy, Tang Heng thanked Principal Wu Qingfeng, then went back to class.
As the first student in the entire first year to have a Soul Spirit, Tang Heng naturally attracted countless curious looks. By the time class let out, Classroom One was practically packed with students coming to gawk.
Tang Heng was wondering how this bunch of kids had learned he'd gone to the Spirit Pagoda that day when he saw Tang Wulin already sitting outside, collecting admission fees.
It wasn't until lunchtime that Tang Heng used the excuse of going to eat to escape the classroom.
As he ran, he didn't forget to drag along the "culprit" behind it all.
"Hey, hey! Bro, take it easy! Don't pull my ear."
Tang Wulin covered his left ear and looked at him pitifully.
Tang Heng planted his hands on his hips and said irritably, "Why'd you tell everyone I went to buy a Soul Spirit? They all came to gawk at me today. I felt like a monkey in a zoo."
"Sorry, big brother. I just wanted to earn a little pocket money."
"None of them had ever seen a Soul Spirit, so I told them about you. I charged ten Federation Coins each to see you."
Tang Wulin stuck out his tongue, then pulled a stack of Federation Coins from his bag. "I know I was wrong, big brother. You can have all this money."
Tang Heng shook his head helplessly. "I'm glad you've got a knack for business, but why are you thinking about making money already?"
Tang Wulin's gaze darted away as he stammered, "I-I saw that it's your birthday next month, big brother, so I wanted to earn some money myself and buy you a birthday present."
"Also, I want to become a Soul Master as powerful as you! I want to protect Dad, Mom, and Na'er, too. So I have to earn my own way and save up to buy a Soul Spirit, instead of becoming a burden to you all."
Tang Heng felt warmth in his heart. Perhaps because he had transmigrated here, Tang Wulin's disposition was a little better than in the original story.
He truly couldn't bear to watch Tang Wulin become enemies with God King Tang in the future.
"Keep the money. I'm happy you want to earn things for yourself, but this money won't last. In a couple of days, everyone will lose interest, and no one will pay to look at me anymore."
Tang Heng ruffled Tang Wulin's hair and said earnestly, "You're strong. Why not give forging a try?"
"Forging?"
Tang Wulin tilted his head, his little face full of confusion.
Tang Heng briefly explained what forging was and told him about Uncle Mang Tian. Tang Wulin had been clever since childhood, and he quickly grasped and absorbed the information.
"When we get home today, I'll ask Dad to take you to visit Uncle Mang Tian. Once you become a blacksmith, you'll be able to earn money yourself."
"Yay! ヾ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ"
Watching Tang Wulin spin around excitedly, Tang Heng could only smile helplessly. He made up an excuse and sent him ahead to eat in the cafeteria by himself.
After Tang Wulin left, Tang Heng found a small grove nearby to hide in, then entered the Minecraft Plane.
Unlike before, this time he suddenly received a message.
[Soul Spirit: Golden Lion requests to join]
Huh? So intelligent beings need my permission to enter the Minecraft Plane?
Maybe it's because I'm the host?
Tang Heng didn't dwell on it. Soul Spirits wouldn't betray him, and he wasn't sure what would happen if he rejected the Golden Lion's request, so he approved it.
[Please select the spawn point for 'Soul Spirit: Golden Lion']
I can even edit its spawn point? This permission of mine is pretty powerful.
Too bad there aren't command blocks. Otherwise, I'd have to see if I could switch it to Creative Mode.
He was in the Overworld, so he set the Golden Lion's spawn point there.
The Golden Lion Soul Spirit appeared right beside Tang Heng.
"Good girl, good girl. I'll take you to the Spirit Ascension Platform after I give the Silver Dragon King Martial Soul its First Soul Ring."
The Golden Lion raced across the grass, frolicking gleefully.
Seeing her like this, Tang Heng could only shake his head helplessly.
When they'd first met, the Golden Lion had been like an elegant, noble lady. Even trapped inside the machine, she had maintained her own dignity and pride.
But when she fused with him, the Golden Lion sensed the Golden and Silver Dragon King Martial Souls in him, along with the tiny amount of nine-colored Dragon God Soul Power he had just condensed.
One second, she was a noble young lady; the next, she was going "ohohohoho!"
Taking out the Nameless Blade: Puppet he had made yesterday, Tang Heng selected the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest he'd visited the day before on the map and began searching for a suitable Soul Beast to provide a Soul Ring for his Second Martial Soul.
His luck was good today. As soon as he arrived, he ran into a thousand-year-old Rainbow Dragon.
Rainbow Dragons were rare. They were uncommon even among the Dragon Clan, and most of them appeared as Dragon Mothers.
They could also control multiple elements, and they were dragons to boot. They couldn't be more suitable as a First Soul Ring.
Tang Heng shifted forms directly. His long silver hair streamed behind him as his figure grew more slender, and the surrounding elements seemed to sense their master and surged toward him.
"Domination Domain, activate!"
As an attached Soul Skill of his Third Martial Soul, it could be used normally no matter which form he was in.
The battle was utterly one-sided. The Rainbow Dragon wasn't strong in combat to begin with, and now it faced the little Silver Dragon King with her luck-boosting domain activated. If it survived three punches, it would be a miracle.
After absorbing the Soul Ring, his Soul Power Level jumped straight to level sixteen.
The First Soul Skill the Rainbow Dragon granted him was called Elementalization.
After activating the Soul Skill, he only needed to expend Soul Power to transform himself into basic elemental energy, allowing him to avoid physical damage. While in the Elementalization state, the power of the corresponding element also increased by thirty-five percent.
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