But the problem soon appeared.
No matter how Tang San circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill or how hard he tried to release his Soul Power to draw in that hundred-year Soul Ring, the bright yellow ring seemed welded in midair, completely unmoving.
After several attempts that left his face red from holding his breath, Tang San's attempts to absorb the Soul Ring all ended in failure.
This was something Third Brother had never anticipated.
By now, he was sweating profusely, staring at his jade-colored hands and questioning his entire existence.
Why can't I absorb it?
Is my posture wrong?
Or has the inner power of my Mysterious Heaven Skill conflicted with this thing called a Soul Ring?
With those doubts in mind, Tang San could only turn to seek advice from the weakened Yu Xiaogang beside him.
"Teacher, why can't I absorb this Soul Ring?"
Gangzi, who had been sprawled on the ground groaning in pain, suddenly sat bolt upright as if rising from his deathbed. Clutching the place where his arm had been severed, he staggered over.
The moment he drew near, his expression changed drastically.
To his horror, although his Soul Power remained stuck at the peak of level 29 without the slightest sign of improvement,
this Datura Snake's Soul Ring had somehow formed a strangely complementary connection with him?
It was as though the Soul Ring were warmly calling out to him!
In an instant, something called World-Shocking Wisdom began viciously elbowing his brain.
This was bad!
The underlying rule of the Douluo Continent was: "Whoever landed the final blow got the Soul Ring."
Could it be... that the rules of the world had determined that this Datura Snake had been killed by him, Yu Xiaogang?!
Remembering that unspeakable scene from earlier...
Gangzi's face instantly turned greenish-black.
And the current situation seemed explainable only this way.
If this ridiculous truth got out, would Master Yu still be able to hold his head up in the Soul Master world? Would he have any face left at all?
"Cough, cough!" Yu Xiaogang's Flat-top spun wildly as he cleared his throat and forcibly assumed the demeanor of a profound master. "Xiao San, stop trying."
"Based on my observations just now, this Soul Ring's age is simply too high. The violent energy it contains far exceeds the limit your body can currently withstand.
A martial soul has a spirit. It is rejecting you; this is your body's instinct for self-protection."
"It seems we can only look for another Soul Ring that is more 'suitable' for you."
Tang San nodded, half-understanding.
Although he still felt that something was off, the moment he looked at the arm his teacher had lost saving him, the last trace of doubt in his heart vanished, leaving only deep gratitude and trust.
His teacher had risked his life for him. How could he possibly deceive him?
Thus, master and disciple supported each other as they limped toward the outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest.
As for that superb Datura Snake Soul Ring, it could only remain there alone, gradually dissipating with the passage of time.
Along the way, Yu Xiaogang nearly ground his back teeth to dust.
This hunt had been a complete loss! Not only had he gained nothing, he had even lost an arm.
Gangzi secretly swore to himself: when Xiao San reached level 20, no matter what, he would stop showing off and tap into some of the connections he had made back then.
After all, the strength of a level 29 peak Soul Grandmaster was indeed pushing things a little too far.
He absolutely could not recklessly take his disciple out to hunt Soul Beasts alone again.
Before long, near the edge of the forest, the master and disciple happened upon the Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo they had encountered when first entering the forest.
To be honest, Gangzi did not want to remain in the forest for even one more second.
If not for the sake of his reputation as a theory master, he truly wanted Tang San to absorb this Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo's Soul Ring directly.
But Master Yu's gaze soon locked onto another target.
A hundred-year Tyrant Flower entered his field of vision.
The foul stench emanating from it kept even snakes, insects, rats, and ants from coming anywhere near it.
A poison attribute?
Although Master Yu found it somewhat regrettable that it was a plant-type Soul Beast, it was actually just right!
Master Yu quickly stepped forward, pointed at the ugly hundred-year Tyrant Flower, and said as though it were only natural,
"Xiao San, choose it as your first Soul Ring."
"This Tyrant Flower is as old as a hundred years."
"After you absorb it, your Blue Silver Grass will certainly gain even greater toughness! At the same time, it will gain a poison attribute as well! This is true perfect compatibility!"
Out of blind trust in Yu Xiaogang, Tang San did not say much.
Since his teacher insisted that his current body could not withstand the Datura Snake's Soul Ring, settling for this hundred-year Tyrant Flower was a safe choice.
Besides, according to his teacher, the Blue Silver Grass martial soul was merely a foundation used to conceal the hammer martial soul in his left hand. Even if its first Soul Ring was slightly lower in age, it would not matter much.
"Xiao San, the Tyrant Flower Soul Beast's weakness lies in its roots.
"You only need to sever its root stem to easily obtain its Soul Ring."
Yu Xiaogang's urge to instruct others flared up once more.
Out of habit, he raised his chin at a forty-five-degree angle, nostrils pointed toward the sky. He subconsciously wanted to tuck his left hand behind his back and press his clenched right fist against his chest, striking his signature Invincible Theory master pose.
However, halfway through the motion, he suddenly felt the left side of his body oddly light, with a chilly draft blowing through his sleeve.
Only then did Gangzi suddenly realize.
Oh, my left hand had just been physically removed by my dear disciple.
That was awkward.
But for Yu Xiaogang, as long as he was not embarrassed, then someone else would be.
Without changing expression, he forcibly bent his half-raised right hand behind his back, maintaining that profound and unfathomable silhouette.
Tang San naturally did not notice his teacher's ridiculous movements.
He tightened his grip on the short dagger in his hand, flashed forward, and slashed several times straight at the Tyrant Flower's roots.
With several soft squelches, the Tyrant Flower broke apart in response.
Soon, specks of light gathered together, and a pale yellow hundred-year Soul Ring slowly rose above the Tyrant Flower's remains.
Staring at the Soul Ring, Tang San froze.
Wait, was this right?
He had originally thought that even if he could not absorb the 423-year limit Soul Ring his teacher had mentioned, he should at least be able to absorb one over three hundred years old.
But the color of the Soul Ring before him was clearly much paler than that Datura Snake's Soul Ring from earlier.
His instinctive thirst for knowledge made Tang San turn around and ask with a hint of confusion, "Teacher, this color..."
Gangzi's heart skipped a beat as he inwardly cried out in alarm.
He had been careless! This foolish boy had actually learned to apply what he had learned!
The master was now filled with regret. Had he known, he never would have poured out all those theories about identifying Soul Ring ages during their journey.
Was it that he did not want to get his precious disciple a four-hundred-year limit Soul Ring?
He simply did not have the ability, okay?
Before you continue