The next morning.
A big person and a small one arrived at the academy gate, where a carriage had already been waiting.
They climbed into the carriage, which immediately sped toward the city outskirts.
"Teacher, where is the Soul Hunting Forest we're going to? When will we get there?"
Tang San was eagerly anticipating what lay ahead.
He was also very curious about the so-called Soul Rings.
He wanted to know what changes absorbing a Soul Ring would bring.
Mu Chen smiled. "It's four hundred li from here. We'll arrive this afternoon."
Tang San was surprised. "That close? Teacher, the Soul Beasts live so near human settlements. Could they rush out of the forest and attack people?"
Mu Chen shook his head. "Those Soul Beasts are kept in captivity. Soul Masters from Spirit Hall guard the forest both inside and out, so they generally don't escape. There are also many Soul Masters active around the outskirts."
Tang San was astonished. "So Spirit Hall really is that powerful..."
Mu Chen nodded. "Spirit Hall is the most powerful force on the continent. There's no one else even close; it stands above all other forces."
"Gasp!"
Tang San had no reason to doubt Mu Chen's words, and gained a new understanding of Spirit Hall's power.
"Teacher, could you tell me about Soul Beasts, and the forces on the continent?"
"Of course."
Mu Chen smiled.
"We still have plenty of time on the road, so I'll tell you about those things."
Tang San was delighted. "Thank you, Teacher."
Mu Chen nodded and said softly, "Let me start by telling you about Soul Beasts..."
A long while later.
Tang San asked, "Teacher, do you know what my Second Martial Soul is?"
As he spoke, he opened his left hand, and the Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul appeared.
"I do."
"But I can't tell you yet."
Mu Chen pondered. "I'll tell you once we reach the Soul Hunting Forest."
Tang San froze for a moment, then glanced outside the carriage and understood.
That afternoon.
Relying on the pass he had obtained from Spirit Hall, Mu Chen took Tang San into the Soul Hunting Forest.
Tang San kept observing along the way.
He put the idea of looking around and asking questions to the utmost use.
Tang San suddenly asked, "Teacher, which of my Martial Souls should I give a Soul Ring first?"
Mu Chen thought for a moment. "Didn't you ask me about your hammer Martial Soul before? I'll tell you about it now."
Tang San nodded eagerly.
Mu Chen said, "Your hammer Martial Soul is called the Clear Sky Hammer."
Tang San froze, only coming to his senses after a long moment. "Teacher, didn't you say the Clear Sky Hammer is the Clear Sky Sect's hereditary Martial Soul?"
Mu Chen smiled mysteriously. "That's right!"
Tang San's pupils contracted slightly. "Teacher, are you saying... I'm also from the Clear Sky Sect?"
Mu Chen said solemnly, "The Clear Sky Sect used to be as famous as Spirit Hall, but for reasons unknown, the two forces fought an unprecedented battle. Afterward, the Clear Sky Sect announced that it was closing its gates and withdrawing from the world. Its disciples stopped appearing on the continent, and the sect vanished completely from public view."
"You're just the right age to have been born around the time of that battle. My guess is... you were a child of the Clear Sky Sect, left behind outside the sect during the fighting."
Tang San's expression shifted repeatedly.
Mu Chen patted Tang San's head and smiled. "Don't worry. That all happened many years ago. Spirit Hall has never shown any intention of continuing to target the Clear Sky Sect, so you can put your mind at ease."
Tang San felt much more at ease, but still struggled to calm himself.
He had grown up in Holy Soul Village, and now he was suddenly being told he was a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect.
If he was a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, what about Tang Hao?
"Teacher, if I'm a child of the Clear Sky Sect who was left behind, what about my father?"
"My father must be from the Clear Sky Sect too!"
Tang San asked hurriedly.
Mu Chen asked, though he already knew the answer, "What's your father's name?"
Tang San quickly replied, "Tang Hao!"
Mu Chen pretended to be surprised. "Your father's name is exactly the same as that of the Clear Sky Douluo, who once shook the continent!"
"What!?" Tang San's pupils trembled violently. "Could it be... That can't be right! My father is just an ordinary blacksmith in the village! How could he be the legendary Titled Douluo?"
Mu Chen pondered. "I've only heard of the Clear Sky Douluo. I've never met him..."
Tang San fell silent.
Mu Chen patted Tang San's head. "Little San, no matter who your father is or what your background is, we should focus on what's in front of us first."
A glint flashed in Tang San's eyes. "Teacher, you're right!"
Mu Chen continued, "Your Clear Sky Hammer is hailed as the continent's number-one tool Martial Soul. Its strength is unmatched, so if you choose to cultivate the Clear Sky Hammer, your combat power will rise quickly."
"As for your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, do you remember what I told you? It's a Martial Soul of the same quality as the Clear Sky Hammer, and it can definitely evolve."
"So its potential is in no way inferior to the Clear Sky Hammer's, but Blue Silver Grass isn't suited to battle."
"My advice is to take the support route with Blue Silver Grass and bring its vitality to the fullest."
"One Martial Soul for offense, the other for support. That would make for a very well-rounded combination."
Tang San paused, frantically absorbing the knowledge Mu Chen had imparted.
"I'll do whatever you say, Teacher."
Mu Chen smiled and nodded. "The greatest advantage of Twin Martial Souls is the chance to let one of them absorb nine Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings!"
"Do you understand what I mean?"
He looked at Tang San.
Tang San pondered for a long while before answering, "Teacher, you mean... I should give a Soul Ring to only one Martial Soul, then cultivate until I reach Level 90, and afterward give Soul Rings to the other Martial Soul?"
"Clever boy!"
Mu Chen unconsciously patted Tang San's head.
Tang San smiled sheepishly, embarrassed by the praise.
In both this life and his previous one, this was the first time anyone had praised him like that...
Mu Chen smiled. "For now, Power Attack System Soul Masters are still the strongest on the continent!"
Tang San said respectfully, "I'll do whatever you say, Teacher."
Mu Chen nodded. "Then let's first look for a plant Soul Beast with powerful vitality to serve as the First Soul Ring for your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul."
Tang San was full of anticipation.
But he still couldn't help thinking about Tang Hao.
"If Father really is the legendary Clear Sky Douluo, why would he be a lowly blacksmith in Holy Soul Village?"
Before long.
Mu Chen stopped with Tang San in front of a hundred-year-old Lone Bamboo.
"This is a four-hundred-year-old Lone Bamboo. It's very suitable for you to absorb."
"Little San, use this short sword to pierce the root of the Lone Bamboo."
Mu Chen took out a short sword and handed it to Tang San.
"Okay!"
Tang San didn't hesitate. He took the short sword and thrust it toward the Lone Bamboo's root.
The short sword was extremely sharp, and easily cut through the Lone Bamboo's root.
"Rustle!"
After the Lone Bamboo fell, a yellow Soul Ring appeared.
Tang San's eyes lit up.
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