Seeds Sprout! Tang Wulin's Vigilance, Is Old Tang an Evil Soul Master Seeking Possession? [Two-in-One]

This voice carried a strange, soothing power that instantly smoothed over the violent palpitations Tang Wulin had been experiencing due to the Dragon Might.

However, the content of those words made Tang Wulin's heart skip a beat.

"Finally here?"

A massive wave of confusion rippled through Tang Wulin's mental projection.

He had never known such a space existed within his body, nor had he any inkling of the existence of this terrifying, sealed Golden Dragon.

This mysterious entity seemed to have been waiting for his arrival all along?

Just as he was caught in a state of suspicion and uncertainty.

The black-robed figure seemed to see through his confusion, its voice remaining gentle as it spoke: "There is no need for alarm."

"You may call me 'Old Tang'."

"I am here to help you."

"'Old Tang'?!"

These two words were like a thunderclap, instantly exploding in Tang Wulin's mind!

All his confusion, shock, and fear of the unknown were completely eclipsed in that moment by a much sharper, more realistic alarm!

Struck by lightning!

His thoughts instantly connected to the scenes from the novel Yao Chuan had written, which was currently a bestseller across the continent.

Soul Breaking the Firmament.

The protagonist, Xiao Yan.

A good-for-nothing youth at the start...

A remnant soul of an old grandfather hiding in a ring, calling himself "Old Tang"...

Kind-faced and persuasive, claiming he wanted to help the protagonist defy the heavens and change his fate...

And then?

Then he would drain the protagonist's battle energy! Fattening him up in preparation for a soul possession!

This was the classic playbook of an Evil Soul Master, sinister and cunning to the extreme!

It had even become common knowledge by now.

It had become the standard warning parents gave their children to watch out for Evil Soul Masters.

For instance: "If a pie falls from the sky, it's either a trap or a pit! Especially those old grandfathers popping out of rings—nine and a half out of ten are no good!"

Tang Wulin had felt a chill down his spine when he read it, and the character "Old Tang" had left an incredibly deep impression on him.

And now...

This unfathomable, mysterious big shot hiding deep within his body, calling himself "Old Tang"...

This name... this entrance... this claim that he wanted to "help" him!

All the elements were present!

Classic!

Too classic!

Almost instantly, alarm bells rang out in Tang Wulin's heart, and his guard was raised to the absolute maximum!

The plot of Yao Chuan's twisted novel flashed frantically through his mind!

A voice was screaming: Watch out! This is definitely the prelude to a soul possession! The standard operating procedure for an Evil Soul Master's remnant soul!

He felt his mental projection nearly dissipate from the sheer shock.

No!

Must not panic!

The opponent was unfathomable and hidden inside him; a direct confrontation would surely lead to death!

He had to act!

Oscar-winning performance mode, activated!

On the surface, Tang Wulin's mental projection gave a violent start, as if stunned by a massive, pleasant surprise.

He tried his best to imitate the "incredulous, ecstatic, and tearfully grateful" acting style Xiao Yan had displayed when first meeting "Old Tang" in the novel.

"O-Old Tang, Senior!" Tang Wulin's mental projection trembled with excitement, "Are... are you really waiting for me? You... you want to help me?"

He timed his performance perfectly to show the dizziness of being hit by a "massive pie," his mental fluctuations rising and falling violently as if he were too excited to speak a complete sentence, perfectly interpreting what it meant to be "overwhelmed with excitement."

Inside, however, he was frantically roasting: Stay steady! Tang Wulin! You are an award-winning actor right now! This old monster is definitely observing my reaction! May Yao Chuan bless me, don't let any flaws show!

The black-robed figure, "Old Tang," watched Tang Wulin's "speechless with excitement" reaction and seemed quite satisfied.

The corners of his mouth, hidden behind the halo, seemed to curl into an imperceptible arc.

Very good.

It seemed his son was stunned by this sudden "miracle."

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

The first step of his guidance was a success.

The voice of Old Tang became even gentler and more benevolent, like the most reliable of elders: "That is correct, child."

"The power sleeping within your body is no small matter; it is both a supreme opportunity and a fatal crisis."

His gaze seemed to pierce through Tang Wulin's mental projection, staring directly at the massive Golden Dragon King sealed within.

"This is the essence of the Golden Dragon King, split from the Dragon God, containing world-destroying divine power."

"However, your body is far too weak; it cannot possibly contain such vast energy."

"If not for these eighteen origin seals restraining its power layer by layer, you would have long since exploded and perished, your body and soul annihilated."

Every word struck Tang Wulin's heart like a heavy hammer.

Although he harbored great suspicion, the information that his body could explode at any moment still made him feel an instinctive terror.

That Golden Dragon... the Golden Dragon King? Exploding and dying?

Could what this old monster said... actually be partially true?

He forcibly suppressed his fear, maintaining an "excited" expression while trying to squeeze a glimmer of "thirst for knowledge" into his eyes.

Old Tang was satisfied with his reaction and continued to lure him on: "But within crisis, there also lies opportunity."

"With my assistance, you can be guided to gradually unlock these eighteen seals, step by step absorbing and refining the power of the Golden Dragon King."

"Each time a seal is broken, your physique, potential, and strength will undergo a qualitative leap."

"One day, when you fully master this power, let alone being invincible among your peers, even suppressing that Yao Chuan will be as easy as flipping your hand."

"Yao Chuan?"

This name made Tang Wulin's mind stir once more.

Old Tang specifically mentioned Brother Yao Chuan?

And said he could easily suppress him in the future?

This...

Why does it sound so much like he's painting a grand picture? And one precisely targeted at his current "goal" at that!

When "Old Tang" in the novel was hoodwinking Xiao Yan, didn't he also paint a grand blueprint and promise him invincibility?

The scent of a conspiracy was growing stronger!

This was definitely psychological warfare!

Knowing that I'm currently being bullied quite miserably by Brother Yao Chuan, he's using this as bait!

Tang Wulin's mental projection nodded "excitedly," wearing the look of "Senior, you are right, I want to become stronger and suppress Yao Chuan," while the little person inside his mind had already raised a sign that read: "Alert! PUA!"

Seeing that the groundwork was sufficiently laid, Old Tang tossed out the key information: "To break the first seal, initially master this power, and avoid the danger of exploding..."

"You need to find three items to assist you."

Here it comes, here it comes!

The dagger is revealed at the end of the map!

In the novel, "Old Tang" opened his mouth to ask for things exactly like this! First concern, then the grand picture, and finally, he starts asking for resources!

Tang Wulin focused his attention to the highest degree, his ears (if he had mental ears) pricked up high.

He heard Old Tang say slowly:

"First, one Century Ice Crystal Fruit."

"Second, one Century Red Flame Fruit."

"Third, ten drops of essence blood from a century-old soul beast possessing a pure dragon bloodline."

"Using these three items as a catalyst, combined with the method I shall impart, you can safely unlock the first seal and lay your foundation."

"..."

Tang Wulin's mental projection maintained the posture of "listening intently" on the surface, while his inner self was frantically drawing comparisons.

In Soul Breaking the Firmament, the materials "Old Tang" made Xiao Yan find were for "Foundation Building Spirit Liquid." Although the names were different, the routine was exactly the same!

It was all "for your own good," and all required "rare materials."

"Old Tang" even said those materials were mild and harmless! Yet Xiao Yan was almost tricked to his death!

Century-old spirit fruits... Dragon Blood...

It sounds expensive and dangerous!

Does this "Senior Old Tang" really take him for a naive, sweet protagonist?

Brother Yao Chuan's novel is practically a book of prophecies!

Old Tang did not notice the tumultuous complaints and wariness churning within Tang Wulin's heart.

Seeing Tang Wulin listening "quietly and obediently," he assumed his son had been deeply captivated by this grand goal and mysterious power, currently immersed in shock and longing.

He concluded, "Though these three items are rare, with my guidance, they shall certainly be found."

"Child, your future is limitless."

"You need only follow my words, unlock the seals step by step, and absorb the power..."

"This world shall eventually crawl at your feet."

This spiel, from its content to its tone, was identical to the rhetoric "Old Tang" used in the fan-fiction Yao Chuan had butchered to trick Xiao Yan into snatching the Heavenly Flame!

It even carried that exact same stench of "it's for your own good" and "follow me and you'll eat well"!

Tang Wulin felt his scalp tingle and his back turn cold.

!

He couldn't stay here!

If he stayed any longer and this old monster suddenly turned on him, what then?

He had to retreat immediately!

His Oscar-worthy acting skills went online once more!

Tang Wulin's mental projection gave a violent "start," as if he had only just "barely" recovered from the massive shock and influx of information.

He forced his face into a complex expression, a mixture of "excitement, gratitude, and a hint of bewilderment from being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information."

"Senior Old Tang!" his voice remained "trembling," "Th-thank you for telling me all this! I, I..."

He acted so "excited" that he seemed incoherent, his mental projection even beginning to destabilize, its light flickering.

"My head is a bit of a mess... I need... I need to digest this..."

"Um... I, I shall take my leave now?"

His tone carried the full, naive vibe of a little rabbit who had been knocked senseless by a falling pie.

Watching Tang Wulin's "distraught" and "over-excited" appearance, "Old Tang" understood.

He was but a child, after all.

To suddenly learn of such terrifying power within his body, to hear of the need to seek rare items, and to be promised a bright future...

It was only natural for his heart to be stirred and his thoughts to be in chaos.

Even running off without remembering to offer proper thanks fit the reaction of a youth stunned by a "huge surprise."

He felt no suspicion.

On the contrary, he felt everything was under his control.

"Mm, go then." Old Tang's voice remained gentle and tolerant, carrying the magnanimity of an elder, "Think it over well. When you are calmer, come seek me again."

"Remember, this is a matter concerning your life and your future."

"Yes! Yes! Senior!" Tang Wulin replied, "tears of gratitude" in his eyes, his mental projection bowing hurriedly before fleeing as if escaping, his consciousness instantly withdrawing!

Time to bolt!

This ghost of a place was too terrifying!

It was ten thousand times more frightening than facing Brother Yao Chuan's Wooden Spear! At least Brother Yao Chuan's terror was visible!

As Tang Wulin's consciousness withdrew, this dark space sealing the Golden Dragon King returned to a deathly silence.

Only the massive Golden Dragon remained, struggling silently within its chains, radiating an ancient, oppressive aura.

And there stood the black-robed figure, "Old Tang."

Confirming that Tang Wulin had completely departed, the gentle aura around "Old Tang" slowly receded.

Beneath his blurred features, a flicker of complex, indecipherable emotion seemed to pass.

"This child..." he muttered to himself, his voice echoing through the empty space of consciousness, "his temperament seems a bit flighty... It seems the pressure is not yet great enough."

He recalled Tang Wulin's "speechless with excitement" performance and felt it was understandable; after all, it was a heaven-sent opportunity.

"Very well, letting him calm down and think is fine too."

"Once he feels the pressure brought by the loosening of the seal within his body, he will naturally understand that my words are true and will seek my guidance of his own accord."

Immediately, his thoughts drifted to Yao Chuan.

That brat...

The aura of his Black Dragon Martial Soul was tyrannical beyond compare, and his growth rate was shockingly fast.

His combat talent was nothing short of monstrous.

To think he could stimulate Wulin under extreme pressure, causing the Golden Scale to manifest ahead of schedule...

Even more bizarre was the dragon-attribute aura he possessed; even his own divine sense felt a hint of threat from it, as if it were more ancient and tyrannical than the Golden Dragon King itself?

This child was definitely no mere creature of the pond!

Perhaps... he was even connected to some secrets of the God Realm?

"Hmph."

A faint, barely audible cold snort.

"No matter who you are, or what your origins may be."

"If you wish to touch the son of Tang San, or obstruct my son's awakening..."

"Then you must be prepared to endure the wrath of a God King."

A flash of chilling sharpness flickered in the eyes of Tang San's divine consciousness.

His primordial spirit had only just awakened and remained far too weak, forcing him to remain hidden here.

He needed time to recover.

"Wulin..."

"Your father will pave the way for you."

"Once you master the power of the Golden Dragon King, this Yao Chuan... will be nothing more than a stepping stone."

Picturing the future scene of his son suppressing Yao Chuan and shining with boundless brilliance.

The turbulent emotions within Tang San's divine consciousness finally began to settle.

A profound sense of exhaustion followed in its wake.

This wisp of divine consciousness was, after all, too fragile.

Appearing today to provide guidance and deduce the method to break the seal had consumed a vast amount of energy.

"It seems... I must fall into a slumber for a time..."

The blurred figure gradually grew ethereal, eventually transforming into an imperceptible stream of light that quietly vanished back into the darkness beneath the seal of the Golden Dragon.

The consciousness space fell into absolute silence.

Only the eternally sealed Golden Dragon remained, along with the cold, rigid eighteen chains.

It was as if the entire conversation had never occurred.

Reality.

Eastsea Academy, work-study dormitory.

On the hard wooden bed.

Tang Wulin suddenly snapped his eyes open!

His pupils contracted sharply in the darkness, his chest heaving violently as he gasped for air.

A fine, cold layer of sweat instantly broke out across his forehead and back.

His heart hammered against his ribcage like an out-of-control heavy mallet, the thump-thump-thump sound clearly audible in the silent night.

"Haa... haa..."

He swallowed with difficulty, his throat parched and tight.

The experience in the consciousness space just now had left him more exhausted and terrified than any high-intensity training.

That terrifying, sealed Golden Dragon...

That mysterious black-robed figure who called himself "Old Tang"...

That rhetoric, which was identical to the "Old Tang" remnant soul of an evil soul master from the modified novels of Brother Yao Chuan...

And that "three-piece set," which sounded priceless yet incredibly dangerous...

A nightmare?

No!

The sensation was too real! The icy touch of the Golden Dragon scales, the heavy pressure of the runes on the chains, and the majesty that pierced straight to the soul when "Old Tang" spoke...

It was definitely not a dream!

Deep within his own consciousness, something truly terrifying was hidden!

And there was also... a suspected evil soul master remnant soul, a "grandpa" of unknown intent and extreme danger!

Tang Wulin sat up abruptly, his movement so violent he nearly overturned the bed frame.

He instinctively touched his chest, then pinched his arm hard.

Hiss—!

A sharp, clear pain followed.

It was reality.

He had truly returned.

But everything in the consciousness space was by no means an illusion!

What should he do?

What should he do now?

Could the words of "Old Tang" be trusted?

What if it really was the remnant soul of an Evil Soul Master trying to set him up?

But what if... what if he was telling the truth, and if he didn't unseal it, he would truly explode and die?

Century Ice Crystal Fruit, Red Flame Fruit, Dragon Blood... where was he supposed to find these things? They must be outrageously expensive, right?

Countless questions and a massive sense of panic washed over him like a cold tide, drowning him in an instant.

He felt a chill creeping up his back, and a sense of helpless despair began to take root.

No!

He couldn't panic!

He couldn't just sit here and wait for death!

Tang Wulin forced himself to calm down and took a deep breath.

The dormitory was very quiet.

By the faint moonlight filtering through the window, he could vaguely see the sprawled-out figure of Zhou Changxi on the upper bunk, and Xie Xie's sleeping posture facing the wall on the bed next to him.

On the lower bunk opposite was Yun Xiao, who also seemed to be sleeping soundly.

The only person he could consult...

Tang Wulin's gaze suddenly locked onto another lower bunk not far away!

Brother Yao Chuan!

In this critical moment, he could only rely on him!