Soul Hunting Forest, First Soul Ring, Snake Shadow Binding

Afterward, Xia Yan went to find the Dean of Notting.

As the strongest individual in the entire Notting Academy, he possessed four terrifying Soul Rings; with a mere wave of his hand, he could grind the Great Dao into dust and dim the sun and moon.

The Dean naturally would not refuse Xia Yan's request, and after confirming the type of Soul Ring to be absorbed, An hour later, the two set off.

The four-hundred-mile journey was neither far nor near, and by noon the next day, they entered the Soul Hunting Forest.

The canopy overhead blocked the sky, and the surroundings were filled with trees over a decade old; the air was permeated with the quiet, decaying scent unique to the forest.

As they continued to venture deeper, Xia Yan saw many Soul Beasts—Lone Bamboo, Variegated Cat, Spiked Thorn... they gradually progressed from ten years to fifty years, and even hundred-year and two-hundred-year Soul Beasts began to appear.

Yet, under the Dean's longsword, they were all repelled one by one.

The two pitched a tent after dusk fell, waiting for dawn to continue their search.

The Soul Hunting Forest was too vast, and they did not find what they needed on the second day.

Both were very patient; after all, obtaining a Soul Ring was no trivial matter.

It was not until the evening of the third day.

In the dense forest, the Dean, dressed in gray robes, suddenly sensed an anomaly while they were searching as usual.

A black sword immediately materialized in his hand, and a purple Soul Ring flashed into existence: "Be careful, something is coming!"

As he spoke, The dense canopy began to tremble as a massive ink-green snake slithered through it, its ruby-like eyes faintly visible, glinting with a chilling coldness.

"It's a Datura Snake."

The Dean shielded Xia Yan behind him: "This Datura Snake is at most just over four hundred years old; don't worry."

A four-hundred-year-old Datura Snake might easily crush certain level-29 Soul Masters, but in the eyes of a four-ring Soul Ancestor, it was far from enough.

Xia Yan's eyes lit up—finally, I've found you!

"Dean, I can feel it; it is perfectly suited for me."

The Dean was stunned, then shook his head: "No, its age is too high. The Dean will find you something more suitable, rest assured."

But Xia Yan did not hesitate.

Without a moment's hesitation, his soul power surged within him, and the Demon Suppressing Pagoda condensed in his palm, flying straight above the Datura Snake. Simultaneously, the body of the pagoda began to expand, and those intricate inscriptions surged as if they had come to life.

"Hiss!"

Seeing the attack coming, The Datura Snake's speed instantly spiked as it attempted to dodge.

However, it never expected that as the black pagoda hovered in the sky, a majestic suction force suddenly erupted from its base.

The Datura Snake felt its body go light, and before it could react, it was already flying into the sky, Sucked straight into the Demon Suppressing Pagoda.

At that same moment, The barrier that had restricted Xia Yan for the past three months was instantly shattered: level eleven, level twelve...

Level thirteen!

His soul power instantly reached level thirteen!

His physique was also improving, his meridians becoming tougher and capable of containing more violent releases of soul power.

Inside the Demon Suppressing Pagoda, a space that had previously been void was instantly opened up.

A rich green, A lush forest, with clear stream water flowing slowly through the woods.

The Datura Snake slithered lazily through the forest, crawling onto a patch of grass to bask in the sun.

The moment the contract was formed, it understood exactly what had happened.

"Hoo..."

Xia Yan retracted the Demon Suppressing Pagoda and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

The worries and pressures of many years dissipated in this instant.

With an independent space he could enter at any time, from now on, he could contract Soul Beasts on his own and would never have to worry about encountering danger again!

Unless someone could kill him in a single instant, He was invincible!

"Done, Dean."

As for the Dean standing to the side, he was left only with shock and bewilderment.

Where did the Datura Snake go?

How could his Soul Power have increased?

Xia Yan had long anticipated this reaction from him:

"Dean, this is a unique aspect of my Martial Soul; it is difficult to explain."

After a brief moment of shock, the Dean collected himself and nodded immediately: "Very well, I will not speak of this to anyone."

A Martial Soul is the foundation of a Soul Master and their greatest secret, and almost no one wishes for outsiders to know their secrets.

"Then, what Soul Skill did you obtain?"

Xia Yan raised his right hand, and the Demon Suppressing Pagoda instantly materialized in his palm, while a yellow century-old Soul Ring rose from beneath his feet.

With a thought, countless serpentine shadows of chains emerged from the forest's gloom, spreading like a swarm of snakes, dense and writhing as if they possessed a life of their own.

If someone with a weak constitution were present, they would likely have collapsed to their knees in terror.

Xia Yan waved his hand, and the shadows, Soul Ring, and Demon Suppressing Pagoda all dissipated: "This Soul Skill is called Snake Shadow Binding. These shadow-like serpentine chains can emerge from any corner to entangle and bind an enemy."

"However, it is a pity that they are not true shadows; they belong to the semi-shadow category, so they can still be attacked."

It was the Dean's first time hearing the term "semi-shadow,"

but he could more or less grasp the meaning.

He sighed: "What a powerful Soul Skill."

With their objective achieved, the two prepared to leave the Soul Hunting Forest and return to Notting Academy.

The next day.

Notting Academy, Academic Affairs Office.

Inside the office, Yu Xiaogang spoke in a hoarse voice, his hands clasped behind his back like a reclusive master: "Are you willing to take me as your teacher?"

Before him, the boy with black hair and wheat-colored skin knelt down immediately:

"Teacher, I am willing!"

A stiff, awkward smile appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face as he nodded with satisfaction: "Good child, stand up quickly."

"Rest assured, I will certainly train you to become the number one genius on the continent!"

Tang San did not harbor a shred of doubt; how could someone who could identify his Twin Martial Souls at a single glance be a fraud?

Only such a person was worthy of being his teacher!

Yu Xiaogang helped Tang San to his feet, the smile on his face growing broader, yet even more awkward, as he had not smiled in many years.

Yu Xiaogang never imagined that he would encounter two individuals with Innate Full Soul Power within a few days, after waiting twenty years in vain!

Tang San was even more perfect than Xia Yan, making him better suited to be a disciple!

Tang San also possessed Innate Full Soul Power and Twin Martial Souls. The Blue Silver Grass alone perfectly fit his theory that weak Soul Masters should utilize potent poisons, not to mention the fact that he possessed a second Martial Soul.

And most importantly, he was more sensible and obedient than Xia Yan; he was not arrogant and did not play at being clever.

It was perfect!

Hmph, Xia Yan, you could never imagine that the theories you flaunted to me would perfectly suit my disciple, Tang San.

He will surely defeat you, and become the number one genius on the continent!

This is the disciple I wanted!

Meanwhile, Tang Hao, observing from the shadows, had heard of Yu Xiaogang's exploits long ago.

He knew that his Martial Soul could only emit gas, that he had half a level of Innate Soul Power, that he could never break through level thirty in his entire life, and that he was a recluse...

However, he also knew that Yu Xiaogang had been immersed in Martial Soul research for many years.

Although the theories he published were largely inconsequential, he knew Bibi Dong and had once shared a close relationship with her.

Even though Bibi Dong deserved to die a thousand deaths, she had solved the conflict inherent in Twin Martial Souls.

His son's Clear Sky Hammer possessed attributes and types that differed too greatly from the Blue Silver Grass, carrying the risk of death by bodily explosion.

Perhaps Yu Xiaogang could solve this fatal problem.

Tang Hao pondered; Yu Xiaogang should be a qualified teacher, and even if he were not, he still had himself watching from the shadows, so there would absolutely be no accidents.

After registering at Martial Soul Hall and collecting his subsidy, the first thing Xia Yan did was go buy a set of bedding, as his bed had remained empty until now.

Upon returning to the dormitory, he saw Wang Sheng and a group of other students, all bruised and swollen, gathered around a pink-clad girl standing with her hands on her hips.

The girl wore a long scorpion braid, her skin as delicate and pink as a peach, and her large, watery eyes were as clear as gemstones, brimming with spirit, making her exceptionally conspicuous among the crowd.

Other than Xiao Wu, it could not possibly be anyone else.