Tang San Reaches Level 20! Huang Fei Reaches Level 30! Preparing for the Second Soul Ring!

Winter passed and spring came. The snow in Nuoding City melted, then fell again, melted again, and went through several more rounds before finally disappearing for good.

The ginkgo trees sprouted new buds, the grass on the sports field turned from withered yellow to tender green, and the cafeteria menu gained a few seasonal wild vegetables. The days passed, one by one, amid these subtle changes.

In the third month after winter break ended, Tang San's Soul Power broke through to level 20.

That morning, he was meditating on the sports field as usual. After the Mysterious Heaven Skill had circulated through his meridians for thirty-six cycles, he suddenly felt something deep inside him go click, as if a door had opened.

Soul Power surged from his dantian, more than doubling compared to before. It rushed through his body, stretching open every acupoint.

He opened his eyes and looked down at his hands.

Level 20.

It had taken him just over a year to go from level 10, when he awakened at six, to level 20 at just over seven.

That pace wasn't the fastest on the continent—the gifted disciples of the top sects had resources piled high at their feet, and broke through faster than he did.

But as a work-study student with no connections, relying entirely on his own cultivation, going from level 10 to level 20 in a year was more than enough to astonish the teachers at Notting Academy.

Tang San stood up, brushed the grass from his trousers, and headed for the teaching building.

Yu Xiaogang's office was at the far end of the first floor.

When Tang San knocked, Yu Xiaogang was writing something. He looked up at the sound, and a faint smile appeared on his face when he saw Tang San.

Over the past year or so, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San had maintained a good relationship.

Although Tang San had never become his disciple, their "cooperation" had continued. Tang San assisted Yu Xiaogang with his Martial Soul research, while Yu Xiaogang provided theoretical guidance, cultivation resources, and help with connections.

The Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges had already been given away, and Yu Xiaogang had also taken him to hunt for his First Soul Ring.

Tang San remembered this kindness. He treated Yu Xiaogang with courtesy and respect, but always kept a certain distance, unlike in the original story, where he trusted him without reservation.

"Grandmaster, I've broken through to level 20," Tang San said.

The pen in Yu Xiaogang's hand paused. He set it down, his eyes lighting up.

He looked Tang San up and down, as if confirming the news was true.

Then he smiled, more sincerely than usual.

"Good. You're faster than I expected. I'll make the arrangements for your Second Soul Ring."

Tang San nodded and was about to say something, but Yu Xiaogang had already pulled a thick notebook from his drawer and opened it to a page densely covered in writing.

"The optimal age for absorbing a Second Soul Ring is 764 years. Your body is considerably stronger than that of an ordinary Soul Master, so we can consider something between 800 and 900 years."

Yu Xiaogang spoke as he flipped through his notes.

"As for its attributes, since you insist on following the Life Flow route, your Second Soul Ring should still primarily focus on life force. I know a few hunters near the Soul Hunting Forest who specialize in dealing in Soul Beasts. I'll ask them to keep an eye out and notify us if they find a suitable target."

"Grandmaster, Huang Fei..."

Tang San began.

Yu Xiaogang's hand stopped as he flipped through the notebook.

Tang San gathered his courage and finished, "His First Soul Ring is too low in age, so his Soul Power has always grown slowly. Could we take him along when we go hunting for the Second Soul Ring this time? His First Soul Skill is Entangle. It may not be very old, but he can still help restrain the target while we hunt Soul Beasts. And it'd be good for him to come along, see more of the world, and broaden his horizons."

Yu Xiaogang fell silent.

He didn't want to take Huang Fei.

Last time they went to the Soul Hunting Forest, Huang Fei had spent the whole time acting as if he were saying, "You do your thing. I'll just watch." He didn't help, didn't cause trouble, and barely said a word, but somehow he still rubbed people the wrong way.

And that boy's tongue was far too sharp. Every time Yu Xiaogang spoke with him, he felt as if he were being interrogated.

But Tang San had a point.

Huang Fei's First Soul Skill was a control skill, after all. Having one more means of control was always useful when fighting Soul Beasts.

Hunting Soul Beasts wasn't like a fight. Soul Beasts wouldn't listen to reason, and if they ran, they could outrun you before you caught up. A vine-based control skill really could save them a lot of trouble.

Besides, he had to give Tang San some face.

Over the past year or so, Tang San had cooperated with him on Martial Soul research and provided a wealth of information about Twin Martial Souls. Of course, Tang San had never admitted to having Twin Martial Souls; he had only helped with some routine Martial Soul tests and records.

Even so, the information had already allowed Yu Xiaogang to make considerable progress in his theoretical research.

He couldn't reject Tang San's request now.

"Fine."

Yu Xiaogang closed the notebook. His tone sounded reluctant, but he agreed all the same.

"Have him get ready. Before we leave, I'll come find you both at Dorm Seven."

A smile appeared on Tang San's face.

"Thank you, Grandmaster."

When the news reached Dorm Seven, Huang Fei was having lunch.

Tang San sat down beside him and lowered his voice. "Grandmaster agreed to take you along to hunt for your Second Soul Ring."

Huang Fei's hand paused as he picked up some food.

"He agreed?"

"He did." Tang San nodded. "I said your First Soul Skill could help restrain the target, and that you needed to see more of the world. He agreed."

Huang Fei thought it over and more or less understood why Yu Xiaogang had said yes.

It wasn't because his First Soul Skill was all that useful. It was because the request had come from Tang San.

Gangzi would agree to any condition to maintain his relationship with Tang San.

"Fine. I'll get ready, too."

Huang Fei lowered his head and continued eating, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

What was his Soul Power level now?

Level 30.

The day Tang San reached level 20, the system's notification had sounded right on time: "Ding—Target Tang San's Soul Power has increased to level 20. Host's Soul Power has increased in sync to level 30."

So, in terms of Soul Power level, he was fully qualified to absorb a Second Soul Ring.

In fact, his Soul Power far exceeded the threshold for absorbing one.

But when it came to his First Soul Ring, he had an 860-year Vine of Life Soul Ring, while the story he told people was that it was a 120-year Green Vine.

He didn't know how long he could maintain this disguise, but at least it wouldn't be exposed in the short term. As long as he didn't go all out in front of everyone, no one would notice anything unusual about the age of his Soul Ring.

So for his Second Soul Ring, he planned to use the same strategy: outwardly, he wouldn't absorb any Soul Ring at all, and would let Tang San and Yu Xiaogang think he was just a six-year-old tagalong there to watch the excitement, not even at level 20.

After they returned to the academy, he would claim the Second Soul Ring granted by the system in private. Its age would be doubled, and its effects doubled.

As for Tang San, he'd have to keep an eye on him.

He had finally managed to steer Tang San onto the Life Flow path. He couldn't let Yu Xiaogang's theory that "the Second Soul Ring can also accommodate control to some extent" lead him astray again.

The Life Flow was the Life Flow, from beginning to end. No poison, no control—just mindlessly piling on life force.

By the time it was all piled up, the Blue Silver Grass itself would tell him what it meant to be "ever-renewing, life without end."