Tang San's Rage, Spirit Ring Ruined!

Just as Tang San was screaming and struggling wildly in his heart.

Fu Qin had already seen various changes appearing on his panel.

[Successfully absorbed 250-year Camouflage Snake Vine soul ring!]

[Soul power increased to level 12!]

[First Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass soul skill unlocked -- Entangle (Common): Toughness +5%, Hardness +5%, no other effects]

[Soul skill evaluation: Common (Due to the mediocre quality of the soul beast, the soul skill effect is significantly weakened)]

Tang San frowned tightly; this was completely different from what he had expected.

In his past life, the Datura Snake soul ring not only greatly increased the toughness and hardness of his Blue Silver Grass but also carried a potent toxin, making it incredibly powerful.

Yet, the soul ring from this "Datura Snake" only increased a tiny bit of toughness and hardness, and it didn't even have any poison—it was practically a trash soul ring!

He realized then that he might have been deceived!

This wasn't a Datura Snake at all, but some other soul beast that had disguised itself as one!

But it was too late to say anything now.

The soul ring had already been absorbed and could not be replaced.

He could only pretend to be calm, acting as if he were very satisfied with the soul skill.

[Tang San's thoughts: Damn it! I was actually tricked! No, I can't let Fu Qin and Yu Xiaogang see any flaws right now, or I'll lose too much face!]

"How is it, Tang San? Are you satisfied with the soul skill's effect?"

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward to ask, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Tang San forced a smile.

"Very satisfied, Teacher. This Datura Snake soul ring is indeed quite good; my Blue Silver Grass's strength has improved quite a bit."

Fu Qin also spoke up at the right moment.

"Brother San is amazing! To be able to kill a century-old Datura Snake so easily and successfully absorb the soul ring!"

[Intelligence-Reducing Halo takes effect, Yu Xiaogang completely believes that "Tang San is very satisfied with the soul skill"]

[Tang San's favorability toward Yu Xiaogang -2]

[Thoughts: If it weren't for you, how would I have absorbed a trash soul ring? I must make you compensate me in the future!]

Yu Xiaogang nodded, a gratified smile appearing on his face.

"As long as you're satisfied! Since you have both obtained your soul rings, let's leave the Soul Hunting Forest quickly; it's not safe here."

Tang San nodded, suppressing the depression in his heart, and turned to walk toward the outside of the forest.

He secretly swore to himself that he would definitely find an opportunity to obtain a high-quality soul ring in the future to make up for this loss.

Fu Qin followed behind, a faint, imperceptible smile on his lips.

This trip to the Soul Hunting Forest had been a full harvest; not only did he obtain a 400-year mutated soul ring, but he also caused Tang San to mistakenly absorb a trash soul ring—it could be called a win-win.

The three of them walked in silence, soon leaving the Soul Hunting Forest and heading toward Nuoding Academy.

Six years passed in the blink of an eye.

On the plaza of Nuoding Academy, dust slowly settled as the last of the Blue Silver Grass was retracted.

Fu Qin stumbled back two steps, clutching his chest with his right hand, a trace of blood he had deliberately forced out spilling from the corner of his mouth. His gaze toward Tang San was filled with "awe" and "unwillingness."

"Brother San, you're too strong! To think that with level 28 soul power you could unleash such terrifying power; even I, a level 33 Soul Elder, couldn't withstand your combo of Blue Silver Grass binding and Entangle."

His third soul skill, "Heavenly Eye: Construction," had long since been quietly deactivated. The state of harmony between man and nature during the battle had allowed him to see through every one of Tang San's movements.

The flow of soul power in the Blue Silver Grass, the flaws in the connection of soul skills, and even the breathing rhythm Tang San was deliberately suppressing—he knew them all like the back of his hand.

But he could not win; the effect of the Intelligence-Reducing Halo was still active, and Tang San's perception of him as a "little brother" could not be shaken.

The ten metal flying needles condensed by his first soul skill, "Hundred Refinements: Materialization," could have instantly pierced Tang San's defense under the control of his second soul skill, "Divine Mechanism: Object Manipulation." However, he had forcibly changed the trajectory of the needles, letting them fly past the edge of the Blue Silver Grass, which instead gave Tang San an opportunity to counterattack.

Tang San stood with his hands behind his back, his blue eyes holding just the right amount of reserve and pride.

He nodded slightly, his tone flat yet unable to hide his self-satisfaction.

"It was merely a basic maneuver. Your soul skill combination is indeed clever, capable of controlling ten steel needles simultaneously for both offense and defense, but it's a pity your practical combat experience is still lacking."

He didn't notice at all that Fu Qin's seemingly panicked retreat had actually avoided the strongest binding node of his Blue Silver Grass.

The trace of blood at the corner of his mouth was nothing more than Fu Qin using his soul power to slightly bruise his own lip—an act performed to perfection.

The vigilance he had as an outer sect disciple of the Tang Sect in his past life had long been worn away by the Intelligence-Reducing Halo and Fu Qin's six years of unwavering "worship."

"Yes, yes, yes," Fu Qin nodded repeatedly, asking for advice with a sincere expression.

"You must give me more pointers next time we spar. Your combat techniques are truly incredible, especially your second soul skill, Parasite. Even though it's only a century-old soul ring, its power is stronger than my 800-year Thousand-Eyed Flying Locust."

These words hit exactly the right spot for Tang San.

His Ghost Vine spirit ring was actually only a little over a hundred years old; he had relied on deception all these years to keep anyone from exposing him.

Fu Qin's "praise" made him feel that his concealment was flawless, and the look he gave Fu Qin was filled with the satisfaction of a mentor seeing a "teachable child."

"Cultivate well. Follow me in the future, and there will be no shortage of benefits for you." Tang San patted Fu Qin on the shoulder, his tone carrying the condescension of a superior.

Fu Qin kept his head lowered, a trace of imperceptible mockery flashing in his eyes, though his face remained fixed in that look of flattered surprise.

"Thank you, Brother Tang San! I will definitely work hard!"

Just then, a dainty figure came running over quickly, her pink skirt sweeping across the training ground and leaving behind a trail of light, brisk footsteps.

"Fu Qin! Are you alright?"

Xiao Wu ran to Fu Qin's side. Ignoring the fact that Tang San was still standing right there, she reached out to steady his arm, her fingertips subconsciously brushing against his sleeve. The worry in her eyes was undisguised, even carrying a hint of subtle reproach.

"Why weren't you serious when sparring with Tang San? Your spirit skill is clearly much more flexible than his."

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying her unique, charming naivety, yet only Fu Qin could feel the cool touch of her fingertips and that unmasked intimacy.

The favorability number on the panel flickered slightly, stopping at 383 points.

Those few short words of concern had actually increased it by another 3 points.

Fu Qin felt helpless inside.

For the past six years, he had tried every possible way to keep his distance, but Xiao Wu's favorability was like a wild horse off its leash—completely unstoppable.

While ordinary couples might have favorability in the seventy or eighty range, hers was more than five times that. The way she looked at him was almost tangible, and that undisguised possessiveness made his scalp tingle.

"Sister Xiao Wu,"

Fu Qin withdrew his arm without a trace, his tone carrying just the right amount of shyness.

"Brother San is too powerful. I did my best, but I still couldn't win. Besides, it was just a spar; there's no need to take it too seriously."

The distance he deliberately projected only made the light in Xiao Wu's eyes shine brighter.

She loved this handsome and shy side of Fu Qin; compared to Tang San's affected air of profoundness, he was a hundred times more pleasing to the eye.