Tang San's Soul Ring absorption continued until dawn the next day. Dew slid from the tips of the leaves and struck the soil with a soft patter.
In the stillness, Tang San, who had been lying with his eyes tightly shut and his face deathly pale, let out a low groan before slowly opening his eyes. His clothes were soaked with sweat, and a faint layer of foul-smelling purple muck had seeped out as well—the Man Faced Demon Spider's remaining toxins mixed with the impurities expelled from his body.
"Xiao San, you're awake!"
Yu Xiaogang had been keeping watch nearby. He hurried over and helped Tang San sit up. Absorbing a Man Faced Demon Spider's Soul Ring was extremely dangerous. It was said that those who tried would have to endure the pressure of the spider's lingering spirit, and some were so overcome with terror that they dropped dead on the spot.
"Quick, use your Soul Skill and see how it works!"
Tang San exhaled a breath of stale air and pushed himself up, his body aching all over. As soon as he willed it, the pitch-black Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his left hand once more. This time, a solid, deep-yellow Soul Ring revolved slowly around the hammerhead, radiating a savage, icy fluctuation.
"First Soul Skill: Splendid Explosion!"
With a low shout, Tang San swung the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand. The Yellow Soul Ring flared with dazzling light, and the entire black hammer was suddenly shrouded in a violet glow. The instant its head slammed into the ground, a thunderous crash rang out and a wave of purple energy burst forth. The shrubs in its path were shredded in an instant.
"Teacher, I did it. My Soul Power Level... jumped straight to level twelve." Tang San's voice brimmed with excitement he could barely conceal.
"Good! Excellent!" Yu Xiaogang's hands trembled with excitement. "Splendid Explosion from a Man Faced Demon Spider over four hundred years old really is extraordinary!"
Tang San put away his Martial Soul and said firmly to Yu Xiaogang, "Teacher, I've made up my mind. From now on, I'll focus on cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer. Blue Silver Grass's support and control... can't compare to the directness of absolute power."
Gu Tian, perched on a nearby branch and munching on a spirit fruit, couldn't help letting out a scornful snort.
He ranted inwardly: In the original story, Tang San's luck was heaven-defying. The first Soul Ring for his Clear Sky Hammer came from a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring belonging to the Titan Giant Ape, and he had countless more lucky breaks later on. Now, after all my interference, he'd struggled for ages just to get a four-hundred-year Man Faced Demon Spider, and he could still grin and congratulate himself? What a frog in a well.
The group began their return journey. Hunting a Soul Ring for Tang San had taken a whole week from start to finish. Still, Tang San had successfully absorbed a four-hundred-year Soul Ring from a Man Faced Demon Spider, which was certainly cause for celebration.
But as they were about to leave a stretch of woods on the outskirts of the Soul Hunting Forest, the trees ahead began to sway. Gu Tian's eyes shifted. He sensed an approaching dragon-related aura far stronger than Yu Xiaogang's.
"Who's there?" Yu Xiaogang warily summoned Luo Sanpao.
Two elders and a young girl emerged from the forest: two women and one man. The old man was tall and gripped a dignified Dragon Head Cane; the elderly woman had silver hair and held a Snake Head Cane. Between them stood a tall, spirited girl of about ten.
Yu Xiaogang recognized the unexpected visitors. They were the famous Peerless Dragon and Snake couple of the Soul Master World: Dragon Duke Meng Shu, Snake Matriarch Chao Tianxiang, and their granddaughter, Meng Yiran.
"Pardon us. We were just passing through and didn't mean to disturb you." Meng Shu glanced at Yu Xiaogang, then turned his gaze to Gu Tian, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Gu Tian looked at the three of them, and his gaze lingered on the still somewhat childish Meng Yiran. A thought stirred in his mind.
He'd been worrying about whom to choose for the Dragon God's Second Trial. How could he let this morsel that had practically landed in his lap slip away?
Still, Tang San's luck was truly heaven-defying. Even after all that, he'd found a Man Faced Demon Spider Soul Ring—and after hunting one, he'd run into Meng Yiran right on schedule.
It was like a carefully scripted story. No matter how much Gu Tian changed the plot, these fixed NPCs still showed up at the appointed time.
Gu Tian straightened his collar, then stepped forward with impeccable grace and performed a formal noble's bow. "This junior is Gu Tian. My respects to the two seniors, Dragon Duke and Snake Matriarch."
The Peerless Dragon and Snake couple were somewhat taken aback. The boy's manners were flawless, but more importantly, Gu Tian hadn't deliberately concealed his aura. The faint, nine-colored pressure of the Dragon God around him made the Dragon Head Cane in Meng Shu's hand tremble. It was the absolute suppression of a higher dragon lineage over a lesser dragon.
Meng Yiran stared at Gu Tian, and her spirited face promptly flushed to the tips of her ears. She could feel an aura emanating from the boy before her that made her yearn to draw near and admire him from the depths of her soul.
"Y-your Martial Soul is dragon-type, too?" Meng Yiran asked shyly. At that moment, she was nothing like the demure girl she usually was. She seemed more like an ardent fan who'd just met her idol.
"That's right. It's the Dragon God Martial Soul." Gu Tian smiled at Meng Yiran. "You seem like an extraordinary young lady. I take it you've come to hunt for your First Soul Ring? To have reached this point at such a young age—your talent is truly outstanding."
Flustered by the praise, Meng Yiran mumbled, "I'm not as good as you say..."
Gu Tian glanced at the Snake Head Cane in her hand and suggested, "Miss Yiran, I recommend choosing a snake Soul Beast for your First Soul Ring. A snake transforming into a dragon is the way of heaven. Given the nature of your Martial Soul, a snake Soul Ring will bring out the agility and poison of your cane to the fullest."
Meng Yiran nodded repeatedly, her eyes full of admiration. "Mm-hmm, you're right. I'll listen to you!"
Gu Tian turned and gave Tang San, whose face was twisted with jealousy, and Yu Xiaogang, who looked suspicious, a cool glance. "Grandmaster, since Senior Brother Tang San has successfully absorbed his Soul Ring, you should head back to the academy without me. I have some history with these two seniors, so I'll stay and help Miss Yiran find a suitable Soul Beast."
Yu Xiaogang wanted to curry favor with them, but under the dignified gaze of Dragon Duke Meng Shu, all he could manage was a dry laugh.
Tang San was so angry he could hardly breathe, but he knew staying would only bring him more humiliation. Gu Tian was such a damn show-off! Was he putting on that artsy scholar act like Gu Yue now? Even his way of speaking had changed. Had he taken a fancy to the girl in front of them? How infuriating. Was having Xiao Wu not enough for him? He had to go after other girls, too.
At the mention of Xiao Wu, Tang San thought of a perfect plan. Gu Tian had told him to go back early, so two could play at that game. If he found Xiao Wu first and told her Gu Tian was flirting with other girls again, Xiao Wu would probably get angry. Then he could comfort her, steal her back, and take his beloved Xiao Wu away from Gu Tian!
"Come on, Xiao San." Yu Xiaogang tugged Tang San along, and the two hurried off in embarrassment.
Now that the nuisances were gone, Gu Tian gave Gu Yue a signal to stay hidden nearby and stand by. Then he smiled at the Peerless Dragon and Snake couple. "Seniors, I happen to know a little about the Soul Beasts in this area. Shall we set off?"
"Sorry for the trouble, young man." Chao Tianxiang clasped her hands together. Though she was speaking to a junior, she and Meng Shu were far from weak: one was a level-eighty Power Attack System Soul Douluo, the other a level-sixty-five Power Attack System Soul Emperor. There was nothing to fear in this small Soul Hunting Forest, but Chao Tianxiang had taken a liking to Gu Tian—specifically, she wanted him as her granddaughter's future husband!!!
Besides, a friend was another path forward. In a forest full of Soul Beasts, it was always better to have one more person than one less.
Meng Yiran happily bounced over to Gu Tian. Her enthusiasm left Dragon Duke and Snake Matriarch exchanging glances, though both secretly marveled at the boy's remarkable nature. The group moved off in a blur and disappeared once more into the depths of the forest.