The Dragon Duke, Snake Hag, and Meng Yiran

Tang San's soul ring absorption continued until the early morning of the next day. Dew dripped from the tips of leaves, landing on the soil with a soft patter.

In the silent atmosphere, Tang San, who had been sitting with eyes tightly shut and a deathly pale complexion, let out a low, muffled groan before slowly opening his eyes. His clothes were soaked through with sweat, and a faint, foul-smelling purple substance had seeped out—a mixture of the Man Faced Demon Spider's residual toxins and the impurities purged from his body.

"San, you're awake!"

Yu Xiaogang had been keeping watch the entire time. Seeing this, he hurried forward to help Tang San up. Absorbing a Man Faced Demon Spider soul ring was an extremely dangerous act; it was said that the absorber would have to endure the pressure of the creature's lingering soul, and some had even died on the spot from sheer terror.

"Quick, release your soul skill and let me see!"

Tang San exhaled a breath of stale air and stood up, steadying his aching body. As he focused his mind, the ink-black Clear Sky Hammer manifested in his left hand once more. This time, a solid, deep yellow soul ring pulsed slowly around the hammerhead, radiating a violent and frigid aura.

"First soul skill: Splendid Explosion!"

Following Tang San's low shout, he swung the Clear Sky Hammer with force. The yellow soul ring erupted with a dazzling light, and the entire black hammer was instantly coated in a layer of purple, ghostly radiance. The moment the hammerhead struck the ground, a massive impact sound rang out, followed by a violent explosion of purple energy that shredded the surrounding shrubs into dust.

"Teacher, I succeeded. My Soul Power Level... it broke through directly to level twelve." A hint of irrepressible excitement seeped into Tang San's voice.

"Good! Very good!" Yu Xiaogang's palms trembled with excitement. "The Splendid Explosion brought by a four-hundred-year-old Man Faced Demon Spider is truly extraordinary!"

Tang San retracted his martial soul and said firmly to Yu Xiaogang, "Teacher, I've made up my mind. From now on, I will prioritize cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer. The auxiliary control of the Blue Silver Grass... in the end, it just isn't as direct as absolute power."

Gu Tian, who was sitting on a tree branch nearby gnawing on a spirit fruit, couldn't help but let out a soft sneer as he watched the scene.

He grumbled frantically in his heart: In the original work, Tang San's luck was heaven-defying; his first soul ring for the Clear Sky Hammer came from a hundred-thousand-year-old Titan Giant Ape, and he had countless opportunities later on. Now, because of his own interference, Tang San had to struggle just to get a four-hundred-year-old Man Faced Demon Spider, yet he was still able to smile and feel smug about it. What a frog in a well.

The group began their return journey. Helping Tang San hunt for a soul ring had taken a full week, but since Tang San had successfully absorbed a four-hundred-year-old ring from a Man Faced Demon Spider, it was a cause for celebration.

However, as they were about to exit the outer perimeter of the Soul Hunting Forest, the shadows of the trees ahead shifted. Gu Tian's eyes flickered; he sensed a dragon-type aura far more powerful than Yu Xiaogang's approaching.

"Who's there?" Yu Xiaogang vigilantly summoned Luo Sanpao.

Two elders and one youth—two women and one man—emerged from the woods. The old man was tall and held a majestic dragon-headed cane; the old woman had silver hair and carried a snake-headed cane. Between them stood a girl of about ten, tall and full of spirit.

Yu Xiaogang recognized the uninvited guests immediately: 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.

"Ahem, we are just passing through, sorry to disturb you all." The elder, Meng Shu, glanced at Yu Xiaogang before his gaze landed on Gu Tian, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

Gu Tian looked at the three, especially the slightly naive Meng Yiran, and felt a stir in his heart.

He was just worrying about finding a candidate for his second Dragon God trial; how could he let this piece of meat delivered to his doorstep fly away?

Still, Tang San's luck was truly heaven-defying. Even in this state, he could find a Man Faced Demon Spider soul ring, and then, right after the hunt, run into Meng Yiran exactly on time.

It was as if the script had been deliberately arranged; no matter how Gu Tian changed the plot, these fixed NPCs would always appear on time at the designated moments.

Gu Tian adjusted his collar and walked forward with extreme elegance, performing a standard aristocratic bow: "Junior Gu Tian, greets the two seniors, Dragon Duke and Snake Matriarch."

The Peerless Dragon and Snake couple were somewhat startled. The young man's etiquette was impeccable, and more importantly, Gu Tian made no effort to hide his aura. The faint, nine-colored Dragon God pressure radiating from him caused the dragon-headed cane in Meng Shu's hand to tremble slightly—it was the absolute suppression of a high-ranking dragon over a sub-dragon attribute.

Meng Yiran looked at Gu Tian, her spirited face instantly flushing to the roots of her ears. She could feel that the young man before her radiated an aura that made her want to draw close and admire him from the depths of her soul.

"Is... is your martial soul also of the dragon type?" Meng Yiran asked shyly. She had completely lost her usual ladylike composure, acting instead like a fanatical fan meeting an idol.

"Indeed. The Dragon God Martial Soul." Gu Tian smiled at Meng Yiran. "I see this young lady has an extraordinary air; you must be here to hunt for your first soul ring, right? To reach this stage at such a young age, your talent is truly outstanding."

Flustered by the praise, Meng Yiran muttered, "It's not as good as you say..."

Gu Tian glanced at the snake-headed cane in Meng Yiran's hand and suggested, "Miss Yiran, I suggest you choose a snake-type 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-type soul ring will best stimulate the flexibility and toxicity of your cane."

Meng Yiran nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with adoration: "Yes, yes, you're right! I'll listen to you!"

Gu Tian turned his head, cast a cold glance at the jealous Tang San and the suspicious Yu Xiaogang, and said indifferently, "Grandmaster, since Senior Brother Tang San has successfully absorbed his ring, you should head back to the academy first. I have some history with these two seniors and intend to stay behind to help Miss Yiran find a suitable soul beast."

Although Yu Xiaogang wanted to cozy up to them, he could only offer a dry laugh under the majestic gaze of Dragon Duke Meng Shu.

Tang San was so angry he could barely breathe, but he knew that staying would only invite humiliation. This Gu Tian is too good at putting on an act! Is he trying to imitate Gu Yue and play the literary scholar? His speaking style has even changed! Don't tell me he's taken a liking to this girl! It's detestable—he already has Xiao Wu and it's not enough, he has to go and provoke others!

Mentioning Xiao Wu, Tang San thought of a good plan. Since Gu Tian told him to go back early, he shouldn't blame him for being unrighteous. If he found Xiao Wu first and told her that Gu Tian was flirting around, Xiao Wu would likely get angry. Then, he could comfort her, successfully poaching her and winning back his beloved Xiao Wu from Gu Tian's side!

"Let's go, San." Yu Xiaogang pulled Tang San away, and they left in a dejected manner.

Seeing the nuisances gone, Gu Tian signaled for Gu Yue to stay in the shadows as backup, then smiled at the Peerless Dragon and Snake couple: "Seniors, I happen to have some knowledge of the distribution of soul beasts in this area. Shall we set off?"

"Sorry to trouble you, young man." Chao Tianxiang clasped her hands. Although they were facing a junior, and both she and Meng Shu were quite powerful—one an 80th-level Power Attack System Soul Douluo and the other a 65th-level Power Attack System Soul Emperor—there was nothing to fear in this small Soul Hunting Forest. However, Chao Tianxiang had a good feeling about Gu Tian—a feeling born, of course, from wanting him to be her grandson-in-law!

Besides, more friends meant more paths; in a forest of soul beasts, having one extra person was always better than having one less.

Meng Yiran hopped happily to Gu Tian's side. Her fanatical enthusiasm left the Dragon Duke and Snake Matriarch exchanging glances, though they were secretly marveling at the young man's extraordinary nature. The group moved with agility, vanishing once more into the depths of the forest.