Tang Hao: "I really am a jinx."

Lin Chen said, "It's nothing major, I just made a bit of money recently. Since you rarely come by, let me treat you to a meal."

Tang Hao was taken aback by these words.

No wonder this kid was so well-liked by everyone in the village.

He was truly sensible.

However, as the dignified Haotian Douluo, how could he let a child pay for his meal?

"No need, I have other matters to attend to."

Tang Hao turned and left after speaking, and this time, Lin Chen did not stop him.

Tang Hao was not like Yu Xiaogang and the others.

Stopping him repeatedly might arouse suspicion.

Besides, hitting the jackpot on the first try was enough.

After parting ways with Lin Chen, Tang Hao immediately snuck into Nuoding Academy.

He arrived outside the door of Yu Xiaogang's dormitory.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Yu Xiaogang had just finished bathing and changing his clothes, preparing to drink some water to calm his nerves, when unexpectedly, the dormitory door was suddenly knocked.

Startled, Yu Xiaogang was inexplicably choked.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Yu Xiaogang coughed violently, his old face turning beet red.

He frantically patted his chest.

As it turned out, the patting only made things worse.

He clutched his throat tightly, as if he were about to suffocate.

Tang Hao was no ordinary person; he sensed the abnormality immediately.

"Bang!"

He kicked the door open and rushed to Yu Xiaogang's side in a flash.

"Bang!"

Tang Hao struck Yu Xiaogang's back with his palm, and the water stuck in the latter's throat was instantly expelled.

"Hoo, hoo..."

Yu Xiaogang gasped for fresh air, wearing the expression of someone who had just survived a disaster.

He was truly beginning to doubt his life.

First, he just wanted a snack, but he ran into a wanted criminal, had his storage soul tool stolen, and was beaten half to death.

Then, he was bitten half to death by a hyena in the Soul Hunting Forest.

He had even lost his dignity as a man.

Now, it was even more absurd; he had almost choked to death just from drinking water.

How could a person be this unlucky?

I really am a jinx. Just knocking on a door was enough to almost make a Great Soul Master choke to death on a mouthful of water.

Tang Hao looked at Yu Xiaogang, a trace of apology rising in his heart.

In his view, all the suffering the other man had endured was brought about by him, the jinx.

"Why are you here?"

Yu Xiaogang caught his breath and finally looked up at Tang Hao.

Tang Hao suppressed the apology in his heart.

"I have some matters to attend to, so I came to bid you farewell."

Yu Xiaogang was stunned.

Wasn't he just saying a few days ago that he wanted to protect Tang San properly?

Why was he suddenly running off again?

If he left, what would happen to Tang San's subsequent soul rings?

He couldn't possibly rely on himself, could he?

This soul hunting trip had truly given Yu Xiaogang psychological trauma.

He had already secretly sworn to himself that if there wasn't a powerhouse by his side, he would absolutely never go to a soul beast forest again.

Tang Hao seemed to see through Yu Xiaogang's thoughts.

"I will leave you an address. When Tang San breaks through to level twenty and needs to hunt for a soul ring, you can write to me, and I will return in time."

Yu Xiaogang breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

As long as he wasn't being asked to take responsibility for Tang San's subsequent spirit rings, anything else was fine.

Tang Hao continued, "There is one more thing. You've always had a way with women; find a way to help San win over that Xiao Wu."

Yu Xiaogang was left somewhat stunned by these words.

He did indeed have a way with women, but the problem was that Tang San no longer possessed the capability for such things. Even if he did win over Xiao Wu, what would be the point?

Would it just prove how much of a failure he himself was?

Wasn't Tang Hao afraid of driving Tang San to thoughts of suicide?

Forget it, let him be.

Yu Xiaogang asked, "What about Lin Chen? San will inevitably clash with Spirit Hall in the future, and that Lin Chen is clearly a useful asset."

Tang Hao replied, "If you can handle him, that would be for the best."

Though he said this, he didn't hold much hope for Yu Xiaogang in his heart.

Lin Chen viewed him as a harbinger of disaster; how could he possibly be willing to take him as a master?

Furthermore, Lin Chen had managed to thrive in Nuoding City at such a young age. With Yu Xiaogang's limited level of skill, he might not be able to fool the boy at all.

Yu Xiaogang was clearly aware that Lin Chen would not be easy to manipulate.

"What I mean is, why don't you reveal some of your strength in front of him?"

"That way, wouldn't he be scrambling to be a dog for San?"

Tang Hao shook his head at this, his expression gradually turning serious.

"My strength must absolutely not be revealed to him."

If Lin Chen found out he was a Titled Douluo and accidentally let it slip in front of Xiao Wu, wouldn't that scare her into running away overnight?

That was a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone at stake.

Besides, one must always be on guard. What if, after learning his identity, Lin Chen didn't grovel but instead ran off to report him to Spirit Hall?

"Very well."

Although Yu Xiaogang didn't quite understand, he knew better than to press the issue.

He only lamented the missed opportunity in his heart.

Lin Chen was likely a twin spirit user as well, and certainly not one with twin trash spirits.

To have such a peerless genius and yet be unable to take him as a disciple—it was truly a pity.

Tang Hao said, "I won't see San. Just tell him for me. Once he breaks through to level twenty, write a letter to this address."

He had wanted to say goodbye to his son, but he feared passing on his bad luck.

He decided it was better not to see him at all.

Tang Hao left an address with Yu Xiaogang and departed.

Lin Chen enjoyed a good meal in the city before returning to the academy dormitory, where, with the system's help, he successfully awakened his second spirit.

It was a long sword, three feet and three inches in length, grey in color, with black smoke billowing from the blade and the characters "Calamity" engraved beneath the hilt.

Sword of Calamity:
A divine sword condensed from the origin of calamity. Every attack carries the power of the calamity origin, which continuously devours the target's fortune.
Once the target's fortune is completely devoured, they will inevitably die a sudden death.

"Hiss!"

Upon receiving the system's feedback, Lin Chen couldn't help but gasp.

Was this Sword of Calamity not a bit too absurd?

Devouring others' fortune until they die a sudden death.

Who could withstand that?

Tang Hao had actually dropped such a powerful spirit for him.

He wondered if Tang Hao could withstand the backlash of his own bad luck.

"Uncle Hao, oh Uncle Hao, you'd better be careful. If you die..."

"Forget it."

"In consideration of you providing me with such a powerful spirit."

"I'll go a little easier on Tang San with the disasters in the future."

Lin Chen smiled slightly and put away the Sword of Calamity.

The current rewards were enough; it was time to focus his energy on cultivation.

Who knows what's going on.

The system clearly offers soul power as a reward, yet after all this time, not a single level has been farmed out; the only time it ever worked was back when he farmed it off Tang San.

It seems this Disaster Curse really needs to be cast on Tang San more often.

Hmm...

Better hold off for a bit; after all, he just said he'd go easy on the disasters for a while.

A man has to keep his word, doesn't he?

Three months, then. No more than that, or things will get too comfortable.

How can life be all smooth sailing?

Only after weathering the storm can one see the most beautiful rainbow.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Lin Chen looked up at the dormitory door. Who would be coming to see him at this hour?