As night deepened, Zhu Shen and Tang San put up a simple tent, lit a campfire, and sat on the ground.
After Tang San absorbed the Soul Ring, the system detected a century-old lone bamboo nearby and triggered an opportunity quest.
[Assist Tang San in absorbing a century-old lone bamboo Soul Ring for his Second Martial Soul, the Clear Sky Hammer.] [Quest Reward: One Ten-Year Solitary Bamboo Soul Bone at a random location.] [Time Limit: One day.]
All afternoon, Zhu Shen led Tang San around the outer reaches of the Soul Hunting Forest, searching again and again. Either there was no lone bamboo, or it wasn't old enough.
On the way, to reinforce Tang San's trust in him, Zhu Shen continued trying to win him over. "Xiao San, do you trust your teacher?"
"Of course I trust you, Teacher. Although your Soul Power is low and you're very weak in actual combat, no one can match you in the field of theory."
Zhu Shen's mouth twitched. What was with that brutally honest remark? Although this Tang San's emotional intelligence didn't quite match the original, it was no big deal.
"This afternoon, when I absorbed the ten-year lone bamboo Soul Ring, I was still a little unsure about your teachings. But the Soul Skill's effect was beyond my expectations. Now I absolutely trust you, Teacher."
Zhu Shen gave a light cough and said solemnly, "If you trust me, I have another unique technique to teach you. Would you be willing to learn it?"
Zhu Shen turned into a salesman, ready to pitch his Pure Bamboo Douluo plan.
"Of course I'm willing."
"Good." So Tang San would grow according to the system's restrictions, Zhu Shen began to spout nonsense with a perfectly straight face. "An ancient secret art records that gathering nine lone bamboo Soul Rings will grant you power comparable to that of a god."
"But..."
"I know what you're wondering. Of course, there are some restrictions."
Tang San was at a loss. He was still young, and he had only arrived in this world a few years ago. He didn't know a lot of theoretical knowledge.
Although he was a genius living his second life, his prodigious father had become a wreck. All his theories had come from Fei Gang. Who else could he trust?
Although the things Zhu Shen had been telling him over the past two days were getting more and more outrageous, Tang San had seen that they worked when put into practice. He didn't know what to think.
Seeing Tang San's doubtful expression, Zhu Shen said, "Xiao San, do even you think my theories are worth less than a pile of wastepaper?"
Then Zhu Shen put on a pained expression, like a frustrated genius who had been overlooked and spurned.
"No, Teacher. I just..." Tang San thought Zhu Shen was overacting a little, but he didn't say so.
Zhu Shen looked bitter. It wasn't all an act. Even an idiot would think absorbing nine lone bamboo Soul Rings was unreliable, let alone Tang San, who had Twin Martial Souls. Eighteen lone bamboo Soul Rings to become a god? Who did he think he was fooling?
But Zhu Shen wasn't worried. As a fellow transmigrator, he thought he could reveal a little of the system's abilities to Tang San and convince him that his theories were sound.
Besides, if all else failed, once he got stronger, he could always force Tang San to absorb them.
But then Zhu Shen thought of Tang Hao. That man wasn't easy to fool—and, more importantly, Zhu Shen couldn't beat him.
Forget it. He'd better focus on getting Tang San to absorb a century-old lone bamboo. Having a Soul Bone would make the whole thing a little more convincing.
To Zhu Shen's surprise, Tang San spoke up.
Tang San lowered his head and thought for a long while. After spending the past few days together and listening to Zhu Shen's teachings, he made up his mind to trust him. "I believe in your judgment, Teacher."
But Tang San didn't completely believe Zhu Shen, either. He decided to wait and see, absorbing two lone bamboo Soul Rings first to test the results.
"Good! I knew I could count on you." Zhu Shen finally breathed a sigh of relief when Tang San agreed to trust him.
Although Zhu Shen knew Tang San couldn't trust him completely, he had at least managed to get through this for now. Once the system kicked in later, everything would work out.
"Tomorrow we'll find a Soul Ring for your Second Martial Soul. I also need to hunt my third Soul Ring."
Nothing happened that night.
Early the next morning, they woke up and resumed their search for Soul Rings. They walked and talked as they went.
"Xiao San, I deliberately had you absorb a ten-year lone bamboo yesterday because I wanted its displacement Soul Skill. Today, you'll absorb a century-old lone bamboo."
"A century-old lone bamboo?"
"That's right. According to my research, the highest age a regular Soul Master can absorb for their First Soul Ring is 423 years." Zhu Shen didn't actually believe some of Gangzi's theories, but having only just arrived in this world, he had no way to verify them.
He continued, "But you have extraordinary talent, and plant-type Soul Beasts like lone bamboo are relatively gentle, so you can try to absorb a Soul Ring with a greater age."
Tang San followed behind him, occasionally letting his gaze fall on his teacher's back.
Grandmaster seemed different from before.
The old Yu Xiaogang had walked with a slight stoop, his brow always bearing the bitter gloom of someone who had never lived up to his potential.
But now Grandmaster stood tall, his steps steady. There was an indescribable presence in his every move.
"I'll follow your arrangements, Teacher."
Tang San spoke earnestly, his eyes clear as those of a true six-year-old child.
Looking into those eyes, Zhu Shen inexplicably felt a little guilty.
This child had lived two lives. He was an elite of the Tang Sect, a Hidden Weapon master, and a ruthless killer. Right now, Zhu Shen had him completely taken in. But when he grew up and figured it out...
No, he had to hurry. He had to arm himself to the teeth before Tang San awakened. He could fool him now, but maybe he'd have to use force later.
Looking at Tang San, Zhu Shen thought to himself, I don't have a choice. Besides, if we follow the system, you'll get great Soul Skills and Soul Bones, and your Martial Soul can even evolve. It's a rare opportunity, and you won't be getting the short end of the stick.
"Teacher," Tang San suddenly said.
"Hmm?"
"How did you know that absorbing nine lone bamboo Soul Rings could grant god-level power?"
Zhu Shen's steps halted.
That was a good question. So good, he didn't know how to answer it.
He couldn't exactly say, "Your teacher transmigrated and got a system," could he?
After a moment's thought, he decided to keep spouting nonsense. "Over the years, I've traveled across the continent and studied all kinds of Martial Soul theories. At last, I discovered the secret of Martial Soul Evolution in an ancient ruin."
"Simply put, a Martial Soul isn't set in stone. When a Soul Master's abilities reach a certain threshold, or when they come into contact with certain rare treasures, evolution may be triggered."
The explanation was vague, but at least it made sense. Tang San still had his doubts, but he didn't ask any more questions.
They walked on for a while longer, then a system alert sounded.
[A century-old lone bamboo has appeared ahead.]
His heart leaped with joy. He was about to call Tang San over when he suddenly sensed something, and his expression changed.
"Wait."
Tang San immediately stopped and warily scanned their surroundings. "Teacher, what's wrong?"
Zhu Shen didn't answer. He expanded his perception as far as he could.
"There are people up ahead. Come with me."
The two of them hid behind a clump of bushes and parted the branches to peer ahead.
Beyond them lay a relatively open clearing in the forest. In its center stood a lone bamboo, its entire body a deep emerald green. Its stalk was thick, about as wide as an adult's calf.
But three people stood beside it, and what unsettled Zhu Shen was the evil aura radiating from them.