What a remarkable work-study student, Xiao Wu. Xiao Chenyu watched everything unfold. Just as the book said, this batch of work-study students was no ordinary bunch.
If he wanted to make her his pet rabbit, he'd have to wait until the other work-study student, Tang San, obtained a Soul Ring before making his move.
It was his first time eating on the second floor, and Wang Sheng was overjoyed. The book hadn't mentioned this part, but Sister Xiao Wu really was an outstanding leader. She was far better than he was.
After treating Wang Sheng, Xiao Wu made her request at just the right moment: she wanted him to take her to buy new bedding. He was a "veteran" here, so he was surely more familiar with the place.
Wang Sheng readily agreed. He couldn't refuse.
Xiao Wu hadn't invited Tang San, but Yu Xiaogang had taken him to his own quarters, where he ate chicken legs and steamed buns.
Although he didn't know what food they served on the second floor, it had been given to him by his teacher. Even coarse bran cakes would be better than dragon's liver and phoenix marrow.
After watching Tang San finish eating, Yu Xiaogang began reciting the lines he'd spent three months memorizing, launching into a steady stream of words.
He spoke with spittle flying, asking and answering his own questions. The more he talked, the more excited he became, his brows dancing and his spirit soaring.
In a daze, Tang San seemed to see his old ancestor incarnate. The old ancestor hasn't updated the next installment lately. Could it be that he came straight to Douluo?
What excited Tang San most was that his teacher would take him to obtain a Soul Ring tomorrow—and his father
So what if it was only a Hundred-Year Soul Ring? He had the guidance and help of a top theoretical master. The Soul Ring he obtained would definitely be stronger!
Brimming with confidence, Tang San returned to the dormitory and saw Xiao Wu making her bed with the new bedding. A trace of disdain flashed through his eyes.
Noticing Tang San's hostile expression, Xiao Wu smiled brightly. "San, you look a little unconvinced too. I'll give you another chance. Let's go outside and fight."
"Fine, let's go. There's something I want to tell you, anyway." Tang San had already figured out Xiao Wu's tricks. If they fought again, he was sure to turn the tables.
They left the dormitory and came to an open space. Xiao Wu stepped forward. "Come on."
Seeing that she was less than a meter away, Tang San immediately used Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon. This grappling technique was extremely powerful at close range.
Xiao Wu suddenly whipped her head around. The scorpion braid behind her head turned into a black blur, coiling toward Tang San's neck.
This move belonged to no martial arts style Tang San knew. It was the first time he'd seen anything like it, and he was greatly surprised. Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon seized at the braid.
Xiao Wu tossed her head. Her braid immediately slipped past Tang San's palm. Then she took a step forward, her boneless arms winding around both his hands. Her whole body sprang into the air, and her legs slammed toward Tang San's stomach.
As a Tang Sect disciple, Tang San's skills were almost entirely in his hands. His only strength with his feet lay in his exceptional movement technique. Now that both his hands were bound, he had no way to counter Xiao Wu's thunderous kick. He took the blow squarely.
The kick landed with tremendous force. Tang San doubled over like a shrimp and flew away like a cannonball. His insides churned. With a retch, he vomited up everything he'd eaten—and quite a bit of bile and stomach acid besides. He felt utterly wretched.
Watching Tang San's miserable state, Xiao Wu looked delighted. "Well? Are you convinced?"
"No! Again!" Seeing Xiao Wu's smug expression, Tang San was thoroughly unconvinced. He was a Tang Sect disciple. How could he keep losing to a little girl over and over?
Xiao Wu waved a hand. "Let's talk after you get a Soul Ring. Even if I beat you again now, you still won't be convinced."
Tang San thought she had a point. He'd suffered a loss because he didn't have a Soul Ring, so he brought up the matter of obtaining one.
Xiao Wu had known all along that Tang San would leave. Working a few extra days now would earn her a whole semester without work, so it was a pretty good deal. She agreed.
The next morning, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang bought a few things, boarded a carriage, and set off for the Soul Hunting Forest.
In the carriage, Yu Xiaogang yawned.
"Teacher, didn't you sleep well last night?" Tang San asked with concern.
Yu Xiaogang replied, "I was just too excited."
For the past three months, he'd only been memorizing the book's lines. With no new installment, he'd crammed all night, preparing what he would say today.
Taking advantage of having just finished memorizing it, Yu Xiaogang spoke up in a clear voice. "Now, let me tell you about Soul Beasts. Soul Beasts are animals that possess Soul Power. The longer they live, the stronger they become. Generally speaking..."
Tang San listened attentively. Listening to a teacher as wise as a sage explain and guide him was like drinking fine wine—intoxicating, a pure pleasure with none of the pain of studying.
Once they entered the Soul Hunting Forest, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help showing off his Martial Soul, Sanpao. There was no way around it.
While Tang San watched in amazement, Yu Xiaogang pulled an ornate short sword from his robes and handed it to him.
The short sword's scabbard was a deep blue, decorated with seven sapphires. A milky-white jade stone sat in the hilt. The sword was a foot and two inches long. Although it remained sheathed, Tang San could still feel a faint chill from it in his hand.
They hadn't gone far when Luo Sanpao suddenly stopped. Its large eyes turned toward one direction, and it let out two "luo-luo" calls.
An animal that looked a little like a cat appeared in the direction of its gaze. It was crouched in a tree, warily watching Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
Yu Xiaogang smiled calmly. "It's a ten-year Variegated Cat. Sanpao, don't disturb it. Let's keep going."
He had only just finished going over the Soul Beasts that might appear in the Soul Hunting Forest. Taking the opportunity, he began teaching Tang San about the Variegated Cat Soul Beast as well.
Before long, the two of them stopped in front of a bamboo stalk.
Yu Xiaogang looked at it as if he'd found a priceless treasure. "Lone Bamboo! This is the Soul Beast we're looking for!"
"Teacher, are we going to hunt this Lone Bamboo?" Tang San asked.
Yu Xiaogang didn't answer right away. Instead, he began explaining the Lone Bamboo Soul Beast's characteristics.
Ever since it had received guidance from the Lone Bamboo God, Lone Bamboo had been waiting.
What were these two people babbling about? Lone Bamboo looked down at the two standing beside its roots. After a moment of confusion, it suddenly remembered the book's contents.
An old man and a young one, with a pig in tow. That was it! Everything matched!
I'm going to become a god! Lone Bamboo was overcome with excitement. Soul Power surged through its body, and in its heart it cried out, Sacrifice, begin!
Yu Xiaogang was speaking with great enthusiasm when a flash of white light suddenly appeared before him. A mighty pressure seized him, leaving him completely unable to move. All he could hear was Luo Sanpao's warning cry.
Under the white light, Tang San felt as though his acupoints had been sealed. He couldn't move at all.
The white light appeared quickly and vanished just as fast. It swiftly contracted, turning into a white Soul Ring that settled around Tang San before disappearing in a flash.
Just as expected! Hidden in the shadows, Tang Hao nodded again and again. The book had been exactly right: the Lone Bamboo Soul Beast would be drawn to the Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline, and might even offer a Sacrifice.
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