Soul Saint Xiaogang

"Such a powerful aura!"

Compared to the "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King" who was immersed in Yu Xiaogang's memories, the other red and black bat-shaped mental entity focused its attention on the former.

Its form resembled that of the Soul Beast "Bloodsucking Demon Bat," and a solemn, anthropomorphic expression appeared on its rat-like face: 'A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?'

"How can the spiritual will of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast reside within the body of this useless person?"

A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring? Or Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone?

In his blood-red eyes, resentment and hatred intertwined, making his rat-like face look extremely distorted and ferocious.

Perhaps drawn by the intense negative emotions here, the "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King" snapped out of its fear and apprehension of "Wu Wudi" and turned its attention to the "Bloodsucking Demon Bat" mental entity.

Sensing a somewhat familiar aura opposite, the "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King" searched its past memories and quickly locked onto one of the figures, sending a message through its mind. "You are... Hannibal?"

"Hmm?!" The "Bloodsucking Demon Bat" entity trembled slightly, its wings fluttering as it cautiously asked instead of answering, "Who are you?"

Sometimes, not answering is also a form of answer.

Therefore, a look of understanding flashed in the eyes of the "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King," and he instantly confirmed the other party's identity.

"It really was you~"

It looked the "Bloodsucking Demon Bat" up and down, and if it weren't for the fact that the other party's aura was quite different from that of Soul Beast, and that it was somewhat similar to Hannibal, whom it had encountered before, and that Hannibal's Martial Soul was the "Bloodsucking Demon Bat", it might not have been able to make the previous judgment.

The "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King" confirmed that the "Bloodsucking Demon Bat" was Hannibal, a former member of the "Slaughter City" Guard Team and Eight-Ring Soul Douluo. However, Hannibal still knew nothing about the "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King," which raised his vigilance to the extreme.

He found it hard to understand why a spiritual entity that resembled a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast could guess his identity.

"Did he find out through that good-for-nothing Yu Xiaogang?" Hannibal wondered to himself.

The problem is, what makes Yu Xiaogang so capable of interacting with Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast and absorbing its spiritual essence into his body?

"Hannibal, interested in making a deal?"

Just then, the "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King" extended an invitation for cooperation to Hannibal, his former subordinate.

Yu Xiaogang, in the outside world, only had a vague sense of what was happening in his spiritual Sea of Consciousness, but knew nothing about the specifics.

But one thing is certain: the humiliating past that had been buried deep in his memory resurfaced, causing him to become somewhat hysterical.

Unfortunately, Bing Le happened to be caught in the crossfire, becoming the perfect tool for Yu Xiaogang to vent his negative emotions.

Amidst the flashing blood, Luo Sanpao's ferocious and enormous figure appeared, landing on the snow beside Yu Xiaogang.

Perhaps because his identity had just been exposed by the "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King," Hannibal, who was in charge of Luo Sanpao's left head, did not attack Yu Xiaogang this time. Instead, he maintained a cold and indifferent attitude, just like the right head, which was in charge of the "Blood-Red Nine-Headed Bat King."

In response, Yu Xiaogang merely frowned and glanced at the head that had previously attacked him. He had already made preparations and secretly decided that if the other party attacked him again, he would control the central head and completely destroy the disobedient left head, even if it meant damaging his Martial Soul!

Ling Yi once said that power that is not under one's control is better left unused!

As if Ling Yi's voice were ringing in his ears once again, Yu Xiaogang agreed, but also frowned slightly. He was somewhat disgusted by Ling Yi's preaching, but he had to admit that he had benefited greatly from many of the principles the other party spoke of.

But the more he did so, the more he resisted.

Suppressing the complex thoughts in his mind that he couldn't even sort out himself, Yu Xiaogang had a thought and controlled Luo Sanpao to tear at the Bing Le on the ground.

"No... no—!"

"I was wrong! Please! Don't do this—! Ah—!!!"...

Amidst the piercing wails, Yu Xiaogang slowly closed his eyes, a look of enjoyment gradually appearing on his face, a faint, sickly smile slowly creeping onto the corners of his mouth.

"No one can ignore me anymore! No one can look down on me anymore—!"

The wails gradually weakened until they disappeared completely, leaving only the sickening chewing sounds that echoed continuously.

One month later, in the center of the Douluo Continent, in Lingyun City.

"Xiaogang?!"

A shout rang out on the official road several hundred meters outside the city gate, attracting the attention of passersby.

Hearing that familiar voice, and the seven parts surprise and three parts concern contained within it, Yu Xiaogang calmly stopped and turned around to look at the other person. "Second Uncle, it's been a long time."

The newcomer was none other than Yu Luomian, the second-in-command of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and also Yu Xiaogang's second uncle.

"It really is you, kid!"

Yu Luomian strode forward, stood in front of Yu Xiaogang, and raised his hand to pat Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder.

Unexpectedly, Yu Xiaogang shifted his feet slightly, gracefully and smoothly avoiding the slap.

Yu Luomian patted empty air, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes as she looked at Yu Xiaogang, but she didn't seem to care. She continued, "Where have you been these past two years? Your older brother has been looking for you for so long—"

"Father..." Upon hearing Yu Luomian mention Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Xiaogang's calm expression changed slightly, and his eyes softened a bit.

But then, all his emotional turmoil vanished, and Yu Xiaogang regained his composure, saying calmly, "I'll go back in a while."

"What do you mean, 'in a while'?" Yu Luomian's face darkened, his tiger-like eyes glaring at Yu Xiaogang, and he said with some displeasure, "We're just about to return to the ' Jade Dragon Mountain Range,' so you're coming with us!"

Faced with Yu Luomian's domineering presence, Yu Xiaogang's eyes reddened slightly, and a flash of killing intent appeared. He suppressed the negative emotions churning within him and said in an icy tone, "I said I would go back in a while."

"Hey!" Seeing Yu Xiaogang's aura suddenly turn cold and sharp, Yu Luomian grinned and said, "Xiaogang, your second uncle isn't discussing this with you, you know?"

Although Yu Luomian's voice was relatively calm and he spoke with a smile, the members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan who followed behind could tell that this was a prelude to Yu Luomian's anger.

Yu Xiaogang understood the meaning behind Yu Luomian's words, and his expression became even more indifferent. He said coldly, "Second Uncle, I'm not discussing this with you."

After a pause, ignoring Yu Luomian's reaction, Yu Xiaogang turned around and continued walking towards the city gate of ' Lingyun City '.

"You...!"

Watching Yu Xiaogang leave without looking back, the smile on Yu Luomian's face vanished instantly, replaced by undisguised anger in his eyes. He clenched his right hand into a claw, took a step forward, and prepared to grab Yu Xiaogang's shoulder.

"Second Master, Second Master!"

At the critical moment, the young man beside Yu Luomian grabbed her arm and quickly whispered a reminder: "This is ' Lingyun City,' and we're still at the city gate—"

"Hoo—" Yu Luomian let out a soft breath, glaring at Yu Xiaogang's back with lingering anger, and said, "Hmph! Big brother has been too lenient with this kid. Look at what he's learned all these years, he even dares to talk back to me!"

That's what he said, but considering the Chen Family father and son who were stationed in Lingyun City, he still didn't think about forcibly taking Yu Xiaogang away.

With this thought in mind, Yu Luomian turned around and shouted angrily, "Let's go!"

Yu Luomian's voice rang in his ears. Yu Xiaogang walked gracefully amidst the strange looks cast by the surrounding pedestrians, and soon followed the flow of people into the city.

Almost simultaneously, the little farce that occurred at the city gate also reached the relevant personnel inside ' Lingyun City ' in a very short time.

Half an hour later, at the top floor of the Martial Soul Research Institute.

Pushing open the heavy metal door, Yu Xiaogang stepped into the room, where he saw rows of familiar iron cages and experimental workbenches.

And that even more familiar voice!

"Xiaogang?" Ling Yi turned around, put down the hand-held microscope made of clear crystal, and wore the familiar warm smile that Yu Xiaogang knew so well, "Gu Ying told me you were looking for me?"

"Hmm." Yu Xiaogang nodded, his gaze sweeping over a bat sculpture on the workbench in front of Ling Yi.

Just now downstairs, he saw Gu Ying tap a few times on the same bat stone sculpture, then pick up the ornament on the sculpture and speak to its ear and mouth, announcing his arrival.

"This is the latest research result from the ' Soul Tool Research Group ' at the research institute."

Noticing Yu Xiaogang's gaze, Ling Yi smiled and explained, "Imitating the sound wave manipulation of bat-like Soul Beast, it can achieve sound transmission over short distances. As long as the frequencies on both sides are consistent, they can communicate with each other in real time."

"This is a small one; on unobstructed flat ground, it can provide a signal within ten miles."

"..."

Hearing Ling Yi's words, Yu Xiaogang did not respond, or rather, he did not know what to say at this moment.

"Hehe~" Ling Yi didn't take it to heart, pointed to the high stool in front of the workbench not far away, and said with a smile, "Let's not talk about this, have a seat~"

"Hmm." Yu Xiaogang did not refuse. He walked to the high stool and sat down. He looked at Ling Yi, opened his mouth, but for a moment he did not know how to explain his situation.

Seeing Yu Xiaogang's conflicted and hesitant expression, Ling Yi walked to the other side of the workbench in front of Yu Xiaogang and took out a small wine jar and two wine bowls from his storage bracelet.

The amber-colored wine swirled in the porcelain bowl, and a faint aroma filled the air. Ling Yi picked up one of the bowls and placed it in front of Yu Xiaogang, then picked up the other bowl and waved it at Yu Xiaogang.

"..."

Yu Xiaogang was silent for a moment, then stiffly picked up the wine bowl in front of him, looked down at his pale face reflected in the wine, tilted his head back, and drank all the wine in one gulp.

Ling Yi also drank the wine in his bowl, then grabbed the small wine jar next to him and poured wine for himself and Yu Xiaogang while asking in a low voice, "These past two years haven't been easy, have they?"

"Click~"

A slight cracking sound rang out. Yu Xiaogang loosened the cracked wine bowl, said nothing, and did not look at Ling Yi. Instead, he lowered his eyes and stared at the amber-colored wine swirling in the bowl.

"It's clear," Ling Yi's voice continued, "That although your figure hasn't changed much, there's an indescribable weariness in your eyes."

Yu Xiaogang looked at the reddened eyes reflected in the wine bowl, picked it up and drank it down in one gulp. As he put the bowl down, he said in a hoarse voice, "The city lord's observation skills are still so meticulous."

Faced with Yu Xiaogang's praise, Ling Yi's smile quietly faded. He also tilted his head back and finished the wine in his bowl, then said in a deep voice, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"I sense a powerful aura of killing intent emanating from you. Furthermore, your mental state is off; you give me a feeling of madness and chaos, as if you might go berserk at any moment!"

"What exactly have you been through these past two years?!"

"What happened?" Yu Xiaogang suddenly reached out, grabbed the small wine jar next to Ling Yi, filled Ling Yi's and his own wine bowls with wine, and grinned with a strange smile.

He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. Then, Yu Xiaogang looked at Ling Yi with both eyes.

This was the first time he had looked Ling Yi in the eye.

Even when facing Ling Yi, Yu Xiaogang's Divine City wandering, and he never made eye contact with Ling Yi for more than three breaths.

But this time, in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, besides the murderous intent and madness that he was trying to suppress, there was also an unprecedented confidence!

"Buzz—!"

A soft buzzing sound arose, and one after another, halos of light emerged from Yu Xiaogang's body, pulsating up and down around his body.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—!

Two yellow, two purple, and three black—a total of seven Soul Ring —their dazzling light instantly illuminated the spacious room.

"Seven rings... Soul Saint?" Ling Yi looked at the Soul Ring swirling around Yu Xiaogang, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Ling Yi was not surprised. Yu Xiaogang's excitement cooled slightly, but having grown accustomed to Ling Yi's composure in the face of imminent collapse, he was not too surprised. He mimicked Ling Yi's calm tone and said, "That's right, Seven-Ring Soul Sage."

To Yu Xiaogang's surprise once again, Ling Yi didn't congratulate him. Instead, he frowned and asked in a deep voice, "You chose the ' Blood Shadow Demonic Dragon ' advancement path?!"

"Call--!"

Not seeing the emotions he wanted to see on Ling Yi's face, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but feel a slight sense of disappointment.

It was only at this moment that Yu Xiaogang realized that, compared to gaining the approval of others, he actually wanted Ling Yi's approval the most!

Following Ling Yi in line were his father Yu Yuanzhen, and that fleeting glimpse of a beautiful figure who disappeared into the crowd.