You've already courted death, it's hard to explain your father didn't help!

"This is a ten-year Lone Bamboo. Its characteristic is its inherent toughness; while its attack power is not strong, its defensive capabilities are quite decent."

"It suits you quite well."

Grandmaster led Tang San forward, looking at the ten-year Lone Bamboo with a gentle smile as he spoke.

"Then should I absorb it?"

A cold glint flashed in Tang San's eyes. He didn't even call him teacher in his speech, speaking directly instead.

"Do not choose it for now. If there are no suitable options, choose it as a last resort."

Grandmaster replied.

"Yes, teacher."

The cold glint in Tang San's eyes intensified. He had already self-studied a great deal of knowledge regarding Martial Souls back at the academy.

He knew that once a Spirit Master absorbed a Spirit Ring, it could not be changed, and that a Spirit Scholar advancing to a Spirit Master was capable of absorbing a hundred-year Spirit Ring.

Furthermore, after watching Qin Qi fight earlier, he had realized one thing.

That was that the gap between a ten-year Spirit Ring and a hundred-year Spirit Ring was massive; the difference in strength was like heaven and earth.

His Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul was already weaker than others; if he chose a ten-year Spirit Ring now, his future would be ruined!

If he couldn't find a suitable one, he would rather not absorb a Spirit Ring at all than ever absorb this ten-year Lone Bamboo!

In the time that followed, Tang San searched the outer perimeter with Yu Xiaogang for a long while, but they didn't encounter a single hundred-year Spirit Beast.

"Teacher, should we go to the inner layer and take a look?"

Tang San had asked Qin Qi about the situation in the Soul Hunting Forest before coming, so he knew that hundred-year Spirit Beasts basically never appeared in the outer perimeter.

To find a hundred-year Spirit Beast, one had to head to the inner layer.

"The inner layer... the inner layer is a bit too dangerous for you. Let's keep looking in the outer perimeter."

Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened upon hearing Tang San's words, and he then feigned concern as he spoke.

"Teacher, I am not afraid of danger!"

Tang San replied.

"Absolutely not! Little San, let me teach you a principle: if the spirits are many and the bones are many, use your skills in a wave; if the spirits are few and the bones are few, turn tail and run!"

"When fighting an enemy, you must always estimate your own strength first. Do not rashly challenge an opponent stronger than yourself."

Yu Xiaogang instructed Tang San with great seriousness.

"You are still young and have a bright future ahead of you. I cannot let you take such risks."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, his eyes revealing concern as he spoke.

"Thank you, teacher."

Tang San said "thank you, teacher" with his mouth, but in his heart, he had already passed a death sentence on Yu Xiaogang.

He knew that Yu Xiaogang didn't want to go to the inner layer not out of concern for him, but because Grandmaster lacked the strength.

At level twenty-nine with a Luo Sanpao Martial Soul, Grandmaster might not even be a match for a hundred-year beast if they encountered one.

From the very beginning, Grandmaster had never intended to find him a hundred-year Martial Soul.

As expected, I have to rely on myself.

Tang San touched the Hidden Weapons he had concealed, resolving in his heart that he must find a hundred-year Spirit Ring.

And does this teacher still have any reason to exist?

Tang San looked at Grandmaster. In name, they were master and disciple, but in reality, they were merely using each other.

Grandmaster used Tang San's talent to gain the reputation he desired, while Tang San used Grandmaster to gain knowledge and resources.

But now that Tang San felt Grandmaster could no longer help him with anything, was there still any need to let him be of use?

That night, while resting, they were attacked by a Datura Snake.

Grandmaster turned and ran, while Tang San fought back with all his might. In the end, he killed the Datura Snake, but Grandmaster was accidentally poisoned.

Tang San merely glanced at him, then ignored him, sitting down to begin absorbing the Spirit Ring.

"If he dies, it counts as being killed by a Spirit Beast; it has nothing to do with me."

The Buddha Tang was not one to kill, and as someone who respected his teacher and the Way, he would certainly never do anything that went against his master's teachings.

Stealing secret manuals was merely a last resort! And now, failing to save someone in distress was also merely a last resort!

The next morning, at Notting Academy.

"Little San, why didn't you come back to the dormitory to sleep last night?"

Qin Qi looked at Tang San, who was sitting beside him. He figured this guy must have gone to hunt for a Spirit Ring.

"It's nothing, I just went out for a walk."

Tang San smiled and replied.

"Old schemer, what a camper!"

Qin Qi looked at Tang San and immediately understood that this kid must have obtained a Spirit Ring.

It was likely a century-old Spirit Ring, perhaps even from a Datura Snake; otherwise, the kid wouldn't be so happy.

I've been wandering the outer perimeter for days and found nothing, yet the moment you go in, a century-old spirit beast delivers itself to your doorstep.

If your old man Tang Hao didn't pull some strings, this is really hard to explain.

Qin Qi grumbled fiercely in his heart.

The first cultural class ended, and during the break:

"Hey, hey, hey, everyone come over! Sister Xiao Wu has an announcement to make!"

Xiao Wu stood on top of a desk and loudly called over the first-years, as well as students from other grades.

"Sister Xiao Wu, you aren't out of money again, are you? Our funds are tight this month; we really can't lend you any more."

Wang Sheng looked at Xiao Wu standing on the desk, his face twisting into a bitter grimace.

"What are you saying? Is Sister Xiao Wu that kind of person? What I'm talking about isn't borrowing money, but a major event!"

"I, Sister Xiao Wu, have also become a Spirit Master! And it's a century-old Spirit Ring too!"

As she spoke, Xiao Wu summoned her Soft Bone Rabbit spirit, and a yellow Spirit Ring manifested simultaneously.

"Hmph, hmph, hmph, come and worship your Sister Xiao Wu!"

Xiao Wu held her head high, speaking with immense pride.

"Sister Xiao Wu, you're amazing!"

"Another century-old Spirit Ring!"

"Our Work-Study Students have produced two geniuses this year!"

"From now on, we don't have to worry about being bullied by the Formal Students anymore. No, I should say it's our turn to bully them!"

Wang Sheng and the others looked at the century-old Spirit Ring behind Xiao Wu, feeling both excited and envious.

They couldn't help but fantasize about what it would be like if they had a century-old Spirit Ring themselves.

It's so convenient. If only I could grow a Spirit Ring on my own, too.

Qin Qi watched Xiao Wu, feeling a genuine sense of envy. She didn't need to hunt spirit beasts; the ring just grew on its own.

Oh, wait. My Spirit Ring can inherit the traits of spirit beasts. Never mind then.

"A century-old Spirit Ring!"

Tang San frowned as he looked at Xiao Wu's Spirit Ring, the joy he had felt moments ago instantly vanishing.

He had thought he was a one-of-a-kind genius, but first Qin Qi and now Xiao Wu had appeared.

Moreover, both of their spirits were stronger than his own "trash" Blue Silver Grass; they would surely go much further than him in the future!

The small spark of pride in Tang San's heart was shattered in an instant.

Phew, it doesn't matter. I have twin spirits; I still have my second spirit!

Plus, I have Tang Sect Hidden Weapons and the Mysterious Heaven Skill. I will definitely surpass them in the future!

Tang San comforted himself in his heart.

After Xiao Wu had finished showing off on the desk, she jumped down and walked over to Qin Qi.

"Qin Qi, where do we collect the Spirit Master subsidy?"

Xiao Wu looked at Qin Qi with her large, sparkling eyes. She had just set her sights on a little dress.

She didn't have the money to buy it yet, but as soon as she collected the subsidy, she would go buy it immediately.

"You just need to get certified at the Spirit Hall. After the morning classes end, I'll take you there."

Qin Qi replied.

"Then thank you!"

Xiao Wu said with a smile.

"Um, count me in too. I have a Spirit Ring now as well."

Tang San finally spoke up at this moment, reaching out to summon his own spirit and Spirit Ring.