"Stop!"
"Didn't you want to see my martial soul? Then take a look. Come out, Luo Sanpao!"
Yu Xiaogang roared. Two yellow century-old soul rings emerged beneath his feet, and a strange purple creature that looked both like a dog and a Pig leaped out alongside them.
"Luo luo!"
It affectionately rubbed its head against Yu Xiaogang's pant leg.
"Is that really a Pig?"
Tang San blurted out involuntarily. Just like his godfather had said—it really was a Pig.
"Hmph! Tang San, how about we make a bet? Fight me once. If I win, you'll take me as your master."
Tang San turned back and looked worriedly at his godfather, seemingly afraid Tang Chuan might misunderstand. Only after seeing Tang Chuan nod did he turn back, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yu Xiaogang.
"And if I win?"
"You win? Then I'll give you this!"
As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang pulled out a belt. It was exquisitely crafted and inlaid with several large jewels.
"This is an extremely rare storage Soul Tool, and a special belt-type one at that. If you win, it'll be yours."
"Hey, you think you can make a bet with us using a lousy belt like that? What, do you think my outstanding disciple is only worth this much?"
Tang Chuan crossed his arms and looked coldly at Yu Xiaogang. The aura of a Soul Emperor bore straight down on the latter.
"Then... then I'll add these too!"
Gritting his teeth, Yu Xiaogang took out another bag of Gold Soul Coins from his storage Soul Tool. Judging from the sound inside, there seemed to be quite a lot.
It was clear that Yu Xiaogang had received plenty of subsidies from the Martial Soul Branch Hall over the past several decades. He might not use them himself, but he absolutely had to have them.
"Little San? What do you think?"
Seeing Tang Chuan hand the decision over to him, warmth flickered through Tang San's heart. Then battle intent flashed in his eyes. He had just obtained his first soul ring—wasn't this the perfect chance for actual combat?
"Then let's fight!"
A yellow soul ring emerged beneath his feet, and Blue Silver Grass burst from the ground. Holding the Blue Silver Grass in his hand, now marked with several additional streaks of silver, Tang San said solemnly:
"Tang San, level thirteen, martial soul Blue Silver Grass!"
"Level thirteen?!"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened. According to his theory, absorbing a soul ring over four hundred years old should have brought someone to about level twelve. Yet this boy was actually level thirteen?
"What soul ring did you absorb? How many years was it?"
"I can't be bothered to waste words on you. You're not worthy of hearing it. Come on!"
Though Yu Xiaogang was furious inside, he still put on a guarded stance outwardly.
"First soul skill, Proliferating Seed Scatter!"
Tang San swung both hands forcefully toward Yu Xiaogang, sending tiny Blue Silver Grass seeds drifting forward.
But in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, Tang San was merely standing in place and flailing his arms repeatedly, looking like a complete fool.
"What, did my two soul rings scare you stupid? Then I'll be taking you as my disciple. A fart like thunder, shaking heaven and splitting earth—Luo Sanpao!"
The soul rings flickered slightly. Luo Sanpao turned around, aimed its rear at Tang San, and its belly swelled a little.
"Entangle!"
Before it could let the fart out, several Blue Silver Grass vines suddenly appeared in the air around Luo Sanpao. Caught completely off guard, Luo Sanpao was bound up at once.
"Sanpao, bite through these Blue Silver Grass vines!"
Luo Sanpao kept biting and tearing at the Blue Silver Grass wrapped around its body, but no matter how hard it struggled, it could not tear all of them apart in a short time.
"It's not over yet. Pierce!"
Pale blue Soul Power surged around Tang San's body, and several long, slender Blue Silver Needles shot out.
Pfft!
"Luo luo!"
Tang San transformed the plant-like Blue Silver Grass into exceptionally tough Blue Silver Needles. With no ability to dodge, Luo Sanpao was directly turned into a hedgehog.
"Ah!"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly hunched over behind it, his face twisting in agony.
The defining trait of an external martial soul was that once the martial soul was injured, a certain proportion of that damage would be transmitted back to the soul master.
"Damn it! What kind of soul ring did you absorb? Your soul skill is so insidious!"
Yu Xiaogang now felt as though he had been set up. If you were this strong, you should have said so earlier! If you had, I wouldn't have come!
"What, you want me to tell you what I absorbed so you can record it in your so-called invincible theory?"
Tang San slowly stepped forward and looked down at Yu Xiaogang, who was nearly passing out from the pain, before saying slowly:
"You lost. Hand over the goods!"
"I..."
Yu Xiaogang wanted to renege on the bet. He had agreed to it without even figuring out his opponent's soul skill, only to be beaten by an information gap.
Just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of Tang Chuan behind Tang San from the corner of his eye. Tang Chuan wore a faintly amused expression, and cold sweat immediately seeped down Yu Xiaogang's back.
He had nearly forgotten about this man. The other party was a Soul Emperor. Though his martial soul was Blue Silver Grass, his cultivation was the real deal. He could only avoid the edge for now!
"Here, take it! You can take your needles back now, right?"
Yu Xiaogang endured the pain and gritted his teeth as he tossed over his belt along with the bag of Gold Soul Coins.
"Whoa, that's quite a bit of wealth."
Tang Chuan stepped closer to take a look and found the bag stuffed full. It indeed had considerable weight.
"God... Teacher, let's go."
Tang San withdrew the Blue Silver Grass and spoke to Tang Chuan, casually handing him Yu Xiaogang's money bag and belt.
"Teacher, Little San doesn't have anything to give you these days. Since Yu Xiaogang wants to do charity, Little San will give these to you!"
"Little San, that's very thoughtful of you."
Yu Xiaogang nearly spat out blood as he watched their completely undisguised exchange. Those were his things, yet Tang San was using them to curry favor with his teacher?
The Blue Silver Needles vanished from its body. Luo Sanpao weakly glanced at Yu Xiaogang before dissolving into Soul Power and disappearing.
At that moment, he was like a stray dog by the roadside that had been kicked around at will. Since the day he had been expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang had endured many twists and turns, but being unable to take even a disciple hit him like a devastating blow.
"Godfather, should we..."
Not far away, Tang San quietly asked Tang Chuan whether they should eliminate Yu Xiaogang once and for all.
Tang Chuan shook his head, patted Tang San on the shoulder, and said earnestly:
"Little San, don't be so quick to kill. His main purpose was to take you as a disciple, but he hasn't done anything that crossed the line."
Tang Chuan's meaning was simple: Yu Xiaogang had not yet reached the threshold for execution.
"All right."
Tang San was somewhat disappointed. He had been planning to find a chance to get rid of that old bastard, but since his godfather did not advise it, he would let the other man live a few more days.
The two no longer paid Yu Xiaogang any attention and headed straight toward the dormitory building. Just as Tang Chuan was about to say goodbye, a pink figure hurriedly ran out.
"Big brother!"
It was Xiao Wu. Tang San narrowed his eyes. He had nearly forgotten about this. But with his godfather beside him, he could not say anything rude. It would be terrible if he left a bad impression on his godfather.
"Big brother, what's your name? Xiao Wu didn't get the chance to ask before, and I feel like you seem really familiar. Have we met somewhere before?"
"My name is Tang Chuan. I share the same surname as Little San—Chuan as in mountains and rivers. As for what you said, I don't think so."
Tang Chuan answered casually, then waved to Tang San before turning and leaving.
Before you continue