Yu Xiaogang's Urge to Give Guidance Struck Again

Star Dou Forest, outer region.

Led by the Sword Douluo, Jiang Xuan and Ning Rongrong arrived without incident.

The last time Ning Rongrong had come here was three years ago. The moment she stepped down from Chen Xin's flying sword, she began darting around curiously.

Seeing this, Chen Xin helplessly shook his head and said with an indulgent smile:

"You little girl, watch your safety and don't run too far! Otherwise, if you run into trouble, your father will probably keep an even tighter rein on you from now on!"

"Got it, Grandpa Sword! I know what I'm doing, so don't worry~"

Though Ning Rongrong's assurance put Chen Xin somewhat at ease, he still attached a portion of his spiritual power to her, so he could respond promptly if anything unexpected happened.

Only after finishing those precautionary measures did he turn to Jiang Xuan.

"Have you decided what kind of soul beast you need to hunt for your second soul ring? If you find it difficult to decide, then follow what the sect's ancient texts say and find a soul beast with a corresponding attribute. It may not perfectly match your martial soul, but at least the compatibility will not be too poor."

Chen Xin asked because three years ago, when he had first brought Jiang Xuan to Star Dou Forest to hunt for a soul ring—

He had initially intended to play it safe and hunt a metal-attributed soul beast. Yet Jiang Xuan had suddenly felt something at the time, as if guided by his martial soul, and asked Chen Xin to help him hunt a plant-type soul beast that possessed rapid-growth traits.

Plant-type soul beasts were uncommon, but fortunately, Star Dou Forest was vast. With only a little effort, Chen Xin found a century-old soul beast that met Jiang Xuan's requirements.

Chen Xin had not thought highly of Jiang Xuan's choice at first. But after Jiang Xuan successfully absorbed and refined the soul ring, gaining the ability to make the Eight Trigrams Furnace grow and shrink at will, he fell silent.

So there really was such a thing as the guidance of fate!

Now, facing Chen Xin's expectant gaze, Jiang Xuan decided to give it a try and attempted to communicate with his Eight Trigrams Furnace martial soul.

During the three years he had cultivated in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it was not as though he had never tried before. Yet his martial soul had shown no reaction whatsoever, as though the guidance the Eight Trigrams Furnace had given him back then had merely been an illusion.

But at this moment, the long-silent Eight Trigrams Furnace actually gave him guidance once more!

"Grandpa Sword, my martial soul tells me that my second soul ring needs a soul beast that controls fire. Preferably one around a thousand years old."

The moment those words left his mouth, Chen Xin was startled.

He could barely understand wanting a fire-type soul beast for a second soul ring.

But a thousand-year soul ring as the second ring? Was that even possible?

Could a soul master at the second-ring level truly absorb a thousand-year soul ring?

Clearly, this was somewhat beyond Chen Xin's understanding.

Yet just as he was about to say something, footsteps suddenly approached from the bushes behind Jiang Xuan, accompanied by a voice filled with obvious disdain.

"With only level 20 strength, you want to absorb a thousand-year soul ring?"

The instant he heard the movement, Chen Xin became alert. But after sensing that the newcomer's soul power was merely level 29, he quickly relaxed again.

He had thought it was someone formidable. Who would have expected it to be nothing more than an ant he could casually slap to death...

Soon, the person who had spoken walked up before Jiang Xuan and Chen Xin.

The man had a square face, a stern expression, and eyes full of arrogance. Beside him stood a child in blue who appeared to be around Jiang Xuan's age.

However, the child's gaze was rather complicated. By all logic, it was not a look someone of his age should possess.

That classic face, those familiar clothes, coupled with that indescribable yet overwhelming self-confidence...

There could be no mistake. Jiang Xuan was certain that the two before him were the "Theory Master," Yu Xiaogang, and his disciple Tang San!

But why were these two here at this point in time?

Before Jiang Xuan could figure that out, Yu Xiaogang spoke again, rebuking him with confidence.

"Sigh! Young people these days may not have much skill, but every one of them is more ambitious than the last, with no sense of awe! I'll put it plainly today: if this boy truly absorbs a thousand-year soul ring, then not even immortals can save him. He will undoubtedly die!"

After saying that, Yu Xiaogang confidently curled his lips into a slight smile and waited for Chen Xin to thank him.

His words might have been unpleasant, but he truly meant well for this boy who did not know the immensity of heaven and earth!

He had brought Tang San out of Nuoding Academy today with the original intention of coming to the outskirts of Star Dou Forest to train his direct disciple's practical combat abilities.

Yet while searching for a suitable soul beast, they had happened to pass near Jiang Xuan's location and overheard him say that he wanted his second soul ring to be a thousand-year one.

As the greatest martial soul theory master on the continent, at least in his own opinion, Yu Xiaogang's urge to give guidance flared up the moment he heard that. Thus, the previous scene had occurred.

In his view, this "guidance" would not only let him display his "authority" in martial soul theory before outsiders and satisfy his little hobby of showing off, but also save a young man's life. He would get the best of both worlds while accumulating boundless merit!

Seeing Yu Xiaogang's utterly certain expression, Chen Xin wavered somewhat. After all, the fact that only three-ring soul masters could attempt to absorb thousand-year soul rings was common knowledge in the soul master world.

But before he could speak, Jiang Xuan let out a cold laugh and said disdainfully:

"Old man, did you eat your breakfast in the latrine? Otherwise, why does opening your mouth make me smell such a stench?"

Yu Xiaogang froze at first, clearly failing to understand what the remark meant right away.

A few seconds later, once he understood, Yu Xiaogang instantly turned red with rage and panted like a bull. Tang San beside him also reacted swiftly, pointing at Jiang Xuan and glaring furiously.

"My teacher was kindly looking out for you! It would have been one thing if you failed to appreciate his goodwill, but how dare you insult him? Did your family never teach you what manners are? Apologize to my teacher immediately! Otherwise, I will not let you off!"

Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought Yu Xiaogang, the one being insulted, was Tang San's biological father.

Yet this warmed Yu Xiaogang's heart. He secretly sighed that he had not misjudged the man or taken the wrong disciple. At crucial moments, he really could be relied upon!

"Manners? I naturally treat people with manners courteously. But toward certain old beasts with no manners... heh, I only have two words for them... ptooey!"

At that, Tang San completely erupted with rage.

Disrespecting his teacher meant disrespecting him. According to the Tang Sect's rules, this arrogant brat before him had earned himself a death sentence!

Tang San instinctively reached toward the hidden weapons at his waist, but before his hand could touch them, an intense sense of danger forced him to stop.

Though the elder beside this boy had said nothing the entire time, his strength could not possibly be low.

In that case, he could not make his move too obvious.

He had to outsmart them!