Manifestation of Fate Power

Douluo God Realm—God Realm Core—Asura God

"Hm..." Asura God rubbed his nose. "Fate Power has shifted. It needs to be set back on course. You'll do."

In a patch of Blue Silver Grass within Spirit Hunting Forest, a burly, scruffy drunkard took occasional swigs from his wine jar. One moment he poured himself more wine, the next he sighed at the sky, and then he stroked the Blue Silver Grass.

"Hm!" The drunkard turned around, his cloudy eyes looking toward a bush in the forest. A teasing smile appeared on his face. "So it's a little worm. But according to what that master said, it should be quite suitable as Little San's first Soul Ring."

He shook the dust from his clothes, his movements unsteady as though he might collapse at any moment. Yet when that hammer suddenly appeared in his hand, his body straightened at once, and his gaze sharpened as if he had become a different person. That hammer was the very weapon responsible for the deaths of everyone in Gu Hengzhi's village—the Clear Sky Hammer.

Then, nine rings appeared around the drunkard: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red. They shone brilliantly. A powerful aura radiated from him, making anyone instinctively take notice. This was the Clear Sky Douluo—Tang Hao.

With a slight push from his feet, Tang Hao flashed to the bush in an instant. His movements were swift and nimble, without the slightest hesitation. He reached forward with his left hand, and when it emerged from the bush again, he was holding a snake as thick as a bowl in his grip.

The snake was as thick as a bowl and more than ten meters long. Its entire body was covered in grid-like scales that glinted with a cold sheen. It writhed, trying to break free of Tang Hao's grasp, but his hand was like an iron clamp, holding it so tightly that it could not move.

Tang Hao's face remained expressionless, his gaze cold and resolute, as though the snake were merely a tool in his hand, devoid of life.

The next morning, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San set off once more in search of soul beasts. A trace of exhaustion showed on Tang San's face. As he walked, he took a large gulp of water and said indignantly, "Teacher, where are we supposed to find soul beasts now? That Gu Hengzhi really doesn't know what's good for him. He actually refused to give you any face and even killed that Mandala Snake right in front of us. It's infuriating!"

Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened. He spat beneath a nearby tree, irritation flashing through his eyes. "Don't lower yourself to his level. Once your teacher becomes famous, I'll make him kneel and beg me for guidance!" Yet a trace of helplessness could be heard in his voice.

"Now that we can't find a suitable soul beast for you, we can only go back and absorb that Lone Bamboo's Soul Ring." Yu Xiaogang sighed, disappointment flashing through his eyes.

Tang San recalled the bright yellow Soul Ring that had appeared when Gu Hengzhi used his soul skill, and envy surged within him. He looked down at himself. He was clearly an unparalleled genius with innate full soul power, yet he could only absorb a ten-year white Soul Ring, while Yu Xiaogang was clearly useless but possessed two hundred-year Soul Rings. His heart was filled with resentment, but out of respect for his teacher, he silently nodded. "Ah... all right."

As night gradually fell, ink-black darkness slowly enveloped Spirit Hunting Forest. The stillness carried a strange, unsettling air; even the most common insect calls had vanished without a trace.

"Luo luo!" Suddenly, Yu Xiaogang's mutated martial soul, Luo Sanpao, began to howl wildly, its cries echoing through the silent forest. Yu Xiaogang's heart tightened, and he warily looked toward the grass ahead.

"It seems to be a snake-type soul beast," he said softly to Tang San beside him. At the same time, he pulled Tang San slowly backward, picked up a pebble from beneath a tree, and threw it into the grass. Yet there was no response at all, as if the grass concealed nothing. He threw another stone, but there was still no movement.

Tang San focused his attention and carefully observed with his Purple Demon Eyes. He saw a python lying limply in the grass, seemingly grievously injured. "Teacher, it looks like a heavily wounded python." Excitement tinged his voice.

"Don't go over yet. Probe it a little more." Yu Xiaogang spoke calmly, caution gleaming in his eyes. He tested it several more times before confirming that the python was indeed badly injured.

"Little San, your first Soul Ring is within reach! This python is as thick as a bowl and over ten meters long. It even has four of those distinctive markings used to judge its cultivation! It's absolutely the most suitable first Soul Ring for you! Hurry and finish it off." Yu Xiaogang's voice was full of anticipation.

"But, Teacher... what if it's a soul beast another Soul Master hunted?" Though Tang San's face was filled with longing for the python, a hint of hesitation still showed in his expression.

"An opportunity cannot be missed, and once missed, it will never come again! A Soul Ring of this quality will be gone if you let it slip away. Even if a Soul Master comes looking for it, once you've absorbed the Soul Ring, the deed will be done. He won't be able to do anything to you." Yu Xiaogang's gaze was firm, and his tone allowed no argument.

Elsewhere, Gu Hengzhi removed the Mandala Snake's skin and gallbladder, then cut off another pound or two of snake meat. After collecting the materials, Gu Hengzhi went to find Su Yuntao.

After meeting Su Yuntao, he used the excuse that he had encountered a weakened soul beast and managed to bluff his way through.