A Surprise for Tang San

Qian Jun Douluo had not expected a six-year-old child to remain true to his heart under such tempting conditions, and even make a demand of him.

He could not help finding it interesting and immediately said:

"Go on. As long as it is within my power, it will not be a problem."

"I ask that Qian Jun Douluo look after Dihun Village more from now on. The uncles, aunts, grandpas, and grandmas there raised me together, so I should help improve their lives. At the very least, they should be able to afford decent clothes and eat a full, good meal."

Qian Jun Douluo froze upon hearing this. He had thought Xu Peinian would seek some benefits for himself, but he had not expected him to make such a request.

Yet in the next instant, his favorable impression of Xu Peinian soared like a rocket. His complexion even seemed a few shades rosier than before, and hearty laughter followed:

"Ha ha! Good, this old man agrees."

Having received Qian Jun Douluo's promise, Xu Peinian immediately performed a respectful disciple's bow.

"Disciple Xu Peinian greets Master!"

Hearing Xu Peinian's childish yet solemn voice, Qian Jun Douluo was utterly satisfied at having gained such an excellent disciple. He even cast aside the bearing of an expert as he repeatedly nodded and praised him:

"Very good, my good disciple. Now come back to Spirit Hall with your master."

"Yes, Master."

After speaking, Xu Peinian turned and cupped his hands toward the dean and director in farewell.

"Dean, Director, goodbye."

The dean and director first congratulated Qian Jun Douluo.

"Congratulations, Your Excellency Qian Jun, on obtaining such an excellent disciple!"

Only then did the dean politely instruct Xu Peinian:

"Peinian, work hard once you get to Spirit Hall. Do not disgrace His Excellency Qian Jun."

"I understand, Grandpa Dean."

Xu Peinian nodded in agreement, then followed Qian Jun Douluo as he rose and pushed open the door.

Outside Notting City.

Xu Peinian and Qian Jun Douluo stood atop a hillside.

"Master, this disciple has a request."

"Oh? What is it now?"

Qian Jun Douluo looked at his mature-for-his-age disciple and laughed warmly.

"It concerns Tang San."

"Hmm? Go on."

Xu Peinian gestured for Qian Jun Douluo to crouch down, then leaned close and quietly told him his plan.

"Ha ha ha, you little rascal, that is vicious. But why go through all this trouble? Why not just have your master teach him a lesson for you?"

I can't exactly tell you that Tang Hao, Spirit Hall's greatest enemy, is guarding him... Xu Peinian knew that even if he said it outright, whether Qian Jun Douluo believed him was one thing. More importantly, Qian Jun Douluo alone could not defeat Tang Hao. He would likely need to join forces with Jiang Mo Douluo, another wielder of the Panlong Staff martial soul, to stand a chance against him.

Besides, it would be difficult to explain afterward how a nobody with only ten levels of Soul Power had discovered Tang Hao, a Titled Douluo.

"There is no need to trouble you, Master. I want to defeat him openly and fairly with my own strength in the future, rather than bully the weak with the strong."

"Good! Worthy of this old man's disciple. You have ambition!"

With that, Qian Jun Douluo wrapped Xu Peinian in Soul Power and flew low through the air toward the Soul Hunting Forest.

Some time later.

Soul Hunting Forest.

Using Spirit Hall's permit, Yu Xiaogang successfully brought Tang San into the forest through the entrance.

Yu Xiaogang did not venture deep into the Soul Hunting Forest right away, instead stopping at its outskirts.

Then, the somewhat dejected look in his eyes suddenly brightened. He bent slightly, brought his hands together before his chest, and swiftly spread them downward.

"Come out, Luo Sanpao."

With a sound resembling a fart, a wave of Soul Power surged from Grandmaster's body, and a cloud of pale purple smoke emerged from between his palms.

In the blink of an eye, a creature appeared before Tang San. It had a bump on top of its head and looked like a dog, but given its size, it resembled a purple-skinned pig more closely.

"Teacher, didn't you say that beast martial souls manifest through possession? Why is it..."

Tang San looked confused and trailed off.

Yu Xiaogang's old face could not help reddening. He could only explain with a bitter expression:

"Xiao San, do you remember what I told you about martial soul mutations? Sanpao is such a mutated martial soul, but it underwent a malignant mutation, so it separated from my body."

As if afraid Tang San would continue questioning him, Yu Xiaogang quickly shouted at Luo Sanpao:

"Sanpao, go ahead and clear the way for us."

"Luo luo."

Having received Yu Xiaogang's order, the plump, purple-skinned Luo Sanpao waddled ahead with its head swaying from side to side. Though fat, it was fairly nimble.

As it walked, it sniffed around on both sides.

A moment later, Yu Xiaogang seemed to spot something. He extended a finger and pointed at a fat, slimy worm-like creature on the ground beside the path.

"Xiao San, look. There is a Slug right here by the road."

"It is also a soul beast, an insect-type soul beast of the animal category."

"But it would not be much use to you. A Slug's defining trait is its viscosity; neither its attack nor defense is particularly strong."

"And this one is merely an ordinary twenty-year Slug. It has only two blue rings on its body. Each additional blue ring represents another ten years of cultivation."

Tang San nodded thoughtfully, then asked:

"Then, Teacher, should we hunt this Slug?"

"No. That would be the worst choice. Unless there are no other soul beasts in this Soul Hunting Forest, we would never choose it."

After saying that, Yu Xiaogang had Luo Sanpao continue scouting ahead, and the two men and one beast moved onward.

At the top of a distant tree, Xu Peinian secretly observed Tang San and the others under Qian Jun Douluo's protection.

Seeing that they had found the Slug and continued deeper into the forest, Xu Peinian secretly laughed.

"The actors are in position. The show is about to begin..."

"Huh? Why has this ten-year Solitary Bamboo been cut down?"

Yu Xiaogang saw a Solitary Bamboo that had fallen crookedly to the ground and had clearly been dead for a long time. Pointing at it, he explained to Tang San:

"Xiao San, this is a plant-type soul beast. Soul beasts are not limited to animals; there are plants as well. It is a pity this Solitary Bamboo was cut down. Otherwise, it would suit your Blue Silver Grass better than that Slug from earlier."

Unable to restrain his thirst for knowledge, Tang San asked curiously:

"Teacher, what use does this Solitary Bamboo have?"

Very good. Worthy of Yu Xiaogang's disciple, he possessed the fine quality of being diligent and eager to learn.

Yu Xiaogang was not impatient. Instead, he revealed an approving expression and patiently answered his disciple's question:

"It does not have strong offensive power, but its defense is quite exceptional. If you absorb its soul ring, it may add a toughness attribute to your Blue Silver Grass."

"I see... Thank you for clearing up my confusion, Teacher."

Yu Xiaogang waved his hand and spoke again:

"Let us go. We will keep looking. This time, I intend to find you a soul beast that is at least a hundred years old. If that truly does not work, then we can consider other options."

"Yes, Teacher."

Tang San was faintly excited. Most people's first soul rings were white, yet his teacher intended to help him obtain a yellow soul ring of the hundred-year level from the start. He was treating him far too well.

Filled with hope, the two continued down the path in search of soul beasts.