Tang San: Today, I'll Break Through My Inner Demon!

Hearing Xiao Wu's suggestion, Sky Azure Bull Python, a two-hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, had actually felt a momentary stir of temptation deep down.

For soul beasts, once they surpassed a hundred thousand years, there was almost only one path left: undergoing Human Transformation and attempting to reach level one hundred to become a god.

Otherwise, sooner or later, they would be unable to withstand the Heavenly Tribulation that came every so often.

Now that there was an opportunity to gain greater security after undergoing Human Transformation, Da Ming was naturally tempted as well.

However, after a brief silence, he still shook his head slightly. "I think I'll wait a little longer!"

"For one thing, returning to Star Dou Forest doesn't mean you'll be absolutely safe. Right now, you still need Er Ming and me to protect you!"

"Besides, it won't be too late for me to undergo Human Transformation after you truly reach level one hundred and become a god!"

Hearing Da Ming's words, Xiao Wu could tell that the main reason was still his wariness toward humans—and toward Brother Fan in particular.

But what he had said did make sense.

Therefore, she nodded slightly and didn't say anything more.

"However..."

At this point, Sky Azure Bull Python suddenly changed the subject.

Naturally, Luo Fan had no idea what Xiao Wu and Da Ming were discussing in Star Dou Forest.

After leaving Star Dou Forest, he hurried toward Heaven Dou City.

Traveling alone with only light luggage, he still took about half a month to reach Heaven Dou City, despite the considerable distance between the two places.

When he returned home, Luo Fan first used the Summoning Technique to summon Xiao Wu over. Then, together with his Wood Clone, he cleaned the house.

He had been away for more than half a month. Even the tabletops had accumulated a layer of dust.

Afterward, he went to Xue Qinghe's residence across the street and told him that he had returned.

Sure enough, when Xue Qinghe returned to his residence and learned that Luo Fan was finally back, he came directly to Luo Fan's place that evening.

As always, the dining table in the courtyard was already laden with food.

"Brother Qinghe, you look a little tired," Luo Fan said, noticing the weariness in Xue Qinghe's expression.

"State affairs have been exhausting." At Luo Fan's place, Xue Qinghe acted as casually as he did at home. He first served himself a bowl of soup and answered offhandedly.

"State affairs?" Luo Fan looked at him in surprise.

"I'm fourteen now, so Father has started letting me take part in state affairs." Xue Qinghe nodded.

After saying this, he paused briefly before adding, "Besides, my eldest brother's health hasn't been very good lately. It's been deteriorating day by day, so Father has been paying even more attention to me."

Hearing this, Luo Fan more or less understood. Xue Qinghe had begun making his move to scheme for the position of crown prince, hadn't he?

First, after lying low in the Heaven Dou Imperial Family for so long, he had established a firm foothold.

Second, because of the salt, his reputation among the common people was very high.

Finally, there was also his cooperation with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

As long as the eldest prince fell, he would be the strongest contender for the position of crown prince.

Of course, it was enough for Luo Fan to know all this in his heart. He wouldn't show it outwardly.

"Brother Fan, how did your Soul Hunting Operation in Star Dou Forest go?"

After chatting briefly about his own situation, Xue Qinghe asked Luo Fan about it.

Royal etiquette required one not to speak while eating or sleeping. It was one of the most basic rules, so Xue Qinghe generally didn't talk while eating.

But at Luo Fan's place, he felt completely at ease and comfortable, so he naturally did whatever he pleased.

It had to be said that casually chatting while eating felt quite pleasant to Xue Qinghe.

"Mm, it went fairly smoothly. I hunted a Dragon Blood Gecko that had just broken through the ten-thousand-year mark!"

"My awakened Third Soul Skill is Deep Forest Emergence!"

"The Dragon Blood Gecko gave me more than just an increase in Soul Power!"

"Because geckos possess the ability of Limb Regeneration, after my Deep Forest Emergence is interrupted by someone, it can grow back even faster!"

"Also, Dragon Blood Geckos possess the ability to carry poison..."

At this point, Luo Fan paused before continuing, "Therefore, my Deep Forest Emergence, which currently only has pure physical control, should not be its complete form. I can sense that this poisonous ability can also be incorporated into my Soul Skill, but I'll need to develop it properly."

Deep Forest Emergence and Birth of the Dense Tree World were essentially not that different from each other.

The former offered only physical attacks and control, while the latter would produce flower buds and release poisonous pollen.

There was no mistake that Luo Fan's Third Soul Skill was Deep Forest Emergence, but he could sense that he could also use Birth of the Dense Tree World.

The feeling was similar to Tang San's Blue Silver Entanglement. It could entangle a single target, but it could also entangle multiple targets at the same time. It was merely another way to use the same Soul Skill.

"Deep Forest Emergence? That name sounds quite imposing. How effective is it?" After listening to Luo Fan describe the general effects of his Third Soul Skill, Xue Qinghe asked curiously.

Meanwhile, after Yu Xiaogang and Tang San arrived in Heaven Dou City, they had already been staying there for more than half a month while waiting for Luo Fan.

Although Heaven Dou City was the imperial capital and everything was convenient there, it had one major drawback for this teacher and student pair.

That was: spending money!

In the imperial capital, they needed to spend money everywhere, and the expenses were far from small.

It was only because Tang San was now a Soul Grandmaster that he could receive a subsidy of ten Gold Soul Coins from Spirit Hall every month.

Otherwise, this teacher and student pair truly wouldn't have been able to hold out much longer.

"Little San, Little San, I have good news!" One day, while Tang San was cultivating Soul Power in his hotel room, Yu Xiaogang came in with a delighted expression.

"Teacher, what's the good news?" Tang San finished circulating his power and asked.

"Today, I went to take a look around Luo Fan's house as usual and discovered that the door was open!" Yu Xiaogang said.

At this point, he paused briefly before continuing, "I imagine he'll be going to attend classes at Star Dou Royal Academy tomorrow. When the time comes, you can go straight to the academy to find him and spar with him."

Yu Xiaogang's thoughts were simple. An eight-year-old level-twenty-two Soul Grandmaster—having taught such a disciple, he naturally wanted to show him off properly.

And Star Dou Royal Academy was, of course, the best place to do so.

"No, Teacher!"

However, hearing Yu Xiaogang's suggestion, Tang San spoke with great resolve. "I'll go to Luo Fan's place today and challenge him to a spar!"

For the past year and a half, he had regarded Luo Fan as his rival every moment of every day.

After coming to Heaven Dou City, he had waited for more than half a month.

Now that he knew Luo Fan had returned, Tang San naturally couldn't wait another moment!

Defeating Luo Fan and overcoming his Inner Demon—it would happen today!

"Luo Fan, are you home?"

In Luo Fan's courtyard, Xue Qinghe was asking about the specific effects of Luo Fan's Third Soul Skill. Luo Fan opened his mouth and was just about to answer when a familiar voice came from outside.