Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West-Never Look Down on a Poor Young Man!

Ling Han put away his Martial Soul, turned, and set off for home.

A few days later, in Sunset Forest.

Ling Han stopped before the poisonous miasma. A layer of ice-blue Soul Power enveloped him, keeping the poison out.

He walked in and soon reached the mountaintop, where he leaped off.

His Ice Wings spread, carrying him into a dive.

By the time he landed, the miasma was gone. In its place was a dense concentration of natural energy.

Ling Han continued forward and soon saw a familiar sight.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Just then, a figure appeared before him. "You're back?"

It was Dugu Bo. His tone was mild, but his eyes were full of concern.

Ling Han nodded. "I'm back, you old monster."

Dugu Bo smiled and led Ling Han toward his home beside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"How did things go with your Seventh Soul Ring? You wouldn't let this old man come along. Did you find a suitable one?"

Ling Han smiled at the question and released his Martial Soul.

The phantom of the Ice Dragon King appeared behind him, followed by seven Soul Rings: yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, and red.

When Dugu Bo saw the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, his first reaction was not delight. It was anger.

He smacked the back of Ling Han's head. "You brat! Have you lost your mind? Didn't you tell me you were only looking for a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast? Then what's this Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring doing here?!"

Dugu Bo was only so angry because he was worried about Ling Han.

In this life, Ling Han had become friends with Dugu Bo despite their age difference.

Using the encyclopedia of Immortal Herbs and the top-tier medical skills the system had given him, he had cured both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.

Naturally, that had brought him and Dugu Bo close.

Dugu Bo had originally intended to accompany Ling Han on this hunt for his Seventh Soul Ring, but Ling Han had refused, saying he wanted to test himself.

In the end, Dugu Bo had relented, merely reminding him to stay safe and avoid provoking any overly powerful Soul Beasts.

Yet Ling Han had gone and risked his life hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. How could Dugu Bo not worry? How could he not be angry?

Ling Han smiled. "Don't be angry, old monster. I'm fine, aren't I? Besides, you know how strong I am. A mere Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was no trouble at all."

Dugu Bo snorted. "That was the Far North! Hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast there? You must have a death wish!"

Ling Han grew serious. "Old monster, I'm not a flower raised in a greenhouse. I can only grow stronger by weathering storms, can't I?"

Dugu Bo fell silent. After a moment, he sighed helplessly. "Fine. I'll let it go this time. But next time, you must bring this old man along!"

"I will!"

Ling Han then stood. "Old monster, I'm heading out. If nothing comes up, I might be gone for a few years."

"A few years? Where are you going?"

Ling Han smiled. "Nowhere in particular. I'm just going to travel and clear my head. Ordinary Titled Douluo can't do anything to me at my current strength, so don't worry."

Dugu Bo nodded. "Clearing your head will do you good. You've trained hard all these years. It's time you relaxed. But be careful out there, and protect yourself if you run into danger. This old man will always have your back."

"Haha, I'm only going traveling. Don't get so sentimental, old monster. I'm off!"

With that, Ling Han turned and left.

His Ice Wings appeared behind him and carried him into the sky, where he vanished beyond the horizon.

His purpose on this trip was clear: to find Tang San.

Going by the original timeline, Tang San should have just awakened his Martial Soul. The timing was perfect.

On the hill behind Holy Soul Village.

Tang San was diligently cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill.

Yet he found that even after awakening his Martial Soul, he could not make the slightest progress. It baffled him.

He stopped cultivating and opened his right hand.

A small blue blade of grass appeared in his palm.

It was one of his Martial Souls: Blue Silver Grass.

"Is Blue Silver Grass really a Trash Martial Soul?" Tang San murmured.

Ever since his Martial Soul had awakened, everyone had given him the same answer.

Blue Silver Grass was a Trash Martial Soul.

It had left Tang San at a loss.

If Blue Silver Grass was a Trash Martial Soul, why would his father only allow him to cultivate it?

Just then, someone sat down beside Tang San without him noticing.

"Why the long face on such a bright day, young man?"

Startled, Tang San sprang to his feet and regarded the stranger warily.

Dressed in blue, with snow-white hair, handsome features, and a striking presence, the stranger was Ling Han.

Ling Han smiled faintly. "No need to be nervous. I'm not a bad person."

Having lived two lives, Tang San did not let his guard down so easily.

"I've never seen you in the village."

Ling Han smiled. "I'm just passing through. I saw you sitting here lost in thought, so I came over to check on you."

Seeing that Tang San remained wary, Ling Han continued, "I heard you mention a Trash Martial Soul. Could you show me your Martial Soul?"

Tang San hesitated, then released his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul while keeping his left hand ready.

"So it's Blue Silver Grass."

Tang San sighed inwardly. He probably thinks Blue Silver Grass is a Trash Martial Soul, just like everyone else.

"Blue Silver Grass is indeed a low-grade Martial Soul, but that doesn't matter. No Martial Soul is absolutely good or bad. What matters is the Soul Master's own effort. Remember this: fortunes change with time. Never look down on a poor young man!"

Tang San froze at his words.

He had not expected the young man before him to say anything like that.

Rather than belittling his Martial Soul, he had encouraged him.

Fortunes change with time. Never look down on a poor young man!

Those words etched themselves deep into Tang San's heart.

To Tang San, everything in the world of Soul Masters was new and unknown.

What this young man had shown him felt like a door opening onto an entirely new world.

"Senior, I was rude just now. Please forgive me!"

Tang San knew when to show respect.

Anyone who could say such things could not be ordinary. If the young man meant him harm, he would not have bothered talking so much.

Ling Han waved a hand casually. "It's fine. Being cautious is a good thing. Don't change that."

Tang San nodded. "Senior, are you from Spirit Hall?" He remembered that Su Yuntao, who had awakened his Martial Soul, was from Spirit Hall, and could not help asking.

Ling Han's heart tightened. Don't say that! If that old man Tang Hao hears, he'll tear me limb from limb!

Ling Han shook his head. "I'm a wanderer. I haven't joined any faction."

"I'm Tang San. May I ask your name, Senior?"

"Ling Han."

Ling Han looked Tang San over and frowned slightly.

"Your Martial Soul has already awakened, so why are you so thin?"