Talking Nonsense to Mislead Tang San!

Cao Kun looked at Tang San, his gaze seeming to pierce his soul. "Your Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, should have been the perfect way to nurture your own life force. Instead, you forced it into shape and hardened it, chasing absolute control. That's like watering a stubborn rock with the finest Spirit Spring and expecting it to bloom."

"A rock will always be a rock. But your Blue Silver Grass could have become a towering tree, perhaps even... a Spirit-Tuned Divine Tree."

The words "Spirit-Tuned Divine Tree" struck like a final thunderbolt, shattering the last trace of hope and stubbornness in Tang San's heart!

He swayed, his face pale as paper and cold sweat beading on his forehead. Every word Cao Kun spoke was a hammer blow, smashing apart beliefs he had thought unshakable!

He remembered the subtle resistance he felt when circulating the Soul Power of his Mysterious Heaven Skill through his Blue Silver Grass.

He remembered how his Blue Silver Grass had instinctively "feared" Ma Hongjun's Phoenix Flame, wilting beyond his control.

He remembered the complicated look his father, Tang Hao, sometimes gave his Blue Silver Grass. Was there even... disappointment in his eyes?

Had Father seen it long ago?

And simply said nothing?

Or... was he unsure himself?

Could Grandmaster's theory really have its limits?

Had he analyzed only Soul Rings and Soul Skill combinations without looking deeper into the Martial Soul's innate vitality?

Or did Grandmaster really have a grudge against me...

No, against my father?

Countless thoughts crashed through Tang San's mind, leaving his head throbbing and his emotions in turmoil.

"What... what should I do?"

After a long while, Tang San forced the dry words from his throat. His eyes held confusion, pain, and a faint hope, as though he had found a lifeline.

He was proud, but he was also rational.

When hard facts disproved the path he had taken such pride in, he had to face them.

Especially when the man before him seemed to know something—and might even have pointed him in the right direction!

Cao Kun saw the struggle and yearning in Tang San's eyes and nodded inwardly.

Tang San had lived two lives, after all. To steady himself after such a blow and seek an answer took a strength of mind far beyond most people.

"Follow your path to the bitter end!"

Cao Kun's voice sounded slowly in Tang San's ears.

Then Cao Kun began spouting nonsense to lead him astray.

"Since you chose to give your Blue Silver Grass a poison attribute, commit to it. Keep strengthening that attribute."

"Any attribute taken to its absolute limit can grant unimaginable power."

"Extreme Power, for instance. Ultimate Ice, Ultimate Fire..."

"When you take the Path of Poison to its absolute limit, you'll be the strongest."

As Cao Kun spoke, he also drew on a trace of his Chaos Bell Martial Soul's power, silently imprinting his beguiling guidance on Tang San's mind.

From now on, the words Cao Kun had spoken today would keep resurfacing in Tang San's mind.

They would make him doubt himself.

They might even make him doubt Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang!

Cao Kun's words came as a revelation, showing the bewildered Tang San an entirely different direction.

It was no longer about mechanical control, but about taking a path of cultivation to its absolute limit.

Tang San stood frozen, turning over every word Cao Kun had said. The confusion in his eyes gradually gave way to sudden understanding and an eagerness he had never felt before!

So... Blue Silver Grass could be cultivated this way?!

Had I been following a path that looked like a shortcut but was actually a dead end?!

Where there was life, there was death!

If he could not walk the path of life, he would walk the path of death.

Ultimate Poison was the embodiment of that path.

"Th-thank you for your guidance, senior brother!" Tang San drew a deep breath and bowed solemnly and deeply to Cao Kun.

He meant it from the bottom of his heart.

He had a faint feeling that what Cao Kun had said today might change his entire life!

At the edge of the arena, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the others were already staring in disbelief.

That was all it took to convince him?

Tang San—the proud, steady, powerful Tang San—had been reduced to a pale wreck by a few words from this "senior brother," only to see the light and bow to him in thanks?!

Just who was this Cao Kun?!

How could his understanding of Martial Souls run so deep?!

Cao Kun accepted Tang San's bow without protest. Inside, though, he sneered, looking forward to seeing Little Scumbag ruin his own future.

A moment later,

Cao Kun turned his gaze to the others.

"That's enough about Tang San's problem."

His tone returned to its earlier calm. "Next, Dai Mubai."

Cao Kun did not like Dai Mubai either.

But that did not stop him from giving Dai Mubai advice and making him stronger.

After all, Cao Kun had already decided to take control of Dai Mubai someday and refine him into a puppet.

The stronger Dai Mubai became, the stronger the puppet made from him would be.

Giving him a little guidance now would cost Cao Kun nothing!

Meanwhile,

Dai Mubai's heart tightened at Cao Kun's words. He put aside all disdain, his expression turning grave.

Even Tang San had been torn apart by Cao Kun's criticism. Dai Mubai had no reason to think he would be spared.

"Your problem is your heart."

Cao Kun went straight to the point. "The White Tiger Martial Soul is made for slaughter. Fierce and domineering, it's a Top-Tier Martial Soul of the Power Attack System and Beast Martial Soul type."

"But your fighting style only looks bold. In truth, it's unfocused. Your attacks lack the resolve to press forward no matter what, while your defense lacks the steadiness of a mountain."

"Something weighs on your heart. You're afraid, and you can't fully unleash the ferocity and commanding presence of the White Tiger Martial Soul, the king of beasts."

"Put simply, you aren't ruthless enough, and you aren't steady enough. You have a top-tier Martial Soul and the level to match, but you can't bring out the power you should."

Dai Mubai's expression changed sharply!

Cao Kun's words pierced the part of his heart he least wanted to touch!

The brutal competition within the Star Luo Imperial Family, the complications of his engagement to Zhu Zhuqing, his uncertainty about the future and the fear lurking beneath it... These were burdens he could barely put into words, and they truly did affect his state of mind in battle!

He had always tried to hide them behind a carefree, arrogant front. He had never expected Cao Kun to see through him at a glance!

"You..."

Dai Mubai opened his mouth to argue, only to find he had nothing to say. Cao Kun was... right about everything!

"The answer is to temper your heart."

Cao Kun continued, "Either cast off what weighs on you and clear your mind. Then the White Tiger's might will emerge on its own."

"Or learn to turn pressure and emotion into fuel for battle. Let your anger and fighting spirit feed your strength instead of dragging you down."

"Which path you take is up to you."

Dai Mubai fell silent for a long while. At last, he clasped his fists toward Cao Kun. He was not as respectful as Tang San had been, but his eyes were full of gravity and thought.

Just then,

Cao Kun spoke again.

"Of course..."

"You have another choice."