A Poisonless Entanglement Soul Skill That Reeked of Rot

"The Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python?"

"It's a terrifying Soul Beast whose venom is every bit as potent as the Mandala Snake's. It likes to live in the forest's rotting swamps!"

The moment the subject turned to his area of expertise, Yu Xiaogang forgot all about suppressing the poison and launched into an animated explanation.

"According to existing records, these Soul Beasts are exceedingly rare, and their venom is highly unusual!"

"Any Soul Master poisoned by a Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python must leave the fight as quickly as possible!"

"Otherwise, the consequences will be severe!"

Confidence flooded Yu Xiaogang. As he spoke, he seemed ready to wave his hand over the land and direct the course of the world.

"But my Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. Shouldn't I absorb a Soul Ring from a plant-type Soul Beast?"

Though Tang San had only recently enrolled, he understood some basic principles.

As far as he knew, making a Martial Soul absorb an unsuitable Soul Ring could cause a conflict!

At that, the corners of Grandmaster's mouth lifted slightly, and his eyes shone with confidence. "That brings us to my theory of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul!"

"One of them is called Martial Soul Mimicry Theory. A plant Martial Soul doesn't necessarily have to absorb a plant-type Soul Beast's Soul Ring, and a Beast Martial Soul can also absorb a plant-type Soul Ring."

"The two can absorb each other's rings!"

Yu Xiaogang gripped Tang San's shoulders in excitement. "Xiao San, are you willing to try?"

"I'm absolutely certain of the theory, but to be honest, I've never tested it."

"That's precisely why my Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul remain a theory rather than a proven truth!"

Tang San saw fervor in his teacher's eyes.

With the passion Teacher has poured into Martial Soul research all his life, his theory can't be wrong!

Tang San's resolve firmed, and he nodded emphatically. "Teacher, let me be the one to put your theory into practice!"

"But..."

Tang San hesitated.

"Teacher, if the Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python is on par with the Mandala Snake, wouldn't its strength also be..."

If it was as strong as the Mandala Snake, how the hell were they supposed to kill it?

"Hahaha..."

"Xiao San, you needn't worry about that."

"According to my research, no Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python has ever reached four hundred years of age!"

"The ones normally encountered are around a hundred years old. The one before you is roughly two hundred."

"As for those over three hundred years old, they generally stay in their nests, asleep and shedding their skin. They don't venture out lightly."

Yu Xiaogang burst out laughing.

Heaven was looking after him after all!

It had actually sent him such a rare Soul Beast.

"Really?"

Tang San frowned slightly. Something felt off.

He had been talking with Grandmaster for quite a while, yet the two-hundred-year-old Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python had not moved the entire time.

Was this Soul Beast an idiot?

"Teacher, why are there no Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Pythons over four hundred years old?"

"Well..."

Yu Xiaogang was momentarily lost for words.

The answer was not recorded in Spirit Hall's notes either. How could he possibly know?

"Perhaps this Soul Beast simply has a limited lifespan!"

Yu Xiaogang gave a vague explanation.

Then he changed the subject. "Xiao San, my Martial Soul, Luo Sanpao, was badly injured. I can't summon him right now."

"I'll use my Soul Power to pin down this Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python. Watch for your chance and kill it!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Tang San did not press the matter.

He had chosen to trust his teacher's research, so he would not keep questioning it!

As Yu Xiaogang released the last of his Soul Power, the Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python was instantly pinned down.

No wonder this terrifying Soul Beast's venom rivals the Mandala Snake's!

Tang San had barely approached when a sour, fishy stench of rotting flesh and dirty socks struck him full in the face.

If Mandala Snake venom carried a faint tea fragrance, the Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python's poison lay at the opposite extreme.

Tang San held his breath, took his short blade, and swiftly killed the roughly two-hundred-year-old Soul Beast.

As a Yellow Soul Ring rose, Yu Xiaogang smiled!

My mission's finally done!

The next moment, he could no longer suppress the poison in his body. He pitched forward, hit the ground, and fell unconscious.

Tang San circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill and began absorbing the Hundred-Year Soul Ring.

As the Soul Ring settled over the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul in his right hand, Tang San felt energy like molten lava pour into him.

What overwhelming power!

Tang San steadied his mind and looked inward.

Before his inner eye stretched a swamp filled with rotting flesh, where a lone stalk of Blue Silver Grass stood.

As the swamp's miasma ate into it, the Blue Silver Grass began to change. Its pale blue leaves gradually decayed, and dark green blotches spread over its original markings.

Twisted, terrifying, rotten!

Only its tenacious vitality was gone!

In truth, neither Tang San nor Yu Xiaogang knew the reason.

The absence of Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Pythons over four hundred years old was entirely due to their own poison!

Its corrosive properties were so unusual that even the Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Pythons themselves could not withstand it.

Those over three hundred years old lay in their nests not to shed their skin, but because the poison had seeped into their bones and left them unable to move.

Unlike Mandala Snake venom, the Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python's poison embodied death, standing in utter conflict with the attribute of life!

However weak the Blue Silver Grass's origin was, it could not inherit a poison whose nature so completely opposed its own.

Instead, the deadly poison contained in the Soul Ring steadily corroded the life energy within the Blue Silver Grass.

Time slipped quietly by.

"Blue Silver Entanglement!"

The instant Tang San opened his eyes, he unleashed his first Soul Skill. Dozens of strands of Blue Silver Grass shot outward, entangling a Brindled Cat basking in the sun!

"Wait. How did my Martial Soul end up looking like this?"

The Blue Silver Grass had changed beyond recognition. Its surface was rotten and twisted, its leaves covered in ugly dark green blotches, and its entire length gave off the same sour, fishy stench as the Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python!

In disbelief, Tang San pulled on the Blue Silver Grass. With a slight tug of his right hand, the Brindled Cat cried out in pain.

In terms of toughness, there was nothing wrong with this Soul Ring.

Yet Tang San's expression darkened.

The Blue Silver Grass had inherited the Corrosive Swamp Venomfang Python's toughness, but none of its venom!

Well, not quite none.

It had inherited the python's stench, which, strictly speaking, counted as a kind of poison.

But for an ordinary Soul Master or Soul Beast to be poisoned, they would have to hug Tang San's Blue Silver Grass and breathe it in for an entire day.

What Soul Master in the world had tastes that foul?

"And this toughness..."

Tang San tugged at the Blue Silver Grass in his hand. It was tougher, so why did it also feel strangely brittle?

Desperate for an answer, Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang, who lay there like a corpse. There was nothing for it—he had to save him first.

But Tang San soon felt his scalp prickle.

Too much time had passed. The poison had spread deep into Yu Xiaogang's body. It had not reached his heart meridians, but his lower body was another matter.

Meanwhile.

After cultivating all night in a secluded courtyard, Xu Yuan had successfully raised his Soul Power Level to thirteen.

By now, Tang San and the others should have finished Soul Hunting!

The only reason they returned so late was Yu Xiaogang's injury.

I can use my connection with that Soul Master as cover and head back to the academy early!

His mind made up, Xu Yuan jumped out of bed.

Before that, he still needed to visit Spirit Hall to register and collect this month's Soul Master stipend.