Absorb This Silly Rabbit's Soul Ring, and Would a Soul Master Turn Silly Too?

"A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that's undergone Soul Beast Transformation..."

The hand Tang Hao held his hammer with trembled slightly, and a complicated look flashed through his eyes.

As a Titled Douluo, he could see straight through Xiao Wu's aura.

But there was one thing Tang Hao could not understand...

"Does this rabbit have water in her head? How does a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that's just taken human form and can't even protect herself dare waltz into the human world and become a work-study student?"

"Doesn't she know how important a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone are to Soul Masters?"

"Does she think the human world is the Star Dou Great Forest's backyard?"

Most absurdly, this silly rabbit had not only wandered around the human world but had somehow moved into the home of a genuine Titled Douluo with his daughter.

How was that any different from washing herself clean and jumping into a pot of boiling oil?

Unless...

"Is this rabbit not right in the head? If a Soul Master absorbs the Soul Ring and Soul Bone of a foolish Soul Beast like her... would it affect their intelligence?"

Tang Hao frowned and sank into thought.

After turning it over in his mind, Tang Hao suppressed the impulse.

For one thing, Ah Yin had left him with a soft spot for Soul Beasts that had taken human form.

For another, after watching this silly rabbit for the past half month, he had come to believe she really was missing a screw. Not only did she bear Tang Sanmei no ill will despite her being a Soul Master, but the two had even become close friends.

If he slaughtered Xiao Wu for her Soul Bone, Sanmei would probably fight him to the death.

But Tang Hao was overthinking it.

If he killed Xiao Wu for her Soul Bone right now, all he would have to say was that it was for Huo Yuhao.

Tang Sanmei would not object. She would raise both hands and feet in agreement.

"Forget it. As long as you behave yourself, I'll spare your life. You can be a playmate for Sanmei."

Tang Hao sighed and looked toward Huo Yuhao's room.

A scheming boy whose depths he could not fathom.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year rabbit with a screw loose.

His little smithy concealed so much, and his precious daughter was stuck right in the middle of it all, blissfully unaware.

Tang Hao covered his forehead, utterly drained.

Being a father these days was damned hard.

Inside the house, Huo Yuhao stretched, then sat down at the table.

After more than half a month of cultivation, he had finally broken through to level ten last night.

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had also formed Huo Yuhao's First Soul Ring within him, exhausting some of the power he had stored up and falling asleep once more.

"Senior brother! You're awake! Hurry and try the lean pork congee I made you!"

Tang Sanmei immediately came over, while Xiao Wu dutifully handed him a pair of chopsticks.

Huo Yuhao took the chopsticks and was about to eat when Xiao Wu, who had been gnawing on a carrot beside him, suddenly leaned closer.

"Huh, cousin? You look full of energy today. And your aura... did you break through to level ten?"

At Xiao Wu's words, Tang Sanmei studied Huo Yuhao in surprise. Delight then spread across her face.

"It's true! Senior brother, congratulations on recovering from your injuries and getting back on track with your cultivation! Now that you're level ten too, I'll ask my dad to take us to the Soul Hunting Forest after we eat."

Huo Yuhao answered the excited Tang Sanmei slowly.

"Just ask your dad to take you. This trip to the Soul Hunting Forest is for you alone. Xiao Wu and I don't need to go."

"Huh? Why?"

Tang Sanmei froze.

Xiao Wu's eyes darted. Seizing the chance to go along with him, she waved with a grin.

"Right, right! Go by yourself, Sanmei. I won't tag along! I actually absorbed my First Soul Ring before I came to Notting Academy!"

Tang Sanmei nodded in understanding, then turned a puzzled look on Huo Yuhao.

"Xiao Wu already has a Soul Ring, but senior brother, why aren't you going? You need a Soul Ring to break through right now."

Huo Yuhao finished his last mouthful, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and said,

"Because I obtained my First Soul Ring last night."

!!!

"Senior brother! You... you already obtained your First Soul Ring?"

The spoon slipped from Tang Sanmei's hand and fell straight into her bowl. She looked around in disbelief.

"But you've spent every day of the past half month meditating in your room. You haven't taken a single step outside the smithy!"

Beside her, Xiao Wu's mouth also fell open in shock.

The three of them had been inseparable lately.

Huo Yuhao had had no time to obtain a Soul Ring.

Could it be...

Xiao Wu narrowed her eyes and gave Huo Yuhao another long, careful look. Then it clicked.

"So... you're like me..."

She murmured under her breath, her eyes warm as she looked at Huo Yuhao.

In this treacherous human world, she had never expected to meet another Soul Beast that had taken human form.

And judging by how Huo Yuhao carried himself, he must have been far more powerful than her before taking human form.

No wonder he paid that fierce-looking blacksmith no mind. Neither of them was human!

Huo Yuhao had no idea what Xiao Wu had imagined. With a slight thought, he raised a white Soul Ring slowly from beneath his feet.

"Th-this is a Ten-Year Soul Ring!"

Xiao Wu stared at the unfamiliar color, stunned for a moment before realization dawned.

Cousin is so cautious! To keep anyone from noticing, he made his First Soul Ring the most worthless white kind. I've learned something. I'll do the same with my Second Soul Ring!

But Tang Sanmei knew none of this.

The moment she saw the white Soul Ring around Huo Yuhao, her eyes reddened and tears gathered at their corners.

"Senior brother... how could you do this..."

Tang Sanmei's heart ached. Her voice choked as she said,

"I know you're eager to regain your strength and rebuild the Tang Sect, but you can't gamble away your future! Even if no one else helps, I'd risk my life to hunt a Hundred-Year Soul Beast for you! How... how could you settle for absorbing a Ten-Year Soul Ring..."

"Stop!"

Unable to listen any longer, Huo Yuhao's mouth twitched. He hurriedly cut her off and tossed a towel into her arms.

"Wipe your face. Don't cry like your heart's being torn apart."

Huo Yuhao sighed helplessly and looked at her.

"Sanmei, you're usually so clever. Why are you being so stubborn now? Do you really think I'd ruin my own future just to save myself some trouble?"

At that, Tang Sanmei stood holding the towel, tears clinging to the corners of her eyes as she stared blankly at him.

Huo Yuhao cleared his throat and said,

"I didn't get this Soul Ring by hunting for it. I formed it inside my body through a rather unusual method. It can evolve, too. Understand?"

"Formed it inside your body? And it can evolve?"

Tang Sanmei blinked blankly, unsure whether to laugh or cry.