Fleecing Tang Hao

Just as the big snake was about to bite Bai Yu, just as Bai Yu thought Tang Hao truly was not around and was about to use the Modification System, a figure suddenly appeared behind the snake, grabbed its tail, flexed his arm muscles, and hurled the big snake dozens of meters away!

The big snake slammed into the ground with a bang, sending dust flying everywhere.

Its mind was still muddled, but its body reacted quickly. Without a second word, it turned and ran!

Damn it, it had run into an expert. Luckily, it had escaped with its life!

Bai Yu looked at the man before him. Though the man had changed into a cloak and a different outfit, Bai Yu, who had already suspected the truth, recognized him at once: Tang Hao!

He really was here?!

Tang Hao stood with his back to Bai Yu, carrying himself like an aloof master as he said mildly, "You are still young. Why did you come here and put yourself in such danger?"

He had been following them all along and had heard what Bai Yu shouted to Su Lin and Chen Mei. But he did not believe that two pieces of cake alone were enough to make Bai Yu risk his life to lure away the big snake.

He had originally wanted to ask Bai Yu why he had disregarded his own safety to lure the snake away, but when the words reached his lips, Tang Hao changed his question so as not to reveal that he had been following him all this time.

Right, I'm an expert who just happened to pass by and lend a hand. I can't let myself slip up, Tang Hao thought.

Bai Yu put on a convincing act. He first thanked him, then recounted everything from accepting the mission at Nuoding Academy to the attack by the two snakes not long ago.

At the end, Bai Yu said earnestly, "I didn't think that much at the time. My blood just rushed to my head, and I acted on instinct. I never expected that big snake to really chase after me."

He put on a frightened-after-the-fact expression, his acting flawless.

Seeing this, Tang Hao silently raised his estimation of Bai Yu considerably.

There was nothing shameful about being afraid afterward. It would be strange not to be. But Bai Yu had lured away the big snake at a critical moment and saved Su Lin and Chen Mei. That alone showed that Bai Yu valued loyalty and friendship.

Tang Hao approved inwardly, but outwardly frowned.

"Absurd! You are a Support System Soul Master, yet you dared to think of venturing deep into the forest? Has your teacher not taught you properly?"

Bai Yu suddenly said in a solemn, impassioned tone, "Senior, my teacher has reminded me as well. I'm a Support System Soul Master, and I can advance without going through battles of life and death. But I have reasons I cannot speak of!"

Tang Hao said, "Oh?"

"I have a classmate who came from the same village as me. His mother died early, and his father is a drunkard. He supported himself alone and eventually became a Soul Master, joining Nuoding Academy with me."

"However, because his martial soul is unusual, he is bullied and looked down upon by our classmates. I cannot bear to see it, but my strength is too weak. I am only a Support System Soul Master, so I wanted to temper myself and stand up for him as soon as possible!"

Tang Hao was slightly moved. Bai Yu had actually put himself in danger for Tang San? A friend so loyal, righteous, kind-hearted, and principled was practically heaven-sent for Little San!

Tang Hao fell silent. He was considering which would benefit Little San more: a Bai Yu raised in a greenhouse, or a Bai Yu who had undergone countless trials?

Of course, it was the well-tempered Bai Yu! A flower raised in a greenhouse would be unable to help Little San in the future. He might even make Little San waste his energy protecting him and become a burden.

Tang Hao quickly made up his mind. Since Bai Yu himself wished to gain experience, he would surely come out to train often in the future and inevitably encounter danger. Tang Hao had to protect Little San and could not be everywhere at once, but he also could not let Bai Yu die.

An idea struck Tang Hao, and he said with feeling, "Your loyalty moves me. Though we are strangers, since you value friendship and righteousness so greatly, I will give you a gift."

With that, he tossed a small hammer to Bai Yu and explained, "Keep this hammer with you. When you encounter danger, it can unleash the power of a Soul Ancestor. However, it can only be used three times. After three uses, its Soul Power will be exhausted and it will naturally vanish. Protect yourself well, help your friend, and become a good person. Then my gift will not have been in vain."

This hammer was a small fragment separated from his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul. It was essentially a lump of the Clear Sky Hammer's Soul Power kneaded into a little hammer. This lump of Soul Power could unleash the strength of a Soul Ancestor three times, which would certainly be enough for Bai Yu.

It cost Tang Hao something to make it, but he did not care. His old injuries had never healed anyway, so using up a little more was no big deal. It was better to pave the way for Tang San.

Bai Yu said excitedly, "Thank you, Senior!"

Tang Hao nodded and said in a deep voice, "Leave this place at once!"

With that, he vanished.

Bai Yu cursed inwardly. Good thing I was cautious. Otherwise, the moment I brought out the Myriad Souls Banner, I'd have been smashed into meat paste!

Still, it worked out well. I managed to fleece Tang Hao. This hammer's Soul Power can unleash the strength of a Soul Ancestor three times. If I keep pouring Soul Power into it, can't I use it indefinitely?

As for where the Soul Power would come from, the Myriad Souls Banner could devour souls!

Having made up his mind, Bai Yu continued wandering through the Soul Hunting Forest, pretending to be lost as he tested the hammer's power.

As for whether Tang Hao was still following him, he most likely was not. After all, Tang Hao had already given him a protective talisman. His most urgent task should be returning to continue protecting Tang San.

Before long, a thirty-year-old tiger tried to ambush Bai Yu, only to be killed by a single hammer blow.

The hammer consumed the Soul Power for one attack. Bai Yu absorbed the tiger's Soul Power and poured it into the hammer, leaving him both delighted and disappointed.

He was delighted that it truly could be replenished continuously, but disappointed because the Soul Power was far from enough.

A thirty-year soul beast was not even comparable to a Soul Grandmaster. Its Soul Power did not even replenish half of what that attack had consumed.

Thus, Bai Yu spent the entire latter half of the night wandering through the forest. Not only did he replenish the hammer's Soul Power, but he also obtained quite a bit of extra Soul Power, storing it in the Myriad Souls Banner for future use.

If he absorbed it now, he could directly rise to level fourteen or fifteen. But he would surely be suspected when he returned. It was better to store it in the Myriad Souls Banner and absorb a little each day, pretending it was the result of cultivation. By progressing gradually, he would not arouse suspicion.

Seeing that dawn was near, Bai Yu headed toward the exit of the Soul Hunting Forest.

Outside the Soul Hunting Forest, Su Lin paced back and forth anxiously.

The carriage they had arrived in had long since been ridden back by Uncle Huang and Chen Mei. He had stayed behind to wait for Bai Yu.

Although Uncle Huang had told him that Bai Yu, a one-ring Support System Soul Master, had no chance of surviving after being targeted by a Century Mamba Snake, Su Lin had still stayed behind without hesitation and waited there for the entire night.

He still held onto a fantasy in his heart. What if Bai Yu was all right?

Since Bai Yu had dared to lure that snake away, he must have been confident he could escape, right?

Bai Yu was the one who had saved Chen Mei and him. Even if Bai Yu had died, he could not simply go back like this. What if the patrolling guards found his body? What if?

Su Lin continued pacing back and forth. The guards at the gate understood what he was thinking and did not interfere, but seeing that his steps had already become unsteady, one of them could not help but say:

"Brother, forget it. From what you said, that guy was a one-ring Support System Soul Master, while a Century Soul Beast is equivalent to a Soul Elder. Once he was targeted by a Century Soul Beast, there was no way he could still be alive."

"Exactly. Even when our guard unit encounters a Century Soul Beast on patrol, we have to drive it away with specially made powder instead of confronting it head-on."

Hearing this, Su Lin shook his head heavily. The guards did not try to persuade him further. In any case, they all thought Bai Yu was already dead.

Tap, tap, tap!

Before they could finish that thought, the iron gate behind them was suddenly knocked on lightly three times.

The guards quickly turned around and saw a delicate-looking young man smile weakly as he said:

"Brothers, can you open the gate and let me out now?"