Douluo Dalu: I Can Become Stronger by Pitfalling Yu Xiaogang

The work-study students had finally held their heads high!

As they left the Cafeteria, they happened to see Master waiting at the entrance.

"Teacher," Tang San called out at once.

Yu Xiaogang nodded with a stern expression. "Tang San, come with me for a moment."

Notice: Task received [An Old Friend Returns]. Task Description: Yu Xiaogang will soon take Tang San to the Soul Hunting Forest to hunt for a soul ring. Task Objective: Trick Yu Xiaogang and make him suffer miserably in the Soul Hunting Forest. Task Reward: Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, Reward Points +2. Failure Penalty: Soul Power reduced by 5 levels.

For a moment, Zhang Tianyu had considered putting on a soul beast costume himself, following Yu Xiaogang and Tang San into the Soul Hunting Forest, and assassinating them in secret.

But he did not want to go. Wouldn't it be much better to stay at the academy and have fun with Xiao Wu?

At most, he could get a soul ring that was a few hundred years old in the Soul Hunting Forest. If word got out, wouldn't other transmigrators laugh their heads off?

Besides, now that the task had appeared, completing it would earn him a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring. There was absolutely no need to visit the Soul Hunting Forest. But if he did not go, how could he thoroughly trick Yu Xiaogang and make him suffer miserably inside the forest?

Wait, that was it! His eyes suddenly lit up. Since tricking items could be exchanged for Reward Points, that meant the system definitely had something like a Mall.

"Open the Mall."

Sure enough, a huge Mall interface appeared in his mind, filled with all sorts of dazzling items.

Zhang Tianyu first checked his balance. Three Reward Points.

After thinking it over carefully, not every task awarded Reward Points. Three was so little!

But after looking through the item page below, he felt that three was not actually that little.

Because every tricking item on this page could be exchanged for just one point.

Even tricking items like [Lightning Triple Whip], which could be used three times in total, cost only one point.

Excellent, excellent! Zhang Tianyu eagerly browsed through the selection. Soon, his gaze sharpened as he spotted something particularly useful.

[Snake Musk]: A medicine that emits a unique fishy odor. Can be used remotely. Upon coming into contact with a human body, it rapidly spreads across the body's surface and remains effective for seven days. Humans and other creatures cannot smell this special odor, but snake-type creatures are extremely sensitive to it. It can even provoke their violent ferocity, causing them to launch savage attacks on creatures carrying this scent.

Price: 1 Point.

[Exchange] [Trial]

"There's even a trial option? Wow, System, I love you!" Zhang Tianyu shouted joyfully in his mind.

Then he carefully scanned the items on the page and delightedly discovered that every tricking item he had never used before had a [Trial] button beside its [Exchange] button!

As for items he had used before, such as Pepper Bombs and Slippery Sole Oil, the [Trial] button had turned gray. Clicking it did nothing, leaving him no choice but to honestly spend points to exchange for them.

It seemed that every item could be tried for free once.

So who would be stupid enough to exchange for something they had already used?!

The correct approach was obviously to only try the unused items for free!

Getting stuff for free was the true way! Hahahaha!

He decisively chose to try [Snake Musk]!

When Yu Xiaogang and Tang San went to the Soul Hunting Forest this time, they would definitely encounter a four-hundred-year-old Mandra Snake. That useless Yu Xiaogang would even get bitten and poisoned by it, barely surviving thanks to Tang San's rescue.

If he used this Snake Musk, wouldn't the Mandra Snake bite Yu Xiaogang like it was in heat?

And aside from the Mandra Snake, other snakes would also eagerly take the initiative to give Yu Xiaogang a warm welcome.

He would definitely make him suffer miserably!

Just imagining Yu Xiaogang being served in turns by all sorts of snake-type soul beasts in the Soul Hunting Forest made Zhang Tianyu incredibly happy. He really wanted to laugh!

Ah, Zhang Tianyu, Zhang Tianyu. You used to be such an honest young man, kindhearted and upright. How had you fallen so low now? You were tricking someone who had no grudge against you, yet you were actually this happy about it?

Fine, I'm done pretending. I'll come clean—I really am this happy!

As long as I can trick Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, I'm happy!

"You guys go back to the dorm first. I'm going to take a walk around the training grounds," Zhang Tianyu told Wang Sheng and the others.

"Got it, Boss," Wang Sheng and the others replied.

Xiao Wu's large eyes darted around. "Then I'll take a walk too, to help digest the food."

As he headed toward the training grounds with Xiao Wu, they happened to run into Yu Xiaogang and Tang San halfway there. The two were walking toward the dormitory building.

They were definitely discussing tomorrow's trip to the Soul Hunting Forest.

Sure enough, when they saw Zhang Tianyu and Xiao Wu, Tang San said a few words to Yu Xiaogang. Yu Xiaogang nodded, and Tang San quickly walked over. "Tianyu, Xiao Wu, perfect timing. Let me tell you something. Tomorrow, I'm going with Teacher to the Soul Hunting Forest to hunt for a soul ring."

His expression looked gentle and sincere, but deep in his eyes was a trace of arrogance.

Zhang Tianyu, if there hadn't been something wrong with my shoes, would I have lost to that bastard Wang Sheng?

And you, a piece of trash with only Level 2 Soul Power and a Wooden Sword martial soul—how exactly did you beat Wang Sheng?

But it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter who the boss is. I don't care about such things at all. I have Innate Full Soul Power and am already Level 10. Tomorrow, I'll get my soul ring. So what if you're the boss? A mere Level 2 piece of trash can only watch in envy!

"Alright. Be careful on the road. Anyway, Xiao Chenyu and his people are handling the work for us work-study students now, so just go without worries," Zhang Tianyu said.

Tang San nodded. "Then I'll head back to the dorm first."

As he spoke, he also glanced at Xiao Wu.

However, Xiao Wu merely gave him a polite nod before immediately turning her gaze back to Zhang Tianyu.

Tang San turned and left, his expression somewhat dim.

Why did he always feel that Xiao Wu had an inexplicable sense of familiarity?

Maybe because she was rather cute and pretty...

At that moment, Yu Xiaogang headed toward his office while Tang San headed for the dormitory. Both had their backs to Zhang Tianyu.

An opportunity! Now!

Zhang Tianyu aimed at Yu Xiaogang's back and flicked his finger. Whoosh!

"Notice: [Snake Musk] used successfully. Valid for seven days. During this period, the host may suspend it at any time."

Who wanted to suspend it? Let it last for seven days. He was going to make snakes Yu Xiaogang's lifelong psychological trauma!

The next morning, inside the carriage.

"Little San, what's wrong? You've seemed rather absent-minded this whole day and night," Yu Xiaogang asked with concern.

Tang San shook his head. "Teacher, I don't know either. I just feel a little uncomfortable inside, and my mind is somewhat muddled. Maybe I just didn't rest well."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "That makes sense. You're only six years old, so you probably haven't had much experience traveling such long distances before, especially having to sleep outdoors. Adjust your mindset. As a soul master, these are all things you'll have to go through sooner or later."

"Yes, Teacher." Tang San forced a smile.

He was too embarrassed to say it was because of Xiao Wu.

Ever since they had set out from the academy yesterday morning, Xiao Wu's figure had kept lingering in his mind for some reason, impossible to dispel. Although they had only known each other for a day or two, every smile, every frown, every gesture, and every movement of Xiao Wu's had been deeply imprinted in his mind, as if they had known each other long ago and had once been close.

Especially after they stopped to camp last night, he had even dreamed about Xiao Wu the entire night.

When he woke up that morning, he was completely dazed, his head buzzing.

Why was Xiao Wu all I could think about? I even dreamed about her all night? We've only known each other for a day or two! What the hell?

Wait!

Could it be... could it possibly be?!

Xiao Wu was my mother's reincarnation?!

It sounded a little far-fetched, but maybe it was really possible!

Otherwise, why would I feel such familiarity toward a little girl I had only known for a day or two? And why was she constantly filling my mind?

Tang San gazed out the window with a distant look in his eyes.

Mom, is that you?

At that moment, Tang San's eyes grew slightly moist.

At noon.

The carriage stopped outside the Soul Hunting Forest.

Master and disciple got down from the carriage. The wind swept past them and blew into the woods.

As Yu Xiaogang led Tang San toward the entrance of the Soul Hunting Forest, he explained information related to the forest, as well as the bustling market outside it.

When they reached the entrance, he took out his token. The imperial guards respectfully saluted and opened the gate.

The moment they entered the woods, Yu Xiaogang immediately felt something was off.

He could not describe the feeling. He simply felt uncomfortable, even somewhat creeped out.

What's wrong with me?

Yu Xiaogang, Yu Xiaogang, don't embarrass yourself in front of your student!

Before long, his bad premonition came true.

After walking more than ten li into the forest, they encountered several soul beasts. They were all quite low in age and posed no threat to them at all.

Most of these soul beasts either turned and fled upon seeing them or pretended not to notice them, minding their own business.

However, the snake-type soul beasts were rather baffling.

At first, they encountered two Golden Ring Snakes that were only a little over ten years old. Even soul beasts older than these two knew that Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were not easy opponents, so they would turn and run or avoid conflict. Yet these two Golden Ring Snakes seemed to have lost their minds and lunged straight at them!

Naturally, the two of them dealt with them with ease.

"This is strange," Yu Xiaogang said. "Although Golden Ring Snakes are venomous, and their venom isn't weak, they're so low in age that they should instinctively fear soul masters like us. Their prey should also be small rodents. Why would they actively attack us?"

Tang San shook his head. He found it strange as well.

The farther they went, the more outrageous these snake soul beasts became.

All the other soul beasts behaved normally. Only the snake soul beasts, regardless of age, species, or size, pounced on them the instant they saw them like flies swarming dung, leaving them utterly exhausted along the way!

Although these snake soul beasts were generally not very old, they were venomous!

And most importantly, Yu Xiaogang had already summoned Luoshanpao!

Although Luoshanpao currently looked like a pig, it had ultimately mutated from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and still retained traces of dragon aura. High-aged snakes might not fear it, but low-aged snakes would be scared out of their wits by even that tiny bit of dragon aura.

To their surprise, these low-level snake soul beasts weren't afraid of Luoshanpao at all. It was utterly absurd!

"What the hell is going on?" Master and disciple nearly racked their brains to pieces!

As the sun set, darkness gradually fell.

The two found a large tree to sit beneath and sprinkled insect repellent around themselves. They were utterly exhausted.

"This isn't right. This is absolutely not right." Yu Xiaogang muttered to himself. "Why are all the other soul beasts perfectly normal, while every type of snake soul beast attacks us as if it has gone mad?"

Tang San frowned. Drawing on his experience making medicine in the Tang Sect in his previous life, he said, "Could someone have set us up?"

"What do you mean?"

"There used to be snake catchers in our village. They could extract a liquid from medicinal herbs that attracted snakes, then smear it on themselves or sprinkle it in certain places to lure snakes out and capture them."

"But... I don't remember anyone sprinkling such medicine on us. Thinking carefully, from the time we left the academy until we arrived here, we haven't come into contact with anyone else. Even at the market outside the forest, no one came near us."

"Could we have been set up at the academy?" Tang San asked.

"Did anyone sprinkle that medicine on you at the academy?" Yu Xiaogang immediately asked. "No one did it to me, at least. I've always been alone, and aside from you, I haven't been within a meter of anyone these past few days."

Tang San nodded. "It has already been two days since we left the academy and arrived here. As far as I know, even the medicine with the longest-lasting effect only lasts twelve hours—one day. So it probably wasn't someone from the academy."

Even the Tang Sect's Snake-Attracting Secret Medicine lasted no more than twelve hours. Besides, no one at the academy had any grudge against them. Who would want to harm them?

"Don't think about it for now. We've already spread the insect repellent. Xiaosan, get some rest first. I'll keep watch."

"Alright, Teacher."

The two of them had been far too exhausted that day, and Tang San quickly fell asleep.

Yu Xiaogang had originally planned to stay awake all night, but by the latter half of the night, he simply couldn't hold on any longer. He had Luoshanpao keep watch instead, then closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning.

Luoshanpao's muffled growls lingered by his ear. Mixed in with them was a sticky, rustling scraping sound. Yu Xiaogang jolted awake, and when he saw the scene before him, his entire body went ice-cold and goosebumps rose all over his skin!