Tang Hao appeared? Then pummel him to death!!

"Sure, let's head back to the academy first. I haven't eaten or slept properly these past few days. It's been miserable."

There was no hurry to find a fourth soul beast. Once that egg hatched, he would contract it first to avoid any unexpected complications.

Chen Yang recalled the Sky Azure Bull Python into the Master Ball, then rode Er Ming toward the outskirts of Star Dou Forest.

The group left in a hurry. None of them noticed that deep beneath the dark waters of the Lake of Life...

Within layers of restrictive barriers, a Giant Dragon that had lain dormant for ages slowly opened its eyes, its icy vertical pupils fixed on the direction Chen Yang had left in.

Once they returned to the academy...

Chen Yang and Xiao Wu immediately rushed to the cafeteria and gorged themselves to make up for all their missed meals.

Students coming and going to collect food or eat kept glancing at them in astonishment, occasionally whispering to one another. They wondered how long these two had gone hungry to eat like starving ghosts.

Xiao Wu stuffed meat into her mouth and mumbled, "The academy cafeteria's food really is the best. Where could we get anything this hot in the forest?"

Chen Yang lifted his bowl of thick soup and gulped down a mouthful, then let out a long sigh. Most of the exhaustion from days of traveling seemed to melt away with the food.

Tang San, who had been watching them secretly from nearby for some time, saw that they had finished eating and strode confidently toward them.

"Chen Yang, Xiao Wu, I'm here to challenge you."

"???"

Picking his teeth, Chen Yang stared in puzzlement at Tang San's still somewhat pale face. Seriously, has this guy lost his mind?

From the look of him, he hasn't even fully recovered from his martial soul's backlash yet, has he?

Tang San responded to Chen Yang's skeptical gaze.

"Don't worry, cough, cough... I know my own body. Last time, I got careless and didn't dodge. This time, I'll definitely succeed."

Chen Yang shrugged. Whatever. I'm not the one who'll suffer, and I can earn some extra rewards. Why wouldn't I?

"Xiao Wu, he's all yours."

"Watch me!"

Xiao Wu casually wiped the grease from her mouth and followed Tang San outside.

Chen Yang began counting silently. With Xiao Wu's soul power now at level 24, coupled with Instant Cast on her second soul skill, Charm, the fight should be over very quickly.

3

2

1...

Ding! Congratulations to the host for shattering the Child of Destiny's mental state and plundering a moderate amount of destiny.

Reward: Fenghou Qimen · Luan Jin Tuo (Based on the weight of the target's destiny, it can disconnect them from time, immobilizing them.)

Reward: Secret Technique Disc · Flash (Unlimited uses. Pokémon that learn it can emit a powerful light to blind opponents and illuminate dark surroundings.)

It was another unlimited-use skill disc. Apart from the Titan Giant Ape, Chen Yang promptly had both Xiao Wu and the Sky Azure Bull Python learn it.

Experiencing something so strange for the first time, Da Ming was utterly shocked and sent a question through the Master Ball.

"Chen Yang, what just happened? A soul skill called Flash appeared in my mind out of nowhere."

Chen Yang said nothing aloud. Instead, he used the Master Ball's mental link to explain the Secret Technique Disc to him.

A moment later, the telepathic voice sounded again:

"Chen Yang, Sister Xiao Wu was truly blessed by heaven to have met you."

No sooner had he finished than Da Ming's tone suddenly tightened.

"Wait. A Titled Douluo is watching you from the shadows. Be careful."

Hm?

Chen Yang's expression remained unchanged as he stood calmly in place, but alarm bells instantly rang in his mind.

At this stage, the only Titled Douluo who would appear in this little place was Tang Hao.

Xiao Wu's abnormally rapid advancement must have drawn his scrutiny.

A trace of coldness flashed through Chen Yang's eyes.

Perfect. Now that both Da Ming and Er Ming are in my Master Balls, I have plenty of fighting power.

Remaining on guard passively was no lasting solution. A thief could steal for a thousand days, but who could guard against one for a thousand days?

If I'm right, he'll come looking for Xiao Wu and me tonight to force the method out of us. When he does, I'll kill him!

"Da Ming, Er Ming, be ready tonight. Try to pummel that Titled Douluo to death in one go. Don't let him escape."

"Understood."

Chen Yang stretched, still feeling rather excited. Tang Hao could be considered Tang San's protective umbrella in the early stages.

He was even of some help later on. Chen Yang wondered what rewards he would receive if he killed him.

Just then, Xiao Wu came skipping back in from outside.

"Bro, easy win. Hehe~"

She sidled up to Chen Yang, swinging her arms and fluttering her big, dewy eyes as she wheedled in a soft voice.

"Bro~ Look how strong I am now. Could you reward me with a few Pokéblocks?"

The corner of Chen Yang's mouth twitched, but he still took out three Pokéblocks for her.

"Nom~ Mmm!!! Ninety-nine percent~ Rare stuff!!"

Xiao Wu's ears quivered with pleasure, and her eyes narrowed in bliss.

Tang San behind her, however, was nowhere near as relaxed.

His face was covered in scrapes. Looking utterly lost, he clutched his chest and kept muttering that it was impossible.

Chen Yang walked over and patted his cheek.

"Tang San, you're not giving up just like that, are you? With that mindset, can you ever become a powerful soul master?"

Tang San abruptly snapped out of his daze, then shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Sorry. I just can't accept how Xiao Wu became a Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster in only a few days.

I need some time alone. Goodbye."

With that, Tang San dragged his injured leg out of the cafeteria, limping away dejectedly.

Chen Yang spread his hands helplessly. My little god of wealth, please don't fall into ruin all at once.

That night, Chen Yang lay on his bed with his eyes closed, resting.

Xiao Wu had been recalled into the Master Ball. What came next was not something someone of her level could take part in.

Just then, a low, icy voice reached his ears without warning.

"Come out. Meet me at the Academy Back Mountain. If you don't come, bear the consequences yourself."

A cold smile curled Chen Yang's lips.

What was coming had finally come.

Clutching the Master Ball in his hand, he slipped silently out of the dormitory and raced toward the dense woods on Back Hill in a few swift bounds.

The moment he landed, he saw a man standing ahead in a tattered cloak, his face completely concealed.

"Boy, where is that little girl? What method are you using to raise your levels so quickly?"

Tang Hao's gaze was icy. Although this boy and that little girl were exceptionally talented, he still needed to determine whether they could become useful allies.

If they obediently handed over the method, he would allow them to take revenge on Spirit Hall alongside Little San.

If they refused, he would kill them outright. Even if he had to discard them, he could not let those people from Spirit Hall get their hands on them.

Chen Yang did not waste a single word. He raised his hand and hurled the Master Balls.

"I choose you! Da Ming! Er Ming!"

Following two soft sounds, two dazzling beams of white light shot out of the balls in succession.

The light struck the ground and rapidly expanded. The enormous bodies of the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape appeared, their crushing pressure instantly enveloping the entire stretch of woods on Back Hill.

Tang Hao's pupils abruptly contracted, and he cried out in shock, "The Titan Giant Ape, the Sky Azure Bull Python! Impossible!! How could the two great overlords of Star Dou Great Forest be here?"

Before his words had even faded, the surroundings abruptly changed.

Azure light blazed in the Sky Azure Bull Python's eyes as his Slow Domain instantly spread. The flow of time throughout the area abruptly slowed, and Tang Hao's movements involuntarily grew sluggish.

Almost simultaneously, the Titan Giant Ape slammed both fists into the ground. Dense soul power swept in every direction as his Gravity Domain thundered into being.

The two domains overlapped, layer upon layer, locking Tang Hao firmly in place.