"Blue Silver Grass? Even that can be cultivated? Truly, this vast world holds every imaginable wonder."
A Soul Elder exclaimed in admiration, but his companion remained silent, prompting him to turn and look.
"Shen Gang, what's wrong?"
"Ah! Fa Yan. It's nothing." Shen Gang waved a hand, indicating that nothing was wrong.
Then he fell silent again.
Fa Yan could not make heads or tails of it, so he thought no more of it.
Meanwhile, since the Glazed Jade Vine had no offensive capabilities whatsoever, Tang San encountered no resistance while absorbing its ring, even though it was five hundred and twenty years old.
Of course, his year of physical training had also played a part.
Before long, Tang San obtained his first soul ring, growing somewhat taller and stronger.
His Blue Silver Grass also underwent a few changes. First, it became considerably longer, and it also grew tougher, its surface taking on a glazed texture.
"Xiao San, what's your first soul skill?"
Grandmaster asked somewhat nervously. After all, obtaining a soul skill was a gamble.
As he envisioned it, Tang San's first soul skill should have an effect related to vitality.
But there were exceptions to everything. Vines, after all, also possessed the ability to entangle.
If his first soul skill turned out to be some trash like Blue Silver Entanglement, that would be a sorry sight.
After all, Tang San's own control over his martial soul already allowed him to achieve a similar effect.
If he still ended up with Blue Silver Entanglement, wouldn't that be like taking his pants off to fart-an utterly unnecessary step?
Seeing Grandmaster's nervous expression, Tang San understood what he was worried about and described his first soul skill as casually as he could.
Although two outsiders were present, Tang San did not think they were bad people.
"My soul skill is Energy Storage. It's a passive soul skill that lets me store vitality and soul power in my soul ring. Its capacity keeps increasing as I grow."
This was a soul skill with an extremely high ceiling. It was equivalent to giving Tang San a second dantian, allowing him twice the soul power recovery speed and injury-healing capacity during battle.
However, both types of energy had to be stored up in everyday life, which might slow his cultivation. But at a critical moment, that extra energy could save his life.
Moreover, soul skills themselves could be developed. Since the energy could be stored, it could also be released.
It did not necessarily have to affect only himself, either. It could be used to support teammates or increase a soul ring's age.
Judging by its growth potential, it might not even be limited to vitality and soul power.
After hearing Tang San's explanation, all these possible directions for developing the soul skill burst into Grandmaster's mind, and tears welled in his eyes.
His disciple had not followed in his unfortunate footsteps and had obtained a soul skill with tremendous potential.
"In that case, let's hurry back," Grandmaster said.
"Hold on. Now that we've finished with the happy news, Grandmaster, could you clear something up for me?"
Shen Gang suddenly spoke up.
"The Glazed Jade Vine doesn't gather vitality in its roots. It concentrates vitality only in its leaves. Grandmaster, I did take your advice and study diligently."
Shen Gang had already harbored suspicions, and seeing how powerful Tang San's soul skill was only strengthened his conviction.
Seeing Shen Gang's sinister expression, Tang San moved to Grandmaster's side in apprehension.
He found it strange too. What Shen Gang said was indeed what he had learned from Grandmaster.
Yet Grandmaster had offered a completely different explanation earlier. Out of the tacit understanding between master and disciple, however, Tang San had not asked any questions.
Now Shen Gang had stepped forward, but his demeanor was entirely different from his earlier quiet composure.
Tang San had initially held a fairly favorable impression of these two Soul Elders from the Spirit Hall, but now he needed to reassess them.
"That's right. There may be gold of life inside that rock wall. However, since it only allowed this Glazed Jade Vine to grow to a hundred-year age, I imagine there can't be very much."
"All things have their own natural fortunes. I don't want that possible treasure to emerge so early, because if it remains here, it will greatly benefit this Soul Hunting Forest."
Grandmaster sighed helplessly. Since his concealment had been exposed, he might as well speak openly. Sacrificing his and his disciple's lives for a newly formed treasure that might not even exist was not worth it.
He had never expected Shen Gang to actually consult the reference materials. That surprised Grandmaster and left him with mixed feelings.
He hoped everyone could become more knowledgeable, but he had never expected it to bring him trouble instead.
Grandmaster did not get caught in a dead end over it. He had seen plenty of such things during his past travels across the continent.
Learning itself was no sin, but using one's knowledge for wicked ends was another matter.
For the first time, Tang San understood the treachery and complexity of the human heart.
For the sake of some small gain that might not even exist, someone could turn hostile and become a stranger.
"Shen Gang, don't tell me you're planning to keep it all for yourself? That gold of life, or whatever it's called."
Fa Yan blocked Shen Gang's path and rebuked him.
"That remains to be seen. Let's dig it out first. If it's there, we'll both get a share. If not, we'll act as though nothing happened."
"Hold on. I don't want that gold of life. Any treasure we find should be handed over to the Spirit Hall."
"Bullshit! With that gold of life, I might be able to break through to Soul Ancestor. Then I wouldn't have to stay here as a bottom-rung worker!"
Shen Gang cursed harshly.
"If we hand it over, we might not get so much as a fart!"
"Even so, there's no need to intimidate Grandmaster and this child."
Fa Yan felt helpless. A colleague he had worked with for years had suddenly become a stranger. Treasures truly brought people to ruin.
"Gentlemen, rather than engaging in a pointless confrontation here, why not find the gold of life first? Otherwise, you're simply wasting your efforts."
Grandmaster stepped in to stop them.
"Hmph, you useless trash! You didn't mention it earlier because you wanted it all for yourself, didn't you?"
Shen Gang spoke viciously.
Then he summoned his martial soul, and a fearsome Steel Club appeared in his hand.
He walked over to the rock wall and smashed it to pieces.
Amid the rubble strewn across the ground, Tang San's sharp eyes caught a flicker of emerald light. It was extremely faint, yet he could sense the formidable vitality within it.
What should I do?
Pretend nothing happened?
"Damn it! Why isn't it here? Did you pocket it, brat? Otherwise, how could a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul like yours possibly have such a powerful soul skill?"
After his fruitless search, Shen Gang vented his resentment on Tang San.
Tang San immediately felt as though he were suffocating. Fortunately, Grandmaster shielded him behind his back, or he truly would not have been able to endure it.
"Enough. This is disgraceful, Shen Gang. Have you forgotten the Spirit Hall's honor? Since there's no gold of life here, for the sake of our years of friendship, let's act as though this never happened."
Fa Yan stepped forward, then addressed Grandmaster apologetically. "I hope neither of you will speak of what happened today. I'll compensate you afterward."
"Bullshit! Stop trying to brainwash me with that damned honor nonsense!"
Shen Gang charged forward, reaching out to grab Tang San, intending to search him for the treasure.
In any case, this brat and Grandmaster were both nobodies. Even if they died, there was little anyone could do to him as a member of the Spirit Hall.
Who would stand up for this Blue Silver Grass brat and a useless fool who knew nothing but theory?
"That's why I didn't want to say anything. In a single instant, a person's heart can turn a full one hundred and eighty degrees."
Grandmaster sounded helpless. Then Luo Sanpao instantly appeared in his hands, and he held him up with his rear facing forward.
Fa Yan immediately sensed danger and circulated his soul power to retreat.
"Divine Departure!"
As Grandmaster spoke lightly, two soul rings lit up.
Boom!
"Shit! Blegh!!"
One move was all it took to subdue the enemy!