After two days of rest, Tang San Niang had fully recovered.
The group entered the Star Dou Great Forest once more.
In a lush, emerald-green bamboo grove.
Tang San Niang took a dagger and severed the roots of the Jade Spirit Bamboo.
A pale purple soul ring slowly condensed.
After several days of experimentation, Tang Yin had mastered the basics of using his first soul ring.
And the first soul skill he had awakened was-Myriad Forms Spirit Balance!
This soul skill could instantly increase his explosive power by one to five times, but he needed to replenish his energy afterward.
Both the duration of the burst and the cooldown needed to replenish his energy depended on his physical strength, making it a soul skill that could grow with him.
Most delightfully of all, Tang Yin discovered that he could channel his body's energy perfectly into Tang San Niang.
It caused no rejection whatsoever.
After all, the siblings shared the same mother, the same bloodline, and the same cultivation method. Their compatibility was off the charts.
Precisely because of this, Tang Yin no longer hesitated and chose the thousand-year-old Jade Spirit Bamboo as Tang San Niang's first soul ring.
With Tang Yin's help, Tang San Niang absorbed her first soul ring safely despite the risks, breaking through to become a rank-fourteen soul master.
The Blue Silver Emperor gained sharpness and toughness, while its vitality received yet another boost.
She awakened her first soul skill-Desolate Wind!
Using this soul skill would summon a swath of sharp Blue Silver Grass leaves within three meters of her, pummeling enemies like a hurricane and a torrential downpour.
Combined with Tang San Niang's Plucking Leaves and Flying Flowers technique, it was like giving wings to a tiger.
The energy far exceeded what her body could withstand, likewise causing countless beads of blood to blossom across her skin.
As luck would have it, there was a secluded pool in the bamboo grove, and the surrounding soul beasts had long since been frightened away.
So Tang San Niang went straight over to wash herself.
A short distance away, father and son roasted some game they had caught along the way for lunch.
The pool was clear enough to see the bottom. With her father and brother guarding the bamboo grove's only entrance, Tang San Niang had no fear of anyone coming.
She removed all her clothes and folded them neatly.
Her little feet, lustrous as jade, stepped into the pool, and a cool, refreshing sensation instantly spread through her body.
Tang San Niang quickly submerged herself, leaving only her little head above the water as she narrowed her eyes in contentment.
Then, deciding that still wasn't satisfying enough, she plunged underwater and began swimming freely.
Meanwhile, several hundred meters away, at the boundary between the mixed zone and the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
A pink-eyed little girl with a scorpion-tail braid turned back and waved. "Da Ming, Er Ming, you don't need to see me off any farther. I carry your scent, so no soul beast will dare come near me."
"Once I've made my way in human society, I'll definitely come back to see you."
The little girl had bright eyes and pearly teeth, and her smile was innocent and carefree.
Within the jungle that blotted out the sky, two pairs of lantern-like eyes bobbed slightly before disappearing into the depths of the shadows.
After saying goodbye to her friends, Xiao Wu ran with wild abandon, sweeping through the woods like a little whirlwind.
After running for quite a while, Xiao Wu stopped, panting.
A human child's body was nowhere near as hardy as a soul beast's, after all.
Her mouth dry with thirst, Xiao Wu walked over to a nearby secluded pool.
She scooped up a handful of clear water and gulped it down.
"Ahh~"
"So sweet!"
Xiao Wu let out a little cry of satisfaction.
Suddenly, a pale figure shot up from the bottom of the secluded pool.
"Huh? There's such a big fish in this little pool?"
Xiao Wu was astonished. Her appetite stirred at once, and her little stomach began rumbling.
With a splash, that "fish" broke through the surface, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face.
Xiao Wu's pink eyes widened, and her little mouth fell open.
"A... a mermaid?"
Tang San Niang rose out of the water, cool droplets sliding down her hair onto her delicate shoulders.
Suddenly, a child's startled cry reached her ears.
Tang San Niang's heart jolted. She frowned and looked over, only to see a pink-eyed little girl of about six standing on the bank.
Those eyes were as pure as a blank sheet of paper, holding a trace of innocence and bewilderment.
Their gazes met, as though their destinies had converged.
From their very first glance, both girls felt a flicker of fondness for each other.
"You're so pretty. My name's Xiao Wu. Can we be friends?"
Xiao Wu's gaze swept over the long, slender legs beneath the water. She stuck out her pink tongue and spoke openly.
"Friends..."
Tang San Niang mulled over the word, her eyes shifting slightly.
"My name is Tang San Niang."
"Turn around first and wait until I've put my clothes on."
We're both girls. Why can't I look?
A hint of puzzlement appeared on Xiao Wu's pretty face, but she obediently turned around.
When rustling sounded behind her, a mischievous glint flashed in Xiao Wu's eyes, and she turned back for a peek.
A startled cry suddenly rang out. "Wow! You're so cute~"
A rosy flush bloomed on Tang San Niang's cheeks. "Xiao Wu, why are you such a little pervert!" she scolded.
"Huh? Then I'll let you look at me too."
Xiao Wu blinked her big eyes in confusion, then started to take off her clothes.
Tang San Niang hurried forward to stop her. "No, no, I was joking."
How does this girl have no sense of embarrassment at all?
And she's appeared all alone this deep in the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
That's far too dangerous!
"San Niang, what happened?"
Tang Yin's voice rang out.
Tang San Niang quickly answered in a clear voice, "Brother, I met a little girl here."
Then she moved to take Xiao Wu to meet her brother.
Xiao Wu's expression changed, and she hurriedly waved her hands in refusal. "I... I won't go."
Xiao Wu knew that not all humans were as beautiful and kind as Tang San Niang.
There were lots and lots of bad people too! Terrible villains!
Anyone who appeared here had to be a soul master.
If someone saw through her identity, she would be in trouble.
Just then, something flashed before her eyes, and a figure like an iron tower abruptly appeared in front of her.
Tang Hao had rushed over in an instant with Tang Yin.
As a Titled Douluo with considerable experience in intimate contact with a soul beast in human form, he knew exactly what to look for.
Tang Hao saw through Xiao Wu's true identity at a glance, and his gaze immediately grew immensely complicated.
Suddenly.
Tang Hao's expression changed, and he looked toward the dense woods behind Xiao Wu.
There, he sensed two presences no weaker than a Titled Douluo, openly unleashing their oppressive auras.
I absolutely cannot let a deadly threat get anywhere near little Yin!
"Little Yin, look after your sister. I'll be right back."
Tang Hao left those words in a low voice, then vanished into the dense woods in a flash.
Sharp as Tang San Niang was, she immediately realized something was wrong.
Her clear eyes turned toward Tang Yin.
"Brother, this is the girl I met while I was bathing. Her name's Xiao Wu."
"I-I-I... I'm just an ordinary human girl who happened to be passing by."
Xiao Wu hurriedly waved her little hands as she explained.
An encounter ordained by fate really can't be stopped.
He looked at the little girl whose eyes were as clear as a blank sheet of paper.
Tang Yin smiled brightly and took out two roasted pheasant legs.
"Hello, Xiao Wu. My name is Tang Yin."
"Have you had lunch? Why don't you join us for a bite?"
"I'm not hungry."
Xiao Wu watched the good-looking boy warily. The abrupt appearance of that adult with his fierce aura had left her like a startled fawn.
Grrr~
Her stomach rumbled, betraying her.
Xiao Wu's gaze wandered, and a hint of embarrassment crossed her face.
Her lively, clear voice suddenly grew quiet.
"I don't eat rabbits."
"These are roasted chicken legs."
"Then... thank you."
Before you continue