After receiving the Dragon-Patterned Vine's sacrifice, Tang San's soul power had also reached rank fifteen.
"Big Brother, my Blue Silver Grass should be able to beat Soul Masters of the same rank easily now, right?"
Tang Tianlin was leaning against the carriage wall, resting with his eyes closed. At those words, a teasing smile tugged at his lips. "You have innate full soul power, after all. Are Soul Masters of the same rank all you're aiming for?"
"You should know, when I was rank fifteen, my sparring partners were all Soul Elders."
At those words, the little bit of pride in Tang San's heart instantly vanished.
That was right. At rank thirty, his big brother could already defeat Soul Kings above his rank.
Yet he still did not know whether he could fight above his own rank. What right did he have to feel proud?
As that thought flashed through his mind, Tang San instantly settled down. He stopped waving his Blue Silver Grass around and immediately sat cross-legged, calming his mind to meditate.
By the time the carriage stopped outside Nuoding Academy's gates, dusk was approaching.
"Finally back."
Tang San jumped down from the carriage and took a deep breath, feeling that even the crooked-necked tree outside the academy gates looked a little more welcoming.
He was about to head into the academy when, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of a figure leaning against a stone pillar beside the gates.
The man wore a bamboo hat with its brim pulled so low that his face could not be seen.
Dressed in dingy gray coarse cloth, with a wine gourd sitting by his feet, he looked no different from a roadside vagrant.
Tang Tianlin followed his gaze, his brows knitting slightly.
He strode over, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Uncle Hao, you're a Titled Douluo, after all. Could you pay a little attention to your appearance?"
The bamboo hat lifted slightly, revealing a stubbled face.
It was none other than Tang Hao.
At the sight of Tang Tianlin, he grinned. "As a powerful man, why should I be bound by such trifles?"
Tang Tianlin shook his head helplessly.
Only then did Tang San, standing beside him, realize that the unkempt beggar before him was actually his father.
"Dad, what brings you here?"
Tang Hao took a swig of wine before drawling, "I came to see you two, and bring your big brother something while I was at it."
As he spoke, he took a fruit from inside his clothes.
The fruit was the size of a fist, golden-red all over, with dragon-scale-like patterns embedded in its surface.
It was a Ten-Thousand-Year Dragon Essence Fruit!
Tang Tianlin accepted the golden-red Dragon Origin Fruit. It felt warm in his hand, and the dragon-scale patterns on its surface gleamed faintly.
He could sense the immense blood energy contained within it, like a Soul Beast's heart compressed to its utmost, beating in his palm.
"Uncle Hao, that was efficient."
Tang Tianlin was excited. "You got a Ten-Thousand-Year Dragon Essence Fruit in just a month. A Titled Douluo really does make a difference."
With this, he could begin breaking through the Golden Dragon King's next seal.
At those words, a trace of awkwardness crossed Tang Hao's face, and he coughed twice. "Ahem, actually... I got lucky and came across a ten-thousand-year Earth Dragon that hadn't been dead long. I picked it up while I was there."
"As for the other two, I haven't found any leads yet. But I've already asked a few old friends to keep an eye out. It shouldn't take too long."
"Thank you for going to the trouble, Uncle Hao."
Tang Tianlin put the Dragon Origin Fruit into his Storage Soul Tool and smiled. "The sect has already sent over the other two things, so there's no need to trouble you further, Uncle Hao."
"That's good, then."
Tang Hao nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Tang Tianlin before he suddenly spoke. "Boy, tell me honestly. What exactly is going on with that body of yours?"
"You already need ten-thousand-year natural treasures to replenish your blood energy at the Soul Grandmaster stage. Once you reach Soul Saint or Soul Douluo, I can't even imagine what treasures could satisfy your needs."
"Nothing I can do. My constitution is special."
Tang Tianlin spread his hands. "Every breakthrough in my bloodline requires a vast amount of blood energy to support it, but the benefits are obvious too. Though I'm only rank thirty now, an ordinary Soul King couldn't withstand more than a few blows from my hammer."
"That's true."
Tang Hao nodded, then abruptly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, how did your soul hunting go? Did you get Little San's soul ring sorted out?"
"We did!"
Tang San immediately raised his right hand, and Blue Silver Grass emerged at his call.
Its blades were emerald green, with faint golden patterns showing between their veins. "A seven-hundred-and-fifty-year Dragon-Patterned Vine sacrificed itself to me!"
"It sacrificed itself willingly?!"
Tang Hao froze for a moment, then suddenly leaned closer and stared at the Blue Silver Grass for a long while, his expression gradually turning strange.
That term brought some unpleasant memories to mind.
"It was all thanks to Big Brother."
Tang San's face was full of admiration. "Big Brother seems to have a special air about him. It made that Dragon-Patterned Vine submit on the spot and willingly give me its soul ring."
Tang Hao turned to Tang Tianlin, his gaze scrutinizing. "What other secrets are you hiding from me, boy?"
"Uncle Hao, everyone has a few little secrets, right?"
Tang Tianlin smiled faintly without answering directly.
Tang Hao did not press him. He merely gave him a long look, then patted Tang San on the shoulder.
"Not bad. A seven-hundred-year first soul ring-that's better than mine back then. It looks like leaving you with Tianlin was the right decision."
Tang San was a little embarrassed by his father's praise and scratched his head.
"All right, I've delivered the goods. It's time I left."
Tang Hao turned around, but he had only taken one step when Tang Tianlin's voice came from behind him.
"Uncle Hao, wait."
Tang Hao stopped and looked back to see Tang Tianlin's expression grow a little more solemn.
"Uncle Hao, I'm preparing to strengthen the power of my bloodline. I need someone strong to stand guard for me."
Tang Hao paused, then said in a deep voice, "I know somewhere no one will disturb us. Just follow me."
With that, he walked ahead on his own.
Seeing this, Tang Tianlin and Tang San hurried after him.
After walking for about an hour, the three arrived in a valley.
Mountains surrounded it on three sides, with water along the fourth. The surroundings were peaceful and secluded.
"This is the place."
Tang Hao stopped, surveyed their surroundings, and nodded. "This place is well hidden, with few Soul Beasts and hardly a living soul for dozens of li around. Even if you cause a commotion, no one will notice."
As he spoke, he raised his right hand, and a layer of dim black light lit up his palm.
The next second, a surge of powerful soul power poured from his body and formed a translucent barrier. It spread outward from the valley entrance, enclosing the entire valley.
"This is a soul power barrier. It can block out sound and auras."
Tang Hao lowered his hand and looked at Tang Tianlin. "Boy, are you sure you want to make your breakthrough here?"
Tang Tianlin looked at the soul power barrier, inwardly marveling at how useful a Titled Douluo was.
Still, the disturbance produced when he broke through the Golden Dragon King's seal probably could not be fully contained by a single soul power barrier.
"Uncle Hao, my bloodline breakthrough might cause a bit of a commotion."
Tang Tianlin's expression turned serious. "You and Tang San should retreat about a hundred meters. Whatever you do, don't get too close."
"A hundred meters?"
Tang Hao frowned. "Wouldn't it be safer for me to guard you nearby? If anything goes wrong, I can step in right away."
"Uncle Hao, I'm not just being polite."
Tang Tianlin shook his head. "Once my bloodline power erupts, it'll release intense bloodline pressure. You won't have to fear it, Uncle Hao, but Little San might not be able to withstand it."
"To be safe, it's better to stay farther away."
Before you continue