Afterward, Tang Yin went in search of Bai Chenxian, who was still a little reserved around him. He found her alone in the Soul Dueling Arena, the training grounds used by members of the Defense Clan.
She was diligently practicing her movement technique, combining it with her soul skill in an effort to refine her control over her soul ring.
Tang Yin didn't make a sound as he settled quietly on a patch of grass nearby, silently observing her technique—flawed, but earnest. Of course, he didn't point out the mistakes. He valued his life very much.
Bai Chenxian suddenly paused mid-step, a strange prickle crawling up her back. She looked around warily, and when her eyes landed on Tang Yin watching her with that infuriating smile, she let out a startled yelp.
"What are you doing here? Were you spying on me?" Bai Chenxian snapped, but immediately regretted it. Tang Yin hadn't even been hiding his presence—she'd just been too focused to notice him.
"No, why would I spy on you?" Tang Yin replied innocently, placing a hand over his heart. "I also happen to be practicing a movement technique of my own, and I thought maybe I could learn a thing or two by watching you."
He sighed dramatically, rising to his feet and brushing off his pants with exaggerated melancholy. "But it seems I'm just a bother. I'll be on my way then."
He even added a wounded look for good measure, clearly trying to make her feel guilty. It worked, as Bai Chenxian immediately pulled him back hastily and started fumbling with her words.
"Who said you're a bother! Don't twist my words, alright?" Bai Chenxian huffed, flailing her arms in dramatic frustration, clearly flustered. "And you should've said something if you were nearby instead of just... creepily watching me from afar!"
Tang Yin chuckled, pointing at her with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Since you're saying I was in the wrong, how about we settle this with a game of tag?"
"Tag?" She blinked. "Alright. If I win, you have to admit you were wrong. Oh—and my name is Bai Chenxian, by the way. Stop calling me 'you.'"
"Got it, Bai Chenxian," he said with a mock bow. "I'm Tang Yin. And if you can even touch me once, I'll admit defeat. But you'll have to grant me one wish—within your capability. Fair exchange. I'll do the same if I lose."
"Deal," she replied confidently, dropping into a stance with a spark in her eyes. "Let's get things started! Three, two, one—hyah!"
She lunged at him with her quick movement technique, her speed faster than most Soul Elders—but that was it. Tang Yin sidestepped with ease, barely shifting his footing.
She dashed forward again, lifting her hands to grab his garment—but caught only air.
"First Soul Skill—Speed Enhancement!"
"Second Soul Skill—Speed Enhancement!"
Her speed spiked—first by 30%, then by 70%, her figure blurring as she darted across the field. Her footsteps barely touched the ground, the wind whistling with her movements. But Tang Yin still danced out of reach, effortlessly dodging—without even using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
Her annoyance began to grow as she poured more soul power into her technique, frustration mounting. Finally, her third soul ring lit up with a brilliant flash.
"Third Soul Skill—Gale Piercer Dash!"
Her body vanished into a streak of wind, launching forward with explosive momentum, piercing through Tang Yin's afterimage. He leaned aside just in time, a sharp breeze brushing past his cheek—
Bai Chenxian skidded to a halt, stomping her foot in frustration. "If that strike had landed, it would've dealt double damage! Hmph! You're bullying me—how are you so fast?! What's your soul level?!"
Tang Yin smiled at her adorable pout and calmly raised his hand. Blue Silver Emperor vines flowed out like ribbons, and six soul rings materialized around him—two yellow, two purple, one black, and one ominous red.
Bai Chenxian froze, breath caught in her throat, mouth hanging open. Her eyes widened at the sight of the pressure-bearing red soul ring.
"A... a Soul Emperor?! And a red soul ring?!" she gasped. "How old are you?!"
She looked away, suddenly feeling small and foolish for acting so prideful earlier. "Ugh. Whatever. You still cheated! How can a Soul Elder win against a Soul Emperor?"
"What? Don't want to fulfill your promise now?" Tang Yin said, grinning as he leaned in. "I didn't take you for the type to back out. I must've been blinded by your beauty—I really thought you were a fair person. Tsk... maybe I need a healing soul master to check my eyes."
Flushed and mortified, Bai Chenxian lightly punched his shoulder. "Fine! Go on, ask. What do you want?" she muttered, a crimson blush spreading across her cheeks.
"A passionate kiss," Tang Yin said with a wicked smile—and before she could protest, he pulled her close and gently kissed her lips.
Bai Chenxian stiffened, flailing slightly in his arms—but slowly, her resistance melted. The kiss deepened, his tongue tangling with hers in a long, breath-stealing exchange.
By the time he finally let her go, Bai chenxian was breathless, eyes watery, and lips tingling.
"Hmph! Rogue Tang Yin!" she cried, blushing furiously—and turned to flee, her steps hurried and chaotic as she ran away.
Tang Yin kept his usual smile, playful and teasing on the surface, while his mind was racing.
Sorry... I don't have much time left to spend here. I'll be heading to Slaughter City soon. If I did have time, I think I would've preferred to be a little romantic... instead of just being a rogue.
Tang yin's gaze lingered for a moment on Bai Chenxian's flustered back before he turned slightly, brushing aside the faintest hint of guilt with practiced ease.
No time for hesitation. Not now. I'll make it up to her—compensate her with a cultivation boost and refine her movement technique.
The next day,
Tang Yin returned to the training area—and so did Bai Chenxian. She was practicing, but her mind was elsewhere, replaying the passionate kiss from the day before. Her footwork faltered more than once, her concentration slipping.
She shook her head, trying to shake away the distraction. Focus, Bai Chenxian. Just a kiss. Nothing else... right?
Suddenly, she was jolted by a familiar voice.
"Hey, Chenxian, I was thinking… why don't I teach you my movement technique as compensation for yesterday?"
She turned around and saw him standing close—almost too close for comfort.
"What are you doing?! Please don't scare me like that again," she said, placing a hand over her heart, still catching her breath.
Tang Yin smiled as he gently touched Bai Chenxian's forehead, transferring the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track movement technique. Bai Chenxian, skeptical, thought he might try to kiss her again, but to her surprise, a rush of new knowledge flooded her mind.
"This! Is this the movement technique you said you wanted to improve?" she exclaimed, quickly immersing herself in the technique. Her astonishment grew with every step she practiced.
"You liar! You said you wanted to learn from my technique, but yours is complete—and even better than mine!" She glared at Tang Yin.
He simply smirked, his expression full of mischief. "That was just an excuse. I only wanted to see your beautiful face. So, do you like my compensation?"
Blushing, Bai Chenxian huffed in resignation. Tang Yin grasped her hand and pulled her closer. "How about another kiss? In exchange, I'll teach you another unique technique. A small price to pay, don't you think?"
"You bad guy! Let me go—I don't want your technique!" she said, pounding his chest with her small fist as her blush deepened.
Tang Yin locked eyes with her. "Then what do you want? My heart? Just so you know… it already belongs to you."
Bai Chenxian stared at him tenderly. "Really? But you act like a playboy… I think you have more than one girlfriend. Am I just going to be your plaything?"
Her voice was hesitant, vulnerable. She had already fallen, but needed to be sure.
"Yes, I do have more than one girlfriend," Tang Yin admitted calmly. "But I promise you this—I've never thought of you as a plaything. And I will never have such thought in the future."
Then he kissed her again. This time, Bai Chenxian didn't resist. She let herself fall for Tang yin completely.
Three days later...
Tang Yin carried Bai Chenxian on his back as they ran through the forest. Behind him trailed Tai Tan, Bai He, Yang Wudi, and Niu Gao—racing toward the Star Dou Forest to hunt.
He had decided to lead the hunt personally because he didn't want these four to end up like Dugu Bo—powerful but helpless against other Titled Douluo. Besides, helping them would earn him four 100,000-year soul bones. A worthwhile investment.
To avoid disturbing powerful soul beasts in the core area, Tang Yin would raise the age of the soul beasts' and have them sacrificed outside, away from prying eyes.
As they passed through the outer forest, Bai Chenxian grew curious. She leaned closer to Tang Yin's ear and whispered, "Why are my father and uncles treating you with such respect?"
Tang Yin smirked. "Because I'm the son of their former master, Tang Hao. When they found out he'd abandoned me, just like he abandoned them, they chose to follow me—because of my talent and a unique ability I'll show you soon."
Bai Chenxian's eyes widened in shock. She grabbed his ear and twisted it fiercely. "You knew we were cousins and you still proposed to me?! What will people say?!"
Tang Yin winced dramatically. "What does it matter what others say? If I'm strong enough, I'll beat them up, and they won't dare question us. I love you—and that's final."
Bai Chenxian blushed again, guilt flashing in her eyes. She lightly slapped her own cheek. She'd let fear and doubt stop her from loving him—no more.
They finally entered the inner forest, where beasts ranging from 40,000 to 80,000 years roamed. Rarely, even 100,000-year beasts appeared here.
Niu Gao led with his Armor-Plated Giant Rhinoceros, flanked by Tai Tan and Yang Wudi. Bai He flew above, scouting for danger.
Suddenly, the earth trembled.
A massive figure burst from the woods—a 60,000-year-old Vigorous Vajra Bear, just like Zhao Wuji's martial soul! —Perfect for Tai Tan.
Tang Yin didn't lift a finger. His role was to protect Bai Chenxian. Instead, Tai Tan and Yang Wudi charged ahead, releasing their seventh rings in unison.
"Seventh Soul Skill—Martial Soul True Body!"
A giant orangutan and an armored spear-wielding avatar appeared, clashing with the bear. Together, they overwhelmed it and beat the bear black and blue.
Once the bear was on its last legs, Tang Yin activated his telepathy, invading its spiritual sea and suppressing its will.
Then he ordered Tai Tan to capture a 40,000-year-old soul beast. Using its soul power, he enhanced the Vajra Bear, raising its age to 98,000 years.
The others looked in awe as they were left speechless by his heaven-defying ability.
Bai Chenxian's mouth fell open as realization struck. So this was the "unique ability" he had casually mentioned before—and now she was witnessing it with her own eyes.
Tang Yin glanced back and placed a single finger to his lips, silently urging her to keep it a secret. She nodded like a pecking duck and climbed onto his back once again.
And so, their hunt continued.
Next, they took down a 50,000-year-old Titan Earth Armadillo—an ideal match for Niu Gao. Yang Wudi unleashed his eighth soul skill, the Piercing Glave, effortlessly shattering the soul beast's formidable defenses.
Meanwhile, Tang Yin skillfully absorbed the soul power of nearby soul beasts to accelerate its age, pushing it closer to 99,000-years.
Then came a 60,000-year-old Gale Feather Crane King for Bai He—easily dragged down by Tang Yin's Blue Silver Emperor vines.The old men finished the job.
Finally, a deadly 50,000-year-old Praying Titan Mantis for Yang Wudi. Its blade-like limbs were terrifyingly lethal, but it fell, and its age was raised to 98,000 years.
Now, four apex beasts followed behind the group like obedient pets. Any ordinary person witnessing this would faint on the spot.
And he wasn't done yet.
Tang Yin instructed the four old men to hunt down wind-attribute flying beasts—for Bai Chenxian's sake. Though they didn't fully understand his reasons, they carried out the task without question.
They swiftly captured a nimble 30,000-year-old Stormwing Swallow, followed by a majestic 50,000-year-old Gale Feather Crane King, and finally, a fierce 60,000-year-old Tempest Sky Serpent. Only the Tempest Sky Serpent's age was boosted to a formidable 90,000 years.
After three days of intense hunting, they finally exited the Star Dou Forest. Once they were 100 kilometers away, Tang Yin deemed it safe and raised the four soul beast's age to 100,000 years and sacrificed.
A golden light blazed throughout the clearing. One by one, the aged soul beasts were being sacrificed, and four 100,000-year soul rings appeared, glowing crimson like blood and radiating divine power.
The sky trembled—but the heaven tribulations disappeared instantly, as the soul beasts had already died peacefully by sacrificing.
Bai Chenxian stared in awe, her mouth agape. "Tang Yin… doesn't using such a Heaven-defying ability have any side effects?"
He shrugged arrogantly. "I'm just amazing, Chenxian. It's your destiny to be loved by someone this incredible. Feeling special yet?"
She playfully pinched him. "Hmph, don't get cocky. But yes… I do feel special." She looked up hopefully. "Will I have powerful soul rings like that too?"
Tang Yin nodded with a smile. "You will, my love. After I return from my two-year training, I'll take you to a place where you can gain a soul ring without killing any beast at all."
Then, from the 100,000-year-old soul beasts, he began carefully extracting the soul bones. He gave her the Gale Feather Crane King's right-hand bone and instructed to absorb it.
Because it was a sacrificed soul beast, there was no resentment, making it easier for Bai Chenxian to absorb the soul bone easily.
An hour passed. The old men finished absorbing their rings, overwhelmed by their newfound power:
Tai Tan's Soul Skill – Titan Vajra Form: Transforms into a half-human, half-bear Titan. Gains +300% strength and 50% reduced physical damage for 30 minutes.
Niu Gao's Soul Skill – Rolling Fortress: Encases himself in glowing armor and rolls like an unstoppable boulder. Defense increases by 250%, becomes both shield and weapon.
Bai He's Dual Soul Skills:
Featherfall Storm: Rains thousands of energy feathers over a 200-meter area. Each deals massive true damage, bypassing armor. Slows, staggers, and potentially dismembers weaker enemies.
Windblade Wings: Wings transform into blade-feathers, raining cutting wind upon enemies in a devastating tempest of slashes across the battlefield.
Yang Wudi's Soul Skill – Heaven-Breaking Mantis: His spear fuses with the mantis's scythe arms, creating a Heaven-slaying blow. Locks onto a specific target within 300 meters—undodgeable. Ignores all armor, barriers, spatial movement, even partial invincibility.
The four old men watched in awe.
Tang Yin hadn't just granted them strength—he had altered their destiny. They now had a very capable and generous master, one who wouldn't abandon them like the Clear Sky Clan had when faced with Martial Soul Hall.