Was the Wood Spirit Mushroom devouring the life source of the Demonic Eye Demon Tree?
Tang San glanced back at the bound Nine-Jointed Jade and quickly pieced things together in his mind:The Nine-Jointed Jade absorbed the life force of the Wood Spirit Mushroom, while the Wood Spirit Mushroom, in order to survive, was forced to feed on the life source of the Demonic Eye Demon Tree. As a result, it began to take on some of the tree's traits.
That meant the Wood Spirit Mushroom had mutated—it was now a Wood Spirit Demon Mushroom.
"In terms of soul skills," Tang San analyzed, "it should still grant my Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul the ability to release seeds. But... will the effect still be enhancement-based?"
The Demonic Eye Demon Tree was a plant-type soul beast renowned for its tenacity. But its most notable feature was its demon eye, which could trap soul beasts and soul masters in illusions.
"If I inherit that trait... then wouldn't my second soul skill have the power to weaken an opponent's spiritual power? Or even transform the mushroom's original effect into a debuff instead of a buff?"
Tang San pondered it carefully. In the end, he decided to proceed with absorbing the soul ring from the Wood Spirit Demon Mushroom.After all, weakening enemies could be just as valuable as strengthening allies.He could consider positive buff effects for his third soul ring instead.
What mattered most for the Blue Silver Grass was vitality. And this Wood Spirit Demon Mushroom had absorbed the life essence of the Demonic Eye Demon Tree—it would undoubtedly enhance the first soul skill's connection to the earth.
Decision made, Tang San plucked the mushroom from the tree.
Like all fungi soul beasts, once removed from its host, the Wood Spirit Mushroom would die—even in its mutated state.
A purple soul ring emerged.
Tang San took a deep breath, sat down cross-legged, adjusted his state, and drew the ring toward him.
"Come, my second soul ring."
As the soul ring merged with his Blue Silver Grass, a vast surge of energy rushed through him like a raging tide. It flooded from the martial soul into every corner of his body, as if threatening to burst him apart.
Tang San immediately activated the Mysterious Heaven Skill, using his soul power to suppress and refine the energy, taming the chaos inside.
Xiao Wu stood nearby, watching with concern. When she saw Tang San's muscles, which had swelled a full size, slowly return to normal, she finally let out a breath of relief.
"Seriously, do you have to be so reckless?" she grumbled. "You scared me half to death... Wait, your hair got longer again. And there are more Blue Silver streaks in it… Your face even looks softer now."
"Does he become more handsome every time he absorbs a soul ring?" Xiao Wu murmured. "If I couldn't sense the soul beast aura on him, I'd think this guy was more of a soul beast than me."
—
Two hours later, Tang San finally opened his eyes.
His dark pupils now shimmered faintly with silver, giving him an elegant—and perhaps overly graceful—air.
"Twenty-second level soul power. Not bad." Tang San checked his condition and smiled in satisfaction.
When he saw Xiao Wu staring blankly at him, he waved his hand in front of her eyes and joked,"What's wrong? Are you charmed by my handsome face?"
Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed. She snorted and looked away. "Narcissist. As if I'd fall for you."
Tang San chuckled and didn't push it. He switched to a serious tone as he described the changes to his martial soul.
"My Blue Silver Grass has grown thicker and denser. The silver veins are more numerous, and its vitality has significantly increased."
To demonstrate, he cast Endless Grass Field.
The grass spread like a living wave, digging deep into the earth. It now covered a 50-meter radius, reaching 50 meters underground as well. The absorption efficiency of earth-based energy had risen dramatically.
Moreover, the Endless Life effect no longer required a target to be physically bound by the Blue Silver Grass. As long as they stood within the field, they would continuously receive recovery benefits.
And now, thanks to the soul ring evolution, Tang San could use soul power to "mark" teammates, allowing only allies to receive the healing effect—while enemies would only be entangled and bound by the grass.
Xiao Wu, standing within the field, immediately felt a surge of warmth. Her fatigue vanished, replaced by a refreshing vitality. Startled, she asked,"That's your first soul skill's improvement—but what's your second soul skill?"
Tang San's eyes sparkled."The second soul skill exceeded my expectations. It can both buff allies and debuff enemies. I call it... Positive and Negative Buffs. Want to try it?"
Xiao Wu nodded eagerly. "Sure! But… what does 'buff' mean?"
"It means to enhance." Tang San smiled.
He began with the positive buff.
Xiao Wu looked around. Apart from the grass rustling in the breeze, she didn't see anything change. But then—
Her body felt light. Her soul power surged. Her movements grew sharper. She could feel her strength swelling.
Especially her soul power—it had increased by over 20%.
At Tang San's signal, she sprinted. Her speed had also jumped by 20%.
Next, she tested her strength—smashing her fist into a tree. The impact left a deep dent, and the feedback was barely noticeable.
Damage had increased fivefold, while pain was reduced by 20%.
Although Xiao Wu's martial soul didn't possess elemental traits, she could clearly feel that Tang San's positive buff enhanced soul power, speed, strength, defense, and attack—all by at least 20%.
Tang San later tested his Blue Silver Grass vitality. It had risen by 22%.
In other words, his Positive Buff alone had reproduced the combined effect of the first six soul rings of the legendary Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
What was heaven-defying?
This was it.
Of course, there was a drawback. Unlike the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's light-based enhancement, the Blue Silver Grass used airborne seeds. If the wind was strong, the effect would diminish, as Tang San couldn't yet control the dispersal of the seeds with his current spiritual power.
Fortunately, his soul power marking allowed him to limit buffs to teammates only.
After the positive buff test, Tang San activated the Negative Buff.
Xiao Wu instantly slumped.
All her attributes—soul power, strength, speed, etc.—plummeted by over 20%. She looked like she hadn't slept in three days.
When Tang San finally deactivated Endless Grass Field, the debuff lingered. Xiao Wu remained sluggish for nearly half an hour before returning to normal.
"You just sat there and watched me suffer the whole time?" Xiao Wu glared at him.
"I needed to test the duration of the debuff..." Tang San laughed awkwardly, handing her a water bottle. "Besides, it doesn't affect me. The positive buff does, though."