Although Tang San pointed out the flaws in his new soul skill, he was actually quite satisfied with it in his heart. More importantly, the positive and negative buff seeds created by the second soul skill could be stored.
This was a unique trait of Blue Silver Grass seeds—tenacious vitality.
So long as they weren't in extreme environments, the buff seeds could survive for up to three months.
A potential source of income... Tang San thought.
With that, he walked over to the Nine-Jointed Jade, released it from the tree trunk, and gently placed it in his palm. He injected a stream of life-rich soul power into the snake, which immediately revealed an extremely pleased expression.
"From now on, you're with me."
The Nine-Jointed Jade was surprisingly easy to tame. Tang San, feeling playful, tied his long hair into a ponytail—and then lifted the snake toward it.
Sensing his intent, the snake deftly coiled itself into a circle, acting as a living jade hair tie.
"How do I look?" Tang San asked with a grin, turning to Xiao Wu.
"Vain as always." Xiao Wu blushed, turning her head. Still, her fingers subconsciously touched her own hair.She suddenly found herself wanting a beautiful jade hair tie too.
Tang San chuckled, then picked up the Wood Spirit Demon Mushroom."This type of mushroom is edible. It's non-toxic and has great flavor. I'll take it back and make some soup to replenish my body."
"But didn't it mutate?" Xiao Wu asked, a little uncertain.
"It did, but it's still a Wood Spirit Mushroom at its core. It contains strong vitality, and it's not poisonous."To demonstrate, Tang San tore off a small piece and offered it to the Nine-Jointed Jade behind his head.
The snake swallowed it instantly and even licked the air with its red tongue, clearly unsatisfied.
The Nine-Jointed Jade might be poisonous, but it wouldn't eat anything that was poisonous.
Only then did Xiao Wu nod in acceptance.
As they made their way out of the Balak Forest, Tang San and Xiao Wu encountered a large hunting team.
They were dressed in luxurious robes, numbering around twenty to thirty people. From their soul power fluctuations, every one of them was at least a Soul Sect, and the leader's aura was at the Soul Saint level.
Tang San's eyes fell on the pagoda-shaped insignia on their chests.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
At the center of the group were two children, a boy and a girl, both around six or seven years old—about the same age as Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"Stop." The boy suddenly halted and fixed his gaze on Xiao Wu. He seemed to recognize her and immediately stopped the Soul Saint leading the team.
"Sir, what are your instructions?" the Soul Saint asked.
"Bring those two over." The boy pointed toward Tang San and Xiao Wu, his tone full of arrogance.
"Yes."
The Soul Saint signaled, and someone came over to guide Tang San and Xiao Wu forward.
"Who are they?" Xiao Wu asked quietly.
"They're from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Those kids in the center must be here to hunt for soul rings." Tang San replied under his breath."Let me do the talking. Nobles like these always look down on commoners. We don't need trouble."
"Got it." Xiao Wu nodded. They were surrounded by nearly thirty powerful soul masters. The weakest among them was still stronger than them. If a conflict broke out, they'd be done for.
Once they were in front of the two children, the boy looked at Tang San with a cocky smirk. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Tang San bowed politely."Respected young master, my name is Tang San. This is my sister, Tang Wu. We entered the Balak Forest to hunt soul beasts."
"Hypocrite."
The boy sneered, then turned to the girl beside him and muttered,"Rongrong, look at him. He's clearly unhappy, but pretends to be polite."
Rongrong?
Could she be Ning Rongrong, daughter of Ning Fengzhi?If so, this raised some questions.
If she really was the daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's sect master, Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo should have accompanied her. There was no way a six-year-old girl would be left under the protection of just a Soul Saint, no matter how skilled.
Did something change? Tang San wondered.Maybe the transmigrator boy disrupted the original setup—or is there some internal issue in the clan?
The girl rolled her eyes at the boy's complaint and smiled."I think he looks better than you."
The boy's face darkened instantly. He glared at Tang San with hostility, his mind racing.At this point in time, Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor shouldn't have awakened yet, right? So this guy's just a regular punk? Damn it. Just wait—I'll deal with this hypocritical little bastard later.
Then the boy stepped forward and asked coldly,"Isn't this the Hunting Soul Forest? Why are you calling it the Balak Forest?"
Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged strange looks.
Is he serious?
Maybe the kid had talent, but if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan focused all his time on soul power cultivation and neglected basic education…
The Soul Saint leading the group couldn't take it anymore."Young master, this Hunting Soul Forest is located within the Balak Kingdom. It's commonly referred to as the Balak Forest."
The boy's face twitched. Embarrassed, he quickly shifted topics.
"You two are both six or seven. How could children your age come here alone to hunt soul beasts? Did you sneak in?"
Tang San calmly took out the Spirit Hall's official order."The Spirit Hall granted us permission."
The boy smirked."Don't try to use the Spirit Hall to scare me. I'm not so easily intimidated."
Tang San tilted his head and asked casually,"Respected young master, you're about the same age as me, aren't you?"
His tone remained polite, but everyone present caught the subtext. It was calm—but subtly mocking.
Even the Soul Saint and the gathered Soul Sects exchanged amused looks. The young master had always been arrogant, but someone had finally put him in his place—without being openly disrespectful.
"Fufu!"The girl—Rongrong—giggled."Mu Tian, that cute little brother is mocking you. Aren't you going to teach him a lesson?"
Now Tang San was nearly certain. The girl's tone, attitude, and mannerisms matched the famed Ning Rongrong.
And this Mu Tian... doesn't seem to realize who he's messing with.
Mu Tian was clearly provoked. He pointed at Tang San."You, fight me. Do you dare?"
"I don't dare." Tang San said quickly.
Mu Tian smirked, about to speak—but Tang San continued:"If I accidentally injure a noble young master, my sister and I are both poor commoners. We wouldn't be able to afford compensation."
Before Mu Tian could react, Ning Rongrong giggled and pulled out a soul card."I'll take responsibility! If you defeat him, I'll give you 1,000—no, 10,000 gold soul coins!"
Tang San looked at her and asked with deliberate politeness,"Respected young miss, in your clan, are women allowed to make such decisions? In most noble clans, it's the men who manage affairs, isn't it?"
He wasn't just fishing—he wanted confirmation.
Ninety percent certainty wasn't enough.
"Hmph!" Ning Rongrong crossed her arms."I'm the daughter of the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—Ning Rongrong. I'll be the one to inherit the clan in the future. Of course I can make decisions!"
Confirmed.This was indeed her.
Tang San now understood: to her, Mu Tian didn't matter. Perhaps in her mind, even innate talent meant little compared to authority. Her father might only be a Soul Saint, but he made Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa listen to him.
Even if Mu Tian became a Title Douluo one day, in her eyes, he'd still be beneath her.
"So you're the famous little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. I've long heard tales of your reputation. To meet you in person—it's a great honor."
Tang San bowed with impeccable manners.
Rongrong giggled again."Mu Tian was right. You really are a hypocrite."
"But, respected young miss..." Tang San smiled faintly, "you're smiling. That means my hypocrisy made you happy, doesn't it?"
The Soul Saint and the Soul Sects nearby all gave him a second look.
Was this sincerity, or was it layered, masterful hypocrisy?
"You're an interesting one," Ning Rongrong said, momentarily stunned. Then she smiled again."You made me laugh. Alright! If you beat Mu Tian, I'll add another 10,000 gold soul coins. That makes it 20,000."