"Correct, it's animal."
Yu Xiaogang smiled. "For the improvement of physical strength, animal-type soul rings are generally superior to plant-type soul rings, especially those from pure strength-type soul beasts."
Saying this, he shook his head slightly. "Of course, one cannot blindly attach strength-type soul rings to Blue Silver Grass."
"When cultivating a Martial Soul, the first priority is compatibility. Every Martial Soul has its own unique attributes, so not all strength-type soul rings can be applied to Blue Silver Grass. Randomly piling them together will only make the Martial Soul awkward and without characteristics."
The end result would be no outstanding abilities at all, turning into a useless Martial Soul.
Tang San seemed to realize something. "So, Teacher, that's why you asked me early on to determine the development direction of Blue Silver Grass—to take the control path, adding poison attributes?"
That way he would have decent combat power in the early stages, making training easier.
"Correct!" Yu Xiaogang showed satisfaction. "It also takes time to bring a Martial Soul to a certain level, and as a soul master, early training is indispensable. Therefore, we cannot completely neglect Blue Silver Grass and only attach strength-type soul rings for the sake of preparing Clear Sky Hammer for cultivation." He sighed.
"In the end, sacrifices must be made."
"Xiao San, do you understand what Teacher means?"
'You cannot have both fish and bear's paw! To maintain compatibility, add poison attributes, and still ensure the rings enhance control ability, then on top of that try to also increase physical strength—it really is too difficult.' Tang San sighed inwardly.
Teacher had already done his utmost within his knowledge.
'And since Father had not stepped in to stop it, it meant Father also thought Teacher's choice was fine.' As for his Father, Tang San trusted him absolutely.
"Disciple understands." Tang San nodded earnestly.
Yu Xiaogang nodded, then continued. "Xiao San, don't be discouraged over this defeat. Think carefully—has your Blue Silver Grass really been weak? In the team, Dai Mubai, Tai Long, and Yu Tianheng have all broken through to Soul Ancestor. Their Beast Martial Souls are among the top tier. Yet under your control, they could gain no advantage."
"Across the entire soul master world, those who can achieve this are already one in a million."
"You have cultivated Blue Silver Grass to this level. Teacher dares say, you are the only one."
"As for Yang Yunhai, that was indeed beyond Teacher's expectations." Yu Xiaogang sighed. "I never expected that such miraculous things as immortal herbs truly existed on this continent."
"Teacher has traveled the continent and even entered Spirit Hall, yet never heard of such treasures."
'Otherwise, how could they be called immortal herbs?' Tang San thought bitterly.
'Teacher came from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and even entered Spirit Hall, yet hadn't heard of them. Even my father from the Clear Sky Clan likely hadn't seen them either. Otherwise, he would have found one long ago for me to take. This only proved how rare immortal herbs were in this world.'
'The heavens are unjust—what can I do!?'
"Xiao San, Yang Yunhai's Martial Soul evolved after consuming an immortal herb. Even his body changed. From one perspective, his Martial Soul has already moved beyond the category of Blue Silver Grass, becoming another type of top Martial Soul altogether." Yu Xiaogang continued, "And with the effects of such a treasure, his cultivation reached Soul Ancestor, surpassing you by a whole rank, with even a 10,000 year soul ring."
"As fellow control-type soul masters, you had no advantage. Losing was only normal."
"Xiao San, your true advantage will emerge only once you begin cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul."
"By then, with multiple soul rings stacked, your physical attributes will far surpass his. With the might of the Clear Sky Hammer, defeating him will be easy."
'Yang Yunhai and Zhu Zhuqing must have consumed immortal herbs, allowing them to break through rank 40 early and obtain 10,000 year soul rings. Dugu Yan, however, had only just reached close to rank 40 when she took hers, and the time was too short for full transformation, so she could not absorb a 10,000 year soul ring with her fourth.' Tang San thought of this, and resentment surged inside.
'Immortal herbs… immortal herbs… why hadn't he gotten them?'
If he had, he too would already be above rank 40, with a 10,000 year soul ring. Then why would he suffer such humiliation on the arena?
His emotions surged, but he only nodded slightly.
Knowing Tang San's stubbornness, Yu Xiaogang sighed silently and chose not to dig further into this topic. Instead, he said, "Teacher's only worry now is whether your twin Martial Souls might clash when you start attaching soul rings to the second one in the future."
"In soul master history, you are the third with twin Martial Souls. The first ended miserably, dying when his second Martial Soul shattered him upon adding the third ring."
"The second one, however, succeeded."
"Xiao San, perhaps your chances are greater. After all, until now your two Martial Souls have shown no conflict. All these years, I have been studying this very problem—how to prevent clashes when you add soul rings to the Clear Sky Hammer. I already have some clues, and even a method to test."
'Teacher has thought this much for me, so far ahead.' Tang San was deeply moved.
After speaking for a long time more, Tang San finally left Yu Xiaogang's room with clarity in his heart.
He had decided on his next goal. So what if he was of the Clear Sky Clan? So what if his father was a Titled Douluo? That wasn't his own power.
At his age, nothing was more important than cultivation.
He must devote himself wholeheartedly to training, not distracting thoughts.
Thinking so, he returned to his room.
Pushing the door open, he saw Xiao Wu sitting on the bed, waiting for him.
"Brother San!" Seeing Tang San return, Xiao Wu jumped up and ran to him.
"Xiao Wu, don't worry. I'm fine." Tang San smiled.
They sat together on the bed, chatting warmly until Jing Ling came knocking for dinner. Then the two got up and left hand in hand.
The night passed without incident. The next day.
Since the first round was finished, both Shrek Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy had no matches today. Yang Yunhai led his team to watch, while Tang San, still injured, stayed at the academy and let his teammates go.
Evening, during dinner in the Shrek dormitory common hall.
Da-da-da—
Flander rushed in quickly.
"Flander, what's the matter, rushing like that? Did something big happen outside?" Liu Erlong asked.
"A huge matter!" Flander sat down, gulped water.
Everyone looked at him. Liu Erlong pressed again, "What matter?"
"The rewards for the Soul Master Tournament champions have been announced." Flander held up three fingers, his face full of shock.
"Three, a whole three…"
"Three what? Flander, say it already!" Liu Erlong widened her eyes.
"Three spirit bones!" Flander blurted. "And all of them are top grade!"
"What?" Liu Erlong was shocked. Everyone else also looked stunned.
Flander nodded. "One is a Wisdom Spirit Bone of 50,000 years, one is a Flame Explosion Right Arm Bone of 30,000 years, and one is a Wind-Chasing Left Leg Bone of 30,000 years. Spirit Hall's Platinum Bishop Salas announced it personally today after the match. Honestly, I suspect these three bones are already reserved!"
"Leaving that aside, just that Wisdom Spirit Bone is an absolute treasure. Its suitability is extremely high—just below external bones and the spirit bones from 100,000 year beasts. If Spirit Hall wasn't absolutely sure of victory, they'd never dare put up such a prize."
"It's clearly Spirit Hall declaring its power and confidence to the two empires and all soul master forces across the continent."
'A Wisdom Spirit Bone over 50,000 years…' Tang San's eyes lit up.
Without question, it was perfect for him.
Not to mention, absorbing it would greatly aid his Purple Demon Eye cultivation.
'No, I must find a way to break through to Soul Ancestor quickly! Only then can I hope to defeat Yang Yunhai's team, and then Spirit Hall's team, to seize the championship!'
But how to raise his level so quickly?
He thought hard, and then a flash of inspiration came—Yang Yunhai's second soul skill, Absorption. He recalled yesterday's battle, when Yang Yunhai drained his soul power.
'Could it be that Yang Yunhai advanced so fast by devouring others' soul power?'
'Evil Soul Master! Yang Yunhai is an Evil Soul Master!' Tang San's eyes flashed cold.
But he had no proof.
Still, to devour soul masters' power to cultivate—that violated heaven's law!
'Hmph! Evil will never triumph. Yang Yunhai, one day I will expose you and bring you down as the continent's enemy!'
Yet his thoughts continued.
'But what if… it's devouring soul beasts instead?'
Soul beasts were humanity's mortal foes. To hunt them, especially the vicious ones, was public duty.
'I may not have his Absorption, but I do have the Man-Faced Demon Spider's Eight Spider Lances, which carry devouring ability!'
Right now, the tournament was ongoing, too tight for side trips. But after the preliminaries, there would be a month-long break. Then he could try.
However, his twin Martial Souls and Clear Sky Clan heritage had already been revealed, so he'd have to be cautious.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang was also stirred. Glancing at Tang San, he said calmly, "If I'm not mistaken, these three bones are meant for Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. The Pope must be confident her team will win, hence such rewards. It proves how strong their team is."
The Golden Generation of Spirit Hall—he knew of it. Even Bibi Dong had once been one. Now, seeing three bones meant this generation had three such figures.
"That Flame Explosion Right Arm Bone… just hearing it, I know it's perfect for me!" Ma Hongjun said eagerly.
"But you still need the power to earn it." Flander sighed.
Even Heaven Dou Royal Academy was still beyond them right now.
The group fell silent, yesterday's battle still heavy on their hearts.
"The tournament has just begun. Who knows what may happen later?" Tang San spoke calmly. "Our main purpose in joining is training ourselves. As long as we fight with all we have, that's enough. The rest is secondary."
He first had to steady the team, then find his chance to experiment and break through to Soul Ancestor.
"Xiao San is right." Flander smiled. "Don't think too much, just do your best."
Xiao Wu clenched her fists. "Don't be scared, just fight!"
…
Night fell at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy hotel.
"Tang San, how will you respond?" Yang Yunhai stared out the window in thought.
It was he who had arranged for Chrysanthemum Douluo to leak the reward information, with the reason reported to Bibi Dong being the discovery of Tang Hao's son, the twin-souled Tang San.
With spirit bone news released, he could ensure both Tang Hao and Tang San would be drawn into Spirit City. The rest would be left to the Pope's decision.
But his hidden goal was to lure Tang San into using special methods to raise his cultivation—through Eight Spider Lances to devour soul beasts or even soul masters. That was why he had deliberately drained Tang San's soul power in the match, to give him the hint.
Absorbing the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline had been an unexpected bonus.
Of course, devouring soul masters was unlikely, too risky and too visible, and Tang Hao would never allow it. So devouring soul beasts was much more probable. Or Tang Hao might help by giving Tang San a spirit bone. Or perhaps forbid him, quashing the thought.
Either way, once Tang San left the academy, Tang Hao would follow. That would be a good chance to act.
The only problem was tracking. With Tang San's stealth skills as a Tang Sect disciple, and Shrek being in Heaven Dou City with paved stone roads (where no Blue Silver Grass grew), his detection range was crippled. Once outside the wide plains, there was no telling which way he'd run.
So, tracking him would be tricky—luck would play a role.
The good news was that Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor bloodline had already been extracted. His self-healing and recovery were greatly weakened. If he tried devouring soul beasts with Eight Spider Lances…
Yang Yunhai didn't believe it would leave no flaws behind.
If Tang San damaged his foundation—or even crippled himself—that would be ideal.
And once he felt the addictive rush of devouring cultivation, once would become twice, then thrice. One day, Tang San might be branded an Evil Soul Master, and that stigma could drag the Clear Sky Clan down with him.
Of course, that was only a possibility.
But no matter what, this path would push Tang San exactly where Yang Yunhai wanted.
'Tang San, even if you reach Soul Ancestor, what of it? It will only make you doubt life all over again.'
Thinking this, Yang Yunhai turned back, closed his eyes, and resumed cultivation.
(End of Chapter)
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