Early the next morning.
Two figures, one tall and one short, walked out of the academy gates.
"Teacher, where are we going to find spirit beasts?"
Tang San followed beside Yu Xiaogang, filled with anticipation for the day's journey.
"We are going to the Spirit Hunting Forest about four hundred li northeast of Notting City. It's a place where the Empire raises spirit beasts. We're sure to find a suitable one for you."
Yu Xiaogang's face had mostly subsided by now, though the faint marks of two leaf shapes were still visible.
"Raising? Spirit beasts can be raised? Teacher, tell me about spirit beasts."
Hearing something new, Tang San's interest was immediately piqued.
However, Yu Xiaogang didn't start explaining right away. Instead, he pointed at Tang San's panda-like dark circles and asked, "That can wait. I want to know first what you did last night. Why are your dark circles so heavy?"
Upon hearing this, the painful memories of last night instantly flooded Tang San's mind.
These weren't dark circles; they were Xiao Wu's handiwork.
If he hadn't used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track in time, who knows how much more he would have suffered.
"Haha, teacher, I didn't do anything last night. Just had a bit of insomnia," Tang San casually brushed it off with an excuse.
"You're too young for insomnia. I think you just have too much energy. I'll make a training plan for you later, guaranteed to make you fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow."
Yu Xiaogang didn't press further on the matter.
He collected his thoughts for a moment and continued, "Let me tell you about spirit beasts now. Essentially, spirit beasts are just wild beasts that possess spirit power…"
Along the way, Yu Xiaogang shared a lot of knowledge about this world.
Tang San listened very attentively.
Zhou Fan, however, kept yawning.
"*Yawn*—How is this kid Tang San so energetic? We've been traveling for a whole day, and he shows no sign of drowsiness at all. Can't even get a good nap with all his noise."
"Watching Tang San get pummeled was much more fun. Xiao Wu was really impressive last night."
"The journey is too boring. Let's see how much I gained last night."
Zhou Fan idly crossed his 'legs' (leaves), and with a thought, opened his attribute panel.
**[Host: Zhou Fan]**
**[Gender: Male]**
**[Race: Blue Silver Emperor (Unawakened)]**
**[Spirit Skills: None]**
**[Divine Abilities: External Incarnation]**
**[Emotional Value: 102]**
**[Items: None]**
Thanks to Tang San's 'contributions' throughout the previous night, the emotional value had now broken through the one hundred mark.
"One hundred points of emotional value should be enough to exchange for most things in the primary store. Let's see if there's anything fun."
Zhou Fan opened the primary store and carefully examined the items inside.
Previously, he had only given it a cursory glance, not paying too much attention.
Upon reviewing the items again, he made new discoveries.
**[Voice Transmission Talisman]**: Allows voice transmission up to a hundred li. Single-use consumable. Exchange for 50 emotional points.
**[Misfortune Talisman]**: Choose a target. Subject suffers continuous misfortune for ten minutes (can be stacked). Exchange for 50 emotional points.
**[Immobilization Talisman]**: Immobilizes a spirit master under level 30 for ten seconds (no cooldown). Exchange for 25 emotional points.
"This primary store really understands me," Zhou Fan thought, very satisfied with the effects of the three talismans.
However, as he continued scrolling, his expression grew even more vivid.
**[High-Power Flashbang]**: Produces light that can instantly blind people (blinding effect varies by individual). Exchange for 100 emotional points.
**[Sildenafil Effervescent Tablet]**: Instantly become a true man! Those who use it know. Exchange for 200 emotional points...
"*Holy crap! They even have flashbangs?!*"
"*This store has basically turned into an arsenal. Could the intermediate store have hand grenades and Gatling guns?*"
"*And what the heck is this effervescent tablet? 'Instantly become a true man'...*"
Zhou Fan stared at the Sildenafil Effervescent Tablet, lost in thought.
After a moment, he suddenly clapped his 'hands' together.
"*I get it! This must be similar to Tryndamere's ultimate. Just wonder how long this 'invincibility' lasts.*"
"*It's a lifesaving item anyway. Must exchange for it once I save up enough points!*"
Zhou Fan cast a determined look at the Sildenafil Effervescent Tablet, then exchanged for two Immobilization Talismans and one Misfortune Talisman.
A total of one hundred emotional points were consumed.
The freshly broken hundred-point mark instantly dropped back to single digits.
But Zhou Fan didn't mind.
He believed that by making good use of the three talismans he just exchanged, he could quickly accumulate a fair amount of emotional value again.
"*For the sake of becoming the invincible true man, little Tang San, just obediently be my point-farming machine... Hehehe...*"
Just as Zhou Fan was plotting his next moves, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang had already arrived at the Spirit Hunting Forest.
The evening glow dyed the forest in hues of red and stretched the shadows of the two figures long.
"Teacher, is this your martial soul?" Tang San looked curiously at the creature on the ground that resembled a dog in appearance, a pig in size, with light purple fur all over.
"Yes, it's called Luo Sanpao. Xiao San, today I will teach you your first lesson on martial souls: Mutant Martial Souls."
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Martial soul mutations can be good or bad. My martial soul mutated in a negative direction. But some martial souls, due to mutation, can potentially evolve from ordinary to top-tier."
"Teacher, then is my Blue Silver Grass also a mutant martial soul?" Tang San asked.
Yu Xiaogang glanced at Tang San, recalling yesterday's events, and said helplessly, "Regarding your Blue Silver Grass, I am still in the observation stage. The lower limit of the Blue Silver Grass martial soul is very low, but the fact that it awakened alongside your hammer proves it's not that simple. After you attach a spirit ring, you should be able to feel the changes in your Blue Silver Grass."
"However, there's one thing you must pay attention to. Your Blue Silver Grass may very well have developed intelligence. So you must gain complete control over it. Otherwise, it could pose a significant danger when facing enemies in the future."
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's answer, Tang San grew even more curious about his Blue Silver Grass.
He also knew the Blue Silver Grass seemed to have a mind of its own, but he couldn't figure out how to control it for the time being.
"Teacher, I understand."
"Hmm."
The two stopped talking and continued deeper into the forest.
Luo Sanpao walked at the front, sniffing here and there.
When they entered a patch of shrubs, Luo Sanpao suddenly became alert and barked.
As the spirit master and martial soul are connected, Yu Xiaogang instantly looked in a certain direction.
To their left front, six pairs of green, glowing eyes had appeared at some point, fixed intently on them.
"These are Nether Wolves!"
Yu Xiaogang's voice was low but not panicked.
He stared straight ahead and softly commanded, "Sanpao!"
"Roro!"
Luo Sanpao let out a low roar, and a sound like a howling gale sucking in air was heard. Its already fat belly expanded at an astonishing rate, looking like a rapidly inflating balloon.
Yu Xiaogang raised his hand and waved. One of the spirit rings on his body immediately flew out and settled around Luo Sanpao.
Just as he was about to shout 'Fart like thunder, earth-shattering Luo Sanpao!', the Nether Wolves seemed to see something terrifying and began backing away.
Tang San thought it was Luo Sanpao's威慑力 that made the Nether Wolves afraid.
But when he glanced at Yu Xiaogang's expression, he couldn't help but be taken aback.
Yu Xiaogang wasn't relaxing because the wolves retreated; instead, his expression grew more solemn, even carrying a hint of apprehension.
In a grave tone, he said, "Xiao San, prepare for battle. We're about to face big trouble!"
(End of Chapter)