"Xiaogang, what are your plans now?"
Tang San's hidden force was fully expelled. With half a month of rest, he could resume normal training.
Truthfully—
Flender coveted Tang San's talent.
Twin martial souls. Innate full soul power. The continent's premier weapon-type soul…
This top-tier configuration outshone even so-called child prodigies.
If only he'd join Shrek Academy…
"Go back."
"Go back?!" Flender squawked like an alarmed hen. "Back where?!"
"What will you do there?"
"Aren't we old friends good enough company?"
"Think of Tang San! After this mess getting his second soul ring, how will you handle the third? Fourth?"
"Keep giving him hundred-year rings?"
"He survived this time—but what about next time?"
Flender knew Yu Xiaogang alone could never forge Tang San into a supreme powerhouse.
Not just because he couldn't secure soul rings—but because books didn't teach everything.
Like how absorbing a 10,000-year soul ring could shatter one's mind. Or how to extend Martial Soul True Body's duration—and survive the crippling weakness after.
These were soul master experiences—more vital than any theory. And Yu Xiaogang lacked them all.
Yu Xiaogang fell silent.
He was just a Level 29 Soul Grandmaster—with a flawed martial soul that left him weaker than most.
He'd considered this before.
But pride blinded him.
He'd wanted to prove his Ten Core Theories alone. Now, Tang San's injury exposed his naivety.
"Aren't you desperate to validate your theories?" Flender pressed. "If Tang San never becomes strong, who'll believe you?"
"Stay, Xiaogang."
Flender's mix of pressure and persuasion shook Yu Xiaogang's resolve.
But staying meant…
"I've taken a disciple—Ma Hongjun," Flender added. "His martial soul is a mutated Fire Phoenix, but imperfect. Help me fix it. We'll run this school together."
The perfect excuse!
Yu Xiaogang agreed—for himself, for Tang San, for his theories.
"In a few days, take my disciple to hunt his second soul ring."
Though Tang San avoided permanent damage, injuries always hindered cultivation. Wasting half a month in recovery during prime training years was tragic.
Yu Xiaogang knew he couldn't wait.
Tang San needed his second soul ring—a Ghost Vine—immediately.
…
Meanwhile.
In a Sunset Forest cave, Yang Fan finally completed his breakthrough.
He was now a Dou Shi!
"Dou Qi Cloak!"
A silken layer of Dou Qi wrapped his body—like wearing liquid silk. With a thought, palm Dou Qi condensed into liquid.
This feeling… glorious!
Strength, soul power, speed—all attributes leapt to a new tier.
A qualitative leap in cultivation dimension.
Per the Battle Through the Heavens power system, his next stage—Da Dou Shi—would manifest Dou Qi Armor (solidified Qi) and Dou Qi externalization, unleashing Flame Splitting Tsunami's true power.
"Master, I'm ready for my third soul ring."
"Mm… go ahead."
Yang Fan clenched his fist.
The day had come!
Half a year of Blood Incineration Paste torment—all for a 10,000-year black soul ring.
"After your third soul ring, we'll need new identities," Yao Lao added.
Yang Fan instantly understood.
The Elephant Armor Sect hunted him publicly. Though his identity was still secret, strutting through Sunset Forest with a black ruler will draw scrutinizing attention.
"Wait—!"
"Get up, you fool!"
Yang Fan shot upright like a spring, Heavy Xuan Ruler gripped tight.
"Master, what's wrong?"
Yao Lao was usually laid-back—even shameless at times.
This gravitas was rare!
Did Huyan Zhen surround them?!
Next second—
Yao Lao's sternness melted into elation.
"Little one, fortune smiles on us!"
Before the words faded—
Yang Fan sensed movement. A wrist-thick "snake" slithered into view.
No—a vine!
Up close, he recognized it:
Saint Soul Grass!
A soul-repairing treasure—and key ingredient for Yao Lao's soul-mending pill.
Saint Soul Grass was drawn to soul energy. Yang Fan's breakthrough must've lured it.
Of course!
Yao Lao only got this excited over soul-repairing herbs.
"Master, how do we handle this?"
He had combat experience—but harvesting aggressive top-grade herbs? Zero expertise.
"Follow the vine," Yao Lao urged. "If I'm right, this Saint Soul Grass is 10,000 years old. Find its root."
Yang Fan charged.
The Heavy Xuan Ruler carved a shallow trench as he sprinted 200 meters. The vine thickened from wrist- to thigh-width.
The Saint Soul Grass is near!
Plant-type soul beasts differed from animal-types: they controlled vines but couldn't move their roots. Easier to handle!
Though 10,000-year beasts equaled Soul Kings, plant-types were weaker. As a Dou Shi, Yang Fan should manage…
WHIP—!
A thick vine lashed at him like lightning.
Yang Fan swung the ruler—
THUD!
He flew backward five meters, crashing hard.
Definitely not 10,000 years!
This beast wasn't even close!
That old man is pure evil!
------------------------------------------------------
30+ Chapters Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)