Chapter 250: The Final Celebration, The Curtain Rises
When Tang Hao first heard that Tang San wanted to obtain a ten thousand year fourth soul ring, his initial reaction was to refuse.
But as someone who had experienced such things firsthand, he quickly realized his mistake.
For some time now, he had been secretly observing Tang San especially his private tests of his physical strength.
He could confirm that Tang San's body was already as strong as that of a weaker Beast Martial Soul Soul King. Additionally, his spiritual power had already reached that level long ago.
If that was the case, then why couldn't he absorb a ten thousand year soul ring? It would be a challenge, but he had met the bare minimum requirements.
Tang Hao struggled to contain his excitement. He hadn't expected the "Bone Replacement Method" to have such an effect.
Did this mean that the so called limit on soul ring age was no longer a true limit for those who had mastered the method?
Even if not everyone had Tang San's spiritual talent meaning they couldn't withstand the soul impact from a ten thousand year soul beast at the fourth ring the first three rings could still be strengthened significantly.
This was a sign that the Clear Sky Clan was destined to rise again.
Stay calm, Tang Hao told himself. That was a matter for the future. Right now, Tang San was the priority.
Suppressing his excitement, he sent a voice transmission to Yu Xiaogang, detailing the regions where Tang San could hunt for a suitable fourth soul ring.
Yu Xiaogang was to relay the information to Tang San and have Flender take him on the hunt, while Tang Hao would ensure his absolute safety from the shadows.
Tang Hao had been using his time wisely. While searching for a suitable soul beast for Tang San's Bone Replacement, he had explored a significant portion of the Sunset Forest.
Naturally, he had also found soul beasts ideal for Tang San's Blue Silver Grass martial soul's fourth ring.
After Yu Xiaogang confirmed Tang San's desired soul skill, Tang Hao presented two options.
The first was an Ironclad Vine, a choice based on Tang Hao's personal experience.
The second was the infamous Crypt Demon Spider a selection made in line with their usual style, purely to match Tang San's ideal soul skill.
Tang Hao had never cared about developing Tang San's Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
He had seen how Tang San had used his past soul rings and could barely stand to watch.
In fact, if not for Ah Yin, he would have outright mocked the martial soul.
At this point, Tang San had already reached the threshold for absorbing ten thousand year soul rings. After the tournament, he could fully switch to cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer.
With ten thousand year soul rings as his foundation, plus the ability to reach Soul King purely through soul ring absorption, Tang San would become a 15 year old Soul King faster than Tang Hao himself had been back in the day.
Add the Bone Replacement Method to the mix, and he was more than ready to return to the Clear Sky Clan.
After some discussion, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang unsurprisingly chose the Crypt Demon Spider.
The Ironclad Vine's effects on Blue Silver Grass were uncertain.
The Crypt Demon Spider, however, had well documented advantages. Over 90% of soul masters who absorbed its soul ring obtained control type abilities, with a decent chance of acquiring group control skills. That alone was enticing.
Moreover, Tang San's third soul ring had also come from a spider type soul beast its web was even laced with poison, though its durability was lacking.
By choosing another spider type beast, there was a chance of strengthening and compensating for those weaknesses.
Such cases weren't uncommon in the Soul Master world, which was why they insisted on the Crypt Demon Spider.
Once their decision was made, Tang Hao provided the location and left ahead of them.
As a father, how could he not witness this moment in person?
More than that, he planned to lend a hand.
For Flender, the Crypt Demon Spider wasn't a major threat, but its ability to burrow underground made it an annoyance especially for a flying type soul master.
For Tang Hao, however, this was no problem at all.
There was nothing a good hammer strike couldn't solve. And if one wasn't enough, two would do the trick.
He would head there in advance to destroy the Crypt Demon Spider's burrow and underground tunnels, forcing it to the surface.
Tang San might find it odd that everything was so convenient, but once Tang Hao revealed himself and explained, his son's intelligence would ensure that he understood just how much his father cared for him.
Tang Hao smirked slightly, already imagining the way Tang San would look at him once the truth came to light.
At the same time, another figure was watching from the shadows Han Li, the ever scheming opportunist.
Just like with Yu Xiaogang, he could see Tang San's luck surging to its peak again after he had previously drained it.
It wasn't hard to guess Tang San was about to obtain his fourth soul ring.
And this was also the moment Han Li had been waiting for the point where he could completely extract the Blue Silver Grass's origin essence.
Naturally, he wasn't about to miss it.
"Still going for a ten thousand year fourth ring? Well, I suppose it makes sense it's the last celebration before the collapse of his fortune."
Han Li watched quietly without any intention of interfering. A ten thousand year fourth ring for Blue Silver Grass wouldn't change anything.
Besides, he wanted to see how Tang San would evolve after the complete extraction of the Blue Silver Grass essence. How much had the Bone Replacement Method truly altered him?
When Flender arrived with Tang San at the designated location in the Sunset Forest, they were greeted by the sight of several Crypt Demon Spiders sprawled across the ground injured but still alive.
"…This…"
Flender stared up at the sky, speechless. He knew Tang Hao was watching from the shadows, but wasn't this a little too obvious?
"Tang San, pick one."
After a moment, Flender dragged out a few Crypt Demon Spiders that met Tang San's requirements, then turned to the boy, who despite his surprise remained composed.
"This one."
Tang San recalled Yu Xiaogang's teachings and selected the one that had just reached the ten thousand year threshold. The other two, which were a thousand or two years older, were beyond his absolute confidence.
After all, his martial soul wasn't a Beast Martial Soul. Even if his physical strength met the minimum requirement, it wouldn't provide much help during soul ring absorption.
On the other hand, he wasn't at all concerned about the spiritual impact from a ten thousand year soul ring something Flender had warned him about on the way. Of course, Teacher wouldn't know. This was Father's decision.
With his choice made, Flender lifted the Crypt Demon Spider and took Tang San to a safer location to absorb the ring.
For everyone involved, this was a historic moment.
Tang San exhaled deeply. Then, with precise aim, he sent a poisoned sleeve dart straight into the unconscious Crypt Demon Spider's eyes. A dark black soul ring emerged.
Exchanging a glance with Flender, Tang San sat down and channeled his martial soul to touch the ring.
Three and a half hours later, covered in blood, he had successfully absorbed the ten thousand year soul ring.
Smiling, he stood up to reveal his new ring before immediately collapsing into unconsciousness.
This had been too much for his body, but in the end, he had succeeded.
"As expected of my son."
From the shadows, Tang Hao finally exhaled in relief, stepping into view before Flender and Tang San. His son had broken a continent wide record he had every right to be proud.
"Once we return, get him treated immediately. He should also receive the best nutritional supplements over the next few days."
Tang Hao gave the order to an equally delighted Flender.
"No problem, Your Eminence."
Flender responded without hesitation, his shoehorn shaped face practically glowing with excitement.
Even though he wasn't particularly fond of Tang Hao or his son, this time, he had no complaints. In fact, he relished the moment.
This was his student his student with a ten thousand year fourth ring!
Leaving aside the fame he would gain from the tournament, just the reward from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy alone was enough to make him laugh out loud.
Thank you, Yu Xiaogang!
In this tournament, everyone would remember Flender's name not Yu Xiaogang's.
Unless Tang San and his father openly credited him, which was unlikely.
At the very least, it wasn't happening now Heaven Dou Imperial Academy would never allow it. Flender could barely contain his joy.
After bowing respectfully to Tang Hao, he carried Tang San in his arms like a treasure and flew swiftly toward the academy.
Gold soul coins, here I come!
Once Tang Hao also departed, Han Li emerged from the shadows, his work complete.
He had successfully extracted the last of the Blue Silver Emperor's essence.
With an unreadable smile, he collected a sample of the soil stained with Tang San's blood left behind from absorbing the soul ring.
He planned to analyze it later.
His observations had revealed a subtle but irreversible transformation occurring within Tang San's body.
Even Han Li couldn't determine exactly what it was. He needed to verify just what Tang San had become.
Within a few breaths, the clearing was empty. Only the broken corpse of the Crypt Demon Spider remained, waiting to be scavenged by other soul beasts.
As time passed, Heaven Dou City grew livelier.
Academy teams from across the continent arrived to compete, while nobles, soul masters, and merchants flooded the city, drawn by the event's prestige and commercial opportunities.
To them, both Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City smelled like gold soul coins. Even commoners joined in, hoping for a chance at fortune.
With only three days left until the tournament's opening ceremony, Han Li's time to step into the spotlight had come.
Assisted by Xiu'er, he adjusted the platinum robes of the Holy Son of Spirit Hall.
Soon, he would leave the city, blend into the delegation arriving from Spirit Hall, and stand beside "Xue Qinghe," Crown Prince of Heaven Dou.
Together, they would put on a grand performance of brotherly harmony.
"All set."
Xiu'er carefully adjusted his platinum crown before pulling him out of the room.
(End of Chapter)
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