"Waste Martial Soul?" Tang San's eyes flashed with mockery upon hearing this. "Indeed, it has become a waste Martial Soul, but it shouldn't have been this way originally. And dare you say that Li Xun's wood carving Martial Soul is stronger than my Blue Silver Grass?"
"Li Xun's Martial Soul is a Mutated Spirit, and it's a positive mutation at that. How can your Blue Silver Grass compare to his?"
Seeing Tang San speak so rudely, Yu Xiaogang's anger was also stirred: "I once investigated 647 people with Blue Silver Grass as their Martial Soul, and only 16 of them possessed Soul Power, and even then, it was only level one. Isn't that the definition of a waste Martial Soul?"
Yu Xiaogang glared at Tang San angrily, then pointed at himself: "It was through my theory that your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul reached a level it should never have attained!"
"Haha, your theory?" Tang San laughed in extreme anger, scrutinizing Yu Xiaogang carefully: "Actually, I've had a question in my mind for the past few years. Can your theory be made up on the spot?"
"Except for the second Spirit Ring, my Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul has always had whatever Spirit Ring I managed to hunt, hasn't it?"
"What does that have to do with your theory?" Tang San squinted his eyes and grinned: "Oh! It does have a relationship, but only as an afterthought and a form of consolation."
"If it weren't for me, you might have died in the mouth of the Mandala Snake when we were obtaining the first Spirit Ring. And as soon as you saw I had hunted a hundred-year Soul Beast, you hurriedly told me to add poison attributes and toughness to the Blue Silver Grass."
"I'm curious, what toughness does a snake have?"
"Oh, I almost forgot, it's been so long. You previously found me a ten-year-old Solitary Bamboo, intending it to be my first Spirit Ring."
At this point, Tang San smiled: "Actually, I now think the Solitary Bamboo is quite good. If I had chosen a hundred-year Solitary Bamboo back then, I wouldn't have ended up like this."
"Also, you said you studied over six hundred Soul Masters with Blue Silver Grass as their Martial Soul. Did you only conclude that Blue Silver Grass is a waste Martial Soul?"
Hearing Tang San's rapid-fire questions, Yu Xiaogang's face turned red with anger, his body trembling uncontrollably, and he staggered slightly as his legs weakened.
He suddenly remembered what his father, Yu Yuanzhen, had told him. That Tang San was actually cold-hearted, extremely controlling, and not a good person. Those words were indeed true.
Yu Xiaogang slowly closed his eyes, trying to adjust his breathing, constantly reminding himself that Tang San was still useful to him, he was Tang Hao's son, and he needed him to prove his research.
"Xiao San, I know you're just anxious right now, but you need to understand that some things, if not careful, could ruin your entire life. Adding a Spirit Ring to the Clear Sky Hammer now will only reduce your future potential."
"Your mind is unstable now. Once you calm down, we can talk properly."
Tang San was momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting Yu Xiaogang to still be able to calmly comfort him at this moment. However, after this interruption and his own venting of anger, his rage had somewhat subsided.
The two of them stood in silence.
"Xiao San, go and rest for a while first."
Yu Xiaogang looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar disciple before him, his heart filled with bitterness. He could only mask his emotions with a sigh. When he saw Tang San silently turn and walk away, he could no longer contain his feelings and slammed his fist against the door.
Tang San paused for a moment upon hearing the commotion behind him, then quickly left the area and headed towards his own room.
Returning to his quarters, he packed his daily necessities into the Twenty-Four Bridges on a Moonlit Night and counted the Gold Soul Coins he had secretly stashed away. Then, he made his way out of the academy.
"Luckily, I didn't lose all the gold coins to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School back then."
Tang San glanced back at Shrek Academy, which had once been the Blue Lightning Advanced Academy. He realized that no matter what name it bore, nothing in this academy seemed to move forward without Yu Xiaogang's approval.
But it didn't matter. He could always hire someone to help him obtain Spirit Rings. Besides, so much had happened over the years, and his father had always been nearby, protecting him.
Taking advantage of the still early night, Tang San found a carriage service that was still open and hired a carriage to rush towards the Sunset Forest.
Meanwhile, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's headquarters in Heavenly Dou City.
"Xiao Xun, are you planning to add a Spirit Ring to your second Martial Soul for this trip?"
Ning Fengzhi's expression showed a hint of hesitation: "Isn't this a bit too early? Although your physical condition is suitable for adding a Spirit Ring, I think it would be better to wait a little longer. That way, the age of the Spirit Ring could be increased further."
Li Xun chuckled: "Teacher, I won't waste my potential. This trip to the Star Dou Great Forest is just to scout the area first."
"Huh?"
Hearing Li Xun's words, Ning Fengzhi became curious: "Which Soul Beast have you set your sights on?"
"It's hard to say right now. I'm not even sure if I can find it." Li Xun thought about how the Heavenly Dream Iceworm should currently be kept by a group of fierce beasts, absorbing energy, and a sly smile appeared on his lips.
Seeing Li Xun's smile, Ning Fengzhi felt somewhat relieved: "Then let Grandpa Dugu accompany you. He doesn't have much to do right now anyway."
Li Xun thought for a moment and felt it wasn't quite right: "I think it would be better if Sword Grandpa went with me."Brat, do you dislike me?"" Dugu Bo was taken aback, then looked at Li Xun with a dangerous glint in his eyes: "Hmph! If you don't give me a perfect explanation today, don't expect me to help you with anything in the future."
Sword Douluo remained silent, but his expression clearly showed he was in a good mood.
Bone Douluo sighed, but he had grown accustomed to being forgotten over the years.
"Grandpa Dugu, I didn't mean to dislike you." It's just that this mission carries some risks. If something goes wrong, Sword Grandpa can help me escape faster." Li Xun quickly stepped forward to flatter him, indicating he meant no harm.
"Escape faster?" Everyone was stunned, seemingly not expecting Li Xun's reason for choosing Sword Douluo to be this.
"Yes, my target this time is in the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest. There's a chance we might accidentally provoke the agitation of a 100,000 Year Soul Beast." Li Xun nodded.
Of course, the main reason was that Sword Douluo was stronger than Dugu Bo in a fight. If he really took Dugu Bo along, there was a chance neither of them would make it back alive.
"Hmph! If I were to face a 100,000 Year Soul Beast, I wouldn't be completely powerless, but when it comes to speed alone, the Sword Enshrinement does have a slight edge over me," Dugu Bo said, his eyes closed as he enjoyed Li Xun's massage.
"Ah, well, I suppose I'll reluctantly accompany Xiao Xun on this trip!" Sword Douluo chuckled with a sigh. "No choice, I'm just destined to be busy!"
Hearing Sword Douluo's words, Dugu Bo's eyes half-opened, and he let out a soft snort.
Old Sword Man, don't act all high and mighty with me. Once I finish concocting that thing and make sure Li Xun and Yan Yan are irrevocably bound, let's see what you'll have to compete with me then.
But I only have one chance, and I'm not sure how strong the potency of the drug can be to overcome Li Xun's immunity to all poisons.