Yang Xiong watched the two old men bickering and couldn't help but interject, "Senior Dragon Duke, I apologize for what happened earlier. We didn't know you were pursuing that Man-Faced Demon Spider, it was all just a misunderstanding."
"Teacher Lin, we still have important matters to attend to. How about we put this aside for now and deal with it face-to-face another time?"
The Dragon Duke glanced at Yang Xiong. "Is this kid your disciple? He doesn't seem very impressive. Your judgment isn't that great after all."
Lin Gong fired back, unwilling to back down. "This kid may be a bit unruly, but at least he can identify the age of a Man-Faced Demon Spider, unlike you, who can't even get that right."
After exchanging a few casual remarks, Lin Gong led Yang Xiong deeper into the Star Dou Forest, while the Dragon Duke continued searching for a suitable soul beast for his granddaughter.
However, after tracking for a while, Yang Xiong started to feel that something was off.
"Teacher Lin, are we going in the wrong direction? A giant Titan Giant Ape like that shouldn't be this hard to follow, right?"
Since separating from the Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady, Yang Xiong and Lin Gong had been pursuing the ape for two hours. But even Lin Gong was cautious in the dense forest, and their speed couldn't match the Titan Giant Ape's.
At that moment, Lin Gong, who had looked doubtful before, suddenly lit up with joy. "Wait here. I think I've sensed the Titan Giant Ape. You're too weak to follow further. I'll go on alone. Remember, don't move around. If there's danger, send a signal immediately."
Before Yang Xiong could say anything, Lin Gong had already vanished into the distance, leaving Yang Xiong speechless.
Judging by their location, they were close to the mixed-zone of the Star Dou Forest. Even if the Titan Giant Ape had scared away many soul beasts along the way, this wasn't a place someone of Yang Xiong's level could handle alone.
Yang Xiong complained inwardly, This teacher Lin Gong is really unreliable, leaving me behind like this. But I suppose it's safer for him to go alone.
Less than ten minutes later, Lin Gong returned, his expression extremely grim.
Before Yang Xiong could speak, Lin Gong said, "Let's head back. This isn't something we can get involved in anymore."
"What happened?" Yang Xiong asked quickly. "Is the Titan Giant Ape too powerful?"
Lin Gong shook his head. "You're not wrong. When I got close, I felt an intense killing intent. It was likely the same Titled Douluo who attacked Zhao Wuji last time. Clearly, they don't want me interfering."
"This whole situation seems strange to me. Tell me honestly, what's the deal with that classmate of yours, Xiao Wu?"
Yang Xiong sighed. His original plan had been to use the chase as cover and secretly have someone abduct Xiao Wu. In the vast Star Dou Forest, it would be undetectable, an ideal two-birds-with-one-stone situation.
On one hand, he would gain a free hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone. On the other, everyone, including Tang San and Tang Hao, would assume Xiao Wu was taken by the Titan Giant Ape, since it appeared to have grabbed her.
And realistically, in the vast Star Dou Forest, it wasn't unusual for someone to disappear. But he never expected Tang Hao to secretly follow Xiao Wu, prioritizing her safety over his own son's.
Then Yang Xiong had a realization: Wait a second, something's wrong. Teacher Lin Gong is only a Spirit Douluo. Only a Titled Douluo could detect Xiao Wu's true nature. I didn't expose any clues, and there's no way Tang Hao could've overheard our conversation. Even if Tang Hao saw us, he'd think Lin Gong was helping rescue Xiao Wu at my request.
In the original story, plenty of Spirit Douluo interacted with Xiao Wu, but none ever discovered she was a hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form.
After a long silence, Yang Xiong asked, "Teacher Lin, can I ask, what exactly is your strength? How far are you from becoming a Titled Douluo?"
Lin Gong chuckled. "What? You're starting to doubt me now? I'm an 87th-level Spirit Douluo. Though my spirit power is one level below Meng Shu, my spiritual strength is far beyond his."
Yang Xiong was shocked. "How is that possible? You're a plant-type soul master, not a spiritual-type. How could your spiritual strength surpass battle-type soul masters of the same level?"
Lin Gong was silent for a moment before replying, "Well, it's not exactly a secret. I'll tell you anyway. Although I'm a plant-type soul master, I possess an exceptional spiritual-type head soul bone. My spiritual power has long since reached the level of a Titled Douluo."
Yang Xiong was stunned. A head soul bone is one of the rarest types, especially a spiritual-type one, truly a top-tier treasure. Its appearance was extremely rare.
Lin Gong continued, "It's no big deal to tell you. Back then, this caused a huge stir. I nearly lost my life over that soul bone. If not for that, I wouldn't have stayed in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan all these years."
"This head soul bone is a rare plant-type piece, and it attracted the greed of a powerful figure. I'm only safe within the clan's protection. That's also why I said those things to Meng Shu earlier."
Yang Xiong was even more shocked. Head soul bones usually come from highly intelligent soul beasts, and plant-type beasts typically have lower intelligence. In all of soul master history, there have been almost no records of plant-type head soul bones.
At last, Yang Xiong understood. Tang Hao must have known about Lin Gong's capabilities, especially that his spiritual power had reached Titled Douluo level. Lin Gong was also an expert on soul beasts. If he got close enough to Xiao Wu, he might recognize her as a transformed hundred-thousand-year soul beast, completely ruining Tang Hao's plan.
And in the Star Dou Forest, Lin Gong's plant martial soul gave him exceptional survival ability. Even Tang Hao wouldn't be confident in silencing him, especially since Lin Gong had the backing of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Rather than making enemies, it was easier to scare him away with sheer strength.
Yang Xiong sighed. "Looks like my plan to abduct Xiao Wu is a bust. But at least I got a free external soul bone."
After their conversation, Lin Gong and Yang Xiong turned back.
But after walking for nearly two hours and reaching the outer area of the Star Dou Forest, they encountered a surprising scene.
Lin Gong glanced at Yang Xiong and said, "Kid, I think we better take a detour. I'm afraid that old man might go berserk."
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