You should know that during those three months at Saint Spirit Village, Duan Yuanchen wasn't just pranking Tang San!
He had managed to upgrade all the silver coins in the money pouch into gold coins.
Going to the second floor for a good meal? That was a piece of cake, more than enough!
Duan Yuanchen waved his hand, and the work-study students behind him followed him up the stairs to eat.
Suddenly, Tang San made a sharp turn and walked straight towards Yu Xiaogang, who was standing by the door.
With a tone of respect, he asked, "Adoptive father, are you here to eat too?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang immediately smiled and invited him, "Little San, how about we go eat on the second floor together?"
Tang San turned to look at Duan Yuanchen, "Hey, it just so happens that... Grandfather Duan is also planning to go to the second floor, and he even said he would treat us..."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang pulled Tang San and started walking up the stairs, "Adoptive father, let me treat you instead!"
Hearing these words, the surrounding work-study students all widened their eyes in shock.
They said with faces full of disbelief, "What? Did Grandmaster actually adopt you as his foster son?"
Duan Yuanchen quickly put a finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture, "Shh, keep it down! I'm treating today; I'm taking you all out for a big meal!"
The group from Dorm 7 marched up to the second floor and sat around a massive round table.
This action instantly attracted everyone's attention.
The reason everyone was whispering wasn't just because these work-study students had the money to eat on the second floor.
What surprised them even more was Yu Xiaogang's attitude toward Duan Yuanchen, which was just like how one would treat their own father.
Many people whispered privately, having heard the work-study students, "That Duan Yuanchen is actually Grandmaster's adoptive father? This is truly explosive news!"
After the meal, Duan Yuanchen planned to have the group of work-study students stroll around with him to familiarize themselves with the surrounding environment as quickly as possible.
On the other side, Tang San strode off, heading straight for Yu Xiaogang's residence.
When Tang San revealed the [Clear Sky Hammer handle], the expression on Yu Xiaogang's face was incredibly colorful.
He hurriedly ordered, "Put it away quickly! Remember, never attach any spirit ring to this hammer handle! Tomorrow, I will personally take you and adoptive father... to find a suitable spirit ring!"
Tang San was confused and couldn't help but ask, "But... isn't the opening ceremony scheduled for tomorrow?"
Yu Xiaogang smiled, appearing confident, "The opening ceremony? That's nothing! I'll just have a word with the school; getting that much privilege is easy!"
With that, he began to endlessly share his carefully summarized theoretical knowledge.
By evening, Tang San returned and recounted what had happened.
Without a word, Duan Yuanchen took out one gold coin, "Brothers, do me a favor! From now on, please handle the chores for the three of us. As for the pay... it certainly won't be lacking..."
The next morning, Duan Yuanchen and Tang San met up with Yu Xiaogang.
The three boarded a special carriage and, after a bumpy journey, set off toward the Soul Hunting Forest.
Along the way, Yu Xiaogang maintained his high-and-mighty demeanor, endlessly sharing the theories he had organized so methodically.
Tang San listened with shining eyes, practically brainwashed by these novel theories.
As for Duan Yuanchen? He silently closed the book in his hands, the corners of his mouth curling upward. He had already finished rewriting the outcome of the upcoming plot.
Yu Xiaogang, looking proud, took out a belt, "Come, come, take a look at this. This is a spirit tool, a tool specifically for storage. Each piece of jade can provide... a full 10 cubic meters of storage space!"
With that, he handed the belt to Duan Yuanchen, "Your son specifically presents this treasure to his adoptive father!"
Tang San stared at Yu Xiaogang in utter astonishment.
Seeing this, Duan Yuanchen couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with you?"
Tang San smiled awkwardly, "Nothing... nothing, I just suddenly felt like scratching an itch..."
Upon arriving at their destination, the three jumped off the carriage one by one.
Yu Xiaogang scanned the crowd around them, and his "explanation mode" instantly kicked in.
He then took out his token, showed it to the Spirit Hall guards, and led the two of them into the Soul Hunting Forest.
"Listen well! This place is fraught with danger. From now on, you two must follow me closely—don't fall behind!"
The three wandered around the outskirts of the forest, looking here and there.
Suddenly, at Yu Xiaogang's command, Luo San Pao was summoned.
"You've seen it before; this guy's attack method is quite unique—that's right... it's farting!"
After walking for a while, Yu Xiaogang reached out and touched a bamboo stalk in front of him, "See that? This is a 10-year-old Lone Bamboo. Its greatest feature is its extreme toughness... I think it would be quite suitable for your Blue Silver Grass Rope!"
Hearing this, Tang San felt an itch in his heart and was eager to try.
But Yu Xiaogang shook his head and said with a serious expression, "The age is too low; it won't do! The limit for a first spirit ring is 423 years! Let's keep looking; don't be impatient!"
The three wandered around for the better part of the day, but by nightfall, they still hadn't found a suitable Spirit Beast.
Yu Xiaogang began to educate the two on some tips for spending the night in the Soul Hunting Forest.
Just then, several level 10 wolf Spirit Beasts with purple fur silently appeared before them.
Yu Xiaogang didn't hesitate to use his first Spirit Ability! "Farts like thunder, earth-shattering Luo San Pao!"
Duan Yuanchen had been prepared; a high-end gas mask was already securely on his face. It even came with a built-in night vision feature—how cool is that!
In contrast, the mask Yu Xiaogang pulled out appeared somewhat crude, completely incomparable.
Not only that, but this mask had also been altered by the reality-rewriting effect of the Book Martial Soul. On the surface, it looked no different, but its quality had been severely compromised.
Yu Xiaogang's mask couldn't block the stench of Luo San Pao's fart at all. He nearly vomited from the smell, muttering in confusion, "What on earth is going on? Why has Luo San Pao's fart become even worse?"
Once the masks were off, the two hurriedly waved their hands in front of their faces.
Tang San frowned, "That's strange! Without the masks, the stench isn't as pungent..."
Yu Xiaogang sniffed his mask and suddenly realized, "It seems this mask has become a collector for the stench... No wonder it was so smelly!"
Duan Yuanchen gently patted his gas mask and said proudly, "This thing is still the most reliable! It has a built-in filtration system and even night vision—it's truly a divine tool!"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang tossed the mask aside. He strode over to the few wolf Spirit Beasts that had been beaten half to death. He pulled out a short blade and, with a quick strike, efficiently finished off the Spirit Beasts before proceeding to demonstrate the techniques for absorbing a spirit ring.
Just then, a green, poisonous mist suddenly emerged from ahead.
Yu Xiaogang was quick to react and threw the fire starter in his hand toward it, "What is this? It's actually a Datura Snake! How could it have wandered to the outskirts..."
The Datura Snake slithered flexibly around the three of them, as if searching for the perfect moment to strike.
Yu Xiaogang began to circle with it, explaining, "This creature is extremely cunning; it's looking for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow! Remember, its only weaknesses are its mouth and eyes!"