Tang San was stunned when he heard Yu Xiaogang mention "Blue Silver Pole Vault."
"Teacher, hasn't my ten-year Bamboo soul ring already been considered useless?"
Tang San was somewhat confused.
In fact, over this period of time, he had increasingly felt that his second soul ring—the white Bamboo ring—was extremely out of place.
His first soul ring, a 400-year Mandala Snake ring, produced the skill Blue Silver Binding, which also carried a paralyzing poison.
His second soul ring, a ten-year Bamboo ring, produced the skill Accelerated Growth.
As the name suggests, its actual effect was simply to expand the range of Blue Silver Grass vines, increasing it by about 5%.
At his current stage, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass "binding" range was about 10 meters.
After using Accelerated Growth, it became 10.05 meters.
An increase of 0.05 meters was basically negligible.
In a sense, this ten-year Bamboo soul ring was undoubtedly a completely useless ring.
During this time, Tang San had not been idle either. He repeatedly tested it several times.
The final results only made him more discouraged.
"It really has no use at all… my second soul ring is ruined!"
Tang San was extremely dejected.
If everything had followed the original storyline, his second soul ring should have been a 600-year Ghost Vine, granting the second soul skill Parasitism.
Although Parasitism could not be considered top-tier, it was still quite useful and had repeatedly helped Tang San survive dangerous situations in the original story.
However, because of Tang Yi's existence, the original storyline had naturally changed.
Yu Xiaogang still maintained his "mysterious master" demeanor.
He began explaining in detail his newly discovered peculiar soul skill—Blue Silver Pole Vault.
"Xiao San, you're still too young."
"There is one rule in soul theory—there are no useless soul rings, only useless soul masters."
"Don't forget, I've emphasized this many times."
Tang San suddenly looked up. His originally dim eyes flashed with a trace of hope.
During this time, he had heard many ridicule remarks from other soul masters.
They said that a genius with innate full soul power had actually chosen a roadside ten-year Bamboo as his first ring.
Some even mocked him with jokes like: "Master ruins disciple, ten-year Bamboo for dancing."
These words were like needles stabbing into Tang San's heart.
Yu Xiaogang carefully observed Tang San's reaction and felt secretly pleased: Good, he's still easy to fool.
But outwardly, he remained calm and profound.
"You only see that Accelerated Growth has a small effect, but you haven't understood its essence."
"Essence?"
Tang San frowned. "Isn't it just increasing the range of Blue Silver Grass? I tested it many times—it only makes the grass grow a little faster, maybe five centimeters at most. There's basically no other effect. Everyone says this is the most useless skill, and that I was misled by you."
"Shallow!"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head dramatically, raising his voice.
"Accelerated Growth… the key lies in the word growth!"
"What is bamboo? It is bamboo! Its characteristics are fast growth, flexibility, and elasticity! Don't you understand? Even when bamboo is bent to its limit, it can instantly spring back—that elasticity is far more useful than your binding skill!"
The more Yu Xiaogang spoke, the more excited he became, gesturing wildly as if he were describing a peerless technique.
"Have you ever thought that Accelerated Growth is not just for expanding range?"
"But for instantly forcing a Blue Silver Grass vine to grow rapidly, making it as tough and elastic as bamboo, and then using its rebound force to launch yourself upward?"
Tang San's eyes widened slowly, mouth slightly open, full of disbelief.
Honestly, he had never considered using Accelerated Growth in this way.
Seeing that Tang San was listening, Yu Xiaogang became even more enthusiastic.
"Exactly! That's it! In combat, you can instantly grow a vine from the ground and use its rebound force to launch yourself into the air. That's far more agile than any movement technique!"
"Launch into the air?"
Tang San murmured, unconsciously channeling soul power. A strand of Blue Silver Grass emerged from the ground, swaying gently. He tried to imagine himself bouncing off it, and his heartbeat quickened.
"Yes! This is the peerless soul skill I've researched—Blue Silver Pole Vault!"
Yu Xiaogang slapped the table, full of pride.
"With your physical abilities and your movement techniques, combined with the elasticity of Blue Silver Grass, you can achieve extremely long jumps!"
"Tens of meters in a single leap—even Soul Kings or Soul Emperors' gliding skills can't compare!"
He pointed at a small river inside the academy, vividly explaining.
"For example, if there's a river blocking your escape route. Others have to find a boat or detour, but you just use Blue Silver Grass to spring across directly. Who can catch you?"
"And then you can even turn back and say, 'Can't catch me? That's the power of ten-year Bamboo!'"
Tang San's eyes grew brighter and brighter. He already imagined himself leaping across rivers and escaping pursuers effortlessly.
If Tang Yi were here, he would probably mock: If Tang San chose ten-year Bamboo, he could just pole-vault through Sea God's trials.
Yu Xiaogang continued speaking more and more wildly.
"In battle, you can fake a frontal attack, then suddenly launch yourself above the enemy using Blue Silver Pole Vault, land behind them, and strike from the back. That's true unpredictability!"
Tang San suddenly stood up, trembling with excitement.
"But Teacher, this requires precise control, right?"
"If the growth speed or elasticity is wrong, I might either fail to launch or fall badly."
"Of course it requires control!"
Yu Xiaogang nodded confidently, though he was actually bluffing.
"But this is your strength! You've trained hidden weapons since childhood—your control is far beyond ordinary people. This level of precision is nothing for you!"
Tang San clenched his fists, flames igniting in his eyes.
All his previous doubts and ridicule disappeared.
He thought of what others had said:
"At level 30, others will kill you with one skill. Your ten-year Bamboo can't support your talent."
Now, he had found a counterattack.
Who said the ten-year Bamboo was useless?
Who said Accelerated Growth was trash?
The useless was never the soul ring—it was the user.
Tang San took a deep breath and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Teacher! I will train hard and make those who mocked me see the true power of ten-year Bamboo!"
Yu Xiaogang smiled with satisfaction.
But inside, he thought nervously: Good thing I managed to make that up… almost didn't recover from that.
Otherwise, his "theory master" reputation would be ruined.
On the academy field, Tang San stood alone, guiding his soul power as a Blue Silver Grass vine slowly grew, becoming firm and elastic.
He stepped onto it, testing its rebound force, already planning how to train this new technique.
"Blue Silver Pole Vault…"
It sounded… interesting.
He could already see himself jumping across battlefields, defeating enemies with unpredictable movement.
"Ten-year Bamboo is not necessarily weak. I, Tang San, the genius of the Tang Sect, will make my second soul skill shine!"