Chapter 6 is limited to masters of theory
Soul Hunting Forest.
This is the place where the Empire raises soul beasts. Although it is called "raising," for low-level soul masters, it is still a jungle filled with blood and death.
Rotting leaves piled up on the ground, emitting a nauseating miasma.
The towering ancient trees blocked out the sunlight, making the forest appear gloomy and eerie.
Yu Xiaogang led Tang San along a secluded path.
Although he had gone deep into the forest and was surrounded by dangers, he still kept his hands behind his back, maintaining the demeanor of a "wise man".
However, his slightly rapid breathing and the fine beads of cold sweat on his forehead suggested that he was somewhat nervous.
"Little San, look at that lone bamboo."
Yu Xiaogang pointed to a sturdy plant by the roadside and began his long-winded lecture, while also taking the opportunity to criticize it:
"Although this plant-type spirit beast is tough, it lacks flexibility. If it were used as the first spirit ring of Blue Silver Grass, it would increase attack power, but it would lose the essence of the control type."
"I guess Ye Liuyun most likely found a low-level soul beast that can be found everywhere, or something like a ghost vine."
Speaking of Ye Liuyun, Yu Xiaogang's lips curled into a contemptuous smile:
"His short-sighted approach is completely mortgaging his future for his current meager strength. It's like a beggar smashing his bowl to beg for food in the future just to get one meal. Utterly foolish!"
Tang San nodded silently, accepting the lesson.
If he were to choose his own soul ring, he would think that the Blue Silver Grass given to him by the plant in front of him would be quite good.
His eyes scanned his surroundings warily, while his peripheral vision also sized up the "master" in front of him.
Along the way, the teacher explained a lot of theories, and some of them were indeed reasonable.
but...
Looking at Yu Xiaogang's thin back, Tang San couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.
This is the Star Dou Forest, fraught with danger.
Although the teacher is a Great Soul Master, his physical fitness... seems to be even worse than that of an adult who often does farm work.
I started panting after walking such a short distance, and my reaction time was incredibly slow.
If we encounter danger, can he really protect me?
In contrast, Tang San recalled Ye Liuyun's appearance in the cafeteria.
The boy, who looked about the same age as him, had an unexpectedly imposing presence.
That was the aura of a powerful being.
The teacher... is more like a bookish scholar who only knows how to talk theory.
Of course, as a former Tang Clan assassin, he had seen scholars who remained unfazed even when Mount Tai collapsed before them.
Such people are bookish and rigid in their thinking, which may seem pedantic, but their integrity inspires subconscious respect.
But why does the master give people a very unrealistic feeling?
Just then.
"Luo Luo—"
A low growl came from ahead.
Several large, green-eyed, ten-year-old Nether Wolves sprang out from the bushes and surrounded the master and disciple in a fan shape.
Although it was only a ten-year-old soul beast, its bloodthirsty wildness still made the air tense.
"They're just a few ten-year-old Nether Wolves, nothing to be afraid of."
Yu Xiaogang forced himself to remain calm, turned to look at Tang San, and a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes as he tried to establish his authority in front of his disciple:
"Little San, watch closely. Today, your master will show you what the art of combat as a Soul Master truly is."
Tang San's spirits lifted, and he secretly tightened his grip on the hidden arrow in his sleeve, his eyes burning with determination.
Is it finally time to make a move?
He also wanted to see what kind of earth-shattering methods this master, who could propose the "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls," possessed.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, formed a hand seal, and a blush crept onto his stiff face as he shouted:
"Come out, Luo Sanpao!"
puff--!
A muffled sound, like farting.
Immediately afterwards, a round, pale purple creature that looked like a pig and a dog rolled out from a puff of pale yellow smoke.
It was only half a meter tall, with two big, innocent eyes blinking adorably, and it let out a childish cry at the ferocious ghost wolf:
"Roar!"
Tang San: "..."
For a moment, Tang San's expression froze.
Is this... the master's martial soul?
What fighting power does this thing have? Does it just try to make wolves laugh to death by being cute?
Before Tang San could even react, Yu Xiaogang had already issued the attack command with a serious expression:
"His farts are like thunder, deafening and earth-shattering!"
As the incredibly embarrassing incantation was uttered, the creature named Luo Sanpao suddenly stuck out its rear end.
boom!
A yellow shockwave erupted with a deafening roar, sending several ghostly wolves that had pounced on it flying.
Although he repelled the soul beast, Tang San's brows furrowed even more.
That's it?
Is this the strength of a level 29 Great Soul Master?
Not only is the attack range short and the power dispersed, but this attack method... is simply an insult to civility.
Tang San quickly calculated in his mind.
If that attack had been delivered by Ye Liuyun's strange Blue Silver Grass, those Nether Wolves would probably be tied to the ground, unable to move.
I don't even need Ye Liuyun to lift a finger; I can take care of it myself in a single breath with my hidden arrow.
And the teacher... actually needs to chant such incantations and rely on such childish methods?
Perhaps Ye Liuyun was right not to become his disciple?
Having dealt with the Netherworld Wolf, Yu Xiaogang withdrew his martial soul, his face somewhat pale, clearly indicating that this level of exertion was not easy for him.
But he still couldn't resist putting on airs of superiority:
"Ahem, Little San, did you see that? This is a mutated martial soul."
"Although my martial soul has mutated in a bad direction, under the guidance of my theory, it can still unleash power beyond its level."
"It's nothing special to be born with a powerful martial soul."
"Only those who can surpass others even in adversity can be called strong."
"There are no useless martial souls in this world, only useless soul masters."
Tang San lowered his head, recalling his original intention in becoming a disciple.
That's right. I didn't become a disciple because I admired the master's abilities, but because I respected his knowledge.
Especially those Soul Masters who don't have useless Martial Souls, but are just useless.
How could someone who isn't a true master say such things?
Besides, isn't my Blue Silver Grass a useless martial soul?
We need masters like these to cultivate talent.
The two continued on their way.
As night fell, Yu Xiaogang sprinkled some animal-repelling powder around the camp and confidently declared that the night would be safe.
However.
In the middle of the night, a suffocating stench shattered the tranquility.
"hiss--"
A huge, dark green figure ignored the so-called beast-repelling powder and barged directly into the camp!
Tang San was awakened by the slight noise and immediately looked around.
Xiao Gang, who was sleeping nearby, was startled by Tang San's commotion and looked around.
A giant snake, four meters long, dark green in color, with a triangular head, was moving nearby with a rustling sound.
"A datura snake?!"
Yu Xiaogang, who had just woken up, was terrified when he saw what was coming. His previous air of superiority vanished instantly, and even his voice changed tone:
"How is this possible! How could there be such a 400-year-old poisonous creature in the outer area?! The beast-repelling powder had no effect on it?!"
In a panic, he summoned Luo Sanpao, intending to repeat his previous trick.
"Farts are like smoke, hypnotizing and sedating Luo Sanpao!"
puff--!
Another plume of yellow smoke billowed out.
But this datura serpent was clearly not a low-level creature like the Netherworld Wolf. It was extremely agile, twisting its body unpredictably in mid-air to avoid the smoke, then opened its blood-red maw, deadly venom dripping from its fangs, and lunged straight at Yu Xiaogang!
"Roar!"
Luo Sanpao was swept away by the snake's tail and screamed as he turned into a stream of light and shrank back into Yu Xiaogang's body.
"puff!"
With his martial soul injured, Yu Xiaogang spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with despair and fear.
"It's over... it's over..."
[end of the chapter]