The Spirit Hunting Forest—an artificially maintained soul beast forest spanning dozens of miles.
At the entrance stood a dense woodland, sunlight filtering through the leaves and forming golden beams. A massive stone tablet stood nearby, engraved with the words "Spirit Hunting Forest."
After entering, a winding path stretched ahead, flanked by towering trees with lush foliage, forming a sea of green. Clear streams flowed through the forest, their waters so transparent that pebbles and small fish could be seen beneath the surface.
Various habitats for different types of soul beasts were scattered throughout the forest.
Some areas were dense woods, others open grasslands, and some were marshlands.
Tang San, Tang Chuan, and Yu Xiaogang cautiously moved along the outer edge of the forest.
No one knew where Yu Xiaogang got the courage to bring the two of them here alone to hunt for spirit rings.
"Teacher, what kind of spirit ring are we aiming for this time?"
Tang San's eyes showed a hint of confusion.
His Xuantian Technique had been stuck for two or three years. Perhaps after absorbing a spirit ring, he would finally break through the first layer.
Standing nearby, Tang Chuan looked at his former self with amusement.
He had no intention of showing mercy.
After all, in this world, there only needed to be one pure and flawless God-King Tang San—himself.
As for why he hadn't acted against Tang San yet—
It was because of Tang Hao.
He knew his father was watching from the shadows, protecting them.
So he absolutely couldn't reveal any flaws.
However…
He could use their teacher to weaken his former self.
"A level 10 soul master can only absorb a ten-year or hundred-year spirit ring. But as my disciples, I naturally hope you can absorb hundred-year rings."
Yu Xiaogang spoke while pushing aside the surrounding bushes.
Most soul beasts in this forest were around the hundred-year level.
But with Yu Xiaogang's strength…
Forget protecting the two of them—he would struggle to protect himself.
Luo Sanpao moved ahead, checking for traces of soul beasts, while Yu Xiaogang and the others advanced cautiously.
Soon, a gleam flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
He had found a suitable spirit ring!
Deep within the forest stood a solitary bamboo nearly ten meters tall.
With his extensive knowledge, Yu Xiaogang immediately recognized it—
A plant-type soul beast.
Solitary Bamboo.
And one that was nearly a hundred years old.
Perfectly compatible with both Tang San and Tang Chuan!
"Teacher, what is this?"
Tang San was puzzled.
Why had his teacher stopped in front of a bamboo?
"Xiao San, this is a Solitary Bamboo. Its quality is quite good for this forest, and it matches your martial spirit very well!"
Tang San's eyes lit up.
A soul beast perfectly compatible with his martial spirit!
"Really, teacher?!"
Tang Chuan, seeing Tang San's excitement, immediately formed a plan.
"Teacher, this journey is already dangerous. The deeper areas are even harder to deal with, and we've already seen several corpses earlier. Why don't we give this spirit ring to Xiao San? I'll just absorb another one later, and then we can leave."
His tone was filled with sincerity.
But in reality—
He knew what was coming.
Soon, they would encounter a four-hundred-year Mandala Snake.
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
Tang Chuan made sense.
Even though the forest only contained hundred-year soul beasts, people still died here every day.
Compared to obtaining better spirit rings—
He would rather stay alive.
Moreover, Blue Silver Grass could only be cultivated up to level 30.
His original plan was for Tang San to switch to the Clear Sky Hammer afterward.
That way—
His first hammer ring could be purple.
And by the third ring, he could even attach a ten-thousand-year black ring.
Tang Hao was his idol.
A man who single-handedly killed Qian Xunji.
Now, Yu Xiaogang trained Tang San and Tang Chuan for one purpose—
Revenge.
Against Bibi Dong.
He would make her repay everything she had done to him.
"Mm. Xiao Chuan is right. A ninety-nine-year spirit ring may be slightly weaker than a hundred-year one, but it's safer to absorb."
Hearing this confirmation—
Tang San was deeply moved.
His brother… giving up the better opportunity for him.
Now he understood.
Who would truly treat him well in times of hardship.
His brother—Tang Chuan!
"Thank you, brother! Thank you, teacher!"
Tang San took out a dagger and swiftly cut down the ninety-nine-year Solitary Bamboo.
A spirit ring, white with a hint of yellow, floated out.
He immediately began absorbing it.
Tang Chuan watched, a sinister smile forming on his lips.
Yes…
This was exactly what his former self should be doing.
Becoming his stepping stone.
This way—
The four-hundred-year Mandala Snake would belong to him alone.
As for his foolish little brother…
He could go eat dirt in the future.
About fifteen minutes later, Tang San finished absorbing the ring.
"Teacher! I've reached level 11!"
He was overjoyed.
Not only had his soul power increased—
His Xuantian Technique had broken through its first layer!
"Good! You are my pride!"
"Well done, little brother. Keep it up!"
Both Yu Xiaogang and Tang Chuan smiled.
Tang Chuan was happy because Tang San would only become a useless stepping stone.
Yu Xiaogang was happy because he could leave this damn place sooner.
Meanwhile—
Hidden in the shadows, watching everything unfold—
Fu Ye could only think:
You two are truly geniuses.
A reincarnated God-King sabotaging his own past self?
Unbelievable.
At this point, Fu Ye felt like he didn't even need to act.
He could just sit back and watch them destroy each other.
"Mm! Thank you, brother, for giving me this spirit ring! Later, I'll help you get your first one!"
Tang San's eyes burned with excitement.
He was finally a soul master!
"Xiao San, what's your spirit skill? Let's hear it."
Tang Chuan was curious.
Plant-type soul beasts usually produced a wide variety of skills.
"Mm! My spirit skill is called… Root Hardening."
"It allows me to reinforce my Blue Silver Grass and make it extremely tough!"
Tang San's eyes shone with pride.
Yu Xiaogang and Tang Chuan both froze.
…Root Hardening?
Isn't that… a bit weird?
Although they were screaming internally, Yu Xiaogang still nodded with a forced expression.
"Cough… Xiao San, it's a good skill. But right now, our priority is to find your brother's spirit ring."
He quickly changed the topic.
He originally wanted to enhance flexibility—
And this guy made it harder instead?
What kind of nonsense is this?
Hidden in the shadows—
Fu Ye almost burst out laughing.
Seriously…
What kind of spirit skill is called Root Hardening?
And making Blue Silver Grass "extremely hard"… really?