Tang San

As they flew towards the Nuoting village, Flender couldn't help but smile with contentment. The spirit rings they had acquired were impressive indeed. Perhaps, he mused, he might even be so generous as to treat them to a feast…a meal…he would allow them free rein for a few days to indulge in whatever they desired…with their own cost of course.

However, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted as his Predatory Eyes detected movement not far from the exit of the Soul Hunting Forest. Flender's expression turned serious as he focused his gaze, narrowing his eyes to get a clearer view. Two figures emerged from the shadows, one of them beside a serpentine creature, seemingly just finished absorbing the spirit ring. But it was the other figure that caught Flender's attention, a person lying on the ground, their face pale and likely poisoned.

"Huh, why does his face look...?!" Flender trailed off, his mind racing as he processed the scene before him. Without hesitation, he adjusted his course, flying swiftly towards the distressed figures.

"Teacher what are-" As Ma Hongjun was about to ask what his teacher was mumbling about he was startled by Flender's sudden shout "XIAOGANG!" with a shout Flender's 3rd spirit ring lit up as his speed accelerated.

On the ground, as the boy was about to extract poison from his teacher, he was startled by a sudden shout not far away. Then suddenly three figures landed behind him, he couldn't help but shield his poisoned teacher, warily looking at them while preparing his hidden weapon.

Flender ignored the black-haired boy in front of him as he rushed to his long lost friend "Xiaogang!! What happened to you?!" Flender's voice trembled with concern. The black-haired boy was surprised and relieved that this mysterious man seems to know his teacher, putting away his hidden weapons he couldn't help but ask "Uncle, do you know my master?

"Your master? You are Xiaogang's disciple?" Flender's voice carried a sense of urgency as he addressed boy. "Quick, boy, tell me what happened to Xiaogang and how did he end up in this state?" His concern for his friend was evident in his hurried tone.

The boy nodded solemnly, his expression clouded with guilt. "Uncle, my name is Tang San. Master got poisoned by the Datura snake when he tried to protect me" he explained, his voice heavy with guilt.

"Datura snake poison? Quick, we must get him out of here and find a Spirit Master of Healing System" Flender exclaimed, his mind racing with thoughts of how to save his friend. As he prepared to take flight and carry everyone away, he was stopped by Tang San's unexpected offer.

"Uncle, I can extract the poison out of him" Tang San declared, his gaze determined despite seeing Flender's skeptical expression.

Flender couldn't help but hesitate. "My father taught me a little about the poison. Besides, as his disciple, I naturally won't harm my master" Tang San explained, his voice steady and resolute.

With a heavy nod, Flender stepped back, allowing Tang San to take charge. Despite his initial skepticism, he couldn't deny the sincerity and determination in Tang San's words

Seeing the rosy color returning to Xiaogang's face, Flender couldn't help but sigh in relief. After a while, Xiaogang woke up, his eyes widening in surprise as the first face he saw was that of Flender's.

"This... am I dead?" Xiaogang's voice was raspy as he let out a dry cough, his confusion evident.

Flender's expression shifted from relief to astonishment. "You! You've been hiding from me for so long, and the first thing you do when we finally see each other is curse me?!" he exclaimed, though there was a playful glint in his eyes as he handed Xiaogang a cup of water.

Xiaogang's surprise turned to realization as he took the cup and sipped the water. "So I am alive?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise.

"Of course you are alive, thanks to your disciple here who knows how to extract poison from your body" Flender replied, gesturing towards Tang San with a nod of gratitude.

After Tang San finished explaining to Xiaogang, the latter couldn't help but inquire "Xiao San, what about your spirit ring? Did you successfully absorb the ring? If so, what is your spirit ring skill?"

With a nod, Tang San replied "Yes, master, I have indeed successfully absorbed the ring. As for my spirit ring skill, it is better to show them directly" He extended his hand and pointed towards a nearby tree.

"Bind" Tang San commanded, and in response, blue vines-like plants rushed out, binding the tree within seconds.

"My first spirit ring skill is named Bind" Tang San explained with a happy smile. "As the name suggests, it binds opponents, rendering them immobile. I also can control Blue Silver Grass freely in a 50-meter radius. Sadly, my spirit skill didn't inherit the Datura Snake poison but only its paralysis effects"

Xiaogang's expression mirrored Tang San's joy. "That's already good" he remarked. "With its current toughness and paralysis effects, it will be hard for someone of the same level to escape from your bind"

At the side, Flender looked on in astonishment. "Huh? Blue Silver Grass, a Plant-type Martial Soul, actually absorbed a spirit ring from a beast-type spirit beast" Flender then burst into hearty laughter. "Xiaogang, it seems that your theories are finally proven correct" But just as he was about to continue congratulating his old friend, he froze.

"Wait... Blue Silver Grass? You wouldn't happen to be the boy from Holy Soul Village, are you?" Flender asked, his voice filled with doubt.

"Uncle, you know me?" Tang San asked curiously, while Xiaogang also looked puzzled. Sensing their confusion he explained that Tang San was part of the reason he was here.

At the side, Sheng Jun and Ma Hongjun couldn't help but whisper to each other. "Brother Jun, did you hear that just now? It seems like he is the guy our teacher was here to find. That Blue Silver Grass looks indeed sturdy. Do you think I will be able to burn it?" Ma Hongjun asked quietly.

Sheng Jun looked at his brother like he was looking at a monkey. "Stupid, fire is naturally the bane of all plants, and if you can't burn it, then it just means your fire is still too weak. Why ask such a silly question? Are you really turning into a muscle head?" Hearing his brother's accusation Ma Hongjun couldn't but he retorted angrily.

Hearing the bickering not far away from them, Xiaogang finally noticed the two little fellows. "Flender, who are they?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Flender's eyes sparkled with pride as he introduced them. "These two are my disciples. They are both brothers and both possess full innate soul powers" he explained enthusiastically. However, as he was detailing his disciples abilities, he suddenly paused as an idea dawned on him. He turned to Sheng Jun with renewed excitement and asked "Xiao Jun, can you teach the Heavenly Dao Sutra to Xiaogang?" his tone pleading.

 "Teacher, since he's your long time friend, he can naturally be trusted" Sheng Jun said as if matter of fact. Turning to Xiaogang, he continued "Uncle, please let go of your mental defense so I can impart the technique to you"

Xiaogang waved his hand dismissively. "Since you are Flender's disciple, just call me Grandmaster. That's what everyone else does too" he replied with a small smile, closing his eyes as he prepared to receive the technique. Sheng Jun gently touched Xiaogang's forehead with his hands and began the transfer.

As Sheng Jun was imparting the technique, Tang San observed from the side, his eyes narrowed in wonder. "Heavenly Dao Sutra? What a grand name, but is it worthy of it?" Tang San couldn't help but shake his head a bit skeptical, after all even in his previous life, no one dared to use the word 'Heavenly Dao' in their technique.