Tang San’s Discovery

Under the night sky, a bright moon cast a soft, hazy glow over the Soul Beast Forest. Flames flickered in the area, crackling as Liu Erlong occasionally added firewood to the campfire.

Chen Xuan sat beneath a large tree, facing a Gale Demon Wolf, absorbing its soul ring. In his spiritual world, the spirit of the deceased demon wolf appeared, manifesting as a ghostly form before him.

The Gale Demon Wolf, over thirty thousand years old, had a large, eerie green pelt. It bared its fangs at him, its wolf eyes as cold and sharp as daggers.

Chen Xuan activated his Mangekyou Sharingan, and instantly, his spiritual world filled with a cold, sinister soul power, reaching every corner. This pair of eyes held a natural advantage over soul beasts, nearly godlike here, capable of subduing even fifty-thousand-year-old soul beasts.

After half an hour, the wolf's body ceased emitting any soul power, completely lifeless. Chen Xuan slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a deep breath—he had successfully absorbed the soul ring.

Liu Erlong was astonished. He had managed to do it so quickly, almost effortlessly. This was a soul beast of over thirty thousand years, something a capable Soul Emperor could barely handle as a sixth ring.

In a sense, this young man already possessed a hint of Soul Emperor strength. Xiao Wu parted her lips slightly, marveling at his talent—it seemed even more remarkable than Tang San's.

Chen Xuan sat on the ground, carefully feeling the attributes and boosts granted by the Gale Demon Wolf.

"As I suspected, it's because of that rare plant," he thought. He had already guessed this, and now it was confirmed. The thirty-two-thousand-year-old Gale Demon Wolf, after absorption, had its soul ring's age boosted to thirty-six thousand years, just like before.

When he had absorbed his fourth soul ring in the Star Dou Forest, that soul beast hadn't been anywhere near ten thousand years, but it had reached that level upon absorption.

At that time, Chen Xuan had suspected that either the Mangekyou had an unknown power or that it was due to the strange fruit and plant he'd encountered. Now, it was confirmed that the plant rooted in the Red Earth World was truly miraculous—a real fairy herb.

"What if I consumed all nine fruits?" he murmured, entertaining the thought.

This plant, shrouded in mist, had grown thirty-six leaves and nine ruby-like fruits. Each fruit held terrifying energy, and even its leaves radiated boundless life force. Unfortunately, he couldn't access the Red Earth World, and besides, the fruits were still maturing and wouldn't be ready for a while.

"Xiao Chen, how are you feeling now? What's your level?" Liu Erlong asked, noticing he was lost in thought.

Chen Xuan snapped back to reality, sensing his soul power increase. He shook his head and replied, "Unfortunately, it only increased my soul power by one level. I'm now a level fifty-one Battle Soul King."

"Only one level?" Xiao Wu was both surprised and disappointed for him.

Liu Erlong furrowed her brows. The result was unexpected. The greater the gap in the beast's strength, the more one usually gained. She had conservatively estimated an increase of at least two levels, possibly reaching level fifty-three.

"Ah... if only Xiao Gang were here. With his knowledge, he'd surely know the reason," Liu Erlong sighed, thinking fondly of Yu Xiao Gang.

Chen Xuan smirked. Even a Limit Douluo like Bibi Dong might not figure it out, let alone Yu Xiao Gang. He alone knew the secrets within him.

Undoubtedly, the plant in the Red Earth World was the culprit; it had absorbed most of the Gale Demon Wolf's energy, using it as nutrients.

"By the way, Chen Xuan, what's your fifth soul skill?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.

Chen Xuan sighed. "My martial soul is unique. No matter how many rings I gain, they don't produce skills—only boosts to various attributes."

His teachers had inquired about his martial soul many times, and he had explained it multiple times, though it seemed Xiao Wu never took it seriously.

"What? Then where did your previous skills come from?" Xiao Wu's eyes widened in shock. A martial soul without skills seemed practically useless.

Indeed, for anyone else, it would be a cumbersome soul. Liu Erlong casually added more wood to the fire and remarked, "But isn't your martial soul a spatial one, Xiao Chen?"

"Yes, but it requires specific objects as a medium to activate. According to competition rules, I can barely use it," Chen Xuan explained. The characteristics of his martial soul weren't really a secret, and anyone observant could discern them.

On the field, even if his martial soul's ability was restricted, he wasn't at a disadvantage. His speed was sufficient, though the Flying Thunder God technique was more direct.

He didn't have many innate talents, but he had a considerable advantage in controlling soul power. With training, he could even replicate Zhang Bilian's thunder technique.

Late at night, as the moon vanished and the sky darkened, the campfire crackled on, with the trio spending the night in the Soul Beast Forest.

When Xiao Wu opened her eyes, dawn had broken, and the forest air was crisp. The campfire was still burning, with a freshly roasted chicken nearby.

Apparently, Liu Erlong had risen before dawn to catch a well-fed chicken and roast it over the fire.

Chen Xuan felt speechless. Was this really an appropriate breakfast?

After a simple meal, the three packed up and left the forest, returning to Spirit City.

As the sun rose, casting a golden glow over the land like a yellow sea, Oscar's surprised voice called out, "Xiao Wu, Teacher Erlong, you're back so soon?"

The Shrek group, already up and training, gathered around as they noticed the three return.

"Tell us, Xiao Wu, what level are you at now?" Ning Rongrong, bright and beautiful, grabbed Xiao Wu's hand and led her aside.

The others perked up, listening eagerly. Upon hearing that Xiao Wu had reached level forty-three, everyone was astonished. A millennium soul ring brought a three-level increase—unbelievable.

When they heard Chen Xuan had absorbed a soul beast over thirty thousand years, everyone was shaken. Such an achievement challenged yet another of the Master's theories.

However, hearing he'd only gained one level of soul power, some sighed with disappointment. They'd expected a significant boost, only to find it was just a minor one.

"Xiao Wu, what kind of soul beast did you absorb?" Tang San asked, curious. A sub-ten-thousand-year soul ring granting three levels meant it was likely a rare and powerful soul beast.

The unexpected question caught Xiao Wu off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. She hadn't actually absorbed a soul ring and was merely fabricating her story.

"I... I'm not sure. I just remember it was big and fat, yes, that's it," she stammered, sounding unconvincing.

Chen Xuan covered his face, feeling second-hand embarrassment for her. Surely no one would believe such a feeble explanation.

He couldn't help but wonder—did Tang San not know that a soul beast transformed into human form could still produce soul rings?

"Xiao Wu, let me see your soul ring," Tang San suggested, activating his Purple Demon Eyes, which glowed with a purple aura.

Xiao Wu, fully trusting her third brother, called forth her Soft Bone Charming Rabbit martial soul, displaying four soul rings: yellow, yellow, purple, and purple.

Tang San's gaze swept over her. When his eyes landed on her slightly round belly, he froze, as if struck by lightning.

His face went pale as he stared blankly, as if all his strength had drained away, leaving him swaying on the spot.

"You... you..."

Tang San staggered, pointing at Xiao Wu's belly, almost on the verge of breaking down.

"Xiao San, what's wrong?" Dai Mubai and Oscar rushed to support him, only to be shoved aside.

Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted in shock. From Xiao Wu's belly emanated the aura of life—a new life.

He couldn't hold back any longer and spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the ground red, his face paling even further. The impact had devastated him.

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