Yu Xiaogang’s Shamelessness

After obtaining his spirit ring, Lan Si no longer had any reason to stay in the Soul Beast Hunting Forest.

As he wandered leisurely, he occasionally tested his newly acquired spirit ring skill on the surrounding soul beasts.

By noon, he finally exited the forest.

However, as he approached the forest's entrance, he was stopped by two fully armored guards.

"Stop."

"Uncles, is there something you need?" Lan Si glanced at them, displaying an expression of confusion and fear befitting his age.

It's true that the appearance of a child is the most deceiving.

Seeing Lan Si's innocent and delicate face, the expressions of the two armored guards softened somewhat. One of the guards crouched down and asked, "Which academy are you from? Where is your guardian?"

"I'm from Notting Academy. I got separated from my teacher a while ago, so I retraced my steps," Lan Si said, mixing truth with lies.

"Such irresponsible teachers," thought the guard angrily, though he dared not voice it aloud. As a mere guard, he could not afford to offend soul masters. Pointing to a wooden hut nearby, he said, "Little boy, Notting City is about two hundred kilometres from here. We can't let you go alone. Stay in that hut and wait for your teacher."

"Thank you, uncles." Lan Si didn't refuse. Since he had already obtained his first spirit ring and advanced to a spirit master, he intended to use this opportunity to practice the Sacred Universe Technique and the Five Thunder Heart Technique to break through to the second level. By then, his speed, strength, and soul power would be significantly enhanced.

On the third evening, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang finally emerged from the Soul Beast Hunting Forest.

Both were in a sorry state. Although Yu Xiaogang was not visibly injured, his face was pale, devoid of any color—clear signs of poisoning.

Tang San carried Yu Xiaogang on his back. Due to the difference in their sizes, Yu Xiaogang's legs dragged on the ground, and the burdened Tang San was clearly exhausted, his breathing rapid and face covered in sweat.

"Seems like Tang San still managed to get a decent spirit ring, even without the Mandala Snake," Lan Si thought as he approached them, feigning surprise, "Tang San, what's happened to you and Master?"

Tang San glanced at Yu Xiaogang, hesitation flashing in his eyes, before he said, "My teacher and I encountered a hundred-year soul beast. To protect me, he was poisoned by it."

Lan Si said, "Then let's hurry and take Master back to Notting Academy."

Tang San nodded. Lan Si then added, "Wait here. I'll hire a carriage."

With that, Lan Si greeted the two armored guards and quickly walked toward the marketplace.

By the time Yu Xiaogang awoke, the three were already in the carriage.

"Hey, Master, you're awake." Lan Si, who had been studying a soul beast encyclopedia, closed the book and smiled at Yu Xiaogang.

"Lan Si?" Yu Xiaogang was shocked. He turned to Tang San and asked, "Xiao San, what happened to me?"

Tang San glanced at Lan Si without leaving any traces, then said, "Master, you were poisoned by a Black Mamba Snake. I carried you out. We met Lan Si at the forest entrance."

"And the Black Mamba Snake? How about your spirit ring?" Yu Xiaogang asked urgently.

"Don't worry, Master. I've got my spirit ring. After your spirit skill weakened the snake, I managed to finish it off with some effort," Tang San lied without batting an eye.

Yu Xiaogang sighed in relief, showing a satisfied smile. "That Black Mamba Snake was nearly three hundred years old. Although it didn't reach the first spirit ring's limit, it's not bad. Later, you must show me your first spirit skill."

"Yes," Tang San responded respectfully. This spirit ring absorption not only solved his Xuan Tian Skill's bottleneck but also gave him a comprehensive understanding of martial souls. In his view, this so-called soul power was akin to the internal power from his previous life, just that this world seemingly had no cultivation methods.

Listening to their conversation, Lan Si mused silently. Is this the plot's self-correction?

Thinking about it, with Tang San's nature, how could he possibly absorb that subpar hundred-year-old Lone Bamboo?

However, the nearly four-hundred-year-old Mandala Snake turning into a nearly three-hundred-year-old Black Mamba Snake was an unexpected surprise.

Both had similar venomous properties, but there was a century's difference in age.

"What about you, Lan Si? How did your first spirit ring acquisition go? If you haven't obtained it yet, we can turn back to the Soul Beast Hunting Forest to hunt that Soul Power Sacred Tree. It could also be an opportunity to test Tang San's first spirit skill," Yu Xiaogang looked at Lan Si with a hidden hint of pride in his eyes.

"There's no need, Master. I've already obtained my spirit ring," Lan Si said flatly.

"That's good." Yu Xiaogang didn't dwell on it, assuming Lan Si had randomly chosen a decade-old soul beast. He then said, "In that case, when you both arrive at Notting City, be sure to visit the Spirit Hall."

"Why go to the Spirit Hall? Haven't we already awakened our martial souls?" Tang San was puzzled.

A gleam of wisdom flickered in Yu Xiaogang's eyes as he explained, "Not to awaken your martial soul, but to be assessed as a spirit master. First, to test your soul power, and second, to receive a monthly stipend. This way, you won't have to continue being a work-study student and can dedicate more time to cultivation."

"Seems like the Spirit Hall is quite friendly to us commoners," Tang San said with a faint smile, upon hearing about the stipend.

"Hmph, just buying people's loyalty. That money comes from the two empires," Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly, his voice filled with disdain.

Tang San frowned upon hearing this, his favorable impression of the Spirit Hall completely dissipated.

In his view, the monarchy was supreme. The Spirit Hall's actions were overstepping their bounds, even hinting at rebellion, which was contrary to his previous life's loyal and patriotic beliefs.

While the master and disciple were united in their animosity towards the Spirit Hall, Lan Si's voice suddenly echoed inside the carriage, "Master, I have a question for you."

"Oh? Speak," Yu Xiaogang said, his mood evidently lifted after his theories were validated by Tang San.

"Master, you must come from a noble or a major sect, right?" Lan Si asked calmly.

Yu Xiaogang frowned, "Why do you say that?"