Chapter 11: The Master's Conviction

"He's... okay, I guess."

"Yesterday. Ye Hao had a battle with Xiao Wu, and his Death Spider Martial Soul is quite powerful. He defeated Xiao Wu in almost one move."

The master remained calm, showing no signs of surprise. After all, how could her son be mediocre?

"What about that girl named Xiao Wu?"

The Master began to focus on understanding Xiao Wu, not her true identity. Furthermore, even if Xiao Wu were standing right in front of the master. Would he be able to see through her?

Tang San explained patiently, "I fought against Xiao Wu last night. She is very strong and has innate full soul power, along with a hundred-year soul ring."

Upon hearing this, the Master was taken aback. These new students are impressive!

Three of them have innate full soul power, and one even has a hundred-year soul ring.

It seems he really misjudged them...

"Now that I think about it, do you still believe Ye Hao is simple? He has knowledge of soul beasts and knows quite a bit about ten- thousand-year-old soul beasts. He claims to be an orphan, but I really don't believe it."

The Master was almost certain that Ye Hao was her son; this is a revelation!

(Bibi Dong: ???)

"Is it. The Soul Devouring Spider Emperor?"

The master felt parched as he murmured.

Time flew by so quickly. She had already married and given birth to "Ye Hao," this anomaly.

The master's eyes were dazed. Seemingly lost in his youthful memories, sadly, he could never return to those days.

With the Master's prompts, Tang San began to change his perception of "Ye Hao." This person was definitely not simple. Whether in skills or background, he seemed far more complex than he appeared.

Before long, Ye Hao returned after resolving his issue. He glanced at the jade belt around Tang San's waist and confirmed it was indeed the Twenty Four Moonlight Bridge, no doubt about it. But that didn't matter.

What is yours is yours. What is not, you can't force it.

As time passed slowly, the atmosphere in the carriage became eerily quiet. Ye Hao was resting with his eyes closed while Tang San was focused on studying the books brought by the Master, trying to learn as much about soul masters as he could.

The master occasionally casts glances at Ye Hao, observing him closely. He resembled her too much.

Ye Hao felt a shiver run down his spine, as if someone creepy was staring at him.

The forest was silent, but the surroundings were far from it.

Ye Hao walked along the path leading to the Soul Hunting Forest, flanked by a main road bustling with people. Some were shouting to sell hunting tools for soul beasts, while others were soul master teams looking for members.

The shops were diverse, and the crowd was eclectic. One might doubt this was a forest.

"Let's hurry up; there's nothing we need here," the master urged. Prompting Tang San to quicken his pace. Ye Hao followed at a leisurely pace, taking in the scenery on either side of the road, which was no different from a market in his previous life.

The prices here were twice those in Notting City. Soul masters made money easily, so spending a bit to hunt suitable soul beasts was worth it.

The outer edge of the Soul Hunting Forest resembled a massive "cage," with over a hundred soldiers in shining armor patrolling in an orderly manner. They held long spears, maintaining military discipline and exuding a chilling aura.

This was the place where the empire raised soul beasts, with a significant number of ten-year soul beasts and some hundred-year ones. Presumably, the stronger soul beasts would be located deeper in the forest, closer to its center.

The master stepped forward and handed his token to the soldier for inspection.

The soldier perked up, quickly signaling for the gates to open. Inside was a dense jungle filled with countless unknown dangers.

The Master had previously mentioned that his token had significance. The design on it indicated one's status, with different levels of authority granted. 

The highest was the Pope's token, with six symbols representing six powerful Title Douluo.

On the day Tang San's father left. He hadn't forgotten to give this token to the master, serving as a form of protection.

The Pope's token had supreme status. It's holder was at least a Spirit Hall Elder, symbolizing a rank just below that of the Pope.

The forest paths were winding, with towering trees stretching toward the clouds.

The Master led the way, with Tang San and Ye Hao following behind. As they walked, the master explained everything around them, to which Ye Hao listened with some effort.

At this moment, the Master's eyes brightened. He clasped his hands together before quickly lowering them. "Come out, Luo San Pao."

What appeared resembled a dog but was as plump as a pig. It had purple fur, droopy ears, and large blue eyes blinking adorably. It's round bottom swaying as it walks, topped with a little bump on its head. Upon its emergence, it nudged it's head against the Master's feet.

Ye Hao: What an eye-opener...

Tang San: This is really the teacher's martial soul? Did I choose the wrong master?

The Master: …

The Master forced a smile, "Don't mind it. The strength of a martial soul and the level of spirit power don't truly reflect a person's capabilities. I still have some abilities I haven't displayed yet."

Tang San: (☆o☆) 

Ye Hao: (-__-)

"Um..."

"Ahem, let's keep moving. San Pao, lead the way."

The master's martial soul was a variant martial soul. So his innate spirit power was half a level, commonly referred to as 0.5 levels.

This was a stain on the master's life that he could never wash away. Even though he was the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's leader, he was still criticized in the end.

Others awakened as dragons, while he had a pig, and a flatulent one at that.

"Who is it?"

Tang San furrowed his brows, glancing toward the rustling grass ahead. The three of them became instantly vigilant, aware that they were no longer in the city but in the Soul Beast Forest. Although this area was directly governed by the empire, many incidents of soul beasts attacking and causing fatalities occurred throughout the year.

They could only blame their misfortune or lack of strength.

Suddenly, three wolves leaped out of the bushes, glaring fiercely at the trio. While Luo San Pao growled defiantly.

The Master's eyes lit up. "Just three ten-year-old Ghost Wolves dare to attack?"

Finally, it was his turn to perform. "Get ready, San Pao..."

"Ha!"

Before the Master could react, Ye Hao had already summoned the Death Spider Emperor.

Black armor appeared on his chest, enveloping his face, and eight black spider spears extended from his back. With his arms also covered in thorns, the aura of the Death Spider Emperor instantly permeated the entire forest.

The three Ghost Wolves growled, realizing they were done for.

They had only come out to scare, and there was no need to risk their lives.