[Host has delayed Tang San's apprenticeship under Yu Xiaogang, seizing a moderate amount of Tang San's fortune!]
[Reward: "Complete Guide to Soul Master Training"!]
[Reward: "Comprehensive Soul Beast Encyclopedia"!]
[Reward: "Martial Soul Cultivation Manual"!]
[Reward: "Soul Ring Identification Compendium"!]
An overwhelming flood of information momentarily caused Tang Lan to freeze.
Fortunately, his powerful soul allowed him to absorb it all within a dozen seconds.
Facing Yu Xiaogang's expectant gaze, he grinned.
"Since Xiao San refused, let's forget about the apprenticeship."
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened.
Regret crept into his heart.
Why did he lose his composure the moment he saw a genius?
Tang San might not be as gifted as Tang Lan, but he was still a twin martial soul prodigy with innate full soul power!
What right did he have to be disappointed?
Tang Lan was simply too dazzling, overshadowing Tang San's brilliance.
Just as he was lamenting his mistake—
Tang Lan changed his tone: "But since my father asked you to guide us, calling you 'Master' isn't a problem."
"However…"
Tang Lan extended his hand.
"If you want to teach us brothers, let's see how sincere you are."
Even Yu Xiaogang was stunned—let alone Tang San!
Was he… extorting him?!
Someone was offering to teach him, and he expected payment instead?!
"Xiao San, don't doubt it," Tang Lan confidently declared. "After all, certain people have only theories but lack the ability to put them into practice. They need some geniuses to prove they're right."
His words were blunt.
In fact…
Tang Lan was deliberately provoking Yu Xiaogang!
Before, Yu Xiaogang could at least serve as a walking encyclopedia.
But now, with all this knowledge crammed into his mind, Tang Lan's expertise far surpassed Yu Xiaogang's.
This guy was useless now.
It was the perfect excuse to sever ties.
Unfortunately…
Yu Xiaogang was a stubborn one.
Even after being humiliated like this, he refused to give up.
Without hesitation, he pulled open a drawer, took out a belt, and handed it to Tang Lan.
"This is a soul tool. It can store non-living objects, with twenty-four jade stones—each holding one cubic meter of space."
"Following you won't be a waste of its value."
Oh ho!
Wasn't this the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges?!
Of course, originally, this thing had no name—Tang San, that show-off, just had to give it such a long-winded one.
But in Tang Lan's hands?
It was simply a "storage belt."
Without hesitation, he took it.
[Host has obtained Yu Xiaogang's storage belt soul tool, seizing a minor portion of Tang San's fortune!]
[Reward: +1 Level!]
Level 27!
Tsk tsk!
Yu Xiaogang was practically a walking fortune dispenser.
Tang Lan chuckled.
Under Yu Xiaogang's expectant gaze, he asked—
"So, Master, what about Xiao San's gift?"
Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened!
He had just given Tang Lan such a valuable soul tool—surely Tang San's gift couldn't be inferior?
But…
Soul tools were incredibly rare. Where was he supposed to find a second one?!
With no other option,
Yu Xiaogang got up, took a book, and placed it in front of Tang San.
"Tang San, I only had that one soul tool."
"This Ten Core Martial Soul Competencies is my gift to you."
Tang San: "…"
Could he be any more perfunctory?!
"No need." Tang San's face turned cold. "I already read this book in the library… Master, your writing is quite impressive—I learned a lot."
Oh damn!
He had encountered someone in the know!
Yu Xiaogang awkwardly retracted the book.
"I didn't expect you to be such a diligent learner, Tang San. Already visiting the library on your first day of school, hahaha—"
He forced out a couple of dry laughs.
Then Yu Xiaogang said, "I'll make it up to you later."
"For now, let's go hunt for your soul ring."
However—
Tang Lan and Tang San shook their heads in unison.
"No need, I already have my first soul skill," Tang San replied coldly.
At the same time, he released his white soul ring.
"First Soul Skill: Whipping!"
His Blue Silver Grass transformed into a long whip and lashed out, striking the book precisely.
Pa!
The book's cover was torn apart by the strike, flying off the desk.
Yu Xiaogang's brows furrowed tightly!
A white soul ring?
A ten-year soul ring?!
What a waste of twin martial souls!
One misstep, and everything crumbled.
Tang San was now completely incapable of proving his Maximum Soul Ring Age Theory.
With no choice, Yu Xiaogang shifted his hopes onto Tang Lan.
However, Tang Lan ignored him and instead gave Tang San an apologetic look.
"Xiao San, I really didn't know back then that choosing soul rings required so much consideration."
Tang San's expression stiffened slightly.
After studying for a while, he had also learned about the optimal soul ring configurations.
But what was done was done…
Forget it.
He still had the path of hidden weapons to pursue.
"Brother, don't blame yourself," Tang San reassured. "It was my own choice at the time."
"Besides, it's just the first soul ring—it's not a big deal."
Though Tang Lan still looked guilty on the surface, in his heart, he was sighing in disappointment.
If only he could keep fooling Tang San into absorbing inferior soul rings…
What a pity!
"From what I know, soul ring age is not unchangeable," Yu Xiaogang suddenly chimed in, eager to assert his relevance.
"On the distant Sea God Island, there's a special trial. If one's talent is high enough, passing the test allows them to increase their soul ring's age."
"With your twin martial soul talent, you both definitely qualify."
"Once you break through to Soul Sage (Rank 70+), I can take you there."
Tang San's eyes lit up!
Sea God's Trials?!
Just from the name alone, it sounded incredibly powerful!
Yu Xiaogang puffed out his chest, feeling quite pleased with himself.
Heh! Still think you can escape my guidance, you little brats?
But before he could get too smug—
"If the Sea God's Trials are that amazing, Master, why didn't you take them?" Tang Lan asked innocently. "I heard your level has been stuck at Rank 29?"
"Cough, cough—!"
Yu Xiaogang's face turned black.
Why did he have to hit the sore spot?!
Of course he had wanted to take the Sea God's Trials and defy fate.
But back then, he had invaded Sea God Island with Bibi Dong and the Spirit Hall army!
Take the trial?
He wouldn't have even dared to step foot on that island!
He could only chuckle awkwardly. "The Sea God's Trials are meant to select candidates for the Sea God's inheritance and have extremely high talent requirements."
"Although my martial soul is a mutation, it's more likely a weakened mutation."
"I was not qualified to participate in the Sea God's Trials."
He thought that would be enough to brush things off…
But Tang Lan did not intend to let it slide.
"That's strange," Tang Lan tilted his head. "Didn't you write in The Ten Core Martial Soul Theories that 'There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters'?"
Yu Xiaogang's stiff expression instantly relaxed.
Finally!
A good student who respects my teachings!
"That's correct!" Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction.
Clearly, this talented young man recognized his wisdom.
But before he could enjoy the moment—
"Then, Master," Tang Lan asked with a straight face, "why are you stuck at Rank 29?"
"Is it because of a useless martial soul?"
"Or a useless soul master?"
Yu Xiaogang: (Φ—Φ)
He stared at Tang Lan's "innocent and curious" expression.
It was hard to believe…
That such a soul-crushing question came out of this kid's mouth!
How was he supposed to answer?!
If he admitted his martial soul was too weak and that's why he was stuck—
Then wouldn't his entire Ten Core Theories become a joke?!
So, he had no choice but to say…
"I simply have poor talent." Yu Xiaogang forced a smile.
"Ohhh…" Tang Lan nodded in understanding. "But according to the Spirit Hall's official records… not a single 'weak martial soul' has ever become a Titled Douluo."
Yu Xiaogang was instantly speechless!
Ah, shit…
"And also," Tang Lan pressed forward mercilessly, "you claim to understand so much about martial souls and even wrote The Ten Core Martial Soul Theories…"
"And yet you still have poor talent?"
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, but his brain lagged from the sheer brutality of the question.
"If even you have 'poor talent'…" Tang Lan delivered the final blow, "then what qualifications do you have to teach us?"
(End of Chapter)