Chapter 14: "Scumbag" and "Mistress"
Since Zu Zong had already obtained his first soul ring, neither of them had any intention of staying in the Soul Hunting Forest any longer.
This wretched place was not only harsh to live in, but also extremely dangerous. They didn't want to remain a second more than necessary.
They ate a little of the dry rations they had brought with them—barely passing for breakfast—and then headed toward the forest's outskirts.
Along the way, their speed was clearly much faster than when they had entered.
Zu Zong leapt swiftly between towering trees, with Franklin trailing behind.
Ever since he had revealed his expert-level soul power control in front of Franklin, Zu Zong no longer bothered to feign weakness. He simply moved with natural ease.
"Zu Zong! Slow down, you little brat!" Franklin shouted from behind. His martial soul was the Green Ox, a power-type beast soul. Speed was his weak point, and coupled with his crude soul power control, he couldn't move fluidly across the treetops like Zu Zong could.
Since obtaining his first soul ring, Zu Zong was well aware that his strength had increased significantly. He was itching to find a soul beast to test his newfound power.
He activated the Blue Silver Domain and used the surrounding blue silver grass to sense everything around him.
Suddenly, Zu Zong seemed to pick up something. He paused and muttered, "Hm? A venomous snake! A century-old one, and it looks like it's chasing something…"
Franklin caught up and saw that Zu Zong had stopped with a serious expression, so he asked, "What is it? Did you find something?"
Ever since witnessing Zu Zong's first soul skill, Franklin had completely given up on the idea of taking him as a disciple. A peerless genius like this was beyond his ability to teach. Not only was Zu Zong more advanced in soul control techniques, but though only around level ten, he could already rival some Grandmasters. And the most important point—he was just six years old.
Compared to that, all Franklin had was a bit of life experience. Nothing more.
Unconsciously, Franklin had already begun to view Zu Zong as being on the same level as himself.
Zu Zong nodded. "Yeah, Director. Not far ahead, there's a century-old soul beast chasing an old man and a young boy."
Franklin thought for a moment and said, "Let's go help them!"
It wasn't in his nature to ignore someone in danger. Besides, even if the people being chased were bad guys, anyone running from a century-old soul beast couldn't be that powerful—and wouldn't pose a threat to the two of them.
Zu Zong nodded and leapt back onto the tree branches, rushing toward the location he had sensed.
Franklin also sped up and followed.
Not long after, they arrived at the scene. In front of them was a flat-headed middle-aged man, about forty to fifty years old, pulling along a frail black-haired child as they fled in panic. Not far behind them was a four-meter-long giant snake with strange patterns chasing them at full speed.
Zu Zong narrowed his eyes. "Isn't that the scumbag 'Grandmaster' and Tang San from the original story? And the one chasing them should be the Mandala Snake, right? Well, since I ran into you, Tang San, looks like you'll have to pick a new one! Hahaha."
Thinking that, Zu Zong casually bluffed to Franklin. "Director, looks like that old guy from the dorms who's hitting menopause is being chased… he's dragging a kid with him too."
Hearing "the dorm guy with menopause," Franklin winced and cursed silently. Crap, looks like this lie is about to be exposed right on the spot. Why did I have to run my mouth back then?
"Forget it, we'll deal with that later. Let's save them first."
As he spoke, Franklin activated his martial soul. His limbs transformed into iron hooves, and his entire body took the form of a humanoid Green Ox.
Zu Zong rolled his eyes at Franklin. If you step in, that soul ring's going to end up in Tang San's hands.
Zu Zong said, "Director, don't rush. Take a closer look—that seems to be a century-old Mandala Snake, known for its potent venom. Your first two soul skills are close-range attacks. What if you get poisoned?"
Franklin snorted a puff of white mist from his ox nose and nodded. "So, what do you suggest?" He didn't believe Zu Zong would stand by and watch someone die, especially not a fellow student from the same academy. If that were true, then he'd seriously misjudged the kid.
"Against the Mandala Snake, long-range combat is best. I'll try to control it with my first soul skill, and then you hit it with your signature move—Super Electromagnetic... I mean, Super Big Horn Cannon."
"Mm, solid strategy!" Franklin nodded to himself. A well-rounded student in every sense!
In the distance, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were fleeing for their lives.
Tang San wasn't panicking. Confident in his Tang Sect techniques, he didn't fear a mere beast.
Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, was already falling into despair. He wasn't afraid of death—but he feared dying unknown and forgotten.
Tang San was his hope to prove his "theoretical invincibility." He couldn't die here.
"Damn it, why is a venomous thing like this in the outer region of the Soul Hunting Forest?"
Tang San was loyal and gifted. If he became a Titled Douluo in the future, surely he wouldn't forget that his teacher once sacrificed himself for him—Yu Xiaogang thought to himself.
So he made up his mind—to sacrifice himself and buy time for Tang San to escape.
"Little San, run! Thunderous flatulence—Heaven-Shattering Ro—"
Yu Xiaogang hadn't finished his line when Tang San cut in.
"Teacher, someone's coming."
Tang San's tone clearly lacked enthusiasm. He had seen the one who humiliated him before, and the sleeve dart in his hand trembled, ready to fire. But now wasn't the time for personal grudges.
Yu Xiaogang didn't care. In this life-or-death moment, his gaze turned toward the approaching figures. The next second, his face lit up with joy. "Little San, we're saved—it's our Nuoding Academy's Director!"
Hearing that, Tang San quietly put away his sleeve dart. Can't expose myself in front of so many people... as for that brat, I'll settle the score after I get my soul ring.
Zu Zong saw that even with Yu Xiaogang at death's door, Tang San was still keeping up appearances. He sneered in disdain. That little sleeve dart again—how many tricks can you hide in one?
He exchanged a glance with Franklin. Both nodded.
Zu Zong took the lead, unleashing his kunai throwing technique from a blind angle. Two kunai were launched—both aimed at the Mandala Snake's eyes.
Psshh! The snake narrowly dodged one, but the other struck home—blinding it in one eye.
The Mandala Snake thrashed in pain, rolling violently on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust that obscured the view.
"Now's the time—First Soul Skill: Poison Dragon Bind!"
A clear yellow soul ring rose from Zu Zong's feet, spiraling around his body.
At the same time, Zu Zong quietly activated the Blue Silver Domain.
With the domain's enhancement, the power of Poison Dragon Bind far surpassed what he had previously shown Franklin. Though the range remained the same, the effect was entirely different. Zu Zong was determined—no way was he letting Tang San's soon-to-be soul ring get away.
(End of Chapter)
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