Chapter 30 – Yu Xiaogang's Fantasies
Because of Qi Tian's intervention, the destinies of Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Bibi Dong had already deviated from their original paths.
Yu Xiaogang's greatest heart demon was his inability to break through the Soul Elder rank due to his mutated martial soul. Under such mental torment, it wasn't surprising that he could do something so deranged.
However, Qi Tian never expected Yu Xiaogang would actually try to manipulate Liu Erlong by using her own mother as leverage.
Fortunately, he had discovered it early—before tragedy could happen.
"Erlong, he's still your elder brother," Qi Tian said calmly. "You can't kill him yourself. If you do, it'll damage your reputation."
Killing Yu Xiaogang wasn't the problem—who did it was. It just couldn't be Liu Erlong.
"Then what should we do?" Liu Erlong asked coldly. "Are we supposed to keep watching him like a hawk forever?"
Qi Tian's gaze turned sharp. "You'll write a letter to your birth father. Tell him that Yu Xiaogang tried to harm you with despicable means. Once the news spreads, his reputation will be ruined."
"I don't believe for a second that such a large clan doesn't have internal factions. Yu Xiaogang may be the patriarch's son, but once this scandal breaks out, others will seize the chance to attack the patriarch and gain benefits."
"After that, I'll arrange for someone else to take care of him—either cripple him or kill him outright."
Qi Tian's tone was calm, but every word carried killing intent.
Yu Xiaogang already knew Liu Erlong's true identity. If he dared lay a hand on her now, he would be finished—completely disgraced and unable to ever return to his clan.
Coincidentally, Bibi Dong had just emerged from the Slaughter City, her murderous aura overflowing. Perhaps sending her after Yu Xiaogang would be a good way for her to vent that pent-up killing intent.
"Alright," Liu Erlong said firmly. "I'll follow your arrangements, benefactor."
For the sake of her mother's safety, she could only swallow her pride and write that letter—to the father who had once abandoned her.
---
As they stood near the strange plant-type soul beast, Liu Erlong asked, "What should we do about this thing?"
The enormous green vine towered like a small tree, covering a wide area. The moment Qi Tian got closer, its flowers shimmered with a faint pink glow.
That was one of its attacks—Illusionary Poison. Anyone who inhaled its fragrance would fall into hallucinations, just like Yu Xiaogang had earlier.
Qi Tian didn't approach further, wary of breathing in too much of the toxin. Instead, he used his soul power to push aside the rich soil, revealing countless white bones entangled in its roots.
The roots quivered as if alive, pulling the bones back underground and quickly restoring the ground to its original state.
It had sensed the terrifying power within Qi Tian and didn't dare act recklessly.
"According to the Spirit Hall archives, this soul beast should be a mutated form of the Toxic Illusion Vine," Qi Tian murmured. "I wonder what kind of skill my Blue Silver Grass would gain if I absorbed its soul ring…"
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Good. My Blue Silver Grass's first soul ring will come from you."
"Erlong," he said, turning to her, "this vine won't move, and there are plenty of plant-type soul beasts around. No ordinary person will dare come close anyway. Let's just leave it be."
Liu Erlong nodded slightly. "Alright. Besides, it did save my mother in a way."
Although Yu Xiaogang's plan to abduct her mother was only a pretense, her mother was frail—if anything had gone wrong, she could've died. So in a twisted way, the vine deserved some credit for saving her.
"Then let's head down the mountain and claim our reward," Qi Tian said with a faint smile.
"Once you get your share, buy a fine piece of whale rubber and consume it. It'll strengthen your body and make absorbing your soul ring easier."
Liu Erlong quietly listened to his every word, warmth flickering in her eyes.
The fatherly affection she'd been denied all her life seemed to be returning to her—slowly, gently—from Qi Tian.
---
More than ten years later, in the same soul beast forest, Qi Tian arrived again, carrying a large pack on his back.
This was a wild, unguarded region. Without any military patrols nearby, it was easy for him to slip deep into the forest once more.
"I wonder if that mutated Toxic Illusion Vine still exists in this world…" Qi Tian muttered, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
That soul beast's territory lay on the outer edges of the forest, where only ten- to hundred-year-old beasts roamed. It wasn't particularly dangerous for someone like him.
Just as he was thinking this, a Soft Bone Rabbit darted out from the bushes beside the trail, its strong hind legs lashing toward Qi Tian in a sudden ambush.
"Stupid rabbit!"
Qi Tian twisted aside effortlessly, avoiding the sneak attack. The rabbit, realizing its strike had failed, immediately bolted into the distance with the agility of a seasoned assassin.
"Oh no, you're not getting away that easily."
With a flick of his wrist, the Blue Silver Grass martial soul surged forth. The vines coiled around his refined iron dagger, sending it flying toward the fleeing rabbit.
"Technique of the Flying Dagger—Grass Blade Art!"
This was a combat method Qi Tian had developed himself after obtaining the dagger—half experiment, half self-created soul skill.
The Blue Silver Grass danced wildly, its tendrils guiding the short blade through the air in rapid, precise thrusts aimed at the rabbit.
However, the rabbit was still a soul beast—its body incredibly strong. With a powerful kick, it deflected the dagger and vanished into the dense forest in the blink of an eye.
Qi Tian sighed. "Looks like this technique still needs more work."
With no rabbit meat for dinner, he continued deeper into the forest, heading toward where the plant soul beast should be.
Moments later, he stopped in astonishment.
"Unbelievable… this place really exists!"
Before him stretched a grove of plant-type soul beasts—Blue Silver Grass, Lonely Bamboo, and several thorny species he didn't recognize.
They looked somewhat different from what he remembered when viewing them through Liu Erlong's perspective years ago; clearly, soul masters had hunted in this region before.
"Huh? It's changed shape… could this still be the same Mutated Illusion Vine?" Qi Tian frowned slightly.
He remembered it vividly—a green vine-like beast—but now it resembled a small tree instead.
Then again, plant-type soul beasts were known for strange forms. The Blue Silver King, for example, looked like a giant humanoid tree, completely different from ordinary Blue Silver Grass.
Gripping his dagger, Qi Tian stepped closer.
Sensing danger, the tree-like plant suddenly trembled. Its canopy shook, releasing a cloud of shimmering pink pollen that drifted toward Qi Tian.
"So, it really is you."
The familiar attack confirmed his suspicion—it was the same vine. But Qi Tian's body contained a miniature Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, which neutralized toxins automatically. He wasn't the least bit afraid.
He swung his dagger. Clang!
A deep cut appeared on the tree's trunk, and thick, crimson sap oozed from the wound—almost like blood.
"As expected of a refined iron dagger—cuts better than a hatchet."
Suddenly, the ground beneath him trembled. Several thick roots shot up, bones entangled around them, stabbing toward Qi Tian like spears.
Startled but swift, Qi Tian deflected the first few strikes with his dagger and leapt aside, dodging the rest with nimble precision.
Thankfully, the vine's strength lay mostly in its toxins. Its physical attacks lacked power, allowing Qi Tian to maneuver easily.
He countered relentlessly, blade flashing as he hacked away at the trunk again and again.
Soon, the vine's bowl-thick trunk was split open, and scarlet sap gushed like a fountain.
With a final strike, the upper half toppled to the ground, transforming into the familiar sprawling form of a lush, green vine—the same shape Qi Tian had seen long ago.
But it still wasn't dead.
Qi Tian reached into his pack and pulled out a flask of lamp oil he'd bought on the way. He poured it all over the struggling vine.
Fwoosh!
Flames roared to life, consuming the Mutated Toxic Illusion Vine. The air filled with thick, acrid smoke as the creature writhed and burned.
When the fire finally died down, only ashes remained—the last traces of its vitality completely extinguished.
A deep yellow soul ring rose from the charred remains, pulsing with power.
Qi Tian sat cross-legged, the Blue Silver Grass martial soul emerging behind him. He began absorbing the ring without hesitation.
Meanwhile, the vine's lingering poisonous mist drifted outward, forming a faint barrier—protecting Qi Tian from other beasts during the process.
A powerful surge of soul energy flooded into his body, pounding against his meridians like roaring waves.
Qi Tian's eyes flickered with resolve.
His Blue Silver Grass's first true soul ring… had finally been obtained.
—
End of Chapter