Yu Xiaogang maintained an air of perfect "innocence," continuing to speak with unwavering conviction: "My analysis is fully supported by theory. Those map records clearly indicated that Ghost Vines were active in this area. Who could have foreseen that, after so many years, the terrain and soul beast distribution would have changed so drastically…"
Of course, at that moment, further argument among the three was impossible.
Survival remained the paramount priority!
The trio fled at full speed, covering four or five li before the terrifying roars of the pursuing soul beast gradually faded into the distance.
Director Ferdinand collapsed onto the ground, gasping heavily for breath.
Every inch of his body ached. The most severe wound—on his shoulder, caused by flying debris from the Earth-Splitting Bear—continued to seep blood.
The bee venom on his back had begun to flare up again, producing an unbearable combination of pain and itching that made him want to roll on the ground.
Tang San was in scarcely better condition.
He leaned against a large tree, the left half of his face swollen grotesquely like a steamed bun, his eye nearly swollen shut. The wound on his knee had reopened, fresh blood streaming down his calf and staining his trouser leg a vivid red.
Worst of all, he had twisted his ankle badly during the escape; every movement now sent sharp, piercing pain through the joint.
Only Yu Xiaogang appeared remarkably unscathed—aside from a few rips in his clothing caused by thorns.
After all, whenever soul beasts attacked, Yu Xiaogang had proven exceptionally adept at fleeing, invariably positioning himself behind Tang San and Director Ferdinand.
It was Tang San and Ferdinand who had borne the brunt of the soul beasts' assaults on his behalf.
Yu Xiaogang stood to one side, observing their wretched state with no trace of guilt on his face.
Ferdinand raised his head, intending to deliver a few sharp words, but when he opened his mouth, no sound emerged.
He lacked even the strength to curse.
"Let us… first find a place to rest and recover," Ferdinand said with difficulty, forcing himself to stand. "We cannot press deeper. We must retreat. Further in, we may encounter ten-thousand-year soul beasts. With our current strength, that would be suicide."
The three turned back.
After walking for more than an hour, they finally located a relatively safe clearing in the woods.
Director Ferdinand inspected the surroundings, confirming the absence of signs left by large soul beasts, before allowing himself to relax slightly.
"We camp here."
"We go nowhere today. First, we must heal our injuries."
Tang San sat heavily on the ground and drew a small cloth pouch from his robes.
It contained the golden wound salve he had formulated using Tang Sect knowledge—an exceptionally effective healing agent.
Enduring the pain, Tang San first treated the wounds on his face, then rolled up his trouser leg to apply medicine to his knee.
Ferdinand, too, began tending to his own injuries.
He tore off another strip of sleeve to bind the shoulder wound tightly, then retrieved some medicinal herbs from his pack, chewed them into a paste, and applied it to the bee-stung areas on his back.
At that moment, his gaze fell upon the large bamboo basket beside Yu Xiaogang.
The basket stood taller than a man, tightly woven from rattan and covered with a piece of cloth.
From the moment they entered the forest, Yu Xiaogang had carried it on his back without once setting it down.
Ferdinand had noticed it long ago but had not had the opportunity to inquire until now.
"Master, what exactly is in that basket of yours?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened momentarily. He cleared his throat twice before replying: "This… is merely some supplies."
"Supplies?"
Ferdinand stared at the basket. "What kind of supplies requires such a large basket? Open it and let us see."
After a brief hesitation, Yu Xiaogang lifted the cloth.
Ferdinand was stunned.
The basket was packed to the brim with radishes.
White, red, purple—large and small—at least two or three hundred of them.
"What… what is the meaning of this?"
Ferdinand could scarcely believe his eyes. "You carried an entire basket of radishes into the Star Dou Great Forest? Did you think we were going on a picnic?"
Tang San leaned over to look as well; confusion was written across his swollen face.
Yu Xiaogang's expression grew awkward. After several dry coughs, he finally explained: "You… you do not understand. My martial soul, Luo Sanpao, is rather special. Its combat power is closely tied to what it consumes."
He pointed at the basket of radishes. "After Luo Sanpao eats radishes, the gas it expels becomes significantly more powerful. In critical moments, this can produce unexpected results."
Ferdinand opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
He recalled Yu Xiaogang calmly issuing orders from behind a tree while they were pursued by the Dark Shadow Demon Leopard.
He recalled Yu Xiaogang sprinting ahead when the Ironback Demonic Bees drove them into the stream.
He recalled Yu Xiaogang scrambling in panic when the Earth-Splitting Bear gave chase.
So this was why the "Master" had hauled an enormous basket of radishes—so that his Luo Sanpao could fart?
"You…"
Ferdinand drew a deep breath, struggling to compose himself. "You mean to tell me that you carried over a hundred jin of radishes the entire way just so Luo Sanpao could fart?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded gravely. "In theory, yes. The power of Luo Sanpao's flatulence is immense. When employed correctly, it can contend with quite formidable soul beasts."
Though he spoke earnestly, a faint trace of embarrassment colored Yu Xiaogang's aged face.
After all, having one's martial soul release flatulence as its primary means of attack was hardly befitting the dignified image of a "Master."
However, Yu Xiaogang had already given the storage soul guidance device "Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges" to Tang San, and Tang San—having lost a bet at forging—had subsequently fallen into Tang Yi's possession.
With no means of concealing the radishes any longer, Yu Xiaogang had no choice but to reveal the full truth.
"Then why did you not say so earlier?"
Ferdinand trembled with rage. "When we were being chased by the Dark Shadow Demon Leopard, why did you not have it fart then?"
"Well…"
Yu Xiaogang looked distinctly uncomfortable. "There was no time to prepare. Moreover, Luo Sanpao's flatulence requires charging; it cannot be released at will."
Ferdinand closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, clenching his fists. Were it not for Yu Xiaogang's background in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he would have struck the man with a single blow!
...
Night fell. The three huddled together in a quiet corner of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Ferdinand had originally intended to retreat through the night, but Tang San's injuries were too severe; he could not walk any farther.
They had no choice but to risk spending the night in the woods.
"Do not light a fire at night!" Ferdinand warned. "The light will attract soul beasts."
Yu Xiaogang, however, dismissed the concern. "A fire repels wild animals—this is common sense. Besides, there are three of us. What is there to fear?"
With that, he promptly kindled a bonfire.
Ferdinand watched uneasily, sensing something amiss yet unable to identify the source of his discomfort.
Deep into the night.
Tang San leaned against a tree trunk, drifting toward sleep. Ferdinand feigned rest with his eyes closed, though his ears remained keenly alert.
Suddenly, an earth-shattering roar shattered the nocturnal silence.
Ferdinand's eyes snapped open; his face turned deathly pale.
"Not good! It is a Sabre-Toothed Tiger soul beast!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, an enormous soul beast burst from the darkness.
The creature exceeded five meters in length, its fur yellowish-brown with black stripes running along its back. Most terrifying were the two foot-long sabre-like fangs protruding from its maw, glinting coldly in the firelight.
A four-thousand-year Sabre-Toothed Tiger!
Ferdinand sprang to his feet, martial soul manifesting instantly.
Yet he knew full well that, in his current condition, he was no match for the beast.
"Run!" he bellowed.
Tang San endured the searing pain in his leg and struggled upright.
But his ankle was swollen beyond use; after two steps he collapsed again.
The Sabre-Toothed Tiger fixed its gaze on him, crouching low and advancing slowly.
At that moment, a purple figure rushed forward.
It was Yu Xiaogang!
He positioned himself in front of Tang San and shouted: "Luo Sanpao—fart!"
The pale-purple creature inflated its belly, aimed its rear at the tiger, and expelled a violent burst of yellowish-green gas.
"Pffft—!"
A nauseating stench filled the air instantly. The force of the gas was indeed considerable; striking the tiger's face, it actually forced the beast back half a step.
But only half a step.
The Sabre-Toothed Tiger shook its head and emitted an enraged growl from its throat.
It opened its massive jaws, baring those horrifying fangs, and lunged straight at Yu Xiaogang!
"Teacher, careful!"
With all his remaining strength, Tang San shoved Yu Xiaogang aside.
The tiger's fangs grazed his shoulder, tearing away a large strip of flesh.
Blood spurted forth. Tang San cried out in agony and fell to the ground.
Ferdinand charged forward, landing a palm strike on the tiger's flank.
The beast roared in pain, whirled, and pounced toward him.
Man and tiger clashed fiercely.
Already gravely wounded, Ferdinand was utterly outmatched.
Within a few exchanges, fresh claw marks appeared across his body; blood soaked half his frame.
"Run!"
He roared at Yu Xiaogang: "Take Little San and go!"
Yu Xiaogang's face blanched. He dragged Tang San from the ground and stumbled deeper into the forest.
Ferdinand gritted his teeth and fought with desperate resolve to hold the tiger at bay.
Only when the other two had vanished into the darkness did he feint an attack, turn, and flee.
The Sabre-Toothed Tiger pursued with furious roars.
Man, boy, and beast engaged in a desperate chase through the pitch-black woods.
They ran for an unknowable length of time, falling countless times.
Ferdinand accumulated more and more wounds; Tang San's leg had gone completely numb; even Yu Xiaogang had lost one shoe.
Finally, the first pale light of dawn appeared on the horizon.
The terrifying roars gradually receded behind them.
The three staggered out of the forest and emerged into an open expanse.
It was a bamboo grove. Tall, emerald-green stalks stood straight and proud—some reaching four or five meters, others taller than a man. In the morning light, the bamboo leaves shimmered with a faint golden sheen.
Ferdinand collapsed to the ground, gasping desperately. His face was ashen as paper; every inch of him ached, every wound still oozing blood.
Tang San's condition was even worse.
He slumped against Ferdinand, his complexion ashen, eyes half-open and unfocused.
The deep gash on his shoulder—torn open by the tiger's fang—exposed bone. Though the bleeding had slowed, the surrounding flesh had begun to fester.
"Little San! Little San, wake up!"
Yu Xiaogang crouched beside him, calling anxiously.
Tang San forced his eyes open; his lips moved, but no sound emerged.
Yu Xiaogang glanced around, then at Tang San's injuries. Suddenly his eyes lit up.
"I have it!"
He stood and pointed at the surrounding bamboo. "These are solitary bamboo—ten-year solitary bamboo!"
Ferdinand stared in disbelief. "What do you mean?"
Yu Xiaogang spoke excitedly: "Little San's injuries are too severe. He must absorb a soul ring immediately. When a soul ring is absorbed, its energy flows back into the body and heals injuries. This is common knowledge among soul masters!"
He gestured toward the bamboo. "These solitary bamboo may be low in years, but there are many of them; we can hunt one at any time. Let Little San absorb a ten-year solitary bamboo soul ring—his condition will stabilize!"
Ferdinand could scarcely believe what he was hearing.
"You are saying…?"
He pointed at the bamboo. "You want Tang San to absorb a ten-year solitary bamboo as his second soul ring? His first soul ring is from a four-hundred-plus-year Man-Eating Demonic Snake! A ten-year ring as the second? The disparity is far too extreme!"
Yu Xiaogang waved dismissively, still wearing his air of profound wisdom. "You do not understand. My theoretical research proves that soul ring year limit is not the decisive factor. The key lies in compatibility with the martial soul."
"Solitary bamboo is a plant-type entity, sharing an origin with Tang San's Blue Silver Grass martial soul. The compatibility is extremely high. After absorption, not only will his injuries stabilize, but his martial soul's vitality will be enhanced."
"Nonsense!"
Ferdinand could no longer restrain himself and swore aloud. "What kind of rubbish theory is that! A ten-year solitary bamboo is still a ten-year solitary bamboo—no matter how compatible, it remains garbage! With Tang San's exceptional talent, using a ten-year ring for his second will ruin him for life!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened. "Are you questioning my theory?"
"Questioning you?"
Ferdinand gave a cold laugh. "After the disaster you have led us into, you still dare to speak to me of theory?"
Yu Xiaogang's face flushed red; he opened his mouth but found no retort.
At that moment, Tang San's faint voice sounded.
"Teacher… Director… stop arguing…"
The two looked down. Tang San's complexion was deteriorating rapidly.
"Little San!"
Yu Xiaogang knelt beside him and urged urgently: "Listen to your teacher. Absorb a solitary bamboo soul ring. Your injuries will stabilize, and later we can find a way to replace it!"
"Replace it?" Ferdinand exploded. "Soul rings cannot be replaced! They are bound for life! Little San, do not listen to him. We will find another way. I will hunt a suitable soul beast. Hold on!"
But Yu Xiaogang had already acted. He pointed to the nearest solitary bamboo. "I will cripple this solitary bamboo soul beast!"
Ferdinand seized his arm. "You have lost your mind! A ten-year solitary bamboo ring would be worthless to Tang San!"
Yu Xiaogang shook him off. "You do not understand! My theory cannot be wrong!"
He strode to the nearest bamboo stalk and summoned Luo Sanpao.
"Luo Sanpao—fart!"
"Pffft—!"
A burst of yellowish-green gas struck the solitary bamboo.
The stalk swayed, then snapped with a crisp crack and fell to the ground.
Though Yu Xiaogang was powerless against powerful thousand-year soul beasts, dealing with a mere ten-year solitary bamboo was effortless.
Under Yu Xiaogang's persistent persuasion—and influenced by years of indoctrination and a deeply ingrained respect for teachers—Tang San, ever dutiful, finally drew his dagger and delivered the final blow to the fallen ten-year solitary bamboo soul beast.
A pale white soul ring slowly rose from the broken stalk.
It was a ten-year ring—the lowest possible tier.
In the morning light, that stark white circle was blindingly harsh.
Yu Xiaogang supported Tang San and urged him urgently: "Little San, quickly! Absorb it!"
With great difficulty, Tang San raised his hand and mustered the last remnants of his soul power to guide the white ring.
The ring drifted slowly upward, hovered above his head, and began to merge into his body.
Ferdinand stood to one side, watching the scene unfold, his heart filled with an indescribable mixture of emotions.
A genius possessing twin martial souls, a prodigy whose first soul ring had already reached over four hundred years—ruined by his own foolish teacher?
The absorption process proceeded smoothly.
Color gradually returned to Tang San's face; the purplish tint on his lips began to fade.
The festering around his shoulder wound halted; the surrounding muscle started to heal slowly.
Yet when one examined Tang San's expression, it was more pained than at any previous moment.
He could feel the faint energy emanating from the white ring within him.
It was the weakest power he had ever experienced in his life.
Compared to his four-hundred-plus-year first soul ring, this white circle was like a droplet merging into the ocean—almost imperceptible.
This was his second soul ring.
Ten years. White. The lowest grade.
Yu Xiaogang spoke with excitement: "It worked! Little San, how do you feel? Are your injuries much better?"
"Quickly, tell me—what is your second soul skill?"
Tang San closed his eyes and remained silent.
What could he say?
That he had cultivated with all his heart and soul to reach level twenty, only to obtain a ten-year soul ring?
That from now on, in every battle, he would bear this white ring above his head and be mocked for the rest of his life?
That his future had been destroyed?
Tang San kept his eyes closed, feeling the feeble white light within him, his heart as cold and dead as ash.
Ferdinand approached, glanced at Tang San, then at Yu Xiaogang.
Director Ferdinand opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately only shook his head and turned away.
Behind him, the morning sun illuminated the solitary bamboo grove, casting a golden sheen across the emerald stalks.
And above Tang San's head, his second soul ring remained suspended—a pale, glaring circle of white light.