After returning to Holy Spirit Village, the three of them resumed their daily routine of cultivation, sparring, and researching Martial Souls. At this point, Xiao Lin was still unaware that he had been targeted by that incompetent teacher, Yu Xiaogang.
Had he known, he would have surely spat on the ground and cursed his rotten luck.
"How is it, Brother Lin?"
On the grassy plains surrounding Holy Spirit Village, Tang San was exerting his Soul Power, causing the ground before him to be covered in a lush growth of Blue Silver Grass.
Today, Tang San was in peak condition, confident that his data would be even more impressive than before.
"Mhm, not bad at all. I've noticed the height of the Blue Silver Grass has increased by another centimeter; that's several days' worth of progress in one go."
Xiao Lin used his Horned Dragon Staff to measure the height of the grass before grabbing a handful and tugging with all his might.
To his surprise, it didn't budge.
"Impressive, Little San. For Plant-system Martial Souls, the most important thing is taking root. As long as even fragile Blue Silver Grass takes deep root, even I can't pull it out."
"Your 'Blue Silver Rooting' can now be considered a qualified Self-Created Soul Skill."
Xiao Lin was generous with his praise.
This was a hundred times better than a simple Blue Silver Bind.
"Hahaha! What else would you expect from my son?"
A thick, resonant laugh boomed from the distance, causing Xiao Lin and Tang San to jump.
Tang Hao was back!
By the time they heard his voice, Tang Hao had already appeared before them, despite neither boy seeing him approach.
Xiao Lin looked up and saw that the once-tall but haggard drunkard had undergone a massive transformation. The current Tang Hao seemed to be experiencing a second youth; his eyes were clear, bright, and filled with hope.
"Here, Little San. Your first Soul Beast: a Three-Eyed Salamander."
Tang Hao tossed a meter-long, scrawny salamander onto the ground.
Xiao Lin looked it over and noted that the creature didn't look like a beast known for its incredible regenerative powers.
Its body was a meter long with a tail less than thirty centimeters.
The third eye on the back of its head was deeply sunken, looking exhausted as if it had stayed up for days on end.
"Dad, this is a Three-Eyed Salamander?"
Tang San looked at the creature in disbelief.
He saw that the moisture on its skin was nearly gone, and the faint scars on its body showed no signs of healing. He truly doubted if this was the high-vitality Soul Beast Xiao Lin had described.
"There are five rings at the base of its tail. Don't tell me it used 'Autotomy' to escape five times?" Xiao Lin poked at the salamander's tail with curiosity and shock.
With the regenerative power of a Three-Eyed Salamander, it shouldn't leave scars like these.
"This little thing tried to leave its tail behind to mimic its own aura and create a chance to flee. Did it really think I'd let it escape?"
Tang Hao had merely been testing the creature's regenerative limits.
Xiao Lin stole a glance at Tang Hao before focusing on the salamander's characteristic horns.
"The two miniature horns on the sides have grown five branches each."
"The age of a Three-Eyed Salamander is determined by the branches on its horns. Five branches mean it's over 400 years old."
"Aside from that, you can look at its regenerative capacity. Based on what Uncle Hao said, this little guy used its tail to escape at least five times, which proves its age is close to 500 years."
"However, its last tail didn't fully regenerate. It looks like its age should be around 450 years."
Xiao Lin voiced his deduction and looked up at Tang Hao.
"Xiao Lin is right. I searched the Star Dou Forest for nearly a month and only found it in the last three days."
"On the way back over these three days, it regenerated four times. Every time it used Autotomy, the speed was terrifying; the tail grew back almost in the blink of an eye. Only this last time did it seem to struggle, and even now, it hasn't grown back."
Tang Hao nodded, sharing his observations.
"Then that's it. This is a 450-year Soul Beast. The ring marks on the tail are proof. Normally, after this creature escapes, its new tail shows no flaws."
"It must be because Uncle Hao kept a grip on it, leaving it unable to regenerate the 'details,' which resulted in those five ring marks. Coupled with Uncle Hao's 'torment' these past few days, it's now listless and lacks the energy to regenerate."
Xiao Lin's eyes lit up, realizing this beast was unexpectedly perfect for Tang San.
"Mhm. I haven't fed it for a few days. Here, these are the tails it dropped."
Tang Hao reached into his storage Soul Tool and pulled out four severed tails.
"Each tail is nearly 1.5 meters long, very thick—thicker than the main body even."
"These are the tails the Three-Eyed Salamander uses to mimic its aura to survive. It seems I underestimated its regeneration; this can be called 'Hyper-Regeneration' and 'Gigantification'."
Xiao Lin turned to the stunned Tang San.
"Little San, hurry up and kill it to absorb its Soul Ring!"
"But... didn't you say the limit for a first Soul Ring is 423 years?" Tang San hesitated.
Was 450 years too dangerous?
"Don't worry. You are a genius; absorbing beyond the limit is nothing."
"Besides, this Three-Eyed Salamander has exhausted a massive amount of Soul Power to regenerate. Even if it tries to resist, it won't be stronger than a Plant-system Soul Beast. 450 years is just right, as long as you focus during the absorption."
Xiao Lin smiled confidently, looking for all the world like he believed a genius should naturally be extraordinary.
"Alright, I trust you."
A flash of determination crossed Tang San's eyes as he walked toward the salamander.
"Little San, take this dagger."
Tang Hao tossed a dagger forged from refined steel to him.
In Tang Hao's eyes, Tang San was perfectly capable of absorbing this ring. Because Tang San was a true genius with Twin Martial Souls, he should surpass the historical record of 423 years.
How could someone with only one Martial Soul compare to the talent of someone with two?
Soon, under Tang San's decisive strike, the Three-Eyed Salamander closed its eyes and passed away in peace, releasing a shimmering, bright yellow Soul Ring.
"Little San, calm your mind and use your Martial Soul to guide the Soul Ring."
Tang Hao stood by and gave calm instructions, providing Tang San with even more confidence.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lin pulled out his notebook and began recording the scene.
The Three-Eyed Salamander died peacefully, which might help Little San with the limit-breaking absorption. The Soul Beast was physically exhausted with little Soul Power left. Will this affect the final age of the Soul Ring?
(Crossed out). No, that shouldn't happen.
I should write: 'Will it affect the strength of the Soul Skill?'
The Three-Eyed Salamander has a third eye at the back of its head. I wonder if it will increase the sensory capabilities of Little San's Blue Silver Grass?
I haven't mentioned this to Little San. I wonder if he'll awaken that ability without knowing?