Most crucially, because this soul ring was not of the mental attribute, Tian Meng was unable to utilize the origin energy sealed within his own body to increase its cultivation age. This meant that a soul ring slot had been completely wasted.
"No matter what, for the sake of our mutual safety, you absolutely must not reveal anything about me to him, or to anyone else for that matter," the Tian Meng warned solemnly.
"Don't worry, Brother Tian Meng, I will keep this secret," Huo Yuhao replied. Though he was naive, he wasn't stupid. Even without the Tian Meng's warning, he knew better than to reveal the sacrifice of a million-year soul beast to anyone.
The Tian Meng showed a look of approval. "That's more like it. Although your aptitude is a bit lacking and you absorbed a useless ten-year first ring, your Spirit Eyes are a mutated Body Soul after all; their potential is decent. You're just limited by your physical condition. If I get the chance later, I'll find some natural treasures for you to eat."
"Brother Tian Meng, I know my first soul ring is poor, but could you please stop mentioning it?" Huo Yuhao's face darkened. Originally, he hadn't harbored much resentment toward Feng Piaoling, as it had ultimately been his own choice. But with Tian Meng's constant nagging, a seed of resentment toward Feng Piaoling began to take root in his heart.
"Hehe, I just want you to be careful of that crafty brat. Alright, it's time for you to go out. Those two humans out there, and that cunning kid, have been keeping watch over you."
As the Tian Meng finished speaking, Huo Yuhao felt himself being drawn into a massive vortex, falling into darkness.
When he regained consciousness, the first thing he saw was Tang Ya's nearly perfect, charming face.
"Little Yuhao, you're finally awake! You worried me to death. You have no idea—after you absorbed the Wind Baboon's soul ring, a powerful soul beast suddenly appeared. Luckily, Little Piaoling led that beast away so you could remain safe." Seeing Huo Yuhao open his eyes, Tang Ya rejoiced, immediately blurting out her own imagined version of the events.
Led away a powerful soul beast? Huo Yuhao glanced at Feng Piaoling, who was still cultivating nearby, a flicker of displeasure crossing his eyes. According to Brother Tian Meng, Feng Piaoling had been driven away by Tian Meng himself.
He could understand that much; after all, facing a powerful soul beast, it was commendable enough that Feng Piaoling had tried to protect a friend he had only known for a few days. It was normal to flee when outmatched. But Feng Piaoling had told the others that he had led Tian Meng away to save him.
This made Huo Yuhao—who already harbored a grudge over the ten-year Wind Baboon ring—even more dissatisfied. Adhering to his promise to the Tian Meng, Huo Yuhao did not explain anything. He jumped up from the ground and circulated his soul power. Immediately, two white soul rings rose from beneath his feet.
Confirming that he had truly received the sacrifice of the million-year soul beast and promoted to a Soul Grandmaster, Huo Yuhao jumped for joy. "I succeeded! I've finally become a Soul Master, and a Soul Grandmaster at that..."
"A ten-year second ring." Tang Ya was momentarily stunned. With her somewhat impulsive personality, she couldn't help but complain to Feng Piaoling, "Little Piaoling, how could you do this? The first ring was one thing, but how could you let him absorb a ten-year ring for his second one too?"
Bei Bei also shook his head with a sigh. A ten-year first ring was somewhat excusable, but a ten-year second ring would undoubtedly have a massive negative impact on his future. At this rate, he might be stuck at Rank 29 for the rest of his life, unable to break through to become a Soul Elder.
Feng Piaoling offered no explanation. In any case, he intended to leave as soon as he used this Child of Fortune to find a suitable third soul ring for himself.
"Since the absorption is finished, let's move out. I still need to obtain my third soul ring. If you're willing to help, come along; if not, I'll go alone." As he spoke, Feng Piaoling stood up and began walking deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest by himself.
"Teacher Ya, you've misunderstood Big Brother Feng Piaoling. I didn't tell him I was absorbing my second ring, and I chose to absorb this ring myself." By now, Huo Yuhao had recovered from the joy of becoming a Soul Grandmaster.
However, his tone was... peculiar. Perhaps it was to provide cover for Tian Meng's sacrifice, or perhaps it was out of spite for the Wind Baboon incident, but his words sounded distinctly "manipulative."
Yet Tang Ya and Bei Bei fell for it completely. They looked at Feng Piaoling with shared indignation, completely forgetting their earlier assumption that Feng Piaoling had risked himself to lead a powerful beast away for Huo Yuhao's sake.
Feng Piaoling continued forward unbothered. A bit of "green tea" manipulation meant nothing to him; he had endured years of humiliation and hardship to get this far. He could tolerate this a little longer. Once he obtained his third soul ring, he would let them know who the true master of words was.
Seeing Feng Piaoling's indifferent attitude, the trio grew even angrier. Tang Ya walked in front while Bei Bei held Huo Yuhao's hand in the back. The three of them accelerated, heading toward the heart of the forest. They quickly overtook Feng Piaoling, who was walking leisurely.
Feng Piaoling didn't care, maintaining a steady pace exactly one body length behind them.
Perhaps to show off the so-called Tang Sect Ultimate Techniques to Feng Piaoling and Huo Yuhao, Tang Ya would occasionally use those outdated hidden weapons to kill Wind Baboons that tried to ambush them along the way. Simultaneously, Bei Bei began lecturing them on how great the Tang Sect used to be and how powerful their hidden weapons were.
Feng Piaoling wasn't so arrogant as to look down on the techniques of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record just because he possessed the Green Lotus Sword Art, the Heaven-Reaching Demon Eye, the Nine Swords of the Gale, and the Shadow Clone Technique. Instead, he secretly observed Bei Bei and Tang Ya's movements and soul power circulation routes, taking the essence and discarding the dross to improve himself.
Huo Yuhao, meanwhile, was enthralled by what he heard. If he weren't worried that the Tang Sect wouldn't accept a Soul Grandmaster with two white rings, he would have knelt down to beg for discipleship right then and there.
An hour passed quickly.
"Xiao Ya, be careful!" Bei Bei's expression suddenly changed. He snapped his right hand up, making a void-grabbing motion toward Tang Ya.
Tang Ya and Bei Bei had long since developed a perfect rapport. Hearing his voice, she tapped her toes on the ground and floated upward, allowing herself to be drawn in by Bei Bei's pull. This was the Tang Sect technique known as Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon.
The moment Tang Ya was pulled away, a long black shadow slammed into the spot where she had been with a soft thud. Immediately, a thick, sweet fragrance wafted through the air.
Feng Piaoling recognized the shadow at a glance: the thousand-year Datura Snake that Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao helped Tang Ya hunt in the original story. He had no intention of wasting time with them.
Swoosh!
The moment the Datura Snake landed, Feng Piaoling vaulted into the air. His left hand pressed lightly on his scabbard to activate a lightning protective shield, while his right hand drew the Thunder Tribulation Sword. His figure lunged toward the Datura Snake like a ghost.
Seeing Feng Piaoling charging alone without even releasing his martial soul, the Datura Snake suddenly lunged forward and spat a cloud of pink poisonous mist at him.
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