Tang San stared intently at the red-eyed rabbit, his eyes filled with eagerness!
Seeing this, Tang Lan loosened his life-bound Blue Silver Emperor slightly.
In a flash, the red-eyed rabbit bolted, dashing deep into the forest!
"Ah! It's getting away!" Tang Lan shouted in panic.
He pretended to chase after it—
But his foot suddenly gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground—
After repeatedly consuming soul power, wasn't it normal to be exhausted?
Tang San, however, paid no attention to this.
The temptation of breaking through made him activate Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, quickly closing the distance.
But—
Sensing the killing intent, the red-eyed rabbit ran for its life, using every ounce of energy it had!
For a moment, Tang San couldn't catch up.
Seeing that the rabbit was about to escape completely—
Tang San raised his hand in secret, covering his movements with his back—
And fired a hidden sleeve dart straight into its head!
The red-eyed rabbit was nailed to the ground, twitching a few times before falling completely still.
A white spirit ring floated up from its body.
That's right—
A white spirit ring!
Tang Lan had carefully selected this rabbit—
Its age was just over ten years.
It had only just "come of age."
This was a trap, meant to mislead Tang San while he still didn't understand optimal spirit ring choices!
Otherwise, why would Tang Lan "kindly" bring Tang San to see the Blue Silver King?
If the one above decided to interfere and give Tang San an opportunity—
For example, helping him awaken Blue Silver Domain—
It wasn't impossible.
Not to mention—
This soul beast was actually a Soft Bone Rabbit (柔骨兔).
The same species as Xiao Wu!
If Tang San absorbed a Soft Bone Rabbit as his first spirit ring—
How could Xiao Wu ever fall for him?!
Her first impression of him would be ruined completely!
A perfect setup!
Seeing Tang San hesitating before the white spirit ring, seemingly deep in thought—
Tang Lan casually mentioned:
"What was that just now? You shot something and instantly killed this soul beast?"
"Just a little trick," Tang San avoided the topic. "Big Brother, what do I do now?"
"Didn't Grandpa Jack say to use your martial soul to absorb the spirit ring?" Tang Lan suggested.
"Why don't you try it? Otherwise, the spirit ring might disappear…"
Tang San was startled!
He immediately made a decision.
He approached the Soft Bone Rabbit, released his Blue Silver Grass, and guided the white spirit ring onto himself.
Tang Lan subtly glanced around—
Tang Hao shouldn't be lurking nearby, right?
A few seconds later—
Tang San stood up, grinning from ear to ear.
"Big Brother, my bottleneck is gone!"
Tang Lan also smiled.
Looks like Tang Hao really trusted him.
Now that it was done, nothing could change it.
The only way to increase spirit ring age in the future was through divine trials.
But Tang San was chosen by the Asura God—
He wouldn't get any special treatment from the Sea God.
And the Sea God's Trials were based purely on talent.
With Tang Lan'smutated twin martial souls, better spirit ring configuration, and higher soul power level—
Would the Sea God's Nine Trials still belong to Tang San?
"As long as you broke through, that's good. Did your level increase?" Tang Lan asked with concern.
"Increase? No, it didn't."
Tang Lan felt completely satisfied.
That was exactly the result he wanted.
[Host has downgraded Tang San's first spirit ring to 11 years, seizing a portion of Tang San's fortune!]
[Reward: "Spirit Ring Age +411"!]
Tang Lan felt his physique slightly strengthen.
It seemed that spirit ring age and physical body were closely linked.
When one increased, the other improved as well.
But…
Why was the added age such an odd number?
Then it hit him—
Tang San's original first spirit ring was a 422-year Mandala Snake.
Subtract 11 years from that, and you get…
411 years!
This system was surprisingly precise!
"Big Brother! It's already noon, and Father hasn't eaten yet!" Tang San urged. "Let's hurry back!"
Tang Lan sneered inwardly.
Tang San seemed to care about Tang Hao—
But in reality, he was just afraid of being questioned about the sleeve dart!
Fine.
The more stingy and secretive Tang San was—
The less guilty Tang Lan would feel about setting traps for him!
One Month Later—
The Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy was opening.
Since there were two children this time, Old Jack drove his trusty donkey cart to escort them to Notting City.
At the village entrance—
Tang Hao stood by the door, placing both hands on Tang Lan and Tang San's shoulders.
"Lan'er, I'm not worried about you. Just remember what I told you."
Tang Lan nodded obediently.
Then, he flipped the script, turning to remind Tang Hao instead:
"You need to focus on recovering, too. No more drinking."
He spoke with the maturity of a little adult.
Tang Hao laughed heartily, his large hand patting Tang Lan's shoulder.
This eldest son—the more he looked at him, the more satisfied he felt.
Then he turned to Tang San.
"Xiao San, you…"
"Just focus on your training. If you don't understand something, ask your brother."
His perfunctory tone made Tang San's expression turn cold—he only nodded indifferently.
Tang Hao sighed inwardly.
A disappointment!
In three months, Tang San had only mastered 25 swings of the Random Wind Hammer Technique (乱披风锤法).
And that was because he had wasted so much time purging the Nine Yang Divine Skill's inner power—his progress was severely delayed.
Compared to Tang Lan?
His talent was like the difference between clouds and mud.
Tang San's expression stiffened, feeling helpless.
But he had to admit—Tang Lan's talent far surpassed his own.
Especially that strange Blue Silver Grass martial soul—
It made him both want to get closer and feel an inexplicable urge to submit.
Tang Hao, still worried, turned to Tang Lan.
"Lan'er, keep an eye on Xiao San."
Tang Lan wrapped an arm around the shorter Tang San, grinning wildly.
"Of course!"
"I'll take great care of Xiao Sanzi!"
Now that they were free from Tang Hao's Title Douluo-level supervision—
There'd be plenty of opportunities to mess with this guy!
Damn it!
It had been so long, yet Tang San guarded his secrets tightly—
His hidden weapons, techniques, movement skills—completely impenetrable!
He had to return the favor and make Tang San suffer for his paranoia!
Tang Lan spoke with such earnest sincerity that Tang Hao felt completely at ease.
He gave them both a gentle push toward Old Jack.
Once the two boys climbed onto the donkey cart, Old Jack shot Tang Hao a sidelong glance.
"For once, you finally acted like a decent father."
Then, with a flick of the reins, the donkey cart rumbled off toward Notting City.
Tang Hao watched the cart disappear past the village gates—
He didn't even glance back at their home before turning to head in another direction.
The children were off to school—
It was time for their mother to know as well.
On the Donkey Cart—
Tang Lan reached into his robe, pulled out a small cloth pouch, and stuffed it into Tang San's hand.
"Clink, clink—"
A crisp metallic sound echoed.
Tang San opened it—inside were two gold soul coins and one silver soul coin.
"I earned this over the past two months by hunting wild beasts," Tang Lan said with a foolish grin. "You should go through the normal admission process. I'll take the work-study student spot."
In reality—
Tang Lan hadn't hunted a single beast.
The money came from selling gold bars.
But Tang San didn't know that.
Hearing Tang Lan's words, he felt deeply moved.
He had originally assumed—
That Tang Lan spent all that time outside because Tang Hao was secretly giving him special training.
But it turned out—
"Big Brother, your talent is greater than mine. Shouldn't I be the work-study student instead?" Tang San said sincerely.
As he spoke, he tried to hand the pouch back.
"Thunk—"
Tang Lan flicked his forehead hard, leaving a huge, red lump.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Tang Lan scolded. "I'm your big brother—it's my job to take care of you! No more arguing!"
He played the role of a loving, protective older brother flawlessly.
Tang San rubbed his forehead, gritting his teeth—
Partly because of the pain, partly because he was so touched.
His big brother…
Was too good to him!
Unlike that useless father, who was always distant and indifferent, treating him like a stray he picked up.
But in reality—
Was Tang Lan really being nice?
Work-study students and regular students stayed in different dorms.
By doing this, Tang San wouldn't be able to meet Xiao Wu right away!
And that was one of Tang San's greatest opportunities!
Early on, Xiao Wu's sacrifice would have granted him a 100,000-year spirit ring and spirit bone!
Midway through, Da Ming and Er Ming's sacrifices would have given him two more 100,000-year spirit rings and spirit bones!
And at the very end—
Xiao Wu even became the sheath for the Asura Demon Sword, helping Tang San claim the Asura God's divine position!
If Tang Lan got Xiao Wu first—
The rewards would be astronomical!
(End of Chapter)