Deep within the Primary Spirit Hunting Forest.
A strange creature that looked like a cross between a dog and a pig was happily trotting along the ground on its short legs. Every so often, it would stop to sniff around curiously.
Behind it, Yu Xiaogang, despite only having one leg left, hadn't let go of his posturing. On the contrary, he had become even more theatrically exaggerated.
With his head held high and a cane in his right hand, he marched confidently at the front of the group.
In his eyes, with a Spirit Ancestor acting as a bodyguard and himself being a Grand Spirit Master,as long as nothing unexpected happened, how could he not strut around this low-tier forest that only held spirit beasts under a hundred years old?
Unfortunately, the unexpected was bound to happen.
Maybe out of boredom from walking too long,
Pu Jie suddenly asked:
"Master, since your research into spirit theory is so profound, surely you've already got a plan in mind for Tang San's second ring?"
"Of course,"Yu Xiaogang responded. "Last time, Xiao San absorbed an extremely rare 390-year-old Sawscale Viper.
Not only did it provide strong proof of my theories, but it also allowed the otherwise ordinary Blue Silver Grass to undergo a major evolution and enhancement—developing to a level on par with other excellent martial spirits.
This time, we will continue with that strategy and hunt a powerful spirit beast that combines both resilience and poison.
Poisonous snakes, vines, spiders—any of these would be good choices.
You see, once the development path of a martial spirit is set, it's best not to change it arbitrarily."
Yu Xiaogang's mouth curled upward in self-satisfaction.As a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, even if his strength was pitiful and he'd been expelled from the clan in name, he wasn't completely without options.
It's just that everyone at this academy was talented, spoke kindly, and flattered well—he liked it here very much.
What he failed to notice, however,was that not far behind him, Pu Jie, who had just been acting like he admired Gangzi deeply, looked up toward the sky.
His mouth twitched hard, and his eyes filled with helplessness.
He had already asked this exact same question once earlier on the road—and had been force-fed a mouthful of boasting.And now, round two.
But within moments, Dean Pu Jie quickly adjusted his expression and returned to normal.
The martial world isn't all about fighting—it's about social finesse.
Of the four great powers in Notting City—the City Lord's Mansion, the Defense Corps, and the Spirit Hall—all had their backgrounds.Only he, Pu Jie, came from a completely ordinary civilian family. His wife's family wasn't influential either.
Don't say waving the tiger skin banner of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan,even if it were just a dog skin, he had to wave it proudly.
Pu Jie, in a tone filled with both surprise and admiration, said:
"Although I've known this for a while, I still can't help but be amazed all over again.
Letting a plant-type spirit absorb a beast-type spirit ring, and even giving Blue Silver Grass a poison attribute—
what a genius idea. You've pioneered an entirely new path for spirit masters.
And the courage, confidence, and intelligence it takes to personally test this on your own disciple…
Tang San, your luck is truly off the charts to have a teacher like this.
You're sure to become a legendary figure in the continent just like your master.
Not like me—my first ring was ten years, third ring only a hundred years, the skills and bonuses all average. Wasted so much potential, and now it's too late to regret."
The moment these words left his mouth,not only did Yu Xiaogang's mouth twitch upward, but even Sanzi couldn't help smiling.
However, compared to the Master's smugness, Tang San maintained a cold and pure demeanor, trying his best to act as though it was no big deal.
His expression seemed to say:
Although I'm amazing and even received praise from the Dean, this is only natural. I'm supposed to be this awesome. You nobodies should be kissing my feet anyway.
...
"Truly, where there's a crouching dragon, a young phoenix isn't far behind."
From the canopy of a giant tree that blocked out the sky, Nangong Lingyun observed the three from afar.
Hearing Pu Jie's round of flattery, his changing expressions were a sight to behold.
To spout such shameless lies with such smoothness and sincerity—to stay in character without blinking—he had to admit, the man was quite a character.
Soon, as he watched Tang San draw closer to the ambush point,Nangong Lingyun completely suppressed his breath and heartbeat, becoming as lifeless as a corpse.
This was an easy feat for someone with a Spirit Body Martial Spirit.
Next, he made the final adjustment to the Killer Bee's position, bringing it closer to where the three were most likely to pass.
After a slight repositioning, the Black-Head Yellow-Tail Bee quietly lay on a leaf, completely masked by a layer of spiritual energy.
The woods where he was hiding were made up of Silver Umbrella Trees, a species unknown to Earth.
Their most unique feature was the large, fan-shaped silver leaves that grew in clusters,each leaf over a meter in diameter despite not being a spirit plant.
Often, three leaves would grow in different directions with zero gaps between them, forming a perfect natural umbrella.
Some poor families even used them as roofing material—Nangong Lingyun had seen it back in Sacred Spirit Village.
Just a single Silver Umbrella Tree could cast a vast shadow,and here, they formed a dense forest—a veritable domain of darkness.
Yu Xiaogang trusted Luo Sanpao's scent detection abilities completely,striding forward confidently without a hint of hesitation.
Tang San and Pu Jie, on the other hand, kept alert and scanned their surroundings.Sanzi even activated his Purple Demon Eye,but against the concealment of a Chaotic Sacred Spirit, it wasn't nearly enough.
At a certain moment, as the three passed directly below the ambush spot and had just turned their backs—
A glint of light flashed in Nangong Lingyun's eyes as he shouted internally:"Now!"
Before the thought had even fully formed, the Killer Bee's abdomen swelled, and three sharp stingers shot out like lightning.
This was the innate skill of the Black-Head Yellow-Tail Bee—Venomous Needle Shot.
One could say it was the hidden weapon master among spirit beasts—its speed was astonishing.Most Spirit Elders and sub-thousand-year beasts couldn't react in time.
If used mid-flight, the combination of speed and stealth made it nearly unavoidable.
Unfortunately, just like the web of the Man-Faced Demon Spider, this attack could only be used three times per day.
After all, it fired real physical stingers—not soul-power constructs—so they couldn't be quickly replenished.
Since Pu Jie was far stronger than Yu Xiaogang, a single century-old beast wouldn't offer another chance to strike.So Nangong Lingyun held nothing back, releasing all three stingers at once to maximize the ambush.
The moment the Killer Bee launched its attack, the spirit energy shield masking it shattered,and with such close range, Tang San and Pu Jie instinctively summoned their martial spirits and dodged to the side.
The black needle aimed at Pu Jie was incinerated by the flames of his spirit-attached firebird.A century beast was still no match for a four-ring Spirit Ancestor.
The one aimed at Tang San, despite his best efforts to defend,was still too much for his fragile Blue Silver Grass. The attack only shifted slightly but still pierced his right arm.
As for Yu Xiaogang…
Knowing his level of trash ahead of time—and to avoid scaring off prey too early—he had deliberately aimed at the left forearm, and unsurprisingly, hit it precisely.
(End of Chapter)