Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the bluestone road was dyed a warm gold, and the sweet aroma of pastries wafted from the shops along the street.
These past two days, Xiao Wu had been dragging Tang San shopping, full of boundless energy, completely forgetting about the matter of the two spirit rings.
"Xiao Wu, that's enough, isn't it? We've already spent several hundred Gold Soul Coins today," Tang San reminded her gently.
Although his master gave him a generous allowance, Tang San mostly used it to manufacture hidden weapons.
Without using his second martial soul, cultivation alone was far from enough to quickly improve his strength; he had to craft high-level hidden weapons.
Hearing the complaint, Xiao Wu stopped. She leaned closer with some dissatisfaction and pouted, "Brother, your master is so rich. Does he really need to worry about this little bit of money?"
Lin Mu's monthly salary was 20,000 Gold Soul Coins, plus various other income streams. It was more than enough for any normal expenses.
However, Tang San shook his head, his face serious.
"Xiao Wu, we are Soul Masters. It's okay to indulge in pleasure occasionally, but our main focus should be on cultivation. I plan to use these materials to make some hidden weapons, and I'll make one for you too."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu wasn't particularly happy. Instead, the words "Soul Master" stirred up complicated thoughts, and a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.
After Lin Mu's teachings, she understood the antagonistic relationship between Soul Masters and Soul Beasts better than ever, and a trace of worry and fear inevitably arose deep in her heart.
After a moment, she stood on tiptoe, her pink eyes fixed on Tang San, and asked in a low voice, "Brother, do you really not care that I used to be a Soul Beast?"
Hearing this, Tang San's expression faltered slightly. He paused for a moment, then reached out and grabbed her shoulder, his face earnest. "Xiao Wu, in my eyes, you've always been my most beloved little sister."
Hearing this, Xiao Wu's eyes reddened slightly, and the weight in her heart finally lifted.
She immediately threw herself into Tang San's arms, pouting, "I still want to buy things. Brother, you'll pay for me, right?"
Feeling the delicate body in his arms, Tang San froze, a strange feeling rising within him.
After a moment, he suppressed his inner turmoil and coughed, saying, "Xiao Wu, let go first. So many people are watching."
Seeing his reaction, a mischievous glint flashed in Xiao Wu's eyes.
Just then, four young men walked over. The leader was about 1.8 meters tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular.
The burly young man paused, his gaze involuntarily falling on Xiao Wu. His eyes practically bulged out of their sockets.
Seeing this, his underling quickly stepped forward, his tone obsequious. "Brother Tai Long, as the Young Master of the Strength Clan and a young Soul Master, you're definitely stronger than that guy. Why worry about that girl not falling for you?"
Tang San's appearance was ordinary, a stark contrast to the youthful and beautiful Xiao Wu, making him seem like an easy target.
Furthermore, with his Soul Power reaching Level 42, ordinary Soul Masters couldn't sense his true depth.
Hearing his underling's words, Tai Long was tempted. His gaze swept over Xiao Wu's slender waist, and he immediately made up his mind.
He strode forward, standing before Tang San and Xiao Wu, and said in a booming voice, "Kid, I'm the chief student of the Blue Tyrant Academy. Get out of my way now, and I won't beat you up."
As he spoke, Tai Long puffed out his chest, striking a pose of ultimate power, trying to attract Xiao Wu's attention.
However, Xiao Wu remained nestled in Tang San's arms, completely ignoring him.
Seeing someone looking for trouble at this particular moment, Tang San's eyes instantly turned hostile. He said coldly, "Blue Tyrant Academy? Is it like Trash Academy (Shrek Academy)? Never heard of it."
"How dare you insult the Blue Tyrant Academy! It seems I need to teach you a lesson on behalf of your teacher."
Seeing this man's arrogance, a ruthless glint flashed in Tai Long's eyes, and he rubbed his hands together, ready to fight.
At this moment, Tang San's anger was almost overflowing. First, this guy provoked him, and now he dared to speak ill of his master?
"Who do you think you are, daring to mention my master?"
Before the words were even finished, Tang San acted instantly. Several thick strands of Blue Silver Grass grew rapidly, wrapping around Tai Long's legs before he even had time to activate his martial soul.
Then, the Blue Silver Grass forcefully flung him away, slamming him heavily against a wall on the side of the street.
Bang!!
With a loud crash, the wall dented, and Tai Long coughed up blood, his aura weakening instantly.
While Blue Silver Grass wasn't typically a top-tier martial soul, Tang San's was evolved to a high-grade level. Combined with the suppression of his Soul Power level, Tai Long, without his martial soul activated, was powerless to resist.
"Brother Tai Long!"
Seeing Tai Long cough up blood, his three underlings panicked and rushed over to help him up.
However, just as they were about to reach him, the densely packed Blue Silver Grass beneath their feet threw them away in the same manner.
"A bunch of trash. All they know is to rely on their master's power."
Tang San sneered, ignoring the three scoundrels and fixing his gaze on Tai Long.
At this moment, Tai Long had already gotten up from the ground. Glaring at Tang San with bloodshot eyes, he roared furiously, "I'm going to kill you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his martial soul, the Vigorous Orangutan, instantly manifested. With a powerful tug, his violent force tore apart the nearby Blue Silver Grass.
Looking at the fragments of Blue Silver Grass on the ground, Tai Long smiled disdainfully. 'After all, it was just Blue Silver Grass.'
But the next second, his smile froze instantly.
Four soul rings rose from beneath Tang San's feet: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, and Black. The fourth ring was a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring!
"How is this possible?!"
Tai Long was struck dumb, frozen in place.
This guy looked several years younger than him, yet he had already cultivated to level forty or higher and possessed a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
Without giving him time to react, Tang San decisively attacked. Dozens of Blue Silver Grass vines crawled forward like pythons, reaching Tai Long in the blink of an eye.
Faced with so many vines, even with Tai Long's terrifying strength, he couldn't break them all in time.
In an instant, one of the Blue Silver Grass vines wrapped around his thigh, crystallizing instantly and locking him in place, unable to break free.
Then, the other vines followed suit, quickly subduing him completely.
But that wasn't all. Tang San slowly walked over, and under Tai Long's horrified gaze, slammed a fist into his head.
After several consecutive punches, Tai Long was bleeding profusely, only able to plead for mercy. "Big brother, spare me! I know I was wrong! I'll never do it again!"
"Even if you beg me, I won't let you go."
Tang San ignored him, raining down punches on Tai Long. Each punch was imbued with the power of a Soul Ancestor.
Xiao Wu, standing to the side, made no attempt to stop him; instead, she excitedly joined in, cheering, "Brother, teach this guy a lesson!"