While all sorts of strange thoughts flashed through Tang Ya's brain, Huo Yuhao, as the person in question, was thinking about something else entirely.
The first phase of the experiment was nearly complete. Should he take Tang Ya to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well for the second phase?
After a brief reflection, Huo Yuhao made his decision.
Recording the subtle changes in Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, Huo Yuhao dispelled the phantom image at his brow and the flowing light in his eyes. He then spoke:
"Go back and pack your things. Tomorrow, I'll take you to a certain place. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll likely spend the next few months there."
"Huh? Me?" Tang Ya pointed at herself.
"Yes."
Huo Yuhao nodded, then suddenly remembered something. He turned and left the observation lab, walking outside to where Jiang Nannan was sitting at a workbench, chewing on Blue Silver Grass while engrossed in a book.
She was perhaps too absorbed, for she didn't even notice Huo Yuhao walking up to her side.
"Nannan," Huo Yuhao called out softly.
"Ah! What is it, Teacher?"
Hearing his voice, Jiang Nannan gave a violent start and quickly stood up to face him.
After more than a semester, Jiang Nannan's original introversion and slight inferiority complex were gradually fading. She no longer had the same timid, cautious demeanor she'd had during their first meeting in the office.
Jiang Nannan was dressed in the white Shrek school uniform. The fabric at her chest was stretched taut by her well-developed figure without a single wrinkle. Combined with her long, shapely legs covered in white silk stockings beneath her short skirt, she exuded the youthful vitality unique to a teenage girl.
"Tomorrow I'm taking Tang Ya somewhere. Pack your things; you're coming along."
"Ah, okay, Teacher!"
Jiang Nannan nodded hastily, agreeing immediately without asking a single question. This was her absolute trust in Huo Yuhao.
"Mhm. The Blue Silver Grass I had you take back for your mother—did she eat it? How are the effects?"
"The doctor said the congestion in Mother's heart has decreased significantly! Next is just a bit of conditioning, and she'll be completely healthy again!"
Jiang Nannan spoke with a tone that unconsciously carried deep gratitude.
Though it was just a small gesture for Huo Yuhao, for Jiang Nannan, it was a kindness as vast as the heavens—the kind where she wouldn't have a single word of complaint even if she had to offer herself to him in return!
Wait... it seems something strange slipped in there. Regardless, Jiang Nannan was incomparably grateful to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly, then turned to look at Tang Ya, who was peeking through the crack in the door.
"Don't worry, that place is quite suitable for your cultivation. The Blue Silver Grass you just ate was cultivated there as well; it will also speed up your training."
Huo Yuhao spoke calmly.
With his guidance and the occasional "byproduct" of his research as snacks, Jiang Nannan's cultivation had already reached the three-ring level. Her progress was remarkably swift.
It was worth noting that Jiang Nannan's third Soul Ring was a "Man-made Soul Ring" provided by the Spirit Transmission Pagoda. Its age was 2,000 years, and the skill it provided was the same as her previous life—Teleportation—though the effect was significantly enhanced.
As for Tang Ya, because she had let go of her self-imposed restrictions here and had an ample supply of Life Force to absorb daily, her cultivation was at Level 29. Even though she trailed behind Jiang Nannan, it wouldn't be long before she reached Level 30.
Huo Yuhao checked the time, then spoke to the two girls:
"Use the rest of today to pack. Gather here tomorrow."
After giving the orders, Huo Yuhao let them leave. Jiang Nannan wanted to stay a bit longer, but she was quickly pulled away from the lab by her best friend Tang Ya.
Huo Yuhao watched them go, then... summoned the Trident.
Because Tang San had completed the first trial of the Sea God, it had successfully allowed Huo Yuhao to unlock some authority of the Sea God Divine Position. This enabled Huo Yuhao to use the Sea God's divine power to a certain extent.
Since the Sea God Divine Position was in his hands, and even the Sea God's exclusive Divine Artifact had "become his shape," if he were to kill the current Tang San—who was possessed by a Divine Consciousness—and then set a task for himself like "breathing once counts as completing one divine trial," he could likely ascend.
After breathing eight times, Huo Yuhao could directly "cheat" his way into becoming the Sea God, possessing the genuine strength of a First-rank God.
One could only say that the inheritance of Divine Positions in the God Realm really didn't look at qualifications; as long as you were human and could withstand it, you could inherit it directly. The lack of a need for "compatibility" to gain power felt strangely haphazard.
"Now, let me see what our Lord God King is up to. I just happen to have an idea I want to experiment with..."
...
Shrek City, in a modest house.
Tang San was soaking his entire body in a medicinal bath made from various precious herbs, circulating his Mysterious Heaven Skill to turn the medicinal power into his own.
Suddenly, Tang San's Soul Power abruptly stalled, only to surge forward in the next moment, breaking through shackles and circulating even faster than before!
He had broken through!
Level 10!
Due to the presence of his Divine Consciousness, Tang San's cultivation of the Tang Sect secret arts was incredibly fast. Specifically, the Mysterious Heaven Skill allowed his cultivation speed to fully match his past self, back when he had Innate Full Soul Power!
Next, I need to consider a Soul Ring... should I go buy one of those so-called Man-made Soul Rings, or try my luck at the Sunset Forest?
Tang San had already gathered intelligence. Currently, almost all Soul Beasts on the Douluo Continent were unable to produce absorbable Soul Rings; even the distant Sun Moon Empire was the same. To obtain a Soul Ring from a Soul Beast, the only path left was likely voluntary sacrifice.
Otherwise, the only option was a Man-made Soul Ring.
Tang San's expression was hesitant. He actually had another choice: a God-Bestowed Soul Ring. However, using a God-Bestowed Soul Ring at the very first ring rank was simply too much of a waste. He should at least wait until he was at the six-ring rank. That way, he could attach a 10,000-Year Soul Ring just like he did ten thousand years ago. Wouldn't that be better than using it now for a mere hundred-year ring?
Wait... Tang San suddenly thought of something.
Ten thousand years had passed; those Immortal Herbs in the Sunset Forest must have reached the 100,000-year level by now. When the time comes, he could simply reveal his Divine Consciousness and disclose his identity as the Sea God. Wouldn't it be a simple matter to make those Immortal Herbs sacrifice themselves for him?!
If an Immortal Herb sacrificed itself and then sealed its own power, it was entirely possible for him to absorb it!
If possible, his first ring could be a 10,000-Year Soul Ring! And beyond that, there would be the accompanying 100,000-year Soul Bone!
A light sparked in Tang San's eyes.
Those Immortal Herbs were planted by him in the first place; one could say their lives were given by him. It was only natural for them to become his strength once again! Besides, being able to assist him was a supreme blessing! Those Immortal Herbs should actually be thanking him!
However, the surprises didn't stop. Tang San's excited expression froze for a moment, followed by pure ecstasy!
His second Sea God Trial had appeared!