Soul Land: I Am the True Grandmaster

Chapter 188: Severing the Past, Part 3

Tang San's eyes grew cold as he struck without hesitation. Arrogant, oppressive, bullying the weak this man was walking the path to his own demise. But without the awakening of his Thunderous Hell Vine's true bloodline, Tang San's martial spirit was just slightly stronger than the usual Blue Silver Grass.

"Second Spirit Skill: Parasite. First Spirit Skill: Bind."

With a familiar ease, Tang San immobilized Dai Mubai, holding him firmly in place. For a control type spirit master, these two skills combined worked very effectively, and logically, Tang San knew he'd need more offensive power in the future to cover his weaknesses. He wondered idly if he would still get his special "cheat" spirit ring from the Man Faced Demon Spider, even in this twisted storyline.

Bound and straining against the vines, Dai Mubai flushed red with anger and embarrassment. Partially due to his restricted circulation, partially due to the insult of being held by a mere Spirit Grandmaster, he couldn't believe he'd been caught off guard by this novice.

In Tang San's eyes, the fight was over. His cold, proud expression hinted he was about to let Dai Mubai go.

But Dai Mubai snarled, "You're too cocky, kid!"

"Third Spirit Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

His body bulked up even further, muscles rippling as he easily broke through the dense vines binding him. The plant remnants scattered to the ground, useless.

Tang San's expression grew serious as he watched. "A thousand year spirit ability what terrifying power."

"Now, kid, round two begins!" Dai Mubai barked, his voice thick with rage. "Time to get serious." He charged at Tang San once again, more determined than ever to regain his lost dignity.

A typical control type spirit master would have been helpless against Dai Mubai's brute strength, but Tang San was no ordinary spirit master. Besides mastering control techniques, he excelled at Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, a step pattern that made him as evasive as an agility type spirit master. The fight turned into a deadlock, with neither side able to land a decisive blow.

"Come on, little worm! Are you going to keep dodging, or can you face me like a man?" Dai Mubai taunted, attempting to distract Tang San with insults.

Tang San ignored him, focusing intently on an opening to use his hidden weapons. In a split second, he found the right angle and prepared to strike.

Just then, Dai Mubai stopped in his tracks, his face filled with irritation. "Forget it! I'm done here. This is pointless. I've lost my patience." With that, he turned toward the exit.

Before he could leave, a nervous staff member stopped him. "Master Dai… the items you damaged just now "

Dai Mubai waved dismissively without even looking back. "Take it from my room account. Last I checked, it had more than enough."

And with that, he strode away, disappearing from view in seconds.

On the second floor balcony, Ye Wen and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged bemused looks. Quite the evasive maneuver Ye Wen had clearly noticed Tang San's hidden weapon ready to strike, but it seemed fate had saved Dai Mubai from a nasty injury.

Despite the years that had passed, Tang San's killing intent hadn't lessened one bit. Ye Wen found it curious how did Tang San reconcile this with his sect's so called righteous cultivation methods? Perhaps, he mused, the Heavenly Profound Art was meant to suppress those darker urges. After all, the Tang Sect had never been the most honorable organization.

Now, left standing awkwardly in the aftermath, Tang San felt a pang of disappointment. His intended move had been thwarted, and he was left frustrated.

Once they saw the two younger spirit masters settle into the Rose Hotel, Ye Wen led Zhu Zhuqing away from the scene.

"So, Zhuqing," he said with a smile.

Zhu Zhuqing's face was impassive, yet after a moment, she exhaled a long breath. "Thank you, Teacher."

It seemed she had finally severed her last attachment to her former life. But then she dropped to her knees and spoke in a firm voice.

"Please accept me as your true disciple, Teacher. From now on, I only seek strength. I know my talent is lacking, so I am willing to serve you in any way if you'll accept me as your student."

Ye Wen blinked in surprise, almost expecting her to announce some vow of solitude instead. But with this solemn pledge, it sounded like the beginning of a dramatic tale.

He chuckled. "Rise. From today on, you're my official disciple. As for serving me, don't worry about that. Just stay loyal to the Tianxing Academy, and be ready to help when needed."

A wave of gratitude washed over Zhu Zhuqing's face, her heart swelling with warmth.

A flicker of pride appeared in her eyes as she stood up, now with a steely determination. She had finally shed her last connection to her old life. The ideals of romance and innocence were gone, replaced with a renewed focus on her own path to strength.

Now that Zhu Zhuqing had let go of her past, Ye Wen wasn't in a hurry to leave. With the original Shrek Seven Devils already divided, what kind of academy would Shrek Academy become? Curiosity piqued, he decided to stay in Soto City a while longer.

Zhu Zhuqing agreed without hesitation. As long as she was at Ye Wen's side, she could train wherever they went.

The two wandered the city together, enjoying the sights. Ye Wen couldn't help but be amused when he noticed that Flander, that crafty shopkeeper, had once again opened up his little pawn shop. He had given the man ten thousand gold spirit coins more than enough to retire comfortably and yet, here he was, still at it.

For Flander, being a shrewd trader was clearly an addiction.

Tang San, in a twist of fate, ended up in the shop, his attention drawn to a crystal on display one with impurities throughout. Ye Wen recalled this crystal was later explained as a type of spirit tool enhancement in the extended Douluo universe, though he hadn't paid it much attention. It was essentially worthless, a common item in the spirit world, yet Flander had it placed in a delicate, silk lined box, as if it were a rare treasure.

Tang San pointed at the crystal and asked, "How much for this?"

Flander, still lounging on his chair, barely looked up. "Not much. Just one hundred gold spirit coins."

If Tang San had been with Xiao Wu, she would have immediately argued with Flander, giving him an excuse to raise the price. But today his companion was Ning Rongrong, whose Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda naturally sensed valuable items a talent Ye Wen had once advised Ning Fengzhi to explore.

One hundred gold spirit coins meant nothing to her. She quickly paid up, seizing the chance to strengthen her bond with Tang San.

Tang San couldn't help but be impressed. "She's really got money to burn," he thought, grateful yet aware of the wide gulf in their economic status. After years of working at the forge and earning pocket money, he had barely saved a hundred coins.

As the scene faded, Ye Wen let out a quiet chuckle, feeling the web of destinies weaving itself once again, albeit with new twists and turns.

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