Chapter 261: The Path of Shura Begins
After a brief farewell to Tang Xiao, Tang Hao and Tang San set out for a nearby Great Soul Beast Forest. Although the Star Dou Forest would have been a more suitable choice, Tang Hao had developed a psychological aversion to that place, haunted by the memory of a terrifying entity he once encountered there. The mere thought of attracting that being's attention again sent chills down his spine.
On their way, Tang Hao grew curious about the origin of Tang San's fifth spirit ring. The Slaughter City was a place where coming and going was highly restricted, and getting a spirit ring there seemed improbable.
Since Tang Hao didn't pry into his core secrets, Tang San happily shared what he could. The Slaughter City was ancient, its exact origins long forgotten, but its unique environment had given rise to some exclusive soul beasts. These beasts usually lived within the Blood River, and most of the degenerate soul masters within the city cared little for such creatures. With no chance of leaving the Slaughter City, they hardly had any motivation to train, let alone to hunt down soul beasts.
In fact, soul beasts within the Blood River were notoriously difficult to kill, akin to how land bound soul masters rarely ventured into the ocean to hunt sea soul beasts. Since food and resources were abundant, there was no need to provoke these creatures. Over time, powerful ten thousand year old soul beasts had accumulated within the Blood River.
Tang San had encountered one by chance, a lightning element Blood River soul beast whose attributes perfectly complemented his own. It provided him with his fifth spirit ring.
Tang Hao remembered the dangerous environment within the Slaughter City but had been too consumed by battles to pay attention to the creatures in the Blood River. He admired Tang San's daring spirit and ingenuity.
Unbeknownst to him, Tang San's approach had already veered due to Yu Xiaogang's teaching. A plant type martial spirit, such as his, was not fully compatible with soul rings from animal type beasts, missing out on the full potential of his spirit's essence. Having reached six rings, Tang San had effectively lost his chance to awaken the core power of his Thunder Hell Vine.
Though Tang Hao had read extensively, his years of training with an instrument type martial spirit had instilled certain fixed ideas, inadvertently hindering Tang San's progress. Half baked knowledge, as they say, can cause lasting harm.
Tang San's requirements for his sixth spirit ring were simple: it needed a lightning attribute. He was well aware that his Blue Silver Vine would only take him so far; his true potential lay in the Clear Sky Hammer. The only reason he persisted in cultivating his Blue Silver Vine was that it accelerated his training in thunder filled environments, an advantage that had helped him reach Soul Emperor level within just four years.
Tang San wasn't a dark soul master, after all.
After effortlessly dispatching a local ten thousand year old soul beast beneath his feet, Tang San was ready to absorb its spirit ring.
Suddenly
A massive sword, gleaming with a terrifying aura, fell from the sky and landed squarely in front of Tang San, startling both father and son.
This was the Shura Demon Sword, yet unknown to the world due to its confinement within the Slaughter City. Tang Hao and Tang San initially reacted with shock, followed by utter confusion as they stared at the giant blade.
What… is this?
Judging by the sword's aura, it was clearly not a martial spirit. The possibility of a soul master attack was ruled out.
At that moment, the Shura Demon Sword began to emit a deep crimson light. Both Tang Hao and Tang San felt their Clear Sky Hammer martial spirits resonate, and they instinctively summoned their hammers. Unlike Tang Hao's massive six sided warhammer, Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer was small and round, featuring a six pointed star design at its center.
"It's the Killing God Domain resonating with this sword," Tang Hao, experienced in the ways of battle, remarked.
The resonance grew stronger, compelling both father and son to unleash their Killing God Domains. The surrounding area seemed to transform into a blood red nightmare. But soon, Tang Hao noticed the resonance severing its link to him, leaving only Tang San and the Shura Demon Sword connected.
Before he could react, an intense red light enveloped Tang San and the sword, obscuring Tang Hao's view.
As the light faded, Tang San stood unharmed, the sword now mysteriously absent.
"Tang San, are you alright? And that sword what happened to it?" Tang Hao asked, concern evident.
Instead of answering immediately, Tang San seemed lost in deep contemplation, a faint sword shaped mark flashing on his forehead before vanishing. Only after a while did he open his eyes, smiling in a way that hinted at profound changes within.
"I'm better than ever, Father," he replied, his smile brighter than usual. However, he said nothing more about the sword.
Tang Hao sensed something slightly amiss, yet an invisible force seemed to prevent him from probing further. Dismissing it as an unusual encounter, he nodded. "As long as you're alright. Now, go on and absorb that spirit ring."
Unexpectedly, Tang San shook his head. "Father, this soul beast isn't suitable for me anymore."
Tang Hao frowned. "Is there something wrong with it?"
"I told you, Father, it's not the right one. I have a better option now."
"You've never been here before, so what do you mean by 'better option'?" Tang Hao began, but Tang San cut him off, pointing into the distance.
"There's a forty thousand year old Azure Thunder Dragonwood five kilometers from here. It will suit me far better. Could you assist me, Father?"
Without questioning further, Tang Hao found himself compelled to comply, his mind strangely clouded as he followed Tang San's directive.
Watching his father walk away, Tang San's gaze held a trace of guilt but quickly hardened.
"I'm sorry, Father, but this godly inheritance is mine alone. I'll make it up to you once I become a god."
Far off in the Divine Realm, the Shura God observed Tang San's actions with a slight smirk, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Don't let me down, Tang San."
Meanwhile, back at Tianxing Academy, Ye Wen momentarily paused in his dissection of the Blood Red Nine Headed Bat King.
"It's started, has it?" he mused. "It seems Shura God is rather impatient. But no matter the limitations of this world are fixed. Even if Tang San ascends to godhood quickly, what of it?"
Ye Wen chuckled dismissively. Compared to the fate of Tang San, he was more intrigued by his current research.
The Blood Red Nine Headed Bat King, a unique creature born from the Slaughter City's dark energies, was a fascinating specimen if not technically a soul beast, then something remarkably close to one.
The creature was in a deep, suspended state, and Ye Wen carefully analyzed tissue samples.
"Amazing," he murmured. "This Bat King is practically a lifeform of pure elemental essence."
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