As evening fell while returning from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Tang Yin spotted the towering gates of the Tian Duo Imperial Academy. Out of curiosity, he extended his Telepathy, reaching out to his dear younger brother and secretly observing Tang Hao.
To his mild surprise, Tang San had already reached level 39—just one step away from a breakthrough. Tang Hao, on the other hand, was holed up in a nearby hotel, looking somehow even more decadent than before.
Through keen spiritual perception, Tang Yin caught fragments of his muttering: "Ah Yin… I'll save you from that tree bastard. Just wait."
'So he did visit Ah Yin, huh? And now he probably thinks the Blue Silver King stole his wife. Hahaha…' Tang Yin nearly burst into laughter. The mental image of Tang Hao's promise to take revenge at a tree was almost too much—he had to bite his lip to keep from laughing out loud.
He trembled slightly, earning a worried glance from Rongrong. "Are you feeling cold, Tang Yin? Let me help you warm up," she said, scurrying closer without waiting for his reply.
Tang Yin pulled Rongrong into a gentle hug, savoring the warmth—until his Telepathy swept over a certain all-too-familiar presence.
What he sensed next made his stomach churn. Yu Xiaogang was engaged in some… unspeakably immoral act with his own nephew
Tang Yin instantly recoiled internally, nearly gagging. You bastard! he cursed in his mind.
Why would you force such a traumatizing image into my head? His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in them. I'll deal with you as soon as your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is taken care of.
Shoving the vile scene from his mind, he turned his thoughts back to Tang san.
'Hmm… what kind of soul beast would suit you best?' After a brief moment of consideration, he smirked, recalling a suitable soul beast he had once encountered in the Sunset Forest. 'Alright then—once I drop Rongrong off, I'll give Tang San's cultivation a little push.'
As soon as they returned to the Tang Sect, the girls were already waiting with anticipation. The moment they spotted Rongrong's bright smile, they swarmed around her, bombarding her with curious questions about their visit to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Seeing them happily gossiping, Tang Yin slipped away without a word. He made his way toward Tian Duo Imperial Academy, activating the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to hide his presence from Tang Hao, who was lurking outside the academy like a hawk guarding its eggs.
"Hah… stupid Tang Hao," Tang Yin muttered under his breath, a cold glint in his eyes. "You've created your own worst enemy. No matter how tightly you guard Tang San, he'll never be able to take the revenge you're so he'll bent on dreaming of."
He smirked darkly as the veil of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud shimmered around him—concealing him completely—until he stood face to face. Tang Hao shuddered as he felt a gaze directed at him but couldn't find anyone.
Tang Yin swaggered into Tang San's dorm, where his brother was cultivating. Without any warning, he swiftly sliced across Tang San's neck with a precise cut, causing him to faint.
Pulling out a Stagnation Blossom—a rare herb known to help anyone below Soul Emperor level break through to the next stage—Tang Yin grinned knowingly. The herb's power came with a steep drawback: after the breakthrough, the user wouldn't be able to advance any further for a whole year.
"Haha, with this, I won't have to worry about him reaching the Soul King realm for at least five or six years. After all, the struggle to raise cultivation at Soul King is the hardest. By then, I'll have already returned from Sea God Trial."
He fed the herb to the unconscious Tang San and watched as his cultivation surged—level 40 achieved. Afterwards, he suggested they hunt for a soul ring the next morning in the Sunset Forest before returning to Tang Sect.
The next day—
Tang Yin arrived at the edge of Sunset Forest path and settled into concealment, activating the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud to hide presence.
After two hours of patient waiting, he spotted a lone carriage approaching. Standing up, he used his Telepathy to scan the surroundings.
Tang Hao trailed behind, unaware of Tang Yin's concealed presence. The diminished gloom in his spirit revealed he was thrilled to see Tang San's cultivation progressing well.
Well, that won't do, Tang Yin thought with a smirk, ready to disrupt the mood. 'Time to pit Yu Xiaogang once again. I'm curious how long it'll take before Tang Hao finally snaps at him. Until then, you're my perfect scapegoat.'
Yu Xiaogang had brought two Soul Emperor teachers from Tian Duo Imperial Academy to accompany the hunt. After all, as the uncle of Yu Tianheng, his request for assistance in training his disciple wouldn't be refused.
Tang Yin immediately guided Yu Xiaogang's mind and led the group toward the soul beast he had especially chosen for Tang San.
After nearly thirty kilometers, the group suddenly halted, their faces ashen and pale—the settlement of the Filth Creeper lay before them. One of the Soul Emperor teachers staggered back, shouting,
"I—It's a Filth Creeper! Run!!"
The Filth Creeper was a giant, worm-like soul beast covered in slimy, mucus-coated bristles. It thrived in filthy, damp area and secreted tiny larvae that crawled onto opponents, causing extreme irritation and unbearable itch. While it caused no physical harm, just being near it was enough to send shivers down the spine.
"What bad luck to encounter this beast, Chen Ge. Let's leave before it notices us. You two catch up," the teacher said, preparing to flee.
Tang San's face paled as he recognized the name from the Soul Beast Encyclopedia taught at the Imperial Academy.
Yu Xiaogang flinched reflexively but steadied himself under Tang Yin's mental suggestion. Hidden in the trees, Tang Hao felt a dark premonition as he watched the grandmaster's hand reach toward Tang san.
Just as Tang San tried to escape, Yu Xiaogang grabbed his shoulder firmly and said with a menacing grin, "Stop, Tang San. Look at these soul beasts—they're perfect for you, as if they and your Wuhun were made for each other."
Tang San stopped abruptly, surprised. "Really, teacher? But this beast doesn't seem that strong to me."
"You don't get it, Tang San. Compatibility with a Wuhun is far more important than a soul beast's raw strength. Do you understand?" Yu Xiaogang stated, striking a dramatic pose as he glanced at the distant sky.
Tang San found it reasonable under Tang Yin's mental suggestion and immediately agreed.
"It's as you say, Teacher. Your disciple's truly lucky to have your unparalleled teaching."
"What?! Are you out of your mind? We won't help you hunt that vile creature—No way. let's leave," one teacher snapped, stepping away.
Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened at their refusal, and with a shameless smirk, he said,
"If you don't help us hunt this beast, I can't guarantee my nephew will be pleased."
The teachers immediately halted, gritting their teeth in hatred toward Yu Xiaogang. But what choice did they have? Crossing him could endanger their futures—no one wanted to mess with this shameless man.
Tang Hao watched gloomily as his son was once again fooled by Yu Xiaogang's scheming. His veins pulsated with hatred as he glared at the swindling grandmaster, breathing ragged.
"You damn bastard. I promise One day, I'll chop up your dick and feed it to your father."
With the help of two Soul Emperors, the Filth Creeper wasn't too difficult to defeat, but the process was utterly revolting. All of them ended up covered in rashes from scratching their skin, irritated by the larvae that sprouted upon contact.
"Aaah!" They almost lost their mind as they furiously scratched their bodies on bark of the tree to lessen the irritation.
Because of their beast martial souls, the two Soul Emperors suffered the most. Yet, being overwhelmed by the swarm, neither Tang San nor Yu Xiaogang could avoid contact as the remaining creepers relentlessly targeted them, causing extreme discomfort and unbearable itching.
Afterwards, they were bruised blue and purple from the irritation and scratching. Seeing them like this, Tang Yin watched with glee.
At last, Tang San finished off the beast, and a purple ring rose from the carcass.
Tang Yin didn't waste time absorbing the soul power from the ring this time—he didn't want to suffer like the others. Instead, he waited as Tang San absorbed the Purple Soul Ring. After an hour, Tang San had fully absorbed it.
Tang San's new soul skill was called Nasal Hairworm Infestation—his wuhun released tiny, wriggling hairworm-like parasites that crawled around enemies' faces and nostrils, causing itchy, ticklish sensations that made foes swat and scratch uncontrollably, breaking their focus and leaving them vulnerable.
The worms themselves caused no direct damage—it was the perfect soul skill for him, in Tang Yin's eyes. "Such a generous brother I am," he thought proudly.
Tang Hao nearly fainted upon hearing Tang San's new soul skill and seeing the proud look on Yu Xiaogang's face. He felt like he was hanging by a thread, barely holding on.