Yang Xiong watched the two elderly men bicker like children and felt compelled to intervene. "Senior Dragon Duke, we sincerely apologize for this situation. We had no idea you were pursuing this Man-Faced Demon Spider. It was simply an unfortunate misunderstanding."
He turned to his teacher with a respectful bow. "Teacher Lin, we still have pressing matters to attend to. Perhaps we could set aside today's incident and resolve it properly at a later date?"
The Dragon Duke's sharp gaze fell upon Yang Xiong, studying him with obvious disdain. "So this boy is your disciple? He seems rather unremarkable. It appears your judgment has deteriorated over the years."
Lin Gong bristled at the insult, refusing to be outdone. "This boy may lack formal education, but at least he can accurately identify the age of a Man-Faced Demon Spider—unlike certain people who nearly led their own granddaughter to her death through sheer incompetence."
The verbal sparring continued for several more exchanges before Lin Gong finally led Yang Xiong deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest. Behind them, the Dragon Duke resumed his search for suitable soul beasts for his granddaughter.
After pursuing their quarry for some time, both Yang Xiong and Lin Gong began to sense something was amiss.
Yang Xiong voiced his concerns after careful consideration. "Teacher Lin, is it possible we've been chasing in the wrong direction? A creature as massive as the Titan Giant Ape shouldn't be this difficult to track."
Since their encounter with the Dragon Duke and Snake Lady, they had been pursuing the trail for two full hours. However, even Lin Gong moved cautiously through the Star Dou Great Forest, his speed notably slower than that of the Titan Giant Ape they sought.
Suddenly, Lin Gong's doubtful expression transformed into one of excitement. "Wait here," he commanded. "I believe I've detected the Titan Giant Ape's presence. The power difference between you and such a creature is far too vast—I'll pursue it alone. Remember, stay exactly where you are. If you encounter any danger, send up a signal immediately."
Before Yang Xiong could protest, Lin Gong vanished into the forest depths, leaving his student standing alone.
Yang Xiong surveyed his surroundings with growing unease. Based on their location, they had reached the mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest. Even though the Titan Giant Ape's passage had frightened away many soul beasts, the area remained far too dangerous for a Spirit Grand Master like himself.
This Teacher Lin Gong is completely unreliable, Yang Xiong grumbled internally. Abandoning me here while he chases after soul beasts... Though I suppose pursuing alone is safer than dragging me along.
Surprisingly, Lin Gong returned in less than ten minutes, his expression grave and troubled.
Before Yang Xiong could question him, Lin Gong spoke tersely. "We're returning immediately. This matter is beyond our involvement now."
"What happened?" Yang Xiong asked urgently. "Was the Titan Giant Ape too powerful to handle?"
Lin Gong shook his head grimly. "Your instincts were correct. As I approached my target, I sensed an overwhelmingly powerful killing intent. It must be the same Titled Douluo who attacked Zhao Wuji previously. The message was clear—I am not welcome to interfere in these affairs."
His eyes narrowed as he studied Yang Xiong intently. "This entire situation reeks of deception. Nothing adds up properly. Now, boy, tell me truthfully—what exactly is wrong with your classmate named Xiao Wu?"
Yang Xiong couldn't suppress a heavy sigh. His carefully laid plans were crumbling before his eyes. He had hoped to exploit the chaos of the Titan Giant Ape's pursuit to arrange Xiao Wu's kidnapping. In the vast wilderness of the Star Dou Great Forest, no witnesses would remain, and he could achieve two objectives simultaneously.
First, he would acquire a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone without cost. Second, after the incident, both Tang San and Tang Hao would naturally pursue the Titan Giant Ape, since it had been the one to capture her.
Moreover, in this enormous forest, people going missing was hardly unusual. He hadn't anticipated that Tang Hao would prioritize following Xiao Wu over ensuring his own son's safety.
This had been the perfect opportunity to capture Xiao Wu—the only time she was separated from everyone's watchful eyes, especially here in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Wait, something doesn't add up, Yang Xiong realized suddenly. Teacher Lin Gong is only a Spirit Douluo. Only someone at the Titled Douluo level should be able to detect Xiao Wu's true nature. I revealed nothing suspicious, and Tang Hao couldn't have overheard my conversation with Lin Gong, much less discovered my plan. Even if Tang Hao encountered him, he would simply assume Lin Gong was someone I'd asked to help rescue Xiao Wu.
In the original timeline, Xiao Wu had encountered numerous Spirit Douluos without any of them discovering she was a hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast.
After a long silence, Yang Xiong finally spoke. "Teacher Lin, may I ask about your true strength? How significant is the gap between you and a Titled Douluo?"
A sudden realization struck Yang Xiong. Ordinarily, the difference between a Titled Douluo and a Spirit Douluo was qualitative, not merely quantitative. Despite the special properties of Lin Gong's Purple Emperor Bamboo, how could it possibly shield them from a Titled Douluo's detection?
Lin Gong smiled mysteriously. "What's this? Doubting your teacher's abilities? I am an eighty-seventh level Spirit Douluo. While my soul power is one level below Meng Shu's, my spiritual power far exceeds his."
Yang Xiong's shock was evident. "How is that possible? You're a plant-type soul master, not a spiritual-type soul master. How could your spiritual power rival that of a battle soul master at the same level?"
Lin Gong remained silent for a moment before responding. "I suppose it's no great secret anymore. There's no harm in telling you. While I am indeed a plant-type soul master, I possess a top-grade spiritual-type skull bone. My spiritual power has already reached the Titled Douluo level."
Yang Xiong's surprise deepened. Skull bones ranked among the most precious of all spirit bones, and spiritual-type skull bones were the rarest of the rare, appearing with extremely low probability.
"Since we're being honest," Lin Gong continued, "this matter caused quite an uproar years ago. I nearly lost my life obtaining this skull bone. That's why I've remained within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for so many years."
He paused meaningfully. "You must understand, this is a top-grade plant-type skull bone that has attracted the covetous gaze of certain extraordinary individuals. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect offers relative safety—otherwise, I wouldn't have dared speak so boldly to Meng Shu earlier."
Yang Xiong felt genuine horror at this revelation. Skull bones typically manifested in soul beasts with higher intelligence, while plant-type soul beasts generally possessed lower cognitive abilities. Throughout the entire recorded history of the soul master world, only a handful of plant-type skull bones had ever been documented.
Understanding dawned on Yang Xiong. Tang Hao must have known about Lin Gong's abilities—particularly that his spiritual power had reached the Titled Douluo level. Combined with Lin Gong's extensive knowledge of soul beasts, allowing him near Xiao Wu risked exposing her identity as a hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast. Such a discovery would completely derail Tang Hao's plans.
Especially here in the Star Dou Great Forest, Lin Gong's plant martial soul provided superior survival capabilities. Even Tang Hao couldn't guarantee he could silence him permanently, particularly given Lin Gong's backing by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Rather than create a powerful enemy, it was wiser to simply intimidate him with an overwhelming display of strength.
Yang Xiong sighed deeply. His plan to kidnap Xiao Wu had failed completely, though obtaining an external soul bone as consolation wasn't entirely worthless.
After their discussion, Lin Gong and Yang Xiong began their journey back.
However, after walking for two full hours and reaching the outer area of the Star Dou Great Forest, they encountered an unexpected scene.
Lin Gong glanced at Yang Xiong with obvious concern. "Boy, I think we should take a detour. I'm afraid that old man might lose his mind when he sees this."
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