Chao Tianxiang stared at Oscar for a long moment, seemingly putting the pieces together.
"You've guessed correctly."
Tang Lan gestured toward Oscar—
"This is Oscar, a second-generation disciple of the Tang Sect, here to hunt for his third soul ring."
"He has consumed three pieces of thousand-year Whale Gel, raising his soul ring age limit to 2,900 years.
"That's why this 1,800-year-old Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake is no longer suitable for him."
Oscar cooperated, summoning his Martial Soul.
Two yellow soul rings flickered as he revealed his level-30 spirit power.
Chao Tianxiang believed them.
After all, someone who could collaborate with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan wouldn't bother lying to an old lady like her.
Then, she became excited!
Every step forward matters.
At first glance, it was just a third soul ring, absorbing an extra thousand years.
But the physical enhancement it provided would carry over to future soul rings.
Layer upon layer, the final cumulative growth would be immense!
More importantly—
Meng Yiran was already at level 30, but what about her future children?
Would their first soul ring start at a thousand years?!
Realizing this,
Chao Tianxiang bowed solemnly and declared—
"Thank you, Tang Sect Master, for sharing this method.
"I, an old woman, swear never to leak this knowledge to a third party!"
Tang Lan's Shocking Revelation
But Tang Lan simply waved his hand dismissively.
"I've published a book containing this information.
"It won't be long before the whole world knows about it."
Chao Tianxiang was stunned!
—Such valuable knowledge, and he's just making it public?!
At the very least,
Anyone else would have hoarded Whale Gel in secret and sold it to nobles and sects at exorbitant prices.
Who would announce it to the public?!
Chao Tianxiang had lived for decades, but she couldn't understand this young man at all.
After a moment, she simply nodded.
"In that case, I thank you.
"If I had only found out later, it would have been much harder to buy any."
"We'll skip hunting the Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake this time.
"After boosting Yiran's soul ring age limit, we'll return to hunt one later."
"Yiran, thank Tang Sect Master. It's time to go."
Meng Yiran looked reluctant.
Anyone could tell she was interested in Tang Lan.
But Tang Lan had no intention of keeping her here—
With Dragon Duke and Snake Lady around, it wouldn't be convenient for him to carry out his plans.
So he simply said—
"After we finish hunting spirit rings, I'll be heading to Heaven Dou City."
"If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be founding a Tang Sect academy there."
"If Miss Meng is interested, she can take the entrance exam."
Meng Yiran's eyes lit up!
"You'll be at that new academy, right?"
Tang Lan nodded.
"Great! I'll definitely come!" Meng Yiran said excitedly. "I'll be waiting for you in Heaven Dou City. You better be there!"
Tang Lan simply smiled.
Neither rejecting nor agreeing.
—Truly a player's move.
But to Meng Yiran, this was a confirmation.
She happily waved goodbye, following Chao Tianxiang away—turning back every few steps.
System Reward—Stealing Luck from Tang San?!
[The host has gained Meng Yiran's admiration, causing Tang San to lose an opportunity for breakthrough. Minor luck stolen from Tang San!]
[Reward: +100 years to all spirit bones!]
Tsk!
Tang Lan felt a tinge of regret.
—Why didn't I absorb that external spirit bone before entering Star Dou Forest?
—I just wasted 100 years of enhancement!
But his momentary look of regret was misinterpreted by certain individuals.
"Stop looking."
Xiao Wu pouted.
"She's not coming back. You'll see her again in Heaven Dou City."
Tang Lan glanced at Xiao Wu—but didn't bother reassuring her.
Instead, he directly handed over the 18 Soul-Breaking Blades and the Meteoric Gold to Tang San.
"Xiao San, forge these into special sniper armor-piercing rounds.
"Keep half for yourself and give me the other half."
Tang San happily accepted the task.
—Who cares about Meng Yiran?
—This Meteoric Gold is far more precious!
But then Oscar hesitantly asked,
"Sect Master, are we really just letting the Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake go?"
"This soul beast is so valuable... what if we keep it and raise it?"
His words made everyone burst into laughter.
"What, you planning to raise it for another 1,000 years and then absorb its soul ring?" Dai Mubai teased.
Oscar scratched his head sheepishly.
He just thought it was a waste to let it go.
But—
Tang Lan nodded and said,
"Oscar's suggestion isn't bad. Let's raise it."
The laughter abruptly stopped!
—What?!
—Did Oscar's stupidity rub off on him?!
Tang Lan didn't explain.
He gestured for Oscar to bring out his ten-thousand-year Fire Spirit Ginseng, then plucked off some root fibers and fed them to the Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake.
The snake didn't understand human speech,
but its instincts told it that this was a rare and powerful tonic.
After being drained dry by the Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor,
it couldn't wait to swallow the roots.
Immediately, its aura increased slightly.
"It… grew a little!" Tang San was shocked.
"About 0.1 cm in length…
That means it aged by roughly four months?!"
Everyone—including Zhao Wuji and Xiao Wu—was completely dumbfounded!
—Feeding herbs to increase soul beast age?!
—That's possible?!
Tang Lan calculated the proper dosage while casually explaining.
"Do you really think all ten-thousand-year soul beasts actually live that long?"
"The vast majority extend their lifespan by consuming heavenly treasures, allowing them to break past their species' natural limits."
"So why can't we use medicinal herbs to artificially increase a soul beast's age?"
"This is already written in my Tang Sect Encyclopedia.
"When I publish the book, read it more carefully next time.
"Don't act like country bumpkins who've never seen the world before."
While speaking,
Tang Lan cut off a small section of the ten-thousand-year Fire Spirit Ginseng and fed it to the Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake.
The snake gulped it down in one bite and looked at Tang Lan with uncertainty.
—Why is this two-legged creature so nice?
But then—
"HISS—!"
Flames suddenly erupted from its body!
Its overheated body twisted violently, and it spat out a small fireball.
Tang Lan calmly sealed its mouth with Blue Silver Emperor vines.
"Don't waste the medicine. Behave."
Then—
The Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake began to grow at a visible rate!
Its crest turned bright red, and its body length expanded.
It finally stopped at about 15 meters long, now brimming with vitality as it struggled fiercely.
But Tang San frowned!
"Brother… did you miscalculate the dosage?"
"This Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake is now… around 3,000 years old!"
Everyone was stunned!
—3,000 years?!
—Oscar's limit is only 2,900 years!
Tang Lan's Explanation—A Bold Experiment
"No mistake. It's exactly 3,000 years." Tang Lan confirmed.
"It was forcefully accelerated with Fire Spirit Ginseng,
"So its power hasn't caught up yet, making absorption much easier."
"I'll use the Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor to drain its soul power, vitality, and spiritual energy, lowering it to its weakest state."
"Theoretically, I could have pushed it to 3,200 years...
"But since this has never been attempted before, we'll play it safe and keep it at 3,000."
Tang Lan turned to Oscar.
"Unless... you don't trust my theory?"
"You can still choose to hunt a different soul beast."
Oscar's face flashed with hesitation.
—3,000 years...
—A third soul ring… at 3,000 years?!
Other people's third rings barely reach 1,800 years… and mine would be 3,000?!
It sounded insane.
But then he thought of Tang Lan's monstrous talent...
Oscar made up his mind.
"Sect Master, I want to try!" Oscar gritted his teeth.
"I trust you.
"You've always cautioned us about safety, so I know you wouldn't let me die!"
Tang Lan smiled.
—Smart guy.
That saved him the trouble of further persuasion.
He drained the Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake dry,
gaining another dozen years for his Heaven's Eye.
Then he released its near-lifeless body and gestured for Oscar to proceed.
Oscar took a deep breath.
He drew a dagger and approached the snake's weak spot.
Xiao Wu's expression softened—she clearly felt bad for the soul beast.
The next moment,
Tang Lan blocked her view and gently stroked her rabbit ears.
"The next part is too bloody.
Little kids shouldn't watch."
Xiao Wu obediently leaned against Tang Lan's chest.
—"Schlick!"
The blade pierced flesh.
The Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake had been completely drained by Tang Lan—
It didn't even twitch in its final moments.
It died silently.
Above its corpse,
a purple soul ringslowly emerged, rising and falling in the air.
Chapter 52: Exploding a Soul Bone? Upgraded Mushroom Sausage!
Oscar sat cross-legged before the Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake, taking a deep breath.
Then, using his spirit power, he began to guide the 3,000-year-old soul ring into his body.
Almost instantly—
His entire body tensed up, then started trembling uncontrollably.
A clear sign of serious trouble!
—He had ultimately exceeded his limit!
However—
Tang Lan's left eye gleamed with his Heaven's Eye ability—
Life Burial!
The Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor instantly wrapped around Oscar like a cocoon,
devouring the rampaging soul power surging inside him.
Within moments—
Oscar's body stopped convulsing, his bones stopped shuddering,
and his complexion returned to normal.
Then Tang Lan casually added—
"Oh, I forgot to mention…"
"For soul beasts under 10,000 years, there's no such thing as a 'soul shock'.
"So as long as the total soul power is controlled,
you could technically absorb even a 9,999-year-old ring."
"The only requirement is that you survive the initial surge.
"After that? I'll handle the rest."
"So when you all hunt for soul rings in the future,
don't push your limits too recklessly."
Everyone: "…"
—You sure you 'forgot' and didn't just leave it out on purpose?!
Still—
They couldn't help but admire Oscar.
He probably wasn't fully convinced by the theory—
But he believed in Tang Lan.
—Tang Lan's track record was too legendary!
If it had been anyone else…
Several people instinctively glanced at Tang San.
—Who would dare be the test subject under him?
Tang San: "Why are you all looking at me? I'm not the one absorbing a soul ring!"
Oscar's Evolution—3000-Year Soul Ring!
Under Tang Lan's control,
Oscar successfully absorbed the soul ring within three minutes.
A brilliant purple ring emerged beneath him,
and his eyes snapped open in excitement!
Seeing the Life Spirit Blue Silver Emperor vines retreat from around him,
he immediately understood what had happened.
"Thank you for saving my life, Sect Master!" Oscar exclaimed, his face filled with pure joy.
"A 3,000-year soul ring! I actually absorbed it! Hahaha—!"
After he finished laughing,
Tang Lan smiled and said,
"Go ahead and test your new soul skill. Let's see what it does."
"Got it!"
Oscar confidently held up his hands and shouted—
"I, YOUR FATHER, HAVE A MUSHROOM SAUSAGE!"
In his palm,
a mushroom-shaped sausage materialized,
floating slightly above his hand.
For a few seconds—
The entire scene was dead silent.
Then—
"Pfft—HAHAHAHAHA!"
"That incantation!"
"Little Ao, you're such a pervert!"
Faced with everyone's 'mocking laughter',
Oscar simply grinned.
Then he looked toward Tang Lan, who was only smiling lightly,
and eagerly offered the Mushroom Sausage to him.
"Sect Master, please try it!"
Tang Lan was genuinely curious, so he took the sausage and ate it.
The texture was different from his Recovery Sausage—
It felt like he was biting into a mouthful of diced mushrooms,
fresh, fragrant, and incredibly flavorful.
As he chewed,
the Mushroom Sausage transformed into pure soul power,
merging into his body.
Then—
A pair of glowing green wings formed on his back,
lifting him off the ground!
The laughter stopped instantly.
—Flight?!
Oscar's third soul skill actually grants flight?!
After Ma Hongjun left,
the team lost their aerial advantage.
Now—
Not only was that weakness compensated,
but they now had teamwide flight capabilities,
gaining absolute aerial dominance!
"This is insane!"
Ning Rongrong was in utter disbelief.
"Flying soul skills are already extremely rare among support-type spirit masters!
"They usually don't appear until sixth-ring abilities…
But your third soul skill does this?!"
In just a few words—
She had perfectly conveyed the rarity of the Flying Mushroom Sausage.
Tang Lan also praised,
"As expected of a food-type spirit master with innate full spirit power—
"Your potential is limitless!"
Oscar bashfully scratched his head.
"Haha, I don't dare compare myself to you, Sect Master—"
But his grin stretched all the way to his ears.
The Flying Mushroom Sausage—Even More Overpowered?!
"Quit grinning like an idiot."
Dai Mubai urged,
"Hurry up and tell us the exact effects of your third soul skill!"
Oscar's grin only grew wider.
"My third soul skill, Flying Mushroom Sausage,
grants flight at the same speed as a 3,000-year Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake—"
"For two minutes!"
Everyone's excitement skyrocketed!
—It actually maintains the speed of a 3,000-year soul beast?!
—Tang Lan's acceleration technique had no drawbacks?!
But then—
Oscar grinned even wider.
"I haven't finished yet!"
"This Flying Mushroom Sausage has an additional effect—
"At the cost of reducing remaining flight time by 90%,
I can ignite Fire Wings and boost speed to 3x the original!"
"Hiss—"
"Tsk—"
"Holy sh*t!"
—It even has a burst mode?!
Everyone was still reeling from the shock when—
Behind Tang Lan, the blue wings of his Flying Mushroom Sausage suddenly turned crimson.
Boom!
With a fiery burst, he streaked across the sky, leaving behind a red afterimage.
Ten seconds later, he returned.
He calmly gave his evaluation.
"Fire Wings accelerate fast in a straight line but have weaker turning ability."
"Blue Wings are slightly slower but more maneuverable."
"Overall, it's quite good."
Oscar grinned with pride.
But before he could bask in the moment—
Everyone suddenly surrounded Tang Lan.
"Sect Master, please help with my soul ring in the future!"
"Sect Master, your legs must be tired. Let me massage them for you!"
"Sect Master, have some water! It's freshly boiled from this morning!"
One after another, they flattered and fawned over him,
completely ignoring Oscar.
Oscar wasn't upset at all.
—Tang Lan's move was just too legendary!
At least until they reached the level where they could absorb ten-thousand-year soul rings,
they'd all have to rely on him for "special treatment."
Tang Lan soaked in the attention for a while.
Then, he shooed everyone away and turned back to Oscar, clicking his tongue.
At first, Oscar thought Tang Lan was simply admiring his third soul skill.
But then—
"Little Ao, your luck is insane!"
"A soul beast artificially accelerated to 3,000 years… and it actually dropped a soul bone?"
"Your ancestors must be smiling down on you!"
Oscar laughed heartily.
"Sect Master, you're too kind! It's just my third soul ring, even if it dropped a soul bone—"
"Wait… what?!"
"A SOUL BONE?!"
Oscar's eyes widened in shock!
In a single stride, he rushed to the Phoenix-Tail Crest Snake's corpse,
drew a dagger, and started cutting from the snake's head down its body.
Finally, near the tail, he found a glowing piece of bone.
It was a left calf bone, shimmering in a blue-red hue.
Probably due to its young age (3,000 years), it wasn't fully formed,
missing about one-third of its structure.
—But who cares?!
—It's a soul bone!
One of the most coveted treasures in the world of spirit masters!
Even at 3,000 years, it was still an extremely rare find!
Oscar held the soul bone carefully, eyes burning with pure, raw desire.
But in the end—
He took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and offered it to Tang Lan with both hands.
"Sect Master, I've already received my soul ring. This soul bone rightfully belongs to you.
"Please keep it safe for now!"
Tang Lan's Unexpected Test
Tang Lan was genuinely surprised.
—He resisted the temptation of a soul bone?!
Not only that, but his wording was careful—
Saying "rightfully belongs to Sect Master" and "keep it safe for now" instead of outright giving it up.
Oscar had clearly thought this through.
—This guy's pretty sharp.
Tang Lan took the remaining half of the ten-thousand-year Fire Spirit Ginseng and handed it back to Oscar.
Then, he reached out and took the soul bone, tossing it up and down in his palm.
Including Zhao Wuji, everyone's eyes followed its movement closely.
"Hm, I don't have a left leg soul bone…"
"But 3,000 years is too weak to interest me."
"Anyone want it?"
In an instant—
Tang Lan clearly heard the sound of several people gulping.
—Even Ning Rongrong didn't have a single soul bone yet!
As for Zhao Wuji, the broke old man, he was visibly drooling.
But despite their desires, no one spoke up.
Because they all understood—
A soul bone dropped from a hunted soul beast always benefits the same soul master the most.
Oscar was the best candidate for this soul bone.
Among them—
Tang San understood this the most.
But even so,
he still couldn't suppress his greed.
His right foot lifted, then lowered, then lifted again.
—This is a soul bone!
—Who cares about "best fit"?!
—As long as I can absorb it, then I'm the best choice!
(End of Chapter)