"You don't possibly think this one soul tool can compare to the master-disciple bond we've shared before, do you?"
Lin Mu glanced at the soul tool, a flicker of delight imperceptibly flashing in his eyes, but on the surface, he pretended to be dissatisfied.
In reality, his whole scheme to trick Yu Xiaogang was precisely for this soul tool.
Currently, soul tools were not well-developed. Storage soul tools were especially rare, and one with such a large storage space was extremely uncommon—you couldn't buy it even with a hundred thousand gold soul coins.
Seeing the other party still not satisfied, Yu Xiaogang almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.
Who are you trying to fool? You've only known each other for a few days—what master-disciple bond is there?
Clearly, this guy was just being greedy.
"These gold soul coins are all my savings. Is that enough now?"
Yu Xiaogang took out a money pouch; it looked quite substantial. He was obviously planning to go all-in.
"I didn't expect you to be quite well-off."
Lin Mu knew Yu Xiaogang had no source of income. These gold soul coins could only be subsidies from the Spirit Hall.
Even as just a Great Soul Master, he could receive a subsidy of ten gold soul coins per month. Accumulated over time, that was a considerable sum.
"Alright then. Though it's a bit little, I'll consider it as doing Brother Xiaogang a favor. The bet is on."
Lin Mu reluctantly agreed.
Seeing the other party's reaction, Yu Xiaogang momentarily thought he had gotten the better end of the deal.
In his view, these things were ultimately just external possessions. How could they compare to a twin martial soul, innate full soul power disciple?
Moreover, as long as he won the bet, not only would he get the disciple, but he wouldn't have to hand over the soul tool and gold coins either.
"It's settled then."
Yu Xiaogang, afraid the other might change his mind, immediately confirmed.
Seeing this guy take the bait, a smile tugged at the corner of Lin Mu's mouth. He turned to look at Tang San behind him. "Xiao San, use your first soul skill on him."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's heart couldn't help but skip a beat. Why was this guy so straightforward, without any hesitation?
Could it be he was truly confident?
That simply wasn't realistic. With his high level 29 soul power, how could he possibly be restrained by a mere first soul skill?
"Wait, I need to release my martial soul first," Yu Xiaogang hurriedly shouted.
Tang San immediately looked at his master beside him. Seeing him nod, he stopped channeling soul power into the Blue Silver Grass.
At this point, a trace of hesitation appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face. He glanced around, surveying the surroundings, clearly worried about making a fool of himself.
After confirming there really was no one else around, he brought his hands together in front of his chest, then quickly separated them downward, shouting:
"Come out, Luo Sanpao!"
With a puff sound, a creature resembling both a dog and a pig appeared before Yu Xiaogang. The pig-like head kept nuzzling against Yu Xiaogang's thigh.
"So it really is a pig."
Seeing this incredibly strange martial soul, Tang San blurted out.
Before, when his master said this old guy's martial soul was a pig, he hadn't fully believed it. Who would have thought it was actually a pig.
Lin Mu, however, didn't mock him out loud. His gaze fell on Luo Sanpao's forehead, where a distinct bulge was visible.
Probably no one else knew what this was.
Barring any surprises, this should be the rudiment of a dragon horn. For example, during the process of a snake transforming into a dragon, it would go through many stages, and this bulge was one of the symbols.
This meant Luo Sanpao itself possessed the potential to transform into a dragon but was held back by Yu Xiaogang.
It wasn't Luo Sanpao that was trash; it was Yu Xiaogang. Just as he himself had once said, "There are no trash martial souls, only trash soul masters." This sentence fit him most appropriately.
Lin Mu narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze towards Yu Xiaogang carrying a few more traces of mockery.
Facing the two's contemptuous looks, even with Yu Xiaogang's thick skin, his face showed a bit of embarrassment now.
If he weren't worried about something going wrong, he would never have released Luo Sanpao.
Just in case he really got restrained later, Luo Sanpao could help him. With Blue Silver Grass's strength, one bite could easily break it.
After a moment, Yu Xiaogang barely calmed down and urged, "We can start now."
"Blue Silver Grass, entangle!"
Tang San didn't use a soul skill. Instead, he channeled soul power to control the Blue Silver Grass's growth. Within a few breaths, vine-like strands as thick as a baby's fist completely entangled Yu Xiaogang.
During the return journey from the Star Dou Great Forest, Lin Mu had often instructed Tang San on how to control his martial soul. Even without a soul skill specifically for entanglement, he could now wield it like an extension of his own body.
Soon, Yu Xiaogang began trying to struggle. After a few seconds of testing, he found the Blue Silver Grass's strength had indeed increased considerably.
But that was all. With the Blue Silver Grass's current strength, most one-ring Beast Soul Masters could easily break free.
At this point, Yu Xiaogang was brimming with confidence. He couldn't help but sneer inwardly: Blue Silver Grass is still just Blue Silver Grass. Trying to restrain a level 29 Great Soul Master? Simply wishful thinking!
To prevent Lin Mu from flying into a rage out of humiliation, Yu Xiaogang even deliberately pretended to have a hard time breaking free.
But the next second, he was completely dumbfounded.
"First Soul Skill, Blue Silver Crystallization."
In an instant, the Blue Silver Grass's hardness became like diamond. Even if Yu Xiaogang exerted all his strength, he couldn't break the grass.
It was mainly because Yu Xiaogang was too useless. If it were any other two-ringed Beast Soul Master, they could be restrained for at most a few seconds.
"How is this possible!"
After struggling fruitlessly, Yu Xiaogang wore an expression of utter disbelief. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. He looked at Lin Mu and asked, "What soul ring did you give him?"
"Why should I tell you? Do you really think I'm a sucker like the Spirit Hall?"
Lin Mu sneered. For someone like Yu Xiaogang, who stole knowledge, it was only because the Spirit Hall repeatedly tolerated him.
If it were up to Lin Mu, he would definitely make him lose all reputation and standing.
These words once again pierced Yu Xiaogang's fragile heart. His cheeks flushed as red as liver, his eyes bloodshot, panting heavily like an ox.
In reality, the resources Yu Xiaogang had enjoyed were things ordinary people could never hope for in a lifetime, yet he showed not a trace of gratitude.
The Spirit Hall gave him all sorts of books and materials, yet he opposed them. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family poured resources into him, yet he stubbornly refused to return home. Calling him an ingrate was even a compliment.
"Do you not understand humility at all?"
Yu Xiaogang could no longer suppress the fury in his heart and questioned him.
"Humility?"
Lin Mu was taken aback for a moment but quickly recovered. He sneered, "I'm a Soul Ancestor. You're a Great Soul Master. Why should I be humble? Clearly, you should be the humble one."
Hearing this, a look of astonishment crossed Yu Xiaogang's face. That actually seemed to make some sense.
Listening to their conversation, Tang San fell into thought, musing inwardly: Indeed, every word from Master is a profound truth.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He couldn't admit defeat yet. Otherwise, not only would he lose the disciple, but he might even have trouble putting food on the table in the future.
Right, he still had Luo Sanpao.