A year passed quietly. Lin Mu smoothly cultivated to the 50th rank. As long as he absorbed a ten-thousand-year spirit ring, he could become a Spirit King.
In truth, he had already broken through two months ago. However, he hadn't decided what spirit ring to absorb, which was why he had delayed until now.
From what he knew, even without absorbing a spirit ring, spirit power could accumulate. Once a spirit ring was absorbed, the spirit power level would increase in one go, though the process might be relatively slower.
That morning, Lin Mu got up early. Today was the day Nuoding Academy went on holiday, and he had to see Tang San off one last time.
Inside the Nuoding Academy dormitory, Tang San had already packed his things. He had folded his bedding over and over again several times.
Even though he was going home, his mood was heavy. Compared to his Master who scored a perfect hundred, his alcoholic father was simply a mess.
Sometimes, he even thought about how good it would be if his Master were his father.
"Tang San, is there something wrong with you? How many times have you folded this bedding already?"
Xiao Wu sat on the edge of the bed, her face full of impatience.
Her mood wasn't good to begin with, and watching this blockhead repeat the same action over and over made her head spin.
Hearing Xiao Wu speak, Tang San finally stopped his movements. He looked up at Xiao Wu leaning against the bedpost and asked with some surprise:
"Xiao Wu, it's the holidays. Aren't you packing to go home?"
"I don't have a home. I'll be staying at the academy during this holiday."
"You don't have a home?"
Tang San was taken aback, and a trace of pity soon flickered in his eyes. At least he had a father and a Master.
Even though his father was a useless drunkard, his Master treated him very well.
Just then, Xiao Wu seemed to think of something, her eyes suddenly lighting up as she hurriedly looked at Tang San and said:
"Little San, is your home far from the academy? How about I go to your house to play? What do you think?"
"This..."
Hearing this, Tang San felt tempted, but remembering his Master's teachings, he became hesitant again.
His Master had said to be careful of falling into women's traps; the more beautiful the woman, the better she was at deception.
Seeing Tang San's hesitant appearance, Xiao Wu immediately put her hands on her hips, her big eyes glaring fiercely at Tang San. "It's just going to your house to play! Do you have to be so stingy!"
Seeing Xiao Wu's dissatisfied expression, Tang San gave a bitter smile and could only temporarily set aside his Master's teachings. "Alright, I'll take you home, is that okay?"
"That's more like it."
Xiao Wu pouted her little mouth, putting on an air of "an adult doesn't bear grudges against a child."
The two of them packed their respective belongings and walked from the dormitory all the way to the school gate, where they happened to see Lin Mu walking towards them.
"Master."
Tang San respectfully bowed to Lin Mu. Over the past year, this basic etiquette had been engraved in his bones.
Although Lin Mu didn't like these formalities, when it came to Tang San, they had to be doubled and intensified.
"Little San, you mustn't slack off even after going home. Also, here are some rations for you to eat on the road."
Lin Mu took out a bag of dry rations from his storage bracelet and handed it to Tang San.
These were things of little monetary value, but they were what Tang San needed most.
Having been an orphan in his previous life, with Tang Hao being extremely irresponsible, he yearned for familial affection intensely.
"Thank you, Master."
Looking at the rations in his hand, Tang San's eyes welled up with tears. The gratitude in his heart was beyond words. This was a kind of care his father had never given him.
Beside him, Xiao Wu looked on with envy in her eyes. If not for certain reservations, she would have wanted to become his disciple too.
"Alright, go early and return early."
Lin Mu patted Tang San's shoulder. He had his own plans as well. This was a good time to relax a bit and incidentally resolve the matter of his fifth spirit ring.
After seeing Tang San off, Lin Mu returned to the inn to cultivate.
At night, Lin Mu was in his room flipping through the "Complete Compendium of Star Dou Great Forest Spirit Beast Species," searching for a spirit beast suitable for his fifth spirit ring.
Once a spirit beast reaches the ten-thousand-year level, its strength increases significantly. Some spirit beasts with powerful bloodlines can even unleash strength far exceeding their own age limit.
For example, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger at the ten-thousand-year level could rival a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast.
With his current strength, although he could deal with ten-thousand-year spirit beasts, the highest he could handle should not exceed thirty-thousand years. Moreover, spirit beasts with powerful bloodlines required careful consideration.
Just as he was hesitating...
Thud, thud—
A heavy knocking sound suddenly rang out, pulling Lin Mu back from his thoughts.
Lin Mu's eyes focused, a trace of doubt flashing through them. Who could be looking for him at this hour?
As a spirit master who had traveled abroad for many years, although Lin Mu hadn't done anything heinous, he had inevitably provoked some enemies—like the Fire Leopard Clan.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Mu slowly stood up and walked over to open the door.
With a creaking sound, the door opened to reveal a tall figure standing outside, draped in a simple gray robe, his entire face hidden in the shadows of the corridor.
"Tang Hao!"
Lin Mu's breath caught, his nerves instantly tightening, but he quickly calmed down again.
Facing a Titled Douluo, and one who possessed a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring—the Clear Sky Douluo—he wouldn't even have a chance to escape.
Tang Hao seeking him out at this time was most likely to entrust Tang San to his care. He probably meant no harm; otherwise, he would have broken the door down just now.
"Who are you?"
Lin Mu barely steadied his composure, looking up at Tang Hao outside the room, and asked in a deep voice.
Tang Hao took a few steps forward, entering the room from outside. Under the lamplight, a weathered face was revealed, with disheveled black hair hanging over his shoulders, looking both slovenly and dispirited.
He was a match for Yu Xiaogang.
"My name is Tang Hao. I am Xiao San's... that is, your disciple's father."
Tang Hao had secretly observed Lin Mu before and found that this person was indeed a rare genius, at least more reliable than Yu Xiaogang.
In his view, Tang San becoming this person's disciple had one benefit: when the time came to deal with the Spirit Hall, he could play a significant role.
A Spirit King at seventeen—that was much more impressive than he had been at that age.
"Tang Hao?"
Lin Mu muttered the name, then widened his eyes, pretending to be shocked. "You are... the Clear Sky Douluo?"
"Let's not mention past titles. Although I don't know why you took Xiao San as your disciple, I can see you treat him quite well. Entrusting him to you, I am at ease."
Tang Hao's eyes flickered. With a genius like Lin Mu added to their side, there really was a chance to take revenge on the Spirit Hall.
"This thing is for you. It might be useful."
As he spoke, Tang Hao took out a dark black token and tossed it to Lin Mu.
After finishing these matters, Tang Hao intended to leave this place, but Lin Mu took a step ahead and blocked him.
"Senior, since you're already here, how about helping me with something?"
Lin Mu was currently troubled over his fifth spirit ring. He never expected Tang Hao to appear. How could he let go of this free labor?
After hesitating for a moment, Tang Hao agreed. He would consider it a gift for Tang San becoming his disciple.