After seeing Tang San off from the Spirit Hall, Ma Xiunuo returned to his office and began reading Tang San's report in full. The more he read, the more shocked and amazed he became.
He hadn't expected that a single positioning article on soul masters could include so many case studies, and what astonished him even more was that he could trace every data point through the annotations Tang San had provided. They were all verifiable.
"Little Tang is truly extraordinary," Ma Xiunuo exclaimed."To complete such an immense workload at his age... he's destined to become a top soul theory master in the future."
Without delay, Ma Xiunuo carefully packed up Tang San's manuscript, sat down at his desk, and began writing a report to the Pope.
According to protocol, as a mere sub-hall master at the lowest level of the Spirit Hall hierarchy, Ma Xiunuo technically wasn't authorized to send letters directly to Spirit City. Normally, it required approval up the chain.
However, there was an exception: if the matter was urgent or significant, lower-level hall masters were allowed to bypass the hierarchy and report directly to the Pope.
This rule had been established by the very first Pope of the Spirit Hall, precisely to prevent middle-tier officials from blocking important information from below—especially if it exposed problems at their own level.
After all, if an issue emerged in a sub-hall, it meant the higher-ups weren't doing their jobs properly. And if a report reached them too late—or never—it would threaten their position.
Ma Xiunuo invoked this rule not because he distrusted his immediate superiors, but because he feared they might see Tang San's talent, intercept him, and forcefully recruit him into the Spirit Hall.
And geniuses, he knew, were all proud.
You couldn't force them—especially not this one.
Tang San had shown goodwill toward the Spirit Hall, but if upper-level officials came with threats or bribery...Knowing Tang San's quiet, stubborn personality, Ma Xiunuo could already imagine the outcome: retaliation, deep resentment, and perhaps one day, a powerful enemy of the Spirit Hall.
It wasn't paranoia. On the continent, power struggles between major forces were common, and more than once, forced recruitment had planted the seeds of future disaster.
So Ma Xiunuo carefully described Tang San's excellence in his letter—and explicitly urged the Spirit Hall not to use coercive means.
He didn't fully trust the local Spirit Hall officials in Nuoding City. But he trusted Spirit City—especially the Pope, a Titled Douluo known for his foresight and appreciation for talent. Surely he would understand how to cultivate someone like Tang San.
While Ma Xiunuo was writing fervently, the subject of his letter—Tang San—had already brought Wang Sheng, now a level-ten soul power cultivator, to Nuoding Forest to hunt his first soul ring.
Xiao Wu tagged along as well.
Upon reaching the town at the forest's edge, Tang San showed the official hunting permit from Ma Xiunuo to the knight stationed outside the gate and led Wang Sheng and Xiao Wu into the soul beast forest.
As they walked, Tang San began explaining the process of soul hunting to Wang Sheng—just as Ma Xiunuo had once done for him.
"I remember, Brother San," Wang Sheng said, concentrating hard. This wasn't just theory—it was survival. One mistake could cost him everything.
"Oh, right," Tang San said casually as they moved deeper into the woods."After you get your first soul ring, you'll officially be a soul master. Have you thought about what you want to do after that?"
Wang Sheng thought for a moment."Maybe… become a free soul master."
"Not planning to join the Spirit Hall?" Tang San asked curiously.
"I've thought about it," Wang Sheng replied, somewhat uncertain, "but I'm not sure yet."
Tang San nodded and didn't press further.For civilians like Wang Sheng, access to information was limited. And to some extent, the primary academies deliberately shielded students from the outside world's political landscape.
Teachers often focused on one core idea:
"Once you become a soul master, you stand above others."Basic morality came next—but very little was taught about the broader power structures.
Once inside the forest, Tang San took the lead, Xiao Wu guarded the rear, and Wang Sheng stayed in the middle—safely protected by the two.
"Brother San, Sister Xiao Wu… I can help too," Wang Sheng said, embarrassed.It felt awkward being twelve years old and protected by two six-year-olds.
Tang San didn't dismiss him."Alright, you cover the left and right flanks. Even though this forest is guarded, the soul beasts inside aren't domesticated. Stay alert. Better safe than sorry."
"No problem, Brother San!" Wang Sheng responded enthusiastically.
"Shh~"Tang San held up a hand."In the forest, try to speak less. We're already making noise just walking over dead leaves. Loud voices might scare off nearby soul beasts."
"I understand, Brother San," Wang Sheng said in a much softer tone.
After half an hour, they found a large tiger sleeping under a tree—its fur striped black and yellow, nearly three meters long, snoring beside the half-eaten remains of a deer-like soul beast.
"That's our target," Tang San said."King Tiger, close to two hundred years old."
He turned to Wang Sheng."Your martial soul is a tiger. That makes this a same-species fusion. Absorbing the soul ring will be less stressful. Plus, you've fought plenty of matches against Xiao Chenyu and his lot—your body's stronger than most kids your age. You should be able to withstand a hundred-year ring."
Wang Sheng nodded excitedly. Even if he wasn't sure he could endure it—he had to try.
This was a hundred-year soul ring.
If he missed this chance, who knew when the next one would come?
"King Tiger—yellow fur, black stripes, and most importantly, it possesses a Tiger King's Heart," Tang San explained."When stimulated, this heart causes the King Tiger's strength to double temporarily. All its physical stats rise at once. In some rare cases, it can even generate a special burst called blood and qi power."
"Blood and qi power?" Xiao Wu tilted her head, intrigued. She hadn't heard that term before.
"It's a name I came up with," Tang San said."According to the Soul Beast Encyclopedia, certain King Tigers are born with this talent. When their Tiger King's Heart is fully activated, their body emits a red mist—a kind of life-force burst. It not only boosts their strength twofold, but also disrupts opponents' soul skills."
"I don't know if this one has that gift, but even if it doesn't, the soul ring it provides should still grant a passive enhancement to all your physical stats."
"Even without a special ability," Wang Sheng said eagerly, "just getting a hundred-year soul ring would've been unthinkable before."
Tang San nodded."Alright, while it's asleep, I'll tie it down. Xiao Wu, be ready to attack. Wang Sheng, wait for the final strike. Even a normal tiger is too much for a level-ten soul master. You'll have no chance against a soul beast unless we subdue it first."
Wang Sheng agreed. He knew his limits. Even if he rushed in with bravado, the soul beast would kill him instantly.Still, he quietly drew the dagger he had prepared in advance—just in case.
Tang San placed a palm on the ground.
The Blue Silver Grass responded instantly. Root systems beneath the forest floor expanded outward like a net, slowly reaching the snoring tiger.
Then—dozens of vines burst from the soil, coiling around the beast's limbs and body.
"ROAR!"
The King Tiger woke with a roar, violently thrashing in its restraints as its instincts surged into action.