When Tang Hao first heard that Tang San wanted to obtain a ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring, his initial reaction was to refuse.
But, as someone who had been through it himself, Tang Hao quickly realized something was off after considering his opposition.
He had been secretly observing Tang San during this period, including the times when Tang San secretly tested his physical strength and power.
Tang Hao could confirm that Tang San's physical strength was no weaker than that of a slightly weaker Beast-type Soul King, and Tang San's spiritual power had already reached that level long ago.
Given that, why couldn't he absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring? While it would still be a challenge, he had indeed reached the minimum threshold.
This realization made it difficult for Tang Hao to suppress his excitement. He hadn't expected the Bone Replacement Secret Technique to have such an effect. Didn't this imply that the so-called soul ring limit was no longer a restriction for those who had mastered the Bone Replacement Secret Technique?
Even if not everyone was a spiritual genius like Tang San, capable of withstanding the Soul Ring's Soul Shock from a ten-thousand-year soul beast for their fourth ring, the increase in the age limit of the first three rings alone would be enough. It seemed the Clear Sky Clan was destined to rise again.
Calm down, that's something for the future. Right now, Tang San's situation is more important, he thought.
Suppressing his excitement, Tang Hao sent a voice transmission to Yu Xiaogang, telling him where suitable soul beasts for Tang San's fourth oul ring could be found. He asked Yu Xiaogang to relay this information to Tang San and have Flender take him to hunt one. Naturally, Tang Hao would follow in secret to ensure absolute safety.
During this time, Tang Hao did not waste a single moment. To find a suitable soul beast for Tang San's bone replacement, he explored a significant portion of the Sunset Forest. Among the creatures there, there were naturally some suitable candidates for becoming the fourth soul ring of the Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
After Yu Xiaogang further inquired about Tang San's requirements for his fourth spirit ability, Tang Hao provided two options for them to choose from: the Ironclad Vine or the infamous Pit Demon Spider.
The first option was Tang Hao's judgment based on his experience, while the second was chosen to match the usual style of Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, primarily because it fits the type of ability Tang San needed.
To be honest, Tang Hao didn't care much about how Tang San developed the Blue Silver Grass martial soul. He had seen Tang San's performance after obtaining his previous soul rings, and he could only describe it as difficult to watch.
Tang Hao had never thought much of the Blue Silver Grass from the start.
Regardless, Tang San had already reached the point where he could absorb a ten-thousand-year soul ring. After the tournament, he could begin cultivating the Clear Sky Hammer directly.
With a setup of soul rings starting at ten thousand years, and the ability to reach Soul King just by obtaining the next soul ring, Tang San would be a Soul King at the age of fifteen—a speed even faster than Tang Hao's own. Coupled with the Bone Replacement Secret Technique, returning to the Clear Sky Clan would be more than enough.
After discussing with Yu Xiaogang, it was no surprise that Tang San and his teacher chose the Pit Demon Spider. The main reason was that they couldn't be sure how the Ironclad Vine's soul ring would perform when applied to the Blue Silver Grass.
With the Pit Demon Spider, they had no such worries. According to records, over ninety percent of the soul skills obtained from this type of soul beast were control-type skills, and there was even a chance of obtaining group-control abilities. This alone was enough to excite them.
Moreover, it was worth noting that Tang San's third soul ring had also come from a spider-type soul beast, which granted him a venomous web—though the web was somewhat fragile.
Choosing a similar type of Pit Demon Spider this time might enhance his abilities and compensate for that weakness. Such cases were not uncommon in the world of soul masters, and this was the main reason they insisted on choosing the Pit Demon Spider.
Once they made their decision, Tang Hao informed Yu Xiaogang of the location and left in advance.
As a father, how could he not witness this moment personally?
Not only that, but he also had to lend a hand. While the Pit Demon Spider might not be particularly strong against Flender, its most troublesome trait was its ability to burrow underground, which could be a headache for flying-type soul masters.
But for Tang Hao, this was no problem. There wasn't anything that couldn't be solved with one hammer strike—and if one didn't work, two would. He planned to destroy the Pit Demon Spider's lair and tunnels, forcing it to the surface as much as possible.
Although Tang San still didn't know that his father had been hiding in the shadows all this time and might find certain things strange, once Tang Hao revealed himself and explained everything, Tang San, with his intelligence, naturally felt the deep fatherly love from him.
With this thought, Tang Hao's lips curled into a subtle smile, as if he could already foresee the look Tang San would give him in the future.
Of course, at the same time, another person was observing from the shadows: Han Li.
Just like Yu Xiaogang before, Han Li noticed that Tang San's fortune briefly surged to a peak after he had plucked it clean, so he could guess that Tang San was about to obtain his fourth soul ring.
This was also the moment Han Li would completely harvest the Blue Silver Emperor essence, and he was not going to miss it.
"A ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring again? Well, it's understandable. It's just the last hurrah before his fortune collapses," Han Li thought, quietly watching everything unfold, with no intention of interfering. A ten-thousand-year fourth ring on Blue Silver Grass wouldn't change much.
Moreover, he was curious to see how Tang San would change once the Blue Silver Grass essence was completely extracted. How much would the bone replacement affect him?
...
When Flender brought Tang San to the designated area in the Sunset Forest, they were greeted by the sight of a Pit Demon Spider lying on the ground, barely alive but still breathing.
"This..."
Flender looked up, speechless. He knew Tang Hao was lurking nearby, but wasn't this a bit too obvious?
"Tang San, pick one," Flender said after a while, dragging out a few Pit Demon Spiders that met Tang San's requirements.
Though surprised, Tang San remained calm.
"This one."
Recalling Yu Xiaogang's earlier teachings, Tang San chose the one that had just reached ten thousand years. As for the other two, which were one or two thousand years older, he wasn't entirely confident in absorbing them.
After all, his martial soul wasn't a beast-type one. Even though his physical strength had reached the minimum threshold, it wouldn't help much in the process of absorbing a soul ring.
On the way, Flender had mentioned the Soul Ring's Soul Shock when absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring, but Tang San didn't care. As expected, his teacher didn't know — this was a decision his father had made.
The chosen Pit Demon Spider was carried away by Flender to a safer place where Tang San could begin the absorption process.
For those involved, this was going to be a historic moment.
Tang San took a deep breath before launching a poisoned sleeve arrow into the eye of the unconscious Pit Demon Spider. A faint, dark-colored spirit ring appeared.
After exchanging a glance with Flender, Tang San sat down cross-legged and touched the soul ring with his Martial Soul aura.
...
Three and a half hours later, Tang San, covered in blood, finally succeeded in absorbing the ten-thousand-year soul ring.
Smiling as he stood up and revealed his new soul ring, Tang San collapsed into unconsciousness. It had been too much for him, but fortunately, he had succeeded.
"As expected of my son."
Hidden in the shadows, Tang Hao finally let out a sigh of relief and stepped out in front of Flender and Tang San. His son had broken a continental record, and Tang Hao felt proud.
"Once we return, immediately start treating Xiao San. Over the next few days, make sure he gets the best supplements."
Tang Hao instructed Flender, who was also overjoyed.
"No problem, Your Excellency, Clear Sky Douluo."
Flender responded promptly, his shoehorn-shaped face wrinkling into a broad smile.
Although he didn't particularly like Tang Hao or his son, this time he had no complaints he was more than happy.
After all, this was his student, and it was a ten-thousand-year fourth ring!
Not to mention the fame it would bring him after the Soul Master Tournament, the rewards from Heaven Dou Imperial Academy alone were enough to make him grin from ear to ear.
Thank you, Yu Xiaogang!
In this tournament, everyone will only remember me, not you — unless Tang San and his father publicly vouch for you. But is that likely?
At least for now, it's impossible. Heaven Dou Imperial Academy wouldn't allow it. Flender was elated inside.
After respectfully bowing to Tang Hao, he picked up Tang San as if he were a precious treasure and flew swiftly towards Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Gold soul coins, here I come!
Once Tang Hao also left, Han Li stepped out from the shadows. He had already collected the essence of the Blue Silver Emperor.
With an inexplicable smile, he also gathered some of the blood Tang San had shed during the absorption process. He planned to have it analyzed later.
In his observations, Tang San's body was undergoing subtle, irreversible changes, and even Han Li couldn't be sure what was happening. He needed to confirm Tang San's current composition.
A few breaths later, the area was empty, except for the broken corpse of the Pit Demon Spider, which would eventually be taken by other soul beasts for food.
...
As time passed, Heaven Dou City grew more and more lively.
Teams from various Soul Master academies arrived one after another to participate in the competition. At the same time, large numbers of nobles, soul masters, and merchants poured in from other regions and duchies.
To them, both Heaven Dou City and Star Luo City were now radiating the scent of gold soul coins. Even many commoners joined in, as this was an opportunity for them as well.
There were now only three days left until the official opening of the Soul Master Tournament.
Today, it was Han Li's time to make his appearance. With Xiu'er's help, he was adjusting his ceremonial robes as the Holy Son of Spirit Hall.
In a while, he would need to leave the city to blend in with the entourage from Spirit Hall and accompany Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou Empire, in a play of brotherly love and respect.
"All done."
Xiu'er adjusted the final touch on his platinum crown and pulled him out of the room.