Chapter 43: Without a Doubt, They Have a Conspiracy!
"We're looking for a mantis soul beast with a cultivation level of more than 50,000 years. Did you happen to see one while searching for soul beasts in the Great Xingdou Forest?"
Since Liu Erlong was eager to help, Su Mo didn't hide anything and spoke directly.
"Mantis-type soul beasts with a cultivation level over 50,000 years? Soul beasts at that level are rare in the Great Xingdou Forest! Typically, one needs to reach the Soul Saint level to absorb a soul ring of such cultivation."
"Excuse me, is this young man about to reach the Soul Saint level?"
Hearing Su Mo's reply, Flanders—standing beside Liu Erlong—couldn't help but push the crystal frame up his hawk-like nose. On his long, shoehorn-shaped face, an expression of astonishment appeared as he looked at Yue Guan.
After all, Su Mo looked like he was only twelve or thirteen years old.
Even though Su Mo had undergone the Ice and Fire Body Refinement at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, which had greatly strengthened his body, his face still looked very youthful, like that of a teenager.
It was hard to imagine that someone like Su Mo, who didn't even look fifteen or sixteen, had already reached the Soul Saint level.
"You mean me?"
Yue Guan couldn't help but point to himself when he saw Flanders staring at him in disbelief.
But he quickly realized and immediately wrapped an arm around Su Mo. A proud and slightly dismissive smile appeared on his beautiful, feminine face as he said:
"Hehe, kid, you must be mistaken. I reached the Soul Saint realm decades ago. He's the one who's about to reach it!"
After saying that, Yue Guan extended his hand and patted Su Mo's shoulder.
"Him? A Soul Saint!?"
Yue Guan's words didn't just shock and astonish Liu Erlong and Flanders—it also left Yu Xiaogang, who was standing beside them, completely stunned.
Although Yu Xiaogang had intentionally gotten close to Bibi Dong while in Spirit City and had met Su Mo, he had been too busy trying to win Bibi Dong's favor and studying martial arts manuals.
As a result, he only knew that Su Mo was highly talented, but he had no idea that Su Mo had already reached the Soul Saint level at such a young age.
This left Yu Xiaogang in disbelief.
For a moment, a wave of unspeakable envy surged through his heart.
God is truly unfair. Why is it that I'm in my twenties and haven't even reached the rank of Grand Soulmaster, yet Su Mo—who seems younger than fifteen—is already a Soul Saint!?
Why!? This world is so unfair!
With jealousy in his heart, Yu Xiaogang clenched his teeth and fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.
But he never reflected on this.
He always believed the world was unfair—especially toward him.
Yet, in the Douluo Continent, countless civilians would dream of having even a mid-level innate soul power like his. It would be considered a luxury. And his birth had already earned the envy and jealousy of countless others.
But unfortunately, Yu Xiaogang never saw it that way.
He always envied and resented those stronger than him. And as for the weaker ones, especially civilians, Yu Xiaogang didn't even bother to look at them—let alone communicate with them.
This might not be obvious at first glance.
But in the original story, when he was at Notting Academy, Yu Xiaogang clearly had some capabilities. At the very least, the soul master knowledge he had acquired from the Spirit Hall was enough to teach the students at Notting.
Yet at Notting College, although all the students saw him as a failure, he still refused to attend classes and teach them useful soul master knowledge that might change their view of him.
Was he incapable of doing so?
No!
The truth is, Yu Xiaogang's attitude toward commoners was likely even worse than that of Xiao Chenyu from Notting Academy.
Yu Xiaogang never thought of using his knowledge to benefit the public. He only selfishly sought out a genius who could prove his flawed theories correct.
So that the entire soul master world—especially the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—would see him in a new light.
"You really… can absorb your seventh soul ring and break through to Soul Saint level? My God! How old are you?"
Upon realizing that Su Mo was the one looking for a mantis-type soul beast with over 50,000 years of cultivation, Liu Erlong couldn't help but look at Su Mo with disbelief.
"I'm around thirteen this year, but cultivation has nothing to do with age. It mostly depends on talent, hard work, and opportunity."
"I've been lucky. I believe that if you keep practicing, you'll definitely reach the Soul Saint realm in the future."
Su Mo's still-youthful face carried a gentle smile, and to Liu Erlong's surprise, he said:
"Big sis, you're really good at giving praise!"
Hearing his words and seeing the unexpected maturity in his tender expression, Liu Erlong couldn't help but laugh, feeling an immense fondness for Su Mo.
Having been raised only by her mother, she had always longed for a sibling.
And now, having Su Mo in front of her—not only doing her a favor, but also being handsome, talented, and mature—made him absolutely lovable!
"Don't worry, since you helped us, we'll definitely help you find spirit beasts later."
Although Chief F is only a Soul King, his martial spirit is a Four-Eyed Cat Owl, and he happens to possess a very useful soul skill for locating spirit beasts. We'll surely help you find a mantis-type soul beast over 50,000 years old!
Having developed a good impression of Su Mo and the others, Liu Erlong couldn't help but pat her chest and speak generously.
After she finished speaking, Flanders also nodded with a smile, expressing that he would do his best to help.
However, Yu Xiaogang was not pleased, and a trace of gloom appeared on his already darkened face.
While Liu Erlong and Flanders didn't notice this, Yue Guan and Gui Mei certainly did.
What an ungrateful wolf!
Yue Guan was quite annoyed and dissatisfied to see Yu Xiaogang act so indifferent—and even slightly resistant—toward their group.
As far as Yue Guan was concerned, even though Yu Xiaogang had suffered terribly after being expelled from Spirit City, that had been done by Pope Qianxunji!
He felt that they owed Yu Xiaogang nothing. In fact, one could even say Yu Xiaogang owed them.
Yet here Yu Xiaogang was, showing such a terrible attitude!
Indeed! The man before him was not as generous and elegant as he had once pretended to be in front of Her Holiness the Saint. He was nothing more than a selfish, hypocritical liar.
While the group was communicating, the soul ring of the Fiery Sun Earth Dragon finally finished condensing.
This prompted Liu Erlong to rush to the body of the Fiery Sun Earth Dragon, sit cross-legged on the ground, summon her martial spirit, and begin absorbing the soul ring.
To the side, Yu Xiaogang and Flanders stood guard over Liu Erlong.
Not far away, Su Mo, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei also sat on the ground, waiting for Liu Erlong to finish absorbing the soul ring.
"Xiaogang, what's wrong with you? Why have you looked so down since a while ago? You've barely said anything. What's going on?"
Sitting beside the Fiery Sun Earth Dragon's body, Flanders couldn't help but ask Yu Xiaogang in a low voice after noticing his odd behavior.
Hearing his question, Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and replied softly:
"It's nothing… I just felt a little uncomfortable seeing people from the Spirit Hall."
"And I know those three. They definitely know me too. But the Spirit Hall clearly doesn't value me—yet they helped us just now. There must be a conspiracy!"
In the end, Yu Xiaogang curled his lips in disdain, his tone full of conviction.
(End of Chapter)