Due to consumption of Whale Glue, Tang Yin and Dugu Yan had both successfully broken through to Soul Level 40. With Tang Hao no longer hovering over Tang Yin's every move, he was finally free to do whatever he pleased.
Naturally, that meant getting his fourth soul ring as soon as possible... and ideally, doing it alongside Dugu Yan.
Tang yin approached Dugu Bo, who was sulking nearby with a sour look on his face.
"Old ma— ahem, I mean Grandpa," Tang Yin corrected himself mid-sentence with a sheepish grin. "Could you take me back to Lanba Academy? If I don't show up soon, Yan Yan might start worrying."
Dugu Bo gave him a long, squinting look, then let out a heavy, world-weary sigh. "Working this old man to death... Haiz, young people these days are truly heartless."
Then, without further warning, he grabbed Tang Yin by the collar and began soaring toward Lanba Academy—dangling him mid-air like a sack of potatoes.
"Hey!" Tang Yin squawked, flailing helplessly. "You grumpy old tsundere! "Do you have to dangle me like this?! I swear I'll punish your granddaughter if you keep this up!"
Dugu Bo snorted but didn't loosen his grip.
When they finally reached Lanba Academy, Tang Yin dusted himself off dramatically and turned to the old man. "Grandpa, why don't you stay here for a day or two? Both Yan Yan and I just hit level 40. We'll need a strong escort for our fourth soul ring."
Dugu Bo blinked, surprised. "You're about to become a Soul Ancestor? How old are you again?"
Tang Yin puffed out his chest and replied with mock modesty, "Twelve. Surprised? Don't be. I'm a genius among geniuses. You've got yourself a bargain, old man. Hahaha!"
Pleased yet mildly annoyed by the boy's cocky attitude, Dugu Bo couldn't resist smacking him lightly on the head. "You little rascal."
Tang yin's laughter was cut short as Dugu Bo smacked him lightly on the head.
By the time Tang Yin returned to his dormitory, dawn had already settled. Not wasting a second, he hurried to the rooftop to train his Purple Demon Eye.
As expected, three familiar figures were waiting for him there—Zhuqing, Yi Ran, and Rongrong—all with various degrees of annoyance on their faces.
Rongrong had her hands planted firmly on her hips, hazel eyes narrowed with mock fury.
Rongrong scolded, tapping her foot."Tang Yin! You've been slacking off! If you keep this up, we girls will surpass you in no time."
Hearing such a bold provocation, Tang Yin felt an immediate need to assert his dominance.
"Oh?" He arched a brow and smiled smugly.
"You? Rongrong, I'm already at Soul Level 40. When do you plan to reach Soul Ancestor? You're not even a Soul Elder yet!"
His voice was full of mock concern, as if he was genuinely worried for her future.
Zhu Zhuqing and Yi Ran both turned to him slowly, their expressions frozen in pure disbelief—mouths slightly agape.
Tang Yin raised an eyebrow and grinned mischievously. "Close your mouths, ladies," he said, wagging a finger playfully. "A fly might wander in."
Rongrong, meanwhile, stood there utterly dumbfounded. Her mouth opened, then closed. Opened again—then nothing. No witty retort, no snarky comeback. Her mind was completely blank.
Finally, with an indignant hmph, she turned her head away sharply, cheeks puffed out in a pout. "Tch. Show-off," she muttered under her breath.
Tang Yin grinned triumphantly, hands behind his head and comforted "Don't be jealous, Rongrong. It's bad for your skin."
Rongrong responded by stomping on his foot. Hard.
"OW! I was just joking!" Tang yin winced to satisfy the girl with her temper.
As they began cultivating, Rongrong, Zhuqing, and Yi Ran struggled to focus. 'Tang Yin had already reached Soul Level 40, and though he sat beside them, the growing gap in strength left the girls feeling frustrated and distant.'
Tang Yin sensed the emotional rift in their hearts, but he wasn't worried. "You'll all catch up soon enough. No need to stress," he thought calmly, eyes closed as he cultivated.
After their cultivation, Tang Yin glanced at the three girls intently, his gaze lingering just long enough to make all of them blush. But contrary to their flustered assumptions, his mind wasn't drifting into perverted territory.
Instead, he was pondering something practical. "Which herbs would suit Meng Yiran?" he mused. "Zhuqing's & Rongrong's are already decided thanks to the original story, but for Meng yiran & Yan Yan … I'll have to improvise."
Without explaining further, Tang Yin stood up and said, "Come with me," before leading the girls towards Dugu Yan's dormitory.
They found her in the courtyard, Dugu Yan had just finished coaxing a sulking Ye Lingling, whispering who-knows-what to bring back that faint, rare smile.
Just as Lingling's mood softened, she looked up—only to see Tang Yin strolling in casually, as if he hadn't done anything wrong.
Tang Yin's eyes landed on Ye Lingling's rosy face, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. 'Heh, I knew it. She totally liked it yesterday—she was even proactive about it while I was doing the deed.'
Then, seeing her not show a shred of blame or anger, only a gentle look of affection, Tang Yin's heart softened. 'She's a good girl…sweet, understanding, and didn't complain even once. Someone like that deserves a reward.'
His gaze turned thoughtful. 'You'll get an immortal herb too, Lingling. Maybe it'll change your destiny.'
Tang Yin spoke up calmly, "Dugu Yan, follow me… You too," he added, locking eyes with Ye Lingling. She simply gave a gentle nod, her gaze soft.
At that moment, Dugu Yan's temper flared. "You guy…!" she snapped, clenching her teeth. "First you do the deed, then you make me clean up after you—and now you're ordering me around too?! Hmph!"
But Tang Yin didn't even glance back. "If you don't want to, then don't," he said indifferently, already walking off with four girls trailing behind him.
Dugu Yan looked ready to spit venom, but after a brief moment of internal struggle, she let out a long sigh. 'Forget it. It's partly my fault. I was the one who let it happen…' With a pout and a grumble, she followed along, defeated.
Glancing back and catching sight of her sulky expression, Tang Yin chuckled inwardly. 'Hmph. Want to blame me? You're the irresponsible one. I don't feel guilty at all.'
As Tang Yin and the girls arrived at Liu Erlong's cottage, Zhuqing tilted her head curiously. "Did you bring us here to comfort Dean Erlong?"
Tang Yin replied mysteriously, lips curling into a faint smirk. "That too… but you'll know soon enough."
(Dugu Yan's loud mouth had already spilled the beans about Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang's breakup to Ye Lingling during one of their gossip sessions)
After all, girls do love to gossip about anyone & everything, right?
Ye Lingling's eyes lit up with sudden understanding. So that's why he brought us… Her heart warmed. Such thoughtfulness. I don't have to worry about being abandoned, Dugu Yan's wrong—he's not a bad guy.
As usual, Tang Yin knocked gently—and right on cue, Liu Erlong opened the door and practically slipped into his arms. Without missing a beat, he supported her waist and effortlessly carried her toward the bedroom, all in full view of the stunned group of girls behind him.
Rongrong blinked. Aren't they in perfect sync? she thought suspiciously, then quickly shook her head. 'What am I even thinking? They've only met, like, three times… no way it's that casual, right?'
Inside, after a few moments of quiet comfort, Tang Yin asked earnestly, "Dean Erlong, would it be alright if we used your place for something important?"
Liu Erlong's cheeks flushed faintly as she smiled. "You can call me Erlong from now on. No need to be so formal with me. You can do whatever you want—no one will disturb us."
The girls blinked in unison. Something about those words felt… off. There was a strange intimacy in her tone, but none of them could quite put their finger on it.
Unbothered, Tang Yin simply nodded and turned. "Rongrong, you're first."
Rongrong stepped forward, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "What is it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, a hint of doubt flickering in her mind. What's he going to do?
Tang Yin smiled faintly as he reached into his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse and retrieved an ethereal blossom. "This Silk Woven Tulip is for you."
The girls collectively gasped. The tulip gleamed with a golden hue, its petals lush and vibrant. Beneath the delicate stalk and leaves, fine wisteria-like drapes shimmered with an almost otherworldly softness. A rich, floral fragrance wafted through the air, leaving an impression of splendor and grace.
Rongrong's eyes widened. "It's beautiful! What kind of flower is this, Tang Yin?"
"It's an immortal herb," he replied simply. "It can greatly enhance your innate talent."
Before she could ask more, Tang Yin gently instructed, "This flower isn't meant to be eaten. You'll need to inhale its stamen's essence—breathe it in slowly. As the essence enters your body, begin cultivating your spirit power, allowing the medicinal energy to circulate through your limbs and bones."
Rongrong nodded, her expression serious as she followed his every word.
Turning slightly, Tang Yin gestured to Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, this is for you—Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone. It's ideal for strengthening your physique. It softens muscle, mends bone, and clears the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, enhancing your cultivation talent. Eat only the petals. Then suck the stamen to guide the energy."
Zhuqing hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Thank you, Mas– I mean, Tang Yin," she murmured in a voice softer than a mosquito's buzz, then took the herb and followed the instructions.
Next, Tang Yin's gaze landed on Meng Yiran, who stepped forward with anticipation dancing in her eyes.
"Yiran, this Land Dragon Golden Melon contains a trace of dragon blood. There's a chance it may evolve your martial soul—or at the very least, it will significantly boost your innate potential."
Without hesitation, Meng Yiran accepted the herb and began the process.
Dugu Yan was about to speak when Tang Yin raised a hand and called, "Ye Lingling."
Lingling blinked in surprise but walked over quietly. Tang Yin presented her with a slender, vibrant stalk of bamboo.
"This is the Black Jade Divine Bamboo. It's perfect for you. With luck, it may evolve your martial soul into an attack-type and give you the strength to change your fate. Do you want to try?"
Ye Lingling stared at the bamboo, her lips parting in stunned silence. Her eyes shimmered as tears slowly welled up. She nodded firmly, gratitude radiating from her entire being.
Dugu Yan watched her best friend with wide, astonished eyes. She understood immediately what this meant—Tang Yin wasn't just giving Lingling an immortal herb; he was giving her a second chance at life.
Ye Lingling came from a bloodline that bore the Nine Heart Flowering Apple, one of the rarest and most peculiar spirits in the world.
Unlike other spirits passed freely through generations, this one followed strict, almost cruel rules. It could only exist in a single line of inheritance. At most, two spirit masters could hold it at the same time—and only when one perished could another be born with it.
Because of this, her clan had always treaded a delicate line between hope and despair.
Dugu Yan had known the weight Lingling carried, the quiet sadness she hid beneath her calm exterior. And now, watching her absorb the Black Jade Divine Bamboo, Dugu Yan realized what Tang Yin was truly offering: a future where her friend wasn't just a support-type soul master fading into obscurity, but someone who could break free of fate.
Her lips trembled slightly—but instead of speaking, she smiled. A soft, genuine smile that held no envy, only gratitude.
She turned to Tang Yin and looked at him anew. Not as a flirt, not as a rogue… but as someone who truly saw people. Someone who changed lives—not with words, but with actions.
As he carefully guided Lingling through the cultivation steps, Dugu Yan's heart warmed, and her smile deepened.
Then, Tang Yin turned toward Dugu Yan, and their eyes met. She looked restless, almost jittery, like someone waiting far too long for their turn at destiny.
"Yan Yan," he said, beckoning her forward.
She wasted no time, practically bouncing up to him.
Tang Yin held up a radiant stalk of jade-white grass. "This is the Origin Energy Immortal Grass. It's one of the finest immortal herbs in existence. Its effects on soul power are unmatched. Not only can it help you form a soul core once you reach Soul Sage level, with a soul core you can also purify your poison constitution into the soul core. There's no better herb for you."
Dugu Yan's pupils trembled. Her heart stirred as she stared at the glowing herb in disbelief. Then, slowly, her eyes turned misty. She suddenly leapt forward and wrapped her arms around Tang Yin. "When… When did you figure it out?"
Tang Yin smirked. "During our first time," he said teasingly, leaning closer with a lewd grin.
Dugu Yan's cheeks turned bright red. "Shameless!" she huffed and shoved him lightly, though there was no anger in her gesture.
She sat down cross-legged and began absorbing the immortal herb, following Tang Yin's careful instructions.
Unlike the others, Tang Yin didn't leave her side. This herb was notoriously difficult to control, and he had to remain vigilant. But to his surprise—and quiet admiration—Dugu Yan absorbed it without issue.
She was truly exceptional.