The first stop was the waterfall.
This time, Tang Lan didn't need to swing his hammer anymore.
He directly summoned the Thunderflame Clear Sky Hammer (雷焱昊天锤) and activated Clear Sky Protection (昊天护体).
Using it as a shield over his head, he forcefully carved out a gap in the rushing waterfall, revealing the stone wall entrance they had left open last time.
Then, with a few swift movements, he used Lizard Climbing Technique (壁虎游墙) to scale the wall effortlessly.
When he turned back, he saw Tang San standing there, completely dumbfounded.
"Big Brother, how did you get up there?!"
This rock wall was extremely smooth, and the entrance was more than ten meters off the ground.
Even with his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track (鬼影迷踪), climbing it would be troublesome—after all, that technique was designed for dodging, not climbing.
Tang Lan smirked.
"Oh? You didn't train the soul power circulation method I taught you?"
He countered with a question—
"That method gives soul power an adhesive property, allowing you to stick to walls."
What?!
There's such a special effect?!
Tang San felt a little guilty and laughed awkwardly.
"Oh, so that's how it works!"
"Got it, Big Brother! You go ahead, I'll be right there!"
After all—if he wanted to get up, he'd have to use his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
If Tang Lan questioned him about it, how would he respond?
And if Tang Lan wanted to learn it, should he teach him?
It was better to let Tang Lan go in first.
But—
Tang Lan glanced at his Clear Sky Protection and then looked at Tang San, his face filled with confusion.
"Are you sure?"
Tang San froze on the spot!
He had completely forgotten—he still needed Tang Lan to 'hold the umbrella' for him!
What now?!
He had no choice but to mimic Tang Lan, pretending to "climb" up the wall.
As expected, he failed spectacularly.
After climbing just a few steps, his foot slipped—
"SPLASH—"
He fell straight into the water!
Tang Lan burst into uncontrollable laughter.
When Tang San finally surfaced,
Tang Lan immediately sent out his life-bound Blue Silver Emperor (命魂蓝银皇), wrapping around Tang San's upper body and forcefully dragging him up.
Once the Blue Silver Emperor unraveled,
Tang San's face was almost purple from holding his breath!
"Xiao San, are you okay?!"
Tang Lan exclaimed in panic—
"My martial soul just awakened, my control isn't great! I panicked when I saw you fall into the water, and…"
Tang San waved a hand weakly, signaling that he was fine.
Still dripping wet, he got up and walked straight into the cave, afraid that Tang Lan might keep asking questions.
Tang Lan snickered behind him—
"Trying to keep secrets, huh? Let's see how long you last!"
Then, he chased after him.
In the sunlit area, A Yin (阿银) was nowhere to be found.
Only a deep pit remained.
Of course, Tang Lan already knew—Tang Hao had dug her up again.
Most likely, he didn't want Tang Lan to have too much contact with A Yin yet.
"Huh?! Where did she go?"
Tang Lan pretended to be surprised—
"She was right here before… Look, the box is still here!"
That heavy lead box lay discarded on the ground.
Tang San examined the area, quickly realizing that Tang Lan wasn't lying.
As for the current situation…
"I guess this opportunity just wasn't meant for me," Tang San sighed. "Big Brother, let's head to the next location."
"Looks like that's our only option…"
Tang Lan pretended to be disappointed.
At the cave entrance—
Tang Lan activated Clear Sky Protection once more, creating a gap in the waterfall.
He motioned for Tang San to go first.
Tang San closed his eyes and jumped straight down.
"SPLASH—"
He fell into the water again.
By the time he resurfaced—
Tang Lan had already used Lizard Climbing Technique to descend to the riverbank.
Without giving Tang San a chance to swim to shore,
Tang Lan's Blue Silver Emperor shot out again—
Wrapped around Tang San's waist and yanked him sideways!
Originally, Tang San could've swum to shore normally—
But because of Tang Lan's interference, his body twisted, and he choked on several mouthfuls of water!
As soon as he reached the shore,
Tang San began coughing violently, struggling for several minutes before he finally caught his breath.
"Oh no, Xiao San, are you alright?"
Tang Lan asked with concern, guilt, and helplessness.
Tang San: "…"
Do I look like I'm alright?!
But when he saw Tang Lan's apologetic and concerned expression, he couldn't get mad.
—After all, Tang Lan only did it for his own good…
He could only force a smile and say, "I'm fine, Big Brother. Let's go to the next location."
"You're soaking wet," Tang Lan reminded him. "Use your soul power to dry yourself off."
"The soul power from that training method I taught you creates a warm, comfortable feeling when covering your body."
Tang San's smile stiffened!
His Mysterious Heaven Skilldidn't have that effect at all!
"What's wrong? Not enough soul power?"
Tang Lan asked knowingly.
Tang San quickly nodded.
"No problem, I'll help you!"
Without giving him a chance to refuse,
Tang Lan placed both hands on Tang San's shoulders—
And channeled his Nine Yang Divine Skill (九阳神功) inner power straight into him…
As Tang Lan dried Tang San's clothes, his Nine Yang Divine Skill (九阳神功) inner power also began seeping into Tang San's body.
Tang San: (╯°Д°)╯
He was all too familiar with how difficult this inner power was to deal with!
But pushing Tang Lan away now?
What reason could he give?
That he didn't train the soul power circulation method Tang Lan taught him?
Why didn't he train it?
Because he had a better cultivation technique?
Then why didn't he share it?
Right now, Tang San was suffering in silence, unable to say a word!
He could only grit his teeth and endure it.
The moment his clothes were dry, he immediately stepped away.
"Okay, okay! They're dry!"
"Big Brother, don't waste any more soul power!"
[Host has forced Tang San's cultivation to regress by seven days, seizing a sliver of Tang San's fortune!]
[Reward: "Spirit Ring Age +7"!]
Oh ho!
A pleasant surprise!
"Are you sure they're dry?" Tang Lan asked with concern. "Don't end up half-dry, half-wet. I still have plenty of soul power!"
As he spoke, he reached out again.
Tang San was terrified, backing away repeatedly!
In just that short moment earlier, his training had already been set back seven days!
And he wants to do it again?!
No way! Absolutely no way!
Seeing Tang San's obvious resistance, Tang Lan regretfully withdrew his hand.
"Alright then, let's hurry to the next location."
He led Tang San at a light jog to a small forest—the place where the Blue Silver King (蓝银王) resided.
Upon seeing that towering blade of grass, Tang San was stunned!
This… is Blue Silver Grass?!
Even the surrounding Blue Silver Grass was thicker and sturdier than normal.
No wonder Tang Lan's Blue Silver Grass had evolved.
This place was indeed a treasure trove.
"Elder?" Tang Lan called out loudly, "Are you still here, Elder? My little brother also has a Blue Silver Grass martial soul—could you help him awaken it?"
Tang San waited expectantly.
However…
No matter how much Tang Lan called, there was no response.
—Of course, there wouldn't be.
Most of the Blue Silver King's spiritual energy had been condensed into a simple inheritance and given to Tang Lan.
With just its own dormant recovery, it wouldn't wake up for hundreds of years.
Even if, by some miracle, the Blue Silver King did wake up—
The Blue Silver Emperor (蓝银皇) was unique.
Even A Yin's self-sacrificial loophole (献祭BUG) only allowed for a maximum of two bloodline successors at a time.
If Tang San wanted to awaken another one?
Impossible.
However—
Tang Lan had "carefully" prepared a spirit ring for Tang San!
With a mere thought—
The Blue Silver Grass he had secretly manipulated released a restrained soul beast from the shadows.
A white-furred, red-eyed rabbit suddenly bolted out in a panic.
Tang Lan reacted instinctively, summoning his life-bound Blue Silver Emperor to entangle the rabbit.
He pulled it close.
Sensing danger, the red-eyed rabbit struggled violently,
To the point where Tang Lan's Blue Silver Emperor was almost unable to hold on!
Tang San's brows twitched!
He had personally experienced how tough and resilient the Blue Silver Emperor was just now.
Yet this rabbit…
"Huh? This rabbit is really strong!"
Tang Lan exclaimed in "confusion"—
"Normal rabbits, when caught by my Blue Silver Grass, are either dead or crippled."
"Could this… be a soul beast?"
Tang San's eyes lit up!
A soul beast?
A spirit ring?!
The chance to break through—
Had just presented itself!
(End of Chapter)