As he spoke, the Great Master led Tang San to the entrance of the Hunting Soul Forest.
The soldier captain in charge of checking Permits immediately showed a look of respect the moment he saw the three markings on the token. He hurriedly ordered his soldiers to part and clear a path, inviting the Great Master to lead Tang San inside. He didn't even ask why such a small child needed to enter the Hunting Soul Forest.
After passing through the steel gate and entering the forest, all the clamor seemed to vanish. The air finally became as fresh as Tang San had imagined, filling him with a sense of comfort and ease.
Upon entering the forest, the Great Master didn't rush forward. Instead, he silently surveyed his surroundings.
Tang San seemed to suddenly remember something. "Master, those six people you mentioned who are respected by Spirit Hall and have their names carved on the Permit—what are their Soul Master ranks? Soul Saints? Douluo? Or Titled Douluo?"
The Great Master gave Tang San a deep look. "They are Titled Douluo. And they are the six most powerful Titled Douluo."
"The most powerful?" A flash of excitement crossed Tang San's eyes.
The Great Master sighed softly. "At the same rank, with different Soul Rings, different Martial Souls, their strength is completely different. These six Titled Douluo are undoubtedly the strongest among the strong. Even if other Soul Masters cultivated to rank ninety and entered the domain of Titled Douluo, they still couldn't shake these six's positions. All of that is still far too distant for you right now. Come, we need to prepare to enter the forest. From this point on, don't step even one pace away from my side."
"Yes, Master."
The Great Master's previously somewhat dispirited gaze suddenly grew bright. He pressed his palms together at his chest, then swiftly separated them downward. "Come forth, Luo Sanpao."
With a soft pop, a wisp of pale purple Soul Power split from his palms. Tang San felt a wave of Soul Power ripple from the Great Master's body, and before him, a creature had appeared.
Yes, it was a creature. It looked somewhat like a dog, but its build was closer to that of a pig. Its body was over a meter and a half long, and its waist was probably just as wide.
Its entire body was covered in pale purple fur. Two small ears flopped down, and a pair of deep blue eyes blinked gently, their gaze tender. Its fat body wriggled slightly, and its plump rear end swayed from side to side. Its four short, stubby legs made it hard to imagine how anything so slow could move.
On the crown of its head was a round bump of unknown purpose. The moment it appeared, it trotted over to the Great Master and rubbed its big head against his leg.
Two halos of light rose from beneath the Great Master's feet, cycling back and forth around his body. Both halos glowed yellow—Hundred-Year Soul Rings, without a doubt.
"Xiao San, didn't you want to know what my Martial Soul is? This is my Martial Soul. You can call it Luo Sanpao, or simply Sanpao."
Luo Sanpao seemed to understand the Great Master's words. Its big eyes turned toward Tang San, and there was actually a hint of flattery in its gaze.
"Master, this is your Martial Soul?" Tang San exclaimed in surprise. "But—doesn't the manifestation of a Beast Martial Soul involve possession? Why is this one…?"
Setting aside what kind of creature Luo Sanpao actually was, the Great Master's Martial Soul had clearly exceeded the normal limitations of Beast Martial Souls.
Luo Sanpao appeared somewhat displeased and let out two barks at Tang San.
A trace of bitterness crossed the Great Master's face. "Because my Martial Soul is a Mutant Martial Soul. Do you remember when I told you about Martial Soul mutations? Sanpao is exactly that. Only, its mutation evidently went in a negative direction. When it first awakened, my Soul Power was only at a half-rank level. Otherwise, things wouldn't be as they are now. No matter how hard I try, my Soul Power will never break through rank thirty in this lifetime. I can only study Martial Souls in theory."
Ever since Tang San had first heard the rumors about the Great Master, he knew the man was someone of deep persistence. His devotion to Martial Souls was just like Tang San's devotion to Hidden Weapons. That was exactly why Tang San had never regretted taking the Great Master as his teacher. Perhaps this was what it meant to recognize a kindred spirit.
"I'm sorry, Master. I brought up something painful."
The Great Master shook his head with a self-deprecating smile. "It's nothing. I'm long used to it. Come, let me introduce you to Sanpao. The reason it's called by this name is that its cry sounds like 'lolo,' and its attacks can only be launched three times. Hence, Sanpao."
"Sanpao, clear the path ahead."
"Lolo."
The fat Luo Sanpao waddled forward, swaying its head. Though its body was plump, its movements were still reasonably agile. It sniffed at something as it walked.
The glow of the Great Master's Soul Rings shimmered as he led Tang San behind Luo Sanpao, heading deeper into the Hunting Soul Forest.
"Sanpao's sense of smell is very sharp—it can detect the traces and strength of Soul Beasts. Even though it became weak due to the mutation, it also consumes very little Soul Power. That's why I can keep it summoned outside for extended periods. Here—take this. The final blow that kills a Soul Beast needs to come from you."
The Great Master pulled a magnificent short sword from inside his robe and handed it to Tang San.
The scabbard was a clear, deep blue, adorned with seven sapphires. The hilt featured a piece of milky-white jade. The blade was one foot and two inches long. Even still sheathed, Tang San could feel faint wisps of cold emanating from it as he held it.
After walking only a short distance, Luo Sanpao suddenly stopped. Its big eyes fixed on a direction, and it let out two "lolo" calls.
A creature that looked somewhat like a cat had appeared in the direction it was gazing. It lay perched on a tree, watching the Great Master and Tang San warily.
The Great Master smiled calmly. "It's a Ten-Year Colorful Cat. Sanpao, don't disturb it. Let's keep moving."
The Great Master never missed an opportunity to teach Tang San. As they continued forward, he said, "That Colorful Cat just now belongs to the feline category of Soul Beasts. Its natural aggressiveness is quite strong, but as long as you don't actively provoke it, it won't easily attack. If a Soul Master's Martial Soul were feline, using it as their first Soul Ring would be a decent choice. Don't be fooled by how small that Colorful Cat looked—if it were a Colorful Cat over a thousand years old, forget the two of us, even ten times our number wouldn't be enough for it to slaughter."
(End of Chapter)