The morning sun painted warm golden strokes across Nuoding Academy's courtyard. Tang San stepped out of Dorm 7 with a refreshed spirit—literally and emotionally. No longer labeled as "that pervert," students now whispered in admiration instead of mockery as he walked past.
"That's Tang San, right?"
"The guy who beat two senior students in a row!"
"So calm and elegant… like a true hidden expert."
Tang San smiled gently, nodding to a passing student. Behind him, Lin Feng stood with arms crossed, grinning like a proud parent.
"System, reputation value restored to 90%. One more public victory and I can probably flip his entire destiny."
Only one person didn't join the praise parade — Xiao Chenyu. From the far side of the training field, he watched Tang San with quiet gritted teeth and a swollen ego.
"One day… he'll pay for kissing me."
"You kissed the floor, not him," Wang Sheng reminded, earning a flying carrot to the face.
Departure
That morning, Tang San gathered his few belongings. He'd already told Lin Feng, Xiao Wu, and Wang Sheng that he would leave for a few days.
"To get my first soul ring," he said with sparkling eyes.
"Finally," Xiao Wu replied, "you'll become a real Soul Master."
.
"Let's see how the story shifts when it's 'Blue Silver Bamboo' this time…"
Journey Begins
Following the original canon, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang (Master) left the Academy gates early. The dewy air wrapped around them as they made their way through the forest paths.
"San, remember," Master said sternly, "a soul ring defines a Soul Master's growth trajectory. We must choose carefully."
"Yes, Teacher."
Yu Xiaogang glanced at him with a rare hint of warmth.
"I told you before — only those with innate full spirit power are qualified to become true geniuses. You've proven that."
Tang San's eyes gleamed with determination. His Blue Silver Bamboo martial spirit coiled gently around his fingers, its sleek green segments reflecting the light.
"I will become strong enough to protect what matters…"
Deep Within the Spirit Forest
Hours passed. They reached the outskirts of the Soul Beast Forest, a restricted zone patrolled by Spirit Hall for its high-density beast population.
Yu Xiaogang showed their academy token to the outer guards, and they were granted access.
Inside, thick fog clung to ancient trees. Strange calls echoed across the undergrowth. Spirit energy here was dense — pulsing with life and danger.
"Keep your martial spirit ready," Master warned.
Tang San released his Blue Silver Bamboo. The thin, whip-like segments extended outward, sharper than they looked. Different from its former Blue Silver Grass form, the bamboo was tougher — flexible yet durable.
> "I've practiced manipulating it for both offense and entanglement," Tang San said confidently.
"Good. But don't underestimate even a 10-year beast."
Encounter With the Datura Snake
Suddenly, a cold hiss split the silence. A Datura Snake slithered into view — three meters long, its body shimmering with venomous green, two sharp fangs glinting in the dark.
"Careful! It's a 400-year Datura Snake!" Master shouted.
Tang San immediately leapt back, releasing his Blue Silver Bamboo.
With practiced movements, he flicked the whip-like bamboo at the snake's head. The snake dodged — fast — and shot forward.
Tang San rolled, flipped off a tree, and snapped the bamboo around the snake's midsection, binding it briefly.
But the snake's strength was overwhelming. It burst free, lunging again.
"Fall back!" Master threw a smoke bomb, and both retreated deeper into the forest.
The Target Appears
After half a day of searching and avoiding unnecessary danger, Master finally halted in a moonlit glade.
There, drinking calmly from a small stream, was a slender, elegant beast.
"Mandala Snake. Approximately 422 years old."
It had a jade-green body and golden eyes, its body surrounded by a faint toxin mist. Unlike the Datura Snake, the Mandala was fast and agile but less venomous. Its agility made it a perfect match for a control-type Soul Master.
Tang San readied himself. He released Blue Silver Bamboo, whipping it around and preparing a trap zone.
The Mandala Snake noticed. It hissed.
Then it attacked.
Tang San anticipated it, anchoring his bamboo to a tree and using it as a swing, spinning in midair and crashing the bamboo down onto the snake's head.
The fight lasted fifteen minutes — Tang San dodging, baiting, entangling, until at last…
Thud!
The Mandala Snake collapsed, paralyzed by a poison-coated dart Tang San had hidden in his sleeve.
Master approached, inspecting the corpse.
"Well done."
The First Soul Ring
Golden light slowly rose from the snake's corpse — a beautiful, rotating ring of soul energy.
Tang San sat cross-legged. The ring floated down, hovering above his head.
"Focus. Breathe. Synchronize."
The golden ring descended.
Tang San's body shivered. His veins lit up. His Blue Silver Bamboo vibrated, adapting to the new power.
> [Soul Skill Acquired: Binding Whip]
— Launches Blue Silver Bamboo to bind target with explosive grip and minor poison.
Master smiled for the first time in days.
"You've taken your first step on the path of a true Soul Master."
On other side lin feng want to take action but he didn't.
He didn't want to make san too weak.