After purchasing the damaged Soul Tools, Russell left the shop without looking back.
The middle-aged man chased after him, calling out, “Come again next time, customer!
I’ll give you another discount!” Russell’s face darkened as he muttered a curse under his breath about the unscrupulous merchant.
Thankfully, he hadn’t gone to redeem his house, or he would have had to sell it all over again.
“I hope it’s all worth it.” Russell held six Soul Tools: damaged Spatial Soul Tools in the styles of a necklace, a ring, and a belt, along with Weapon Soul Tools—a short sword and two daggers.
After the discount, each item averaged just over thirty gold coins.
Russell completely abandoned any thought of redeeming his house and headed to the vegetable market to buy groceries.
On the way, he pretended to tuck the damaged Soul Tools into his clothes but actually placed them into the Synthesizer.
After two rounds of synthesis, he now had two intact Soul Tools in his possession.
Russell first took out the belt and fastened it around his waist.
The Spatial Soul Tool, which originally had six gemstones, now had three additional ones, and its broken functions had been restored.
He channeled Soul Power to inspect it and found six one-cubic-meter spaces, two three-cubic-meter spaces, and one five-cubic-meter space, evenly distributed on both sides of the front of the belt.
“The total volume is a bit smaller than Tang San’s, but the three larger spaces make up for it.
Besides, I don’t need that much space to store hidden weapons.” Russell stored the salted meat from the sack into the Spatial Soul Tool and breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, he no longer had to carry so many miscellaneous items around all day.
Without a house, he had nowhere to store his belongings, and the Spatial Soul Tool solved his urgent problem.
Next was the second Soul Tool—a dagger as long as his forearm, entirely silver-white with blood grooves on both sides.
The hilt was inlaid with three blue metal pieces resembling gemstones.
Russell tested the dagger on a roadside stone.
It was incredibly sturdy.
When he channeled Soul Power into it and applied force, it could pierce limestone.
If he channeled a large amount of Soul Power at once, the dagger would release a Soul Power Blade, extending its attack range.
He pulled out the dagger and swung it forcefully.
“With this level of strength, it’s at least a third-tier Soul Tool.
I’ve hit the jackpot.
My lack of offensive power is temporarily solved, and I can give enemies an unexpected surprise up close.” After the novelty wore off, Russell stroked the Soul Tool dagger.
“Since it was bought with the money from selling the Gale Magic Wolf, I’ll call it Greedy Wolf…
No, you don’t deserve that name.
Let’s call it Wolf Fang.” Wolf Fang Dagger.
Russell stored the dagger in his belt.
As for the belt itself, he had rarely heard of anyone giving a belt its own name.
With all his errands taken care of, Russell returned to Nuoding Academy.
The sky was growing dark.
As soon as he arrived at the dormitory, he saw Tang San standing at the door.
“Tang San, waiting for Xiao Wu?” Tang San shook his head.
Looking at Russell, who was noticeably two fingers taller than before, he guessed that Russell had fused with a Soul Ring, and its age was not low.
“Russell, I have something to ask you.” Russell stopped and asked curiously, “What is it?” “I want to see your Martial Soul.” Tang San was direct.
As a fellow Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul user, Russell’s Blue Silver Grass had undergone a beneficial mutation.
Tang San admitted to himself that seeing a stronger Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul than his own made him uncomfortable, but Russell’s level-four Innate Soul Power lessened that discomfort.
However, upon hearing that Russell had reached level ten in just one year of cultivation, Tang San felt as if a small stone had been thrown into the calm lake of his heart, stirring ripples of unease.
Especially now, standing face to face, he was astonished to discover that Russell’s Soul Power fluctuations were only slightly weaker than his own, with a gap of no more than three levels!
He was clearly at level sixteen!
Could Russell have fused with a six-hundred-year Soul Ring?
“Alright.” Russell agreed readily.
There was no hiding his Martial Soul, and he needed to display it to put others at ease.
‘Come forth, Blue Scale King.’ Russell released his Martial Soul.
Without using a Soul Skill, the Blue Scale King’s vines were as thick as a forearm, with deep blue scales resembling those of a venomous python.
Under the moonlight, they gleamed coldly, sending chills down one’s spine and making them hesitate to approach.
Tang San’s indifferent expression broke, and he stared in disbelief: “Is this Blue Silver Grass?!” “That’s right.” Russell manipulated the “Blue Silver Grass” to extend its branches and leaves under the moonlight.
“Fusing with my first Soul Ring caused my mutated Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul to undergo a secondary mutation, growing python-like scales.
Although it doesn’t look like Blue Silver Grass, the color is unmistakable—it is indeed the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.” Tang San’s heart stirred.
He prided himself on remaining unperturbed by honor or disgrace, yet he couldn’t help but feel a sense of envy—and a hint of jealousy—toward Russell’s luck.
Martial Soul Mutation was an exceedingly rare event, occurring in only one in ten thousand.
Yet Russell had encountered it twice in succession, and both were beneficial mutations.
Any Soul Master who learned of this would find it impossible to remain calm.
“…Congratulations.” Tang San forced himself to speak calmly.
He then added, “My teacher wants to meet you.
He heard you’ve been working very hard and is willing to offer you some advice on Martial Soul cultivation.” Russell raised an eyebrow.
Why was Yu Xiaogang taking an interest in him?
He lowered his head in thought.
Looking down on Yu Xiaogang was one thing, but he absolutely could not underestimate the people behind him: Flender, Liu Erlong, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family, and Bibi Dong.
Damn, what a freeloader.
Thinking back to the hardships of Soul Hunting, Russell felt a surge of envy.
He pretended to be delighted and said, “Great, I’d also like to hear what the Master has to say.
Can we go now?” Tang San nodded.
“My teacher stays up late.
Let’s go now.” The two of them walked together to the teachers’ dormitory.
Along the way, they remained silent—Tang San due to his introverted nature and lack of social skills, and Russell for similar reasons, preferring not to engage in meaningless small talk.
Arriving at the dormitory door, Tang San knocked.
“Teacher, I’ve brought Russell.” “Come in.” Yu Xiaogang’s voice came from inside.
Tang San pushed the door open and entered, with Russell following behind.
Looking around, the entire room was piled high with books, leaving almost no empty space except for the bed and necessary walkways.
Yu Xiaogang was hunched over his desk.
Hearing the door open, he turned around to face them.
“Teacher, Russell has fused with his first Soul Ring, and his Martial Soul has mutated and evolved again!” Tang San reported, ensuring his teacher wouldn’t misjudge the situation.
Yu Xiaogang’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes revealing a faint trace of surprise.
Russell greeted him: “Master.” Yu Xiaogang gave a slight nod.
“Russell, let me see your Martial Soul.” Russell’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
Who did this old man think he was ordering around?
“Please take a look, Master.” The Blue Scale King Martial Soul appeared, and Yu Xiaogang abruptly stood up, his astonishment nearly overflowing from his eyes.
He had assumed the mutation would be minor, but he hadn’t expected such a drastic change.
No wonder Xiao San called it a mutation and evolution.
Yu Xiaogang voiced his doubt: “Is this still Blue Silver Grass?” Russell replied firmly, “Yes.
Look at the color, these vines—aren’t they very similar to Tang San’s Blue Silver Entanglement?” “Now that you mention it… they do look quite similar.” Yu Xiaogang nodded.
Tang San stood to the side, feeling as if he had been kicked.
Why bring him up for no reason?
Moreover, looking at Russell’s Martial Soul, it did indeed resemble the form his own took after he used his Soul Skill—the thickness and thinness were similar.
If Russell were to use his Soul Skill… what would the Blue Silver Grass turn into?
Tang San felt a sour pang in his heart—it was the first time he had tasted jealousy because of Russell.