MTLNOVEL Chapter 20: I NEED TO ERADICATE IT
Probably noticing Tang Wulin's interest, the spirit master began talking about various legends surrounding the first generation of Pagoda masters and the Spirit Pagoda.
This conversation served as a routine task to enhance his reputation.
As for the one who stepped on the Sea God and the Shrek Seven Monsters... Their original Pagoda master wasn't from Shrek Academy, so he stepped on them!
You at Shrek can glorify your ancestors and belittle our Spirit Pagoda, but we can't do the same?
That doesn't make sense, does it?
Besides, there are no representatives from Shrek Academy in Glorybound City, so the Spirit Pagoda has the final say here.
As for the Sea God...
He probably didn't hear it, right? Even if he did, he wouldn't punish anyone for speaking the truth, would he?
Tang San's divine consciousness, which had been listening intently, remained silent.
"..."
He... had to endure!
Choosing the lesser of two evils, even if this person was already marked for death, Tang San couldn't afford to lose his temper now.
The 10,000-year plan was at stake, and wasting the power of the God King over such trivial matters was unwise.
However, from the way this spirit master spoke, it was clear that the upper and lower echelons of the Spirit Pagoda held no respect for the gods.
They spread misleading doctrines and corrupted the minds of the younger generation.
All of them deserved punishment!
Once the battle against the abyss was over, none of these guilty individuals would be resurrected!
Thinking this, God King Tang couldn't help but frown.
He usually didn't pay much attention to Tang Wulin's life and had been in a state of dormancy.
But recently, he sensed a shift in Douluo's fortune.
Tang Wulin, who was supposed to be the protagonist of this era under his meticulous planning, was losing his destined role!
"Who is stealing the fortune? Who is interfering with my 10,000-year plan? Such shortsightedness! Do they want Douluo Star to be devoured by the abyss?!"
God King Tang's eyes darkened with frustration.
On the other hand, Tang Wulin listened with great interest to stories he had never heard before.
After the spirit master finished speaking, the group proceeded to the area where the souls were stored.
The walls of the chamber were made of special soul guide materials, emitting a faint blue light that cast a mysterious and serene ambiance over the space.
The interior resembled a small ecosystem, complete with lakes, forests, and mountains.
Souls were scattered throughout, waiting to be chosen by their destined partners.
Many families with children were already present, searching for suitable spirits.
Occasionally, someone would be recognized by a Soul, and joyous exclamations would fill the air.
"Go ahead. You have half an hour. It's best to aim for a ten-year soul. Hundred-year souls are more intelligent and prideful. Without sufficient strength and talent, they won't acknowledge you."
Despite saying this, the spirit master knew Tang Wulin would likely try his luck with a hundred-year soul first.
Having come this far, Tang Wulin only had one chance.
Settling for anything less than the best would leave him unsatisfied.
However, based on the spirit master's experience, very few individuals managed to gain the approval of a hundred-year soul.
Most ended up with ten-year souls. In such cases, the spirit master would simply follow protocol.
But if someone did manage to secure a hundred-year soul, that would be a different story altogether.
When Tang Wulin was recognized by a hundred-year soul, Tang Ziran's expression was a mix of surprise and delight.
The spirit master, though secretly astonished, quickly regained his composure.
"This soul is the Gray Sea Snake, a relatively rare sea soul beast within the Spirit Pagoda. Are you certain you want it?"
Over the past ten thousand years, some sea soul beast clans had gained sentience.
They had initiated contact with the Star Dou Great Forest, the Extreme North, or the mermaid clan, which also had a contract with the Spirit Pagoda, and joined the Soul Spirit Family.
"Yes!" Tang Wulin nodded firmly.
This soul was the first to choose him, and even if he could get something better, he wouldn't let it down!
A smile appeared on the spirit master's lips. "Alright, I'll take you to review the relevant terms. If you agree to sign, I'll guide you through the soul contract process."
With that, he led the way out, discreetly pulling out his communicator to report the situation to his superior while Tang Wulin and Tang Ziran weren't paying attention.
"Tang Wulin, 9 years old, martial soul Blue Silver Grass, suspected of possessing a special bloodline. Recognized by a hundred-year soul. Currently exhibits a friendly attitude toward the Spirit Pagoda... It's advisable to investigate his background and provide certain conveniences for continued observation."
Through the help of souls, they often discovered hidden talents among commoner-born soul masters.
After years of observation, the Spirit Pagoda had learned that souls, especially those derived from soul beasts, were more sensitive to bloodlines than humans.
The fact that Tang Wulin had been recognized by a hundred-year soul suggested he possessed a unique bloodline and talent!
In addition to the standard fees, the spirit master waived charges for other services, leaving Tang Wulin with a favorable impression.
Seizing the opportunity, the spirit master grew closer to Tang Wulin and learned a great deal of interesting information from him.
Since childhood, Tang Wulin had been different from ordinary people.
He possessed extraordinary strength, had a large appetite, earned 30,000 yuan through forging over three years, and was a child who aspired to both cultivate and study...
It seemed the boy had a talent for forging!
There was likely something special about his lineage...
Thinking this, the spirit master hesitated for a moment before reluctantly removing a bracelet from his wrist.
It bore the symbol of the Spirit Pagoda and handed it to Tang Wulin.
"This is a space storage soul guide. It has nearly one cubic meter of storage capacity and is reserved for promising soul masters. With it, you can receive basic subsidies at any branch of the Spirit Pagoda."
Space storage soul guides bearing the Spirit Pagoda's emblem weren't easy to come by, especially in a small city like Glorybound.
He had only obtained this one through connections.
But the spirit master had a strong feeling that giving it to Tang Wulin and marking him as affiliated with the Spirit Pagoda would likely lead to his own promotion!
This was his personal investment. Just like a certain Miss An Ya who had been promoted, if you wanted to climb the ranks, you had to seize opportunities.
This was a lesson passed down from the first generation of Pagoda masters!
Tang Wulin was stunned. "No! I'm not that talented. It's too valuable."
His parents had always taught him to repay kindness, and this spirit master had already helped him immensely. He couldn't accept such a gift.
The value of a soul guide was already high, let alone a space storage soul guide.
If sold, it could probably cover the cost of a soul...
"Take it. If you've been recognized by a hundred-year soul, I believe in your potential," the spirit master insisted, pressing it into Tang Wulin's hands.
"If you feel indebted, then show me your best and prove that I didn't misjudge you!"
"This..." Tang Wulin hesitated, glancing at Tang Ziran uncertainly.
Seeing this, Tang Ziran could roughly guess the spirit master's intentions.
In his opinion, if Tang Wulin could join a major force like the Spirit Pagoda, it would be immensely beneficial for him.
It would also ensure that Wulin's secrets remained safe. With a smile, he nodded.
"Wulin, take it. I believe that with a hundred-year soul, you can go far and repay this kindness."
Tang Wulin stared at the bracelet in a daze for a moment, then finally looked at the spirit master with determination.
"Master Spirit Transmitter, I promise that one day, I will give you the best spatial storage soul guide in return!"
Tang San's Divine Sense: "..."
How did the Spirit Pagoda set up such a well-oiled system?
So many tricks up their sleeves?
If only the Martial Soul Palace had been this efficient...
A flicker of jealousy and irritation passed through Tang San's divine consciousness.
Huo Yuhao was the Son of Luck 10,000 years ago, and the legacy he left behind had actually grown to this extent.
Perhaps Da Ming and Er Ming should have restricted their development from the beginning.
Otherwise, things wouldn't have become so complicated.
Now, with a villain seizing luck and too many variables at play, how could a mere trace of divine sense like him handle it all?
On the other side, after Tang Wulin completed the contract and left the Spirit Pagoda, he stood before his forging teacher, Mang Tian.
Mang Tian looked at the storage soul guide bearing the symbol of the Spirit Pagoda and fell silent.
How did this kid go to the Spirit Pagoda and end up being won over by them?
Now, how could he give Tang Wulin a storage soul guide with a one-seventh cubic meter capacity?
This teacher is truly unlucky!
Mang Tian gazed at Tang Wulin, seeming as if he wanted to speak but hesitated. After a brief struggle, he finally spoke—only to let out a sigh in the end.
Forget it. It's a good thing that Wulin managed to obtain a hundred-year soul.
Thinking about it, it's still a net gain.
The apprentice he raised had somehow become part of someone else's family.
His own situation had been better than Wulin's at the start, but he never expected the Spirit Pagoda to have such a well-crafted system for civilian soul masters...
Whoever came up with this system—I swear, I'm your mortal enemy!