Part 2 - Tang San and Yu Xiogang

The next morning, before the sun rises, Su Fan has already finished preparing and quickly rushes to Sunset Forest for work. For Su Fan, the academy is merely a formality, and the teachers at the academy do not mind his decision, allowing him to do as he pleases.

When he arrives at Sunset Forest, the sun has already risen, and many people are gathered in front of the gate guarded by Spirit Hall guards. Su Fan, who is well-known, is greeted by the people, and he politely responds to their greetings. While waiting for customers, Su Fan decides to have breakfast first.

Not long after finishing his breakfast, a man in his forties and a boy with an ordinary appearance approach him. The man and the boy are none other than Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.

"Excuse me, are you Su Fan, the famous spirit beast hunter here?"

"Yes. Do you want to hire my services?"

Yu Xiaogang's expression shows surprise when he realizes that the renowned spirit beast hunter is just a boy no older than his student. Despite this, he does not underestimate Su Fan at all, as his reputation is strong and well-founded. Meanwhile, Tang San, who has heard of Su Fan's impressive reputation at such a young age, is amazed by his achievements.

"That's right. We want to hunt a spirit beast that is hundreds of years old. If I may ask, how much will it cost us?"

"For my fee, I charge five gold coins per night for protection. Additionally, for every 100 years of a spirit beast's age, I charge two gold coins, with a limit of no more than a thousand years. Are you interested in my offer?"

Hearing the price, Yu Xiaogang is once again surprised. Normally, people would spend at least fifty gold coins for the same quality of service. He even arrived early in the morning, preparing a hundred gold coins just to hire Su Fan, who is famous for providing extra security for him and Tang San.

'No wonder he is so famous here.'

"Agreed."

"Alright then. Do you still need to make any preparations?"

"No. We can enter the forest right away."

Su Fan nods and walks ahead while Yu Xiaogang and Tang San follow behind. Su Fan hears Yu Xiaogang explaining basic concepts about spirit masters to Tang San as they walk.

After presenting their pass from the Spirit Hall, the three of them enter the forest. Su Fan immediately activates his golden finger, the Sharingan, or the mirror eye, in his right eye.

"The usual rule. Stay close so I can protect you."

"We understand."

Su Fan leads the way into the forest. Along the way, they encounter several potential spirit beasts for Tang San. However, since they are not satisfied yet, they decide to keep searching until night falls. Just as they are about to rest, a loud roar echoes close to them. Yu Xiaogang and Tang San become tense and start looking around cautiously.

Meanwhile, Su Fan remains standing calmly. Not long after, six wolves appear in front of them. Su Fan steps in front of Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, pulling out the shuriken he has prepared from his pocket and throwing them swiftly.

In just one second, six shurikens fly toward the wolves.

Shooosh!!

Tang!

The shurikens fly for a few seconds before all the shurikens colliding behind the wolves, changing their trajectory to hit all the wolves' weakest point—their waists. Seeing Su Fan's throwing technique, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San are filled with admiration.

'What an incredible throwing technique!'

'Amazing! This is the first time I've seen such an exceptional throwing skill. Even in the Tang Sect, I don't think anyone is as skilled as him.'

Su Fan simply smiles at their expressions. However, suddenly, a thick mist appears out of nowhere. Tang San inhales a familiar scent from the mist.

"A poisonous spirit beast is nearby!"

Soon after, the spirit beast reveals itself—a creature resembling a snake appears before them. When Yu Xiaogang sees the beast, his expression turns excited.

"A Short Amethyst Snake! This is the perfect spirit beast for you."

Yu Xiaogang then looks at Su Fan, who simply nods in understanding. Su Fan extends his hand forward.

Tsinggg!!!

Electricity suddenly sparks from his outstretched hand, striking the snake before it can react.

Kreaaak!!!

The spirit beast screams in pain as it is electrocuted by Su Fan's lightning technique. Within moments, the beast falls to the ground, weak and motionless.

Yu Xiaogang finds this strange because Su Fan has not used his spirit protection at all, yet he can release powerful lightning energy. However, he knows that even if he asks, Su Fan will not answer his curiosity.

Su Fan then turns to Tang San, who is still in awe of his power.

"Now it's your turn. You can finish it off."

Tang San nods, walks toward the snake, and kills it. A yellow spirit ring appears from the snake's corpse. However, before absorbing it, Yu Xiaogang explains a few things to Tang San while Su Fan confirms the beast's age.

'About 400 years.'

After listening to Yu Xiaogang's explanation, Tang San sits down and begins absorbing the 400-year-old Short Amethyst Snake's spirit ring.

While waiting, Yu Xiaogang approaches Su Fan and hands him thirteen gold coins.

"Thank you for your help. We can handle the rest from here."

"Alright."

Su Fan then stands up and leaves the two behind. He returns to the academy to rest. Upon arriving, he heads straight to his dormitory room but does not see Xiao inside.

'Maybe he is in class.'

Feeling exhausted after staying up all night, Su Fan collapses onto his bed.

Later that afternoon, a conflict arises between Dorm One and Dorm Seven. Dorm One is led by Xiao Wu, while Dorm Seven is led by Wang Sheng.

Wang Sheng, who does not have a spirit ring, is easily defeated. Just as things seem hopeless, Tang San arrives to help. With his new spirit ability, he effortlessly defeats several opponents at once.

'That boy, Tang San, is quite impressive! But that doesn't mean he is unbeatable.'

Xiao Wu then comes up with an idea to defeat Tang San—attacking quickly before he can use his spirit ability. Meanwhile, Tang San, having won two consecutive matches, gains confidence and boosts the morale of Dorm Seven's students.

"Hahaha! Long live Boss!"

"Go Boss! Defeat those arrogant bastards!"

A smirk appears at the corner of Tang San's lips as he hears the cheers from Dorm Seven. When he looks at Xiao Wu, he simply smiles confidently as if seeking recognition from her.

Seeing Tang San's confident expression, Xiao Wu clenches her fists in frustration.

"I admit you are strong! But your arrogant attitude ends here!"

Xiao Wu activates her martial soul, and show a yellow ring appears around her. Everyone is shocked to see that a girl like Xiao Wu is so powerful.

"Alright! Let's begin the match!"

Xiao Wu does not give Tang San a chance to use his spirit ability, immediately launching a series of kicks. She then finds an opportunity to use a scissor leg technique, but Tang San avoid it with ease.

Xiao Wu steps back to create distance but quickly jumps again, executing a maneuver that confuses Tang San. Seizing the chance, she lands a powerful kick that sends Tang San flying.

"Boss!"

Wang Sheng rushes to Tang San, who struggles to get up after being defeated by Xiao Wu.

"Hmph! If I see your annoying faces again, I'll make sure to teach you all a lesson in proper manners!"

With that, Xiao Wu leaves, followed by Xiao Chenyu and her friends, who do not forget to mock the students of Dorm Seven.

To Be Continued...