Chapter 5: Gravity Control
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Gu La seized on the key point, gently touching the blue hat on his head. "Wait, Xiao San, did you just say that you can heal without using your soul power?"
Tang San nodded, not understanding why Gu La was so surprised. "Yes, the Blue Silver Mantis Crown can last for half an hour, during which any soul power can be converted into life force—just at different ratios."
Tang Hao also seemed to realize something and asked urgently, "Does the soul skill have a range limitation?"
Tang San closed his eyes for a moment to sense it, then shook his head. "No range limitation. As long as the Blue Silver Mantis Crown exists, it doesn't need to maintain a connection with my martial soul—it can independently convert soul power."
"So that's how it is."
Tang Hao couldn't help but tremble with excitement as he imagined that once Tang San became a Title Douluo, he alone could raise an army of fearless warriors.
As long as their soul power wasn't depleted, they could keep receiving healing. The prospect of avenging the Spirit Hall suddenly seemed within reach!
Gu La thoughtfully remarked, "It feels somewhat similar to food-type martial souls, except it doesn't require consumption and can even provide self-healing through one's own soul power."
Whether it was an illusion or not, Gu La couldn't shake the feeling that Tang San's extraordinary soul skill had something to do with being "captured" and recognized as a Pokémon.
"The strength of a healing-type soul skill still depends on its efficiency. Xiao San's first soul skill is now essentially a continuous healing ability. It can be used in daily training to prevent muscle damage from overexertion."
"Xiao San, train with me for the next two months!"
Gu La extended his thumb, flashing a bright, toothy grin as he issued an enthusiastic invitation.
Tang San glanced at Tang Hao, who didn't object, then nodded firmly. "Alright, Brother Gu. Let's train together and become powerful soul masters as soon as possible!"
"Deal." Gu La and Tang San clapped hands to seal the agreement, their youthful figures stretching long under the sunlight, extending deep into the jungle.
Tang Hao watched them with satisfaction. "Gu La, you know more than I do. Take good care of Xiao San from now on. And Xiao San, work hard in your cultivation and listen to Gu La's advice."
"I'll take good care of Xiao San," Gu La promised with a nod.
"I will, Father," Tang San replied solemnly.
"Mm."
Tang Hao gave a slight nod. "Xiao Gu needs a Vigorous Vajra Bear for his first soul ring. I heard a bear roar just now in the distance. Let's go check it out."
Gu La froze momentarily—he hadn't heard any roar. But then he realized that as a Title Douluo, Tang Hao's hearing was enhanced by soul power, far surpassing his own.
With that, the three of them ventured deeper into the forest. The dense canopy blocked much of the sunlight, making the air cool and refreshing. A faint breeze carried traces of blood and the muffled sounds of battle from afar.
"There are people."
Gu La slowed his steps, and both he and Tang San turned to look at Tang Hao.
Tang Hao's expression remained unchanged as he continued forward. "Don't worry."
After walking about two hundred meters and leaving the woods behind, the scene opened up before them—a gently sloping hill covered with various trees and grasses came into view.
At the foot of the hill, five soul masters were facing off against a Vigorous Vajra Bear. Nearby lay another soul master and a heavily wounded bear-like spirit beast.
Gu La lowered his voice. "The fallen spirit beast is robust and burly, with rough fur—it's an Earth Brute Bear, another earth-attribute bear spirit beast. It might be the Vigorous Vajra Bear's mate."
"Those people killed the Earth Brute Bear to absorb its soul ring, but when the Vigorous Vajra Bear returned, it immediately killed the soul master who absorbed the ring."
Tang Hao was astonished. Gu La had deduced the entire sequence of events just from the scene before him—no wonder he was someone Tang Hao held in high regard.
"Xiao San, Xiao Gu, let me teach you something today. For spirit beasts that have killed humans, no matter the reason, show no mercy."
Tang Hao felt no pity for spirit beasts, fearing the children might struggle to accept this harsh truth.
But his concerns were unnecessary. In his past life, Tang San had killed no fewer people than Tang Hao himself and wouldn't feel sympathy for spirit beasts.
As for Gu La, after his transmigration, he had mentally prepared himself and wouldn't hesitate to act ruthlessly.
Moreover, the Vigorous Vajra Bear before them, despite seeking vengeance for its mate, had claws dripping with blood and a ferocious appearance that left no room for pity.
When the leader of the soul-hunting team saw Tang Hao and the others, his face lit up with relief. Their strongest member was only a three-ring Soul Master, and their client had been ambushed and killed. All five of them were injured, their soul power nearly depleted.
Even their strongest attacks couldn't break through the Vigorous Vajra Bear's defenses. They had been relying on teamwork and speed to buy time, and they had already been locked in a prolonged standoff.
If this continued, the more enduring Vigorous Vajra Bear would surely emerge victorious, and they would all die here.
"Friends over there, lend us a hand! The Gale Soul Hunters will reward you handsomely!"
"Stay where you are and don't move."
Tang Hao tossed out the words and stepped forward. No one saw how he moved—suddenly, he appeared beside the thousand-year-old Vigorous Vajra Bear. Raising his right hand, he delivered a sharp slap.
Bam!
The Vigorous Vajra Bear crashed to the ground as if its iron-hard fur offered no resistance, accompanied by the sound of its spine breaking.
The Vigorous Vajra Bear instantly lost its ability to fight, lying on the ground gasping for air, its demise imminent.
"Leave your gold coins and storage soul tools, then get out of here."
Tang Hao spoke indifferently, demanding payment for his assistance.
The five soul masters, having narrowly escaped death, looked at Tang Hao's effortless defeat of the Vigorous Vajra Bear. None dared to haggle. Without raising their heads, they quickly placed their gold coins on the ground and fled toward the entrance of Hunter's Soul Forest.
A flicker of disappointment passed through Tang Hao's eyes. He had intended to kill them if they dared to look up and see his face. Now, it seemed he'd have to make another trip later to ensure no risks were left behind.
"Xiao Gu, come absorb the soul ring. Remember what I said—don't push yourself too hard."
Tang Hao turned to remind Gu La, showing no hint of the dangerous thoughts lurking in his mind.
"I understand, Uncle Tang."
Gu La took the dagger handed to him by Tang San, aimed it at the Vigorous Vajra Bear's eye socket, and thrust it in deeply, twisting the blade to destroy its brain.
The Vigorous Vajra Bear's breathing stopped, ending its suffering. Above its corpse, a purple soul ring slowly materialized.
Gu La sat cross-legged on the ground, circulating the Xuan Tian Gong technique. Behind him, the Groudon martial soul appeared, guiding the thousand-year soul ring onto itself.
[Detected unknown-style TM. Analyzing…]
[Analyzing complete. Please choose one skill for Groudon to learn (color ratings indicate rarity, which correlates positively with skill strength).]
Gravity Control (Gold): Upon activation, gain the ability to control gravity, reducing the movement speed and casting speed of enemies within a certain range. The multiplier increases with level. Highly compatible with Groudon. (Recommended)
Gravity Crush (Purple): Create a gravity field, dealing physical damage and causing a pull effect. When paired with Gravity Control, it deals double damage.
Vigorous Vajra Palm (Blue): A full-powered strike that locks onto the enemy.
Vajra Impenetrability (Green): While stationary, defense is doubled.
Vajra Claw (White): The next normal attack deals double the attack power as damage.
…
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