The Clear Sky Hammer, hailed as the strongest tool-type martial soul, could theoretically absorb spirit rings from other beasts renowned for their immense strength.
For example, titanic beasts like the Titan Giant Ape or the Thousand-Jin Ant, known for their incredible power, were ideal matches for the Clear Sky Hammer.
But with Dai Mubai accompanying Tang San, it was unlikely that such apex beasts would be hunted. A more common, moderately powerful spirit beast would be much more appropriate for Tang San.
After explaining his requirements, Tang San finally summoned his Clear Sky Hammer, its heavy, imposing presence appearing in his hands. Previously, his injured arms had prevented him from showcasing it properly, but now that his injuries had been healed, there were no such limitations.
Dai Mubai observed the Clear Sky Hammer, pretending to be lost in thought.
By all rights, as the prince of the Star Luo Empire, he should have known what the Clear Sky Hammer looked like.
But when the Clear Sky Sect sealed itself off from the world, Dai Mubai was only three years old. Could a child that young truly remember the hammer's appearance?
After a moment of deliberation, Dai Mubai made his decision.
I shouldn't recognize it.
Exactly—what three-year-old would remember the specifics of the Clear Sky Hammer?
"Wow, Tang San, this forging hammer of yours is pretty cool-looking!" Dai Mubai remarked with a hint of "envy."
To be fair, the Clear Sky Hammer's sleek black surface, faintly coursing with blue lightning arcs, did look rather impressive.
Tang San's lips curled into a faint smile.
He loved seeing this "awed" expression on Dai Mubai's face. So even the mighty Dai Mubai, with his exceptional White Tiger Saint King martial soul, envies me?
"Do you have a second martial soul, Dai Mubai? No, you don't. You can only look on with envy and jealousy!"
For the first time in a long while, Tang San felt a sense of elation. Not even the breakthroughs he'd achieved through rigorous cultivation had brought him such satisfaction.
"Boss Dai, having twin martial souls is a matter of talent. It's not something you can learn or strive for," Tang San said nonchalantly, his tone exuding quiet pride.
If he could, he would have pointed at Dai Mubai's nose and said outright, Jealous, aren't you? You wish you had twin martial souls, don't you? But you don't, so too bad!
Dai Mubai's eye twitched. This Tang San is starting to get cocky again!
Who doesn't have twin martial souls?
Had Tang San forgotten that he was currently asking him for help? You want me to help you hunt a spirit beast and acquire a spirit ring, don't you?
"Yes, I'm so envious," Dai Mubai muttered sarcastically, his tone betraying thinly-veiled disdain.
The Clear Sky Hammer might have been impressive, but its quality was arguably lower than that of the Blue Silver Emperor. After all, the Blue Silver Emperor came with an innate domain, while the Clear Sky Hammer did not.
The hammer's true strength lay in its associated techniques: the Clear Sky Nine Absolutes, the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, the Grand Xu Mi Hammer, and the Ring Explosion Technique.
When combined, the Ring Explosion Technique and Grand Xu Mi Hammer could allow a Title Douluo to briefly reach god-level power. It was no exaggeration to call them divine techniques.
Without these techniques, the Clear Sky Hammer was merely a top-tier martial soul—powerful, but far from a "super" martial soul.
Tang San, sensing that he'd sufficiently humbled Dai Mubai, held back from pressing the point further. He still needed Dai Mubai's help, after all.
"Boss Dai, there's no need to belittle yourself. I just happened to be born with an innate advantage. For someone your age to reach the Soul King level already makes you one of the best among your peers," Tang San said, patting Dai Mubai on the shoulder with a patronizing air.
You've done well, but you're still no match for me, his expression seemed to say.
Dai Mubai's lips twitched, his eyelid fluttering in irritation. With a heavy sigh, he forced himself to endure.
To Tang San, however, the sigh only confirmed Dai Mubai's disappointment and sense of inadequacy.
The two wandered the Sunset Forest, searching for an appropriate spirit beast. Then, out of nowhere, they encountered a powerful creature that caught Dai Mubai's attention.
"What kind of plot armor is this?" Dai Mubai thought as he observed the beast.
"An Armored Darkgolden Bear?"
This fearsome beast, renowned as a "super spirit beast," had somehow appeared near the outskirts of the Sunset Forest. Even though it was only 800 years old, absorbing its spirit ring would yield benefits surpassing those of many ten-thousand-year spirit rings.
Dai Mubai immediately thought back to Tang San's missed opportunity with the Man-Faced Demon Spider. At that time, Tang San hadn't obtained the Eight Spider Lances.
Now, with this encounter, Tang San was undoubtedly poised to gain the external spirit bone of the Armored Darkgolden Bear. Wasn't this just protagonist logic at work?
"Tang San, this bear is only 800 years old. Its age is too low to suit you," Dai Mubai said suddenly.
Tang San, who had been deep in thought, was caught off guard by Dai Mubai's words.
800 years? How did Dai Mubai determine that?
In truth, Tang San didn't recognize the Armored Darkgolden Bear. Yu Xiaogang had never taught him about such creatures, and very few people who encountered one lived to tell the tale.
Dai Mubai, for his part, was baffled that the Spirit Hall lacked proper records of the Armored Darkgolden Bear. Perhaps the records existed, but Yu Xiaogang simply didn't have the credentials to access them.
After a moment's consideration, Tang San nodded. "You're right, Boss Dai. An 800-year-old spirit beast wouldn't be suitable for me."
Despite his agreement, Tang San couldn't shake a nagging sense of loss. It was as if he had just missed out on something immensely valuable, though he couldn't pinpoint what.
"Good. In that case, let's take another route and leave this bear alone," Dai Mubai said, maintaining a neutral expression.
Internally, though, he breathed a sigh of relief. If Tang San had insisted on absorbing this spirit ring, Dai Mubai might have had to resort to drastic measures to stop him.
Tang San hesitated briefly, a hint of doubt flickering across his face. Ultimately, though, he nodded in agreement.
There was no time to waste—the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament qualifiers were still ongoing. The sooner they returned, the better.
As for this bear? Its spirit ring was simply too weak to be worth the effort.
The two left the Armored Darkgolden Bear's territory without further incident.
"Boss Dai, do you know what kind of species that bear belonged to?" Tang San suddenly asked as they walked.
Dai Mubai glanced at him, feigning confusion. Of course, he recognized the Armored Darkgolden Bear. But why was Tang San asking? Could it be that he didn't know?
"Bear species?" Dai Mubai replied with mock uncertainty.
Tang San's eye twitched, but he quickly composed himself, a faint smirk forming on his lips.
It seems Dai Mubai doesn't know what that bear really was. Some prince he is—so ignorant!
"From what I could tell, it was probably a Clawed Terror Bear…" Tang San said, a touch of smugness creeping into his tone.
(Chapter ends.)