Douluo Continent: Disciple Tang San, righteous yet evil

Chapter 13 Tang Hao's Arrival: Exploiting Free Labor
A year passed quietly, and Lin Mu successfully cultivated to level 50. As long as he absorbs a ten-thousand-year soul ring, he can become a Soul King.

In fact, he had already broken through two months ago, but he hadn't decided which spirit ring to absorb, which is why it was delayed until now.

As far as he knew, even without absorbing a spirit ring, spirit power could still accumulate. After absorbing a spirit ring, the spirit power level could be increased in one fell swoop, although it might be relatively slower.

That morning, Lin Mu got up early. Today was the day Notting Academy was on holiday, and he had to see Tang San off on his final journey.

Inside the Notting Academy dormitory, Tang San had already packed his things, folding the bedding several times over.

Even though he was about to go home, his heart was heavy. Compared to his master, who was a perfect score, his alcoholic father was utterly hopeless.

Sometimes, he even thought how wonderful it would be if his master were his father.

"Tang San, is there something wrong with you? You've folded these blankets so many times."

Xiao Wu sat on the edge of the bed, looking impatient.

She was already in a bad mood, and then watching this simpleton repeatedly do the same thing was driving her crazy.

Hearing Xiao Wu speak, Tang San stopped what he was doing, looked up at Xiao Wu leaning against the headboard, and asked with some surprise:

"Xiao Wu, it's already the holidays, aren't you going to pack your things and go home?"

"I don't have a home, so I'll stay at the college this holiday."

"No home?"

Tang San looked surprised, but soon a hint of pity appeared in his eyes. At least he still had his father and master. Although his father was a useless drunkard, his master treated him very well.

Just then, Xiao Wu suddenly thought of something, her eyes lit up, and she hurriedly looked at Tang San and said:

"Hey, is your house far from the academy? How about I come over to your place?"

"This"

Upon hearing this, Tang San was somewhat tempted, but when he thought of his master's teachings, he became hesitant again.

My master said that one should be careful not to fall into a woman's trap, because the more beautiful a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive you.

Seeing Tang San's hesitant look, Xiao Wu immediately put her hands on her hips, glared at Tang San with her big eyes, and said, "It's just a trip to your house, is it really necessary to be so stingy!"

Seeing Xiao Wu's dissatisfied expression, Tang San smiled bitterly and could only temporarily put aside his master's teachings, saying, "I'll take you home, okay?"

"That's pretty much it."

Xiao Wu pouted, looking like an adult who wouldn't hold a grudge against a child.

The two packed their things and walked from the dormitory to the school gate, where they saw Lin Mu walking towards them.

"Master."

Tang San bowed respectfully to Lin Mu. Over the past year, this most basic etiquette had been ingrained in his bones.

Although Lin Mu disliked these formalities, when it came to Tang San, they had to be doubled.

"Xiao San, you can't let your guard down even after you get home. Here's some dry food for you to eat on the way."

Lin Mu took out a bag of dry food from his storage bracelet and handed it to Tang San.

These are all worthless things, but they are what Tang San needs most. After all, he was an orphan in his previous life, and Tang Hao was extremely irresponsible, so he desperately longed for family affection.

"Thank you, Master."

Looking at the dry rations in his hand, Tang San's eyes filled with tears, his heart overflowing with emotion. This was a kind of care his father had never given him before.

Xiao Wu, standing to the side, looked on with envy. If she didn't have some concerns, she would also want to become an apprentice.

"Alright, go early and come back early."

Lin Mu patted Tang San on the shoulder, having his own plans in mind. He decided to take this opportunity to relax and resolve the matter of the fifth spirit ring.

After seeing Tang San off, Lin Mu returned to the inn to cultivate. That night, Lin Mu spent his time in his room flipping through the "Complete Encyclopedia of Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest," searching for a suitable soul beast for his fifth soul ring.

Once a soul beast reaches ten thousand years of age, its strength will increase significantly. Some soul beasts with powerful bloodlines can even unleash strength far exceeding their own lifespan.

For example, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, at the ten-thousand-year level, can rival a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.

With his current strength, he can deal with ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts, but the highest he can handle is thirty-thousand-year-old, and he has to be careful when dealing with soul beasts with powerful bloodlines.

Just when he was hesitating.

"咚咚-"

A dull knocking sound suddenly rang out, pulling Lin Mu back to reality from her thoughts.

Lin Mu's eyes narrowed, a hint of doubt flashing across them. Who could be looking for him at this time?

As a Soul Master who has traveled extensively for many years, Lin Mu has never done anything immoral, but he inevitably makes enemies, such as the Fire Leopard Sect.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Mu slowly got up, walked over and opened the door.

As the door creaked open, a tall figure stood outside, wearing a simple gray robe, his face hidden in the shadows of the corridor.

"Tang Hao!"

Lin Mu's breath hitched, his nerves tensed instantly, but he quickly calmed down.

Facing a Title Douluo, and a Haotian Douluo with a 100,000-year soul ring, he wouldn't even have a chance to escape.

Tang Hao's visit at this time is most likely to entrust Tang San to him; he probably has no malicious intent, otherwise he would have broken down the door earlier.

"who are you?"

Lin Mu barely managed to steady himself, looked up at Tang Hao outside the house, and asked in a deep voice.

Tang Hao stepped forward and walked into the house from outside. Under the light, he revealed a weathered face with messy black hair draped over his shoulders, looking both slovenly and decadent.

He's comparable to Yu Xiaogang.

"My name is Tang Hao, and I am the mistress, the father of your disciple."

Tang Hao had secretly observed Lin Mu and found that he was indeed a rare genius, at least more reliable than Yu Xiaogang.

In his view, there was one advantage to Tang San becoming this person's disciple: it would play a significant role in dealing with the Spirit Hall later on.

A seventeen-year-old Soul King—that's far more powerful than he was back then.

"Tang Hao?"

Lin Mu muttered to himself, then widened his eyes in feigned shock and asked, "You are... Haotian Douluo?"

"Let's not talk about past titles anymore. Although I don't know why you took your mistress as your apprentice, I can tell that you treat him well. I feel very reassured entrusting him to you."

Tang Hao's eyes gleamed. With the addition of Lin Mu, a genius, there was truly a chance to take revenge on the Spirit Hall.

"Here, this might be useful to you."

As he spoke, Tang Hao took out a jet-black token and tossed it to Lin Mu.

After explaining these matters, Tang Hao was about to leave when Lin Mu stopped him.

"Senior, since you're already here, why not do me a favor?"

Lin Mu was worrying about his fifth spirit ring when Tang Hao suddenly appeared. How could he possibly let go of this free labor?

After hesitating for a moment, Tang Hao agreed, considering it Tang San's apprenticeship gift.

(End of this chapter)