Chapter 73: Tang San's Little Thoughts

Yang Xiong glanced at Tang San and said, "I'm really sorry, it's currently my Medicine Bath time; you sit and wait a moment."

Tang San sat directly beside him, while Yang Xiong stepped out of the Medicine Bath tub, went back to the bathroom to wash up and changed into a new set of clothes.

Since cultivating Tai Chi, Yang Xiong, besides intense exercise, also enjoys a relatively tranquil life, so he has taken up the habit of brewing tea.

When the dormitories were originally funded and built, each dorm was made spacious, with a one‑room‑one‑hall layout, fully equipped; the living room, besides the Medicine Bath tub, also had some tea tables and chairs, even a desk, mainly for when one wants to sit quietly and read.

Yang Xiong brewed a cup of tea for Tang San, then spoke, "Tang San, why do you suddenly have free time to come find me alone today? Weren't you supposed to be out having fun during the week‑long holiday we just arranged?"

Tang San took a sip of tea and laughed, "Xiao Wu was too tired, she kept sleeping in the dorm after returning, so I also want to combine work and rest and take a break."

"Actually, you never seem to have a moment of leisure; your cultivation perseverance makes me a bit admiring."

Yang Xiong smiled, "I've been accustomed to it since childhood; not cultivating or taking a Medicine Bath feels a bit uncomfortable."

Tang San thought for a moment before speaking, "By the way, Yang Xiong, your Medicine Bath ingredients seem quite extraordinary; many of the poisonous herbs inside are extremely potent—normally, not even a Soul Elder could handle them, let alone a Soul King."

Yang Xiong said, "That's probably due to the changes in my body's tolerance; I've been Body Tempering since I was young, so my body has been exposed to various toxins and gradually adapted. Besides the poisons, my Medicine implements also contain various Divine Medicines, and the combination is fairly good for the body's and soul power absorption."

"By the way, is there any particular reason you came to find me?"

Tang San finally spoke, "Yang Xiong, I plan to spend this week crafting some Hidden Weapons; you've probably seen the Zhuge Crossbow. I'm still lacking some poisons, and I see you have plenty. If possible, I'd like to purchase some from you."

Yang Xiong smiled, "It's not a big deal; tell me which poisonous herbs you need, but I'm not sure I have all of them here."

Tang San shook his head, "If money's due, it's due; I know some poisonous herbs are valuable, I'll just buy them at market price."

Yang Xiong was a bit helpless, "That's a bit awkward, because I don't know the prices of these poisonous herbs; I got them straight from the sect, never spent any money on them."

"Moreover, you're supposed to be crafting full‑body Hidden Weapons for all of us; it can't be just you bearing the cost, since Hidden Weapon materials also require money, even a lot of time and effort."

As Yang Xiong mentioned, Ning Fengzhi seems to have granted Yang Xiong considerable authority within the sect; all Medicine Bath ingredients were already prepared, even the items needed for the later stages of The Way of Defense were ready, delivered without Yang Xiong even asking. Moreover, the herbs show a certain age, and it's unclear whether Title Douluo prepared them in advance or they were leftovers from his own use.

As for the countless poisonous herbs obtained from the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan, Yang Xiong has never dealt with any price issues regarding them, nor would he take them out.

In short, within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, it seems he never needs to spend money; whatever he wants, the administrative departments can provide it swiftly.

After their discussion, Tang San wrote many poisonous herb names on a sheet of paper, and Yang Xiong examined it carefully, thought it over, and then crossed out some names.

"I have all these on me now; I'll give them to you right away. As for the crossed‑out ones, I don't have them. If I return to the sect I might find them, but I'm currently at Shrek, so I doubt I'll get back that quickly."

Tang San smiled, "I'll figure out the remaining few myself; I won't trouble you to go back to the sect to look for them."

After finishing, Yang Xiong returned to his bedroom, tinkered a bit, then took out several wooden boxes and handed them to Tang San.

The poisonous herbs Yang Xiong provided were relatively common; they have some value but can be bought on the market. The rarer ones, especially those obtained from the Bing Huo Liang Yi Yan, were not taken out at all.

In Yang Xiong's view, Tang San giving him and Ning Rongrong a set of Hidden Weapons, while he contributes a few poisonous herbs, isn't a loss; however, Yang Xiong personally dislikes taking such small advantages, especially among classmates.

Tang San took the wooden box, examined it closely, and instantly rejoiced, "Thank you; with this, I should be able to craft the Hidden Weapons during the holiday, and I'll give you a set in advance."

Yang Xiong smiled, "These aren't a big deal; I happen to have these poisonous herbs on me."

Tang San teased, "Yang Xiong, sometimes I really envy your sect background and having a Title Douluo as a teacher."

Yang Xiong shook his head, "I can't say that. Maybe others envy my affluent sect life, but I also envy your freedom. The sect may be a shackles that all sect disciples can never shed, and you also have a good teacher who sincerely gives and plans for you."

Tang San said, "My teacher has indeed been good to me, carefully guiding me over the years; otherwise I wouldn't have achieved what I have today."

After a few casual exchanges, Yang Xiong noticed a hint of conflict on Tang San's face and then spoke.

"Tang San, just say whatever it is; among classmates there's nothing we can't discuss."

After some inner conflict, Tang San finally spoke, "Then I might be overstepping; I saw your Self‑Created Spirit Skill last time and it was impressive. You know my Blue Silver Grass's explosive ability is insufficient; could I learn from you? Of course I won't take it for free; feel free to state any demands."

Yang Xiong lifted his tea cup, thought carefully, then said, "Tang San, as classmates some matters still require caution. My Spiral Sphere can indeed compensate for your shortcomings to some extent, but it was created under my master's direct guidance and is now a sect secret; only the Sect Leader's heir and direct disciples may be taught."

"Moreover, you should understand how important Self‑Created Spirit Skills are to me. After so many bouts between us, I know you have many Self‑Created Spirit Skills; even if others pay a price, would you hand over your own Self‑Created Spirit Skill?"

Tang San, after a moment of silence, gritted his teeth and said, "What if I'm willing to trade my Self‑Created Spirit Skill for yours? I don't think you'd be at a loss."

Yang Xiong smiled, "Tang San, over this period we've sparred many times; you know I'm also researching Self‑Created Spirit Skills. Though our methods differ, they're not wholly incapable of countering your attacks. Among your many Self‑Created Spirit Skills, the only one I completely can't grasp is the technique where your eyes turn completely purple and attack the enemy; you understand what I mean."

Tang San, after a pause, said, "I understand; I need to think it over."

……

Yang Xiong watched Tang San leave the room and couldn't help but shake his head; Tang San really can't hold back, clearly eager for his Self‑Created Spirit Skill, and given his character in the original, he probably won't give up easily.

It's worth noting that although Tang San was a former outer disciple of the Tang Sect, those so‑called Tang Sect ultimate techniques were stolen from the Inner Sect; while he wanted to prove himself, the means were not exactly honorable.

Tang San's many techniques mainly stem from The Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record, primarily including Mysterious Heaven Skill, Purple Extreme Demon Eye, Ghost Shadow Mirage Step, Crane Control and Dragon Capture, Mysterious Jade Hand, and of course the various Immortal Herb knowledge within The Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.

Among these, Yang Xiong is truly interested in the Purple Extreme Demon Eye and the various Immortal Herb knowledge.

Although Yang Xiong currently carries various Immortal Herbs, even just a few for survival and necessity, he wouldn't tell anyone, especially the quick‑witted Tang San; if Tang San learned he had Immortal Herbs, it could cause a lot of trouble.

The Purple Extreme Demon Eye is, to Yang Xiong's knowledge, the only method of cultivating spiritual power in the entire Douluo One, and swapping it for an unmodified Spiral Sphere wouldn't be a loss.

As for other cultivation methods, with his recent deepening Tai Chi research, Yang Xiong has gradually begun to adapt.

The so‑called Ghost Shadow Mirage Step is essentially a particularly agile footwork, along with some special evasion and positioning techniques; at absolute speed it doesn't confer a huge advantage.

Mysterious Jade Hand is a method to harden both palms, which has no effect for Yang Xiong, whose primary martial soul is his own body.

As for Crane Control and Dragon Capture, Yang Xiong has nearly refined his Tai Chi to the Perfect Realm; this four‑ounce‑moves‑a‑ton method even surpasses Tang San.

As for Mysterious Heaven Skill, there's no need to think; it's Tang San's greatest secret, and he won't pass it to anyone.

Looking at all Tang Sect ultimate arts Tang San possesses, the only truly useful one is the Purple Extreme Demon Eye; even at the Title Douluo realm it remains highly effective, arguably one of the foundations of Tang San's true strength, since cultivating the Purple Extreme Demon Eye makes his spiritual power far stronger than that of same‑level Soul Grandmasters.

Actually, Yang Xiong hasn't never thought about devising his own method to cultivate spiritual power, but he never managed to get started; even the Library Tower of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect lacks anything similar to reference.

However, given Yang Xiong's understanding of Tang San, he probably wouldn't be willing to trade the Purple Extreme Demon Eye for a Spiral Sphere; perhaps he thinks his own wit could develop it, since the Spiral Sphere appears uncomplicated.

Only Yang Xiong truly knows the real difficulty of the Spiral Sphere; it looks simple, but demands extremely high soul power and control, especially needing prolonged training to grasp the threads of soul power between the palms, and countless rotations to gradually form, not to mention Yang Xiong plans a second development of the Spiral Sphere.

As Yang Xiong expected, Tang San never raised the issue again after that day, but Yang Xiong noticed Tang San's palm seemed off, likely suffering some damage from researching the Spiral Sphere.

……

In the following days, everyone was extremely relaxed; Oscar himself flopped onto his bed and slept for several days, too lazy to get up.

Zhu Zhuqing continued her diligent cultivation as always, with Dai Mubai even standing beside her, looking like someone truly turning over a new leaf.

Tang San, meanwhile, locked himself away to forge various Hidden Weapons, even reducing the time he spends with Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, after sleeping for a few days, immediately became lively; even Yang Xiong and Tang San were pulled by the two to go shopping, and they looked like good close friends.

These two young girls were eating, drinking and having fun in Suotuo City, and when they went shopping it turned into a whirlwind of chaos; Yang Xiong only felt that class training was still painful, but Tang San had already taken the opportunity to slip into the blacksmith shop.

As for Ma Hongjun, according to Dai Mubai this person has become addicted to brothels, causing several girls to look at Dai Mubai with a look of contempt.

(End of chapter)