Although Tang San's strength was not much weaker than his past self at the same age, in terms of potential, the current Tang San fell far behind.
Even though he used unconventional and questionable methods under the guidance of Tang Chen to extract his body's potential, his cultivation speed visibly slowed as his soul power level increased.
In the past eight months, he had advanced five levels, but now his growth rate had dropped to one-third of its peak speed. From this point on, even gaining three levels in a year would be a challenge.
This decline was primarily because, while Tang Chen allowed Tang San to use his devouring skill to enhance his stats and soul power, his approach to Tang San was akin to forging iron.
After devouring, impurities collected in his body, much like adding raw iron to a furnace. These impurities had to be hammered and burned away until they melted completely. Through relentless pounding, the impurities were almost entirely removed.
However, the head bone of the Man-Faced Demon Spider that Tang San possessed was an additional factor. It was a millennium soul bone that exuded the aura of a ten-thousand-year soul bone, but its skill efficiency was deeply flawed. While its malevolence rivaled that of a true Evil Soul Master, its conversion efficiency was abysmally low.
Moreover, in Tang San's current state, the more he used the demon spider's devouring skill, the stronger the Man-Faced Demon Spider's bloodline in his body became, gradually transforming his Blue Silver Grass and Clear Sky Hammer martial souls.
After several months, Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer had turned entirely purple. The once-metallic hammer was now covered with a carapace-like shell, and its surface even exuded toxins. To Tang Chen, this was a clear sign that Tang San was treading a dark path.
The faster Tang San's soul power advanced, the more reluctant Tang Chen was to let him use the demon spider's devouring skill. Tang Chen even discussed with Tang Xiao that after the conclusion of the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, they would forbid Tang San from using this ability altogether—even for recovering by devouring flesh.
However, having tasted the benefits of rapidly increasing his soul power through devouring, Tang San couldn't simply let go of the idea. During the period of rapid advancement, he barely suppressed the urge.
But as training intensified and his cultivation progress slowed, his desire to rely on devouring flesh for cultivation became harder to ignore. The pain of training clashed with the pleasure of devouring in his heart, gradually pushing Tang San to one side.
If not for the fact that Tang Xiao controlled every aspect of Tang San's life within the Clear Sky Sect—food, clothing, shelter, and transportation—and that there were no soul beasts on Clear Sky Peak for him to devour, Tang San might have already succumbed to bloodthirsty hunting.
Part of this was due to the influence of the Man-Faced Demon Spider's bloodline, but more importantly, it was because of Tang San's personality.
Tang San lacked true resolve and perseverance. In the original story, his mental state was shattered multiple times, and he only managed to recover through external interventions or cheat-like advantages.
Looking at Tang San's expression, Tang Xiao could easily guess what Tang San was thinking. Yet, seeing how little Tang San resembled Ah Yin now, Tang Xiao couldn't help but recall the woman he had once deeply loved.
Considering that Tang San was adopted into his name from Tang Hao's family, Tang Xiao reasoned that, by extension, Tang San was practically the child of himself and Ah Yin. This thought made it difficult for him to be overly harsh with Tang San, so he could only try to persuade him gently.
While Tang Xiao and Tang San were talking, a bouncing figure suddenly appeared on the distant path. Tang Xiao sensed the approaching aura and instinctively looked up. Seeing this, Tang San also turned his head and subconsciously activated his Purple Demon Eye to observe the distance.
When he saw the figure, Tang San's previously gloomy expression immediately brightened. He leaped from the ground and dashed toward the figure using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
"Xiao Wu!"
"Third Brother!"
The two figures embraced tightly. Now nearly 1.9 meters tall, Tang San easily picked Xiao Wu up as though she were a doll, his arms—about the same size as Xiao Wu's waist—holding her tightly.
From afar, it looked like a bear hugging its prey.
Although Tang Xiao had witnessed this scene more than once, he still felt uncomfortable watching it. Shaking his head, he left the mountain peak where Tang San was, giving the two some space.
Holding Xiao Wu in his arms, Tang San laughed foolishly. After a long while, he finally let her go, and they went inside to talk.
Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, and Yu Xiaogang had all been brought back by Tang Chen and Tang San, but their treatment was vastly different.
Because of her close relationship with Tang San, Xiao Wu was allowed to stay within the Clear Sky Sect. However, this very closeness led to her being ostracized by others on Clear Sky Peak. In the end, she had no choice but to leave and live in Heaven Dou City, returning occasionally to visit Tang San.
Dai Mubai, though talented, was looked down upon by Tang Chen, who casually sent him to Heaven Dou City, occasionally providing some guidance at best.
Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, suffered the most. Since arriving on Clear Sky Peak, he had been forced to endlessly copy books. Tang Chen often checked to see if there was anything useful in these books from the Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
However, Yu Xiaogang was, at his core, a fraud. Years of self-research had left his knowledge in shambles. When copying classics from the two major factions, he instinctively added his ideas and theories, replacing key parts with his flawed concepts.
After reading the books Yu Xiaogang had painstakingly copied, Tang Chen was silent for a long time, barely restraining his urge to crush the man with a single blow.
To prepare for the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, Tang Chen originally planned to establish a Clear Sky Academy, get approval from the two empires, and then enroll Tang San there.
But Yu Xiaogang suggested using an existing academy instead and recommended Blue Tyrant Academy, praising it extravagantly.
To get rid of Yu Xiaogang, Tang Chen sent him to Blue Tyrant Academy to figure things out on his own.
Fearing revenge from his clan, Yu Xiaogang acted under the alias Huang San Gui. However, since the name was too obscure, he arrogantly borrowed Tang Chen's name without permission.