"Brother Lin, let's go to the mountains and have a mushroom-picking competition!"
Early the next morning, Tang San came to Old Jack's house to invite Xiao Lin to go mushroom picking on the small mountain near Holy Soul Village.
Speaking of mushroom picking, it was actually Xiao Lin who had taught Tang San how to do it in the first place—back when he was genuinely worried Tang San might starve to death.
But once Tang San could barely feed himself, his mushroom-picking speed far surpassed Xiao Lin's, and Xiao Lin had no interest in competing with him after that.
"Let's go!"
Faced with Tang San's challenge, Xiao Lin naturally accepted.
It had been a long time—he couldn't believe he would still lose to Tang San.
This time, they were competing to pick the biggest mushroom, a contest that would significantly reduce Tang San's advantage and turn it into more of a luck-based game.
But Xiao Lin had no intention of leaving the outcome to luck.
This time, he was going to the other side of the mountain to find larger mushrooms.
The other side of the mountain was a place neither of them had visited before.
They hadn't gone there before out of concern for their safety.
But now that both were Soul Masters, they weren't afraid of the little mountain near a human settlement.
At the foot of the mountain, the two of them looked each other in the eye.
"Same rules as before."
"Only edible mushrooms allowed. Whoever finds the biggest mushroom wins."
"Then... let the competition begin."
As soon as Xiao Lin announced the start, he shot off like an arrow from a bow.
This time, he had to win.
Focusing on the largest mushroom neutralized Tang San's usual advantages, turning the game into a matter of fortune.
But Xiao Lin didn't believe in luck—he believed in strategy.
He would head to the far side of the mountain, an unexplored area that neither had visited.
Old Jack used to say there were wolves on the mountain that would drag off children like them, but things were different now.
If they could go there, so could I!
Xiao Lin extended his Qiu Long Staff to 2.5 meters and began swinging it through the tall grass, scaring away any small animals.
Then he started searching both sides.
Though it was the back of the mountain, some villagers still came here from time to time.
Still, after sweeping the area, Xiao Lin didn't find any mushrooms.
Winter wasn't a good time for mushrooms, after all.
After a while, Xiao Lin only managed to pick a few small ones.
If not for the novelty of it, he wouldn't have bothered picking even those.
No, this wouldn't do—he needed a new plan.
Looking around, Xiao Lin came up with an idea.
Mushrooms typically grow in damp, shady areas. So all he had to do was find such a place.
Surveying the mountaintop, he locked onto a shaded area on the mountainside that didn't get much sunlight.
Thinking that Tang San was unlikely to find a bigger mushroom there, Xiao Lin got excited.
When he reached the mountain's only shaded area, he was stunned by what he saw.
This area, bathed in perpetual shadow, was overgrown with moss and mushrooms of all kinds.
But what shocked Xiao Lin most was the dangerous aura he suddenly sensed from this lush green patch of shade.
And he wasn't just anyone—he could take attacks from bullet bees without breaking a sweat.
Danger?
No one in Holy Soul Village had ever said anything dangerous was up here...
Wait—was this the origin of those wolf rumors from the village?
Maybe some child had wandered up here and encountered something dangerous?
Xiao Lin's thoughts moved quickly. Now that he sensed danger, he wasn't about to stay.
Retreat was the best course of action—go find Little San!
He left as fast as he'd come and soon found Tang San on the mountain, using his life force to grow mushrooms with his Blue Silver Grass.
"You little cheater, Little San!"
Xiao Lin wasn't angry about losing—it was just that the scene in front of him was a bit too much.
He pointed at Tang San and grumbled, half-scolding.
"Heh heh, looks like I win this time, Brother Lin."
Tang San smiled smugly, quite proud of beating Xiao Lin.
Now seeing what he could do with his ability to infuse plants with life force, Tang San had a new idea.
He could grow rare plants and sell them for a fortune!
Then he'd never have to worry about affording precious metals again.
And he could make a lot more plant-based poisons too.
"Tch. Fine, you win this time."
Xiao Lin plopped down onto the Blue Silver Grass beside Tang San, exhaling loudly.
"Damn it, Little San, I just felt a dangerous aura on the other side of the mountain. Something felt off. Want to come check it out with me?"
Tang San hesitated: "Danger? Even you felt danger?"
He knew Xiao Lin's attack and defense were top-tier—his own Clear Sky Hammer couldn't even make a dent in Xiao Lin.
"It wasn't that bad. I just sensed something dangerous but didn't feel any real fear. I just want you to use your Blue Silver Grass to sense the area."
Xiao Lin, ever cautious, didn't want to take risks lightly.
Getting Tang San to probe the area with his soul power was the safest plan.
"If something seems wrong, we'll leave immediately," he added.
This kind of danger could easily be avoided.
Once they grew stronger, they could come back and investigate.
"Alright, let's go check it out."
Tang San didn't really believe there could be danger in a place like Holy Soul Village.
It wasn't like his past life, where a small village could secretly house a world-class expert.
Wait—a moment later, Tang San froze mid-step.
His dad was the Clear Sky Douluo, after all.
So maybe that was possible!
Still, he followed Xiao Lin anyway.
He couldn't let Brother Lin face danger alone.
Besides, Lin had returned safely—how dangerous could it be?
But the moment they re-entered that shaded area, Tang San broke out in cold sweat.
He was instantly overwhelmed by a terrifying aura that made his face flush and his breathing ragged.
"Little San? What's wrong?"
Xiao Lin was confused. Sure, it was a little dangerous, but this reaction was a bit extreme.
He had only sensed a trace of danger. With his Indestructible Diamond Body active, he could even hop around the place confidently.
It seemed like as long as you didn't get too close, it wasn't dangerous.
Tang San gasped for breath, then spoke: "It's the reaction from my martial soul—Blue Silver Grass. There's an upper-level variant of Blue Silver Grass nearby."
Xiao Lin wasn't afraid at all—instead, he got excited.
"An upper-level Blue Silver Grass? That's no small deal."
"Did you forget, Little San? You're the King of Blue Silver Grass."
Xiao Lin squinted, a smirk forming on his lips as he encouraged him.
Even if that title was technically fake, Tang San still had the bloodline of the Blue Silver Emperor.
If something could evoke this kind of reaction, wasn't it just like how snakes, rats, and insects feared Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix?
"Little San, maybe this is your opportunity."
Xiao Lin smiled and patted Tang San on the shoulder.
As expected of the Child of Destiny—another new opportunity just showed up?
Something higher-ranked than the Blue Silver Emperor... what could it be?
(End of Chapter)