Suddenly, a black spider emerged in front of Lin Jie. Its body alone spanned over three meters in diameter, and its spear-like legs extended more than four meters each. Its entire body was covered in a gleaming, jet-black carapace, bristling with fine hairs, especially at its rear. Every step it took emitted a sharp, chilling screech.
Lin Jie's group immediately noticed the spider—and it noticed them. With a blur of motion, its eight sharp legs blurred into shadows as it darted toward its nearest target: Zhu Zhuqing.
It moved with terrifying speed. In the blink of an eye, it was already upon her. Before Zhu Zhuqing could react, two of its front legs lifted, stabbing directly down at her head.
Zhao Wuji and the others were still supporting Tang San and had not anticipated the sudden attack. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing in danger, they panicked. If she was struck, she might not die—but she'd be severely injured or crippled.
But Lin Jie had always survived by staying alert. His mental web had already spread out as soon as they entered this area. The instant the spider attacked, Lin Jie appeared beside Zhu Zhuqing, wrapped his arms around her, and rolled them aside just as the spider's legs stabbed down.
BOOM! The ground shook violently where the spider struck.
The spider's grotesque, human-like face contorted in fury after missing its prey.
"That's a Man-Faced Demon Spider!" Zhao Wuji shouted. "Everyone, stay back!"
The Man-Faced Demon Spider—a nightmare among soul beasts. Feared and hated by other creatures, it was a malevolent predator and infamous killer.
Though not on the level of the Titan Giant Ape, this species was still extraordinarily dangerous. Its carapace was harder than steel, and its spear-like limbs could pierce nearly anything—each coated in deadly venom.
Its most terrifying weapon, however, was its web: an incredibly sticky, nearly unbreakable mesh laced with potent neurotoxins. It shared similarities with the electric webs Lin Jie produced with his third soul ring.
Zhao Wuji immediately activated his soul rings and charged forward.
Though strong and sinister, the Man-Faced Demon Spider was no match for a Soul Saint like Zhao Wuji. Within moments, it was defeated—clinging to its last breath.
"Don't kill it!" Lin Jie shouted. "Keep it alive!"
Though confused, Zhao Wuji trusted Lin Jie and held back.
Now, the spider lay motionless, only barely alive.
Absorbing the spirit ring of a Man-Faced Demon Spider was a dangerous task. The violent nature of its spirit energy could overwhelm an unworthy host.
Lin Jie turned to Zhu Zhuqing.
"This spirit beast may not seem ideal for you, but I think it's perfect for your third ring. Want to try it?"
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated slightly but nodded. "Alright."
She then looked to Zhao Wuji.
"Teacher Zhao, I've made my decision—I'll absorb this spirit ring."
Zhao Wuji was taken aback. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Zhu Zhuqing said firmly.
None of the others realized that this particular Man-Faced Demon Spider had cultivated for over two thousand years.
Lin Jie handed her a sharp dagger and pointed at the spider's underbelly.
"Stab it there."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't hesitate. With a swift thrust, she pierced its vital point. The spider let out its final breath, and a glowing purple ring rose from its body.
Just as she prepared to begin absorption, a shout came from the woods:
"Wait!"
Three soul masters emerged. Lin Jie immediately recognized two of them—Serpent Grandmother Chao Tianxiang and the beautiful girl Meng Yiran. The third was a tall, slender old man with silver hair, a dragon-headed staff, and an aura that radiated strength.
Eight soul rings floated around him:
Two yellow, three purple, three black.
A Soul Douluo.
No doubt about it. This was Dragon Duke Meng Shu, Chao Tianxiang's husband and Meng Yiran's grandfather.
Seeing the fallen spider, Meng Yiran gasped.
"No—who killed my spider?! Who?!"
Ah yes. This cruel twist of fate. Such was the "plot armor" of the world. Lin Jie once again had "stolen the storyline."
He stepped forward. "I killed it."
"You—again?!"
Meng Yiran's pretty face flushed red—whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.
Chao Tianxiang frowned and whispered something to Meng Shu.
The old man turned a cold gaze on Lin Jie.
"You're Lin Jie?"
"I am," Lin Jie replied.
Meng Shu's voice grew frosty.
"Do you know I chased that spider for an entire day? If not for its damned webbing, it would've been Yiran's spirit ring by now!"
"I understand, Senior," Lin Jie replied calmly. "But it attacked us first. I had to defend my teammate—and she happens to need this spider for her third ring."
Meng Shu glanced toward the girl being protected by Zhao Wuji. Zhu Zhuqing's youthful appearance—barely thirteen—startled him.
"She's the one absorbing the spirit ring? And she killed the spider?"
Zhao Wuji stepped forward.
"Senior Dragon Duke, I defeated the spider. My student here delivered the final blow."
Meng Shu pondered for a moment, then offered:
"Fine. I'll let you keep it—if that boy joins my clan."
He pointed at Lin Jie.
Lin Jie nearly cursed aloud.
"Damn it, I forgot about this part…"
There was no way he'd join their clan—but he needed a strategy.
Then it hit him: he could use Tang San's background as a shield.
Back during Shrek's fourth test, when Zhao Wuji hadn't gone easy on Tang San, it was Tang Hao himself who had shown up afterward to "have a word." If he invoked that connection...
Before Zhao Wuji could respond, Lin Jie spoke loudly:
"Senior Meng Shu, if you're willing to give us this spirit beast, I'd like to offer you something in exchange—something more valuable than this ring. May I speak with you privately?"
Meng Shu narrowed his eyes.
"What could be so important that you can't say it here?"
Lin Jie replied,
"It's of great importance. I swear I wouldn't dare deceive you."
"Hmph. Very well."
The two of them walked away.
Zhao Wuji and the others looked uneasy. They were clearly outmatched in power—gone was the swagger they had when fighting Canghui Academy.
A moment later, loud booming sounds echoed from the direction Lin Jie and Meng Shu had gone.
Zhao Wuji panicked and rushed to help—but Chao Tianxiang blocked his path.
Just as conflict seemed inevitable, Lin Jie and Meng Shu returned.
Seeing Lin Jie unharmed, Zhao Wuji relaxed. "You okay?"
Lin Jie nodded and gave a slight bow toward Meng Shu.
"Thank you, Senior. We're agreed then?"
Meng Shu gave Zhao Wuji a deep look, then said to Lin Jie,
"We are. Just don't go back on your word."
With that, he turned to Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran.
Meng Yiran looked like she wanted to argue, but her grandfather coaxed her into leaving.