The sudden transformation on Tang San's back once again stunned everyone—had another accident occurred?
Meanwhile, the Emerald Dragon Snake coiled around the giant tree showed human-like excitement in its eyes.
As a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast, its intelligence rivaled that of humans. Tang San's condition made it realize its master's prediction had come true—that must be an External Soul Bone.
Immediately, it transmitted its thoughts rapidly through the Core Pearl while slowly circling the area to guide its master.
On the battlefield, Tang San's transformation continued as eight protrusions on his back suddenly ruptured. Eight deep purple objects, each as thick as a fist, emerged.
Under the astonished gazes of Shrek Academy members, these purple objects instantly extended into eight three-meter-long spider legs. The glossy violet appendages gleamed beautifully, their spear-tip ends demonstrating formidable offensive capabilities.
Flender felt his heart leap: "Those are the legs of a Man-faced Demon Spider!" Despite his extensive travels across the continent, he'd never witnessed such a phenomenon.
The eight spider legs spread behind Tang San, their subtle movements embedding them into the ground, lifting his entire body airborne. Had Tang San crouched forward, he would have resembled an actual spider.
Soon, Tang San's Soul Power fluctuations gradually subsided as his eyes fluttered open. He felt utterly refreshed—the excruciating pain endured during his Spirit Ring absorption had given way to the euphoria of enhanced power.
Two yellow and one purple Spirit Rings oscillated around him, marking his advancement to Soul Expert rank. With his Mystic Heaven Skill's internal energy strengthened, every cell in his body seemed to sing with joy.
His elation multiplied when he saw Xiao Wu—the girl he'd longed for had actually returned.
"Xiao Wu, am I dreaming? You're really back!" Tang San could scarcely believe it. During the absorption process, his determination to find Xiao Wu had sustained him through the ordeal. Just moments ago, he'd resolved to search for her immediately after powering up—and now she stood before him.
"Brother!" Tears streamed from Xiao Wu's crimson eyes as if unspooled threads, her body trembling uncontrollably. Only then did Tang San truly believe she'd returned.
When he attempted to move, an odd tingling sensation alerted him to the eight spider legs. "Little San," Flender explained, "these eight legs grew after you absorbed the Man-faced Demon Spider's Spirit Ring—likely a mutation from your third ring absorption. Try controlling them!"
Though uncertain whether this development was beneficial, Flender knew Tang San couldn't remain spider-legged forever—that would make him a monster.
After careful sensing, Tang San reported, "I can detect the Man-faced Demon Spider's potent venom in these legs, unrelated to my Spirit Ring. We'll need Master's expertise to understand this fully. Everyone step back while I attempt control!"
At the mention of venom, Flender and others immediately retreated. Concentrating his Soul Power, Tang San channeled it into his spinal column.
Attempting to control the eight spider legs.
The three-meter-long spider legs were divided into two segments. The first segment, about one and a half meters long, connected to his back and was as thick as a fist. Below this segment was a bent joint, linking to the part that pierced the ground. This part was sharper, tapering toward the tip like a pointed cone.
Under the influence of Tang San's Soul Power, the eight spider legs slowly began to fold. From the joints, the bent sections came together, eventually merging completely into Tang San's body.
Seeing this, Flender and the others let out a sigh of relief.
"It's good that they can retract. These spider legs are like eight long spears, highly toxic, and undoubtedly possess astonishing offensive power. You're lucky, Xiao San!" Flender praised. "When we get back, have Xiaogang study how to use them properly. They'll surely take your combat abilities to the next level!"
No sooner had he spoken than his pupils suddenly dilated, as if he had witnessed something unbelievable. He felt Tang San descending—his body was sinking into the ground. Before Flender could react, he thought the eight spider legs had mutated again.
"San-ge!" Xiao Wu cried out in alarm.
"Xiao San!" Flender and Zhao Wuji simultaneously leaped forward, trying to grab Tang San.
But the speed of Tang San's descent abruptly increased. A deep pit appeared on the ground where he stood, and in the blink of an eye, his entire body had vanished into it.
In that split second, Flender moved the fastest. Transforming into an owl, massive wings sprouted from his back. With a single flap, he shot toward the ground. Yet even so, he was a step too late.
With a loud thud, the narrowing pit forced him to crash onto the ground.
"Who's there?!" Flender roared as his body rebounded.
Zhao Wuji let out a furious howl, and several Spirit Rings on his body lit up simultaneously. A brilliant golden radiance enveloped the surroundings as he activated his Third Soul Skill, Gravity Enhancement, and Fifth Soul Skill, Gravity Compression—innate abilities of the Vajra Bear. His entire Soul Power transformed into gravitational force, making the space feel like a quagmire. The ground hardened instantly.
But Zhao Wuji's expression remained grim. "They've already escaped. My gravity can only affect a few meters below the surface!" His face darkened like storm clouds.
"Tang San is the son of Haotian Douluo! Whoever you are, if you dare harm him, the Clear Sky Sect will exact brutal vengeance!" Flender bellowed uncontrollably.
Birds and beasts in the forest scattered in panic, but there was no response from underground.
"Dean, was it a Spirit Beast or a Soul Master who took Xiao San?" Dai Mubai suddenly asked.
After a moment of thought, Flender replied gravely, "It must have been a Soul Master. Their Soul Skill was highly flexible—an Earth Tunneling-type ability that took Xiao San underground directly."
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun exchanged uneasy glances. There had been too many unexpected events. Xiao Wu had just been found, and now Tang San was gone.
As for Tang San's identity as the son of Haotian Douluo, the group was utterly shocked. They had already seen his Clear Sky Hammer and knew he was from the Clear Sky Sect, but none had expected his background to be so illustrious—his father was actually Haotian Douluo himself.
Just as they were at a loss for what to do next...
Xiao Wu suddenly activated her Martial Soul Avatar and ran toward the depths of the forest, shouting, "Don't worry about me! I'm going to find Brother San!"
"Xiao Wu..."
Zhao Wuji was helpless. Even he couldn't sense the enemy's location.
What could Xiao Wu possibly do?
"No need to chase her. Perhaps Xiao Wu can bring Tang San back!"
Flender descended from the sky and suddenly spoke.
(End of Chapter)