"Hmph. Old monster, just act according to your own heart." Er Ming's gruff voice reverberated through the clearing as his massive figure loomed in the mist. Rarely did the Titan Giant Ape use human words, but when he did, it carried sincerity. "Only when strength grows does one earn the right to reshape anything. Until then, words are nothing."
Though he growled as usual, Er Ming's crimson eyes softened slightly. Deep down, he knew the truth: the soul beast world was far more brutal than the world of soul masters. Among beasts, the law of fang and claw was absolute. The weak inevitably became fodder for the strong. At least among humans, ambition clothed itself with rules and politics. For soul beasts, slaughter was simply nature.
Yet even so, he appreciated one thing—Dugu Bo and Xiao Tian, despite their cultivation paths, were not heartless killers of their kind. If Dugu Bo could choose his granddaughter's fourth soul ring, Er Ming silently hoped they would at least target wicked creatures whose existence only spread misery.
The Poison Douluo turned solemn eyes toward Xiao Tian. "Then tell me, little monster," he said earnestly. "What beast should Yanyan hunt for her fourth ring? Should she continue with the control path, strengthening her poison mist?"
Xiao Tian raised his brows, staring at him as though he were daft. "Old monster, are you serious? You—Titled Douluo, a man praised and feared as Poison Douluo—actually steered Yanyan into pure control? You've put the cart before the horse. Absol—ute—ly backwards!"
The rebuke hit Dugu Bo like a slap. His brows twitched, his mouth fell half-open. "…What?"
"Yes, yes," Xiao Tian pressed firmly, his tone carrying both patience and ridicule. "Right now, each of her three soul skills stacks different poison mist effects on her opponents. Paralysis, venom, miasma—fine. Her third ring raises toxicity to its limit. On paper, it's impressive. But in reality? A fragile fake role. Control without strike."
He waved his hand as if brushing away cobwebs. "Senior, did Yanyan confess to what happened in the Great Soul Fighting Arena? She relied only on spraying mist. Poisonous air? That's it? That's child's play. Against the Phoenix Fire, she was instantly crushed. Mist disperses against wind, and Yang flames purify it entirely." He smirked. "Even my sword aura can slice apart the mist before it touches me. If all she knows is spraying poison into air, she'll never be a true threat."
Pausing, Xiao Tian jabbed his finger for emphasis. "The solution? Go agile assault. Her martial soul is a venomous snake. Venom is inherently offensive. Why restrain it behind passive mist clouds? Push her into close-quarters combat. Every strike a bite—each scratch carrying venom into flesh. Venom, both control and kill."
Dugu Bo's eyes flickered. He had indeed pondered this before, but centuries of using poison to deter from a distance had conditioned his instincts. Perhaps Xiao Tian was right.
"Therefore," Xiao Tian continued, his smile sly, "her fourth ring should be—the Human-Faced Demon Spider."
"What?" Dugu Bo tensed.
Xiao Tian reached into his soul guide, producing an object that pulsed faintly with eerie light. Black, sinister legs curved outward from a solid core of bone.
"Look, Old Monster. Recognize this?"
Dugu Bo's pupils contracted. His hands trembled. "This—this is the Human-Faced Demon Spider's external soul bone! Eight Spider Lances…! Xiao Tian, how… how is this in your possession?"
Even Da Ming and Er Ming twitched, recognizing instantly what Xiao Tian intended.
Yes—the Eight Spider Lances.
And Xiao Tian, without a second thought, planned to give them to Dugu Yan.
Originally, the two beast kings had hoped Xiao Tian would find a trade later, exchanging the Lances for something better suited to Xiao Wu. Yet, these two months had changed everything. Dugu Bo, for all his acid tongue, had earned their acceptance. His generosity in opening the treasure trove of the Yin-Yang Well to Xiao Tian and to Ah Yin had weighed heavy in their hearts. After gaining immortal herbs themselves, increasing their speeds of recovery several times over, even beasts as proud as they could not remain ungrateful.
Still greater, Xiao Tian had entrusted their sister Xiao Wu's safety to this venomous old monster, and Dugu Bo had protected that trust without hesitation.
If anyone deserved such a gift, perhaps it was him—and his granddaughter.
Xiao Tian chuckled, cradling the Lances in his hands. "Yes. The Eight Spider Lances. See, Senior, if Yanyan acquires the Demon Spider's soul ring and inherits this external bone, her route is sealed. No longer a half-hearted controller, but an assassin. Venomous strikes, uncanny reach, devastating speed—her Green Phosphorus Serpent's poison delivered directly through spider-spears. Perfect."
Dugu Bo's eyes burned. For several heartbeats, he said nothing, then rasped, "Little monster… how? How do I ever repay this? Even my life—"
"Cut it out," Xiao Tian interrupted with an exaggerated wave. "Pretentious as always. Think of balance. I did plunder enough of your precious immortal herbs to last my companions a lifetime. Giving your granddaughter this now evens things. Besides, aren't we supposed to fight for the Heaven Dou Empire in the upcoming competition? Wouldn't it look bad if our team lost because your girl lagged behind?"
His grin sharpened. "Just… be cautious. Tang San's father is Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo. If Yanyan suddenly flaunts the Eight Spider Lances, suspicions will fly. You must be prepared."
Dugu Bo jolted, realization flickering in. Tang Hao—the man tied to that spider bone? Slowly his jaw clenched.
Xiao Tian's eyes gleamed, teasing. "What's wrong? Don't tell me, Old Monster, you're afraid. Afraid of Tang Hao? Come now—with the technique I gave you, your poison is already purer, stronger. You're not the crippled old sack from before. What's left to fear? Or are you trembling for nothing?"
"Grass!" Dugu Bo swore inwardly, glaring as his teeth ground together. This brat… this brat was insufferable. Sinister, manipulative, cunning beyond his years.
He finally exhaled sharply. "Little monster, did anyone ever tell you you're vile when you want to be? Mean. As mean as they come!"
Still, despite his words, his hands closed over the Lances, gingerly but firmly. Slowly, reverently, he accepted the burden. His heart hammered inside.
The truth was clear—he knew Xiao Tian's words were meant only to free him from guilt, to make acceptance easier. And indeed, this gift was priceless. Compared to the Poison Spirit Purification Technique Xiao Tian had already granted him, compared even to the freedom from his decades-long torment, this Eight Spider Lance was beyond value.
Xiao Tian folded his arms. "Hey. I'm a swordsman. Being a little mean and sharp-tongued is in my nature. I only walk the path my blade cuts out. Freedom, ruthlessness, truth. That's why I'll go far."
—
A few days passed.
The herbs packed and sorted, the companions strengthened and bonded, the Yin-Yang Eyes reluctantly left behind. Finally, Xiao Tian and his group braved the road once more, returning to Tiandou City.
Inside Tiandou Royal Academy, Xiao Tian used his perception like a floodlight, easily locating the familiar auras of Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
The moment he strode into the training room, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up like sunrise.
"Brother! You're back!" In an instant she leapt into his arms, wrapping herself around him unabashedly. With a giggle, she rubbed her head against his chest, ignoring the startled gazes of others.
Two months without seeing him—her patience had evaporated.
Meanwhile, Dugu Bo slipped away quietly, clutching the Eight Spider Lances and a single immortal grass in his possession. His heart hummed with nervous joy. Yanyan… let everything be in time. Let you still be here, not out hunting already.
He prayed silently.
Because once she cultivated the Poison Spirit Purification Art, then accepted the Eight Spider Lances, then merged with the immortal grass—his granddaughter's strength would erupt like wildfire.
Finally, she would no longer be mocked as merely "Poison Douluo's fragile heir." She would rise.
And this—this was all due to one youth no older than twelve.
The little monster named Xiao Tian.
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