Tang San screamed, his voice breaking.
His eyes turned red.
Yet—
His hands clenched instead of attacking.
Inside his heart, clarity prevailed.
'Er Ming won't hurt her.'
Tang San did not charge forward like a madman like in his previous life memories.
Instead, as Er Ming turned and vanished into the depths of the forest with Xiao Wu in hand he followed.
His eyes shone with suppressed excitement.
'It's coming…My third soul ring.'
The others fled toward the garrison, hearts pounding, minds reeling.
Behind them, the forest slowly returned to silence.
----
Far behind, hidden among trees—
Tang Hao watched everything unfold.
His expression darkened.
"That rabbit…" he muttered.
"That little girl is Little San's future soul ring."
"If she gets taken away…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…catching her again will be troublesome."
He released his perception, confirming there were no other terrifying existences nearby.
Then— Tang Hao followed the Titan Giant Ape.
The entire event that happened was logical and reasonable, that Tang San who had memories of another life did not question it.
-----
Meanwhile, deeper within the Star Dou Forest—
Tang San finally found the soul beast he had been searching for after following Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming for a while.
Lying amid shattered trees and torn vines was a grotesque creature, its carapace cracked and leaking dark green ichor. Eight long legs twitched spasmodically, while its human-like face was twisted in agony and rage.
A Man-Faced Demon Spider.
Its aura was chaotic and violent, clearly showing signs of having suffered a heavy injury not long ago.
The moment Tang San saw it, he said.
"Evil soul beast!"
The Man-Faced Demon Spider had already been in an irritable state due to its injuries. Now, seeing a human daring to shout at it—and sensing killing intent—it was instantly enraged.
Its eight legs slammed into the ground.
"Kiiiiik—!"
The shrill screech pierced the air as it lunged forward, venomous fangs glistening.
Tang San's expression turned cold.
Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track activated.
His figure blurred, leaving afterimages behind as he slipped through the spider's attack range with uncanny precision. At the same time, his eyes glowed faintly purple.
Purple Demon Eyes.
The Man-Faced Demon Spider's movements slowed in his vision.
Tang San's gaze locked onto a faint fracture beneath its carapace—the result of its previous injuries.
Blue Silver Grass shot out like lightning, anchoring to surrounding trees.
Using the pull, Tang San twisted mid-air, dodging a venomous strike by a hair's breadth, then struck directly at the weak point.
A sharp crack resounded.
The Demon Spider let out a final, agonized shriek before collapsing heavily onto the forest floor.
Silence followed.
Tang San stood still, breathing steadily, his gaze fixed on the corpse.
Slowly, a deep purple soul ring rose from the spider's body, its color rich and heavy, radiating an oppressive aura.
'Over two thousand years…just as I remember'
Tang San's lips curved upward.
Suppressing his excitement, he immediately adjusted his breathing, sat cross-legged, and pulled the soul ring toward himself.
The moment the ring touched him—
A violent surge of energy flooded his body.
The resentment, malice, and ferocity of the Man-Faced Demon Spider crashed into his spirit sea like a storm.
Tang San's face paled as veins bulged along his arms and neck as sweat poured down his face.
This soul ring was far beyond the safe limit for a normal third ring.
Pain ripped through his meridians as the energy tore at his body.
Yet Tang San gritted his teeth.
'I must endure. I know I had absorbed it before I will be able to do it again.'
----
Some time later—
Rustling sounds came from the forest.
Zhao Wuji arrived, supported by Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, his face still pale from his injuries. Oscar and Ning Rongrong followed closely behind.
The moment they saw the corpse, Ning Rongrong gasped.
"Th-this soul beast…" she said, eyes wide. "It must be at least over two thousand years old!"
Everyone froze.
Their gazes snapped toward Tang San, who was still immersed in absorption, his entire body trembling faintly.
Dai Mubai's expression changed drastically.
"Teacher Zhao," he said urgently, "can you stop Tang San's absorption?"
Zhao Wuji stared at Tang San for a long moment.
His brows furrowed deeply.
In his heart, regret surged.
'Too reckless…He bit off more than he could chew.'
He had seen it before—talented children dying because they overestimated themselves and challenged soul rings beyond their limit, many of them were from his Shrek Academy.
After a long silence, Zhao Wuji spoke in a solemn voice.
"No."
"We can't interfere now."
"To interrupt him would be even more dangerous."
He clenched his fists.
"All we can do… is believe in Tang San."
Time passed slowly.
Each second felt like torture.
Then—A sudden surge of power erupted from Tang San's body.
Tang San opened his eyes.
At the same time—
Rip—!
The back of his clothes tore apart violently.
Eight jet-black, obsidian-like lances burst out from his back, sharp and cold, spreading outward like the legs of a spider.
A terrifying pressure radiated from them.
"W-what the hell—?!" Dai Mubai exclaimed, instinctively stepping back.
Ma Hongjun swallowed hard. "Did… did Tang San turn into ....?"
Oscar and Ning Rongrong stared in stunned silence, unable to process what they were seeing.
Even Zhao Wuji's pupils shrank slightly, intrigue and shock flashing across his eyes.
Tang San stood up slowly.
The eight spider-like lances behind him swayed gently, reflecting dim light through the forest canopy.
"What happened, Tang San?" Dai Mubai asked cautiously.
Tang San looked at them, then glanced behind himself.
Just as Tang San stood there, unable to suppress his joy, he finally spoke the name of his newly acquired external soul bone.
"Eight Spider Lances…"
----
(Author notes : With the level of beating by Qian Renxue all the powerfull soul beasts are scared out of their wits, so the Titian Giant ape appearing is clearly manipulation)