Chapter 113: The External Soul Bone—Eight Spider Lances
After two days of travel, Yang Potian and Zhu Zhuqing finally reached Soto City. They had exchanged only a few words along the way, traveling more like strangers than companions.
Surprisingly, the first inn they saw in Soto City was the Rose Hotel. Yang Potian shook his head with exasperation, feeling as though it was impossible for any traveler to avoid this particular inn.
As he turned to leave, the hotel manager intercepted him. "Sir, with all the academies around here starting their entrance exams, every inn in the city is likely full. I'd recommend staying with us."
Yang Potian gave the manager a quick glance. "Two rooms, please."
The manager looked between Yang Potian and Zhu Zhuqing, a knowing smirk on his face. "My apologies, but we only have one room left."
Ignoring the manager's insinuation, Yang Potian pulled a hefty bag of gold soul coins from his soul tool and tossed it to him. "I'll take two quiet rooms." The manager's face lit up as he quickly produced two keys. Yang Potian took one and headed into the hotel without another word, while Zhu Zhuqing hesitated before taking the other key.
Yang Potian had come to Soto City primarily to determine the current date. If Shrek Academy's entrance exam wasn't happening for a few days, he'd planned to visit Nuoding City briefly. However, with Shrek's exam only two days away, there was no time to explore Holy Soul Village for the valuable soul bone hidden there.
Yang Potian couldn't help but shake his head at the thought of Shrek Academy's popular female students. He had little interest. Zhu Zhuqing, though popular for her stoic, serious demeanor and loyalty to Dai Mubai, was also bound by the strict expectations of the Zhu and Dai families, making her one of the more traditional and challenging girls to pursue. Xiao Wu was out of the question; she was a 100,000-year rogue rabbit whose carefree nature and lack of focus on cultivation often got her into trouble. As for Ning Rongrong, even recalling her past mischief gave Yang Potian a headache.
After confirming that Shrek's entrance exam would indeed be held the day after tomorrow, Yang Potian resolved to observe Shrek's famed entrance scene once before leaving the city.
The next day, a scene unfolded at the Rose Hotel. A blonde-haired man arrived with his arms around a pair of twins, while a young man and woman entered simultaneously. The two parties quickly clashed over hotel accommodations.
Yang Potian recognized the people involved: Dai Mubai from Shrek Academy, facing off with Tang San and Xiao Wu. Dai Mubai was as tall, handsome, and arrogant as described, his golden hair shining and his demeanor defiant. Tang San, on the other hand, was as unremarkable in appearance as the novel described, but Xiao Wu, with her lovely features and lively energy, stood out, even though her impulsive nature was evident.
Seeing Dai Mubai's flirtatious behavior, Zhu Zhuqing's face grew pale, as if she were witnessing the unraveling of her hopes. Yang Potian didn't interfere; this was Zhu Zhuqing's choice to make. Tomorrow would be the real spectacle.
The following morning, Yang Potian and Zhu Zhuqing headed to Shrek Academy. Built on the outskirts of Soto City, Shrek was more of a village than an academy, surrounded by farmland, far removed from any city life. Outside the academy, long lines had already formed as prospective students lined up to register, including Zhu Zhuqing herself.
Yang Potian couldn't help but mock the sight in his mind. So many people flocking to Shrek Academy despite its dreadful conditions… The requirement to have spirit power at the twentieth level or higher was equivalent to the entry standards of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Those who passed all four rounds of the entrance exams were bound to be exceptionally gifted students, who could be treated as priority recruits anywhere else.
The first three tests were fairly standard, but the fourth test was excessive. It was an actual combat trial against Shrek's teacher, Zhao Wuji, a Spirit Saint. Watching the battle unfold, especially the duel between Tang San and Zhao Wuji, Yang Potian admitted that it was impressive.
Tang San's peculiar Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, his mysterious Mysterious Jade Hand, and his Crane-Catching Dragon stance were all on display. His mastery of hidden weapons, which caught even a Spirit Saint off guard, was formidable. Tang San's techniques from the Mysterious Heaven Skill were truly like hacks in the world of Douluo Continent, giving him a significant advantage early on.
After watching Shrek's entrance exam, Yang Potian left the scene, shaking his head. Judging from the current situation, Tang Hao was likely watching from the shadows and monitoring Tang San's progress. Any reckless actions on his part would be unwise. Yang Potian knew he wasn't equipped to handle a Titled Douluo, let alone one as formidable as Tang Hao.
He decided to head for the Star Dou Forest instead. Among Tang San's many fortuitous encounters, the Eight Spider Lances soul bone, Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor soul bone were the most valuable. Since he had already intercepted the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's herbs, and the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone was out of reach for now, the Eight Spider Lances remained his best chance.
After leaving Soto City, Yang Potian made his way toward the nearby Star Dou Forest, which bordered the Balak Kingdom and was about 500 kilometers from Soto City. After a day's journey, he reached the forest's outskirts and began his search for the 2,000-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider.
In the Douluo Continent series, soul bones like the Eight Spider Lances were practically nonexistent, and the Eight Spider Lances themselves were extraordinarily powerful. Highly toxic and capable of absorbing life force, they granted formidable attack power. Despite searching for days and encountering several spider-type spirit beasts, including a few Man-Faced Demon Spiders, he still hadn't found the specific spider he sought, leaving him increasingly frustrated.
Yang Potian's time in the Star Dou Forest had intensified his bloodlust. After several battles with spirit beasts and witnessing more blood, his urge to kill became harder to control. Finally, he had to resort to using medicinal pills to calm his mind.
Ironically, it was when he was about to abandon his search that he encountered the very creature he had been hunting—a Man-Faced Demon Spider.
That night, while Yang Potian was resting, the forest grew eerily silent, which struck him as odd. Suddenly, a massive spiderweb launched toward him, aiming to ensnare him.
Yang Potian instantly teleported out of its range, only to spot a giant spider lurking on a nearby tree, poised to strike.
Before him was a bizarre and terrifying creature: its body spanned over one and a half meters in diameter, with eight spear-like legs, each over three meters long, tipped with razor-sharp points that silently pierced the ground with every step. Its shell gleamed ominously black, and a chilling, ghostly face formed from white markings decorated its abdomen. Eight eyes, glowing with a strange purple hue, sat directly beneath this menacing visage.
This was indeed a Man-Faced Demon Spider, and judging by its aura, it was just over two thousand years old—the very creature Yang Potian had been hoping to find, and coincidentally, the spirit beast that had provided Tang San's third spirit ring in the original story.
Yang Potian felt a surge of excitement—finding this creature had been like stumbling upon treasure. Summoning his Broken Soul Spear, he waited for the spider to launch its next web attack, then closed the distance with lightning speed, wielding his spear for a full-strength attack. This was the first move in his Broken Soul Nine Styles: Instant Strike.
The spider proved resilient, quickly reacting and attempting to parry with its front legs. However, Yang Potian's spear, now weighing over two thousand pounds, shattered through its defenses, tearing off one of its legs and driving the spear deep into its torso.
The spider shrieked in pain and thrashed violently, its remaining legs stabbing at Yang Potian. But he showed no mercy. With another powerful strike, he split the Man-Faced Demon Spider in half, severing its legs and body in one swift motion.
As the spider let out its final screech, a purple spirit ring materialized above its body. Yang Potian ignored the ring, focusing instead on dissecting the spider's corpse with his Broken Soul Spear. Soon, a glistening, luminous object appeared amidst the remains.
Containing his bloodlust, Yang Potian reached into the glowing mass and retrieved it—a soul bone. The item, glimmering like a smaller version of the demon spider, consisted of a central spine-like core with four small bones on either side, mimicking the spider's legs. This was the Eight Spider Lances external soul bone.
Yang Potian stored the soul bone, took a medicinal herb to calm his spirit, and changed into a fresh set of clothes, ready to leave the Star Dou Forest. His time there had taken its toll; after numerous fierce battles, his bloodlust had only grown stronger, consuming his supply of calming pills at an alarming rate. He knew he needed to return to the Po Clan as soon as possible.
Though he had no personal vendetta against Tang San, he recognized that, from his clan's perspective, a confrontation with Tang San and Tang Hao was inevitable. By securing this external soul bone now, he could preemptively reduce a future threat.
(End of Chapter)
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