A tense silence hung in the air as I smiled at my family, savoring the anticipation on their faces. I knew how rare external spirit bones were, and the shock that was about to follow would be well worth it.
Suddenly, a surge of power shot through my back, and with a sharp crack, eight dark green spider lances erupted, extending outward with deadly grace.
The forest around us grew still, almost as if the trees themselves recognized the immense power in play. Dugu Bo and Uncle Xin froze, their expressions a mix of disbelief and awe.
"Eight Spider Lances," I said calmly, my voice steady despite the surge of energy radiating from me. "An external spirit bone."
"External spirit bone?!" Uncle Xin finally broke the silence, his voice full of shock. He stepped closer, eyes wide as he stared at the massive lances extending from my back. "How… how is this possible?"
Dugu Bo's expression was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, analyzing every detail. "Do you have any idea how rare this is?" he said, his voice quiet but heavy with emotion. "External spirit bones aren't just rare; they're practically mythical. And you… you obtained one from your first soul beast?"
Dugu Bo shook his head, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You've obtained something that can change your entire future."
"What exactly do those lances do?" Uncle Xin asked, his curiosity overtaking his shock.
I nodded, extending the Eight Spider Lances again. I could feel their weight and power, but also their untamed nature. They weren't fully under my control yet.
"The lances enhance my poison abilities," I explained. "They can be used offensively and defensively. They're durable and sharp, and their poison can corrode nearly anything. Right now, I can barely control them, though. I can feel that they're holding back their full power. I need to gain control over them completely if I want to use them to their full potential."
Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed. "How do you plan to do that?"
"By using the same method soul masters use to temper their bodies under extreme pressure," I replied. "I need to force myself to endure stronger and stronger forces until the Eight Spider Lances fully submit to me. Grandpa, I want you to apply your spirit pressure on me, starting at rank 40 and increasing it gradually."
"Are you insane?" Uncle Xin barked, stepping forward. "That's not something you can rush, Bei! Pushing your body too far will break you, external spirit bone or not!"
I met his gaze, determination shining in my eyes. "I know my limits. But I also know that my body is far stronger than average because of my martial spirit. Poison is not just my power, it's my strength, my sustenance. I've been growing stronger by absorbing poison since I was born. My body can handle it."
Uncle Xin opened his mouth to argue, but Dugu Bo raised his hand, silencing him. "Let him try," he said, his gaze fixed on me. "If he says he can endure it, then we trust him. He hasn't disappointed us yet."
I struggled with my little control over the Eight Spider Lances and forced it to retract slowly until they disappeared.
I smiled gratefully at Grandpa before steadying my stance. "I'm ready."
Dugu Bo nodded, releasing his spirit power. The forest trembled under the pressure as a faint green aura surrounded him. I felt the weight press against me instantly, like an invisible force pushing down on my body. It was suffocating, but I gritted my teeth and held firm.
"Rank 40," Grandpa announced. "Let's see how you handle it."
The pressure hit me like a mountain. My entire body tensed, muscles straining as I fought against the overwhelming force. My martial spirit started to respond immediately and a dark green energy surrounded me.
"More," I managed to say through gritted teeth.
Dugu Bo raised the pressure to rank 45. My legs trembled, sweat pouring down my face, but I endured. At that moment, my martial spirit fully unleashed itself. The glow on my arms intensified, stabilizing me slightly as I adjusted to the new force.
"Rank 50," Grandpa said, his voice low but firm.
The pressure increased again, pressing down like an invisible hand determined to crush me. My vision blurred at the edges, and my back burned fiercely. The dormant Eight Spider Lances within me stirred, resisting the force as though unwilling to submit.
"Stay with it, Bei!" Uncle Xin called out, his voice laced with worry.
I didn't answer. My focus was absolute, my willpower locked onto the task of taming the power within me. I felt the Eight Spider Lances straining, fighting against both the external force and my own control.
"Rank 55!" Grandpa announced, his spirit power intensifying yet again.
At rank 55, the crushing force nearly brought me to my knees. My muscles screamed in protest, and my back seared with a fiery agony. For a moment, it felt like I would break.
No! I roared inwardly. I won't lose to this!
I forced my poison to surge through my veins, feeding me strength as I clenched my fists and pushed back. Slowly, I could feel the Eight Spider Lances beginning to give in, their energy shifting in response to my will.
"Rank 60," Grandpa said, his voice echoing through the silent forest.
The final wave of pressure slammed into me like a tidal wave. My entire body shook, and for an instant, I thought I might collapse. But at that moment, the Eight Spider Lances roared to life. A deafening crack echoed through the clearing as the lances erupted from my back in a brilliant display of dark green energy.
The pressure seemed to shatter like glass as the Eight Spider Lances fully extended, glowing with a venomous light that seemed to pulse in time with my heartbeat. I stood there, panting heavily, as the forest fell into silence once more.
"They've accepted you," Dugu Bo said quietly, his voice carrying both pride and awe.
I straightened, retracting the Eight Spider Lances back into my body with a thought. The sensation was different now, natural and fluid. They were no longer resisting me; they were mine to command.
I grinned, wiping the sweat from my brow. "Not just that. I can feel my soul power increasing too. I was rank 33 after absorbing the soul ring, but now…" I paused, feeling the surge of energy within me. "I'm rank 34."
Uncle Xin stared at me, speechless. Dugu Bo let out a satisfied laugh. "This boy… truly monstrous. An external spirit bone and a breakthrough? You really are my grandson!"
I chuckled, standing up slowly. My body ached, but the power coursing through me was undeniable.
"Now what?" Uncle Xin asked, still shaking his head in disbelief.
"Now," I said, my voice steady and full of resolve, "we go hunt my second soul beast. I may not be ready for a 10,000-year soul ring yet, but I want one over 6,000 years old."
Grandpa and Uncle Xin exchanged looks, their pride and amazement clear.
"You truly are something else, Bei," Dugu Bo said, shaking his head with a grin.
With that, we set off deeper into Star Duo Forest.