For the last ring of my journey in the Star Dou Forest, I aimed high, a 30,000-year-old soul ring. My family raised their eyebrows at the boldness of my choice, but they didn't protest. After all, they had seen me grow stronger with each battle.
We had encountered the perfect soul beast earlier during our exploration: another Man Faced Demon Spider. When I shared my plan, Uncle Xin smirked.
"At this rate, you're going to eradicate the spider population of this forest," he joked. Grandpa laughed, and I joined them. Despite the gravity of the task ahead, the shared humor lightened the mood.
The location of the spider hadn't changed; it was still lurking in the same clearing we had scouted a week before. My heart raced as we approached. This was a creature that had survived for thirty thousand years in this treacherous forest. Its power would undoubtedly surpass anything I had faced so far.
Grandpa placed a hand on my shoulder as we stopped a safe distance away. "Remember, Bei, your strength lies not just in your abilities but in your mind. Stay calm and use what you've learned."
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. The moment I stepped into the clearing, the spider's multiple eyes locked onto me. It emitted a low, threatening hiss, its legs clicking ominously against the ground. This was no ordinary opponent; its aura radiated malice and power.
I activated my Martial Soul, feeling the familiar surge of energy. My 2 purple soul rings and my black one appeared, glowing in sequence. The Eight Spider Lances erupted from my back, their evolved form gleaming with intricate green patterns. This time, I wasted no time.
"Venom Thread Bind!" My first skill activated, and green threads shot from the tips of my lances, aiming to trap the spider. The beast moved with incredible speed, dodging most of the threads. However, a few managed to graze its legs, causing it to falter momentarily. It screeched, its anger evident.
The spider counterattacked with its toxic web, aiming to ensnare me. I used my second skill, Arachnid Shell, to bolster my defenses. The black, armor-like light covered my arms and legs, and I deflected the sticky strands with calculated precision. Even with the added protection, the force behind its attacks was overwhelming. Each strike of its legs against my lances sent vibrations through my entire body.
I activated my third skill, Spider-Sense, heightening my awareness. The ability allowed me to anticipate the spider's movements with uncanny precision. When it lunged at me, I sidestepped, spinning my body to counter with the Eight Spider Lances. The metallic sound of impact echoed as I pierced one of its legs. The spider screeched, withdrawing momentarily.
The battle raged on, each exchange more intense than the last. The spider's relentless attacks pushed me to my limits. Its webbing, its venomous strikes, and its sheer physical strength were a deadly combination. But I had grown stronger, smarter. I used every skill, every ounce of my training, to outmaneuver and weaken it.
As the fight dragged on, I felt fatigue creeping in. My soul power was depleting, but I refused to back down. The spider was in no better condition than me, so I just had to wait for the perfect moment. And it came, with a roar, I leapt into the air, the Eight Spider Lances glowing as I channeled my remaining energy into a final assault. I struck with precision, targeting the spider's core. The lances pierced through its armored shell, and the beast let out a final, ear-piercing shriek before collapsing.
I landed on unsteady feet, my breathing ragged. The clearing fell silent except for the rustling of leaves in the wind. My family approached cautiously, their expressions a mix of pride and concern.
"That was… incredible," Uncle Xin said, his voice filled with awe.
I nodded, too tired to respond. Without wasting time, I summoned the Eight Spider Lances to absorb the essence of the defeated beast. The dark green glow enveloped the spider's body as its energy was drawn into the lances. I felt a surge of power, though not enough to evolve the lances further. Still, they had grown stronger.
With the essence absorbed, the spider's soul ring began to form. The black ring hovered above its body, its energy pulsating like a living thing. I sat cross-legged, taking a deep breath to steady myself. This was the moment of truth.
As I began the absorption process, the soul ring descended, enveloping me in its powerful aura. This time, the sensation was different. The energy felt denser, more potent. My Martial Soul resonated with it, undergoing a subtle yet profound transformation. I could feel it—my entire being was growing stronger, more refined. The process took longer than before, but when it was over, I opened my eyes to the sight of my family's relieved faces.
"What rank are you now?" Grandpa asked, his voice tinged with excitement.
I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. "I'm officially a rank 44 Spirit Ancestor. And I've gained a new skill."
"What is it?" Uncle Xin asked eagerly, not even surprised by my rank now.
"Let me show you." I activated my fourth skill, and my body blurred as my speed doubled instantly. The ground beneath my feet seemed to vanish as I darted around the clearing, faster than the eye could follow. The exhilaration was intoxicating. After a few moments, I returned to my family, the skill deactivating as I came to a halt.
"This ability increases my speed by 100% as long as I have soul power to sustain it," I explained.
"Impressive," Grandpa said, his tone filled with pride.
I smiled, feeling the weight of his words. But I wasn't done yet.
"There's one more thing I'm ready for," I said, looking at each of them. "It's time to return to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. I want to begin the preparations to heal you completely."
Their eyes widened, and a mix of emotions crossed their faces: hope, excitement, and determination.
Before they could respond, I activated my new ability again. "Let's race there," I said with a playful grin. Without waiting for an answer, I shot forward, my laughter echoing through the forest as my family scrambled to catch up.