So I'm This Strong Now (Happy New Year's Eve)

"Senior Sister, this Cave Demon Spider is quite suitable for you."

Dugu Chen said to Dugu Yan. What she lacked was precisely a powerful control-type soul skill.

The Cave Demon Spider and the Man Faced Demon Spider were both among the most formidable spider-type Soul Beasts, but they followed completely opposite paths.

The Man Faced Demon Spider excelled at terrifying, swift, and tyrannical attacks, while the Cave Demon Spider was skilled at using all kinds of terrain to set traps for its opponents, relying on its special abilities to ambush and kill them.

In terms of sheer strength, the Man Faced Demon Spider was certainly stronger. But capturing this thousand-year Cave Demon Spider alive would not be easy either.

With Dugu Bo standing guard, there was no need to worry about the spider escaping. Dugu Chen merely wanted to test the results of his training over the years.

Dugu Chen gave a low shout, and the First Soul Ring at his side lit up. Amid intense Soul Power fluctuations, his aura grew even more imposing. His attack power, defense, and strength all doubled. At this moment, he dared to engage a power attack system Battle Soul King in close combat.

The earth around the Cave Demon Spider surged, and a massive hand formed from Earth Element burst from below, reaching for it. At the same time, the air around the Cave Spider suddenly became extraordinarily heavy, slowing the Cave Demon Spider down.

As a top-tier spider-type Soul Beast renowned alongside the Man Faced Demon Spider, this Cave Demon Spider naturally would not sit still and wait for death.

The instant Dugu Chen launched his attack, two yellow spider threads shot from its grim mouthparts like lightning. They wrapped around a large tree ten meters away, and with a powerful tug, it immediately changed its position.

At the same time, a mass of mucus-stained Spider Web swept toward Dugu Chen's body.

Rather than retreating, Dugu Chen advanced. His powerful physical strength erupted, flames gathering around his Dragon Claw. With one swipe, he tore apart the Spider Web, and the flames at the tear instantly spread, devouring the web spewed by the Cave Demon Spider in a single breath.

In the blink of an eye, relying on the explosive burst of his formidable physique, Dugu Chen arrived before the Cave Demon Spider. His flame-covered Dragon Claw slammed toward it, but the Cave Demon Spider reacted swiftly, raising two spider legs as fast as lightning to block Dugu Chen's Dragon Claw.

"Bang!!!"

A thunderous impact shook the air. Dugu Chen's body trembled slightly, but he did not retreat. He quickly lit up his Third Soul Ring.

Third Soul Skill, Kirin Roar.

A massive phantom of a kirin appeared behind Dugu Chen. It opened its enormous jaws and roared toward the sky.

"Roar—"

Dugu Chen's Third Soul Skill came from an Earth Shaker Roar that was close to nine thousand years old. The Earth Shaker Roar was a lion-type Soul Beast skilled in speed and sound waves. After absorbing it, Dugu Chen's Third Soul Skill could inflict effects such as dizziness and confusion on enemies within the sound wave's range. The lower their Spiritual Power, the more severe the effects.

At that moment, the Cave Demon Spider's Spiritual Power fell into chaos, and it stiffened in place. Seizing the opportunity, Dugu Chen lit up his Second Soul Ring.

Second Soul Skill, Golden Power. For every ten levels gained, all attributes increased by five percent. At level thirty-six, Dugu Chen could increase all his attributes by fifteen percent.

Dugu Chen grabbed two of the Cave Demon Spider's legs with one hand and hurled it toward the ground with all his strength.

"Boom!"

With a deafening crash, the ground within twenty meters of the Cave Demon Spider cracked apart. This showed just how immense Dugu Chen's strength was at this moment.

Dugu Chen pressed his advantage, his Dragon Claw striking again as he prepared to sever the Cave Spider's legs.

However, the cunning of a thousand-year Cave Demon Spider was no empty boast.

Just as Dugu Chen grabbed its legs, it decisively severed them itself. Layer upon layer of yellow Spider Web suddenly sprang up from beneath it, rushing toward Dugu Chen, followed closely by four sharp spider legs.

Dugu Chen was surprised by the Cave Demon Spider's decisiveness, but he did not panic. He pressed both claws against the earth and mobilized Earth Power. In an instant, a solid earthen wall rose before him.

The Cave Demon Spider's Spider Web stuck to the earthen wall, while its spider legs only managed to pierce through it.

Seeing this, Dugu Chen controlled Earth Power to wrap around the Cave Demon Spider's four legs. Ultimate Fire spread out, and his hands, transformed into flaming Dragon Claws, slashed toward the legs restrained by the earthen wall.

"Screee!!!"

The Cave Demon Spider let out a cry of agony.

Then, with a few wisps of flame still lingering over its gray body, it used its remaining three long, powerful spider legs to retreat at high speed.

In the span of an instant, the creature vanished into the forest, not even leaving behind a trace of its aura.

This was another ability of the Cave Demon Spider: concealment. It was not a skill akin to invisibility. Rather, through control over its own aura, it could completely draw in its presence for a short time, making it easier to hide, ambush opponents, and escape.

"Chen'er, be careful. It hasn't left yet," Dugu Bo warned.

Dugu Chen spread his Spiritual Power through the surroundings, searching for the Cave Demon Spider's traces.

This was precisely what made Cave Demon Spiders so troublesome. Compared to the tyrannical and overbearing Man Faced Demon Spider, the Cave Demon Spider was its complete opposite. They were sinister and patient, and they held grudges fiercely.

Once one latched onto you, you had to constantly guard against its attacks.

As he looked over the silent forest, Dugu Chen stopped at a certain spot, and his Third Soul Ring lit up once more.

This time, his Third Soul Skill was no longer a wide-range sound wave. Instead, it shot straight toward the Cave Spider, carrying even greater power and an oppressive force that struck directly at the soul.

"Screee!!!"

The Cave Demon Spider let out an even more miserable wail. Overwhelmed by the powerful pressure, it collapsed onto the ground, unable to move. Dugu Chen stepped forward, grabbed the Cave Demon Spider, and tossed it at Dugu Yan's feet.

Dugu Yan could not help but be astonished as she looked at the Cave Demon Spider before her, then stared at Dugu Chen as he approached.

"Junior Brother, what was that just now? How did your Third Soul Skill become so much stronger?"

"That was the result of combining Sovereign's Descent with my soul skill. I'm still not proficient with it," Dugu Chen replied calmly.

Seeing Dugu Chen's calm response, Dugu Bo and the other two caught a whiff of the sea.

Looking at the three people he had stunned, Dugu Chen smiled at Dugu Yan beside him.

"Senior Sister, hurry up and do it!"

Recovering from her shock, Dugu Yan glanced at the Cave Demon Spider, whose aura was gradually weakening. Overjoyed, she could not help cheering as she threw herself at Dugu Chen and gave him a big hug.

"Thank you, Junior Brother. Senior Sister will repay you properly someday."

"Oh! Then I'll hold you to that," Dugu Chen said with a light laugh.

Dugu Yan climbed down from Dugu Chen and drew her long sword, ending the Cave Demon Spider's twitching with a single strike.

A purple Soul Ring slowly condensed into form, and she immediately sat cross-legged to absorb her fourth Soul Ring.

After Dugu Yan began absorbing the Soul Ring, Dugu Bo looked at his disciple, his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise, pride, helplessness, and more.

"Now, you're ready to graduate!" Dugu Bo patted Dugu Chen on the shoulder, overwhelmed with emotion.

His disciple was simply too outstanding. As his teacher, he felt rather unaccomplished—but in the end, Dugu Chen was still his, Dugu Bo's, disciple. Seeing his disciple possess such strength still made him very happy.

"Teacher, there's still so much I need to learn from you," Dugu Chen said with a smile.

Dugu Bo stroked his beard, his face full of gratification.

"Brother Chen, do you think support-type Soul Masters really have no chance of gaining combat power?" Oscar asked enviously.

After witnessing Dugu Chen's overwhelming display of strength, Oscar was filled with envy. On the Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme. Although support-type Soul Masters were highly sought after, their safety was not guaranteed.

Hearing the disappointment and envy in Oscar's voice, Dugu Chen walked over and patted him on the shoulder, speaking with certainty.

"I don't know about other support types, but you—I think you can."

"Really?" Oscar asked excitedly.

Even Dugu Bo beside them looked over in surprise, wanting to hear his disciple's thoughts.

"Oscar, you're the only known support-type Soul Master in the Soul Master world with Innate Full Soul Power, and your martial soul is food-type. Your talent is exceptionally high. Others may not be able to do it, but that doesn't mean you can't," Dugu Chen said, first affirming Oscar's talent and encouraging him.

"As far as I know, there are two kinds of Soul Beasts that can grant you combat-capable soul skills."

"What two kinds?" Oscar's voice was full of urgency.

"Mirror Shadow Beasts and Silver Hero Beasts," Dugu Chen answered calmly.

"Mirror Shadow Beasts can copy an opponent's abilities, while Silver Hero Beasts can Imprint an opponent's soul skills and store them for later release. No matter which Soul Beast's ability you inherit, you'll be able to gain combat power of your own."

Oscar was somewhat excited upon hearing this. He raised his head toward Dugu Chen, about to say something, but Dugu Chen raised a hand and cut him off.

"Don't even think about it. Until you reach Soul King, I won't agree to let you add those Soul Rings. If you attach one below ten thousand years, once your rank gets higher, its effects won't be noticeable anymore. So for the sake of your future, Oscar, work hard at cultivating!"

Oscar could not help feeling a little discouraged after hearing that, but he quickly pulled himself together. For his dream, he had to work hard.

After hearing this, Dugu Bo could not help being surprised by his disciple's ideas, and then he began looking forward to the day when it would happen.

Time slowly passed. As she absorbed the power of the Thousand-Year Cave Demon Spider Soul Ring, Dugu Yan's figure seemed to become more slender and a little more mature. Her aura also grew stronger at an astonishing pace, while her skin gained more luster and her vitality became even more vigorous.

Absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring took quite a long time. Dugu Chen scattered some Soul Beast-repelling medicine he carried around the perimeter. During Dugu Yan's cultivation, several Thousand-Year Soul Beasts appeared, but all were driven away by Dugu Bo's aura.

"Mm..." Dugu Yan let out a long breath and slowly opened her eyes. A sharp gleam flashed through her bright gaze, and her Essence, Qi, and spirit had all improved tremendously.

She rose to her feet and stretched, displaying her lovely figure to its fullest. Her waist, seemingly boneless in its softness, possessed an unusual beauty.

"I succeeded."

One yellow and three purple Soul Rings swiftly rose from beneath Dugu Yan's feet. The three purple Soul Rings exuded a noble aura, their colors deepening in sequence. Dugu Yan had officially entered the realm of Soul Ancestors.

Dugu Bo and the other two congratulated Dugu Yan in turn on becoming a Soul Ancestor.

The soul skill the Cave Demon Spider granted Dugu Yan used the Jade Phosphorous Serpent's poison to form a cage that trapped her opponent within. It was a decent opening skill.

By then, the sky had completely darkened. Spending the night in the Star Dou Great Forest was clearly not a good idea.

Dugu Bo led the three of them swiftly toward the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.