Star Forest Spirit Ring Hunt: The Man Faced Demon Spider Appears, Star River Armor-Piercing Complete

Three days had passed since the Soul Dueling Competition ended. The Shrek Group packed their belongings and set out for the "outer region of the Star Dou Great Forest" beyond Suotuo City. Their purpose was to find suitable Third Spirit Rings for Tang San and Lin Zhixia. Master Yu Xiaogang rode ahead on Flender's transformed "Cat Owl" martial soul to scout the way. Zhao Wuji, Tang San, and Lin Zhixia walked in the middle of the group, while Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and the others kept watch on the flanks to guard against surprise attacks by spirit beasts.

"There are many kinds of spirit beasts in the outer region of the Star Dou Great Forest, but Thousand-Year Spirit Beasts are not especially concentrated," Master's voice came from above. "Tang San needs a Thousand-Year Spirit Beast of the Control System or Agility Attack System, preferably one that can make up for Blue Silver Grass's lack of defense. Zhixia's Star River Shattering Bow focuses on 'armor breaking,' so she needs a Thousand-Year Spirit Beast with strong defense that can strengthen the characteristics of 'Soul Shatter,' such as a Rock Type or Metal Type spirit beast."

As they walked, everyone remained alert to the sounds around them. Ancient trees towered throughout the Star Dou Great Forest, and sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow across the ground. Ma Hongjun could not help complaining, "We've walked for so long and haven't even seen a Hundred-Year Spirit Beast. Are Thousand-Year Spirit Beasts really this hard to find?"

"Don't rush it. Spirit Rings are all about compatibility; you can't just pick any Thousand-Year Spirit Beast," Oscar said, handing him a Recovery Sausage. "If you choose an unsuitable one, it might affect your future Soul Power growth instead."

Just then, Tang San abruptly stopped. Blue Silver Grass quietly spread from his palm and pressed against the ground to investigate. "There's a Spirit Power Fluctuation ahead. It's very strong—it should be a Thousand-Year Spirit Beast." He signaled for everyone to crouch and hide, then quietly moved forward. Through the bushes, he saw a pitch-black spider with human-face markings on its back clinging to a tree trunk. Its eight legs gleamed coldly. It was a Thousand-Year Spirit Beast—the Man Faced Demon Spider!

"It's a Man Faced Demon Spider!" Tang San lowered his voice. "Its spider silk is highly venomous and incredibly tough. It's a rare Thousand-Year Spirit Beast of the Control System, perfect for me!"

Hearing the commotion, Master descended from the air. "The Man Faced Demon Spider is highly aggressive and skilled at hiding. We need a strategy. Mu Bai, Zhuqing, you'll hold it off from the front. Xiao Wu, Hongjun, attack from the flanks. Rongrong, give Mu Bai and Zhuqing Defense Boost and Speed Boost. Oscar, prepare the Detox Sausages. Tang San, wait for the right opportunity and use Blue Silver Grass to Control Opponent's movements. Absorb Spirit Ring once it weakens!"

"Understood!" everyone answered in unison and moved according to the plan. Dai Mubai unleashed his Evil Eyes White Tiger martial soul. Golden Spirit Power erupted as he charged toward the Man Faced Demon Spider. Zhu Zhuqing transformed into the Ghost Cat and circled around to the other side of the tree trunk, preparing to strike. Xiao Wu activated the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit, ready to use Teleportation at any moment. Ma Hongjun's Evil Fire Phoenix martial soul ignited with pale red flames, aimed at the Man Faced Demon Spider's abdomen.

Sensing danger, the Man Faced Demon Spider sprang from the trunk. Its eight legs fired Black Spider Silk toward Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. "Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, Defense Boost!" Ning Rongrong called out. Two rays of golden light fell upon them, blocking the spider silk attack. Dai Mubai seized the chance to unleash the White Tiger Blazing Light Wave. The golden blast struck the Man Faced Demon Spider's back, making it release a Piercing Shriek.

Tang San seized the opportunity. Blue Silver Grass surged from the ground like a tide, Entanglement around the Man Faced Demon Spider and tightly binding all eight of its legs. "Now!" Tang San leaped into the air, pressed his palm against the Man Faced Demon Spider's head, and began to Absorb Spirit Ring. The Man Faced Demon Spider struggled violently, but Blue Silver Grass held it firmly. At last, it gradually lost its strength, its body transforming into a pale purple Spirit Ring that merged into Tang San's body.

"Success!" Xiao Wu cheered. Tang San slowly opened his eyes. A trace of black light glimmered in his palm, and a dense black web appeared out of thin air—it was his Third Spirit Skill, Spider Web Restraint. "This spirit skill is extremely tough and also carries Faint Toxicity. It'll be much easier to Control Opponent in the future," Tang San said with a smile, his eyes brimming with delight.

Just as everyone finished celebrating, Lin Zhixia suddenly pointed toward a distant Rocky Area. "There's a Spirit Power Fluctuation over there. It feels very heavy, like a Rock Type spirit beast!" The Star Guidance Bell at her waist swayed and gave off a clear chime. The Star Guidance Bell was especially sensitive to things containing Star River Energy, and it was obvious that spirit beast possessed the energy she needed.

The group immediately ran toward the Rocky Area. From afar, they saw a three-meter-long lizard lying on a rock in the sun, its entire body covered in Grey-Green Scales. Its scales glimmered with faint starlight. On closer inspection, fine patterns could be seen on them, like Traces of the Star River—it was a Thousand-Year Spirit Beast, the Star Rock Lizard!

"The Star Rock Lizard's scales contain Star River Ore Vein energy, and its defense is extremely strong. It can perfectly strengthen the armor-breaking properties of the Star River Shattering Bow!" Master's eyes were full of delight. "Zhixia, this spirit beast is perfect for you! Its defense may be strong, but it's slow. We can use the same strategy as before: restrain it first, then let you Absorb Spirit Ring!"

Lin Zhixia nodded. The Starfall Bow condensed in an instant, and the "Meteor Light" badge lit up. "I'll draw its attention. You hold it back from the flanks!" She fired a starlit arrow at the Star Rock Lizard's eye. The Star Rock Lizard sensed danger and abruptly raised its head. A layer of light spread over its Grey-Green Scales. The arrow struck the scales and was actually deflected, leaving only a shallow mark—its defense truly lived up to its reputation!

Dai Mubai took the opportunity to charge forward. The White Tiger Blazing Light Wave struck the Star Rock Lizard's abdomen, but only forced it back half a step. Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Stab hit its scales as well, yet failed to inflict any damage. "Its defense is too strong!" Dai Mubai frowned. "Zhixia, we can only rely on your Soul Shatter characteristic!"

Lin Zhixia took a deep breath. The Star Guidance Bell floated before her and resonated with the Starfall Bow. Pale blue Soul Power gathered around the arrow, forming a ribbon of light like a star river. "Star River Shattering Bow, First Spirit Skill—Void Penetration!" She released the bowstring, and the starlit arrow shot toward a gap in the Star Rock Lizard's scales—the weak point in its defense!

Bang! The arrow pierced through the scales. The Star Rock Lizard let out a pained howl and began struggling violently. Tang San immediately bound its limbs with Spider Web Restraint, while Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing launched attacks to steadily drain its Soul Power. Lin Zhixia seized the moment and condensed another arrow. This time, she poured all her Soul Power into it. "Star Rock Lizard, I'll take your energy!"

The arrow struck the Star Rock Lizard's head. Its body gradually transformed into a pale purple Spirit Ring and merged into Lin Zhixia's body. At the same time, the Star Rock Lizard's back armor automatically fell away and turned into a Grey-Green arrowhead—the Star Rock Arrowhead, forged from the Star Rock Lizard's back armor. It shimmered with starlight and could increase both the armor-piercing chance and damage of arrows.

Lin Zhixia slowly opened her eyes. Pale blue starlight gleamed in her palm as an arrow covered in rock-like patterns condensed into being. "Third Spirit Skill—Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow!" She released the bowstring, and the arrow struck a distant rock. With a muffled bang, the rock instantly exploded and fragments scattered everywhere. This spirit skill could condense Star River Energy; upon impact, it shattered rock-like defenses and completely pierced an opponent's Spirit Power Barrier!

"That's amazing! Zhixia, your spirit skill is incredible!" Xiao Wu ran over and excitedly took her hand. The others crowded around as well, gazing at the Star Rock Arrowhead in Lin Zhixia's hand with envy in their eyes.

Master smiled and nodded. "Tang San's Spider Web Restraint and Zhixia's Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow complement each other perfectly. From now on, one of you can control while the other breaks defenses. Combined with the spirit skills of your other companions, Shrek's Eight Monsters' combat power will rise to a whole new level!"

As the sun set, the group shouldered their bags and began their return journey. Tang San's Spider Web Restraint could firmly Control Opponent, while Lin Zhixia's Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow could pierce any defense. Together with Dai Mubai's level 39 assault power, Zhu Zhuqing's agility attacks, and Ning Rongrong and Oscar's support, Shrek's Eight Monsters finally had the confidence to face the threat of Spirit Hall.

Lin Zhixia touched the Star Guidance Bell and Star Rock Arrowhead at her waist, her eyes filled with determination. Not only had she become stronger, but she could also better protect her companions. She was one step closer to avenging her family. Meanwhile, in the distant woods, Ye Jin watched their retreating figures, a trace of relief flashing through his eyes. Then he turned and vanished into the night. He knew Lin Zhixia now had enough strength to protect herself. Next, he would deal with Spirit Hall's schemes against her.