Man Faced Demon Spider's Sneak Attack

Zhao Wuji shifted his gaze to the girl beside the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent and saw that she was holding a dagger. Clearly, she needed this Soul Ring as well.

For a moment, Zhao Wuji was caught in a dilemma.

The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring was extremely suitable for Oscar. He might even gain a flight-type soul skill, which would be a considerable help to both himself and the team.

Under Oscar's hopeful gaze, Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth and walked over despite himself. Bowing to Lin Mu, he said:

"Your Excellency, we have also been pursuing this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent for some time and exhausted much of its strength. One of my students urgently needs his third Soul Ring, and this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring happens to suit him perfectly. I wonder if Your Excellency could make an exception?"

Before Lin Mu could speak, the Snake Dowager slammed her Serpent Cane against the ground and said angrily:

"We were clearly the ones who pursued this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent all the way here. It was only thanks to this gentleman's intervention that we managed to subdue it. You people showed up halfway through, yet you still have the nerve to claim credit? You are plainly trying to snatch it by force!"

Meng Yiran glared indignantly at Oscar and Zhao Wuji as well. "Senior already agreed to give it to us. What gives you the right to steal it?"

She gripped her dagger tightly, her chest rising and falling slightly with anger. Her third Soul Ring had been within reach, yet this group had suddenly barged in, infuriating her.

Faced with the women's rebukes, Zhao Wuji had no way to argue. He could only look toward Lin Mu in the distance. The ownership of this Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent rested in Lin Mu's hands.

If Lin Mu had not been present, there would have been no need for this nonsense. They would simply let their strength do the talking.

"I said the Soul Ring belongs to you."

Just as the two sides were about to quarrel, Lin Mu made the decision outright.

Upon hearing this, the Snake Dowager immediately breathed a sigh of relief. This middle-aged Soul Master who had appeared out of nowhere was obviously no weakling. If they truly fought, she would most likely be no match for him.

With this gentleman here to keep watch, that middle-aged Soul Master should not dare act recklessly.

"Teacher Zhao Wuji—"

Seeing that his third Soul Ring was about to slip away, Oscar immediately panicked.

"Shut up. I'll find you another Thousand-Year Soul Beast later."

Zhao Wuji frowned deeply and barked impatiently. He was already feeling stifled enough, and now Oscar was adding pressure on him.

He had only been beaten senseless yesterday. Was he supposed to get beaten up again?

This was an expert who might be a Titled Douluo. If he got beaten again, he might truly not live to see the next day's sun.

"Thank you, Senior."

After thanking him, Meng Yiran crouched down and stabbed the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent through the heart with her dagger.

Before long, a purple Soul Ring floated above the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent.

When he saw the Soul Ring appear, Oscar completely gave up. Only the person who delivered the final blow to a Soul Beast could absorb its Soul Ring.

This meant his third Soul Ring was gone just like that.

"Your Excellency, I still need to help my students hunt Soul Rings, so I shall take my leave first."

Zhao Wuji cupped his hands toward Lin Mu and spoke respectfully.

The matter of the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring had already been settled. Rather than stay and watch this Your Excellency's expression, he might as well leave early and pick another suitable Soul Beast for Oscar.

Lin Mu likewise did not linger. He led Tang San and Xiao Wu deeper inside.

If Zhao Wuji returned for a second strike, the Snake Dowager and Meng Yiran would be in danger, but that had nothing to do with him.

Subduing the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent had merely been a convenient gesture. Staying behind as their bodyguard was not his style.

The deeper they went, the taller and lusher the trees became. The light grew dimmer, and the air was thick with a primal, dangerous aura.

Tang San remained focused, his Purple Demon Eyes constantly surveying their surroundings.

They had now entered a relatively dangerous area. A Soul Beast over a thousand years old could appear at any time, and even Ten Thousand Year Soul Beasts were not uncommon.

Xiao Wu, however, seemed somewhat distracted. Though the aura here gave her the feeling of returning home, Tang San's earlier words had left her unsettled and worried.

Looking at Tang San's back, Xiao Wu thought, Brother, if you knew I was a Soul Beast too, what would you do?

"Rustle—"

An extremely faint scraping sound reached Lin Mu's ears. His gaze flickered, but he did not speak, merely slowing his steps slightly.

Suddenly, the bushes not far ahead were violently torn apart, and a massive black shadow lunged out amid a foul wind!

Eight spear-like spider legs glimmered with a ghostly sheen. Its main body was covered in hard carapace, but most horrifying of all was the savage, twisted white human face pattern on its abdomen.

A Man Faced Demon Spider around two thousand years old!

"Watch out!"

Tang San shouted lowly. His reaction was incredibly swift as he instantly pushed the distracted Xiao Wu behind him. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track flashed beneath his feet, and he narrowly evaded the Man Faced Demon Spider's first lethal pounce.

"Tang San, Xiao Wu, this Man Faced Demon Spider is yours."

Lin Mu's calm voice rang out. With a flicker, he appeared atop the branch of a large tree nearby, folded his arms, and watched from the sidelines. He clearly had no intention of intervening.

Tang San instantly understood his master's intention. He wanted them to use this Soul Beast to hone their practical combat abilities. His gaze sharpened as he said, "Xiao Wu, work with me!"

"Understood!"

Xiao Wu suppressed the distracting thoughts in her heart. Two yellow Soul Rings rose around her as she swiftly entered combat mode.

"Blue Silver Grass, Bind!"

Tang San shouted lowly. The enhanced Blue Silver Grass surged forth like spirit snakes. Rather than simply binding it, the grass twisted cunningly around the Man Faced Demon Spider's joints and the bases of its spider legs, attempting to restrict its movements.

At the same time, the first Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up.

"First soul skill, Blue Silver Crystal!"

The Blue Silver Grass wrapped around it instantly became covered in a layer of hard Ice Crystal Cuticle, greatly strengthening its restraining force.

The Man Faced Demon Spider let out a piercing shriek and struggled violently. Its spider legs flailed wildly, severing much of the Blue Silver Grass, but the crystallized vines were exceptionally tough, hindering its movements for the moment.

"Good chance! Xiao Wu!" Tang San called from the side.

"Leave it to me!"

Xiao Wu moved like lightning. Waist Bow activated, and she instantly closed in. Her long legs clamped directly around one of the Man Faced Demon Spider's relatively slender spider legs, and she twisted with all her strength!

Crack!

A tooth-aching crack of breaking bone rang out as Xiao Wu forcibly snapped one of the Man Faced Demon Spider's legs!

The Man Faced Demon Spider recoiled in pain and became even more frenzied. Its abdomen suddenly contracted, spraying out a huge web coated in viscous fluid toward Xiao Wu.

"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track!"

Tang San had anticipated it. He darted in like a ghost, grabbed Xiao Wu's wrist, and the two narrowly avoided the spiderweb by a hair's breadth.

Just as Tang San was preparing to counterattack, a sudden change occurred!

A flash of cunning and madness passed through the eyes of the Man Faced Demon Spider, which had already lost one spider leg.

Its remaining forelimb struck like the tail of a venomous scorpion, stabbing like lightning from an extraordinarily strange and vicious angle at Xiao Wu, who had just regained her footing and had yet to gather new strength!

"Xiao Wu!"

Tang San's eyes split with rage. It was already too late for him to push Xiao Wu away.