Because Man Faced Demon Spiders were extremely murderous and wicked soul beasts, they were even more vile in nature than Dark Demon Evil God Tigers.
Dark Demon Evil God Tigers at least killed and devoured other soul beasts to rapidly improve their cultivation and grow stronger, while Man Faced Demon Spiders killed purely for the sake of killing.
Therefore, whether human or soul beast, anyone who encountered one would kill it if possible. That was why they were relatively rare.
Qian Daoliu searched for several hours. With nightfall approaching, he finally discovered a Man Faced Demon Spider nest.
It was a grove littered with bones and mangled remains, with several huge spider webs around it.
The remains indicated countless killings, so this was likely the habitat of a Man Faced Demon Spider.
Sure enough, Qian Daoliu's spiritual power quickly detected a Man Faced Demon Spider hiding behind a large tree five hundred meters away.
He said with slight disappointment, "What a pity. Its cultivation is under two thousand years, so it is not strong enough to be your opponent. Go kill it, and then we'll keep looking."
"Under two thousand years? Teacher, exactly how old is it?" Lin Ye asked.
Qian Daoliu analyzed, "Judging from its spider legs and size, it has probably just passed nineteen hundred years."
"More than nineteen hundred years..." Lin Ye pondered. "I am three years older than Tang San, and Tang San hunted a two-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider for his third soul ring, obtaining the External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances."
"Tang San obtained the Eight Spider Lances shortly after joining Shrek Academy, when he was twelve. Going by the timeline, that would be eight years from now. Eight years would be enough for a Man Faced Demon Spider over nineteen hundred years old to grow to a cultivation of two thousand years!"
"Could this be that one?"
At that moment, the Man Faced Demon Spider crawled out on its own.
Its main body was roughly one and a half meters in diameter, while each of its eight spear-like legs was around three meters long.
Its entire body was covered in black carapace. The white patterns on its lower abdomen resembled a ferocious human face, while eight purple eyes on its head flickered with a ghostly violet glow. Its mouth was enormous and packed with rows of sharp teeth.
It looked utterly evil, ugly, and terrifying.
This was the Man Faced Demon Spider!
"Hiss!~" Upon spotting Lin Ye and the others, the Man Faced Demon Spider's killing intent flared. It immediately scuttled toward them in a frenzy.
With his hands behind his back, Qian Daoliu said calmly, "Man Faced Demon Spiders possess sturdy carapaces and are extremely fast. Their eight sharp spider legs have powerful piercing force and potent venom, but their most frightening ability is their spider silk."
"Most spider-type soul beasts spin webs with silk, but Man Faced Demon Spiders can directly spray out an entire web. It is not only incredibly sticky and tough, but also carries neurotoxic venom. Once caught by it, death is practically certain."
"After reaching ten thousand years, they awaken an invisibility skill. Not only can they turn invisible, but they can also conceal their aura, even blocking spiritual detection."
"That is what I have to say about the Man Faced Demon Spider's abilities. Now, you two will release your martial souls and fight it without using soul skills. Do not rush to kill it either. First, familiarize yourselves with this soul beast's fighting style."
"Alright!"
Lin Ye and Qian Renxue exchanged a glance, then charged forward at the same time.
Qian Renxue also drew a sword. Each wielding a blade, they engaged the Man Faced Demon Spider.
It was exceedingly vicious. It either launched frenzied thrusts with its eight spider legs or sought opportunities to tear at them with its jaws. Its jumping power was also formidable, allowing it to leap through the air and pounce on them with stabs and bites.
This soul beast was not stupid either; it would seek openings to release its web and restrain them.
Its speed in particular was truly astonishing. If it were twenty thousand years old, it would have been difficult to deal with!
Lin Ye and Qian Renxue fought it for roughly half an hour, and had basically become familiar with the Man Faced Demon Spider's combat methods.
Then, the two leaped into the air.
They prepared to end the battle.
"Die, beast!"
Lin Ye and Qian Renxue simultaneously thrust their swords into the demon spider's eyes.
Splat~
"Die!"
They then severed the demon spider's head at the same time.
The two sheathed their swords together, smiles curling across their lips.
"Not bad. Let's continue looking for higher-cultivation ones for you to practice against."
"Wait, Teacher!" Lin Ye did not leave. Instead, he stared fixedly at the dead Man Faced Demon Spider.
"Wait for what?"
The other two were confused.
Lin Ye did not answer. After staring for a full five seconds, expressions of delight quickly appeared on their faces.
"A Spirit Bone! It dropped a Spirit Bone!" Qian Renxue exclaimed in shock.
"It really is that one..." Lin Ye smiled, emphasizing, "No, it is an External Soul Bone!"
"Indeed! This is not a Spirit Bone—it is an External Soul Bone!" Qian Daoliu stared at Lin Ye in stunned amazement. "Good boy! Good boy!! In just three visits to the Star Dou Great Forest, he has obtained two External Soul Bones!"
"Heavens! What incredible luck..."
"Could my disciple be a child of fortune?"
Energy gradually condensed into the shape of the Eight Spider Lances as the External Soul Bone took form!
Without the Immortal Herb resources, and now without one of his greatest advantages, the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San is no longer worth worrying about in this life. Lin Ye chuckled inwardly.
He had never actually intended to target or suppress Tang San, because with Lin Ye in Spirit Hall in this life, Tang San could not stir up any great waves at all.
Yet Lin Ye's unintentional actions had directly deprived Tang San of two major opportunities.
Qian Renxue was the one who benefited from it.
Qian Daoliu beamed. "Xiaoxue, quickly, absorb these Eight Spider Lances."
Qian Renxue hesitated slightly. "But Grandpa, is the External Soul Bone of a Man Faced Demon Spider compatible with the power of our Angel martial soul?"
"It is fine, Xiaoxue. External Soul Bones increase in age and evolve alongside a soul master's strength. An External Soul Bone from such an evil soul beast may initially repel or conflict with the power of our light-based Angel martial soul, but as it continues to evolve, it will be assimilated by the soul master's power."
"It will gradually evolve into an attribute power compatible with the soul master. Absorb it first, but do not use it. It will surely become a great aid to you in the future." Qian Daoliu was overjoyed.
The Six-Winged Angel clan truly knows a great deal. This is what a real master of martial soul theory should be, right? Lin Ye nodded inwardly.
In the original story, Tang San had evolved the Eight Spider Lances into the Sea God Eight Wings, completely assimilating them with the Sea God's power.
Hearing this, Qian Renxue felt reassured. She decisively absorbed the Eight Spider Lances, thrilled beyond measure. I have an External Soul Bone too!
"Remember, Xiaoxue, do not use the Eight Spider Lances before you become a Soul Saint."
"Mhm! I understand, Grandpa."
Qian Daoliu glanced at the sky. "It is getting late. Let us find a place to set up camp and rest. We will continue searching tomorrow."
"Alright!"
The three found an open patch of ground and began setting up their tents.
Once the tents were up, Lin Ye took out a whole pile of things: a homemade grill, charcoal, all kinds of vegetables and meat, skewers, seasonings, blankets, iced water, ice cubes, and pre-mixed milk tea.
Tonight, Lin Ye was having barbecue with milk tea for dinner!
Before you continue