Shadow Demon Spider, Blood Moon Howling Wolf

Qian Xunji stopped walking and pointed ahead. "Dong'er, look. That's a Shadow Demon Spider."

Bibi Dong followed the direction of his finger and strained to widen her bright eyes before she could barely make out the Shadow Demon Spider in the distance.

If Qian Xunji had not pointed it out, Bibi Dong would not have noticed it at all.

"The Shadow Demon Spider is among the finest of spider-type Soul Beasts. It excels at concealment and surprise attacks, and its venom is particularly potent.

Once it injures someone, the venom rapidly corrodes their body, gradually robbing them of the ability to move.

With over five hundred years of cultivation, its age is just right for you now."

Qian Xunji's voice was calm, carrying the air of instruction.

Bibi Dong stood at Qian Xunji's side, listening intently.

"I'll listen to Teacher."

Having awakened her Martial Soul only a few days ago, she knew very little about such things. Even though she had studied under Su Mo for a year, she had spent most of that time sleeping.

Qian Xunji nodded slightly. In the next instant, his figure was already several yards away.

The Shadow Demon Spider seemed to sense the danger. Its eight long legs abruptly braced against the ground as it tried to flee deeper into the shadows.

But with only a little over five hundred years of cultivation, before Qian Xunji, a Level 92 Titled Douluo, it was ultimately nothing more than a slightly larger ant.

In less than two breaths,

a black shadow was hurled through the air and slammed heavily into the ground three feet before Bibi Dong, sending dead leaves and dust flying.

Bibi Dong instinctively took half a step back. Looking closely, she saw that it was the Shadow Demon Spider.

Its eight long legs were curled into a ball. The purple patterns on its carapace flickered faintly, while its dark green spider eyes slowly shifted. Its legs twitched from time to time, and it was already on its last breath.

Qian Xunji took a dagger from his Soul Tool and held it out before Bibi Dong.

The dagger was not long, but its blade gleamed with a chilling cold light. It was a genuine weapon.

"Dong'er, go." Qian Xunji gently placed the dagger in her small palm. "Finish it."

Bibi Dong lowered her head to look at the dagger in her hand, then raised it to look at the Shadow Demon Spider not far away, which was several times larger than she was.

She recalled Qian Xunji's patient explanation in the carriage: after a Soul Beast died, it would condense a Spirit Ring. But a Spirit Master had to kill the Soul Beast personally in order to absorb its Spirit Ring and obtain its power.

Knowing was one thing, however.

Bibi Dong was only six years old, after all. This was her first time killing a Soul Beast, so it was only natural that she was afraid.

Qian Xunji said nothing and simply stood quietly behind her.

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood with his hands behind his back some distance away, likewise remaining silent.

They were both waiting for Bibi Dong to overcome her fear herself.

The world of Spirit Masters had always been cruel. Every Spirit Master had to go through this moment.

No one could take this step for her. She had to walk it herself.

Su Mo quietly watched Bibi Dong. Seeing the little girl's tense face, who would have thought that this little girl, frightened of killing even a Soul Beast, would one day become the terrifying Rakshasa God?

Bibi Dong took a deep breath. Tightening her grip on the dagger, she walked step by step toward the Shadow Demon Spider.

When she reached it, the Shadow Demon Spider's dark green eyes shifted. Its long legs twitched slightly, as though it wanted to resist, but it no longer had any strength left.

Bibi Dong looked at it as though she had made up her mind. She shut her eyes, gripped the dagger with both hands, and thrust it forward fiercely.

With a wet squelch, the blade pierced through the Shadow Demon Spider's head, sinking in more than halfway.

The Shadow Demon Spider's eight long legs suddenly stiffened. They convulsed violently twice before slowly collapsing.

The dark green light in its pupils gradually faded, then dispersed.

Bibi Dong opened her eyes.

She looked at the Soul Beast lying motionless before her and at the dark green blood slowly seeping from its wound. Her little face went pale. She abruptly released the dagger and staggered back two steps.

A moment later, yellow points of light began to emerge above the Shadow Demon Spider's corpse.

Like fireflies, those points of light drifted from the body and gradually gathered together.

Soon, a deep yellow Spirit Ring radiating a gentle glow floated in the air, slowly rotating.

"Dong'er, sit cross-legged." Qian Xunji's voice rang out. "Focus your mind and calm your breath. Guide the Spirit Ring into your body."

Bibi Dong did as instructed.

She sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and focused.

As if drawn by some invisible force, the Spirit Ring slowly descended from the air, slipped around her small body, and merged into her.

Qian Xunji fixed his gaze on her.

This was his disciple's first time absorbing a Spirit Ring beyond her level. Even he could not help feeling somewhat nervous.

If anything went wrong, he would act without hesitation to interrupt it. Even if that caused Bibi Dong to suffer backlash, it was still better than having her body explode and die.

Golden Crocodile Douluo watched Bibi Dong as well. Though his expression remained calm, ripples stirred in his heart.

If he had also been able to absorb a Spirit Ring beyond his level for his first ring back then, would he have already taken that final step and become a Limit Douluo like Eldest Brother?

Perhaps. But there were no ifs in this world. He might have already reached the end of the road in this life, with no hope of taking that final step.

The woods were very quiet. Only the occasional low cry of a distant Soul Beast echoed through the empty forest.

Bibi Dong's brows alternately furrowed and relaxed. Fine beads of sweat seeped from her temples, and her small body trembled faintly.

Yet everything remained within what she could endure.

About the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Bibi Dong opened her eyes.

"Teacher, I succeeded." She rose to her feet, her voice brimming with delight.

Qian Xunji nodded, his eyes filled with satisfaction. "How do you feel? Is anything uncomfortable?"

Bibi Dong shook her head and said excitedly, "Nothing feels uncomfortable. I feel great, Teacher. I'm already Level 12 now."

"Level 12?" Qian Xunji raised his brow slightly, then nodded. "Not bad."

When he had previously tested the effects of Whale Rubber, he had discovered that it could not only improve physical constitution but also increase Soul Power to some extent.

It was normal for Bibi Dong to reach Level 12.

"And what is the effect of your Soul Skill?" Qian Xunji asked.

After sensing it for a moment, Bibi Dong said, "Its effect is to increase speed, attack, and the power of the Death Spider Emperor's venom by one hundred percent for half an hour."

Qian Xunji nodded slightly after hearing that.

A triple enhancement to speed, attack, and venom was indeed an exceptionally suitable Soul Skill for the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul.

"Not bad. Come up with a name for your Soul Skill yourself." He nodded approvingly. "Next, it's time to find a Spirit Ring for Xiao Mo."

"Alright, Teacher."

The four continued deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.

Before long, they arrived by a small stream.

The water was crystal clear, glittering beneath the sunlight.

Beside the stream stood a Blood Moon Howling Wolf.

Its body was covered in dark fur. It was nearly three meters long and stood as tall at the shoulder as a person.

It was lowering its head to drink, but its upright ears trembled slightly as it vigilantly caught every movement around it.

The moment Su Mo and the others entered its range of perception, it immediately stopped drinking.