Deception First

Su Chen and Bibi Dong emerged from the library to find a man dressed in elegant white robes embroidered with chrysanthemum patterns.

His features were gentle and handsome, his eyes curved in a smile, and a faint scent of chrysanthemums lingered about him.

Beside him stood a carriage, which appeared to have been waiting for some time.

"I had intended to consult Yu Xiaogang, to have him combine his theoretical knowledge to analyze your Martial Soul in detail before we set off to obtain your Soul Ring."

"I did not expect such events to unfold, but the plan remains unchanged. Today, we enter the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt your first Soul Ring."

Bibi Dong stepped forward to greet Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"Xiao Chen, this is Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, one of the Titled Douluo of the Elder Hall."

"Greetings, Elder Chrysanthemum!"

"Hahaha!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo flicked his orchid finger, emitting a voice that was both charming and effeminate.

"Holy Maiden, I have already heard. This boy actually possesses Innate Full Soul Power, and a mutated Martial Soul that has never been recorded in the history of the continent."

Chrysanthemum Douluo had been partners with Ghost Douluo for many years; their Martial Souls were compatible, and they even possessed a unique Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

At this moment, sensing the wisps of eerie energy on Su Chen, his eyes filled with affection as he teased:

"I have been with that old ghost, Ghost Douluo, for many years and know he favors yin-based, eerie powers. If he were here today, he would surely be unable to keep his hands off you and would be quite fond of you."

"It is a pity he is away on a mission and cannot return to Martial Soul Hall in the short term."

As he spoke, a flicker of curiosity crossed Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes, giving rise to a desire to test him.

Ghost Douluo's Martial Soul could form a fusion skill with his own.

Perhaps this little fellow before him could also generate a fusion ability with him.

Holding onto the thought of testing it, Chrysanthemum Douluo quietly released a wisp of gentle soul power.

He carefully approached the Nine Nether Yin Qi surrounding Su Chen, attempting to blend and resonate with it.

But the next instant, the two forces remained distinctly separate.

His soul power was instantly repelled by an invisible pressure, showing no signs of resonance or blending, not even the slightest hint of a connection.

Chrysanthemum Douluo was slightly stunned, feeling a bit disappointed yet not entirely surprised.

"Elder Chrysanthemum?"

"Cough, cough, it is nothing, nothing at all. Let us set off as soon as possible!"

After a brief exchange, the three boarded the prepared carriage.

"Teacher, I heard that the Soul Hunting Forest is closer to us?"

"Do not even think about that place. The soul beasts there are all captured, their species are well-known, and the selection is limited. It is unlike the Star Dou Great Forest, where the variety is endless; if fortune favors you, you might even encounter rare soul beasts."

"Xiao Chen, you must remember: the purer the bloodline of the soul beast, the more powerful the effect of the soul skill obtained. Therefore, it is better to spend a little more time than to settle for less."

Several hours later.

Even in the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest, the trees already blotted out the sky.

Although it was daytime, the visibility was somewhat dim.

Everything in sight consisted of wildly growing vegetation, and the air was a mixture of grassy scents and decay.

Chrysanthemum Douluo had long since disappeared; Su Chen guessed that as long as no danger arose, he would not show himself.

"Remember to stay close to me. In the Star Dou Great Forest, you must learn to be vigilant and respond to any sudden danger at all times. If I cannot handle a situation, remember one thing: leave me behind and run as far and as fast as you can. Do not worry about your teacher."

Bibi Dong held his hand as they walked through the shrubbery.

Su Chen felt an inexplicable warmth: "Teacher, I will not leave you behind."

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him: "I am afraid you will only hold me back."

Su Chen: "..."

"Since your understanding of your own Martial Soul far exceeds that of others, tell me."

"What does the soul skill path you have planned look like? Tell me simply, what kind of ability do you want for your first Soul Ring?"

Bibi Dong asked, holding a wait-and-see attitude.

"Teacher, your disciple has already thought it through."

"The Eerie Path comes first. For my early soul skills, I prioritize amplification, imprisonment, and control-type abilities. Once I reach later Soul Rings, I will shift entirely toward extreme assault and slaughter."

A rich sense of satisfaction blossomed in Bibi Dong's eyes, and she felt increasingly gratified by her disciple.

Beyond his powerful Martial Soul, he actually possessed a grasp of theoretical knowledge.

As a Soul Ancestor, Bibi Dong had plenty of experience in hunting soul beasts.

The two of them easily dealt with the soul beasts they encountered along the way.

Not long after, a faint rustling sound came from the bushes in the dark, dense forest ahead.

As black spider legs tore through the light and shadow, a jet-black spider soul beast covered in dark purple patterns slowly crawled out from the darkness.

Its eight long legs were as thin as spear blades, with pale, ghostly hair growing at the joints and dark green venom dripping from its sharp claws.

Bibi Dong raised her eyes, a strange glint flashing through her gaze:

"This is actually a Dream Shadow Spider nearly five hundred years old. This soul beast has a unique bloodline; if it could fully mature, it would be no weaker than a Death Spider Emperor. Su Chen, its attribute matches your Martial Soul, both belonging to the darkness. Let this be your first soul ring. The age is a bit high, but it shouldn't be a problem for you; after all, your Martial Soul is no weaker than mine."

Bibi Dong prepared to make her move.

From the dark shadows deep within the dense forest, another pitch-black figure suddenly darted out.

It had the same black carapace and was the same type of spider soul beast, yet its body was more slender and refined than the previous one, and its sinister aura was far denser and more profound.

Bibi Dong's eyes lit up: "Another one, actually. It's a pity that this one's age already exceeds six hundred years."

As Bibi Dong spoke, the spider that had just lunged out moved with extreme swiftness, pouncing over in the blink of an eye.

It stretched out its four limbs and pressed down heavily, clinging to the body of the five-hundred-year-old Dream Shadow Spider.

The two Dream Shadow Spiders were stacked one upon the other.

Bibi Dong: "..."

Su Chen blinked.

Watching spider porn for the first time.

And doing it while observing with his teacher.

He suddenly recalled a certain habit of spiders.

Sure enough.

After observing the spiders' behavior for half an hour.

The robust female spider suddenly tightened her eight legs, her razor-sharp spider spears locking firmly onto the slender, weak-aura male spider beneath her.

The male spider did not struggle or resist in the slightest, not even making the most instinctive attempt to flee.

The next instant, the female spider's mouthparts snapped open, and she bit down into the male spider.

"Teacher, Teacher, my soul ring is about to be eaten!"

Su Chen gently tugged at Bibi Dong, who was still in a daze.

"Ah, oh!"

Bibi Dong snapped back to reality, her pretty face flushing slightly.

She was at the age where her heart was just beginning to stir.

This was the first time she had ever witnessed such a thing, and her curiosity far exceeded that of others.

She coughed in embarrassment.

As a teacher, she had actually become mesmerized by it first.

The next moment, the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul manifested behind her.

The four optimal soul rings beneath Bibi Dong's feet rose slowly.

Two yellow, two purple.

Bibi Dong rushed forward suddenly. After Martial Soul Possession, her arms transformed into spider limbs, and as they swept through the air, a cold light slashed toward the two spiders still entangled with each other.

The two Dream Shadow Spiders were sent flying directly to Su Chen's feet by this force.

"Su Chen, ahem, today Teacher will teach you the first lesson of life."

"Kill it with your own hands."