Ch. 161Shrek F4 Suddenly Appear
Chapter Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- The Man Faced Demon Spider captures the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent after Jiang Li’s earlier attack frightens the serpent into fleeing blindly.
- Meng Yiran initially wonders whether they should rescue the serpent, but Jiang Li reveals that the real “unexpected surprise” is the Man Faced Demon Spider itself—the ideal Soul Beast for her third Soul Ring.
- Jiang Li explains that his Martial Soul, the Silver Summoning Grimoire, allows him to use the Martial Souls and Soul Skills of beings with whom he has formed contracts. He therefore summons and wields Meng Yiran’s Nine-Headed Dragon Slash in longblade form.
- Jiang Li easily defeats the Man Faced Demon Spider, cutting off all eight of its legs before it can seriously resist.
- Meng Yiran delivers the killing blow with nine flying daggers, targeting the spider’s eyes and mouthparts.
- A purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring emerges. Meng Yiran absorbs it successfully, gaining her third Soul Ring.
- Jiang Li then suggests searching the corpse for another treasure, hinting at the possible presence of a Soul Bone.
Character Developments
- Jiang Li demonstrates overwhelming combat ability, calm confidence, and strategic awareness. He deliberately leaves the final kill to Meng Yiran so she can obtain the Soul Ring.
- He also reveals more about the capabilities of his Silver Summoning Grimoire, showing that he can wield Meng Yiran’s evolved Martial Soul himself.
- Meng Yiran continues to grow under Jiang Li’s guidance. She trusts his judgment, accepts the Man Faced Demon Spider as her target, and successfully absorbs a powerful Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
- Her Martial Soul has already evolved from the Serpent Cane into the top-grade Nine-Headed Dragon Slash, and the Ink Jade Divine Bamboo has raised her innate Soul Power talent to the level of Innate Full Soul Power.
- The possibility of obtaining a Soul Bone makes Meng Yiran feel that she now possesses extraordinary advantages and lacks nothing.
Significant Themes
- Trust and cooperation: Meng Yiran relies completely on Jiang Li’s judgment, while Jiang Li supports her development by weakening the Soul Beast and allowing her to claim the reward.
- Power and progression: The chapter emphasizes Meng Yiran’s rapid advancement through Martial Soul evolution, improved talent, and increasingly powerful Soul Rings.
- Strategic hunting: Jiang Li recognizes the Man Faced Demon Spider’s compatibility with Meng Yiran’s poison-based abilities and exploits the circumstances to secure it efficiently.
- Unexpected rewards: The chapter builds anticipation around the potential Soul Bone hidden within the spider’s corpse.
Character Interactions
- Meng Yiran asks whether they should save the captured serpent, but Jiang Li explains that it is not their objective.
- Jiang Li instructs her to stand back while he weakens the Man Faced Demon Spider, and she obeys without recklessly interfering.
- He reveals the Silver Summoning Grimoire’s ability to use her Martial Soul, briefly wielding the Nine-Headed Dragon Slash himself.
- After Jiang Li cripples the spider, Meng Yiran kills it and absorbs its Soul Ring.
- When she finishes absorbing the ring, Jiang Li restrains her excitement and directs her toward the corpse, implying that an even greater reward may remain.