Zhao Wuji turned back and glared at him.
That mysterious Titled powerhouse had spoken. If they dared object, their heads would probably hit the ground the next second.
Left with no choice, Zhao Wuji forced a smile uglier than a grimace and bowed as he said:
"Since ownership of this Soul Beast has been settled, we'll take our leave. After all, I still need to help my students find suitable Soul Beasts."
With that, he bowed deeply to Tang Tianlin before turning to leave.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun hurried after him.
Only Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong gave Tang Tianlin a long look before following the others.
Watching this, Chao Tianxiang grew increasingly curious about Tang Tianlin's identity.
He could make a Soul Saint back down with a single sentence. Could he be a powerful Titled powerhouse?
"All right, hurry up and take this Soul Beast away. Don't disturb my people while they're absorbing their Soul Rings."
Tang Tianlin could not be bothered with them and promptly told them to leave.
If he let them absorb it here, wouldn't he end up serving as their bodyguard?
Hearing this, Chao Tianxiang nodded slightly to Tang Tianlin. "Young friend, I will remember your kindness today. Should fate bring us together again, I will certainly repay you generously."
Standing beside her grandmother, Meng Yiran smiled sweetly at Tang Tianlin, revealing two little canine teeth. "Big brother, my name is Meng Yiran. If you ever need any help, just come find me!"
Tang Tianlin said nothing and merely waved a hand.
Chao Tianxiang said no more. Using her Soul Power to lift the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent off the ground, she turned and disappeared into the woods with Meng Yiran.
After taking a few steps, Meng Yiran looked back again, seemingly intent on engraving Tang Tianlin's appearance deep in her memory, before turning to leave.
Off to the side, Tang San took in the scene and shook his head with a chuckle.
Counting the two from earlier, this was already the third.
How long had they even been out here?
His big brother's charm really was unstoppable.
Time flew by, and four hours passed.
The deep purple glow surrounding Dugu Yan as she sat cross-legged on the ground gradually began to recede.
The three-thousand-year-old Man Faced Demon Spider's Soul Ring finally became one last wisp of purple light and sank completely into her body.
"She's about to succeed!"
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she moved closer.
Tang San also activated his Purple Demon Eye, carefully observing the changes in Dugu Yan's aura.
The instant the Soul Ring fully fused with her, an unexpected change occurred.
A rapid series of explosive cracks suddenly rang out from the bones inside Dugu Yan's body.
Immediately afterward, a rich aura of life, mixed with the remaining medicinal power of the sweet potato golden dragon, surged from every limb and bone in her body.
Under the torrent of this immense energy, Dugu Yan's body actually began developing a second time.
Her short, shoulder-length purple hair lengthened at a speed visible to the naked eye, becoming a cascade of waist-length purple hair in the blink of an eye.
Her face, which had still held a trace of girlish immaturity, gradually matured in contour. Her features became increasingly refined and mature, and a touch of natural allure appeared in her eyes and brows.
Not only that, but she was also growing taller.
Her already tall figure grew fuller and more voluptuous, stretching her pale purple fitted outfit taut and outlining breathtaking curves.
"Wow..."
Xiao Wu stared, dumbfounded. She looked down at her own unremarkable chest, then back at Dugu Yan, and pursed her lips. "Yanyan's changed way too much. She practically looks like a different person."
Tang San coughed softly and averted his gaze, looking at nothing improper.
Watching Dugu Yan's shapely figure, Tang Tianlin understood.
He remembered that after absorbing the Man Faced Demon Spider, Tang San had gained an ability similar to a dark transformation.
In that darkened state, not only did all of Tang San's attributes improve, but his body and appearance also became more mature.
And that had happened even though the Soul Ring and his Martial Soul were incompatible.
Now, however, Dugu Yan not only possessed attributes compatible with the Man Faced Demon Spider, but also had a drop of dragon blood and the remaining medicinal power of the earth dragon golden melon.
With these effects stacked together, her bloodline would most likely undergo a second awakening, bringing about a physical transformation.
Rip! Rip! Rip!
Just then, the clothing on Dugu Yan's back was suddenly torn apart by a violent force.
Accompanied by a teeth-grating scraping sound, eight sharp spider legs, each two meters long, purple-black all over, and covered in barbs, abruptly thrust out from her spine!
It was none other than that one-in-ten-thousand external Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances!
Tang San's gaze sharpened, and he said gravely, "What potent poison."
Through his Purple Demon Eye, he could see that the deadly poison coating the spider legs could actually corrode even the air.
If it touched a person, its power would be simply unimaginable.
The next moment, Dugu Yan slowly opened her eyes, an eerie purple gleam flashing in their depths.
She took a deep breath. As though alive, the eight spider legs obediently folded against her back before turning into purple light and vanishing into her body.
"How do you feel?"
Tang Tianlin stepped forward and asked calmly.
Dugu Yan stood up. Feeling the surging Soul Power within her and her utterly transformed body, she exclaimed excitedly, "Young Lord... I've broken through to level forty-three!"
"And I can feel that Soul Bone in my back. It seems I can control it freely with my thoughts, and it can greatly enhance my poison attribute!"
As she spoke, Dugu Yan suddenly noticed that her clothes felt a little tight and instinctively looked down.
When she noticed her breasts straining to burst free and her long, shapely legs, she froze for a moment. Then her pretty face instantly flushed crimson.
A little apprehension welled up in her heart.
I wonder whether the Young Lord will like this figure of mine.
If the Young Lord had not given her such a precious external Soul Bone, she could never have had such an opportunity in her entire life.
"Level forty-three, and you've fused with an external Soul Bone too. You really struck it rich on this trip."
Xiao Wu came over with a grin and reached out to pinch Dugu Yan's cheek. "Yanyan, with that face and figure of yours now... you'll probably steal the souls right out of those men when you walk down the street."
"Xiao Wu, stop it."
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at her in exasperation, then turned to Tang Tianlin. Her expression grew solemn, and she respectfully dropped to one knee.
"I, Dugu Yan, thank the Young Lord for granting me this Soul Bone! From this day forward, my life belongs to you!"
Tang Tianlin reached out and helped her up, chuckling. "All right, we're family. There's no need to speak as though we're strangers. Since you've finished absorbing it, get ready to leave. We still haven't found Little San's Soul Ring."
"Yes!"
Dugu Yan rose and obediently followed behind Tang Tianlin, the adoration in her eyes almost spilling over.
Just then, within Tang Tianlin's range of perception, an extraordinarily powerful presence was rapidly approaching their location.
He stopped and raised his right hand, signaling them to halt.
"Stop. Get behind me."
Though puzzled, the three had always obeyed Tang Tianlin without question and quickly moved behind him.
"Big brother, what level of Soul Beast is it?"
Purple light shone in Tang San's eyes as he warily scanned the depths of the forest.
"You'll find out in a moment."
Before you continue