As the massive body of the Man Faced Demon Spider gradually went limp and became completely still, until a Thousand-Year Soul Ring shimmering with purple light slowly appeared above it, Tang San's heart, which had been hanging in his throat, finally settled down.
His tense nerves relaxed, a relieved smile appeared on his lips, his legs went weak, and he stumbled backward against the tree trunk behind him, slowly sliding down to the ground.
" Thousand-Year Soul Beast! And it's Man Faced Demon Spider! This is mine!" Tang San was overjoyed. This Soul Ring, in terms of both age and compatibility, perfectly exceeded his expectations.
Thump!
Lin Kong leaped down from the tree branch, landed steadily, and quickly walked to Tang San's side, his tone filled with concern. "Are you alright?"
"It's alright!" Tang San shook his head, forcing himself to stand up.
"You should absorb this Soul Ring quickly, I'll protect you," Lin Kong said directly.
"Thank you, but I need to get myself ready first."
After a few simple words, Tang San thought he would be able to absorb the Soul Ring smoothly, but unexpectedly, three figures suddenly rushed out from the depths of the dense forest and landed steadily on the open ground not far away.
It was none other than Dragon Duke Meng Shu, Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang, and Meng Yiran.
The corpse of the Man Faced Demon Spider and the purple Soul Ring floating in the air were too conspicuous. When Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang saw this, their brows furrowed and their faces darkened.
Meng Yiran's mentality collapsed on the spot after seeing the purple Soul Ring.
"No--! Why?! This is my Man Faced Demon Spider! My Soul Ring!" she screamed, her voice filled with disbelief and pain.
"Who? Who did this?!" Her voice was distorted with extreme anger, and her eyes immediately reddened.
Tang San looked at the three generations of the family before him, his face falling into a grimace. "..."
He felt that fate was playing tricks on him. One chance encounter might be a coincidence, but to run into them again in this vast Star Dou Great Forest within just a few days was extremely unlucky. Now, he could only take it one step at a time.
He took a deep breath, about to explain, but Lin Kong stepped forward first, blocking his way, his voice loud and steady. "We killed them."
A warm feeling welled up in Tang San's heart, filled with gratitude. Lin Kong was helping him share the burden, not wanting him to face the wrath of the Dragon Duke and Snake Granny alone. He truly was a good brother!
Meng Yiran followed the sound and looked over. When she saw Lin Kong's face, her voice suddenly stopped, and her lips trembled as she stammered, "You, you... you bastard..."
As she spoke, her face turned even redder, whether from anger or from remembering Lin Kong's "flirting" during their previous duel, she was embarrassed.
A hint of surprise flashed in Chao Tianxiang's eyes. She turned her head and whispered a few words to Meng Shu.
Meng Shu slowly stepped forward, his gaze falling on Lin Kong. His voice was steady, devoid of any emotion. "You are Lin Kong."
Lin Kong replied respectfully, "Senior."
"Do you know how long we spent hunting down this Man Faced Demon Spider?" Meng Shu's tone remained calm, but anger was quietly surging in his eyes. "And in the end, it's all gone. This Man Faced Demon Spider's Soul Ring is much rarer and more powerful than the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's Soul Ring, and the improvement it brings is worlds apart."
He took a step forward, his Soul Power subtly fluctuating, and an invisible pressure descended.
Lin Kong did not back down at all. He looked up to meet his gaze and asked bluntly, "Senior, what do you intend to do with us?"
Now that things have come to this, the Man Faced Demon Spider has completely died. Even if Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang are incredibly powerful, they cannot revive it. The damage has already been done, and they can only try to make up for it through other means.
Meng Shu remained silent for a moment, then quickly came up with an idea. He looked at Lin Kong and Tang San and said in a deep voice, "I'll give you a choice."
Lin Kong nodded slightly. "Please speak, senior."
"Join my family." Meng Shu's tone was enticing. "If you agree, I can pretend today's events never happened. How about it?"
In his view, exchanging a single Man Faced Demon Spider Soul Ring for two young geniuses was a worthwhile deal. Tang San was already level 29, with considerable potential; while Lin Kong, although his Soul Power Level was lower, was able to defeat Meng Yiran despite being a level below him, demonstrating even greater talent and combat prowess.
Lin Kong hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Tang San behind him instead of answering immediately.
Under other circumstances, he might not have minded joining such a prestigious family, but not now.
His target was the Eight Spider Lances External Soul Bone Tang San was about to obtain. Once he Meng Clan, even if he successfully obtained the Soul Bone, he might not be able to keep it—given the strength of the Meng Clan, if they wanted to take the Soul Bone away and give it to Meng Yiran, he would be powerless to resist.
Of course, these things couldn't be said outright; shifting the blame to Tang San was the best option.
Tang San refused almost without hesitation. "I'm sorry, senior, I'm used to being free and don't like being constrained. However..."
"In that case, I also disagree." Lin Kong immediately took over the conversation, directly interrupting Tang San.
He had no idea what Tang San meant by the second half of his sentence. If this guy got carried away and made some outrageous demands, or even "sold" him out, that would be troublesome. He had to show his refusal first to take the initiative.
Meng Shu's face darkened, and he gave a heavy, cold snort, his tone tinged with displeasure. "You really don't want to?"
Given his status and position Soul Douluo, asking twice already showed considerable respect to these two juniors.
Tang San seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly changed the subject. "Okay, but I have a condition."
"You still dare to negotiate?" Meng Shu's tone turned cold, and his Soul Power surged faintly around him.
"Let him say it," Chao Tianxiang said at this moment, stopping Meng Shu, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.
Tang San took a deep breath and said with a determined look, "I have a companion who has been captured by a powerful Soul Beast, and her fate is unknown. If you could help rescue her..."
"Captured by Soul Beast? How could you possibly be rescued!" Meng Yiran interrupted him irritably. In the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, being captured by a powerful Soul Beast was almost equivalent to death; you'd most likely be eaten in the next second.
Tang San's eyes dimmed, tinged with sorrow. "... Then, help me avenge them! If you can do it, senior, I'm willing to join the clan."
Meng Shu's gaze returned to Lin Kong, and he asked, "And what about you? What are your conditions?"
"We can join, but on one condition—we must remain at the Shrek Academy." Lin Kong's conditions were concise and clear. "That's my bottom line."
Meng Shu didn't agree immediately. Instead, he frowned and pressed further, "What kind of Soul Beast are you talking about?"
Lin Kong met his gaze and calmly uttered four words:
" Titan Giant Ape."
Meng Shu: "..."
The air grew quiet.
The solemnity and composure on his face froze, as if he had heard something unbelievable.
Should he be sent to fight the Titan Giant Ape?
The overlord of the Star Dou Great Forest is Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast! Are these two kids joking?
"You're playing me!" Meng Shu's anger was barely concealed. "Hmph! Since you won't agree to the first condition, then it's simple. As the price for ruining my plans, leave me an arm!"
Tang San looked over defiantly, "If you want my arm, then come and take it!"
Wow!
Meng Shu understood the meaning behind the words; this was a desperate counterattack. An "interesting" glint appeared in his eyes, followed by ruthlessness.
Originally, it was just a matter of losing an arm, but after hearing Tang San's words, Meng Shu wanted to kill someone.
If I kill you in the Star Dou Great Forest, who in the world will know?
Oh, it's not good if my own granddaughter finds out; it damages my image.
But it doesn't matter. When you break your arm, use a hidden force, wait ten minutes or so, and then die from a broken heart. That way, you still won't think Grandpa was a ruthless person.
Tang San understood the change in that look, and with a wry smile, he looked at Lin Kong beside him, "I... I'm sorry."
I've dragged you into this for the second time!
"Sigh!" Lin Kong sighed, closed his eyes, and resigned himself to his fate. "Well then, let's do it!"