Chu Feng tapped the air, and a pure, gentle golden contract pattern condensed out of the void.
It radiated a presence beyond the Soul Power system, hovering slowly between Tang San and the Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider.
"Little San, get ready."
"I'll help you this first time."
"Activate the Contract Method and try to resonate mentally with the Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider."
At his words, Tang San immediately sat cross-legged and circulated his Soul Power and spiritual power according to the method in the book he had just read.
Fortunately, his foundation in cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill made activating the Contract Method effortless, and he succeeded on his first attempt.
At the same time, the Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider beneath the contract pattern gave a soft, low cry, its body unconsciously stretching out.
It released all the emerald-green glow of vitality around its body, sensing its soul and essential presence being drawn into the golden contract pattern.
It did not resist.
Tang San took a deep breath and solemnly extended his right hand. Blue light flowed over his fingertips as he touched the golden contract pattern.
"I, Tang San, am willing to form a life symbiosis contract with the Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider."
"Hum..."
The golden contract pattern instantly lit up, enveloping the human and spider. Its gentle ripples made even Chu Feng beside them feel comfortable.
There was no slaughter, no pain, only two life essences merging.
After a few minutes, the golden light gradually dimmed.
The Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider's body gradually shrank, then actually flew into Tang San's body.
At the same time, a simple mark of the Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider appeared on Tang San's arm.
A purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring, suffused with vibrant emerald green and brimming with vitality, slowly rose around Tang San.
Unlike the violent Soul Rings obtained through hunting, this contract Soul Ring was pure and flawless, without the slightest trace of malice.
Its absorber did not need to worry about any backlash.
Rip! The clothes on Tang San's back tore open as eight Spider Spears grew from his back.
The Spider Spears were emerald green throughout, extremely slender, and looked very sharp.
Chu Feng rubbed his chin. This convergence of world lines really was absurd.
Even with a different Soul Beast, Tang San could still obtain the Eight Spider Lances.
He wondered whether Spider Spears would also grow from his own back after he fused with Tang San's badge.
Tang San opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth rising despite himself, and retracted his external Soul Bone.
It worked. At level 30, I really made a six-thousand-year-old Soul Beast my Soul Ring.
Absorbing this Soul Ring had brought him straight to level 34, sparing him the next few months of arduous cultivation.
He had also obtained an extremely precious external Soul Bone.
"Boss Chu, I did it," Tang San said excitedly, his eyes filled with gratitude toward Chu Feng.
Without Chu Feng, he could never have done it.
"Good, good. Feel it out yourself and see how this contract Soul Ring differs from your previous Soul Rings," Chu Feng said with a nod.
According to contract Soul Ring theory, every contract Soul Ring of every Soul Master was different.
Tang San obediently closed his eyes again, quietly sensing the power of his new Soul Ring, and immediately grasped the differences between a contract Soul Ring and a traditional Soul Ring obtained through hunting.
This Soul Ring fully embodied the Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider's abilities.
One hundred percent of its toughness, vitality, and self-healing essence were all his to use.
The enhancement it gave him was not limited to a single third Soul Skill.
Even his first two Soul Skills had gained additional properties.
His immediate impression was that using his contract Soul Ring consumed half as much Soul Power as a Soul Ring obtained through hunting.
Of course, its most unique aspect was that he could sense a living being within this Soul Ring.
With a thought from Tang San, a streak of light leaped out of the Soul Ring.
A dainty little Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider landed steadily on Tang San's shoulder.
The Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider tilted its head and nuzzled Tang San's cheek.
Tang San poked it with a finger and said gently, "From now on, I'll call you Little Spider."
The Azure-Patterned Tenacious Life Spider had become his contract Soul Beast. From this point on, they would share glory and suffer losses together.
"Looks like this contract Soul Ring of yours is pretty good." Chu Feng walked over, picked up Little Spider, and played with its slender legs.
Little Spider hissed a few times, turned into a streak of light, and returned to the Soul Ring.
"It's very strong!" Tang San nodded in satisfaction.
His strength had undergone a heaven-and-earth transformation compared with an hour ago.
If another seven-thousand-year-old Man Faced Demon Spider appeared, he was confident he would not be beaten so badly.
He might even cling to life and kill it in the end.
"Little Ao's Soul Ring is a contract Soul Ring too, right?"
Tang San suddenly remembered that Oscar's third Soul Ring was also six thousand years old.
At the time, he had been unable to understand how it could exceed the age limit by so many years.
Now he understood.
"Yes. Fatty's third Soul Ring and Mubai's fourth Soul Ring are too."
"Later, Ning Rongrong and the others will get them as well."
"But don't spread the word yet."
For now, this method of forming contract Soul Rings was being taught only within a small circle.
After all, if this thing were exposed, he could forget about having any peace.
"If Xiao Wu and the others knew, they'd definitely be happy."
"Wait... Xiao Wu!"
Tang San sprang to his feet.
He had actually forgotten that Xiao Wu had been captured.
I'm really not human. I was so wrapped up in myself that I forgot to save Xiao Wu.
"Boss Chu, Xiao Wu was taken by the Titan Giant Ape. We have to hurry and save her."
With that, he ran off ahead without waiting for Chu Feng's reply.
"Hey, stop. There's no need to save her." Chu Feng hurriedly called Tang San back.
Tang San halted and turned back in confusion. "Boss Chu, Xiao Wu is in danger right now!"
The mere thought that Xiao Wu might meet with disaster made his heart feel as though knives were twisting through it.
"Before saving you, I already found Xiao Wu. She's fine," Chu Feng said as he approached.
"What! Where is she? Why didn't you bring her back?"
Thank goodness, Xiao Wu is fine.
Tang San inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
When Xiao Wu had been taken, Boss Chu had indeed been the first to rush off to save her.
But why had Boss Chu not brought Xiao Wu back?
"She has something very important to do right now and can't get away."
"She'll return to the academy in two days," Chu Feng explained.
He did not tell Tang San the truth about Xiao Wu's situation.
Whether to tell him was Xiao Wu's decision.
At Chu Feng's words, Tang San's smile froze.
"What does she have to do? Will it be dangerous?"
He truly could not understand. Xiao Wu had clearly been captured by the Titan Giant Ape, so how had that turned into her having something to do?
The logic did not hold.
Tang San's heart began to pound again, and he felt increasingly that something was wrong.
Noticing Tang San's emotions, Chu Feng patted his shoulder and said in exasperation, "Relax. It's hugely beneficial to Xiao Wu. You could call it a blessing in disguise."
"She also said she wanted to give you a surprise, so she wouldn't let me tell you what she's doing."
Tang San was a little bewildered and scratched his head.
"Really?"
"Of course it's true. Don't you trust me?"
"I do."
Since Chu Feng had said as much, Tang San could only believe that Xiao Wu truly was in no danger and was busy doing something else.
"Let's go. Back to the academy first."
"The commotion just now might draw other Soul Beasts." Chu Feng looked toward the dense forest around them, where faint rustling sounds had already begun.