The ten-thousand-year-old White Tiger was powerful, but in the end, it was still just a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast. The Golden Iron Triangle's Martial Soul Fusion Technique, the Trinity Fusion, had the strength to contend with a Titled Douluo to some extent. Therefore, killing this White Tiger was only a matter of time.
As the White Tiger let out a final, powerless wail, it ultimately could not escape its fate. The three members of the Golden Iron Triangle brought its dying body before Tang San.
Looking at the barely-breathing White Tiger, Tang San turned to Flender and Liu Erlong and said, "Dean, Aunt Erlong, please guard me while I absorb the spirit ring."
"Tang San, have you really thought this through?" Flender asked solemnly. "You still have a choice. If you absorb a ten-thousand-year spirit ring now, there will be no turning back."
"I, Tang San, have never regretted any decision I've made." He replied without hesitation.
"Good, you've got spirit! You truly are the son of the Clear Sky Douluo. Since you've made up your mind, I can only wish you success." Seeing Tang San's confidence, Flender no longer tried to dissuade him and accepted his choice.
Tang San stepped toward the dying White Tiger, and at that moment, his Eight Spider Lances shot out from his back, piercing straight into the White Tiger's body.
At this moment, Tang San resembled a giant spider, greedily absorbing the White Tiger's energy.
The Eight Spider Lances possessed the ability to devour energy, and Tang San used them to drain some of the White Tiger's power before its death. This was to ensure a higher chance of success in absorbing its spirit ring.
The sharp tips of the Eight Spider Lances penetrated the White Tiger's body without resistance, burying themselves deep into its flesh. Instantly, a white glow flowed along the lances and into Tang San's body.
As the Eight Spider Lances stabbed into it, the White Tiger trembled violently, its body momentarily stiffening. Its eyes, filled with rage and unwillingness, stared at Tang San, but it was powerless to resist.
"It looks like Tang San is using the Eight Spider Lances' devouring ability to absorb some of the ten-thousand-year White Tiger's energy first. This will make absorbing the spirit ring much easier for him." Grandmaster praised as he observed Tang San's actions.
Time passed second by second, and the White Tiger's body gradually stiffened. Finally, as Tang San withdrew the Eight Spider Lances, a black spirit ring condensed above the beast's lifeless corpse.
Retracting the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San sat cross-legged. He slowly extended his right hand, where a blue-violet light flickered in his palm. His Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, responded to the call and summoned the black spirit ring. The ring floated gently before settling onto the Blue Silver Grass.
A vast energy, like a surging tide, poured into Tang San's body.
Seeing this, the Golden Iron Triangle nodded approvingly. Tang San was undoubtedly the most outstanding spirit master they had ever encountered.
Absorbing a ten-thousand-year spirit ring as his fourth spirit ring was something even Cheng Xiao, that monstrous genius, hadn't managed to accomplish. If Tang San succeeded, he would truly be setting an unprecedented record.
However, without the benefits of Ice and Fire Body Tempering, could Tang San's current strength really handle the power of a ten-thousand-year spirit ring?
The moment the black spirit ring's energy surged into his body, the world around Tang San seemed to darken. A sensation of imminent explosion overtook him, while a cold and sinister force invaded his mental space. Suddenly, the White Tiger's spirit appeared before him once more.
As he absorbed the spirit ring, Tang San's brows furrowed tightly, his lips pressed together in pain. His body trembled slightly, blood oozed from his seven orifices, and beads of blood began surfacing beneath his skin. Even the Blue Silver Grass in his palm showed signs of fracturing.
"Tang San!" Grandmaster's heart clenched at the sight. He cried out in alarm and took several hurried steps toward him.
"Xiao Gang, don't disturb him. Whether he succeeds or fails, this was his choice. If we interfere now, we might cause him to explode on the spot." Flender quickly grabbed Grandmaster's arm, cautioning him.
"Then what do we do? Just watch him fail?" Grandmaster asked himself despairingly before clutching his head and crouching down, covering his face as tears fell.
However, in the next moment, a golden trident symbol suddenly emerged on Tang San's forehead. A radiant blue-gold light burst forth from his body as he let out a piercing scream.
The agonized cry soon faded, and the abnormalities in Tang San's body disappeared. The golden trident mark on his forehead also quietly vanished.
The unexpected turn of events left Grandmaster stunned. The blue-gold light just now carried a sacred aura. Could it be that aside from Clear Sky Douluo, Tang San had another, even more powerful protector?
"Xiao Gang, stop staring. Tang San seems to have succeeded in absorbing the spirit ring. The most dangerous phase is over, and now it's just a matter of converting the energy." Flender patted Grandmaster on the shoulder and said with a tinge of envy, "Are Clear Sky Douluo's genes really this exceptional? This kid has truly created a miracle."
"Yes… A miracle." Grandmaster looked at Tang San, his eyes filled with relief.
The moon hung in the sky like a silver plate, surrounded by countless stars.
The night in the Star Dou Forest was tranquil.
When Tang San finally awoke, he saw the members of the Golden Iron Triangle sitting around a campfire.
Seeing him wake up, Grandmaster asked with concern, "Tang San, how do you feel?"
Shaking his head, Tang San stood up. A flash of purple flickered in his eyes as four spirit rings—two yellow, one purple, and one black—simultaneously appeared around him.
A ten-thousand-year spirit ring as his fourth ring was a qualitative leap. His entire aura had undergone a subtle transformation.
Confirming that he felt no discomfort, Grandmaster raised a hand and gestured. As his teacher, Tang San naturally understood his meaning. Activating his spirit power, he released his Martial Soul.
Blue and white light shimmered as the Blue Silver Grass emerged from his body, rising rapidly. Its leaves were now streaked with silver-white patterns.
"Tang San, what abilities does your fourth spirit skill grant? Show us," Grandmaster asked excitedly as he carefully examined the Blue Silver Grass.
"Yes, Teacher." Tang San nodded slightly, and his fourth spirit ring glowed.
The moment the black ring shone, an invisible pressure caused Grandmaster to instinctively take a step back. The presence of a ten-thousand-year spirit ring was deep and restrained, yet overwhelming.
Without any prior warning, dozens of Blue Silver Grass vines, purple with streaks of white, surged from the ground around the Golden Iron Triangle. They intertwined above their heads, forming a massive cage.
The vines had been released without the slightest fluctuation in spirit energy. Flender and Liu Erlong had not noticed it at all until they were already ensnared.
"Teacher, my fourth spirit skill is called 'Silver Prison.' As long as there is light, the Blue Silver Grass's toughness and growth speed will be significantly enhanced." Tang San explained.
"Excellent! With a light attribute now, you will definitely be able to defeat Cheng Xiao," Grandmaster said approvingly.
At that moment, Flender spoke up. "Since Tang San has successfully obtained his fourth spirit ring, let's leave this place as soon as possible."
"Wait a moment, Dean."
Tang San pointed at the corpse of the ten-thousand-year White Tiger. Under the group's puzzled gazes, he retrieved a sharp blade from his spirit tool and carefully cut open the White Tiger's head.
A radiant white spirit bone appeared before their eyes.
The moment Tang San held it in his hands, he felt a unique sensation. The bone contained a light attribute, precisely what he needed to counter Cheng Xiao.
"A spirit bone!" Grandmaster's expression shifted dramatically as he gasped in shock.