The four of us stood at the edge of the deeper regions of Star Dou Forest, our expressions filled with determination. Tang Ya was finally about to obtain her third spirit ring, a crucial step in her cultivation journey. The excitement in her eyes was undeniable, but so was the hint of nervousness. Acquiring a powerful spirit ring was no easy task, and while we had trained extensively, the dangers of the forest were ever-present.
"Alright, everyone," I said, my gaze sweeping over my companions. "We need to be careful. Even though we're strong, this is still Star Dou Forest. We don't want to attract unnecessary trouble."
Tang Ya nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I know. But I can't help but feel excited! I've waited so long for this."
Huo Yuhao, still getting used to our dynamic, offered a small but encouraging smile. "We'll find you the best spirit ring possible."
Nannan grinned, flexing her arm. "And if anything dangerous shows up, I'll just punch it away."
"By the way, Yuhao, what is your first spirit skill?" I asked.
Huo Yuhao nodded, his eyes flashing with a pale golden hue. "My first soul skill is Mental Detection and Sharing. I can extend my perception to all of you, allowing us to sense the surroundings together."
As soon as he activated his ability, an invisible yet tangible force connected our minds. My perception expanded exponentially, granting me an almost omniscient awareness of our surroundings. I could feel the presence of spirit beasts lurking in the shadows, the rustling leaves betraying their hidden movements.
"This is amazing…" Tang Ya murmured in awe.
"With this, we can move undetected and avoid unnecessary fights," Nannan added, impressed.
With that, we stepped into the forest, moving deeper into its ancient embrace. The towering trees loomed over us, their thick canopies filtering the sunlight, casting shifting shadows across the moss-covered ground. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and vegetation, and the distant cries of soul beasts echoed through the vast expanse.
Tang Ya's martial spirit, the Blue Silver Emperor, was a plant-type spirit, which meant her ideal spirit beast would likely be one with a strong affinity for nature, energy absorption, or control abilities. That narrowed our search significantly, though it also meant we'd have to be patient and precise in finding the right one.
We continued forward, scanning for suitable prey. After nearly two hours of careful navigation, Huo Yuhao's voice echoed in our minds. "I sense a powerful beast ahead… but something is odd about it."
We advanced cautiously until we spotted our target—a monstrous hybrid beast, unlike anything we had encountered before. The creature's upper body resembled that of a massive spider, but instead of its usual eight legs, its lower half slithered like a serpent. Eight long, razor-sharp spider legs extended from just below its head, moving with deadly precision. Its dark exoskeleton gleamed with a metallic sheen, and its piercing red eyes locked onto us with predatory intent.
A sudden hiss echoed through the trees, followed by the rhythmic clicking of sharp legs against the forest floor. Tang Ya's breath hitched. "What… is that?"
"A Snake-Spider Hybrid," I said grimly. "A rare and dangerous species. Highly aggressive and venomous."
My eyes narrowed. "This should be strong enough for Tang Ya. Be careful, it looks dangerous."
The hybrid beast struck first, spitting out silk-like webbing, but Tang Ya reacted swiftly. Her vines lashed out, intercepting the webbing before it could ensnare her.
The creature reared back, its spider legs lifting its upper body, making it look even more menacing. Then, without warning, it lunged forward with terrifying speed, its bladed limbs slashing through the air toward us.
"Crystal Wall!" I shouted, stomping my leg on the ground.
A translucent barrier of shimmering blue crystal formed in front of us, deflecting the beast's attack. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, showcasing its sheer strength. The force of the impact sent cracks through the wall, but it held firm.
"We need to keep it contained!" I called out as the beast reared back, preparing for another attack.
Tang Ya's hands moved swiftly, her Blue Silver Grass surging forward in an attempt to ensnare the creature, but its bladed legs sliced through the vines with ease. It hissed in defiance, its serpent-like tail whipping toward us.
"Huo Yuhao, can you track its weak spots?" I asked.
Huo Yuhao activated his Spirit Eyes, his golden pupils flashing as he analyzed the creature's weak points. "Aim for the joint where the spider legs meet its body! That's where its movements are controlled!"
"Already on it!" he responded. Through our shared perception, he directed our focus to the beast's joints—areas where its exoskeleton was less reinforced.
With a burst of soul power, I summoned massive crystal walls on all sides, trapping the creature within an unbreakable prison. The snake-spider hybrid let out an enraged screech, its limbs slamming against the crystalline walls in an attempt to escape.
Darkness surged around me as I activated my second soul skill. Black ropes interwoven with glowing blue lines manifested from the shadows, shooting forward and wrapping around the beast's limbs. The moment it struggled, Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass reinforced the bindings, weaving together.
Nannan rushed in, teleporting, her second soul skill Vigorous Vajra Fist activated. Her fist, cloaked in golden energy, slammed into the beast's abdomen, sending it crashing backward.
Tang Ya seized the moment. "Now's my chance!" She channeled her soul power, her Blue Silver Emperor vines glowing as they shot forward, piercing through the beast's weakened defenses and wrapping around its entire body. The creature thrashed but finally succumbed.
As the deep purple spirit ring floated above its corpse, Tang Ya sat cross-legged beside it, steadying her breathing before pulling the ring toward her. Her body trembled violently as waves of spirit power coursed through her meridians. A sharp pain struck her mind, as if her very being was being torn apart and reshaped. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her breath shallow yet controlled.
Along with the spirit ring, a secondary energy radiated from the beast's corpse, merging into her back. A searing heat spread through her spine as she let out a muffled cry, her body convulsing slightly. Then, with a final surge of energy, eight jet-black spider legs sprouted from her back, each one sharp as a blade and exuding an intimidating aura.
Tang Ya gasped, beads of sweat dripping from her chin. "This... this is—"
"An external spirit bone!" I said in amazement.
Though painful at first, the sensation quickly settled as she gained control over them. Despite their fearsome appearance, there was no trace of poison—only pure, cutting-edge strength.
Tang Ya stood up, her new appendages retracting seamlessly into her body. "I feel stronger... and my new skill, Blue Silver Cage, lets me trap my enemies just like that beast did with its webs. The vines forming the cage are as tough and sharp as its spider legs!"
Huo Yuhao smiled. "Looks like the Tang Sect just got even stronger."
I smiled, proud of how far we had come. This was just the beginning, and with each battle, we would continue to grow. And the addition of Yuhao who will become a genius Soul Engineer. The Tang Sect's revival had truly begun.