Ghost applied a bit more force, and with the sound of strained cries and thrashing, the Purple-Winged Demon Spider was crushed until it had only a breath left.
Thud!!
Its massive body was flung casually onto the open ground. Ghost turned to look at Bibi Dong, his tone respectful:
"Your Highness, this soul beast has lived for 9,700 years. Are you sure you want to absorb it?"
"Yes."
Bibi Dong nodded seriously. "I must. Cultivation is about defying the heavens. If we stick to convention, we'll never achieve anything great."
This was something she had realized after hearing stories from her junior brother. The protagonists in those tales never followed the rules—they were always chasing greater strength, taking risks, and surpassing limits.
She was Heaven's Chosen Daughter. How could she allow herself to be outshined by mere characters in a story!?
Clenching her small fists, she looked as though she was bathed in the radiance of a protagonist's halo.
Gu Han instinctively raised a hand to shield his eyes, silently muttering to himself: "That's some strong main character energy…"
"Such spirit, truly impressive," Ghost praised, but he still made sure to clarify: "However, Your Highness, if anything seems off during the absorption process, Yue Guan and I may have to intervene, even if it means harming your foundation. Your life comes first."
"Relax, I know what I'm doing," Bibi Dong replied with a wave of her small hand, her voice full of confidence and authority.
She approached the Purple-Winged Demon Spider. A sharp spider leg extended from her back and, with a soft squelch, pierced the spider's skull effortlessly.
"Roooar…"
The beast let out one final unwilling wail before its life ended. A deep purple soul ring, tinged faintly with black, slowly rose into the air.
Having already absorbed two soul rings, Bibi Dong showed no hesitation. She sat down on the spot and began channeling her soul power to guide the soul ring into her body.
Everything progressed smoothly—until Bibi Dong's expression suddenly tightened. Cold sweat began to bead on her forehead.
"Something's wrong!"
Ghost and Yue Guan were both startled. But since Bibi Dong hadn't shown signs of breaking down, they refrained from interfering for the moment.
Then, without warning, layer upon layer of spider silk enveloped Bibi Dong, forming a massive cocoon around her.
"What is this…?"
Gu Han's eyes twitched. This scene—it was far too familiar. Wasn't this the classic sign of an external soul bone forming?
"She's not in danger, is she?"
Ghost was clearly worried. If he hadn't been able to sense her life force clearly, he would've acted already. Now, he just stared anxiously at the cocoon.
Yue Guan looked just as tense. After all, Bibi Dong was the most gifted prodigy in Spirit Hall since the line of Popes began—and the direct disciple of the current Pope. If anything happened to her, neither of them could escape responsibility.
Seeing their expressions, Gu Han quickly tried to reassure them:
"Senior Yue Guan, Elder Ghost, don't worry. According to the records, this phenomenon is nearly identical to the emergence of an external soul bone. My senior sister might have stumbled upon an incredible opportunity."
"What?!"
"An external soul bone!?"
Both of them widened their eyes in shock.
After all, external soul bones were treasures second only to 100,000-year soul rings. And for soul masters on the path to becoming a Titled Douluo, their value could surpass even that of a 100,000-year soul ring.
They could evolve alongside the host and were fully bound to them, making it impossible for others to kill and extract them.
Throughout recorded history, the number of people who had acquired external soul bones could be counted on two hands. The last time one appeared was two to three centuries ago, and it belonged to a senior elder of Spirit Hall.
Because external soul bones were permanently bound to their users, none had ever been preserved on the continent after the host's death.
Were they about to witness the birth of a new external soul bone?
"Ahem… Senior, Elder, I think we should pitch a tent around her."
Gu Han felt a bit unnerved under their burning gazes and awkwardly coughed. "According to the books, the birth of an external soul bone often… well, destroys the user's clothes."
"Uh…"
Ghost and Yue Guan froze.
That's a thing!?
"Good point!"
The two of them immediately pulled out a tent from their soul tool and carefully set it up, gently lifting the cocoon and placing it inside.
Time passed slowly. The cocoon remained unchanged, and the three outside had already been waiting for quite a while.
"Why is it taking so long?"
Gu Han frowned. It had been half the day already—shouldn't the absorption have been completed by now?
Could something have gone wrong?
"Relax," Yue Guan said, noticing Gu Han's concern. "Xiao Dongdong's soul fluctuations are getting more and more stable."
Hearing this, Gu Han restrained the urge to probe with his spiritual sense.
"She's going to be starving after absorbing both the soul ring and soul bone," Yue Guan added. "We might as well prepare something to eat while we wait."
He glanced up at the dimming sky. Rather than sitting idly, it was better to build a fire and cook something.
"Good idea. That kid, go gather firewood," Ghost said.
Gu Han nodded. They weren't going anywhere, and with Ghost keeping watch, nothing would go wrong.
Besides, the only thing they'd eaten all day was a bowl of mushroom soup in the morning. It was already late afternoon—around four or five o'clock. He was getting hungry too.
The three of them built a fire and grilled some meat for a simple meal.
Inside the tent, the cocoon gradually peeled away, revealing the person within.
Due to absorbing her third soul ring—one just shy of 10,000 years—Bibi Dong had grown again. Her height and physique had noticeably improved. What was once an unremarkable frame now bloomed into graceful elegance.
Her fair skin was fully exposed to the open air. Her bare feet touched the ground, and from her back extended a pair of translucent violet wings, thin as cicada wings.
Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes—only to immediately feel cold and exposed.
With a start, she looked down and realized she wasn't wearing anything.
She was standing there stark naked.
"Ahhh!!!"
A piercing scream rang out.
The three outside the tent jumped to their feet at once.
"Your Highness!"
"Dongdong!"
"Senior Sister!!"
"I—I'm fine! Don't come in!"
Bibi Dong quickly regained her composure. Only then did she realize she was inside a tent. Letting out a breath of relief, she called out to stop the three from barging in.
"Whew, thank goodness…"
The three of them sighed. That scream sounded an awful lot like a girl caught changing clothes. Perhaps her clothes really had been torn apart, and she'd gotten spooked.
Inside the tent, Bibi Dong glanced at the violet wings on her back, frowning slightly.
This… wasn't this just like what her junior brother had described about external soul bones?
She recalled him saying that external soul bones felt like extensions of one's own body. If she focused her mind, she should be able to control it just like a limb.
With that thought, Bibi Dong gathered her focus and established a connection with the Six-Winged Purple Light Wings.
As expected, she easily gained control and retracted them into her back.
Whew…
Letting out a soft breath, Bibi Dong looked down at her completely exposed body.
After absorbing the soul ring, she'd grown again. Now around 165 cm tall, her figure had matured into that of a typical sixteen- or seventeen-year-old girl.
She pulled out some spare clothes from her soul tool—only to find they were all too small.
After a moment of hesitation, she asked shyly, "Um… Senior Yue Guan, may I borrow some of your… girl's clothes?"
Yue Guan, being one of the Soul Douluos she was closest to, had long been known for his penchant for wearing feminine attire. And since her own clothes no longer fit, he was her only hope.
~~~
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