"Alright."
Everyone had already anticipated Bibi Dong's situation. After all, soul masters often experienced growth spurts and early physical development after absorbing new soul rings. And once they reached a certain point, further growth mainly enhanced their physical constitution.
Now that she was asking for clothes, it was likely due to yet another growth spurt following her soul ring absorption.
Without hesitation, Yue Guan retrieved a bright yellow long dress from his soul tool and placed it just outside the tent flap.
A slender, pale hand reached out, fumbled briefly, then grabbed the dress and swiftly pulled it inside.
After a rustle of fabric, the tent flap lifted, and out stepped a radiant young woman.
Her figure was flawless, with refined features and lively charm. A joyful smile lit up her face as she beamed brightly.
"Junior Brother, I did it! I successfully absorbed the ring—and I even gained an external soul bone!"
As Bibi Dong spoke, her Six-Winged Purple Light Wings spread open. All six wings—three on each side—were a shimmering violet, overlapping as they flapped gently, glowing like something out of a dream.
Her face was full of elation, her expressive eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled like a child eager to share a beloved gift with a friend.
Gu Han couldn't help but smile warmly as he looked at his senior sister, who had grown from a petite little girl into a graceful young woman.
"Congratulations, Senior Sister."
"Dongdong," Yue Guan said affectionately, "your external soul bone clearly grants flight. Once we return, you should spend time mastering it. You know, aside from soul masters with flying-type martial souls, only those at the Titled Douluo level can fly freely."
"This is an incredibly valuable soul bone."
"Mhm, I understand, Senior Yue Guan."
Bibi Dong nodded sweetly. Her wings were beautiful—far more pleasing to the eye than her two spider-type martial souls.
"By the way, what's Her Highness's third soul skill?" Ghost Douluo asked from the side, clearly curious what kind of ability a 9,000-year soul ring had granted her.
Gu Han and Yue Guan were also intrigued. Gu Han remembered that in the original story, Bibi Dong's third soul skill was Spiderweb Restraint.
And the external soul bone she should've gotten from the 100,000-year Purple Spider Emperor had now arrived early.
The skill granted by this 9,000-year Purple-Winged Demon Spider had to be top-tier among all Soul Elders.
Seeing everyone's curiosity, Bibi Dong hesitated briefly, then summoned two forelimbs of the Death Spider Emperor martial soul.
Her arms transformed into green scythe-like blades, and her entire aura shifted—gone was the bright and cheerful girl from before. In her place stood someone eerie and dangerous.
Her third soul ring lit up beneath her feet.
"Third Soul Skill: Crescent Slash!"
She swung both scythes in quick succession, each motion releasing a black-green crescent-shaped slash.
The slashes were razor-sharp, easily slicing through several thick trees in their path. Green-black mist fumed from the fresh cuts.
After the demonstration, Bibi Dong retracted her martial soul and explained:
"My third soul skill unleashes poisonous slashes that ignore 30% of the target's defense. If the slash hits, the poison invades instantly. If they can't resist it, the toxin will eat away at their internal organs until it kills them."
"As expected of a 9,000-year soul ring. That ability could rival the sixth soul skill of an average Soul Emperor."
Yue Guan and Ghost exchanged a glance, both seeing the same astonishment in each other's eyes. Such a domineering skill—this was the hallmark of a top-tier beast-type martial soul.
Gu Han was equally impressed. While the poison and slashes were noteworthy, the real strength lay in the 30% defense penetration.
He knew well how crucial percentage-based effects were in the later stages of cultivation.
To ignore thirty percent of an opponent's defense—nearly a third—was huge. Even defense-type soul masters would have to think twice before taking a direct hit from this.
Unless, of course, they had top-tier defensive skills, like the Nine Treasure Invincible Godly Light or the Invincible Golden Body, which granted immunity to non-divine attacks.
"Not bad at all, Dongdong. I doubt there's anyone else on the continent whose third soul skill is stronger than yours. His Holiness the Pope will be very proud when we return."
"Alright, Chrysanthemum, that's enough chatter. Since the hunt is done, let Her Highness eat something. It's time we headed back to Spirit Hall," Ghost cut in with some impatience. The sooner they returned, the sooner they could rest.
"Oh, wait—we can't go back just yet."
Yue Guan raised a finger and wagged it slightly.
"Why not?"
Ghost frowned.
Bibi Dong accepted a roast rabbit from Gu Han, munching on it as she looked curiously at Yue Guan.
Yue Guan turned to Gu Han and asked, "Have you forgotten what Xiao Han said earlier—about the possibility of immortal herbs in Sunset Forest?"
"Those are immortal herbs, you know! If they really exist, it could completely offset Xiao Han's innate flaws. He might even go further beyond!"
Just mentioning immortal herbs made Yue Guan visibly excited.
"If we can obtain one—no, even just see one—then even dying would be worth it!"
Ghost's stiff face twitched slightly. But knowing his old friend's obsession with immortal herbs, and with their years of friendship in mind, he ultimately sighed inwardly.
"Fine. We'll make it quick."
"Good, good! In and out, that's the plan," Yue Guan said enthusiastically. "If there really are immortal herbs, my Unrivaled Chrysanthemum martial soul will definitely react to them."
Sunset Forest was located northeast of Heaven Dou City and was relatively close by. The soul beasts there were generally of lower age—mostly around a thousand years, with a few in the forty-to-fifty-thousand-year range.
It couldn't compare to the Great Star Dou Forest in quantity or quality, and high-ranking soul masters typically avoided it. It was mainly a hunting ground for Soul Kings and below.
As a result, very few people ever ventured into its core region. And even if someone happened to reach the Eye of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, nestled deep within a secluded valley devoid of soul beasts, they would likely just admire the scenery—unaware of the treasure beneath their feet.
Just like Dugu Bo, who once stood guard over that place without realizing its worth.
The group set off from the Star Dou Forest, spent a night resting in a nearby town, then took a carriage to Sunset Forest.
After traveling and resting along the way, it took them two to three days to arrive at the forest's outskirts.
Naturally, the most excited and eager of them all was Yue Guan, whose lifelong passion had been flora and herbs.
Gu Han, on the other hand, was feeling rather helpless.
He was being carried like a sack of potatoes—dangling from Ghost's grip as they zipped through the forest.
Meanwhile, his senior sister was comfortably piggybacked on Yue Guan's back.
Sigh… just my luck…
Gu Han could only groan inwardly and accept his fate.
~~~
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