The Man-Faced Demon Spider before me was clearly over two thousand years old. While its strength and bloodline might not match a Titan Giant Ape of similar age, it remained one of the rarest treasures in the entire Star Dou Great Forest. The Eight Spider Lances soul bone that would manifest from it was particularly valuable—it could be considered among the most powerful soul bones available from a thousand-year soul beast.
A trace of helplessness crossed Lin Gong's weathered face. Without warning, countless purple bamboo shoots erupted from the ground surrounding the Man-Faced Demon Spider. The bamboo grew with supernatural speed, weaving together to form an impenetrable cage that completely immobilized the creature.
This was the Purple Emperor Bamboo—one of the most formidable plant-type martial souls in existence. Its versatility was legendary, excelling in control and offensive capabilities while also serving defensive purposes when needed.
Following Yang Xiong's request, the countless Purple Emperor Bamboo stalks tightened their grip with crushing force. One by one, they snapped all eight spider legs of the Man-Faced Demon Spider. The once-fearsome creature collapsed to the ground, its body twitching in its death throes, presenting a truly pitiful sight.
For a Spirit Douluo of Lin Gong's caliber, subduing a thousand-year soul beast should have been child's play. Yang Xiong couldn't help but wonder how the Dragon Duke and Snake Lady had allowed this soul beast to escape them repeatedly.
Yang Xiong approached the gravely injured Man-Faced Demon Spider and retrieved two reinforced steel nets from his soul tool. He wrapped the creature tightly, ensuring it couldn't move even if it somehow recovered strength. Then, producing massive chains, he bound the entire spider securely before storing it in his Hundred Herb Pouch—a rare soul tool capable of preserving living creatures.
Soul beasts possessed remarkably tenacious vitality, and top-tier specimens like the Man-Faced Demon Spider were especially resilient. Even with such severe injuries, it would survive for quite some time, particularly since Lin Gong's power had completely suppressed its own abilities.
A puzzled expression appeared on Lin Gong's face as he watched his student work. "Yang Xiong, why do you value this Man-Faced Demon Spider so highly?"
Yang Xiong smiled mysteriously. "The Man-Faced Demon Spider is an exceptionally rare venomous creature. Among poison-attribute soul beasts of the same level, it reigns supreme. Its venom will be invaluable for my body refinement training."
In truth, the Man-Faced Demon Spider's combat prowess likely exceeded Yang Xiong's own, yet here he had captured it without breaking a sweat.
Lin Gong stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Shall we continue toward the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest? You should have collected sufficient poison specimens by now."
Yang Xiong moved closer to Lin Gong, lowering his voice. "Teacher Lin, is there any possibility someone might be eavesdropping on our conversation? Particularly, could a Titled Douluo be listening?"
Lin Gong's lips curved into a cold smile. Instantly, countless Purple Emperor Bamboo shoots emerged around them, weaving together to form a dense barrier that enclosed them completely. Yang Xiong felt his perception and soul power become entirely cut off from the outside world.
"Within my Purple Emperor Bamboo barrier," Lin Gong said with quiet confidence, "even a Titled Douluo cannot hear our words."
Yang Xiong studied the bamboo enclosure with newfound respect. This particular ability of the Purple Emperor Bamboo wasn't mentioned in any texts he had read.
Suddenly, Yang Xiong's expression hardened with determination. "Teacher Lin, we'll continue our pursuit shortly. However, when we encounter my classmate later, I need you to take her directly back to the sect."
Contempt flickered across Lin Gong's features. "What exactly are you planning? You're still young—even if you've taken a fancy to some girl, this hardly seems appropriate."
Yang Xiong's face darkened at the implication. "Teacher Lin, your mind is in the gutter. This girl is... unusual. You'll understand once you bring her back to the sect. She may prove to be an extraordinary asset, but if we encounter that Titled Douluo from before, abandon this plan immediately."
Lin Gong had rarely seen Yang Xiong display such seriousness. After a moment's consideration, he nodded silently.
Their discussion concluded, the two continued deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.
They had traveled barely a few kilometers when they encountered the Dragon Duke and Snake Lady. From their body language, it was clear the parties were already acquainted.
The Dragon Duke appeared as a gaunt elderly man, his silver hair flowing down his back. He leaned heavily on an ornate dragon-headed cane, the carved dragon head so lifelike it seemed ready to breathe fire at any moment.
Chao Tianxiang's keen senses immediately detected traces of the Man-Faced Demon Spider's aura clinging to Yang Xiong.
"Boy from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," she hissed, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "You again? Why do I sense the Man-Faced Demon Spider's presence on you?"
Yang Xiong feigned surprise, though inwardly he cursed. Apparently, some essence had transferred during the capture, detectable by masters of their caliber.
Yang Xiong executed a respectful bow. "Senior Snake Lady, we did indeed encounter an injured Man-Faced Demon Spider earlier. Naturally, we eliminated such a dangerous creature—a scourge to the soul beast forest."
Chao Tianxiang's face contorted with rage. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect goes too far! We've been tracking that soul beast for days. This makes two soul beasts you've stolen from us!"
Yang Xiong struggled to maintain his composure. These were supposed to be Spirit Douluo and Spirit Emperor level masters, yet they had repeatedly allowed a mere thousand-year soul beast to escape? Where was their dignity as powerhouses of the soul master world?
Lin Gong chuckled from the sidelines. "Meng Shu, Chao Tianxiang, what's this now? A Spirit Douluo and Spirit Emperor who can't catch a thousand-year soul beast? How embarrassing to admit such incompetence."
Meng Shu's dragon-headed cane struck the ground, releasing a wave of oppressive pressure. "Lin Gong, I see you haven't changed after all these years. Shouldn't you be hiding in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, waiting for death? How dare you venture out—aren't you afraid those people will come for you?"
Disdain painted Lin Gong's features. "This old man fears nothing and no one. How could I cower before such rats? You're the one living backwards—a mighty Spirit Douluo who lets his prey be intercepted. Perhaps you should retire."
The Dragon Duke's face flushed with fury. "You dare—"
"Oh, I nearly forgot," he continued mockingly. "You were chased like a beaten dog back then. If you hadn't hidden in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, grass would be growing three feet tall on your grave by now."
Lin Gong's fury matched his opponent's. "At least this old man stands upright and proud, unlike you who've been cowering in the Exotic Beast Academy all these years. If not for your connections to the Barak Royal Family and the Heaven Dou Empire, those people would have dealt with you long ago."
The two elderly Spirit Douluos abandoned all pretense of dignity, bickering like children in a schoolyard. Yet despite their heated words, neither made any aggressive moves. Clearly, they shared a long and complicated history.
After their verbal sparring match subsided somewhat, the Dragon Duke turned his attention to Yang Xiong. "Don't tell me you emerged from hiding just to protect this Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect whelp? Your standards have fallen quite low."
Lin Gong's disdain deepened. "You call yourself dean of the Exotic Beast Academy, yet you can't even properly identify a soul beast's age? I pity your students, learning from such ignorance."
The Dragon Duke's expression grew stormy. "What exactly are you implying?"
Lin Gong shook his head with exaggerated disappointment. "That Man-Faced Demon Spider you've been chasing has already surpassed two thousand years. Were you trying to murder your precious granddaughter?"
The Dragon Duke's face paled with shock. "You speak the truth?"
"You were uneducated in our youth," Lin Gong replied with cutting sarcasm, "but I didn't expect your knowledge of soul beasts to remain so pathetically inadequate. The Meng family's future looks bleak indeed."
Chao Tianxiang observed their quarrel with the patience of someone who had witnessed such exchanges countless times before. She seemed entirely unsurprised by their behavior.
Yang Xiong found himself growing increasingly curious about Lin Gong's mysterious past. This diminutive old man clearly harbored secrets that might prove invaluable in the future.
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