Let us shift our attention elsewhere.
After Xiao Wu disappeared, Tang San immediately gave chase. Along the way, he encountered a Man-Faced Demon Spider. After defeating and crippling the spider, Dragon-Serpent Duo, Meng Yiran, and the others, as well as the Shrek Seven Devils, all arrived on the scene.
Upon seeing the creature lying broken and near death, its limbs severed, the three "Shrek Elites" thought to themselves: As expected, we've run into that Man-Faced Demon Spider again.
They couldn't help but envy Tang San's heaven-defying luck. In their past life, this emotion was limited to mere admiration, but ever since Xiao Wu entered the picture, that envy had slowly twisted into jealousy.
Though they felt a bit bitter inside, they did not stop Tang San from absorbing the spirit ring. After all, they would still need to rely on Tang San in this life to become gods.
With Long Gong and She Po present, Tang San managed to win the rights to the spirit ring from Meng Yiran through a wager.
Tang San approached the Man-Faced Demon Spider and ended its life. A purple spirit ring emerged from its corpse, which he drew over to begin absorbing.
As Long Gong and She Po were about to leave, a voice suddenly called out from deep within the forest:
"Who would have thought I'd run into the legendary Long Gong and She Po here?"
A stunning woman with long wine-red hair slowly stepped out from the trees.
At first, none of the Shrek group recognized her. (Her current hair color was wine-red, not the purple they remembered from the tournament, and her facial features were far less severe than in their past lives.)
Suddenly, Oscar gasped and covered his mouth:
"That's… the Pope, Bibi Dong!"
"Greetings, Your Holiness," Long Gong and She Po bowed toward her, confirming Oscar's guess.
Immediately, sweat poured down the backs of everyone in the Shrek group.
Zao Wuji in particular was drenched—not because of Tang San, but because of something he had done in the past. He cautiously greeted Bibi Dong, watching her nervously. Thankfully, she seemed unaware that he was a wanted criminal of the Spirit Hall.
That realization allowed Zao Wuji to finally let out a sigh of relief.
But while he was relieved, the three Shrek Elites couldn't relax at all. They had just left the "starter village," and now they were suddenly face-to-face with a final boss?! How were they supposed to play this game now?!
Especially considering that Tang San was about to receive an external spirit bone.
This kind of spirit bone takes time to fully fuse with the body. Before it's completely bonded, it can still be taken away.
Bibi Dong and Long Gong only chatted briefly. As the seconds ticked by, the Shrek Elites could only pray silently that Bibi Dong would leave soon. (Although they had developed resentment toward Tang San because of Xiao Wu, deep down they still hoped to cling to his coattails and become gods one day.)
But Bibi Dong had no intention of fulfilling their wishes.
She turned her curious gaze toward Tang San, who was still absorbed in the process of fusing with the spirit ring. He was completely unaware of the changes taking place outside, fully focused on resisting the spider's lingering hatred.
"Are you a teacher at Shrek Academy?" Bibi Dong asked.
"Yes, Your Holiness. May I ask what you require?" Zao Wuji replied humbly.
Bibi Dong pointed to the Man-Faced Demon Spider's corpse and said:
"This spirit beast is not the 1,500-year-old type you believe it to be. Its age has already surpassed two thousand years. Is he prepared to absorb such a spirit ring?"
Both sides were visibly shocked by her question.
Long Gong and She Po felt a wave of relief—thankfully Tang San had intercepted this over-aged ring, or it could have cost Meng Yiran her life.
Zao Wuji, on the other hand, broke into an even colder sweat.
"Over two thousand years? Your Holiness, surely you jest?" he stammered.
"Do you think I have any reason to joke with you?" Bibi Dong shot back.
Zao Wuji's face turned ashen.
If Tang San absorbed this overly aged spirit ring, he could easily suffer a backlash and die.
If it were just some random mud-blooded soul master, it wouldn't matter. If their family caused trouble, Zao Wuji would've gladly used brute force to shut them up. But Tang San was not a commoner.
He was the son of Tang Hao—a man whose infamy echoed across the continent. Hated by all, his sins were countless, but no one dared underestimate his strength.
Even before reaching the rank of Titled Douluo, Tang Hao could kill others of the same rank like slaughtering pigs (granted, most of those victims were fellow clan members, but he had still made his name with the blood of the Clear Sky Sect).
If Tang Hao found out it was Zao Wuji's carelessness that killed Tang San, wouldn't he rip Zao Wuji's hide right off?
"To think your so-called 'Academy for Monsters' can't even tell the age of a spirit beast," Bibi Dong said with a shake of her head. She turned and began walking deeper into the forest.
The Shrek trio finally breathed a sigh of relief. She was leaving. That was the best possible outcome.
Suddenly—
Thud!
Zao Wuji dropped to his knees behind her.
Bibi Dong didn't turn around, but her steps halted.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Zao Wuji pleaded,
"Your Holiness, I beg you to protect Tang San."
He was begging for Tang San—but really, he was begging for his own life. If Tang San died here, Zao Wuji was a dead man too.
The Shrek Elites behind him were stunned. No way. Teacher Zao, Bibi Dong was about to leave! Why are you asking her to stay?!
"And why should I help you?" Bibi Dong questioned.
"Your Holiness, Tang San has cultivated to this level using only Blue Silver Grass. He's an extraordinary genius. If he were to fall here, wouldn't it be a loss to the entire soul master world? Besides, the Spirit Hall is the sacred ground of soul masters, and you are its Pope. Can you really stand by and watch a rising talent perish?" Zao Wuji said, employing a classic guilt trip.
Bibi Dong raised her soul power and weaved a thread of spider silk into a papal throne in front of her. She turned around and looked at Zao Wuji:
"Since you've put it that way, I'll do as you ask and guard this boy. I want to see what value he holds that could make the Pope intervene personally."
No. Please, no… the Shrek Elites cried out in their hearts.
Time ticked by.
Without Bibi Dong making a move, Tang San had already passed through the most difficult stage of soul ring absorption. The soul ring was gradually stabilizing on his body.
Long Gong stroked his chin and remarked,
"Absorbing an over-limit soul ring as his third ring... This kid's definitely not ordinary—he's destined to make waves."
Zhao Wuji wiped the sweat from his forehead.
He also believed that Tang San had made it through the most dangerous part, and at long last, his own life was safe.
At this moment, the smartest among the trio, Oscar, plucked up his courage and awkwardly said to Bibi Dong,
"Your Holiness the Pope, now that Tang San has passed the most dangerous stage, and you're a very busy person… maybe we shouldn't take up more of your valuable time—"
"No rush. I'd like to see what's so special about a kid who can absorb an over-limit soul ring."
Bibi Dong said playfully.
Tang San, focused on absorbing the soul ring, hadn't noticed anything happening around him. When the process completed, he felt a wave of comfort sweep over his body.
A familiar sensation surged from deep inside him—toward his back.
It's here—my Eight Spider Lances, my Sea God's Eight Wings! Tang San thought excitedly.
Eight bulges formed on his back, followed by eight spider legs bursting out, shredding his clothes in the process.
Luckily, thanks to his experience from his previous life using the Eight Spider Lances, Tang San quickly adjusted and retracted them skillfully.
Then, he turned to look toward the Shrek team and—
He was stunned.
Long Gong and Snake Po hadn't left—that was one thing.
But what the hell was Bibi Dong doing here?!
She was Bibi Dong!
Shouldn't a ruthless figure like her be busy at the Spirit Hall, struggling for power against the Worship Hall's elders?
Why was she here of all places?
Thinking about his Eight Spider Lances, Tang San immediately broke into a cold sweat.
Long Gong stared in astonishment for a few seconds, then couldn't help but blurt out,
"It's… an external soul bone!"
A spark of greed flickered in his heart.
He wanted to steal Tang San's soul bone.
But glancing at Bibi Dong standing nearby, he sighed internally.
Too bad. Tang San's external soul bone was as good as gone—but it wasn't going to fall into his hands. It would end up in hers.
So this was the "opportunity" Little Xue had mentioned...
No doubt, Tang San truly was a Child of Destiny. What incredible luck.
Bibi Dong snapped out of her thoughts and said,
"You're pretty lucky. I didn't expect your third soul ring to come with an external soul bone. In the soul master world, this kind of soul bone ranks just below a hundred-thousand-year soul ring—some would even say it's rarer."
Then, her tone shifted.
"But, it seems I'm even luckier today. Who would've thought I'd run into someone who just obtained an external soul bone?
I'll gladly accept it—as compensation for protecting you during the soul ring absorption."
As she said this, she gave Zhao Wuji a knowing glance.
Zhao Wuji's heart sank like a stone.
If he had known Tang San would safely absorb the over-limit ring…
If he had known the boy would explode with an external soul bone…
He'd never have let Bibi Dong stay.
And if Tang Hao ever found out that his interference had led to Bibi Dong seeing Tang San's Eight Spider Lances the moment they appeared...
Let's just say, Tang Hao would likely skin him alive.
Tang San reacted immediately—his Eight Spider Lances burst forth, transforming into legs as he fled in full sprint!
Are you kidding?!
This was his Sea God's Eight Wings—his most glorious future artifact.
There's no way he'd let Bibi Dong get her hands on it!
"You're playing spider games in front of me? You're still way too green."
Bibi Dong sneered.
Her Title Douluo aura erupted.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, red, red, red.
The Shrek trio were stunned at her soul ring setup.
Wait a minute… Wasn't Bibi Dong's configuration in the previous life about on par with Tang Hao?
But this Bibi Dong's spirit ring colors...
Before they could think too deeply about it, Bibi Dong made her move!
Silken threads shot out from all directions, binding Tang San's limbs—and every single spider leg—suspending him in the air like a helpless insect.
Elegantly, Bibi Dong walked toward him, step by step.
Tang San struggled in despair.
He couldn't let his soul bone be taken!
Suddenly—an idea sparked in his mind!
"Bibi Dong! I'm Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's disciple!
In his heart, I'm like a son to him.
If you steal my soul bone—it's like you're destroying me.
If you destroy me, he'll hate you forever.
Your entire relationship will be ruined!"
There it was—Tang San's ace in the hole.
At critical moments like this, his teacher's name could make even love-fool villains like Bibi Dong hesitate.
Sure enough, Bibi Dong paused.
"You… You know about me and him?" she asked coldly.
Tang San quickly bluffed,
"I've been his disciple for six years. And in those six years…
he often dreamed of you."
Bibi Dong's face twisted in revulsion.
She remembered all too clearly—Yu Xiaogang had approached her back then purely out of calculation and manipulation.
But recalling Qian Renxue's plan, she suppressed the urge to kill Tang San right there.
"Fine. Looks like you know what you were supposed to know."
Tang San breathed a sigh of relief.
The Grandmaster Card worked.
It seemed like his Eight Spider Lances were safe.
Excellent!
Grandmaster, after this… you've earned a fragment of a Grade-Nine Purple Ganoderma.
Once I gather 81 of them, maybe—just maybe—I'll reward you with a full one and help you break past level 29.
But…
Tang San was celebrating too soon.
Just as he let out a breath of relief—
SHUNK!
Bibi Dong's spider lance stabbed directly into his back.
"But," she said calmly,
"That's not a good enough reason for me to walk away from an external soul bone I can take so easily."
"NOOOOOO—AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Tang San let out an agonized scream—so loud and awful it defied belief.
Bibi Dong's lance bloomed open like a flower in his back, ripping out the external soul bone.
Tang San collapsed in unimaginable pain.
He thought he could hear a mocking whisper in his ear:
"The soul bone just dropped… and it just got stolen…"
Bibi Dong stood tall, the bloodied soul bone in her snow-white hand.
Looking down at the limp, twitching Tang San, she said something that could easily be misunderstood:
"But… for his sake, I'll spare your life."
With that, Bibi Dong turned and walked away.
Tang San's consciousness faded.
Through sheer effort, he reached out his hand in her direction and murmured weakly:
"Give… give me back… my soul bone…"
It was only after she had fully departed that the Shrek Academy group dared to approach.
They carefully carried the unconscious Tang San away.
Elsewhere, Long Gong sighed regretfully.
The soul bone had ultimately fallen into the hands of Spirit Hall.
"A pity—a genius youth, destroyed.
Spirit Hall really is as domineering as ever.
To ruin a boy's future… for the sake of a single soul bone."