"Was this poisoning?"
Tang San hadn't just acquired knowledge about the Tang Sect from the Lotus Soul Guidance Device—more importantly, the Breaking Clan, one of the Four Vassal Families of the Clear Sky Sect, specialized in medicine and poisons. Thus, he had deep expertise in both.
The Wolf Raider inside the Soul Guidance Device had a face so decayed that even cheekbones were visible, with patches of skin peeling off its body. Strangely, its arms had grown blade-like appendages resembling those of a Scarlet Flame Blade Locust, though the bladed limbs were barely attached, hanging by only a thin layer of skin.
"No, this isn't just poisoning. If it were, it wouldn't look like this. Could it be a dark-attribute Soul Skill? Something like a curse?"
Tang San was certain that mere poisoning couldn't cause such a condition. This wasn't poisoning—it was more like a mutation. The Wolf Raider had actually developed traits of a Scarlet Flame Blade Locust.
He moved to the other Cylindrical Soul Tools and found that each one contained Wolf Raiders, all connected to IV tubes. However, most had already lost all signs of life, reduced to corpses—some even dissolved into pools of black liquid.
"Are these Cylindrical Soul Tools cultivation devices? Designed to keep these Wolf Raiders alive while trapped inside?" Tang San had seen Soul Guidance Devices capable of storing living beings before, but those were spatial-type tools used for storage. These massive cylindrical devices couldn't store items and were far larger in size.
In short, their craftsmanship was much cruder, lacking any spatial manipulation.
"These Wolf Raiders all exhibit traits of Insect Soul Beasts—not just Scarlet Flame Blade Locusts, but others as well. Does this mean Insect Soul Beasts are behind this? What are they up to?"
After inspecting them, Tang San noticed that each Wolf Raider showed varying degrees of mutation, as if they had been parasitized by Insect Soul Beasts.
Some Insect Soul Beasts possessed parasitic abilities, even capable of hijacking their host's brain and fully taking over their bodies. The most infamous was the Horsehair Worm Soul Beast, which could parasitize Giant Mantises—though it could only target them and no other Spirit Beasts. Even then, it couldn't induce mutations in the host's body.
"Hm? The one in this Soul Tool doesn't look like a Wolf Raider."
Tang San approached the last device and found a long-dead corpse inside, clad in standard armor.
"A soldier from the kingdom. It seems some of the troops from the outpost were captured and brought here."
Just as Tang San was about to examine the foul-smelling pool, whoosh—a sharp whistling sound cut through the darkness behind him.
BOOM!
A black shadow struck Tang San's side with tremendous force, sending him flying. He crashed through five Cylindrical Soul Tools, breaking three ribs in the process. If not for the protection of his soft armor and the years of consuming Crystal Blood Dragon Ginseng, the blow would have done far more than just fracture a few bones.
The dark figure that had launched a surprise attack in the darkness tilted its head in confusion. Its ambush hadn't managed to kill these fragile humans? How unbelievable.
Tang San slowly stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. A flash of purple light passed through his eyes as he clearly saw the figure that had attacked him.
"A Scarlet Flame Blade Locust? No, this isn't one. What kind of Spirit Beast is this?"
Tang San frowned. This Spirit Beast before him somewhat resembled a Scarlet Flame Blade Locust, but the difference was that instead of blade-like forelimbs, it had a pair of arms. Its feet were similar to those of a Wolf Raider—thick, slightly curved, with sharp claws. Its body was covered in the Insect Armor characteristic of Insect Soul Beasts, and though hidden, the protrusions on its back clearly indicated a pair of Insect Wings.
Bipedal mammalian Spirit Beasts were relatively rare, but bipedal Insect Soul Beasts were more common, such as locusts or mantis types. However, this Spirit Beast before him exceeded Tang San's knowledge.
Of course, this wasn't particularly strange. After all, the Douluo Continent was vast, and it was normal for there to be unknown Spirit Beasts.
With a flip of his hand, Tang San retrieved a medicinal pill from his Soul Guidance Device and swallowed it to stabilize his injuries. He quickly assessed the strength of his opponent: "A Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast? No, this Insect Soul Beast's actual cultivation shouldn't have reached that level yet. But its speed and power are definitely beyond that of an ordinary Thousand Year Soul Beast."
"This Insect Soul Beast is strong."
Just like Soul Masters, Spirit Beasts of the same cultivation level could vary in strength. This Insect Soul Beast before him didn't seem particularly intelligent, but its combat prowess far surpassed those Scarlet Flame Blade Locusts outside. Tang San had been vigilant enough, yet he still hadn't been able to dodge its attack.
"I can't drag this fight out. These Insect Soul Beasts are clearly up to something major. This information must be reported so the Sect Elders can eliminate them."
Tang San wasn't foolish. There was no need for him to defeat this opponent—he could leave the rest to the stronger members of his sect.
With a hum, the Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his hand as Tang San assumed a combat stance. Seeing Tang San ready to fight, the unknown Insect Soul Beast slowly parted its mandibles—it seemed to be grinning.
Whoosh! The Insect Soul Beast pushed off with its feet and appeared at Tang San's left side in an instant, its fist already aimed at his temple.
Clang! Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer moved just as swiftly, meeting offense with offense as it smashed heavily against the beast's fist. The powerful impact forced Tang San back three steps with a series of thuds.
"It can actually withstand the Clear Sky Hammer!"
If this had been a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beast or a defensive-type Soul Beast, it might have made sense. But Insect Soul Beasts were notorious for their low health and weak defenses!
The Insect Soul Beast glanced at the trickle of purplish-black blood oozing from its fist. The pain seemed to excite it, and its speed increased yet again as it charged straight at Tang San.
Boom! Crash! For a moment, sparks flew within the cave as the heavy sounds of collision filled the air.
"Second Soul Skill, Mountain Moving." Tang San focused his mind, and the earth beneath his feet shifted. He didn't use the skill for defense but to enhance his evasion.
As the Insect Soul Beast's foot came slashing downward, the moving earth carried Tang San's body away, allowing him to dodge the attack and create some distance.
"This won't do. A Spirit Beast's physical strength far surpasses that of a Soul Master. I've already expended a lot of Soul Power—I can't afford a prolonged battle."
Tang San didn't know when, but the corners of his mouth had slightly curled upwards. He was getting somewhat excited from the fight. From birth until now, he had never encountered someone of the same level who could fight him like this. In Tang San's eyes, as long as it wasn't a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast, it was considered the same level.
"Martial Soul Shift, Second Spirit, Rakshasa Avatar!" A fighting spirit flashed in Tang San's eyes as he grinned widely. This was the first time he was using his fully awakened Second Spirit to fight!
Soul Avatar—this wasn't the Spirit Avatar. This was a passive ability unique to Beast Spirits. Just as an Item Martial Soul could summon a weapon, Beast Spirits possessed special passive Soul Skills for avatar forms. Back when it wasn't fully awakened, the Rakshasa Martial Soul could already enhance physical strength.
And now, the Martial Soul had completely awakened!