"No matter who you are, you've already signed your death warrant! If I, Tang San, do not avenge this hatred, I swear I'm no longer human!", Tang San's heart burned with fury, his eyes flashing with a venomous glint.
That look was cold, ruthless, like a venomous snake and sent chills through Ning Rongrong and the others.
But then they remembered the terrifying presence Tang San had shown on his first day at Shrek Academy, the unrelenting precision of his hidden weapons…
This Tang San was not one to forgive or forget.
Now that he'd suffered such a loss, vengeance was inevitable.
Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged a helpless glance.
Those eight spider legs were absolutely no ordinary creation...and to be devoured by an evil soul master!
It must have been the Eight Spider Lances themselves that drew that monster to Tang San in the first place.
And now… how were they supposed to explain this to Tang Hao or the Grandmaster?
Flender rubbed his temples, his head pounding.
High above the clouds, two Emerald Dragon Serpents streaked through the sky.
Upon their shimmering green backs sat Dugu Feng and Old Scorpion, faces filled with satisfaction.
They had escaped the Titan Giant Ape's pursuit unscathed, and with Tang San's external spirit bone in their possession, their mission was a complete success.
It was time to leave the Star Dou Great Forest and besides, the Heaven Dou Empire was boiling with tension.
How could Dugu Feng possibly miss the excitement?
The mountain gate of the Clear Sky Clan lay only three hundred li east of Heaven Dou City, surrounded by towering peaks that stood as the highest range within a thousand kilometers.
The rest of the land was flat plains, dotted with forests and cities, which were ideal for human settlement, which was why the Heaven Dou Empire had built its capital there.
That same mountain range was also the place where Tang Chen once battled Qian Daoliu, a single exchange that ended with Qian Daoliu's defeat and his vow never to step foot upon that mountain again!
Even when his son was later slain indirectly by Tang Hao, Qian Daoliu still held true to that oath.
Now, though Bibi Dong hadn't attacked the Clear Sky Sect, news had already spread that powerful forces from Spirit Hall had entered Heaven Dou City, putting the entire Empire and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect on edge.
"Old Scorpion, do you think a fight will break out near Heaven Dou City?" Dugu Feng asked, his tone filled with amusement. The thrill of robbing Tang San still hadn't faded.
Old Scorpion chuckled darkly. "Depends if the Clear Sky Clan has the guts to fight. Back in the day, the Clear Sky Twins, the elder one was calm, and the younger one reckless. Now that the elder brother leads, I doubt he'll risk everything. He'll endure."
Dugu Feng grinned. "I almost hope they do fight. Imagine it...each side losing a few Titled Douluo. Wouldn't that be wonderful chaos? All eyes on Tang Hao, though. That furious younger brother might just do something stupid."
They laughed as the twin serpents glided through the clouds, returning leisurely to Heaven Dou City.
When Dugu Feng arrived at the family estate, he immediately sensed something unusual—an energy in the air, lively and… proud?
A smile crept up his face.
Could it be…?
He hurried straight to the ancestral hall.
Sure enough, the great doors stood wide open, and there waiting for him at the entrance was his father, Dugu Shuo.
"Father! you've broken through to Soul Douluo!" Dugu Feng exclaimed, excitement flashing in his eyes.
Dugu Shuo nodded, a pleased smile on his face. "Yes, I've finally broken through.
Feng'er, you've done well. Eliminating Yang Wushuang, guiding the clan's disciples...you've exceeded every expectation I had for you."
He spoke with genuine pride.
Even under the harshest scrutiny, there was nothing left to criticize. His son's progress was beyond remarkable.
"Feng'er," Dugu Shuo asked, "what are your plans next?"
"I intend to return to the academy to continue cultivating. My strength is still far too weak and I can't afford to waste a single day."
Dugu Feng's answer was firm.
"Good. Heaven Dou City is quite lively these days—so is the Royal Academy.
You're still young; you should interact with your peers. The fire of youth keeps one sharp and cultivates growth faster.
You know what I look forward to most?" Dugu Shuo's eyes gleamed. "The day you obtain your fifth spirit ring and awaken the Overlord Venom...that is the true inheritance of the Dugu Clan!"
Dugu Feng's lips curled into a determined smile. "Yes, Father. I'll make it happen."
Now that he possessed not one but two external spirit bones, his chances of success had multiplied.
"By the way," Dugu Shuo added, "about your plans with Canghui Academy...Old Snake has already gone to handle it."
Dugu Feng's eyes lit up.
A clan of their stature needed its own academy, basically its own forge for talent. Once Old Snake seized Canghui Academy, they would relocate it to Heaven Dou City, molding it into the Dugu Clan's foundation, ensuring a steady stream of future experts.
He shared his thoughts, and Dugu Shuo simply waved a hand. "Do it. I trust your judgment."
After leaving the ancestral hall, Dugu Feng returned to his chambers.
He stripped off his upper robe, his gaze sharp with anticipation.
Now it was time to test his new power—the Eight Spider Lances.
His claim of "returning to the academy to train" was true in spirit, but in truth, he needed seclusion and to stabilize the external spirit bone that had fused from Tang San's body.
His Emerald Scorpion Claws, gained from his second spirit ring, were long since fully integrated with his body.
But this new one—the Eight Spider Lances—was freshly absorbed and needed refinement.
"Spirit Possession!"
Three spirit rings—yellow, purple, purple—rose and pulsed around him, rippling with violent energy.
His spirit power surged toward his back, flooding into his spine and ribs.
A faint violet light shimmered beneath his skin—especially intense along his back.
Then, with a sudden pulse, eight bulges emerged from beneath the skin of his ribs.
The second manifestation of the Eight Spider Lances had begun.
Pain shot up his spine, but Dugu Feng only gritted his teeth.
Moments later, the sharp sound of splitting flesh echoed—shrrrk!—and eight dark-purple lances burst forth.
Each segmented, each gleaming like a weapon forged from crystalline amethyst.
They pierced the ground, lifting his body smoothly a meter into the air.
Thankfully, he wasn't heavy, and the stone floor beneath him was solid granite; otherwise, those razor-sharp tips might have drilled straight through.
He flexed four of the lances, circling lightly, moving like a spider testing its prey.
Then he raised two more, slashing them through the air.
Swish—!
The air itself warped under the strike, producing a shrill screech.
"The attack power… far exceeds any weapon-type spirit tool."
He exhaled softly—but frowned a moment later.
His spirit power was dropping rapidly.
"Too much soul power consumption… No, it's because the Eight Spider Lances haven't fully merged yet."
Once they completely fused with his bones, they would move as easily as his own arms.
He recalled how his Scorpion Claws grew more efficient the more he used them. Mastery reduced consumption.
He would need to spend time in closed cultivation, refining both the Eight Spider Lances and his Killing God Domain.
Fortunately, in the hidden chamber he had built beneath the old Nine-Heaven Centipede's lair, he had all the space and resources he needed for training.
He let the Eight Spider Lances retract slowly, the sharp limbs folding and sinking back into his ribs until only smooth skin remained.
"The piercing power of these lances…" he murmured, flexing his back, "is even greater than the Scorpion Claws.
Perfect for chaotic terrain—and even better for real combat!"