Chapter 80: Eight Spider Lances Reappear
Soto City's Grand Soul Arena, inside Shrek's private viewing box.
The Huangdou Team and Shrek members were all present.
Ye Lingling was currently releasing her Nine-Heart Begonia to heal the "Shrek Seven Devils." Among them, Tang San suffered the most severe injuries—he had endured Xiao Wu's full set of super combo Suplex of Eight Consecutive Throws, and on top of that, was poisoned by the Jade Phosphor Five Poisons. Tragic was an understatement.
Second-worst was Dai Mubai, who had taken Yu Tianheng's Lightning Dragon Claw to the chest, fracturing several ribs. Then came Oscar, who was beaten up by Ye Lingling in her berserk state—his entire body was covered in bruises and welts.
As for the rest, they were mostly fine—especially Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, who were virtually unscathed. Well, what could you expect? One was Zu Zong's wife, and the other a dainty young girl—how could our dear Zu Zong bear to lay a hand on either?
At this moment, Xiao Wu stood dejected in the corner of the room while Qin Ming, the Huangdou Team's leader, reprimanded her. The issue was her lack of restraint—had Ye Lingling not been present, Tang San would likely be bedridden for over a year.
Qin Ming looked at Xiao Wu and said sternly, "Xiao Wu, while one should show no mercy to enemies, this was a friendly sparring match. Just look at the state you left him in. Take Zu Zong for example—every one of his strikes was precisely measured."
Xiao Wu lowered her head, her face flushed red and cheeks puffed out in frustration. Her gaze shifted to Zu Zong, seated behind Qin Ming. She muttered internally, "You damned Xiao Zong—didn't you say I could hit him however I wanted? Now look, I'm getting scolded because of you!"
Zu Zong felt his scalp go numb under Xiao Wu's stare, his expression slightly awkward. He had, after all, thrown her under the bus. "Teacher Qin, with Lingling here, Tang San will be fine. Why not let this go?"
"Alright, for Zu Zong's sake, I'll let it slide this time," Qin Ming said. He wasn't really intent on punishing Xiao Wu. Although he hailed from Shrek Academy and still had deep affection for it, he was proud that the team he trained had crushed Shrek so thoroughly.
Still, he had to maintain appearances to avoid damaging relations with Flender and the others. As soon as Qin Ming turned away, Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue and made a face behind his back.
Then she pounced on Zu Zong, clawing and biting him in mock anger. In a low voice, she whispered, "I don't care—you made me get scolded by Teacher Qin, so now you have to make it up to me!"
Zu Zong glanced around—fortunately, everyone's attention was on Ye Lingling and her Nine-Star Begonia. Otherwise, he'd have completely embarrassed himself. But... what was with Zhu Zhuqing's cat eyes? That was supposed to only appear during her martial soul possession.
And those sharp cat claws—holy crap! She was angry.
"My little ancestor, it's my fault, I admit it. Once we're back in Heaven Dou tomorrow, you can mess with me however you want," Zu Zong pleaded.
Xiao Wu's heart lit up—that was exactly what she wanted. These past few months, Zu Zong had been sneaking off to spend time with Zhu Zhuqing, and she knew it all too well. He hardly spent any time with her.
But after tomorrow, Zu Zong would be hers alone—Zhu Zhuqing still had to stay at Shrek Academy.
Xiao Wu said, "Then during the holiday, I want you to take me shopping around Heaven Dou City."
"Alright."
"I want to buy lots and lots of carrots."
"Alright."
"And I also want—"
"Okay, okay! As long as you forgive me, you can have whatever you want." If this kept going, little kitty Zhu Zhuqing might not even let Zu Zong touch her anymore. Look at how mad she was—those fangs were practically out.
In the end, after signing a new batch of unfair treaties, Zu Zong was finally spared by Xiao Wu.
Meanwhile, Ye Lingling had nearly finished healing the Shrek team. The Nine-Heart Begonia truly lived up to its name as the most powerful healing-type martial soul. Even Tang San's shattered bones had been fully restored under the might of her Nine-Star Begonia's advanced healing techniques.
The white light faded, and Ye Lingling withdrew her martial soul.
Ye Lingling said, "I've healed all their physical injuries, but I can't do anything about Tang San's poison."
At that, everyone turned to look at Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan blushed. She could neutralize snake venom, but not the other components of the Jade Phosphor Five Poisons. She couldn't just admit that out loud—it was too embarrassing.
Her gaze turned toward Zu Zong. After all, he was the one who prepared the Jade Phosphor Five Poisons in the first place—there was no way she was taking the fall for this.
"Just a little Jade Phosphor Five Poisons—Zu Zong can handle it easily."
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened. He looked toward Zu Zong with concern and said, "Xiao Zong, I'm counting on you. If this continues, Xiao San will be in real danger."
Zu Zong's mouth twitched. This scumbag actually wanted him to save his enemy? What a joke. But there was no helping it. Tang San was someone he could trick, beat up, and mess with—but not kill. If he stood by and watched him die, who knew when Tang Ritian might show up later, completely unhinged.
Zu Zong said, "Everyone step back. Let me handle this."
Once the crowd made way, only Zu Zong and the unconscious Tang San lying on the sofa remained.
A faint blue light began to glow from behind Zu Zong. Then, everyone could clearly see his spine start to protrude, emitting a pale purple glow. Immediately after, the ends of eight ribs jutted sharply from his back, forming eight bulges.
As the bulges swelled, the purple light on his back intensified.
Suddenly, Zu Zong's body trembled. With the sound of fabric tearing, the eight bulges burst open, and eight thick, purple column-like limbs rapidly extended from his back.
Compared to four months ago, Zu Zong could now control the Eight Spider Lances with ease. In less than three blinks, he had fully released them.
At the same time, Zu Zong could feel a significant leap in his attack power—an increase of about fifty percent.
Seeing the eight spider legs suddenly sprout from Zu Zong's back, the Huangdou members and Zhu Zhuqing were already used to it—they had seen it several times over the past few months. But the rest of the Shrek group was thoroughly shocked.
"Aaah! A spider monster!" Ning Rongrong screamed.
Yu Xiaogang's expression turned complicated. While shocked, his eyes lit up noticeably, and he muttered, "Could this be... an external soul bone?"
Qin Ming nodded, a bright smile on his face. He was clearly pleased that his student had acquired an external soul bone. "That's right, it is an external soul bone. Xiao Zong's third soul ring came from a thousand-year-old spider-type soul beast. At the same time, he also unexpectedly gained that spider's external soul bone."
"No wonder... what incredible luck!" Yu Xiaogang's expression showed a mix of realization and envy.
As soon as they learned it wasn't a monster, but an external soul bone, the Shrek group's interest was immediately piqued.
Ning Rongrong asked, "What's an external soul bone?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded, a hint of pride appearing on his stiff face. Clearly, it was time again for the Grandmaster to deliver one of his "invincible theory" lectures.
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