Douluo Continent: Disciple Tang San, righteous yet evil

Chapter 23 The Man-Faced Spider's Sneak Attack
Zhao Wuji shifted his gaze to the girl next to the Phoenix-tailed Crested Serpent and noticed that she was holding a dagger in her hand, clearly needing this soul ring as well.

For a moment, Zhao Wuji was caught in a dilemma.

The Phoenix Tail Crested Serpent's spirit ring is perfect for Oscar; he might even gain a flying spirit skill, which would be a great help to both himself and his team.

Under Oscar's expectant gaze, Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth, steeled himself, and walked over to Lin Mu, bowing and saying:

“Your Majesty, we have been chasing this Phoenix-tailed Crested Serpent for some time, which has exhausted its strength. One of my students urgently needs a third spirit ring, and the spirit ring of this Phoenix-tailed Crested Serpent is just right. I wonder if Your Majesty could make an exception?”

Before Lin Mu could speak, the Snake Granny slammed her snake staff down, her face full of anger, and said:
"We chased this crested serpent all the way here, and it was thanks to this gentleman's intervention that we were able to subdue it. Now you've suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and you have the nerve to claim any credit? You're clearly just trying to steal it!"

Meng Yiran glared angrily at Oscar and Zhao Wuji, saying with dissatisfaction, "The senior has already promised to give it to us, so why are you trying to take it from us?"

She gripped the dagger tightly, her chest heaving slightly with anger. The third spirit ring, which was about to be hers, had been thwarted by this group, infuriating her.

Faced with the two men's rebukes, Zhao Wuji had no way to refute them and could only look at Lin Mu, who was not far away. The ownership of the Phoenix-tailed Crested Serpent was in his hands.

If Lin Mu hadn't been there, there would have been no need for all this nonsense; everyone could have just let their abilities speak for themselves.

"I told you, this spirit ring belongs to you."

Just as the two sides were about to argue, Lin Mu made the decision directly.

Upon hearing this, Snake Granny breathed a sigh of relief. This middle-aged soul master who suddenly appeared was clearly not weak. If they really fought, she would probably not be a match for him.

With this gentleman in charge, this middle-aged soul master shouldn't dare to act recklessly.

Teacher Zao Wou-Ki

Seeing that his third spirit ring was about to be lost, Oscar immediately panicked.

"Shut up, I'll find you another thousand-year-old soul beast later."

Zhao Wuji frowned and gave a slightly impatient shout. He was already feeling very frustrated, and now this guy was putting pressure on him.

He was beaten up yesterday, are we going to make him get beaten up again?

This is a powerful figure who is suspected to be a Title Douluo. If he gets beaten up again, he may not see the sun rise the next day.

"Thank you, senior."

After expressing her gratitude, Meng Yiran half-squatted down and used the dagger in her hand to pierce the heart of the crested serpent.

Soon, a purple spirit ring floated above the Phoenix-tailed Crested Serpent.

Seeing the spirit ring appear, Oscar completely gave up hope. Only by personally delivering the final blow to the spirit beast could he absorb its spirit ring.

This means that his third spirit ring is gone.

"Your Majesty, I still need to help my students hunt for spirit rings, so I'll take my leave now."

Zhao Wuji cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Lin Mu.

The Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's spirit ring has already been acquired. Rather than staying and waiting for this lord's approval, it's better to leave early and let Oscar choose a more suitable spirit beast.

Lin Mu also did not linger there, and led Tang San and Xiao Wu to continue deeper into the area.

If Zhao Wuji were to launch a surprise attack, Snake Granny and Meng Yiran would be in danger, but that was none of his concern.

Subduing the crested serpent was just a side effect; keeping it as a bodyguard wasn't his style.

The deeper you go, the taller and more lush the trees become, the dimmer the light becomes, and the air is filled with a primitive and dangerous atmosphere.

Tang San was focused, his Purple Demon Eyes constantly observing his surroundings.

They had now entered a rather dangerous area, where a soul beast over a thousand years old could appear at any moment, and there were even quite a few ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts. Xiao Wu seemed somewhat absent-minded. Although the atmosphere here gave her a feeling of coming home, Tang San's words earlier had left her feeling somewhat lost and worried.

Watching Tang San's retreating figure, Xiao Wu thought to herself, "Brother, if you knew I was also a soul beast, what would you do?"

"rustle--"

A very faint friction sound reached Lin Mu's ears. His eyes flickered slightly, but he did not make a sound. He simply slowed his pace a little.

Suddenly, the bushes not far ahead were violently torn apart, and a huge black shadow rushed out with a stench!

Eight spear-like spider legs gleamed with an eerie light, its main body was covered with a hard carapace, and most terrifying of all was the grotesque and twisted white human face pattern on its abdomen.

A human-faced demon spider that is about two thousand years old!
"careful!"

Tang San let out a low shout and reacted extremely quickly, instantly pushing the somewhat distracted Xiao Wu behind him. He then used the Ghost Shadow Step to narrowly avoid the first fatal attack of the Human-Faced Demon Spider.

"Xiao San, Xiao Wu, this human-faced demon spider is yours to take care of."

Lin Mu's voice rang out calmly. He moved swiftly and appeared on the branch of a large tree not far away, standing by with his arms crossed, clearly not intending to interfere.

Tang San instantly understood his master's intention: they should use this soul beast to train their combat skills. His eyes narrowed, and he said, "Xiao Wu, cooperate with me!"

"understand!"

Xiao Wu suppressed her distracting thoughts, and two yellow spirit rings rose up as she quickly entered battle mode.

"Blue Silver Grass, Entangle!"

Tang San gave a low shout, and the enhanced Blue Silver Grass swarmed out like serpents, no longer simply binding, but cleverly coiling around the joints and base of the spider's legs, attempting to restrict its movement.

At the same time, his first spirit ring lit up.

"First Soul Skill, Blue Silver Crystal!"

The blue silver grass that had wrapped around it was instantly covered with a layer of hard ice crystal keratin, greatly enhancing its binding force.

The human-faced spider let out a sharp hiss and struggled violently, its spider legs flailing wildly, cutting off many blue silver grasses. However, the crystallized vines were exceptionally tough, temporarily hindering its movements.

"Great opportunity! Xiao Wu!" Tang San called out as he turned to the side.

"Look at me!"

Xiao Wu moved like lightning, her waist arching as she instantly closed in, her long legs clamping down on the relatively slender spider leg on one side of the human-faced demon spider, twisting it with all her might!
"Crack!"

A sickening cracking sound rang out as Xiao Wu snapped one of the spider legs of the human-faced demon spider!

The human-faced spider, in pain, became even more frenzied. Its abdomen suddenly contracted, and a huge spider web, covered in viscous liquid, spewed out and enveloped Xiao Wu.

"Ghostly!"

Tang San had anticipated this, and his figure moved like a ghost, grabbing Xiao Wu's wrist. The two narrowly avoided the spider web.

Just as Tang San was preparing to counterattack, a sudden change occurred!

A glint of cunning and madness flashed in the eyes of the human-faced spider that had already lost one of its legs.

Its remaining forelimb, like a scorpion's tail, lashed out at Xiao Wu, who had just regained her footing and whose old strength was exhausted and whose new strength had not yet been generated, at an extremely strange and tricky angle!

"Little dance!"

Tang San's eyes were bloodshot, but it was too late to push Xiao Wu away.

(End of this chapter)