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Chapter 113: External Spirit Bone - Eight Spider
🕑 Added 2024-12-21 16:36:45 +0000 UTCAfter traveling for about two days, the two finally arrived at Soto City.
Throughout the journey, they barely exchanged words, acting almost like strangers.
Unexpectedly, the first hotel they encountered upon entering Soto City was the Rose Hotel. Yang Podi couldn't help but feel speechless. It seemed as though transmigrators could never avoid this hotel.
Turning away to leave, Yang Podi was stopped by the hotel manager: "Dear guest, it's currently the admission season for various academies in Soto City. Most hotels are likely fully booked. I suggest you stay at our establishment."
Yang Podi glanced at the manager and said, "Two rooms."
The manager looked at Yang Podi, then at Zhu Zhuqing standing nearby, and said with a faint smile, "I'm sorry, sir, but we only have one room available."
Ignoring the manager's words, Yang Podi took out a large pouch of gold soul coins from his soul tool and tossed it over. The pouch contained at least a hundred gold soul coins. "Give me two rooms. They need to be quiet."
The manager's eyes lit up with delight as he accepted the gold coins. "Rest assured, sir. I'll arrange two quiet rooms for you right away."
With that, the manager produced two room keys seemingly out of nowhere. Yang Podi casually grabbed one and headed inside. Zhu Zhuqing hesitated briefly before picking up the other key.
Yang Podi's primary goal in coming to Soto City was to confirm the current timeline. If it was still early before Shrek Academy's enrollment, he planned to visit Notting City. If he was late, he'd adjust his plans accordingly.
As for the famed beauties of Shrek, Yang Podi wasn't particularly interested.
Many people adored Zhu Zhuqing for her hardworking nature and her loyalty to Dai Mubai, embodying the traditional "virtuous wife and good mother" archetype. However, Zhu Zhuqing was also the hardest to pursue among the Shrek girls. Deeply bound by the Zhu and Dai families, she was more of a traditionalist at heart.
As for Xiao Wu, she was completely out of the question—just a 100,000-year-old rogue rabbit. If it weren't for Tang San and his powerful backing, she would've long been turned into someone's soul ring. Moreover, Xiao Wu seemed rather carefree, focusing more on play than cultivation.
And Ning Rongrong? Thinking about the mischief caused by that little witch gave Yang Podi a headache.
After confirming the timeline, Yang Podi realized Shrek Academy's enrollment was set for the day after tomorrow, leaving him no time to visit Notting City, let alone hunt for the priceless spirit bone in Holy Spirit Village.
Yang Podi decided to observe the iconic opening scenes at Shrek Academy and then leave.
Sure enough, the next day, the Rose Hotel became the site of a commotion.
A blonde-haired man arrived at the hotel with a pair of twins in his arms. At the same time, another young man and woman arrived, sparking a conflict over the hotel accommodations.
Upon closer inspection, Yang Podi recognized the two sides: Shrek Academy's Dai Mubai and Tang San with Xiao Wu.
Dai Mubai looked as described in the original story—tall, handsome, and radiating arrogance, his golden hair shining brightly.
Tang San, on the other hand, appeared unremarkable, just as the novels depicted. However, Xiao Wu was undoubtedly beautiful, with a lovely figure and a youthful charm. Unfortunately, her penchant for causing trouble diminished her appeal.
Zhu Zhuqing's face turned pale at the scene, especially upon seeing Dai Mubai holding the twins. She seemed heartbroken.
But Yang Podi paid her no mind. Tomorrow held the real spectacle, and Zhu Zhuqing's current state was a result of her own choices.
The next morning, Yang Podi and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at Shrek Academy. Located on the outskirts of Soto City, Shrek Academy was surrounded by rural villages and farmland, bearing little resemblance to an urban setting.
Outside the academy, a long queue had already formed. Even Zhu Zhuqing joined the line.
Seeing the crowd, Yang Podi couldn't help but inwardly mock. With such abysmal conditions, it was astonishing that so many people still applied to Shrek Academy.
The admission requirement of at least rank 20 spirit power was on par with Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's. Moreover, the four rounds of tests meant most accepted students had to be above rank 25—elite-level students who would receive priority treatment anywhere else.
The first three rounds of admission tests were straightforward, but the fourth round was outrageous. As in the original story, it required the applicants to face Spirit Sage Zhao Wuji in combat.
The highlight of this round was Tang San's solo fight against Zhao Wuji, a thrilling and memorable battle.
Tang San showcased his mastery of techniques like Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, Mysterious Jade Hand, and Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon. Most notably, his use of hidden weapons was brilliant and unpredictable, even catching Zhao Wuji off guard multiple times. Tang San's ingenuity validated the perception that the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record functioned like a cheat in the Douluo Dalu universe, giving him a significant early-game advantage.
After watching the admissions test from the shadows, Yang Podi shook his head and left.
Given the current situation, Tang Hao was likely still lurking around Shrek Academy. He would probably return to the waterfall near Holy Spirit Village in Notting City within two days. There wasn't enough time for Yang Podi to act recklessly.
Confronting a peak-level Titled Douluo like Tang Hao, especially without sufficient strength, would be sheer folly.
Yang Podi's next destination was the Star Dou Forest.
Among Tang San's many opportunities in the original story, the most significant were the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the Eight Spider Lances, and the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone. Since Yang Podi had already intercepted the herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the Blue Silver Emperor spirit bone seemed unattainable for now. The Eight Spider Lances, however, remained within reach.
After leaving Soto City, Yang Podi made his way to the Star Dou Forest, located about 500 kilometers away, taking him a day to reach its outskirts.
Entering the forest, Yang Podi began searching for his target—a 2,000-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider.
In the Douluo Dalu series, external spirit bones like the Eight Spider Lances were exceedingly rare. With their formidable attack power, deadly poison, and life-draining abilities, the Eight Spider Lances were practically invincible.
After days of searching, Yang Podi encountered numerous spider-type spirit beasts, including several Man-Faced Demon Spiders. However, none matched the one he sought, leaving him increasingly frustrated.
Frequent battles with spirit beasts and the sight of blood exacerbated his bloodlust, making it harder to control. Eventually, he resorted to using pills to stabilize his emotions.
Yet fate had a strange way of working. Just as Yang Podi was about to give up, he encountered the desired Man-Faced Demon Spider.
One night, as Yang Podi rested, the forest grew eerily silent, raising his suspicions.
Suddenly, a giant spider web shot toward him, attempting to trap him.
Yang Podi used instant movement to evade the web and saw a massive spider perched on a tree, ready to attack.
The creature measured over 1.5 meters in diameter, with eight spear-like legs exceeding three meters in length. Its body was encased in gleaming black armor, with sharp, silent legs that pierced the ground effortlessly.
The spider's abdomen bore white patterns resembling a ferocious human face, contrasting sharply with its black body. Its eight eerie, purple-glowing eyes were clustered on its lower abdomen.
This was the Man-Faced Demon Spider, around 2,000 years old—the very beast that provided Tang San's third spirit ring in the original story.
Yang Podi felt elated at his good fortune.
Calling forth his Breaking Soul Spear, Yang Podi lunged at the spider just as it spat out another web. Utilizing the first move of his Breaking Soul Nine Techniques—Instant Strike—he closed the distance in an instant.
The spider reacted swiftly, using its legs to block the attack.
However, the Breaking Soul Spear, weighing over 2,000 kilograms, sliced through the spider's leg effortlessly and pierced its body.
The spider shrieked in pain and retaliated with its remaining legs, displaying its ferocity.
Unperturbed, Yang Podi gripped his spear and cleaved the spider in half, killing it instantly.
A purple spirit ring emerged from the spider's body, but Yang Podi ignored it. Instead, he focused on extracting the glowing object from the spider's remains.
It was an external spirit bone, resembling a miniature version of the Man-Faced Demon Spider. A central spine-like structure was flanked by eight leg-like extensions.
Yang Podi stored the spirit bone carefully and consumed a medicinal herb to stabilize his mind. Changing into clean clothes, he prepared to leave the Star Dou Forest.
The prolonged battles had heightened his bloodlust, depleting his supply of pills. He needed to return to the Breaking Clan as soon as possible.
Though he bore no personal grudge against Tang San, from a clan perspective, they were destined to clash. Taking the external spirit bone in advance would mitigate future threats.
