Soul Land: Full Body Martial Soul

Time crawled by slowly. After two full hours, Tang San's expression finally began to relax, and a purple spirit ring gradually condensed around his Blue Silver Grass.

When Tang San opened his eyes at last, everyone released a collective sigh of relief.

However, before anyone could speak with him, Tang San's face suddenly contorted in extreme agony. His soul power spiraled completely out of control, and the skin on his right palm split apart. An emerald green scythe burst forth from between his fingers.

The scythe measured about one foot in length and bore a striking resemblance to the Hurricane Mantis's foreleg. Its surface was covered with vicious serrations that gleamed with lethal sharpness.

Tang San's entire right arm moved beyond his control, flailing wildly through the air as if he had lost his mind entirely.

Yang Xiong quickly warned the others. "Everyone, stay back! Don't approach Tang San—let him handle this situation on his own."

Zhao Wuji's puzzled expression deepened. "Yang Xiong, what is that thing? It looks remarkably similar to the Hurricane Mantis's foreleg."

Yang Xiong observed Tang San carefully before releasing an impressed sigh. "Tang San's luck is extraordinary. This appears to be an external spirit bone—specifically, the Hurricane Mantis Foreleg External Spirit Bone."

Ning Rongrong spoke up from nearby. "Xiao Xiongzi, I've heard of external spirit bones before, but if this comes from the Hurricane Mantis's foreleg, shouldn't it manifest on his leg?"

Yang Xiong felt momentarily speechless at the question. "While all appendages of insect-type soul beasts are technically called 'legs,' their foreclaws correspond to human arms. It's similar to how snake-type soul beasts lack arms entirely yet can still produce limb-type spirit bones. However, this Hurricane Mantis Foreleg External Spirit Bone may prove difficult to control initially. I don't recall any similar spirit bones in the soul master world's records."

By now, Tang San was drenched in sweat, his internal soul power churning chaotically. Zhao Wuji quickly offered guidance. "Tang San, you must focus your mind! Treat that scythe as your own bone—as an integral part of your body. Try to control it gradually with your soul power."

Tang San's willpower proved formidable. Following Zhao Wuji's instructions, he slowly regained his focus. The soul power within his body began to stabilize, and the mantis leg external spirit bone gradually retracted into his palm.

Finally, Tang San gasped out his words. "Thank you, Teacher Zhao. Thank you all for your concern. I'm fine now."

Though everyone remained curious, they refrained from asking further questions. Yang Xiong, however, felt deeply shocked by what he had witnessed.

The probability of external spirit bones appearing was extraordinarily low—far lower than ordinary spirit bones. Throughout the entire history recorded in Douluo Continent, only three external spirit bones had ever been documented. Even in later generations, they remained impossibly rare treasures.

External spirit bones possessed growth potential, making them among the most precious items in the soul master world.

Yang Xiong hadn't expected this outcome. Despite having intercepted the Eight Spider Lances Spirit Bone, Tang San still encountered such fortune. To obtain the Hurricane Mantis Foreleg External Spirit Bone from absorbing a Hurricane Mantis was remarkable luck indeed.

From a pure offensive standpoint, the Hurricane Mantis relied entirely on its razor-sharp forelegs to kill enemies. This single attribute had established it as one of the forest's most ruthless predators.

While the Hurricane Mantis's foreleg might lack the devouring attributes of the Eight Spider Lances Spirit Bone, for Tang San—an assassin from his previous life—it seemed more suitable. Its sharpness made it perfect for ambushing enemies from the shadows. The only drawback was that mantis-type soul beasts possessed no poison.

As Yang Xiong studied Tang San's Hurricane Mantis External Spirit Bone, a sense of familiarity nagged at him. The shape reminded him of something he had seen before, though he couldn't quite place it.

Just as everyone was processing these strange events, Zhao Wuji suddenly shouted, "Who's hiding there?"

Before Zhao Wuji could act, a pink figure emerged from the forest—it was Xiao Wu.

"Teacher Zhao, it's me! I'm Xiao Wu!"

Tang San's face lit up with joy as he rushed forward to embrace her. "Xiao Wu! Thank goodness you're safe! I thought we'd lost you forever!"

Xiao Wu seemed equally emotional. "Third Brother, I thought I'd never see you again either."

Tang San quickly inquired, "Xiao Wu, which senior expert saved you? Did you see what he looked like?"

Confusion crossed Xiao Wu's features. "Third Brother, are you feeling alright? What senior expert? No one saved me."

Everyone turned puzzled gazes toward Yang Xiong and Lin Gong.

Lin Gong stepped forward to explain. "Young lady, I was commissioned by Yang Xiong to rescue you. Just as I approached you and the Titan Giant Ape, an overwhelming killing intent suddenly manifested. A voice echoed through the air, commanding me to leave—stating that you required no assistance and that he would handle everything. That's why I returned early. Wasn't this person your savior?"

He continued thoughtfully, "If memory serves, this individual appeared once at Shrek Academy and even fought with Zhao Wuji."

Xiao Wu's face drained of color upon hearing this. The realization that an expert had been observing her from the shadows terrified her. If someone had been monitoring her every move, did they know her secret—that she was a hundred-thousand-year transformed soul beast?

Zhao Wuji, oblivious to Xiao Wu's distress, nodded in agreement. "That's correct. I did fight someone on your enrollment day. That person should be a Titled Douluo—likely Tang San's elder."

Tang San sensed something amiss with Xiao Wu and asked worriedly, "Xiao Wu, what's wrong? Were you injured by the Titan Giant Ape? Don't worry—I'll make that beast pay someday."

Xiao Wu swallowed nervously. "Third Brother, I'm fine. It's just... the Star Dou Great Forest frightens me. I'm still shaken by the experience. No senior rescued me."

She continued her explanation. "Actually, I don't understand what happened myself. The Titan Giant Ape grabbed me and ran toward the forest depths. We hadn't gone far when a bellowing roar, like that of an enormous ox, echoed from one direction. The Titan Giant Ape seemed terrified—it threw me aside and fled immediately."

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Both accounts seemed truthful, yet they didn't align. Could the mysterious senior have frightened away the Titan Giant Ape?

Xiao Wu went on, "Before fleeing, the Titan Giant Ape released a deafening roar. The sound knocked me unconscious instantly. Many surrounding soul beasts suffered the same fate—some even died from internal injuries. When I regained consciousness, I discovered my soul power had reached level thirty."

Her voice brightened slightly. "Even more fortunately, among the unconscious soul beasts, I found a thousand-year specimen perfectly suited to my needs. I absorbed it as my third spirit ring."

Zhao Wuji's jaw dropped. "Xiao Wu, you're saying you're already a Soul Elder? Who's older—you or Tang San?"

"I'm a few months younger than Tang San," Xiao Wu replied.

Zhao Wuji beamed with pride. "Excellent! Truly excellent! Xiao Wu, you'll go down in history as Shrek Academy's youngest Soul Elder!"

He then recounted everything that had transpired during her absence, including Yang Xiong's rescue attempt and Tang San's spirit ring absorption.

As Xiao Wu listened, her expression shifted uncertainly. Deep in her eyes, a trace of fear flickered, and her body trembled slightly.

Tang San quickly offered comfort. "Xiao Wu, I'm a Soul Elder now too. I'll protect you with everything I have. No one will ever hurt you again."

Xiao Wu nodded gratefully. "Third Brother, I believe you."

After catching up, the group prepared to leave the Star Dou Great Forest.

Suddenly, Tang San seemed to remember something. He retrieved numerous hidden weapons from his person and handed them to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, these are hidden weapons I've crafted. They'll help protect you in the future."

The group watched in amazement as Tang San produced the Zhuge Divine Crossbow. They had witnessed him use it to kill the Hurricane Mantis, and its power had exceeded all expectations.

Tang San demonstrated by aiming the Zhuge Divine Crossbow at a massive tree and pulling the trigger. Sixteen crossbow bolts fired in rapid succession, each one embedding deeply into the trunk.

Everyone marveled at the display. Regular bows and arrows couldn't match such power, especially the ability to fire sixteen bolts consecutively. The attack would be virtually impossible to defend against. In terms of raw power, it surpassed most of their spirit skills.

Oscar and Ning Rongrong showed particular interest. Ning Rongrong's expression turned serious. "Tang San, did you create this weapon yourself?"

Tang San nodded modestly. "I researched and developed it carefully. When used unexpectedly, it can injure even a Spirit Ancestor. If someone below Spirit Ancestor level takes a direct hit, survival would be unlikely."

Ning Rongrong pressed further. "Tang San, as you know, I'm an auxiliary soul master without any offensive capabilities or means of self-defense. Would you consider selling one to me? Name your price."

Tang San didn't hesitate. "We're all classmates. I'll give you one later."

Oscar and Ma Hongjun perked up at this. "Tang San, aren't we classmates too? Aren't we good brothers?"

Tang San smiled warmly. "Don't worry, everyone. I'll prepare a set for all our classmates."

Zhao Wuji interjected with a serious tone. "Tang San, your classmates aren't poor. I can see these devices are complex to manufacture and expensive to produce. You should set a fair price and sell them properly. Otherwise, you'll suffer too great a loss. Among classmates, the burden shouldn't fall on one person alone."

Tang San looked around at his friends and smiled. "Teacher Zhao, it's really not a problem. If everyone's interested, I'll do my best to equip all of you. This way, we'll face less danger on future expeditions."

He approached Yang Xiong specifically. "Thank you for this time. Thank you for risking your life to rescue Xiao Wu."

Yang Xiong smiled modestly. "Classmates should help each other. Besides, I do have some trump cards for self-preservation."

After their exchanges, the group departed the Star Dou Great Forest together.

Yang Xiong walked at the rear of the group while Lin Gong studied him curiously. "Yang Xiong, these hidden weapons seem quite powerful. Didn't you mention they could be useful to you? Or valuable to our sect?"

Yang Xiong smiled knowingly. "Such matters are better handled by a young lady like Rongrong. I prefer to focus on cultivation and body refinement."

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