Chapter 7: Shadow devil spider, Blood Moon Howling Wolf
Qian Xunji stopped in his tracks and pointed forward with his hand: "Dong'er, look, that is a Shadow devil spider."
Bibi Dong looked in the direction his finger indicated, struggling to widen her bright eyes before she could barely make out the Shadow devil spider in the distance.
If not for Qian Xunji pointing it out, Bibi Dong would never have discovered it.
"The Shadow devil spider is an outstanding specimen among spider-type Soul Beasts. It excels at stealth and surprise attacks, and its venom is quite domineering."
"Once wounded by it, the venom will rapidly erode your body, causing you to gradually lose the ability to move."
"With over five hundred years of cultivation, the age is just right for you."
Qian Xunji's voice was calm, carrying a tone of instruction.
Bibi Dong stood by Qian Xunji's side, listening attentively.
"I will listen to you, Teacher."
Having awakened her Martial Soul only a few days ago, she knew very little about these things. Even though she had been learning from Su Mo for a year, she had spent most of that time sleeping.
Qian Xunji nodded slightly, and in the next instant, his figure was already several feet away.
The Shadow devil spider seemed to sense danger; its eight long legs suddenly pushed up, wanting to escape into the deeper shadows.
But with only five hundred years of cultivation, in front of a level 92 Titled Douluo like Qian Xunji, it was ultimately just a slightly larger ant.
It took only two breaths.
A black shadow was thrown through the air, crashing heavily onto the ground three feet in front of Bibi Dong, sending dead leaves and dust flying.
Bibi Dong instinctively stepped back half a pace. Looking closely, it was indeed that Shadow devil spider.
At this moment, its eight long legs were curled into a ball, the purple patterns on its back armor were flickering slightly, and its pair of ghostly green spider eyes were rotating slowly. Its long legs twitched occasionally; it was already on the verge of death.
Qian Xunji took a dagger from his spirit tool and handed it to Bibi Dong.
The dagger was not long, its blade glinting with a cold, piercing light; it was a truly sharp weapon.
"Dong'er, go ahead." Qian Xunji gently placed the dagger into her small palm. "Finish it off."
Bibi Dong looked down at the dagger in her hand, then looked up at the Shadow devil spider not far away, which was several times larger than her.
She remembered that while on the carriage, Qian Xunji had patiently explained that after a Soul Beast died, it would condense a Soul Ring, but a Soul Master must kill the Soul Beast personally to absorb its Soul Ring and gain its power.
Knowing was one thing, however.
After all, Bibi Dong was only six years old. This was her first time killing a Soul Beast, so naturally, she felt a bit afraid.
Qian Xunji did not speak, simply standing quietly behind her.
Golden Crocodile Douluo stood with his hands behind his back not far away, also remaining silent.
They were both waiting for Bibi Dong to overcome her fear on her own.
The World of Soul Masters had always been cruel; every Soul Master had to experience this moment.
No one could take this step for her; she had to walk it herself.
Su Mo watched Bibi Dong quietly. Seeing her tight little face, who could have imagined that the little girl currently afraid to kill a single Soul Beast would one day become the terrifying Rakshasa God?
Bibi Dong took a deep breath. She gripped the dagger tightly and walked step by step toward the Shadow devil spider.
Walking up close, the Shadow devil spider's pair of ghostly green eyes rotated slightly, and its long legs twitched, as if it wanted to resist, but it no longer had any strength left.
Bibi Dong looked at it, as if having made up her mind. She closed her eyes directly, gripped the dagger with both hands, and thrust it out fiercely.
With a "puchi" sound, the blade pierced through the Shadow devil spider's skull, sinking in more than halfway.
The Shadow devil spider's eight long legs suddenly stiffened, twitched violently twice, and then it slowly collapsed.
Its pair of ghostly green pupils also gradually lost their luster, then dilated.
Bibi Dong opened her eyes.
She looked at the motionless Soul Beast before her, watching the dark green blood slowly seeping from the wound. Her little face went pale; she suddenly let go of the dagger and stepped back twice.
A moment later, yellow points of light began to emerge above the Shadow devil spider's corpse.
Those points of light, like fireflies, floated out from the corpse and gradually gathered into shape.
Soon, a deep yellow Soul Ring emitting a soft radiance floated in mid-air, rotating slowly.
"Dong'er, sit cross-legged." Qian Xunji's voice rang out. "Focus your mind and calm your Martial Soul, guide the Soul Ring into your body."
Bibi Dong sat down as instructed.
Cross-legged, eyes closed, focusing her mind.
The Soul Ring seemed to be under some invisible pull, slowly descending from the air, encircling her small body, and then merging into her.
Qian Xunji's gaze was fixed tightly on her.
This was his disciple's first time absorbing a Soul Ring beyond her rank; he couldn't help but feel a little nervous at this moment.
If an accident occurred, he would intervene without hesitation. Even if that caused Bibi Dong to suffer a backlash, it was still better than exploding from the energy.
Golden Crocodile Douluo was also watching Bibi Dong. His expression remained calm, but ripples stirred in his heart.
If he had been able to absorb his first Soul Ring beyond his rank back then, would he have already taken that final step by now and become a Limit Douluo like his big brother?
Perhaps, but there are no "ifs" in the World. His life had likely reached its end; that final step was hopeless in this lifetime.
The forest was very quiet, with only the occasional low cry of a Soul Beast from afar echoing through the empty woods.
Bibi Dong's brows knitted and relaxed from time to time, fine beads of sweat seeping from her forehead, her small body trembling slightly.
But everything was within her capacity to endure.
...
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, Bibi Dong opened her eyes.
"Teacher, I succeeded." She stood up, her voice filled with excitement.
Qian Xunji nodded, his eyes full of gratification: "How do you feel? Is there any discomfort?"
Bibi Dong shook her head, excitedly saying: "There is no discomfort; I feel very good. Teacher, I am already level 12 now."
"Level 12?" Qian Xunji raised an eyebrow slightly, then nodded. "Not bad."
When he had previously tested the effects of the Whale Glue, he had already discovered that it not only improved physical fitness but could also increase some Soul Power.
It was normal for Bibi Dong to reach level 12.
"What about the effect of your Soul skills?" Qian Xunji asked.
Bibi Dong sensed for a moment, then spoke: "The effect of the Soul skills is to increase speed and attack, as well as 100% of the Death Spider Emperor's venom power, lasting for half an hour."
Qian Xunji listened and nodded slightly.
A triple boost to speed, attack, and venom was indeed a very fitting Soul skills for the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul.
"Not bad. Think of a name for the Soul skills yourself." He nodded with gratification. "Next, it is time to find a Soul Ring for Xiao Mo."
"Alright, Teacher."
...
The four of them continued to venture deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.
Before long, they arrived at the side of a small stream.
The stream water was crystal clear, shimmering with ripples under the sunlight.
By the stream, there was a Blood Moon Howling Wolf.
Its entire body was covered in dark-colored fur; it was nearly three meters long, and its shoulder height was as tall as a person.
It was currently bowing its head to drink water, but its pair of perked-up ears were twitching slightly; it was vigilantly capturing every movement in its surroundings.
When the four of them, including Su Mo, stepped into its perception range, it immediately stopped drinking.