Douluo Dalu: Three-Headed Dragon King

The sunset was like blood, and the orange-red afterglow bathed the entire sky.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops of Sunset Forest, casting mottled golden light across the ground. The trees of the forest were tinted with a warm hue, as if trying to leave behind the last remnants of warmth before nightfall.

Purple light flickered in Tang San's eyes as he sharply scanned every rustle and movement in the woods. Clearly, the battle earlier against the Heaven Dou Imperial Second Team hadn't consumed much of his energy—or rather, after absorbing life force, Tang San was even more energetic than before.

Located in the northern part of the continent outside Heaven Dou City, Sunset Forest was a cold region filled mainly with deciduous trees. Due to its proximity to human settlements, soul masters from cities near Heaven Dou often hunted here. As a result, both the quality and density of soul beasts here were far inferior to those in Star Dou Great Forest.

Normally, finding a suitable soul beast in Sunset Forest wasn't easy. And with the second round of the Soul Master Tournament scheduled for the third day after the opening ceremony, Tang San had only a day and two nights to locate a fitting soul beast—a challenging task.

Fortunately, since the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was underway, the number of soul masters hunting in Sunset Forest was far fewer than usual, slightly increasing Tang San's chances of finding the right spirit ring.

As the sun gradually dipped below the horizon, the forest began to darken. Tree shadows stretched long, slowly disappearing into the night. Soul beasts became active, moving through the underbrush in search of prey.

"Xiao San, the forest is too dangerous at night. Let's stop for now. We'll resume the search tomorrow morning," Flender said seriously, glancing at the dimming surroundings.

"Let's find a spot to make camp and light a fire." Though eager to find his fourth spirit ring, Tang San knew how dangerous nighttime in the forest could be. He nodded in agreement.

Unlike the dense canopy of Star Dou Forest, Sunset Forest had more space between trees, making it easy for Flender and Tang San to find a high, open area to pitch their tent and set up a roaring campfire.

When darkness fell completely, the forest around them grew even gloomier under the flickering firelight. The rustling of leaves in the wind, mixed with chirping insects and birds, formed a haunting symphony. Surrounded by this endless, oppressive darkness, even the proudest souls would feel small and vulnerable.

"Xiao San, you've just finished a match today. To prepare for spirit ring absorption, get some rest. I'll keep watch tonight," Flender offered kindly. In this dim moonlight, his Four-Eyed Owl spirit would be especially effective.

Tang San nodded without hesitation. At only rank forty, he would have to rely on Flender if a powerful soul beast appeared. Better to rest and conserve his strength for the challenge ahead.

Night passed quietly.

Before dawn even lit the far horizon—during the darkest moment before morning—a dark green shadow silently approached their tent.

Though it wasn't autumn, years of accumulated dead branches and leaves covered the forest floor. Yet this shadow, like a master hunter, didn't make the slightest sound as it crept forward. It evaded Flender's watchful gaze and quietly slit open the tent.

"Soul Devouring Demon Spider!"

Tang San, who had just woken and was about to meditate, snapped his eyes open wide as he locked onto the dark green figure.

Also known simply as Soul Devouring Spider, this soul beast was unlike ordinary arachnids. It used two pairs of rock-hard, spear-like forelimbs to hunt and three pairs of rear legs for movement. It was a rare and fearsome predator in the forest.

Bibi Dong's martial spirit, the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, was the royal bloodline of this species, known for its tremendous offensive power. Her second martial spirit, the Death Spider Emperor, was infamous for its unmatched venom and wide-area attacks.

The spider in front of Tang San was about the size of a single-person tent, clad in a coat of dark green armor, with gleaming forelimbs as sharp as blades. One glance told Tang San—there was no way he could fight it head-on.

The spider didn't expect its sneak attack to be discovered, and for a moment, its gaze locked awkwardly with Tang San's. This fleeting hesitation gave Tang San just enough time to escape.

Shouting for Flender, Tang San rolled to the tent's corner and summoned a flood of Blue Silver Grass to fill the tent, creating a barrier between himself and the spider.

The mass of Blue Silver Grass was shredded instantly by the spider's bladed forelimbs—barely enough to block its line of sight, but it cost Tang San a significant amount of soul power.

When the spider struck, it found that Tang San had already escaped through a hole in the tent and now stood behind Flender, his expression solemn.

"Dean Flender, your night watch was sloppy. If it were anyone else, they'd be spider food by now," Tang San said breathlessly, still shaken.

Flender blinked in realization and scratched his head awkwardly. "Heh, Xiao San, I really dropped the ball this time. I'll deal with this beast right now and help you get your fourth spirit ring."

"Dean Flender, this Soul Devouring Spider has incredible offensive power. Its abilities should be perfect for breaking the defense of Diamond Mammoths. It's the exact spirit ring I need." Tang San's tone was firm.

Originally, Tang San had planned to absorb a soul beast like Ghost Vine for his fourth ring—plant-type soul beasts like Blue Silver Grass, with compatible energy and no loss of future potential. Ghost Vine's toxicity and attack focus aligned perfectly with Blue Silver Grass's traits.

But faced with the spider's razor-sharp forelimbs, Tang San changed his mind. 'Just as I'm about to fight Elephant Armored Sect, I encounter this armor-breaking soul beast. Is this divine providence?'

Flender's expression turned uncertain. "Xiao San, I know your spirit theory is strong, but this spider has at least five thousand years of cultivation. The limit for a fourth ring is only four thousand years. How can you take this one?"

"My third spirit ring already exceeded the limit. I'm confident I can absorb this one too. Please, Dean Flender, strike now." Tang San's eyes glowed red with eagerness.

Flender no longer hesitated. His wings spread wide, and he vanished in a blur of motion, sweeping low across the forest floor.

"Xiao San, what are you waiting for? Finish it off!"

Flender's voice brought Tang San back to focus—he now saw claw marks on the spider's back. It lay dying on the ground. 'As expected of the Flying Corner of the Golden Iron Triangle—his speed is unfathomable.'

Wasting no time, Tang San summoned Blue Silver Grass to bind the spider tightly and flung hidden weapons into its wounds.

Soon, a violet spirit ring slowly rose from the spider's body.

Without a word, Tang San walked forward and guided the ring to merge with himself.

Thanks to Yu Tianming's early evacuation of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Tang San hadn't absorbed any immortal herbs, making it harder for his body to endure a high-year spirit ring. The moment absorption began, he was drenched in sweat, his face purple-red from exertion.

Flender was startled. 'Xiao San's really pushing himself. If he fails… should I quietly sneak away?'

As dawn broke, golden light spilled across the forest and birds began to chirp.

Though Tang San looked like he'd reached his limit from the start, hours passed with no sign of failure. Like Blue Silver Grass itself, he bent with the wind but did not break.

Bored, Flender grabbed a curious Soft-Boned Rabbit and roasted it on the fire, muttering, "He should've failed by now. Maybe this spider's too powerful, harder to absorb than a normal spirit ring?"

Right on cue, blood began to seep from Tang San's skin, covering his entire body.

Frightened, Flender tossed the rabbit aside and watched nervously, afraid Tang San would die any second.

Time ticked by.

Finally, as night fell and the campfire blazed again, Tang San opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Flender rushing toward him.

"Thank heavens, Xiao San! I thought you'd fail this time. But you pulled through!" Flender said excitedly, hugging Tang San's blood-crusted frame.

Tang San stared at the starlit sky and gently pushed Flender away. "Dean Flender, how long was I absorbing this spirit ring? Why is it night again?"

Flender scratched his head and grinned. "A full day. You made it just in time for tomorrow morning's match against the Elephant Armored Sect."

Tang San didn't respond immediately. He gazed at the cold moonlight, deep in thought.

"Xiao San, what's wrong? Did you not get the skill you wanted?" Flender asked, worried.

Tang San shook his head. "It's suitable. I was just thinking back to the time in Star Dou Forest when we met the Titan Giant Ape. Back then, Xiao Wu..."

"I didn't mean to drive Zhao Wuji away. But with just a Grandmaster's strength, Xiao Gang couldn't have lasted long against Old Zhao..." Flender thought Tang San was remembering Zhao Wuji and quickly explained.

Tang San shook his head again. "I was remembering when Xiao Wu was saved. As for Zhao Wuji, he was a coward when facing the Titan Giant Ape, but a raging beast when facing a teacher. A bully through and through. It's better that he left."

Before Flender could respond, Tang San raised his hand. A strange vine grew from his palm.

Blue Silver Grass now had the thickness of two fingers. The former needle-like thorns had become half-finger-wide spikes. The leaves were gone, replaced entirely by thorny stems, wriggling like worms in Tang San's hand—grotesque and terrifying.

If Tang Ya from Unrivaled Tang Sect saw this, she'd likely exclaim, 'You're the real Dark Blue Silver Grass!'

Tang San gazed at his transformed martial spirit and said calmly, "Dean Flender, the skill I gained from the Soul Devouring Spider is called Soul Piercing Thorns. It sharpens the spikes on Blue Silver Grass to extreme levels, and once embedded in an enemy's body, it causes excruciating pain."

As he spoke, the Blue Silver Grass lashed out, coiling around another Soft-Boned Rabbit nearby and dragging it to Tang San's hand.

"Hahaha! Dean Flender, the pain from my Blue Silver Grass is so intense that this rabbit died without even making a sound!" Tang San laughed wildly, eyes flashing red.

Watching the now slightly unhinged Tang San, Flender swallowed hard. Soft-Boned Rabbits were common prey, but who would've thought being caught meant such torment? And Tang San's expression... was a little too deranged.

Forcing a smile, Flender said warmly, "Xiao San, I caught another rabbit at noon. Already roasted it for you. Eat while it's hot. Let's rest here tonight and head to the tournament first thing in the morning."

Tang San didn't reply. He stared at the cloud-covered moon as he silently began eating the day-old roasted rabbit.

(End of Chapter)

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