Douluo: The Ultimate Self

The Man-Faced Demon Spider before them was clearly over two thousand years old. While it might not match the strength and bloodline of a Titan Giant Ape of the same age, it was still an extraordinary treasure in the Great Star Dou Forest. Especially its Eight-Legged Soul Bone, which was considered one of the strongest soul bones to appear in ten thousand years.

Lin Gong sighed with resignation as countless purple bamboo shoots emerged around the spider, instantly enveloping its body and immobilizing it completely.

This was the Purple Emperor Bamboo, an exceptional plant-type martial soul. It excelled in both control and offense, and could even serve as a defensive tool for soul masters.

At Yang Xiong's request, the countless bamboo shoots exerted force, snapping all eight legs of the Man-Faced Demon Spider. The creature collapsed on the ground, barely alive and looking utterly pitiful.

For a Soul Douluo-level expert, dealing with a 1000 year-old spirit beast was no great feat. It was baffling how Dragon Duke and Snake Grandmother repeatedly allowed their prey to escape.

Yang Xiong observed the severely injured Man-Faced Demon Spider and quickly retrieved two steel nets from his spirit tool storage. He wrapped the spider tightly, then used a massive chain to lock it up before storing it in his Hundred Herb Pouch, a spirit tool capable of holding living creatures.

Soul beasts generally possessed extraordinary vitality, especially top-tier ones like the Man-Faced Demon Spider. Even in its wounded state, it could survive for a long time—especially since Lin Gong had already suppressed its strength entirely.

Lin Gong looked puzzled. "Yang Xiong, do you value this Man-Faced Demon Spider so highly?"

Yang Xiong smiled. "The Man-Faced Demon Spider is a rare and highly toxic creature, arguably the strongest among venomous soul beasts of its level. Its poison will be immensely beneficial for my body tempering."

In terms of combat power, this Man-Faced Demon Spider might even surpass Yang Xiong. However, acquiring it now required almost no effort.

Lin Gong asked, "Do we still need to proceed to the core region of the Great Star Dou Forest? You've likely collected enough toxins by now."

Yang Xiong moved closer to Lin Gong. "Teacher Lin, can we speak freely here without being overheard? Especially by Title Douluos?"

Lin Gong sneered as countless Purple Emperor Bamboo shoots sprouted around them, forming a dense cocoon. Yang Xiong felt as if his senses and soul power were completely cut off from the outside world.

Lin Gong chuckled. "Within my Purple Emperor Bamboo barrier, even a Title Douluo couldn't hear us."

Yang Xiong gazed at the surrounding bamboo, astonished by its effects. Such abilities weren't recorded in any books he'd read.

Suddenly, Yang Xiong's expression turned ruthless. "Teacher Lin, let's continue pursuing. However, when we encounter my classmate, bring her back to the sect immediately."

Lin Gong looked disdainful. "What are you planning? You're still young. Even if you fancy a girl, don't resort to such tactics."

Yang Xiong's face darkened. "Teacher Lin, what nonsense are you spouting? There's something unusual about that girl. Once she's brought back to the sect, you'll understand. She might bring me a great surprise. But if we encounter that Title Douluo again, forget about the girl."

Lin Gong had never seen Yang Xiong so serious and nodded silently.

After their conversation, the two continued deeper into the Great Star Dou Forest.

To their surprise, they encountered Dragon Duke and Snake Grandmother just a few kilometers later. From their demeanor, it seemed they had met before.

Dragon Duke appeared as a gaunt old man with silver hair and a long dragon-headed staff. The dragon head on the staff was intricately detailed, almost lifelike.

Chao Tianxiang seemed to sense the lingering presence of the Man-Faced Demon Spider on Yang Xiong.

"Boy from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, why is it you again? Why do I sense the aura of a Man-Faced Demon Spider on you?"

Yang Xiong was startled. It seemed his earlier contact with the spider had left traces detectable by these experts.

He gave a slight bow. "Snake Grandmother, we indeed encountered an injured Man-Faced Demon Spider earlier. Seeing it as a menace to this forest, we eliminated it."

Chao Tianxiang was furious. "You Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect members are truly bullying us! That was a spirit beast we'd been tracking for a long time. How dare you snatch two of our spirit beasts from under our noses!"

Yang Xiong was speechless. These supposed Soul Douluo and Spirit Sage-level experts had repeatedly failed to capture 1000-year-old spirit beasts. Where was their dignity as high-ranking soul masters?

Lin Gong chuckled. "Meng Shu, Chao Tianxiang, what kind of joke is this? Both of you—a Soul Douluo and a Spirit Sage—and you still couldn't catch a 1000-year-old spirit beast? It's embarrassing."

Meng Shu's dragon-headed staff trembled, releasing a powerful aura. "Lin Gong, I didn't expect you to remain the same after all these years. Weren't you hiding in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect waiting to die? Now you dare to come out? Aren't you afraid of those people coming after you?"

Lin Gong sneered. "I fear nothing—not even those cowards. As for you, you've regressed. A Soul Douluo who fails to hunt spirit beasts should retire already."

Dragon Duke roared, "You…"

"Almost forgot—you were once chased like a stray dog. If you hadn't hidden in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, your grave would already be overgrown by weeds."

Lin Gong grew angry. "Even in my lowest moments, I remained honorable. Unlike you, who has spent years cowering in the Beast Academy. If it weren't for your connections with the Balak Royal Family and the Tian Dou Empire, those people would have dealt with you long ago."

---

The two elderly men, despite being Soul Douluos, completely disregarded their dignity and began bickering loudly—though they refrained from physical combat. Clearly, they were old rivals.

After their argument, Dragon Duke turned to Yang Xiong. "Are you saying you came out here just to protect this child from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? Your standards have fallen drastically."

Lin Gong sneered. "And you call yourself the principal of the Beast Academy? You can't even identify the age of a spirit beast. You're misleading your students."

Dragon Duke's expression darkened. "What do you mean by that?"

Lin Gong smirked. "The Man-Faced Demon Spider you've been chasing for so long is over two thousand years old. Were you planning to get your precious granddaughter killed?"

Dragon Duke was shocked. "Is that true?"

Lin Gong scoffed. "You've always been ignorant. I never expected your knowledge of spirit beasts to be this lacking. It seems the future of your Meng family is bleak."

---

Chao Tianxiang, standing nearby, seemed unfazed by their squabbling. Clearly, she was used to it.

Yang Xiong, however, grew increasingly curious about Lin Gong. This little old man was shrouded in mystery, and Yang Xiong suspected he might bring surprises in the future.

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