Douluo: The Ultimate Self

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After more than two hours, Tang San's face gradually began to calm down. A purple soul ring slowly coalesced around his Blue Silver Grass.

When Tang San finally opened his eyes again, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

However, before anyone could communicate with him, Tang San's face suddenly twisted in extreme pain. His soul power spiraled out of control, and the skin on his right palm split open. Between his fingers emerged a bright green scythe-like formation.

The scythe was about a foot long, resembling the front legs of the Hurricane Mantis. Its serrated edges gleamed with sharpness.

Tang San's entire right hand went haywire, flailing uncontrollably in the air as if he were on the verge of madness.

Yang Xiong quickly warned, "Everyone, don't approach Tang San. Let him handle this situation himself."

Zhao Wuji looked puzzled. "Yang Xiong, what is this? It seems somewhat similar to the Hurricane Mantis's front leg."

Yang Xiong carefully observed Tang San and couldn't help but marvel. "Tang San's luck is incredible. This should be an external soul bone—the Hurricane Mantis's front leg external soul bone."

Ning Rongrong hurriedly asked, "Little Bear, I've heard of external soul bones before, but shouldn't the Hurricane Mantis's front leg have been attached to its body?"

Yang Xiong sighed. "For insect-type soul beasts, all their limbs are referred to as legs, but typically their forelegs symbolize human arms. Similarly, snake-type soul beasts may not have arms, yet they can still produce limb-related soul bones. However, controlling this external soul bone from the Hurricane Mantis's front leg will likely be difficult at first. There's no record of such a soul bone appearing in the soul master world."

By now, Tang San was drenched in sweat, and his soul power was in complete disarray. Zhao Wuji urgently advised him, "Tang San, focus your mind! Treat this scythe as part of your own body—like a bone—and try to gradually control it with your soul power."

Tang San's willpower was strong. Following Zhao Wuji's guidance, he gradually calmed his mind, and his soul power began to stabilize. The external soul bone of the mantis leg slowly retracted into his palm.

Finally, Tang San gasped for breath and spoke. "Thank you, Teacher Zhao, and thank you all for your concern. I'm fine now."

Though curious, no one pressed further. Yang Xiong, however, was deeply shocked inside.

External soul bones were exceedingly rare, even rarer than ordinary soul bones. In the entire history of Douluo Continent, only three external soul bones had appeared. Even in later generations, they remained exceptionally rare.

Moreover, external soul bones possessed growth potential, making them treasures of the soul master world.

Yang Xiong couldn't believe that even after he had intercepted the Eight-Spider soul bone, Tang San still encountered such extraordinary fortune by obtaining the external soul bone of the Hurricane Mantis's front leg.

From an offensive perspective, the Hurricane Mantis relied on its sharp forelegs to kill enemies, making it one of the deadliest predators in the forest.

While the absorption properties of the Hurricane Mantis's front leg weren't as potent as those of the Eight-Spider soul bone, for someone like Tang San—a former assassin—it seemed almost tailor-made. Its sharpness was ideal for stealthy attacks. Unfortunately, mantis-type soul beasts lacked venom.

As Yang Xiong gazed at Tang San's new external soul bone, it felt strangely familiar, as if he'd seen something similar before.

---

Just as everyone was bewildered, 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, Xiao Wu."

Tang San's face lit up with joy as he rushed over and embraced her. "Xiao Wu, I'm so glad you're safe! I thought I'd never see you again!"

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

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

Xiao Wu looked confused. "Brother, are you feeling dizzy? Why would a senior expert save me?"

Everyone turned to look at Yang Xiong and Lin Gong with puzzled expressions.

Lin Gong finally spoke. "Young lady, I was entrusted by Yang Xiong to rescue you. But when I approached the Titan Giant Ape and you, a powerful killing intent surged forth, accompanied by a voice telling me to leave. The voice said that this girl was none of my concern and that he would handle it. So I returned early. Wasn't it this person who saved you?"

"If I remember correctly, this individual should have appeared once at Shrek Academy, even exchanging blows with Zhao Wuji."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu's face turned pale. She realized she had been under observation by a powerful expert. Did that mean her every move, even her secret as a hundred-thousand-year transformed spirit beast, had been uncovered?

Zhao Wuji, seemingly oblivious to Xiao Wu's reaction, nodded. "That's correct. On the night you enrolled, I fought someone. That person was likely a Title Douluo and probably one of Tang San's elders."

Tang San sensed something was amiss with Xiao Wu and quickly asked, "Xiao Wu, what's wrong? Were you injured by the Titan Giant Ape? Don't worry—I'll find the Titan Giant Ape and avenge you sooner or later."

Xiao Wu swallowed hard. "Brother, I'm fine. It's just that the Great Star Dou Forest feels terrifying. I'm still shaken. I wasn't rescued by any senior expert."

"To be honest, I don't know what happened. The Titan Giant Ape grabbed me and ran into the forest. Not far along, we heard a bellowing sound, like that of a bull, coming from one direction. The Titan Giant Ape seemed frightened. It threw me aside and fled."

Everyone exchanged glances, perplexed. Neither side seemed to be lying. Could it be that the mysterious expert had scared off the Titan Giant Ape?

Xiao Wu continued, "Before running away, the Titan Giant Ape let out a thunderous roar. I was knocked unconscious, and many nearby soul beasts were similarly stunned. Some even bled to death. When I woke up, I found myself incredibly lucky—my soul power had reached level thirty."

"Even better, among the unconscious soul beasts, I found a thousand-year-old soul beast perfectly suited for me. I absorbed it as my third soul ring."

Zhao Wuji swallowed. "Xiao Wu, does this mean you're now a Soul Elder? How old are you compared to Tang San?"

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

Zhao Wuji beamed with pride. "Good, very good! Xiao Wu, you are now the youngest Soul Elder in the history of Shrek Academy!"

Zhao Wuji then recounted everything that had happened during their journey, including Yang Xiong's rescue attempt and Tang San's absorption of the soul ring.

After listening, Xiao Wu's expression remained uncertain. Deep within her eyes lingered a trace of fear, and her body trembled slightly.

Tang San quickly consoled her. "Xiao Wu, I'm now a Soul Elder. I promise to protect you fully and ensure no one harms you ever again."

Xiao Wu nodded. "Brother, I believe in you."

After some discussion, the group prepared to leave the Great Star Dou Forest.

At this moment, Tang San seemed to recall something. He took out several hidden weapons and handed them to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, these are the hidden weapons I crafted. They'll protect you in the future."

Everyone was astonished to see Tang San retrieve his Zhuge Divine Crossbow. Earlier, they had witnessed him use it to kill the Hurricane Mantis—an attack whose power exceeded all expectations.

To demonstrate, Tang San aimed the crossbow at a massive tree and pulled the trigger. Sixteen bolts shot out simultaneously, each embedding deep into the trunk.

Everyone gasped in awe. Ordinary arrows wouldn't have had such power, let alone firing sixteen bolts at once. The sheer unpredictability and overwhelming force surpassed even their soul skills.

Oscar and Ning Rongrong were particularly delighted. Ning Rongrong asked earnestly, "Tang San, did you make this weapon yourself?"

Tang San nodded. "Yes, it's the result of my meticulous research. If used unexpectedly, it can wound even a Soul Sage. If a target below that level is struck directly, survival would be nearly impossible."

Ning Rongrong pleaded, "Tang San, I'm a support-type soul master with no offensive or defensive abilities. Can you sell this to me? Name your price."

Without hesitation, Tang San replied, "We're classmates. I'll give you one."

Hearing this, Oscar and Ma Hongjun chimed in, "Tang San, aren't we also classmates and good brothers?"

Tang San laughed. "Don't worry, I'll prepare a set for all of you."

Zhao Wuji, however, grew serious. "Tang San, none of your classmates are poor. These items are clearly painstakingly crafted and expensive. You should assess a fair price for them. Otherwise, you'll bear too much of the burden. Friendship shouldn't come at the cost of your own sacrifice."

Tang San smiled at everyone. "Teacher Zhao, it's not a big deal. If everyone's interested, I'll try to equip all of you. This way, we'll reduce risks when we venture out in the future."

Tang San then walked up to Yang Xiong. "Thank you for risking your life to rescue Xiao Wu."

Yang Xiong chuckled. "Classmates should help each other. Besides, I do have some self-defense measures."

---

After some final exchanges, the group left the Great Star Dou Forest together.

Yang Xiong walked at the back of the group. Lin Gong glanced at him curiously. "Yang Xiong, these hidden weapons seem incredibly powerful. Haven't you considered how useful they might be for you—or even for our sect?"

Yang Xiong smiled. "Such matters are best handled by young ladies like Rongrong. As for me, I prefer to focus on refining my body through arduous training."

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