Chapter 31: The Truth?

Tang San’s body finally stopped convulsing. His clothes had been completely shredded, and gradually, the Blue Silver Grass that had extended from his body began to coil back, wrapping around him like a large cocoon. Only the spider legs on the outside continued to twitch rhythmically.

The members of Shrek were at a total loss as to why things had turned out this way. Vaguely, they could only hear the sound of bones cracking and popping from within the cocoon.

Ma Hongjun couldn't help but ask, "Is Tang San going to turn into a giant spider?"

Xiao Wu slapped Ma Hongjun on the head. "Nonsense, Brother is definitely going to be fine."

Zhao Wuji finally couldn't hold back anymore and asked Zhong Yan, "May I ask who you are and how I should address you?"

"I am a friend of Little San's. You can just call me Zhong Yan."

"He is my disciple, and also the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall."

Bibi Dong’s sudden announcement caught not only the Shrek group off guard but also Zhong Yan himself.

He couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, didn't you say that the position of Holy Son had to be earned by my own efforts?"

Bibi Dong asked playfully, "Do you think that once you obtain your fourth spirit ring, there will be anyone left in the younger generation of the Spirit Hall who can be your opponent?"

"Hehe, I suppose you're right. Then I shall humbly accept this title of Holy Son," Zhong Yan said, scratching his head.

Zhong Yan’s confident response made Zhao Wuji think to himself: *Birds of a feather flock together. Little San and Xiao Wu have exceptional talent, so this boy, being their friend, must also be a monster. Furthermore, with the resources of the Spirit Hall, his cultivation will surely be abundant. Little San is still working on his third spirit ring, while this boy is already obtaining his fourth. Coupled with his status as the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, his future achievements will certainly be no less than that of a Titled Douluo.*

With this realization, the lingering resentment in Zhao Wuji’s heart vanished. For a future Titled Douluo, lowering his stance was a small price to pay; Little San’s well-being was what truly mattered.

"Then, Your Highness the Holy Son, what exactly is happening to Little San?"

"You all know about spirit bones, right? I imagine most of you believe that the rarest among them are the head and torso bones..."

"Isn't that the truth? It’s widely accepted in the spirit master world," Dai Mubai couldn't help but interject. Being the same age, yet seeing this boy already a Holy Son of the Spirit Hall while he had to hide away in this countryside, he felt indignant. As for being wrong? His background as a prince of the Star Luo Empire gave him the capital to be confident.

Watching Dai Mubai’s ignorant yet confident expression, Zhong Yan found it amusing. "I don't even know what to say to you. I know who you are—Star Luo Empire... the Dai family. You have a privileged background and extraordinary talent. It’s just a pity that in your youth, you only knew how to squander your talent, indulging in wine and women. Later on, those days of living in a drunken stupor must have been quite pleasant, right? Hehe."

"You—!" Dai Mubai glared at him. What he didn't know was that Ning Rongrong, standing behind him, gave him a meaningful look when the Star Luo Dai family was mentioned.

"So, you are capable of feeling shame after all. How rare. It’s truly a pity for that girl, Zhu Zhuqing. A self-respecting, self-reliant girl tied to someone like you—what a tragedy."

Zhong Yan looked toward Zhu Zhuqing. "If you find this man unreliable and are disappointed in him, you are more than welcome to come find me at the Spirit Hall." In truth, Zhong Yan had no ulterior motives regarding Zhu Zhuqing; he simply felt pity for her.

Ignoring the murderous glare from Dai Mubai, he continued, "Head and torso bones are indeed the rarest and most precious among standard spirit bones, but external spirit bones do not fall into this category, because they are even rarer than a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!

"External spirit bones are a miraculous existence. They are a special classification outside the six standard types. If the chance of a normal spirit bone dropping from a spirit beast is one in a thousand, then the chance of an external spirit bone is less than one in ten thousand. Furthermore, the condition for absorbing an external spirit bone is that one must first absorb the spirit ring of the beast that dropped it.

"What we refer to as a torso bone generally means the sternum. But the bone Tang San has absorbed is a spinal bone; it is an external spirit bone. In the spirit master world, there is a ranking of the most precious items, known as the 'Spirit Master’s Dream List.' External spirit bones have always held the second spot on this list, second only to the almost impossible-to-find hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.

"But it is ridiculous that this so-called 'Dream List' was likely compiled by someone with no vision. For the Spirit Hall, only these luck-based external spirit bones are truly rare. As for hundred-thousand-year spirit rings—to say nothing else, there are two of them right here in the Star Dou Great Forest, and the Spirit Hall has at least two people capable of killing a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast solo, not to mention a siege by multiple Titled Douluos."

Zhong Yan emphasized these words, glancing at Xiao Wu in hopes that she would understand.

Whether Xiao Wu understood, he didn't know, but Bibi Dong certainly did. However, she didn't care. Zhong Yan was right; the Star Dou Great Forest was by no means a restricted zone for spirit masters. For the Spirit Hall, it was merely a matter of calculating the price they were willing to pay.

Zhong Yan continued, "Thus, as time passed, spirit masters across the world became ignorant of the existence of external spirit bones. But powerful factions have their own legacies. Who can you blame for your own lack of learning?"

Zhao Wuji slapped Dai Mubai. "Little San’s business isn't finished yet, why are you interrupting? Be careful, or I’ll beat you senseless when we get back."

He then turned to Zhong Yan. "Then what about Little San’s current condition?"

"The combined effect of the external spirit bone and the spirit ring is reshaping his body, allowing him to adapt to the presence of the external spirit bone."

"So you mean Little San is alright?"

"He will be perfectly fine."

"Then I am relieved."

A short while later, as the Blue Silver Grass dispersed, a layer of brownish-black matter covered Tang San’s body. Like falling fruit shells, these substances gradually peeled away, revealing the body beneath.

At this moment, his eyes slowly opened, filled with a sense of confusion.

"Brother—" Xiao Wu couldn't help but call out softly. The sudden sound startled Tang San. The voice was all too familiar and all too longed for. He instinctively looked in the direction of the sound, catching sight of Xiao Wu looking up at him.

Tang San’s body trembled violently, and he instinctively wanted to rush toward her, but at that moment, he was suspended in the air, supported by four spider legs. The legs were a part of his own body; as his intent shifted, they retracted, pulling out of the ground.

Tang San was unaware of the changes to his body, and he immediately lost his balance, falling from the air.

"Careful!" Xiao Wu cried out, opening her arms to catch him.

Zhong Yan couldn't watch anymore. He took a piece of clothing from his storage device and stepped forward. "Alright, alright, stop being so lovey-dovey. Little San, put this on."

Only then did Tang San notice Zhong Yan, and he said with pleasant surprise, "Ah Yan! Why are you here? Clothes? For me?" As he looked down and realized he was naked, he felt a wave of shyness and quickly took the clothes to put them on.

"Eh? What is this on my back?" Tang San asked, curious after putting on his trousers.

"I’ll explain in a moment. Just treat it as a part of your body. Focus your attention on it and try to retract it."

"Alright, I’ll try." With that, Tang San attempted to control the Eight Spider Lances on his back.

A strange scene unfolded: the three-meter-long spider legs slowly folded, the two bent segments aligning with each other, and then they gradually merged back into Tang San’s body.

"That's amazing!" Tang San said happily. Only then did he notice the dignified and beautiful woman standing behind Zhong Yan.

"Ah Yan, who is this?"

"This is my teacher, and also the Pope of the Spirit Hall."

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope." Tang San performed the standard greeting used by spirit masters when meeting the Pope.

Having received a favor from the Spirit Hall, whether out of politeness or for other reasons, a greeting was expected. Generally, ordinary spirit masters would kneel before the Pope.

However, not yet knowing his father's true identity and still believing himself to be a simple, ordinary talented spirit master, he chose not to kneel before Bibi Dong, driven by his own inner pride.

Zhong Yan patted Tang San on the shoulder. "Little San, there are some truths I must tell you. Come here." He then gestured for Xiao Wu to follow as well.

Xiao Wu hesitated but followed. She knew that there was no running away; she had already sent Er Ming away, and the Spirit Hall could kill them both. Regardless of what fate held in store, she had no choice but to accept it.

"What is it?" Tang San was still immersed in the joy of Xiao Wu’s return, completely unaware that the conversation to follow would be the darkest moment of his life.