After much deliberation, Chu Tianxiu decided to leverage his most reliable asset.
'System, do you have any recommendations for my first spirit ring?'
"A Soul Devouring Spider," Chu Tianxiu mused. He was familiar with them; one of Bibi Dong's ultimate martial souls was the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, the sovereign of its kind. "That will do perfectly."
He turned to his companion. "Elder Ju, can you sense any spider-type spirit beasts ahead? One that could provide a control-type spirit skill would be ideal."
Ju Yueguan closed his eyes, his formidable spiritual power washing over the area like a wave. After a moment, he looked at Chu Tianxiu with a hint of surprise. "Your luck holds, little Tianxiu. There is indeed a Soul Devouring Spider five thousand meters ahead. Its aura suggests it is over a thousand years old. We will confirm its exact age upon sight."
When they arrived, the soul beast was in the midst of feeding on a hundred-year-old Red Horned Deer. It was a terrifying sight: entirely blackish-gray, with twelve crimson compound eyes and eight legs as sharp as spears.
"Judging by its size and aura, it should be over five thousand years old," Ju Yueguan confirmed, his tone laced with caution.
Chu Tianxiu knew its exact age was six thousand three hundred years. The Soul Devouring Demon Spider was a far more terrifying predator than the infamous Human-Faced Demon Spider. It could release a powerful pressure to immobilize weaker foes, and its eight legs could drain spirit power on a massive scale, potentially preventing a victim from even summoning their martial soul.
'This is a perfect opportunity to test my current limits against a worthy opponent,' he thought.
"Elder Ju, please allow me to engage it alone first. Intervene only if my life is in genuine danger."
Ju Yueguan, a veteran of countless battles, understood the value of practical experience. He nodded and retreated to a vantage point. "Proceed with caution."
Chu Tianxiu did not initiate a sneak attack with his Nine Nether Demon Chains. He walked directly into the spider's line of sight, intending a straightforward confrontation to gauge his true combat power.
The Soul Devouring Spider immediately unleashed its oppressive aura. Chu Tianxiu's two soul imprints flared, and his phantom form descended. The phantom's own crimson eyes glowed, releasing a counter-pressure that neutralized the spider's intimidation.
Seeing its usual tactic fail, the spider shrieked and thrust its two sharpest forelimbs at him with blinding speed. Now possessed by his martial soul, Chu Tianxiu met the charge head-on, grabbing one forelimb with each hand. The spider's immense momentum pushed him back over ten meters, his feet carving deep trenches into the earth. He was forced into a defensive stance but was not seriously injured. With a grunt of effort, he strained his muscles and finally halted the creature's charge.
Enraged, the spider lunged again, its foul mandibles snapping shut where his head had been just a moment before. In that instant, the Nine Nether Demon Chain materialized in Chu Tianxiu's hand. Soul power surged into it, and the chain twisted like a living needle, piercing through the spider's face and brutally sewing its mouth shut.
Chu Tianxiu used the leverage to shove the spider back. Simultaneously, he summoned eight Cold Iron Chains. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled them, each chain unerringly aiming for one of the spider's legs.
Once entangled, he anchored the ends of the chains to the ground, severely restricting the spider's movement. The beast struggled desperately, but the chains clung to its limbs tenaciously.
Seeing an opening, Chu Tianxiu leaped onto its broad back. The Nine Nether Demon Chain reappeared in his hand. He poured his soul power into it, causing the chain to expand, its conical blade gleaming with a cold, deadly light.
With focused intent, he drove the chain's tip downward. The spider's hard carapace, formidable to most, was pierced like paper under the Nine Nether Demon Chain's astonishing penetrating power. The cone-shaped tip, now dripping with green blood, embedded itself deep into the ground beneath the spider.
The Soul Devouring Spider let out a final, muffled wail and began its death throes.
Chu Tianxiu maintained his grip on the chain, channeling soul seals directly into the spider's body through the connection. The spider's resistance gradually weakened as its soul power was forcibly guided away from its core and dispersed into its eight legs.
'This technique, from the Soul Clan's heritage, is used to prevent a target's retaliation by scattering their soul power. But what if I reverse the principle?' A bold idea sparked in his mind. 'If I can direct a soul beast's concentrated soul power to a specific body part just before its death… could I artificially induce the formation of a soul bone? And if I direct it to a part other than the limbs, head, or torso… perhaps an external soul bone?'
He had long coveted the Eight Spider Lances that Tang San would eventually possess. This Soul Devouring Spider was a far superior specimen. If he could successfully create eight spider spear soul bones, their power would be immense. He did not intend to fuse with them himself, however. He pictured Bibi Dong, whose second spirit was the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor. A fusion between her and these lances could be perfect.
The Soul Devouring Spider, overcome by its injuries, let out one last shuddering breath and collapsed, its body growing dim. However, its eight spider legs now glowed with an intense, concentrated light. Chu Tianxiu knew his attempt might have succeeded.
Ju Yueguan landed softly beside him, his expression one of frank astonishment. The child's combat awareness was flawless—wearing down the opponent, applying restraints, and delivering a clean, fatal blow.
"Little Tianxiu, your tactical execution was terrifyingly precise."
"It was a necessary test of my abilities, Elder Ju," Chu Tianxiu replied calmly. "This soul beast seems to have produced a soul bone, but of an unusual type."
Ju Yueguan examined the glowing legs, his eyes widening. "This… this is an external soul bone!" he exclaimed, his voice hushed with awe. The value of such an item was incalculable.
Chu Tianxiu quickly stored the eight glowing spider legs into his system space before any unwanted thoughts could arise in his companion.
Ju Yueguan was momentarily speechless. "Little Tianxiu, why store it away? You should fuse with it immediately! This is a treasure every soul master dreams of!"
A innocent smile spread across Chu Tianxiu's face. "I wish to give this to Sister Dong'er."
"You… you would give this away?" Ju Yueguan could scarcely believe it.
"I often see Sister Dong'er looking lonely when she thinks no one is watching," Chu Tianxiu explained simply. "If I give this to her, perhaps she will be happier."
At that moment, Ju Yueguan felt a complex mix of emotions. 'Why is it that I have never encountered a disciple with such thoughtful loyalty? His Holiness is truly fortunate.'
As they spoke, the Soul Devouring Spider breathed its last. A deep purple, nearly black spirit ring emerged from its corpse. Chu Tianxiu summoned his martial soul again, and the ring was drawn towards his two soul imprints, beginning the process of absorption…