Chapter 65: Mantis Leg External Soul Bone

As time passed, after more than two hours, Tang San's complexion finally began to gradually calm, and a purple Soul Ring gradually coalesced on the Blue Silver Grass.

When Tang San opened his eyes again, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

However, before anyone could try to communicate with Tang San, his face suddenly showed extreme pain; moreover, his soul power went completely out of control, and the skin on the palm of his right hand was torn open, revealing an emerald‑green scythe between his five fingers.

This scythe, about a foot long, resembled the front leg of a Hurricane Mantis, especially since it was covered with serrated teeth and looked extremely sharp.

And Tang San's entire right hand was completely out of control, swinging endlessly in the air as if he were about to go mad.

Yang Xiong hurriedly spoke, "Everyone, stay away from Tang San and let him handle this situation himself."

Zhao Wuji looked puzzled and said, "Yang Xiong, what is this? It feels a bit like the front leg of a Hurricane Mantis."

Yang Xiong examined Tang San closely and couldn't help exclaiming, "Tang San is unbelievably lucky; this must be an External Soul Bone, the Hurricane Mantis front leg External Soul Bone."

Beside them, Ning Rongrong hurriedly said, "Xiao Xiongzi, I've also heard of External Soul Bones, but since this is the Hurricane Mantis front leg, shouldn't it grow on the leg?"

Yang Xiong was speechless for a moment: "Although insect‑type Soul Beasts have all their outer limbs called legs, normally their front claws correspond to human arms, just as serpentine Soul Beasts lack arms yet can still possess limb‑type soul bones. However, this Hurricane Mantis front leg External Soul Bone is probably difficult to control in the early stage, and the records of the Soul Master World seem to have no mention of such a soul bone."

At this moment Tang San was drenched in sweat, and his soul power was unusually chaotic; Zhao Wuji quickly said to Tang San, "Tang San, you need to gather your spirit; treat that scythe in your hand as your own bone, as part of your body, and try to slowly control it with soul power."

Tang San's will was indeed strong; after Zhao Wuji's guidance, he gradually gathered his spirit, his soul power began to calm, and the original Mantis Leg External Soul Bone slowly retracted into his palm.

Finally, panting heavily, Tang San said, "Thank you, Teacher Zhao, thank you all for your concern; I'm fine now."

Of course, they were curious but said nothing more, while Yang Xiong felt a great shock inside.

The probability of an External Soul Bone appearing is extremely low, even lower than that of ordinary soul bones; consider that the entire Douluo No. 1 Middle School has seen only three External Soul Bones, and even in later ages they remain exceedingly rare.

Moreover, External Soul Bones are cultivable, regarded as treasures of the Soul Master World.

Yang Xiong hadn't expected that he had already snatched the Eight Spider Spirit Bone, yet Tang San still had such a strange encounter, absorbing a Hurricane Mantis and actually obtaining the Hurricane Mantis front leg External Soul Bone.

One should know that purely in terms of attack power, the Hurricane Mantis relies on those sharp front legs to kill enemies, making it one of the forest's most ruthless killers.

Purely regarding devouring attributes, the Hurricane Mantis front leg is far inferior to the Eight Spider Spirit Bone, but for a former‑life assassin like Tang San, the Hurricane Mantis front leg seems more suitable; its sharpness is ideal for covert ambushes, though unfortunately mantis‑type Soul Beasts have no poison.

Especially, Yang Xiong, looking at Tang San's Hurricane Mantis External Soul Bone, felt it seemed familiar, as if he had seen that shape somewhere before.

……

Just as the group was puzzled, Zhao Wuji suddenly shouted, "Who's hiding?"

Before Zhao Wuji could act, a pink figure emerged from the forest—it was Xiao Wu.

"Teacher Zhao, it's me, I'm Xiao Wu."

Tang San was instantly overjoyed, sprinted over and hugged Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, you're safe—I'm so glad; I thought you wouldn't return!"

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

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

Xiao Wu, puzzled, said, "San Ge, are you dizzy? How could a senior expert have saved me?"

The others looked at Yang Xiong and Lin Gong with puzzled faces.

Lin Gong finally spoke, "Little girl, I was sent by Yang Xiong to rescue you, but as I approached the Titan Giant Ape and you, a massive killing aura suddenly surged, and a voice echoed in the air telling me to leave. This little girl didn't need my help; he would handle it, so I returned early. Isn't it that person who saved you?"

"If I recall correctly, that person should have appeared once in Shrek, and even fought Zhao Wuji."

Xiao Wu's face turned ashen upon hearing this; she hadn't imagined a hidden expert was watching her, meaning every move of hers was being monitored, and even her secret of a Yi Wan Nian Transformed Soul Beast was known.

Zhao Wuji seemed oblivious to Xiao Wu's pallor and nodded, "Indeed, I did spar with that person on the first day of school; that person should be a Title Douluo and likely a senior of Tang San."

Tang San seemed to sense Xiao Wu's unease and quickly asked, "Xiao Wu, what's wrong? Were you perhaps injured by this Titan Giant Ape? Rest assured, I'll eventually find the Titan Giant Ape and avenge you."

Xiao Wu swallowed and said, "San Ge, I'm fine; it's just that the Star Dou Great Forest feels a bit terrifying, I'm still a little shaken, and I wasn't rescued by any senior."

"Actually I don't know what happened either; that Titan Giant Ape grabbed me and ran into the forest. Not far away, a cow‑like roar came from a direction, and the Titan Giant Ape seemed nervous, tossed me aside and fled."

The others exchanged glances upon hearing this, and both sides seemed truthful; could it be that the senior scared off the Titan Giant Ape?

Xiao Wu continued, "Before the Titan Giant Ape fled, it let out a huge roar that knocked me unconscious, and many nearby Soul Beasts were also stunned; some even spat blood and died. When I awoke, I found my luck was remarkable—my soul power had reached Level 30."

"Even luckier, among those stunned Soul Beasts I discovered a thousand‑year Soul Beast perfect for me, and I will train it as my Third Soul Ring."

Zhao Wuji swallowed and said, "Xiao Wu, that means you're now a Soul Elder; between you and Tang San, who is higher?"

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

Zhao Wuji instantly rejoiced, "Good, very good; from now on, Xiao Wu, you will be the youngest Soul Elder in the history of Shrek Academy."

Then Zhao Wuji recounted everything that had happened along the way, including Yang Xiong and others' rescue and Tang San's absorption of the Soul Ring.

After listening, Xiao Wu's expression was ambiguous, but a hint of fear flickered in her eyes, and her body trembled slightly.

Tang San quickly comforted, "Xiao Wu, I'm now a Soul Elder; from now on I will protect you with all my strength and ensure no one harms you again."

Xiao Wu then nodded, "San Ge, I believe you."

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

However, at that moment Tang San seemed to recall something, took out several Hidden Weapons and handed them to Xiao Wu, "Xiao Wu, these are Hidden Weapons I made; they will surely protect you in the future."

The others were surprised to see the Zhuge Crossbow Tang San took out, recalling that they had just witnessed him use the Zhuge Crossbow to kill a Hurricane Mantis, its power truly beyond everyone's imagination.

Especially, when Tang San gripped the Zhuge Crossbow and aimed at a massive tree, pulling the trigger, the Zhuge Crossbow instantly launched sixteen bolts, each embedding into the trunk.

The group gasped, noting that ordinary bows rarely have such power, let alone firing sixteen bolts in one volley, making defense nearly impossible; in terms of strength it even surpassed everyone's soul skills.

Oscar and Ning Rongrong were unusually thrilled, especially Ning Rongrong, who asked seriously, "Tang San, did you craft this weapon?"

Tang San nodded, "I meticulously developed this; if used unexpectedly, even a Soul Ancestor can be harmed, and a Soul Ancestor hit head‑on would find survival difficult."

Ning Rongrong said, "Tang San, you know I'm an Auxiliary System Spirit Master, with no attack or self‑defense abilities; could you sell this to me? Set any price you like."

Tang San didn't hesitate, "We're all classmates; later I'll give you one."

Nearby, Oscar and Ma Hongjun, hearing this, also stepped forward, "Tang San, aren't we classmates, good brothers?"

Tang San smiled, "Everyone, rest assured, I'll prepare a set for all classmates."

Zhao Wuji, now somewhat serious, said, "Tang San, your fellow students aren't poor; I can see these items are labor‑intensive and costly. Evaluate a price to sell them; otherwise you'll be at a loss, and classmates shouldn't bear all the expense alone."

Tang San smiled at them, "Teacher Zhao, this isn't a big deal; if everyone is interested, I'll try to arm you all, so that when we go out later we'll face less danger."

Especially, Tang San approached Yang Xiong, "Thank you this time; I appreciate you risking danger to rescue Xiao Wu."

Yang Xiong just smiled: "Classmates should help each other, and besides I indeed still have a trump card for self‑preservation."

……

After the group communicated, they all left the Wandering Great Forest.

Yang Xiong walked at the rear of the group; Lin Gong looked at Yang Xiong a bit oddly: "Yang Xiong, I think this Hidden Weapon has decent power—haven't you ever thought it could be useful to you? Or perhaps useful to our sect?"

Yang Xiong laughed: "Matters like this are naturally for Miss Rong Rong, the young lady, to handle; I still prefer to diligently train and hone my own body."

(End of Chapter)