The Return of the Eight Spider Lances

At the Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena, inside the Shrek team's private room.

Both the Emperor Team and the Shrek Seven Devils were present.

Ye Lingling was using her Nine-Hearted Begonia to heal the Shrek Seven. Among them, Tang San was the most seriously injured, having endured Xiao Wu's ultimate eight-stage throw, along with being poisoned by the Jade Phosphor Five Poisons. 

He was in a miserable state, followed by Dai Mubai, who had taken Yu Tianheng's Thunder Dragon Claw to his chest, breaking several ribs. Lastly, Oscar wasn't as severely injured, but he was still bruised all over from being beaten by Ye Lingling.

As for the others, they were mostly fine, especially Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, who were completely unscathed. It was because one was a certain someone's wife, and the other was a cute little girl—how could someone be heartless enough to hurt them?

At this moment, Xiao Wu stood in a corner, looking aggrieved, as the Emperor Team's teacher, Qin Ming, was scolding her. Mainly because she had hit too hard, and if Ye Lingling hadn't been there, Tang San would probably be bedridden for over a year.

Qin Ming glanced at Xiao Wu and reprimanded her, "Xiao Wu, while you shouldn't show mercy to your enemies, this was just a sparring match. Look at what you've done. Take a page from Zu Zong's book. Every time he fights, he holds back just enough."

Xiao Wu lowered her head, her face flushed red, and her cheeks puffed with frustration. She glanced at Zu Zong, who sat behind Qin Ming, and thought to herself, "This damn Zu Zong! Didn't you say I could hit however I wanted? Now look, I'm getting scolded."

Zu Zong, feeling Xiao Wu's gaze, scratched his head awkwardly. He knew it was his fault for letting her take the blame this time. "Teacher Qin, with Lingling here, Tang San will be fine. Let's just let it go."

"Alright, for Zu Zong's sake, I'll let you off this time," Qin Ming said. He didn't really want to punish Xiao Wu anyway, though he was proud of his team for overpowering Shrek. However, he still had to maintain a good relationship with Shrek Academy.

After Qin Ming turned away, Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue playfully and pounced on Zu Zong, playfully scratching and biting him. She whispered, "I don't care! You got me scolded, so you better make it up to me!"

Zu Zong looked around nervously. Thankfully, everyone's attention was on Ye Lingling's Nine-Hearted Begonia, or he would've been embarrassed. 

But Zhu Zhuqing's cat-like eyes were glaring at him… Wait, weren't her cat eyes only supposed to appear during Spirit Possession? And those sharp claws too—uh-oh, she's mad.

"Okay, okay, it was my fault this time. After we return to Heaven Dou, you can do whatever you want with me," Zu Zong pleaded.

Xiao Wu's mood brightened at his words. She knew Zu Zong had been sneaking off to see Zhu Zhuqing lately, spending little time with her. But after tomorrow, Zu Zong would be all hers again, since Zhu Zhuqing still had to stay at Shrek Academy.

Xiao Wu said, "Then when we have a break, you have to take me shopping in Heaven Dou City."

"Deal."

"I also want to buy lots and lots of carrots."

"Deal."

"And—"

"Fine, fine! As long as you forgive me, I'll get you whatever you want," Zu Zong relented, glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, who was clearly furious.

In the end, after signing a series of one-sided agreements, Xiao Wu finally let Zu Zong off the hook.

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling had finished healing the Shrek team. The Nine-Hearted Begonia was truly the strongest healing-type Spirit. Even Tang San's shattered bones were fully healed under its powerful restorative abilities.

As the white light faded, Ye Lingling withdrew her Spirit.

"They're all healed, but I can't do anything about Tang San's poisoning," Ye Lingling said.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Dugu Yan.

Dugu Yan's face turned red with embarrassment. She could neutralise normal snake venom, but she couldn't do anything about the Jade Phosphor Five Poisons. 

Not wanting to admit defeat, she shifted her gaze to Zu Zong. After all, he had prepared the poison, and she wasn't about to take the blame. "It's just the Jade Phosphor Five Poisons. Zu Zong can deal with it."

Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's face turned stiff as he looked at Zu Zong with concern. "Please, Zu Zong. If we don't treat it soon, Tang San will be in real danger."

Zu Zong's expression twitched. This scumbag was actually asking him to save his enemy—what a joke. 

But there was no helping it. While he could plot against Tang San, killing him was off the table. If Tang San died, who knew when Tang Hao would come storming in for revenge?

"Alright, everyone step aside. I'll take care of it," Zu Zong said.

As the others moved away, only Zu Zong and the unconscious Tang San remained on the couch.

A faint blue light began to emerge from Zu Zong's back. Soon, everyone could see his spine glowing with a purple hue, and eight lumps appeared along his back.

As the lumps grew, purple light began to shine more brightly.

Suddenly, with a tremor in his body, the lumps burst open, and eight thick purple appendages shot out from Zu Zong's back.

Compared to four months ago, Zu Zong could now control the Eight Spider Lances effortlessly. Within the span of three blinks, the lances had fully extended from his back.

Simultaneously, Zu Zong felt a significant increase in his attack power—about 50% stronger than before.

As the purple spider legs emerged from Zu Zong's back, the Emperor Team, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others remained calm, having seen this several times. But the rest of the Shrek team was startled.

"A-ah, a spider monster!" Ning Rongrong shrieked.

Yu Xiaogang's face was filled with shock, yet his eyes gleamed with excitement as he muttered, "Is that… an external Spirit Bone?"

Qin Ming nodded with a broad smile. He was proud that one of his students had obtained an external Spirit Bone. "Yes, exactly. Zu Zong's third Spirit Ring came from a thousand-year-old spider Spirit Beast, and he was lucky enough to get its external Spirit Bone as well."

"No wonder… What incredible luck!" Yu Xiaogang said, his voice tinged with envy.

Hearing that it wasn't some kind of monster but an external Spirit Bone, the Shrek team's interest was piqued.

Ning Rongrong asked, "What's an external Spirit Bone?"

Yu Xiaogang, sensing another opportunity to show off his "Invincible Theories," began his explanation, a hint of pride flashing across his stiff face.

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