Chapter 59: On the Eve of Bone Extraction
One wave just settled, yet another arose.
After defeating the Shrek Seven Devils, Ye Hao left his team and headed straight for the betting area to collect his winnings. The reward was immense—a stack of gold cards with impressively large denominations.
Among them was a gold card worth 100,000 gold soul coins, one that once belonged to Flender. Before leaving, Ye Hao even glanced back at Flender, who stood there with a look of helplessness that couldn't have been more pitiful.
Serves him right. Betting on Shrek Seven Devils and losing isn't my fault.
Having just won a fortune and become a millionaire overnight, Ye Hao was in excellent spirits. He returned to the lounge, pushing the door open, only to see—
"Shi Brothers, what happened to you?"
He found Shi Mo and Shi Mo lying on the sofa, their faces pale and visibly uncomfortable. On closer inspection, their skin had taken on a faint purple hue—a clear sign of poisoning.
Beside them, Ye Lingling had activated her Nine Heart Begonia martial soul, its delicate petals blooming in her palm. Purple-hued flowers shimmered faintly as they attached to the brothers, alleviating their pain but doing little to cure the toxin.
Dugu Yan frowned deeply. "They've been poisoned, and the venom is severe—possibly as potent as my Jade Phosphor Serpent Venom. But when could this have happened?"
Ye Hao moved closer to examine them. After a careful inspection, he noticed tiny, almost imperceptible puncture wounds on the brothers' shoulders—resembling pinpricks. If he hadn't looked closely, he would've missed them.
The skin around the wounds was rotting, emitting a foul stench. The venom had acted quickly, leaving no time to react.
"Who could be so ruthless as to poison..." Yu Tianheng's voice roared with anger. Any joy from their victory had dissipated, replaced with rising tension.
Ye Hao took a deep breath. Judging by the wound and its odor, he could tell it was the venom of Tang San's Eight Spider Lances.
During the battle, when Xiao Wu was injured, Tang San had thrown caution to the wind and fought Shi Mo and Shi Mo. It must've been during that moment he poisoned them.
The venom from the Human-Faced Demon Spider was notoriously potent. Thankfully, Tang San hadn't infused a lethal dose into his attack, or the brothers would have succumbed immediately.
Had that happened, Ye Hao wouldn't have hesitated to confront Tang San on the spot, even if it meant publicly seizing the Eight Spider Lances in front of tens of thousands of spectators.
"I'll step out for a bit. Take care of them," Ye Hao said as he turned to leave.
Ye Lingling asked, "Where are you going?"
Ye Hao looked over his shoulder with a faint smile. "To find the one responsible and demand an antidote, of course."
"I'll go with you!"
Ye Hao shook his head and replied firmly, "There's no need. I can handle this myself."
Without another word, he stepped into the night, his lone figure exuding a mix of determination and cold killing intent.
Back at the Shrek rest area, Tang San had already returned to the inn, carrying the unconscious Xiao Wu. Satisfied with his earlier actions, he was confident the venom from his Eight Spider Lances would soon take effect on those who hurt her.
Sitting by the window, Tang San's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Anyone who dares harm Xiao Wu will pay the price."
Suddenly, his smile froze.
A shadowy figure stood by the window, cloaked in darkness. Tang San's eyes narrowed as he recognized the intruder.
"It's you!"
The figure's raspy voice replied, "Yes, it's me. Do you still remember me, Tang San?"
Tang San's face twisted in anger, his eyes flashing with killing intent. "Of course I remember you, Ye Ritian. I didn't expect you to have the audacity to come here. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"
Ye Ritian let out a cold laugh. "Afraid? Of what? I hold your secrets, Tang San. If I expose the events of that night, you won't just lose your friends—Shrek Academy itself will be dragged into ruin."
Tang San gritted his teeth, glaring at Ye Ritian. "Why are you here? Do you think you can threaten me?"
As he spoke, Tang San reached behind his back, silently arming his Silent Sleeve Arrow.
Ye Ritian's tone remained calm yet threatening. "I've come to borrow something from you."
Tang San's narrowed his eyes. "What is it?"
"Your Eight Spider Lances."
The moment the words left Ye Ritian's mouth, Tang San reacted swiftly. A silver needle whistled through the air, aimed straight at Ye Ritian's head.
But Ye Ritian was prepared. Dodging the attack effortlessly, he darted into the room, grabbed the unconscious Xiao Wu, and slung her over his shoulder.
"Don't tell anyone—or else..." Ye Ritian's chilling words echoed as he leapt out of the window with Xiao Wu.
Watching Xiao Wu disappear, Tang San's rage boiled over. The Eight Spider Lances were an external soul bone coveted by all. Ye Ritian's audacity to demand them was unforgivable.
Without hesitation, Tang San leapt out of the window, chasing Ye Ritian across the rooftops. Their shadows flitted across the dimly lit streets, weaving through the dark alleys of Soto City.
Finally, Ye Ritian stopped in a desolate alley, unceremoniously dropping Xiao Wu to the ground.
Tang San arrived moments later, his heart racing with anxiety as he glanced at Xiao Wu.
"Ye Ritian , hand Xiao Wu over! If she suffers even a scratch, I'll risk my life to take you down!"
Ye Ritian sneered, raising his middle finger mockingly. "Take me down? You're not even close to being qualified."
He gestured around the alley. "Remember this place?"
Tang San glanced at his surroundings.
Ye Ritian continued, "Yes, this is where you killed six innocent soul masters that night. Do you think I'd forget?"
Tang San's expression darkened as he avoided the topic. "What do you want?"
Ye Ritian's eyes glinted with malice. "What do I want?" His body shimmered as he activated his Soul Devouring Spider Emperor martial soul.
"I want your life!"
Before Tang San could react, Ye Ritian closed the distance in a flash, launching a devastating attack from behind.