Once again, the Death God's Heart flew out, protecting Zhu'er's soul.
As Zhu'er offered her sacrifice, the original Soul Devouring Spider Emperor vanished. In its place, a vivid red soul ring appeared beneath Ye Hao's feet, along with a 100,000-year soul bone.
"100,000-year Soul Devouring Spider Emperor Right Arm Bone."
Ye Hao's eyes lit up. Both Zhuzhu and Zhu'er had provided him with soul bones. After their sacrifice, his connection with them grew even deeper.
In other words, even without summoning Zhuzhu or Zhu'er, Ye Hao could still execute their Martial Soul fusion skill.
The 100,000-year Soul Devouring Spider Emperor Right Arm Bone fused seamlessly with Ye Hao's right arm. The process was smooth, completing in mere moments.
"My soul power has reached rank 95. It's truly hard to believe. What takes others decades, or even a lifetime of arduous cultivation, I've achieved so effortlessly. Perhaps this is the unparalleled advantage of having twin Martial Souls."
Ye Hao was already satisfied. Spider's soul ring had granted him two powerful soul skills.
Spider Summoning!
Eternal Demise!
Spider Summoning allowed him to summon half-meter-long dark green venomous spiders, which could scout the surroundings or launch attacks.
As for Eternal Demise, this skill was extraordinary.
It was the strongest single-target offensive soul skill. No defense could withstand it—not even Invincible Golden Body.
Once struck by Eternal Demise, the target was guaranteed to die. Their wounds would never heal, and they would perish once their soul power was exhausted.
When combined with the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor Right Arm Bone, the effect was absolutely lethal, ensuring instant death—so swift that the target wouldn't even feel it.
"Master, Xie Hu has arrived," Xie Hu announced.
Ye Hao turned to Xie Huand nodded solemnly.
Just like before, Xie Hu transformed into a 30-meter-long Evil Spirit Orca King, its body radiating crimson light as a blood-red pillar shot into the sky.
Seeing this, Ye Hao immediately summoned the Death God's Heart, drawing Xie Hu's soul into it.
With that, everything was complete.
Ye Hao gazed at the three slumbering souls within the Death God's Heart. The sacrifice had been immense for them—their souls had now fallen into deep sleep.
But this one sacrifice would grant them an eternal chance to be reborn as humans.
For them, this was more than a fair trade.
"I will bring you back to life. This, I swear!"
Ye Hao declared firmly, making his vow.
The three soul beasts had sacrificed too much for him.
As the Evil Spirit Orca King completed its sacrifice, its body dissolved into countless red particles, merging into Ye Hao's body.
The red light coalesced into a blood-red 100,000-year soul ring, calmly orbiting Ye Hao.
The process was smooth, without any major obstacles.
"The soul bone is here. I wonder if it's a torso bone or..."
Ye Hao's eyes gleamed as he spotted the glowing red soul bone before him.
"100,000-year Evil Spirit Orca King Head Bone."
Guided by his soul power, the soul bone fused perfectly with Ye Hao.
A cool sensation spread through his head, clearing his mind. Yet, a flash of killing intent flickered in his eyes.
"Truly befitting of Xie Hu The Evil Spirit Orca King's innate bloodlust is overwhelming—this head bone nearly drove me mad." Ye Hao sighed softly.
Surveying the empty surroundings, a sense of loneliness welled up within him.
To say he didn't feel lonely would be a lie.
He had spent so much time with the three soul beasts that deep bonds had formed between them.
After a long silence, Ye Hao exhaled deeply.
"Rank 97 soul power. No one in the Douluo Continent will be my match now."
How lonely it is to be invincible.
After absorbing three 100,000-year soul rings and three 100,000-year soul bones, Ye Hao's soul power stabilized at rank 97.
The Soul Devouring Spider Emperor's second soul ring granted him two skills:
Soul-Devouring Demon Shatter—Similar to Evil Tiger's former eighth soul skill, it trapped the target in a "crystal," effortlessly crushing them to dust.
Orca Breaker Axe—A single-target attack skill that shattered all defenses.
As for the Evil Demon Orca King Head Bone, it vastly enhanced Ye Hao's spiritual power and granted him a demonic transformation soul bone skill.
This skill doubled his combat prowess, boosting his overall strength by 100%.
"I'll stabilize my soul power first, then acquire the remaining soul rings—and the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King's torso bone!"
Ye Hao departed, needing time to fully digest his gains.
Meanwhile, on Sea God Island...
After three months of cultivation, Tang San's soul power had settled at rank 77.
Today, he intended to challenge his first Guardian Douluo—the Sea Spear Douluo.
Among all the Guardian Douluos, the Sea Spear Douluo was the only one with a tool-type Martial Soul. The Nanook Spear, bestowed by the Sea God, was a top-tier weapon-type Martial Soul.
"Are you ready?"
The Sea Spear Douluo glanced at Tang San, his gaze dismissive.
Over a year ago, Bo Saixi had already informed them that Tang San had been abandoned by the Sea God.
If Tang San came to challenge them, they were to ensure he passed—but if they wanted to teach him a lesson along the way, Bo Saixi wouldn't mind.
Those were Bo Saixi's exact words.
"Bring it on."
Tang San nodded, summoning the Clear Sky Hammer. Blue Silver Grass spread beneath his feet, swiftly encircling the Sea Spear Douluo.
"Blue Silver Entanglement!"
Tang San commanded as countless vines of Blue Silver Grass surged toward the Sea Spear Douluo, endless and overwhelming.
At the same time, Tang San raised the Clear Sky Hammer high and swung it down at the Sea Spear Douluo with full force.
"Pathetic tricks."
The Sea Spear Douluo smirked, gripping his golden spear. With a single sweep, the Blue Silver Grass shattered like falling petals.
Then, with just his right hand, the Sea Spear Douluo blocked Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer head-on.
"What?!"
Tang San's eyes widened in shock. His opponent's strength was terrifying—the Clear Sky Hammer was the number one tool-type Martial Soul, yet...
"A worthless Martial Soul. What makes you think you can challenge me?"
The Sea Spear Douluo scoffed before kicking Tang San away.
"You—what did you say?!"
Tang San's face twisted in fury at the Sea Spear Douluo's words.
"Was I wrong?"
The Sea Spear Douluo rested his golden spear on his shoulder, barely sparing Tang San a glance.
"You have twin Martial Souls—you could have had a bright future. But what did you do?
To grow stronger quickly, you forced your second Martial Soul's development, wasting its potential. Tell me, isn't that a worthless Martial Soul?"
Tang San gritted his teeth, his expression contorted with rage.
"You seek death!"
"Slaughter Domain!"
A tangible white aura of killing intent erupted as Tang San advanced, murder in his eyes.
"Seventh Soul Skill—Blue Silver True Body!"
Tang San's seventh soul ring lit up as his body transformed into a towering Blue Silver Grass. Countless vines, like coiling dragons, surged endlessly toward the Sea Spear Douluo, attempting to entangle him.
"Pathetic tricks."
The Sea Spear Douluo shook his head, his expectations for Tang San already at rock bottom.
Then, the seventh soul ring on his golden spear flashed brightly. The Sea Spear Douluo merged into the spear in a streak of golden light—the pinnacle of a tool-type Martial Soul, unity of man and weapon.
Tang San's Blue Silver True Body was massive, with vines endlessly sprouting and coiling, trying to ensnare the golden spear that was the Sea Spear Douluo and force him to surrender.
But Tang San had underestimated his opponent.
With a few swift strikes, the Sea Spear Douluo severed the thick Blue Silver Grass vines and shot into the air.
The surrounding seawater began to boil, bubbling like a pot of scalding water.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Countless spears formed from condensed seawater rose from the ocean, surrounding Tang San's Blue Silver Grass form.
"Go!"
The golden spear—now the Sea Spear Douluo—descended from the sky. At the same time, the countless water spears homed in on Tang San, piercing him like a pincushion.
BOOM!
With a deafening explosion, Tang San was forcibly knocked out of his Blue Silver True Body state. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he glared at the golden spear hovering just half an inch from his throat.
The killing intent was palpable—one slight movement, and it would pierce through his flesh.
"I surrender," the Sea Spear Douluo declared.
"W-What?"
Tang San was stunned. The Sea Spear Douluo had just won—why was he suddenly conceding?
A moment later, the Sea Spear Douluo withdrew his spear, slung it over his shoulder, and leisurely walked back to the base of the sacred pillar.
"Didn't you hear me? I surrender. You can leave now."
"You're looking down on me?" Tang San frowned.
His opponent had clearly won—why concede? Was this some kind of mockery?
The Sea Spear Douluo sighed. "You've already won. Move on to the next Guardian Douluo."
He waved dismissively, urging Tang San to leave.
With no other choice, Tang San reluctantly departed.
"Ungrateful brat. If not for the High Priest wanting you off this island sooner, I'd never have surrendered," the Sea Spear Douluo muttered under his breath once Tang San was gone.
After the battle with the Sea Spear Douluo, Tang San decided to rest before heading to the next Guardian Douluo's location.
He clearly won—why throw the match? Was he… giving me face?
Tang San shook his head. I'll see how the Sea Illusion Douluo fares. If it's the same, I won't waste effort. The sooner I complete the Sea God's trials, the sooner I can take revenge.
After resting, Tang San made his way toward the Sea Illusion Sacred Pillar.
"They say the Sea Illusion Douluo's greatest strength is creating illusions that trap people in their own minds."
A smug grin spread across Tang San's face. My Purple Demon Eyes can see through all illusions. This should be the easiest trial yet.
Confident, he strode toward the Sea Illusion Sacred Pillar with his head held high.
Though time wasn't pressing, to Tang San, every second counted. He had to complete the Sea God's trials quickly—they were his only hope for vengeance against Ye Hao.
Before the Sea Illusion Sacred Pillar, thick purple mist billowed upward, obscuring the pillar until it vanished entirely.
As Tang San approached, a faint purple glint flashed in his eyes.
Strange… What's with this mist? I've heard the Sea Illusion Douluo possesses a domain—the Illusory Domain.
As the name suggested, the Sea Illusion Douluo could craft illusions so real that any damage suffered within them was real. Few could find their way out once trapped.
No matter.
Tang San steadied his breathing. With my Purple Demon Eyes, no illusion can deceive me.
Carefully, he stepped into the purple mist—and his nightmare began.
"The prey has entered the cage. Let's have some fun."
Cloaked in black, the Sea Illusion Douluo lurked in the shadows, his serpentine Martial Soul—the Phantom Serpent—coiled behind him. His specialty was crafting illusions that shattered minds. Many who entered never left.
Tang San stood at the heart of the illusion. One moment, the mist was suffocating. The next—
"This… What is this?"
His surroundings had shifted into something eerily familiar.
Lavish furnishings. Elegant decor. The unmistakable opulence of—
"Moon Pavilion?"
Tang San had lived here for years. He knew every inch of this place. But—
"I was on Sea God Island! How am I here? No… This has to be an illusion!"
He pressed his hand against the marble wall. The cold, polished surface felt real.
"This… This was my old room in Moon Pavilion. How?!"
Before he could process it, the scene warped again.
Clang!
Purple chains descended from nowhere, binding him.
"Damn it! What is this?!"
Panic surged—but worse was yet to come.
"Tang San… Long time no see."
The voice he never wanted to hear again rang out.
Tang San's blood ran cold as his eyes locked onto the figure before him.
Ye Hao.
And behind him—
"Xiao… Xiao Wu?!"
His mind reeled. She's dead. She has to be dead!
"No! This is an illusion! The real Xiao Wu died!"
"Brother! I'm alive! Ye Hao captured me—save me!"
Tears streamed down Xiao Wu's face as she struggled against Ye Hao's grip, her desperate cries piercing Tang San's heart.
His teeth clenched.
"Last time, I failed her. This time—whether she's real or not—Ye Hao, you're dead!"
He thrashed against the chains, but "Ye Hao" wasn't idle.
A blade flashed in his hand.
Slice.
A thin red line appeared on Xiao Wu's delicate cheek.
Blood welled, then dripped to the floor.
"NO! NO!!!"
Tang San roared, his eyes burning crimson as he fought against the chains with every ounce of strength.
"Tang San."
"Ye Hao" smirked, twirling the bloodied knife.
"How does it feel? To be helpless?"
He leaned in, voice dripping with malice.
"Don't worry… This is just the beginning."