NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66: Chapter 66
Chapter 66: The Powerful Halo of the Protagonist
Under the leadership of Zhao Wuji, Ye Feng, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Tang San continued to wander through Star Dou Forest.
For the safety of the group, Zhao Wuji took point, leading the way. Behind him, Ning Rongrong and Oscar—the support members—walked closely. To their right were Dai Mubai, a power-type spirit master, and Tang San, a control-type. On the left, Xiao Wu, another power-type, and Zhu Zhuqing, an agility-type, mirrored the formation.
As for Ye Feng, the strongest among the Shrek Eight Monsters, he took up the rear, ensuring they wouldn't get ambushed from behind.
Glancing at Tang San ahead of him, a smirk tugged at Ye Feng's lips.
He knew the original storyline well—Tang San was supposed to chase after the Titan Ape, only to be ambushed by the Man-Faced Demon Spider. That life-or-death encounter would have led him to kill the spider, absorb its spirit ring, and gain the external spirit bone, Eight Spider Lances.
But now?
With Ye Feng's intervention, Tang San wasn't going to get that chance.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, an unexpected voice broke through the forest's silence.
"Oscar!"
"Meng Yiran!"
Both voices rang out at the same time.
The old acquaintance Ye Feng had stumbled upon was none other than Meng Yiran—and beside her stood her grandmother, Shepo Chaotianxiang.
Meng Yiran had previously received a spirit ring thanks to Oscar, so the first name she called out wasn't Tang San, nor Ye Feng, but Oscar.
"Haven't you already gotten your third spirit ring? Why are you still here?" Oscar asked, confused.
"My grandma and I were looking for Grandpa and ended up here," Meng Yiran explained.
"Dragon Duke Meng Shu?!" Oscar's eyes widened as he instinctively scanned the surroundings.
A loud crashing sound echoed from ahead. A moment later, a towering old man appeared, dragging a massive Man-Faced Demon Spider, its body bound in heavy chains.
"Man-Faced Demon Spider!"
Tang San's heart skipped a beat.
His teacher, Grandmaster, had once told him:
If you ever encounter a Man-Faced Demon Spider of the right age, you must seize its spirit ring at all costs.
Tang San's eyes flickered as he turned to Dragon Duke Meng Shu, the old man standing before him.
Meng Shu was tall and thin, with a head of white hair and a ruddy complexion despite his old age. Strength and vitality radiated from him. But Tang San wasn't focused on that—his mind was on the spider Meng Shu had captured.
"Yiran, who are these people?" Meng Shu asked, his deep voice carrying authority.
Chaotianxiang, the Snake Lady, whispered something to him, then gave Oscar a teasing look.
"Oh, so it's him!"
Meng Shu stroked his beard, glancing at Oscar with an appraising gaze. A knowing smile spread across his face.
"Not bad… really not bad. Yiran, you have good taste."
Well.
Meng Yiran froze.
Well.
Oscar froze.
Their eyes met—and Meng Yiran's face turned beet red.
"Grandpa! What the hell are you talking about?!" Meng Yiran blurted, flustered.
"Hahahaha!"
Meng Shu just laughed. He was old, but not blind—his granddaughter's shy reaction spoke volumes.
Meanwhile, Tang San took a step forward, speaking politely, "Senior Meng Shu, why have you captured the Man-Faced Demon Spider? Didn't your granddaughter already get her third spirit ring?"
Meng Shu nodded. "She did. But this spider isn't for her—it's for my people."
"Your clansmen?" Tang San's brows furrowed slightly. His gut told him this wasn't going to go his way.
"The Man-Faced Demon Spider is rare, and this one is over a thousand years old. Its spirit ring would greatly benefit a member of my clan," Meng Shu explained.
Tang San's hands tightened into fists.
Dammit…
If Meng Shu wasn't keeping the spider for himself, then convincing him to give it up wouldn't be easy.
But he had to try.
Taking a deep breath, Tang San clasped his fists and said respectfully, "Senior, I have a humble request."
Meng Shu's eyes gleamed knowingly. "You want the spider's spirit ring, don't you?"
Tang San nodded seriously. "My spirit power has reached level 30, and my martial spirit is Blue Silver Grass. This Man-Faced Demon Spider's ring is perfect for me. If Senior is willing to give it to me, I will remember this favor forever and repay it when the time comes."
Meng Shu barely hesitated.
"Take it."
Without a second thought, he yanked the chains hard, sending the massive spider tumbling to Tang San's feet.
"Thank you, Senior!" Tang San's face lit up with joy.
But before he could make a move—
"Wait a damn second."
Ye Feng's voice cut through the excitement like a blade.
Tang San's expression darkened immediately. His usual polite facade cracked as he turned to Ye Feng, eyes wary.
"Ye Feng, what the hell are you doing?"
Ye Feng's calm gaze met his. "Relax, I'm not after the spider's spirit ring."
Tang San's brows furrowed. "Then what do you want?"
Ye Feng crossed his arms. "I just thought I should remind you—this Man-Faced Demon Spider isn't 1,700 years old. It's actually over 2,000 years old."
A tense silence filled the air.
Tang San's eyes narrowed. He quickly activated his Purple Demon Eyes and examined the spider closely. A moment later, his expression shifted.
"…You're right. Its age really has exceeded 2,000 years."
Zhao Wuji's face darkened. "Tang San, you hear that? A 2,000-year-old spirit ring is too risky. You sure you still wanna go through with this?"
But Tang San's eyes burned with determination.
"Yes, Teacher Zhao. If Oscar could absorb a 2,000-year-old spirit ring, then so can I."
"You're sure?" Zhao Wuji's voice was stern.
Tang San nodded firmly. "Absolutely."
"…Fine." Zhao Wuji sighed. "It's your damn life. Do whatever the hell you want."
Tang San grinned, stepping forward. From his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges, he pulled out a sharp dagger—and without hesitation, he slashed the Man-Faced Demon Spider's abdomen, ending its life.
As its spirit ring emerged, Tang San immediately sat down and began absorbing it.
Ye Feng exhaled slowly.
Even with all his efforts to change fate, the protagonist's halo was too damn strong.
No matter what he did, Tang San still got the damn spider's spirit ring—and soon, he'd have the Eight Spider Lances too.
Ding-Dong!
Just as Ye Feng was lamenting his fate, the system's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"The system senses the host's envy of Tang San's Eight Spider Lances.
The system disapproves.
Rewarding host with: Ancient Dragon Phoenix Wings!"
Ye Feng's eyes widened.
…Holy shit.
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