Just as Su Yu took the Human-faced Demon Spider and was about to turn away, Long Gong suddenly spoke:
"Young friend Su Yu, might I have a word with you in private?"
Though somewhat puzzled, Su Yu nodded in agreement.
The two walked side by side deeper into the dense forest. Only when Serpent Woman and Meng Yiran were completely out of sight did Long Gong stop.
His expression turning solemn, Long Gong actually bowed deeply to Su Yu, his voice filled with unconcealed respect:
"Long Gong Meng Shu pays his respects to Your Highness, the Holy Child!"
Su Yu paused mid-step, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Indeed, in that brief moment, Long Gong Meng Shu had remembered where he'd seen Su Yu before.
Six years ago, the Spirit Hall's Holy Child coronation ceremony had shaken the entire Soul Master World.
At that time, the twelve-year-old Su Yu had single-handedly defeated eight prodigies from different factions, establishing his reputation as the Holy Child with thunderous force.
Long Gong had caught a distant glimpse of him back then, but Su Yu's face had still carried youthful immaturity. Now that he'd shed that boyishness, Long Gong hadn't recognized him immediately.
A subtle light shifting in his eyes, Su Yu said calmly, "Senior, you've mistaken me for someone else. I have no connection with the Spirit Hall."
Long Gong merely smiled, unsurprised by the denial, and lowered his voice:
"Your Highness need not conceal your identity. This old man was fortunate enough to attend your coronation ceremony in person!"
"Your Highness alone battling eight prodigies - that magnificent display remains an undefeated legend circulating through the Soul Master World to this day. How could this old man possibly mistake you?"
He paused, his tone growing even more sincere: "Though I may lack talent, even I can see the undercurrents stirring in the Soul Master World now, a storm gathering on the horizon."
"Since Your Highness has appeared here, you must have your own plans."
"Our family of three owes you a debt. If you ever have need of us in the future, my entire Strange Beast Clan will spare no effort to serve you."
Seeing the certainty in Long Gong's eyes, Su Yu said no more about it, simply giving a slight nod before changing the subject:
"Senior is thoughtful. Regarding today's matter, I thank you for your accommodation."
"I observe that Miss Yiran has decent talent - she's promising material. I wonder if she'd be willing to study at the Martial Soul Academy?"
As he spoke, he retrieved a jet-black command token from the Soul Guiding Device at his waist.
The token was carved with exquisitely detailed wing patterns at its tip, faint Soul Power fluctuations swirling around it - clearly no ordinary object at a glance.
"Senior Long Gong, this is my Holy Child Token," Su Yu said, handing over the token.
"If Miss Yiran is willing to attend the Martial Soul Academy, presenting this token will ensure the academy provides her with the finest instructors and cultivation resources to help her break through her bottlenecks sooner."
Long Gong accepted the token, feeling its substantial weight and clearly sensing the high-grade quality of its material - unmistakably a symbol of status.
A touch of emotion flashed in his eyes. The Martial Soul Academy was the pinnacle institution of the Soul Master World, where ordinary Soul Masters would struggle desperately just to gain entry.
With this Holy Child Token, not only could Meng Yiran enter the Martial Soul Academy, she could also receive the ultimate treatment - this undoubtedly paved a smooth path for her future.
"For Yiran to gain Your Highness's favor is her great fortune. This old man will certainly persuade her to go."
"That's good then," Su Yu said. "Within the academy, not only are there ample resources, but also many talented peers for mutual sparring and refinement - greatly beneficial to her growth."
Long Gong nodded emphatically, carefully storing away the token, his gratitude toward Su Yu deepening yet further.
He knew this was not only an opportunity for Meng Yiran, but also a chance for the exotic beast family to establish a favorable connection with His Highness the Holy Child.
Su Yu didn't linger any longer. Taking the corpse of the Human-faced Demon Spider, he left the dense forest and found a secluded clearing.
With a flick of his hand, he released a surge of Soul Power, cleanly ending the life of the Human-faced Demon Spider.
Soon after, a purple Soul Ring slowly rose from its corpse—this was precisely the two-thousand-year Soul Ring of the Human-faced Demon Spider.
But Su Yu's gaze didn't linger on the Soul Ring; he waited patiently.
After a moment, a strange purple light suddenly glowed from the spider's corpse.
Where the light converged, a Soul Bone about the size of a palm, shaped like a miniature Human-faced Demon Spider, gradually materialized.
Eight slender spider legs were clearly visible, shimmering with an eerie luster.
Su Yu gathered Soul Power at his fingertips and gently guided it. The Soul Bone transformed into a stream of light and landed in his palm.
It felt cool to the touch, as if faint Toxins were circulating within the Soul Bone.
"Eight Spider Lances? Interesting."
Looking at the Soul Bone in his hand, a glimmer of understanding flashed in his eyes.
Though this Soul Bone appeared unremarkable, it concealed astonishing potential.
This External Spirit Bone would eventually evolve into part of the Sea God Armor—the Sea God Eight Wings.
He traced the patterns on the Soul Bone with his fingertips, sensing the energy contained within.
Su Yu chose not to absorb the Soul Bone immediately. After storing it back in his Soul Guiding Device, he returned to where Ning Rongrong and the others were.
Meanwhile, with Xiao Wu—
After grabbing Xiao Wu and running some distance, the Titan Giant Ape placed her on its shoulder and headed deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.
Seeing they were already close to the core area, Xiao Wu patted Er Ming's cheek, signaling it to stop.
The girl and the ape came to a halt in a spacious forest clearing. Standing on Er Ming's shoulder with her hands on her hips, Xiao Wu said:
"Er Ming! Why did you suddenly go to the outer regions? Don't you know it's dangerous there?"
"Ooh, ah hoo, ooh!"
Er Ming looked at her, emitting low roars. As it roared, it pointed its thick fingers at Xiao Wu, then toward the outside, as if saying it was worried about her safety.
Xiao Wu helplessly rubbed her forehead and softened her tone:
"Alright, alright, I know you're worried about me. I'm really safe in the human world. You and Da Ming don't need to worry so much."
"Ooh ooh, aha! Ooh ha!Er Ming roared a few more times, as if both rebutting and acting cute, its huge eyes filled with concern.
"I'm really not blaming you." Xiao Wu gently patted its ear.
"But I can't go back with you. I need to stay in the human world; I still have things to do."
"I must become stronger to avenge Mother."
Her eyes darkened slightly, and her voice carried more determination when she mentioned "avenge."
"Ooh ha, ooh haha, ah ooh, ha!"
Er Ming seemed to understand, its roars carrying a hint of grievance yet also a touch of compromise.
"Er Ming, I miss you all too." Xiao Wu's tone softened.
"Don't worry, I will definitely protect myself. Once everything is settled, I'll come visit you."
She paused, then added, "Also, next time you see me, make sure to check if there's anyone around first. Otherwise, you'll scare my friends."
"Ooh ooh, ha ah, ee ah!" Er Ming grunted in agreement, signaling its acceptance.
Xiao Wu laughed and patted its head. "That's my good Er Ming."
"Since you've brought me here, and I just broke through to the thirtieth rank, I'll take this chance to condense my third Soul Ring."
With that, she wasted no more time and immediately sat cross-legged on Er Ming's broad shoulder.
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