Chapter 20: Turns Out I'm This Strong
"Senior Sister, this eight-thousand-year Dreadclaw Spider is perfect for you."
Dugu Chen looked at Dugu Yan. She lacked a strong control-type soul skill, and this spirit beast was just right.
The Dreadclaw Spider and the Man-faced Demon Spider were both elite among spider-type soul beasts but followed vastly different paths.
The Man-faced Demon Spider specialized in terror and brute-force attacks, while the Dreadclaw Spider relied on terrain, ambushes, and traps to eliminate its prey with cunning and precision.
In terms of sheer destructive power, the Man-faced Demon Spider had the advantage. But catching an eight-thousand-year Dreadclaw Spider alive was no easy feat.
With Dugu Bo watching their flanks, Dugu Chen wasn't worried about it escaping. What he wanted was to test the fruits of his three years of cultivation.
With a low growl, Dugu Chen's first soul ring lit up. His soul power surged like a tide. In an instant, his strength, defense, and attack power all doubled—he now had the confidence to go toe-to-toe with a powerful assault-type Soul King.
The earth trembled. A giant hand of condensed earth essence surged from beneath the Dreadclaw Spider, attempting to seize it. At the same time, the surrounding air thickened with pressure, reducing the spider's agility.
As one of the strongest spider-type soul beasts, the Dreadclaw Spider didn't hesitate. In the blink of an eye, two yellow silk threads shot from its mouthparts, latching onto a distant tree. With a sudden pull, it rapidly changed its position.
Simultaneously, it launched a sticky web aimed at Dugu Chen.
But Dugu Chen charged forward instead of retreating. His body burned with flame, dragon claws swiping forward. The sticky net was torn apart midair and ignited on contact, disintegrating in seconds.
With his incredible burst speed, Dugu Chen appeared before the Dreadclaw Spider. His claws, ablaze with dragon fire, slashed down.
The spider responded swiftly, using its forelegs to block.
Bang!
A loud shockwave erupted. Dugu Chen trembled slightly from the clash, but he didn't yield. Instead, his third soul ring lit up.
Third Soul Skill: Qilin Roar!
Behind him, a phantom Qilin emerged and let out an earth-shaking roar.
This soul skill was inherited from a nearly nine-thousand-year Heaven-Shaking Roar beast. It emitted a sonic blast capable of stunning and disorienting enemies. The weaker the spiritual power of the target, the stronger the effect.
The Dreadclaw Spider's mind faltered under the force, its body stiffening momentarily. Dugu Chen seized the chance—his second soul ring gleamed.
Second Soul Skill: Golden Power.
This passive boost enhanced all attributes by 5% for every 10 levels. At level 36, Dugu Chen's total increase was 15%.
With explosive strength, Dugu Chen grabbed two of the spider's legs, lifted the massive creature, and slammed it into the ground.
Boom!
The earth cracked within a twenty-meter radius, testifying to his raw power.
Not letting up, Dugu Chen aimed to rip off the spider's limbs. But the Dreadclaw Spider lived up to its cunning reputation.
With a clean snap, it severed its own legs and launched a surprise counterattack—layers of golden spider silk erupted from beneath it, followed closely by its four remaining sharp limbs.
Caught off guard by the spider's decisiveness, Dugu Chen responded quickly. He slammed his palms into the ground, raising a stone wall infused with earth power.
The sticky webs clung to the wall. The sharp legs pierced through but failed to reach him.
Dugu Chen manipulated the wall to ensnare the spider's legs, then slashed with flaming dragon claws.
Screech!!
The Dreadclaw Spider shrieked in pain.
Its gray, scorched body scrambled backward, supported by only three remaining limbs. Within seconds, it vanished into the trees.
Another of the Dreadclaw Spider's survival traits: Concealment. Not invisibility, but complete suppression of breath, presence, and soul fluctuations—perfect for ambush or escape.
"Chen'er, be careful. It's still nearby," Dugu Bo warned.
Dugu Chen's spiritual sense spread out in all directions.
This was what made the Dreadclaw Spider troublesome. Unlike the aggressive Man-faced Demon Spider, the Dreadclaw was patient, calculating, and above all—vengeful.
He studied the seemingly peaceful surroundings, then activated his third soul skill once more—this time, compressing it to focus directly on the enemy.
Roar!!
The piercing sound tore through the silence.
Screech!!!
From an unassuming shadow, the Dreadclaw Spider screamed and collapsed, paralyzed by the targeted sonic attack. Dugu Chen strode forward, grabbed it by the back, and dragged it in front of Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan stared in shock.
"Junior Brother... just now, your third soul skill—how did it get so strong?"
"That was the effect of combining 'Reigning Over the World' with a soul skill," Dugu Chen said calmly. "I'm still learning to control it."
The sheer modesty in his voice contrasted with the stunned faces around him—Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan, and Oscar all looked like they'd just seen a monster.
Dugu Chen turned to his senior sister and smiled. "Senior Sister, finish it off."
Snapping out of her daze, Dugu Yan rushed over, her eyes gleaming. She threw her arms around Dugu Chen and gave him a tight hug.
"Thank you, Junior Brother! I'll repay you well later!"
"Heh. Then Junior Brother will wait patiently," Dugu Chen laughed softly.
Dugu Yan drew her sword and ended the weakened beast in a single strike.
A luminous purple soul ring began to condense. She sat cross-legged, entering deep meditation to absorb her fourth soul ring.
Dugu Bo watched his disciple with a mixture of pride and helplessness.
"You can graduate now," he sighed, patting Dugu Chen's shoulder.
"Teacher, I still have a lot to learn from you," Dugu Chen replied with a chuckle.
Dugu Bo stroked his beard, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Brother Chen," Oscar said, still stunned, "Do you really think a support-type soul master like me can have combat power?"
Dugu Chen turned to him and nodded firmly. "I don't know about others, but you—I think you can."
"Really?" Oscar's eyes widened.
Dugu Bo perked up too, curious about his disciple's thoughts.
"Oscar, you're the only known innate full soul power food-type soul master on the continent. That alone sets you apart," Dugu Chen said seriously. "And there are two types of soul beasts that might give you combat power: the Mirror Image Beast and the Silver Spirit Beast."
Oscar was stunned.
"The Mirror Image Beast can copy an opponent's abilities. The Silver Spirit Beast can store and replicate a target's soul skill. If you get one of these, your potential as a combat-capable food-type soul master is real."
Oscar's excitement grew, but Dugu Chen raised a hand.
"Don't even think about it now. Until you reach Soul King, I won't let you touch those soul rings. Below ten thousand years, they won't give you the full benefit. So, work hard and cultivate."
Oscar pouted a bit, but soon straightened up. For his dream, he had to work harder.
Dugu Bo silently marveled at Dugu Chen's foresight—and began looking forward to the day Oscar truly became exceptional.
Time passed slowly.
As Dugu Yan absorbed the Dreadclaw Spider's soul ring, her aura grew rapidly. Her skin glowed with newfound vitality. Her silhouette became more mature and refined.
During this time, Dugu Chen set up beast-repelling powder, and any creatures that dared approach were scared off by Dugu Bo's powerful presence.
Finally, Dugu Yan exhaled deeply and opened her eyes. Her entire presence had transformed.
"Success!" she cheered.
Four soul rings rose from her feet—one yellow, three purple—a combination that spoke of nobility and strength.
Dugu Bo, Dugu Chen, and Oscar all offered their congratulations.
Her fourth soul skill, bestowed by the Dreadclaw Spider, was a poison-laced web cage imbued with the Jade Phosphor Serpent's venom—a useful initiating control ability.
By then, the sky had darkened.
Camping in the Star Dou Great Forest overnight wasn't wise. Dugu Bo led the team quickly back toward the forest's edge.