Douluo Dalu - Volume 05 - Star Dou Forest

by Tang Jia San Shao

  On Tang San’s composed face was not a ripple, he raised his right hand straight up.

  What was the strongest advantage to mechanism type hidden weapons? That was not needing to rely on any internal strength support to be able to generate their powerful killing power.

  In Tang San’s previous life, an unskilled martial artist once took Tang Sect’s first rate mechanism type hidden weapon Torrential Rain Pear Blossom Needle[ (暴雨梨花针)] to easily kill a peak expert. This was Tang Sect’s strongest area. Right now in Tang Sans hand this seemingly unremarkable, only one chi long black box, would use this power on the Man Faced Demon Spider confronting him.

  Gabeng, gabeng, gabeng, a series of mechanical cracks echoed from Tang San’s right hand. Lines of jet black shadow shot out together . Tang San’s wrist rocked slightly, partly to dissipate the jolting force from the black box, partly to maintain accuracy. With his skill, in such close range, how could he possibly lose precision?

  One must know, the majority of mechanism type hidden weapons Tang San made used noiseless mechanisms, such capability could even easier injure the enemy. But for what reason did the black box mechanism in his hand still make these noises?

  Of course the issue wasn’t Tang San’s crafting skill, that could prove only one thing, in order to pursue the might of this black box, Tang San gave up on noiseless mechanisms to make this mechanism type hidden weapon display its most terrifying firepower.

  Altogether sixteen shadows flew out, under Tang San’s precise control, the sixteen shadows did not let even the Man Faced Demon Spider’s already injured two eyes escape, each eye was pierced by two shadows, between eyeblinks completely disappearing inside the Man Faced Demon Spider’s body.

  Although the Man Faced Demon Spider’s eyes were its weak points, they also weren’t without protection, on the surface of the eyes was a transparent protective layer whose defensive power was also considered pretty good.

  But, before the shadows that spit out from the black box in Tang San’s hand, this defensive layer was unexpectedly like rice paper. Without having even the slightest effect, it was clearly seen just how powerful the piercing power of these shadows was.

  When previously confronting the Titan Giant Ape, Tang San did consider using this hidden weapon, but the situation at that time changed too rapidly, leaving him without the opportunity to use this hidden weapon. Although this hidden weapon’s might as great, because the mechanism’s launching power was too excessive, as a result each time it was used it had to be prepared on the spot, otherwise, over time the taut mechanism would be damaged.

  Consequently, when facing the Titan Giant Ape Tang San didn’t use it, right now confronting the Man Faced Demon Spider, Tang San finally took out this most overbearingly large caliber weapon among all his hidden weapons.

  That one chi or more little black box did not look it, but its weight already exceeded thirty jin[ 30斤 = 15kg].

  Right hand finished shooting, Tang San without hesitation made his next move. Swiftly leaping back, directly into a roll, his body moving away ten metres or more.

  “Sii——”

  An ear piercingly sharp sound mournfully cry called out, in the dark sounding especially clear.

  The next moment after those sixteen shadows entered the body of the Man Faced Demon Spider, that black carapace covering its body abruptly stiffened at once, immediately afterward, the whole body abruptly flipped over, violently raging on the ground.

  This way, the nearby plants at once toppled like so much large fungi, what is called ‘a centipede dies but never falls down’, although this Man Faced Demon Spider didn’t have a hundred feet, its vitality was still extremely tenacious.

  Those sixteen shadows that shot into its eight eyes already completely entered within its head, but unexpectedly not even this kind of injury could let it die on the spot.

  Purple light and blue liquid, in addition to its sturdy body, twisted and raged madly on the ground.

  Weak plants were corroded in a moment, even bulky trees were shattered when struck by it. Within ten square metres was a complete mess, already without any kind of plant that could stay intact.

  After Tang San rolled away ten metres he didn’t stop, resisting the weak feeling in his body he quickly withdrew from the attack range of the Man Faced Demon Spider.

  He knew, if this Man Faced Demon Spider hadn’t already suffered fatal injuries, then, even if it couldn’t see, it could still rely on his scent to find his location.

  At last he felt he was safe, Tang San’s both legs softened, no longer able to resist, fell down on his butt on the spot, gasping big mouthfuls of breath. Even the black box in his hand he already held somewhat unsteadily.

  The flying Hammer without the support of his spirit power had already automatically disappeared, that Hammer completely emptied Tang San’s spirit power, right now he had completely exhausted both his spirit power and physical strength. If it wasn’t for the idea of searching for Xiao Wu supporting his body, perhaps he would already have passed out.

  The Man Faced Demon Spider’s churning became smaller and smaller, the carapace all over its body covered with that blue and purple sheen, purple black liquid continuously flowed from the cuts in its eight eyes, soon it was no longer alive.

  Tang San knew before setting about the task, even if he used this black box in his hand to shoot the Man Faced Demon Spider, he might not be able to penetrate its carapace armor, but if it was only shooting at its weak points, at the Man Faced Demon Spider’s eyes the defense couldn’t do like the Titan Giant Ape and close its eyes.

  Relying on a hidden weapon expert’s cool head and his own made superior quality hidden weapons, he at last could be considered having survived this crisis.

  As the Man Faced Demon Spider’s life gradually faded, points of blue purple light began to condense above it, making it possible to absorb its spirit ring.

  After a thousand year spirit beast died, the spirit ring could be maintained for one double hour, as long as it was within one double hour it could be absorbed.

  Tang San was in no hurry to absorb the Man Faced Demon Spider’s spirit ring, right now his body’s condition truly was too lacking, he was unable to determine this Man Faced Demon Spider’s precise cultivation age, but could be certain it definitely exceeded a thousand years.

  Spirit beasts’ spirit rings also had many differences, the thousand Year Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent Oscar previously absorbed, belonged to a comparatively gentle kind of spirit beasts.

  Absorbing its spirit ring naturally also wasn’t difficult.

  But this Man Faced Demon Spider before him was different, among spirit beasts it was definitely a vicious and ruthless existence, with regard to this, although its spirit ring was able to grant even greater amplification effects, the process of absorbing it was also more dangerous.

  In order to support it a Spirit Master had to endure the shock of this kind of ruthless energy, when the body or will was unable to persevere, it was very possible to cause a fatal backlash effect.

  * * *

  [1] Idiom: Give way in the face of superior strength.

  [2] (二明) “Second Bright”

  [3] (大明) “Big Bright”

  [4] Idiom: Tiny hints, clues.

  [5] (邪恶杀戮者) “Butcher” is an approximation, more literally it would be “Evil/Wicked Massacreist/Slaughterer”.

  [6] 500斤 = 250kg

  [7] 1000斤 = 500 kg

  [8] (暴雨梨花针)

  [9] 30斤 = 15kg

  Chapter 033: Meng Yiran Also Uses Hidden Weapons?

  Part 1

  Although Tang San was impatient to save Xiao Wu, he still hasn’t lost his mind. He knew, he needed to recover to a certain degree before he could absorb the spirit ring in front of him.

  Now, he has no time to care about any possible danger anymore. Sitting there, he breathed heavily, getting a bit of much needed rest, then cultivated to recover some spirit power.

  At
this moment, the thing Tang San worried about the most happened. As the Man Faced Demon Spider’s spirit ring slowly appeared above its corpse, three unexpected guests flashed out of the forest.

  Though it wasn’t the most dangerous case, a strong spirit beast, but when Tang San saw the three people, he couldn’t help but feel his heart sink.

  Of the three spirit masters, Tang San recognized two of them. These two were the people that just left not long ago, Serpent Grandmother Chao Tian-Xiang and the beautiful young girl Meng Yiran.

  And beside them stood a third person, a tall and skinny elder. The elder looked at least over seventy, with a head of silver hair just like Chao Tian-Xiang. In his hand was a light silver Dragon Headed Staff over four meters long. The dragon head of the staff was lifelike, appearing extravagant and intricate. A face covered with wrinkles showed his age. On him was unbelievably eight spirit rings oscillating up and down slowly.

  Two yellow, three purple, three black. Although judging by quality, he only had one thousand year spirit ring advantage on Zhao Wuji, he had eight spirit rings. This meant he was a rank eighty and above Spirit Douluo. No need to ask, Tang San knew who this person was. He was Serpent Grandmother’s husband, Meng Yiran’s Grandfather, Dragon Duke Meng Shu.

  The entire family of three was finally together. Dragon Duke didn’t even need to release his spirit power. Merely with the eight spirit rings, Tang San felt like he couldn’t breath.

  Even if Zhao Wuji and everyone else were all there, they would still be at an absolute disadvantage.

  The Unrivalled Dragon Serpent family didn’t notice the cultivating Tang San at first. Their attention fell onto the dead Man Faced Demon Spider first, and instantly their faces became twisted.

  Meng Yiran even shouted out loud,

  “No, how is it like this. Why, why? Who? Who killed my demon spider?”

  Meng Yiran had changed into a tight green outfit and looked heroic, but Tang San wasn’t in the mood to appreciate that. Hearing Meng Yiran, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly in the dark. How could coincidences be that untimely.

  Some things might not happen in your entire life, but when fate decides to play with you, it can happen twice in a short period of time.

  Of course, Tang San wouldn’t hope that the family couldn’t find him. With the Dragon Duke’s spirit power, he only needed to slightly pay attention to hear Tang San’s breathing, or even heartbeat. Running was definitely not an option, and Tang San didn’t plan to run either. Real men dare to admit what they do. [ 大丈夫敢作敢当: Roughly translated it’s “Big Husband (manly man) dare to do, dare to be.”]

  “I killed it.”

  This moment, his stamina had recovered slightly. Holding the tree beside him, he managed to stand up.

  Tang San’s voice instantly attracted the Unrivalled Dragon Serpent family. Meng Yiran saw the unkempt Tang San. At first she didn’t recognize him, but then tears started circling in her eyes.

  “You…..you…..you…...again it’s you.”

  Tang San smiled wryly:

  “I don’t know why coincidences like this happen, but this time it truly is me again. Was this Man Faced Demon Spider your prey as well?”

  Meng Yiran still stared at Tang San, her entire face growing bright red, obviously angry to the extreme.

  Seeing Tang San, Serpent Grandmother also frowned, whispering something into the Dragon Duke’s ears. Right after, Tang San saw the Dragon Duke’s eyes.

  Dragon Duke appeared to be old, but his eyes were unbelievably bright. Tang San had never seen such bright eyes.

  From where he was standing to where the Dragon Duke was, there was at least thirty meters, but the Dragon Duke made him feel like they were but cun apart.

  “You are Tang San?”

  Dragon Duke Meng Shu said coldly. His voice sounded very clear, not a bit like an old man.

  Tang San nodded.

  “Then do you know, to kill this Man Faced Demon Spider, we’ve already been chasing for an entire day. If not for its annoying spider webs, it would’ve already become Yiran’s spirit ring. Man Faced Demon Spiders are very scarce, because it isn’t welcomed by any other spirit beast. Even in this Star Dou Great Forest, it is rarely seen, a lot more valuable than a Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent.”

  Tang San’s face had lost all its color, but he didn’t show any sign of fear. He indifferently said, “I know everything you said. But, I had to defend myself. If a Man Faced Demon Spider suddenly appeared in front of me, are you saying I should stand still and let it kill me?”

  Meng Shu frowned,

  “You are saying, you killed this Man Faced Demon Spider by yourself?”

  Tang San nodded.

  Dragon Duke and Serpent Grandmother looked at each other, both seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes. Even though the Man Faced Demon Spider isn’t an overly powerful spirit beast, in the thousand year category, it’s attack power is definitely ranked very high.

  Though it didn’t have its spider webs, with its attack and defense capabilities, it still was slain by the twelve year old in front of them. How this happened was truly beyond the old couple.

  Serpent Grandmother’s impression of Tang San was already high, but she couldn’t help but to raise her impression even more. Before, when Meng Yiran lost to Tang San, she didn’t think much about it. But now she realized, her grand daughter really wasn’t this child’s worthy enemy.

  Dragon Duke Meng Shu’s Dragon Headed Staff flicked upwards, a stream of white spirit power thrown out of the butt of the staff, flipping over the Man Faced Demon Spider.

  He saw the damaged eyes immediately, and couldn’t help but nod in his mind.

  Though he didn’t know how Tang San did it, from the fact that Tang San could attack this Man Faced Demon Spider’s weakness, he could tell the child’s ability to remain calm in front of strong enemies. Looking at Tang San again, Meng Shu couldn’t help but show some of his admiration.

  “Grandfather, you have to stand on my side on this!”

  Meng Yiran was only sixteen years old after all. Seeing another strong spirit ring stolen, especially by the same person, how could she possibly keep her anger in?

  Meng Shu patted his granddaughter on her head, gesturing her to not worry. Looking up at Tang San, he said:

  “Tang San, I’ll give you two choices. I, Dragon Duke Meng Shu, have been going around the Spirit Master world for a long time, and I’m not unreasonable. Against a Man Faced Demon Spider, anyone has to protect themselves, so killing it is within reason. But, the two times you stopped my granddaughter from getting a spirit ring isn’t going to be over just like that.”

  Tang San was trying hard to recover his stamina and spirit power, while lightly fiddling with the chi long black box in his hand.

  This black box wasn’t only fireable once. In the entire box were forty-eight arrows, so it could ve fired three times, but every time you need to reattach the elastics. In Tang San’s previous life, this unnoticeable black box was very famous. It had a name that everyone knew well ----Godly Zhuge Crossbow.

  The rectangular black box had sixteen holes on one side, and it could simultaneously shoot out sixteen crossbow arrows with no tails. Within fifty meters, it could strike through gold and rock, extremely potent.

  In the past, Tang Sect once displeased another clan. When they sent people to their clan to fight, not even the inner sect students came out.

  With only a hundred outer sect students each holding a Godly Zhuge Crossbow, they easily slaughtered all the enemies, leaving no one alive. After that, the name of the Godly Zhuge Crossbow became widespread.

  Among all mechanism type hidden weapons, other than the top Buddha Fury Tang Lotus,Torrential Rain Pear Blossom Needle, Peacock Tail Feathers and other rare ones, the Godly Zhuge Crossbow in Tang San’s hand was the strongest.

  Tang San of course knew, the Godly Zhuge Crossbow was not enough to be a threat to the Dragon Duke or the Serpent Grandmother, but it wasn’t something that M
eng Yiran could block. He already thought everything through. If they wanted to push him too much, he could always use this hidden weapon to bring someone down with him.

  “What are the two choices you give me, elders?”

  Tang San asked indifferently.

  The Godly Zhuge Crossbow in his hands was almost ready. He only had to lengthen the conversation a moment longer before he could have the chance to fight before he dies.

  Not to say, he still had a lot of other hidden weapons on him. If they wanted to kill him, it wouldn't be easy.

  Meng Shu said:

  “My choices for you are very simple. First choice, you join our family and become one of our family members. As you will be our family, the fact that you stopped Yiran from getting a spirit ring, and wasting this precious Man Faced Demon Spider’s spirit ring will be forgiven.”

  Joining the family? It sounded simple, but if he really joined, then it would be a lifetime commitment. For any Spirit Master, the moment they join a family, they could never betray them. They had to become a part of the family.

  Everything you do after that in your life will be restricted by that family.

  Of course, spirit masters that join big families were treated very well.

  There were exceptions of course, but the precondition was that you had to be powerful to a certain degree. With Tang San’s current situation, If he joined a family, then he would forever be only a person of that family. Meng Shu fancied Tang San’s talent. Prodigies such as Tang San were very rare.

  Tang San shook his head,

  “Sorry, elder. I’m used to being free, I don’t like being restricted. And there is one part of what you said that was mistaken. Though the Man Faced Demon Spider was killed by me, it’s spirit ring won’t be wasted. If not for you appearing, I might have already started to absorb the ring.”

  Part 2

  “What?”

  Serpent Grandmother Chao Tian-Xiang cried out in alarm, her gaze at Tang San immediately becoming strange. At the same time quietly using her hand to touch her husband once.

  Unrivalled Dragon Serpent had been together for several decades, Meng Shu naturally understood his wife’s meaning.