After releasing the spider web, Tang San's face had visibly turned somewhat pale, clearly a result of expending too much energy. This was Tang San's third soul skill — Spider Web Restraint.
"Little San, tell me your impressions of this soul skill," the Great Master said, carefully examining the web that was stretched between two large trees.
Tang San said, "After I absorbed the Human-Faced Demon Spider's Soul Ring, this third soul skill appeared. Based on my understanding of this skill, it has several characteristics. First, because it's composed of Blue Silver Grass, it possesses all of Blue Silver Grass's original attributes. Its toxicity and toughness are both present. Second, the web itself has an additional adhesive property. It possesses extremely strong stickiness — once something is touched by even a bit, the web will immediately wind around it and bind the target tightly. Third, the web is cast instantly. With my current Soul Power, using this skill once consumes one-third of my total Soul Power."
The Great Master furrowed his brow slightly. "Just that? Are there any other characteristics?"
Tang San replied, "There's one more crucial feature — the web's toughness is exactly double that of Blue Silver Grass. Going forward, as my strength grows, its area, the number of times I can use it, and its toughness will all scale accordingly. In other words, the tougher my Blue Silver Grass becomes, the tougher this web will be. The toxicity of Blue Silver Grass will also be imbued into it."
The Great Master nodded. "That sounds right. What's your own assessment of this skill?"
Tang San said, "Although it doesn't look particularly flashy, I think this ability is extremely practical. It greatly enhances my control over my Martial Soul. A spider web with double the toughness of Blue Silver Grass — that won't be easy to break free from."
The Great Master smiled faintly. "No, you're still underestimating it. It's not just easy to use — it's a tremendously powerful soul skill. The Human-Faced Demon Spider you absorbed beyond the limit wouldn't give you anything less than an extraordinary skill. I can say with near certainty that unless you encounter an opponent who specifically counters your restriction abilities, no Soul Master of the same level — or even up to ten levels above you — will be able to break free from its restraint. With it, you finally possess the true power of a Control Type Soul Master."
Seeing the contemplative look in Tang San's eyes, the Great Master continued, "In a one-on-one battle, the strongest type of Soul Master is not the Strength Type, nor the Assault or Agility Attack Type — it's the Control Type. That's because a Control Type Soul Master can restrict an opponent's movement, or control their actions entirely. Under those circumstances, as long as the opponent cannot break free of your Control Type soul skill, how could they possibly launch an attack against you? In the Soul Master world, Control Type Soul Masters have always been a terrifying force. It's just that they generally need teammates to coordinate with, so they aren't as well known. But truly powerful Soul Masters all understand the importance and strength of the Control Type."
Tang San asked, "Teacher, are you saying that in a one-on-one situation, any Soul Master below level forty wouldn't be able to break free from my Spider Web Restraint?"
The Great Master nodded. "Essentially, yes. But there are always exceptions. This world is fair. Every Martial Soul has its own strengths. Didn't you once think your Blue Silver Grass was a waste of a Martial Soul? In the same way, although your Martial Soul has become extremely powerful with these three Soul Rings, there will always be a natural counter."
As he spoke, the Great Master pulled a simple object from inside his robe and slowly walked over to the spot beneath the web Tang San had released.
In the Great Master's hand was a fire striker. He flicked it in the air, and a flame immediately sprouted from its tip. He placed the striker beneath the web and held the flame against it.
At first, Tang San didn't think much of it. But after a short while, he clearly saw that the very bottom strands of the incredibly tough web had begun to gradually melt in the flame.
"I understand. The counter you're talking about is fire," Tang San said with sudden realization. He also recalled the first time he had encountered Ma Hongjun. At that time, Ma Hongjun had easily dispelled the entanglement of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul using his Phoenix Flame. Although Ma Hongjun had still ended up at a disadvantage afterward, it had rendered Tang San's Blue Silver Grass completely useless.
The Great Master nodded. "Whether it's plants or this spider web, both are inherently vulnerable to fire. The flame from this small striker naturally isn't enough to threaten the web. But if you encounter a Soul Master who specializes in using fire, then your Martial Soul will be completely countered by the opponent. Almost every Control Type Martial Soul has its own weakness — that's the price of being stronger than other attribute Martial Souls. And your Blue Silver Grass's weakness is its fear of fire. So in the future, you must be extremely careful when facing Soul Masters of this attribute."
Tang San thought for a moment and said, "Teacher, if I try to acquire Soul Rings that grant fire resistance in the future, would that eliminate this weakness?"
The Great Master said, "Don't do that. While it would increase your Blue Silver Grass's resistance to fire, think about it — if you waste one or even two soul skills on fire resistance, then when your Soul Power reaches a higher level in the future, will you still have enough soul skills to hold your own against opponents?"
"But if I don't increase fire resistance, won't I be completely helpless against Soul Masters with that type of Martial Soul in the future?" Tang San asked, puzzled. He wasn't unable to understand the Great Master's reasoning, but having such a major flaw in his Martial Soul was clearly something he didn't want to accept.
The Great Master smiled mildly. "Control Type Soul Masters rarely operate alone. The best solution is to have your companions handle this problem for you. Of course, you're not entirely without options yourself. Haven't you been working on those Hidden Weapons of yours? Although in my view they're something of a distraction, I have to admit that the power they possess is truly remarkable. And don't forget — you don't have only Blue Silver Grass as your Martial Soul."
Through the Great Master's reminder, Tang San suddenly thought of his hammer. A thought stirred in his mind. "Teacher, are you saying I can start cultivating that hammer?"
The Great Master shook his head firmly. "No. Remember — without my approval, you must absolutely not attach any Soul Rings to that hammer. Under no circumstances. This is critically important for your future. Right now, all you can rely on is Blue Silver Grass."
Though he didn't understand why the Great Master was so insistent, Tang San still nodded in agreement.
The Great Master said, "Little San, don't aim too far beyond your reach. For you, the more important thing is still the growth of your Soul Power. The soul skills that Blue Silver Grass now possesses have already exceeded my expectations. You will only grow stronger in the future. You are my hope — do you understand? Now, let me look at the most important matter, and the question that's been on your mind. Take off your shirt."
Tang San tensed inside. Ever since leaving the Star Dou Forest and no longer facing the threat of Soul Beasts, he had been pondering what those eight spider legs on his back were all about. Now that he was with his teacher, he was naturally eager to get an answer. When it came to knowledge about Martial Souls, Soul Beasts, and Soul Rings, he believed no one could surpass his teacher.
He took off his shirt and, understanding what was needed, turned his back toward the Great Master. The Great Master walked behind him and placed a hand on Tang San's spine.
Tang San felt a warm, gentle stream of Soul Power flow into his back. The energy then began to travel up and down along his spine.
The Great Master's expression was serious as he carefully examined each vertebra along Tang San's spine.
"Little San, after you retract those spider legs, can you feel where they went?"
Tang San reached behind with his right hand and tapped the ribs on his back. "Here, on these eight symmetrical ribs — I can feel that they seem to have attached themselves to the ribs. But they haven't caused any problems for my body. In fact, my back seems to have more strength than before."
Following the spots Tang San indicated, the Great Master immediately discovered that not only were these eight ribs noticeably thicker than the others, but the vertebrae connected to them were also several sizes sturdier than the rest. They felt not only hard but remarkably resilient. Even the muscles in Tang San's back seemed to have gained greater flexibility.
A look of pleasant surprise gradually appeared on the Great Master's face, but he said nothing. Instead, he quickly retreated several steps, positioning himself five meters behind Tang San. "Use your Soul Power to activate them. Release those eight spider legs."
The Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated. Tang San felt a twinge of nervousness — after all, this was the first time he was deliberately releasing these strange spider legs. Honestly, while they seemed to enhance his physical strength, Tang San didn't particularly like them. He couldn't shake the feeling that with these eight spider legs, he had become something of a monster.
The Great Master stared intently at Tang San's back, not wanting to miss a single detail.
A faint blue glow began to emerge from Tang San's back. Then, the Great Master clearly saw Tang San's entire spine seem to glow through his skin, radiating a pale purple light. The vertebrae he had noticed earlier were emitting their purple glow with particular intensity. Next, the tips of the eight ribs suddenly protruded outward from Tang San's back, forming eight distinct bulges.
A slight ache and tingling itch appeared across his back, making Tang San feel somewhat uncomfortable. But he did not stop channeling his Soul Power.
(End of Chapter)