Chapter 87: Absorbing (Patreon)

The sudden voice made everyone freeze.

No one expected Tang San to actually speak up and try to claim this Human-Faced Demon Spider for himself.

From start to finish, Tang San hadn't contributed at all—he hadn't lifted a finger. Just moments ago, he had even questioned Lu Feng's methods.

Everyone had agreed that this hunt was to help Meng Yiran obtain her spirit ring. Without the Dragon Serpent Couple's powerful Poisonous Dragon Flame, they wouldn't have been able to subdue this 2,000-year Man-Faced Demon Spider so smoothly.

What right did Tang San have to demand it? Where did he get the audacity?

Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiaowu all frowned in disapproval, ashamed to have such a selfish teammate. Even Oscar and Ma Hongjun thought Tang San's shamelessness was beyond belief.

Meng Yiran's expression darkened. "Why should I give it to you?" she snapped.

"Yiran," Snake Grandma (Chao Tianxiang) gently cautioned, shaking her head. "Don't ruin the harmony."

Dragon Grandpa (Meng Shu) was inwardly displeased but kept his face neutral as he turned to Lu Feng. "This Man-Faced Demon Spider was discovered by Lu Feng, and it was his strategy that led to its capture—even risking himself as bait. If Lu Feng decides to give it to this young man, I won't object."

"Neither will I," Snake Grandma agreed.

If Lu Feng chose to hand it over to Tang San, they would reluctantly accept it and continue their search for another spirit beast. Though they had spent so long finding one perfectly suited for Meng Yiran, out of respect for Lu Feng, they wouldn't argue further. The decision was his.

Zhao Wuji shot Tang San an angry glare and waved his hand dismissively. "No way! We agreed this was for Meng Yiran. The credit for capturing it goes mostly to the two seniors. Besides, Yiran already gave up the Thousand-Year Phoenix-Tailed Serpent Crest earlier—it's unreasonable to ask her to yield again. This one's hers!"

Zhao Wuji was a straightforward man. Even though Tang San was his student, this time, he couldn't stand his behavior.

Despite his words, Meng Yiran, Dragon Grandpa, and Snake Grandma still looked at Lu Feng, waiting for his final decision.

"Of course, it belongs to Yiran."

Lu Feng's answer was firm.

This had been his plan all along—to take one of Tang San's great opportunities and give it to his ally, Meng Yiran.

He had specifically asked the Dragon Serpent Couple to use their Martial Soul Fusion Skill for two reasons:

To ensure the Man-Faced Demon Spider had no chance of escaping.

To place the main credit for the hunt on them, leaving Tang San with no grounds to argue.

The Eight Spider Lances weren't suitable for him, but to disrupt the Son of Destiny's fortune and complete his mission, someone had to claim this opportunity. And Meng Yiran was the perfect candidate.

After learning that Lu Feng had avenged her parents, she had clung to him and cried for a long time.

Still, Tang San's sudden demand took him by surprise.

Had Tang San sensed something?

Lu Feng's guess was correct.

Tang San had felt it—a deep, instinctive pull from the depths of his soul. He didn't understand why, but an overwhelming craving told him he needed this Man-Faced Demon Spider.

Right now, to him, it was like a starving wolf staring at a tender lamb.

Under everyone's scrutiny, Tang San remained calm and unflinching as he offered his excuse:

"I'm only thinking of Yiran's safety. A 2,000-year Man-Faced Demon Spider is too high-level. Forcing absorption could put her life at risk."

"This…" Dragon Grandpa and Snake Grandma exchanged uneasy glances. His words held some truth—they would never risk their granddaughter's life.

Lu Feng smiled confidently. "No need to worry. I can help her."

He motioned for everyone to step back before walking over to Meng Yiran. His gaze briefly flickered over her alluring curves and well-developed breasts, then he leaned in and whispered,

"Sister Yiran, it's been a year. You've… grown."

"Alliance Leader, you've grown even more," she replied innocently, missing his teasing tone. She only noticed he had gotten taller and more muscular.

"You can tell? Then… do you want to eat my big banana?" he continued in a hushed voice.

"W-what?! D-don't joke like that!" she stammered, her breath hitching as her cheeks flushed pink.

"Go ahead and take it seriously. Here—it'll temporarily boost your vitality."

His second spirit ring flashed as a large banana materialized in his hand, which he handed to her.

"..." Meng Yiran was speechless.

She couldn't tell if Lu Feng was teasing her or being serious.

Still, she took the banana and ate it. After swallowing, she nodded with a smile. "It's true—I can feel my vitality surging."

"Now, drink a little of my blood."

Lu Feng pricked his finger and held it to Meng Yiran's cherry-red lips.

His Dragon God Bloodline could suppress any spirit beast. Drinking his blood—infused with that power—should help her absorb the spirit ring more smoothly.

Meng Yiran didn't fully understand, but she obediently parted her soft lips and took his finger into her mouth.

"Suck lightly, then swallow," Lu Feng instructed.

She complied, giving a gentle suck before her tender little tongue flicked over the wound, as if soothing it.

"Now, start absorbing the spirit ring. I'll stay right here to protect you."

In the original timeline, Tang San had trampled over Meng Yiran's family to seize his opportunities.

First, he had humiliated Meng Yiran by defeating her and taking the Phoenix-Tailed Serpent Crest, flaunting his superiority over an orphan girl and her elderly grandparents.

Second, he had stumbled upon the Man-Faced Demon Spider they had injured, defeated Meng Yiran again, and then intimidated Snake Grandma and Dragon Grandpa by invoking his father, Hao Tian Douluo's, fearsome reputation.

Twice, the family had unknowingly paved the way for Tang San's rise.

The Dragon Serpent Couple had been careless, underestimating the spirit beasts. "Why use a sledgehammer to kill a fly?" They hadn't gone all-out, allowing both spirit beasts to escape injured—only for Tang San to swoop in and claim the rewards.

But now, Meng Yiran's heart warmed under Lu Feng's care.

'The Alliance Leader still remembers me.'

A year ago at Dragon Serpent Fort, she had been the one protecting him. Now, the roles were reversed—but it felt right.

Even if she failed to absorb the spirit ring and lost her life… it didn't seem so bad.

....

Meng Yiran started the process.

At first, everything went smoothly. But as time passed, sweat drenched her body, her limbs trembled, and she showed signs of faltering.

Her physical resistance wasn't strong enough—she had been overprotected, her willpower untested.

Even with the life-energy boost and the Dragon God Bloodline's suppression, a 2,000-year Man-Faced Demon Spider was simply too much for her.

The crowd grew anxious—except for Tang San and Dai Mubai, who exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with silent mockery.

'Lu Feng, you've really messed up now,' Tang San thought coldly. 'If the Dragon Serpent Couple's granddaughter dies because of this, can you bear the responsibility? Let's see how you handle this.'

After observing for a moment, Lu Feng decided not to wait any longer.

"Everyone, step back."

He summoned his World Tree Martial Soul. Countless roots erupted from the ground as thick, azure-gold vines coiled outward, densely weaving around him and Meng Yiran—forming a massive cocoon that shielded them from view.

A pulse of white light enveloped Meng Yiran.

"Mmm~" A soft moan escaped her lips.

But lifeforce alone wasn't enough.

"Forgive me… but this is the only way to help you."

Leaning in, Lu Feng pressed his lips against Meng Yiran's pale, chilled ones—transferring the natural energy he'd absorbed from countless plants directly into her.

Spirit power couldn't aid in ring absorption, but natural energy could.

When he had absorbed his God-Bestowed Spirit Ring, this same energy had allowed him to endure the agony, multiplying his resilience and letting him achieve a ring quality beyond any ordinary spirit master's wildest dreams.

The lips are one of the body's bridges—where yin and yang converge.

That's why lovers find kisses so intoxicating.