Chapter 31: Shadow Poison Spider

He noticed that the glow of the Nether Jade Pendant seemed to resonate with something under the water, and the resonance was so strong that he couldn't help but be full of curiosity and anticipation about the underwater world. He knew very well that this underwater secret might open a new chapter in his spiritual practice.

Shangguan Jiannan slowly lowered his eyes, staring at the deep area under his feet caressed by the mist, and ripples appeared in his heart. Suddenly, he tapped his toes lightly, and an invisible force burst out from his heels, like thunder exploding on the quiet water surface, instantly stirring up circles of delicate ripples, and his body sank rapidly, as if being pulled by an invisible hand.

"Gurgle..." A series of strange and long water sounds intertwined into a song, accompanying his diving trajectory. Bubbles jumped and rose around him like pearls, painting a dreamlike picture.

However, the good times did not last long. When Shangguan Jiannan dived into waters about ten meters deep, the surrounding water pressure suddenly increased, like a huge rock weighing thousands of pounds crushing him from all directions, trying to drive his tiny existence out of this forbidden area.

This force grew stronger as he went deeper, until he felt as if he was tightly bound by an invisible cage. Every inch of his skin was under unspeakable pressure, and moving forward became extremely difficult. In the end, he could only hover there, unable to move forward any further.

"What secrets are hidden under this abyss?" Shangguan Jiannan pondered in his heart, his eyes penetrated the thick fog, trying to peek into the unknown abyss. However, there was only chaos in front of him, mud and debris surged with the undercurrent, constantly impacting his body, but it could not hide the determination and persistence in his eyes.

His eyes, in the dim water, were like the brightest stars in the night sky, flashing with unyielding light. He stared at the unknown depths, vowing to unveil its mysterious veil.

Shangguan Jiannan stood at the edge of the abyss, staring at the mysterious darkness. His heart was filled with curiosity and uneasiness. There seemed to be some unspeakable secrets hidden under the abyss. His eyes penetrated the thick fog, trying to peek into the unknown abyss.

At this time, a slight sound came from the Nether Jade Pendant, and the Shadow Spirit slowly walked out of the jade pendant. Its appearance made Shangguan Jiannan feel a little more relaxed. After all, the Shadow Spirit might be able to provide some help in this dangerous place.

Ying Ling glanced at Shangguan Jiannan with disapproval, "Jiannan, you can't even get down into this abyss. It seems you are too weak, hehe."

"You're really good at finding faults." Shangguan Jiannan raised a smile, "The water pressure here is indeed a little bit wrong, but I feel there must be treasures underneath."

Shadow Spirit smiled softly, "Nonsense, do you think I'm taking you out for a stroll? Of course there are treasures here. I sensed it during the day, otherwise why would I bring you here so late. However, this is indeed a good place to practice shadow skills, hehe."

"I'm hungry. There is a cave five hundred meters to the right. You can go there to find some food." Ying Ling looked at Shangguan Jiannan mischievously, as if this was an extremely easy thing to do.

Shangguan Jiannan was stunned and asked jokingly, "You can eat too?"

The shadow spirit said nonchalantly: "Nonsense, I would have starved to death if I didn't eat. I feel there is something delicious over there, hehe." There was a cunning light flashing in its eyes, and it was obvious that it was very interested in finding food.

"Okay, since you need it so much, let's go." Shangguan Jiannan shook his head helplessly. After sending the shadow spirit back to the Netherworld Jade Pendant, he followed the shadow spirit's instructions and headed towards the cave.

Then you will make a small fortune today!"

Shangguan Jiannan quickly flicked his left hand towards the abdomen of the two spiders, and the sword energy broke through the air. With a "puff" sound, the abdomens of the two spiders burst, and the venom sprayed onto the stone surface, immediately making a "sizzling" sound, and the stone surface quickly turned black. The black venom spread on the stone surface, like a thick shadow.

"Damn! It's really poisonous." Shangguan Jiannan looked at the venom on the stone surface and thought to himself. He scratched the abdomen of the two spiders with his left index finger, and immediately two peanut-like white beads appeared. The white beads flashed a faint light, as if they had some mysterious power.

"Hmm! I didn't expect that this pair of beasts have been practicing Taoism for more than 800 years!" Shadow Spirit came out of the Netherworld Jade Pendant and said.

Tearing off a piece of clothing, Shangguan Jiannan carefully took out the two white beads, threw the 'spider trunk' into the distant rapids, then squatted down and began to wash the pair of white beads.

Ying Ling's eyes wandered over the pair of white beads: "Okay, it's just as I expected. This is what I sensed. Although you performed well, the danger of this place should not be underestimated."

Shangguan Jiannan washed the white beads and said with a smile, "It's surprising that you can be so obviously hungry. But, besides serving as food, what other uses can these beads have?"

Ying Ling smiled faintly: "This is the natal spirit bead of the Shadow Poison Spider. These beads themselves have a certain amount of soul energy and can be used as an auxiliary means of soul cultivation. This emperor has just awakened, and this bead has saved a lot of trouble."

Shadow Spirit continued, "The secret hidden in this abyss is not only these treasures, but also the ancient power hidden behind them. You should refine the red lotus with the shadow aura first, and then we can leave. I have to eat first, hehe."

At the edge of the cave, Ying Ling stood in a dark area, holding two white spiritual beads in his hands. The spiritual beads emitted a faint light. They were the spiritual beads of the black poisonous spider, extracted from the abdomen of the spider by Shangguan Jiannan. These spiritual beads were not only highly toxic, but also contained some kind of ancient power.

The shadow spirit gently put the spirit bead into its mouth, and instantly a strong force burst out from its body. The shadow spirit's figure gradually became taller in the light, and its body also seemed more stable. Its eyes flashed with a brighter light than before, as if the spirit bead it had just swallowed had significantly improved its soul power.

"Well, these spirit beads are really good." Ying Ling stretched lazily with satisfaction, raised his head and looked at Shangguan Jiannan, "You did a good job to find these treasures. However, now I feel that my strength has increased a little, and I have even grown a little taller."

Shangguan Jiannan looked up at Ying Ling's changes and said with a smile: "It seems that these spiritual beads are not only helpful to you, but also an unexpected gain for me. However, your changes surprised me. Hey, Ying Ling, you seem to have grown to be twelve or thirteen years old."

Shadow Spirit grinned, "This is not just an improvement in strength, but more of a nourishment for the soul. The shadow power contained in the spirit pearl is simply an excellent supplement for me. So in the future, you have to prepare more delicious food for me."

Shangguan Jiannan nodded, walked to the side under the firelight, and prepared to refine the red lotus obtained from the poisonous spider. He used the Night Shadowless Heart Method to mobilize the shadow spirit energy in his body, preparing to integrate the power of the red lotus into his own practice.

Shangguan Jiannan sat cross-legged on the stone ground, holding up the red lotus with both hands, and practicing the Night Shadowless Heart Method. The Night Shadowless Heart Method is a profound shadow technique that can transform external power into one's own power and enhance cultivation and strength.

As Shangguan Jiannan's mental method was activated, the light of the red lotus gradually dimmed, and the light on the lotus petals also became softer under the influence of his mental method. The power of the red lotus began to flow through his body, as if an invisible force was constantly increasing.

"The spirituality of this red lotus is so powerful, it seems that it will be very useful for cultivation." Shangguan Jiannan whispered to himself, his expression focused. His breathing became deep and even, as if he was absorbing all the energy between heaven and earth.

After a while, the red lotus was refined and Shangguan Jiannan's strength was improved to that of an eight-star great swordsman.