Chapter 212: Tang San Battles the Human-Faced Demon Spider
Flender snorted. "It's just the fourth spirit ring. I can scout out the area for you, but the actual hunt—you'll have to handle that yourselves."
"Yes, Headmaster!"
The Seven Devils responded loudly.
Satisfied, Flender released his Cat-Eagle Martial Spirit, his wings spreading as he soared into the air, darting swiftly between the forest canopies.
After some time, he returned, his sharp eyes gleaming.
"Heh, the Sunset Forest really is perfect for hunting spirit beasts. No terrifying Titan Giant Ape lurking around—much more freedom this time. The target's that way!"
He had indeed located a suitable Human-Faced Demon Spider.
Poison-type spirit beasts were plentiful here, and they were seeking one around seven thousand years old.
With Flender's eagle-enhanced vision, his scouting ability was unmatched, and he had pinpointed their quarry without difficulty.
"Move out!"
Yu Xiaogang's voice rang with anticipation.
Dai Mubai and Tang San led the way; Oscar and Ning Rongrong stayed in the middle, while Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing guarded the sides.
Together, they swiftly advanced in the direction Flender had indicated.
"Xiao San," Dai Mubai said, "are you sure you don't need help when the fight starts?"
"Boss Dai," Tang San replied steadily, "I just need you all to keep other spirit beasts away. The Human-Faced Demon Spider—I'll deal with it myself.
According to Teacher's research, if a spirit beast dies harboring immense resentment, the chance of a spirit bone dropping increases significantly.
Last time in the Sunset Forest, the Human-Faced Demon Spider I killed with hidden weapons died in deep grievance.
Its resentment, combined with the compatibility of its spirit with mine, gave rise to the external soul bone.
I can't afford to overlook any detail this time."
The others exchanged uneasy looks.
"Third Brother, we know you really want to obtain another soul bone, but they're one-in-ten-thousand rare," Xiao Wu said gently.
Dai Mubai patted Tang San's shoulder.
He couldn't bear to crush his hopes—but reality was brutal.
Soul bones didn't appear easily. The last external soul bone had been a sheer stroke of luck.
If pattern or logic truly existed, Spirit Hall's members would all have spirit bones by now.
Tang San nodded. "Don't worry. I'm not fragile.
I'm just doing my best. Even if no external bone appears, I'll have no regrets if I've done everything perfectly."
"Boss Dai, Xiao Wu, have a little more faith in Third Brother!" Ma Hongjun said proudly. "We're monsters, remember? We exist to make the impossible possible!"
Tang San chuckled calmly. "I'll take your good omen, Fatty."
As they talked, they continued advancing for over ten miles before slowing down under Flender's signal.
The forest around them fell silent—eerily so.
Tang San's expression grew serious.
Such stillness meant only one thing: a powerful spirit beast nearby.
They were inside its territory.
"Xiao San," Flender called out, "your target is just ahead. Be careful. If you can't handle it, call out immediately."
"Thank you, Headmaster. I'll be cautious."
Tang San moved forward silently, his companions fanning out behind to guard and react at a moment's notice.
Every muscle in his body was tense, yet his movements appeared relaxed—careless, even.
He knew the Human-Faced Demon Spider's deadliest skill: Web Bind—much like his own third spirit skill.
Its deadliness lay in speed—instantaneous release.
The spider could use it three times a day, and its webs spanned several times the size of its body.
Most prey never escaped its first strike.
Thus his plan: lure out the web attacks first, then fight back.
Tang San advanced quickly. A faint rustling reached his ears—his heart tightened.
It was coming.
He kept walking as though unaware.
Suddenly, his body flickered, swaying left and right like an illusion.
From above and to the right, a massive spider web descended!
Tang San's heart leapt.
As expected—the Human-Faced Demon Spider attacked immediately.
He sidestepped rapidly—several sharp steps left.
"Bang!"
A wave of compressed air blasted outward as the web struck the ground behind him.
Turning his head, Tang San finally saw it: a spider nearly two meters across, its eight legs over four meters long—massive and deadly.
The creature's human-like eyes gleamed unsettlingly.
This was the Human-Faced Demon Spider he had been seeking.
Its many eyes flashed with surprise.
How had this human dodged its web? His soul power didn't seem strong enough. It couldn't comprehend it.
With a furious hiss, the spider's eight legs dug into the earth, launching its body high.
Another web spewed forth midair—the second Bind, faster than before.
At such velocity, nothing should have been able to evade.
But astoundingly, Tang San rolled and tumbled across the ground, narrowly slipping out of range once again.
Realization struck the spider—it could not match his agility.
Abandoning further web attacks, it crouched low, muscles coiling, then leaped forward with terrifying power, legs spread wide as it charged.
Tang San didn't retreat. Instead, he smiled—a challenge.
"Blue Silver Bind!"
Countless purple-black vines of Blue Silver Grass surged forth, entwining the air between them.
The spider was caught squarely in the trap.
It erupted in anger, releasing a wave of dark violet energy that corroded the vines instantly.
It lunged again—but Tang San was ready.
Dozens of white flashes burst from his hands—hidden weapons: flying needles, spinning blades, raining down relentlessly toward its abdomen.
With a shriek, the spider slammed to the floor, sparks flying as the projectiles bounced harmlessly off its armor-hard carapace.
Its defense was as formidable as ever.
The brief distraction gave Tang San time. He dashed backward to widen the gap.
The enraged spider hissed violently.
A foul odor spread as acidic fluid glistened along its eight legs—it accelerated, moving twice as fast.
But then—it froze in confusion.
Another massive web appeared—his own!
Tang San's third spirit skill, Web Bind, shot straight toward it, cutting its charge short.
The creature paused, bewildered.
A spider… that could cast webs?
Could this be… one of its kind?
Tang San seized the moment, raising his sleeve crossbow. Bolts fired in a relentless volley, slowing the beast further.
For a time, man and spider clashed evenly, neither able to overcome the other—their fierce battle shaking the forest around them.
(END CHAPTER)
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