Chapter 213: Xiao Wu – This Is the Slaughter of a Soul Beast!
It had to be said—compared to the Human-Faced Demon Spider, Tang San's arsenal of techniques was far too vast.
His gaze was calm and cold as he deftly maneuvered, attacking with relentless precision and agility.
The spider's one weakness was its eye on the abdomen, but it guarded that spot well now.
Each time Tang San attempted to attack that vulnerable area, the beast's eight sharp legs and thick black carapace intercepted every strike, leaving his hidden weapons useless.
He understood perfectly: before he could unleash the Clear Sky Hammer or his Goddess Zhuge Crossbow for a killing blow, he needed to exhaust the spider first.
So, he exercised extreme patience—dancing on a knife's edge, dodging every venomous strike by the smallest margin, deliberately provoking and enraging the creature.
Boiling roars and shockwaves echoed through the forest.
In the distance, Yu Xiaogang's face was tense with worry. "How's it going, Old Flender? Erlong? Can Xiao San succeed?"
They were stationed several hundred meters away so as not to alert the spider.
Given his own spiritual limits, Yu Xiaogang couldn't see the battle clearly.
Flender smirked. "He's your disciple, isn't he? Have some faith.
His acting is perfect—he keeps looking like he's about to get hit, driving the spider mad with frustration.
That beast is beyond furious now—it won't rest until it tears him apart."
Unlike the previously wounded Human-Faced Demon Spider they had encountered months ago, this one was in perfect condition.
Yu Xiaogang's heart raced with conflicting feelings: thrill and fear.
He wanted Tang San to prove his hypothesis—that a soul beast filled with resentment at death might drop a soul bone more easily.
But he also feared the beast's overwhelming might could crush his student.
Time passed.
"Yes! The spider's finally used up its third Web Bind!" Flender shouted triumphantly.
Instantly, the rest of the team grew excited.
Now came the moment of truth—would an external soul bone appear again?
In the clearing, Tang San narrowly evaded another stabbing leg.
Dark light glinted in his left hand.
The black Clear Sky Hammer appeared, silent but heavy with intent.
"Last time it was your kin that died by my hand—after chasing me so long, now it's your turn. Die!"
A cold smirk twisted Tang San's lips.
The enraged spider's mind burned with fury.
How many times had those deadly limbs just missed piercing this infuriating human?
Its eight ghostly eyes flashed as it lunged once more.
This time—the human didn't dodge?
It seized the chance, front four legs stabbing forward at full speed.
As distance closed, a flicker of black surged again from Tang San's hand—his hammer swung out.
The spider didn't care.
These flashy ranged attacks couldn't pierce its armor. They only disrupted its rhythm.
It lowered its body, speeding forward.
Even if that black glow struck its head, it couldn't break its shell.
It would crush this human outright!
Boom!
A thunderous crash shook the forest.
A ringing roar filled the spider's skull—it reeled, dazed.
That attack had lifted its entire body off the ground.
"How… how could a weak human possess such strength?"
Its mind spun from the impact.
The Clear Sky Hammer weighed five hundred catties even when Tang San was only a Soul Elder.
Now, infused with every ounce of his soul power and hurled with desperate, all-out force, its speed and momentum magnified the power beyond measure.
The collision smashed into the spider like two runaway carriages colliding head-on—inescapable, devastating.
The spider's head carapace cracked inward under the blow.
"Now!"
Click!Clack!Click!
Successive bursts exploded from Tang San's position—dark shadows streaking through the air.
Zhuge Godly Crossbow—Fired.
Forty-eight bolts in total.
This time, Tang San held nothing back.
He had prepared three full crossbows in advance, all pre-loaded. Each with sixteen bolts—forty-eight total—now raining toward their target simultaneously.
Every shaft drove straight into the spider's many eyes.
Tang San panted heavily, his eyes unwavering.
A hideous shriek tore through the forest, echoing for miles.
Stepping back swiftly, Tang San gave ground—he had no intention of perishing alongside it.
Still, he couldn't resist a final taunt.
"A soul beast is just that—a beast! How could your mind ever compare to mine, old spider?"
The monstrous arachnid writhed violently, its massive form thrashing in agony.
The embedded bolts tore deeper with every motion, shredding its internal organs.
So this was how it would end—slain by a human it had deemed weak.
Unwillingness burned in its dying eyes.
Hatred and resentment filled the clearing like poison.
"Xiao San—did he do it?"
Hearing the anguished cries, Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and the rest of the Shrek group rushed forward.
They entered a wasteland of shattered earth and tangled vines, the air thick with venom.
Even hardened as they were, a flicker of pity passed through their eyes.
Especially Xiao Wu—her lavender gaze shimmered with something darker.
This isn't a hunt, she thought grimly. This is slaughter.
Her heart twisted in discomfort.
She prayed that no soul bone would appear—otherwise humans would start butchering soul beasts this way for profit.
Even if Tang San and the Master preached against needless killing, this level of cruelty was no different from those who murdered for spirit rings alone.
I must become stronger, Xiao Wu vowed silently.
At their feet, the spider's thrashing slowed. Purple-black ichor seeped from its ruined eyes.
It would not last much longer.
Moments later, a bluish-violet glow began to rise from its carcass—spirit ring energy manifesting.
Tang San beamed with relief and triumph.
"Xiao San, don't rush," Flender said quickly. "Restore your state first!
Here, eat a sausage. A big one—I've got a big sausage!"
Oscar chuckled proudly, handing one over.
Tang San didn't hesitate; chewing quickly, he drew in the restorative energy.
Meanwhile, Flender approached the corpse cautiously.
Without a word, he thrust his sword beneath it, levering the dead spider up onto a massive tree branch several meters thick—broad enough to build a house upon.
The spider's heavy body rested securely atop it.
Everyone stared in confusion.
"What are you doing?"
"Better safe than sorry," Flender replied. "That evil Soul Master from last time used earth-burrowing techniques. If he appears suddenly, we'd be caught off guard.
Let Xiao San absorb the spirit ring up here—it's safer."
A satisfied grin spread across his face.
Still the cleverest of them all.
"Brilliant move, Headmaster."
"Truly thoughtful! Admirable foresight!"
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun both lifted their thumbs in admiration.
(END CHAPTER)
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