99: The pursuit of the Blood Shadow Spider

For several days in a row, the Magical Beasts in this mountain forest fell into unprecedented panic.

A human youth, clad in crimson Dou Qi armor and wielding a long saber burning with blazing flames, moved through the dense forest like a reaper of souls.

Wherever he went, the corpses of high-tier Magical Beasts lay strewn, and low-tier Magical Beasts didn't even have a chance to escape before being cut down with a single strike.

“Boom—!”

With another deafening explosion, an Iron-Backed Wolf of the One-Star Great Dou Master Level was sent flying by Jiang Donghua's Blazing Flame Palm, crashing heavily against a rock wall and dying on the spot.

“Tsk, still too slow.”

Jiang Donghua shook his wrist, frowning as he muttered to himself.

The fighting these past few days had allowed him to gradually adapt to the surging Dou Qi within his body, and his combat skills had become more refined, but there was still a significant gap from the perfect control Mo Xuan had spoken of.

“Roar—!”

Suddenly, an earth-shattering roar came from deep within the valley, and the ground trembled slightly in response.

Jiang Donghua's eyes narrowed, but a hint of excitement curved his lips.

“Finally, something decent has arrived!”

The Yellow Earth Bear, the overlord of this mountain forest, possessed Peak Great Dou Master strength, thick skin, and immense power, such that even ordinary Dou Ling Experts dared not provoke it easily.

But these past few days, it had been utterly frustrated!

That damned human, despite being weaker in cultivation, was as slippery as an eel, never allowing it to gain an advantage in any skirmish. What was even more hateful was that crimson armor on his body, which even its full-power strike couldn't break!

“Roar—!”

The Yellow Earth Bear furiously smashed a boulder, its scarlet beast eyes fixed on the figure slowly approaching in the distance.

Jiang Donghua grinned, his long saber pointing diagonally at the ground, flames dancing on its edge.

“Big guy, if I don't beat you down today, my name isn't Jiang!”

“Boom—!”

The Yellow Earth Bear charged in a rage, its massive bear paw, imbued with Earth Attribute Dou Qi, slammed fiercely towards Jiang Donghua!

Jiang Donghua did not dodge, but instead, abruptly thrust his long saber upwards!

“Take this!”

“Bang—!”

Saber and paw collided, and a wave of energy exploded, instantly shattering the surrounding trees!

Jiang Donghua was forced back several steps, his arm numb, but the fighting intent in his eyes grew even stronger!

“Such powerful strength!”

The Yellow Earth Bear was equally shocked; it had used its full strength in that strike, yet it hadn't managed to kill this human!

“Again!”

Jiang Donghua executed Roaming Cloud Steps, his figure ghost-like as he closed in on the Yellow Earth Bear. His long saber slashed repeatedly, the flaming saber energy weaving into a net, forcing the Yellow Earth Bear to retreat continuously!

“Roar—!”

The Yellow Earth Bear roared, slamming its paws to the ground!

“Rumble—!”

The ground instantly cracked, and countless sharp stone spikes erupted from beneath, thrusting directly at Jiang Donghua!

Jiang Donghua's pupils contracted, and he rapidly retreated, while simultaneously sweeping his long saber, the flaming saber energy cutting down all the stone spikes!

“That was close!”

A bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead; if not for his greatly increased combat experience over the past few days, that strike just now would have been enough to severely wound him!

Seeing its attack fail, the Yellow Earth Bear grew even more enraged. Earth Attribute Dou Qi surged wildly around its body, and its size actually expanded once more!

It roared and charged, each step making the ground tremble, its aura terrifying!

Jiang Donghua took a deep breath, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

“Since that's the case.”

He suddenly sheathed his saber, formed hand seals, and the Dou Qi within his body rapidly converged!

“Blazing Flame Palm!”

“Boom—!”

A colossal flaming palm print materialized out of thin air, carrying a destructive aura, and slammed fiercely towards the Yellow Earth Bear!

The Yellow Earth Bear's pupils constricted, and it instinctively crossed its arms to block!

“Bang—!”

The flaming palm print exploded, and the violent energy instantly engulfed the Yellow Earth Bear!

As the smoke and dust cleared, the Yellow Earth Bear was charred black, its aura weak, and finally, fear appeared in its eyes.

The Yellow Earth Bear ultimately retreated, fleeing back to its cave in disarray, no longer daring to show itself.

Jiang Donghua watched its retreating figure, but did not pursue. Instead, he sat cross-legged, adjusting his breathing and recovering.

The battles of these past few days had made his control over Dou Qi increasingly precise, and he had even vaguely touched upon an opportunity for a breakthrough!

“Master was right, actual combat is the fastest way to grow!”

He clenched his fists, a burning fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.

Ever since Jiang Donghua stepped into the Great Dou Master realm, his physical body had long surpassed that of ordinary people, and not eating or drinking for a day or two was nothing unusual for him.

The night was as dark as ink, and the forest was eerily silent, with only the occasional chirping of insects and the low growls of distant Magical Beasts.

He stood on the branch of an ancient tree, his gaze sweeping over the dense forest below like a hawk.

“Too weak.”

The hunting these past few days had made him almost lose interest in Magical Beasts below the Great Dou Master Level.

Those Dou Master Level Magical Beasts had no chance to struggle before him, often dying instantly with a single palm strike.

Let's go deeper.

“Rustle rustle rustle…”

Suddenly, a faint scraping sound came from above, like some kind of arthropod rapidly crawling through the treetops.

Jiang Donghua frowned, then sharply looked up. Eight crimson eyes glowed faintly in the darkness!

“Third-Tier Magical Beast—Blood Shadow Demon Spider?!”

His heart tightened, and he instinctively took a step back.

The Blood Shadow Demon Spider, a Third-Tier Magical Beast, though not as massive as the Yellow Earth Bear, was elusive in its movements, its silk was poisonous, and it excelled at stealth and assassination. Even a Great Dou Master Level expert could be ambushed and suffer if they were not careful!

“Whoosh—!”

A silvery-white spider silk suddenly shot down from the treetops, fast as lightning!

Jiang Donghua reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side. The spider silk brushed past his shoulder and embedded itself in the ground, actually corroding a charred pit in the hard rock!

“Poisonous silk?!”

His eyes darkened, and the Dou Qi within his body instantly erupted. Fire Attribute Dou Qi surged around him, illuminating an area of several feet.

Under the firelight, the Blood Shadow Demon Spider finally revealed its true form: a pitch-black body the size of a millstone, eight barbed segmented legs firmly gripping the tree trunk, its abdomen slightly pulsating, clearly preparing for the next wave of attack!

Most horrifying of all were its eight scarlet eyes, flickering with cold light in the night, like the gaze of death!

“Hiss—!”

The Blood Shadow Demon Spider let out a sharp hiss, its eight long legs suddenly pushed off, and it pounced down from the treetops like a phantom, aiming directly for Jiang Donghua's throat!

“Seeking death!”

Jiang Donghua snorted coldly, his right palm suddenly pushed out, the scorching Fire Attribute Dou Qi condensing into a crimson palm print, which slammed fiercely towards the Demon Spider!

“Blazing Flame Palm!”

“Bang—!”

The palm print and the Demon Spider collided in mid-air, erupting in dazzling firelight!

However, the Demon Spider strangely twisted its body in the air, its eight long legs cutting through the flames like blades, continuing its deadly pounce!

“What?!”

Jiang Donghua's pupils contracted, and in haste, he could only cross his arms to block!

“Rip—!”

The Demon Spider's sharp forelegs slashed across his arm, leaving several deep scratches on his Dou Qi armor!

“Such sharp claws!”

He was secretly alarmed; this beast's attack power far exceeded his expectations!

Having landed a blow, the Blood Shadow Demon Spider did not linger in battle.

Instead, it used the recoil to swiftly retreat, re-entering the darkness, its eight red eyes flickering on and off in the night.

“Want to play hide-and-seek?”

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Donghua's eyes. He suddenly formed hand seals, and the Dou Qi within his body rapidly converged!

“Since you're hiding, I'll just burn this entire forest clean!”

“Boom—!”

Violent Fire Attribute Dou Qi erupted from his body, transforming into countless flaming chains that swept outwards!

“Blazing Flame Palm!”

Wherever the flames passed, trees instantly withered and charred. The Blood Shadow Demon Spider, hidden in the shadows, finally had nowhere to hide. It was forced to leap from the treetops, a hint of panic appearing in its eight red eyes for the first time!

“Found you!”

Jiang Donghua sneered, his figure like lightning as he instantly closed in on the Demon Spider. His right fist, imbued with all his Dou Qi, slammed fiercely towards its head!

“Die!”

“Bang—!”

This punch landed squarely on the Demon Spider's head, and the violent Fire Attribute Dou Qi instantly poured into its body!

“Hiss—!”

The Blood Shadow Demon Spider let out a mournful shriek, its eight long legs convulsing wildly, finally turning into a charred remnant in the flames!

Jiang Donghua slowly withdrew his fist, looking at the burning Demon Spider corpse on the ground, and snorted coldly.

“Third-Tier Magical Beast, nothing more than that.”

However, just as he let out a sigh of relief, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his arm!

Looking down, beneath the Dou Qi armor, which had been scratched by the Demon Spider, a faint, eerie purplish-black color was visible!

“Poison?!”

His expression changed drastically. He immediately circulated Dou Qi to suppress the toxin, but his arm still began to go numb at a visible rate!

“Damn it, this beast's poison can actually corrode Dou Qi!”

Just as he was secretly alarmed, a rustling sound suddenly came from deeper within the forest—and it wasn't just one!

Jiang Donghua suddenly looked up, only to see dozens of pairs of scarlet eyes light up simultaneously in the surrounding treetops!

“Hiss—!”

Sharp hisses rose and fell, like the whispers of death!

“Blood Shadow Demon Spiders are communal?!”

“The books I read didn't say anything like that!”

Jiang Donghua cursed inwardly, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

He remembered very clearly that the Jia Nan Academy's Magical Beast compendium explicitly stated that Blood Shadow Demon Spiders were solitary Magical Beasts!

But the current situation...

“Hiss—!”

The sharp hisses coming from all directions completely shattered his hope.

“Run!”

He didn't hesitate. Dou Qi surged wildly within him, and Roaming Cloud Steps was instantly pushed to its limit. His entire being transformed into an afterimage, speeding towards the depths of the dense forest!

“Rustle rustle rustle…”

The sound of rustling leaves followed him like a shadow, with countless sharp claws rapidly crawling through the treetops!

The speed of the Blood Shadow Demon Spiders, in this dense forest where they had lived for years, was actually a fraction faster than Jiang Donghua's!

“Damn it!”

Jiang Donghua gritted his teeth, running wildly while vigilantly scanning his surroundings.

He couldn't distinguish where those sounds were coming from, whether from the canopy above or the layer of dead leaves underground.

It was even possible they had already circled in front of him. What startled him even more was that the Blood Shadow Demon Spider he had just killed was, at most, a two-star Great Dou Master in strength.

But would there be any Fourth-Tier Magical Beasts among this group?

A Fourth-Tier Magical Beast was a monster comparable to a Dou Ling Expert!

If he really encountered one, he might have to end his life here today!

"Swoosh—!"

A silver-white spider silk suddenly shot from his left, aiming directly for his throat!

Jiang Donghua abruptly dodged, the spider silk grazing his neck as it flew past, embedding itself into a tree trunk, instantly corroding a bowl-sized black hole!

"Hiss!"

He gasped, his speed increasing. At the same time, he condensed Dou Qi in his right hand and violently slammed a palm towards the direction the spider silk had come from!

"Blazing Flame Palm!"

"Boom—!"

Flames erupted, and a mournful hiss came from the tree canopy. A Blood Shadow Demon Spider was blasted away, crashing heavily to the ground.

But Jiang Donghua had no time to finish it off.

"Swish swish swish—!"

Three strands of spider silk shot simultaneously from different directions, blocking his escape routes!

"Damn it!"

His pupils contracted. In a hurry, he could only leap up, avoiding two strands of spider silk, but the third one firmly wrapped around his left leg!

"Hiss—!"

The potent venom on the spider silk instantly corroded his Dou Qi armor. Jiang Donghua felt a numbness in his left leg, almost collapsing to the ground!

"Break for me!"

He roared, his right hand like a blade, Fire Attribute Dou Qi condensed into an edge, and he fiercely slashed at the spider silk!

"Rip!"

The spider silk snapped, but Jiang Donghua's left leg had already turned a strange purplish-black, and his movements were noticeably much slower.

"The poison has taken effect."

Veins bulged on his forehead, and an alarm blared in his heart.

If this continued, he would eventually be worn down and killed by these beasts!

He had to find a way to break free!

Suddenly, his gaze sharpened, noticing an open rocky area not far ahead.

There were no trees there, which would significantly reduce the Blood Shadow Demon Spider's mobility!

"I'll take a gamble!"

Jiang Donghua gritted his teeth, enduring the numbness in his left leg, and charged with all his might towards the rocky area!

Behind him, the rustling sound grew denser, and countless sharp claws were frantically chasing him!

"Hiss—!"

An exceptionally sharp hiss suddenly came from above his head!

Jiang Donghua abruptly looked up, only to see a Blood Shadow Demon Spider, much larger than its kin, pouncing down from the tree canopy!

Its eight eyes were not crimson, but dark gold!

"Fourth-Tier?!"

Jiang Donghua's heart stopped. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately took out several healing pills from his storage ring and stuffed them into his mouth.

The pills melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a warm current that surged through his limbs, and the numbness in his left leg immediately lessened by a few points.

However, his gaze remained fixed on the Blood Shadow Demon Spider with dark gold eyes.

A Fourth-Tier Magical Beast!

An existence comparable to a human Dou Ling Expert!

"Did I go too deep? How did I encounter a creature of this level?"

Jiang Donghua cursed inwardly.

But soon, his eyes became sharp again.

"However, I'm not without a trump card!"

He flipped his right hand, and a long saber, entirely crimson with a blade as ferocious as fangs, appeared in his hand—the Fifth-Tier blood fang saber!

At the same time, the crimson flame beast armor he wore also faintly emitted a Red Light. The defensive power of Fifth-Tier armor was enough for him to withstand Dou Ling Level attacks!

"It might not be impossible to fight!"

"Hiss—!"

The Dark Gold Demon Spider let out a piercing hiss. Its eight long legs suddenly pushed off, and its figure pounced like a phantom!

"Roaming Cloud Steps!"

Jiang Donghua moved his feet, his body instantly shifting several zhang sideways, avoiding the demon spider's pounce. At the same time, the blood fang saber fiercely slashed out!

"Take this!"

"Boom—!"

The crimson saber light tore through the night sky, carrying scorching heat, and fiercely struck the demon spider's abdomen!

However, the demon spider's reaction was astonishingly fast. Its eight long legs crossed like blades, actually blocking the saber strike head-on!

"Clang—!"

The sound of metal clashing exploded, sparks flying!

The demon spider was forced back several steps, but Jiang Donghua was also pushed back by the recoil, his tiger's mouth slightly numb.

"Such a hard shell!"

His eyes were grave. This beast's defense was far beyond imagination!

"Hiss!"

The Dark Gold Demon Spider seemed enraged. Its abdomen suddenly swelled, and then it spat out a stream of ink-black venom, shooting like an arrow towards Jiang Donghua!

"Can't dodge!"

Jiang Donghua gritted his teeth, the Red Light of his crimson flame beast armor flared, and he took the blow head-on!

"Hiss—!"

The venom splashed onto the armor, making a corrosive sound, but the defense of the Fifth-Tier armor was not for show after all. The venom failed to penetrate, only dimming the Red Light on the armor's surface a bit.

"Opportunity!"

Jiang Donghua seized the interval when the demon spider was spitting venom, his body suddenly rushed forward, and the blood fang saber slashed out again!

"Slash!"

With this strike, he poured in all his Dou Qi. The saber light instantly surged to several zhang long, like a crimson crescent moon, fiercely cleaving towards the demon spider's head!

"Boom—!"

The saber light and the demon spider's shell violently collided, erupting in a deafening roar. The surrounding ground was cracked by the aftershocks!

"Crack!"

A crack finally appeared on the demon spider's shell, and dark green blood oozed from the wound!

"It worked!"

Jiang Donghua's heart rejoiced, just as he was about to press his advantage, suddenly...

"Roar—!"

"Howl—!"

From the dense forest around, several fierce beast roars suddenly rang out!

Other Magical Beasts were attracted by the commotion of the battle!

Jiang Donghua's face changed. He glanced around and saw countless pairs of crimson eyes glowing in the darkness. There were wolf-shaped Magical Beasts, giant pythons, and even a few flying raptors!

All of them were Third-Tier Magical Beasts or above!

"Damn it, are these beasts here to watch the show, or to pick up scraps?!"

He cursed inwardly, but his hands did not dare to pause for a moment.

The Dark Gold Demon Spider also noticed the approach of the other Magical Beasts. A hint of fury flashed in its eight dark gold eyes, seemingly extremely displeased with these scavengers.

"Hiss—!"

It suddenly let out a sharp hiss. The sound waves spread out like a tangible force, actually forcing the spectating Magical Beasts to retreat!

The pressure of a Fourth-Tier Magical Beast was not to be challenged!

But Jiang Donghua knew that this balance wouldn't last long. Once he and the demon spider were both injured, those covetous creatures would definitely swarm them!

"Must end this quickly!"

He took a deep breath, his Dou Qi circulating frantically. The crimson light on the blood fang saber grew even more intense!

"One last strike, to decide the victor!"

Jiang Donghua's body tensed, his Dou Qi circulating wildly, the flames on the blood fang saber almost solidifying.

Just as he was about to swing his saber...

"Boom—!"

From deep within the dense forest, a bone-chilling coldness suddenly erupted!

"Roar—!"

Accompanied by a mournful roar, a massive Magical Beast slammed through several ancient trees, crashing into the battlefield!

A Fourth-Tier Magical Beast—the Ice Soul Demon Ape!

Its entire body was covered in eerie blue ice crystal fur, which should have been majestic, but at this moment, it was utterly disheveled. A gruesome wound was split open on its head, revealing hints of white brain matter, and its right arm was severed at the shoulder, with charred burn marks remaining at the break!

Even more terrifying, its body was covered in sword wounds deep enough to expose bone. Icy blue blood continuously dripped, and everywhere it passed, the ground instantly congealed with a layer of frost!

"Is this beast fleeing for its life?!"

Jiang Donghua's pupils contracted, and a storm raged in his heart.

To make a Fourth-Tier Ice Soul Demon Ape so wretched, it must be a Fifth-Tier Magical Beast or an even more terrifying existence!

His hairs stood on end, and he almost wanted to turn and flee, but before he could act, a clear shout suddenly came from deep within the dense forest.

"Don't let that beast escape!"

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Three figures shot out of the forest like gales, instantly forming a triangle, surrounding the Ice Soul Demon Ape in the center!

Jiang Donghua looked closely and saw that they were three young men and women, two males and one female, with profound auras. They were all Dou Ling Experts!

Leading them was a Stern Youth carrying a long sword, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, surrounded by a fierce sword aura.

To his left was a Sturdy Youth holding a crimson copper long staff, with bulging muscles and boiling battle intent.

To his right was a Blue-Clad Maiden holding a jade flute, with picturesque features, but the eerie green poisonous mist Entanglement around her fingertips sent shivers down one's spine.

"Inner Academy Students?!"

Jiang Donghua's heart skipped a beat.

The three of them clearly noticed him as well. Their gazes swept over him, and especially upon seeing the blood fang saber in his hand and the crimson flame beast armor on his body, a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.

"Fifth-Tier weapon? Fifth-Tier armor?"

"What's the background of this kid?"

The Stern Youth frowned slightly, but the situation was critical. He had no time to ask more questions and shouted sharply.

"Get back! This beast is about to self-destruct its magic core!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Donghua retreated dozens of zhang without hesitation!

"Boom—!"

The Ice Soul Demon Ape let out one last mournful roar, and its magic core violently exploded!

Terrifying ice energy swept in all directions, and an area of a hundred zhang instantly turned into a frozen wasteland!

Even though he retreated in time, Jiang Donghua was still shaken by the aftershock, his blood churning. The Red Light of his crimson flame beast armor flickered wildly, barely managing to block the impact.

When the ice mist dispersed, the center of the battlefield was a mess.

The Ice Soul Demon Ape's corpse had already been pulverized, but the three Inner Academy Students were completely unharmed.