Whoosh! Whoosh!
Oscar's third spirit ability truly proved formidable. In just one short minute, they had covered as much ground as Han Feng and his group had managed in an entire day!
What shocked Han Feng even more was Tang San's astonishing recovery speed. After the intense pressure from the Titan Giant Ape, Tang San had not only recovered nearly 80% of his spirit power in a single minute—a feat that would leave most people still drained and exhausted—but he had also broken through the bottleneck of rank 30.
Han Feng couldn't help but exclaim inwardly, "Unbelievable! "
"Tang San! Slow down! Don't you think this is strange?! "
The wings on Oscar's spirit ability finally faded, and Han Feng knew the Human-Faced Demon Spider must be nearby. He quickly called out to Tang San, scanning their surroundings with heightened vigilance.
Han Feng wasn't particularly intent on helping Tang San acquire this spider's spirit ring. In fact, he'd rather find a safer thousand-year beast for Tang San to absorb later, especially once Xiao Wu returned.
The Eight Spider Lances? If we get them, great. If not, that's just fate, he thought.
But earlier, Tang San had been rushing ahead recklessly, covering several li before finally slowing down when the wings vanished. Han Feng had barely gotten the chance to speak.
Even so, Han Feng didn't think they were courting death. Forget Tang San—Han Feng himself was confident that at his full strength, he could take down a two-thousand-year-old Human-Faced Demon Spider alone.
Tang San frowned, thinking back, and realized something was off.
From a kilometer away to this spot, they hadn't encountered a single spirit beast. In the Star Dou Great Forest, where spirit beasts roamed freely, that was anything but normal.
Having trained under the Grandmaster for six years, Tang San quickly concluded,
"We must've entered the territory of a powerful spirit beast! We need to leave—right now. I have to save Xiao Wu! "
ROAR!
Before Han Feng could respond, the ground beneath their feet erupted. A massive shadow appeared before them—eight sharp, spear-like spider legs stabbed into the ground, exuding a foul, suffocating stench.
Both Han Feng's and Tang San's pupils shrank. Tang San gasped in alarm:
"It's the Human-Faced Demon Spider! "
Han Feng knew exactly what they were up against. By his estimation, with Tang San's speed and his own second spirit ability, they could escape. But before he could say so, Tang San growled through clenched teeth:
"Han Feng! Help me! I want its spirit ring! "
Han Feng sighed inwardly but didn't stop him. Instead, he nodded and said,
"Don't hold back! Use everything you have—I'll cover you! "
"Got it! "
Tang San's figure blurred into motion, Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track carrying him like a phantom. His eyes turned amethyst, his hands jade-like, and Blue Silver Grass laced with hidden weapons whipped toward the monstrous spider.
The smart choice was to retreat, but trying to talk sense into Tang San now was itself an exercise in futility.
If they had listened to Zhao Wuji in the first place, they'd be much safer.
"Die!"
Tang San roared, unleashing a rainstorm of concealed weapons. But they clattered harmlessly against the spider's armored exoskeleton.
Clang! Clang!
The Human-Faced Demon Spider, a notoriously vicious predator, had already set its killing intent on them. Two spear-like legs shot toward Tang San like steel lances.
Han Feng's first and second spirit rings lit up. He teleported to Tang San's side, his Shield of Fate intercepting the deadly strike.
"Its shell is too hard! These attacks are useless! " he warned.
"Damn it! "
With a feral snarl, Tang San recalled his Blue Silver Grass. A new spirit imprint flared—this time summoning the colossal Clear Sky Hammer.
From behind Han Feng, Tang San charged at the spider, executing the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique. One by one, his hammer blows pounded the previously embedded hidden weapons deeper into the spider's body.
ROAR!
The spider shrieked in agony, convulsing violently.
Tang San's final act before retreating was to hurl the Clear Sky Hammer like a concealed weapon, crushing the spider's skull with a resounding impact.
Even though Han Feng had read about this moment in the original tale, witnessing it firsthand left him speechless. Tang San's combat strength couldn't be measured by spirit power alone.
What surprised Han Feng even more was that Tang San had revealed the Clear Sky Hammer before him. Perhaps Tang San trusted him—or perhaps his desperation to save Xiao Wu had made him careless.
"Han Feng! Block its next strike for me—I'll finish it! "
Tang San's voice was low and determined, his hand already reaching for the hidden trigger of the Godly Zhuge Crossbow.
"Understood!"
Han Feng's expression hardened. Flames flared from his Seraphic Shield as he braced for impact.
The Human-Faced Demon Spider wasn't dead yet. Perhaps in a final burst of life, the grotesque human-like face on its abdomen glowed with eerie purple light. All eight spider spears ignited with the same hue, thrusting forward indiscriminately at both of them.
Clang!
Han Feng activated Fate's Aegis once more, grunting under the force but holding the line. The spider's attack, restrained by the shield's flames, failed to break through.
"Up you go! "
Han Feng grinned, stepped in, and delivered a full-powered shield bash. The impact sent the spider hurtling skyward.
"Tang San! Now! "
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Even without Han Feng's reminder, Tang San was ready. The moment the spider was airborne, he triggered the Zhuge Crossbow. A volley of bolts pierced its already shattered skull with deadly precision.
The Human-Faced Demon Spider gave a final, strangled cry before crashing lifelessly to the ground. A purple spirit ring rose slowly from its corpse.
Thanks to Han Feng's support, the spider hadn't managed to land a single blow on Tang San. Without hesitation, Tang San rushed to claim the prize.
Han Feng, ever cautious, asked,
"Are you sure? Even if its cultivation isn't that high, its strength rivals three- to four-thousand-year-old beasts—and it's highly venomous. Absorbing it might be dangerous…"
Tang San only took it as concern over whether he could withstand the process. But his resolve was unshakable. He knew the spider's age far exceeded the normal limit for a third spirit ring—over two thousand years. He didn't care.
All that mattered was gaining more power—to rescue and protect Xiao Wu.
Han Feng, however, knew the greater danger wasn't just the ring's age—it was the attached external spirit bone. But Tang San didn't know, and Han Feng wasn't about to tell him.
Seeing that Tang San wouldn't be swayed, Han Feng could only sigh.
"Go ahead. I'll stand guard."
"I owe you, Han Feng. I won't forget this favor."
Tang San sat cross-legged and began the absorption process.
Watching Tang San, Han Feng hesitated briefly before turning away with a bitter smile.
Of course he had some desire for the Eight Spider Lances. But then he thought of Xiao Wu… of Tang Hao… and asked himself, could I really kill Tang San for it?
"It's too much trouble anyway," he muttered to himself. "And the Eight Spider Lances don't really suit me."
A new thought crept in:
Tang San owes me big for this. Maybe when we divide the immortal herbs, I can get one for Qian Qian too?
Qian Renxue had once told him her potential was spent, that she'd remain at the Soul Sect level for life.
But to Han Feng, an immortal herb was an immortal herb—more spirit power was always better.
With that comforting thought, he felt his mood lighten considerably.