As one of the top spider-type spirit beasts, on par with the Man-Faced Demon Spider, the Subterranean Demon Spider naturally would not sit and wait for death.
The moment Beibei launched his attack, two strands of yellow web shot from its menacing mandibles like lightning, wrapping around a large tree ten meters away. With a powerful tug, it instantly shifted its position.
At the same time, a mass of sticky webbing flew straight toward Beibei.
Instead of retreating, Beibei pressed forward, his body sinking low as he stepped into Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, flashing swiftly aside. His first spirit skill, Thunder Dragon Claw, which he had just unleashed, actually bent midair, turning to strike the Subterranean Demon Spider from behind.
At that moment, the second ring on his right arm lit up. Countless lightning snakes magnified and burst into bolts of thunder that crackled through the air, forming a vast net of electricity that devoured the web the spider spat.
The web, usually incredibly tough, blackened under the violent bluish-violet lightning and turned to ash in just a breath.
Thunder and fire share the same nature—searing heat. This was the natural bane of the spider's webs.
With his spirit power already near rank forty, combined with the strength of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Beibei immediately gained the upper hand, his strength on full display.
But the power of a thousand-year Subterranean Demon Spider was not so simple.
Just as Beibei's Thunder Dragon Claw and Thunder Fury pressed forward one after another, layer upon layer of yellow web sprang from beneath the spider's feet, forming a shield perfectly fitted to its body.
Ssszzzt—
The bluish-violet lightning swept across again. The web-shield condensed by its threads met the same fate as before.
Seeing Beibei suppressing the thousand-year Subterranean Demon Spider, Tang Ya couldn't contain her joy.
It seemed her third spirit ring was secured.
For the Subterranean Demon Spider to become her third spirit ring completely exceeded her expectations.
But then, the spider made a move she never anticipated. Its gray body still crackling faintly with electricity, it suddenly skittered backward on its eight powerful legs with startling speed.
Even Beibei was shocked—the spider was far faster than he had imagined. In an instant, it vanished into the forest, leaving no trace of its aura behind.
This was another of the Subterranean Demon Spider's abilities: concealment. Not invisibility, but the complete suppression of its aura through control of its own energy, allowing it to ambush or escape.
This was what made the Subterranean Demon Spider so troublesome. Unlike the domineering Man-Faced Demon Spider, it was the opposite extreme—insidious, patient, and vengeful.
Once targeted, one had to be wary of its ambush at all times.
"Beibei!" Tang Ya cried anxiously as the spirit ring she was about to secure slipped away.
"Xiaoya, don't panic. Watch for its ambush."
Beibei, however, stayed calm. He returned to Huo Yuhao's side, knowing that chasing after it would play right into its hands.
That web-prison from earlier had been proof enough. It was the spider's strongest innate skill. Wherever it had passed, it could lay hidden threads underground, controlled by its spiritual power. If an enemy stepped within range, it would instantly trigger, forming a cage of threads to trap its target.
If the enemy was weak, it would kill them. If too strong, it would trap them long enough to flee.
Since the web-prison had no warning or energy fluctuation, even the strongest could fall prey to it.
And if he chased recklessly, the others might be ambushed, and he wouldn't be able to support them in time.
"Yuhao, don't stray too far. That spider could be waiting for a chance to strike."
Hearing Beibei's warning, warmth surged in Huo Yuhao's heart. Other than his mother, it was the first time someone had cared for him like this, and he was deeply moved.
I'm a spirit master now. I want to help Teacher Xiaoya and Senior Brother. I'm not a useless burden to be protected anymore.
Since gaining his first spirit ring, his Spirit Eyes' vision had improved significantly.
Huo Yuhao quickly infused them with spirit power, hoping to spot the spider.
Meanwhile, Xu Zihuang's deep purple eyes quietly shifted into dazzling gold, his spiritual power spreading outward to sense the surroundings.
With the expansion of his spiritual sea by the Skydream Iceworm and the fusion of part of its spiritual origin, his spiritual power now reached the level of Soul Saints, allowing external release.
He didn't know how Beibei had anticipated the spider's ambush earlier, but he himself could clearly sense the threads controlled by its spiritual power.
Of course, Xu Zihuang didn't reveal his spirit rings.
Still, the fluctuations in his spirit power couldn't be hidden. Beibei, Tang Ya, and even Huo Yuhao instinctively looked at him.
At that moment, the storage soul tool on Xu Zihuang's left wrist flashed. A short blade, the Whale Tooth, gleaming with violet lightning, appeared in his grip. With a sharp turn, as if in response to his movement—
The Subterranean Demon Spider, its gray body over two meters in diameter, burst out of the earth behind him, spraying dust as it emerged.
Its name was no accident. Among spider-type spirit beasts, it was the only one capable of burrowing.
Xu Zihuang flashed forward effortlessly, dodging the sticky yellow webs it spat, and instantly appeared before it.
Arcs of lightning flashed. Its eight legs severed, the massive body convulsed violently, letting out shrill, agonized screeches.
Its carapace and legs were tough, but compared to the Whale Tooth of the Devil Whale, the difference was vast.
Even in the sea, few spirit beasts could withstand the bite of the Devil Whale.
A short blade crafted from a twenty-thousand-year Devil Whale's tooth had such power naturally.
That tooth could even forge a rank seven close-combat soul tool. Yet Xu Zihuang had "wasted" it to make a mere rank three close-combat weapon.
Looking at the stunned others, Xu Zihuang smiled at Tang Ya.
"Senior Sister, don't you need this spider's ring? Hurry and do it."
Realizing it, Tang Ya glanced at the spider, whose aura was fading. Joy welled up, and she threw herself onto Xu Zihuang, giving him a big hug.
"Thank you, little brother Yu!"
"If you do this, Senior Sister, I might not be able to stop myself from falling for you." Xu Zihuang chuckled. His words said so, but his eyes remained clear, and his hands and feet stayed proper.
Tang Ya was indeed pretty—lively and charming, if not as elegant as noble ladies. Attractive, but not enough to move his heart. He had never believed any woman could make him give his whole heart recklessly.
His experiences had shaped him into this.
Hearing his words, Tang Ya blushed and stepped back, scolding playfully, "That's not allowed. You can't have improper thoughts about your Senior Sister."
"Ahem. That's enough, Xiaoya, prepare to absorb the ring." Beibei walked over, his face dark, his heart sour with jealousy.
Before, Tang Ya's closeness with Huo Yuhao hadn't bothered him. Yuhao's looks and talent were far beneath his.
That was human nature—people rarely felt threatened by those clearly beneath them.
But Xu Zihuang was different. His appearance far surpassed Beibei's, and his talent and strength seemed no worse. It stirred an uncontrollable sense of crisis in him.
"Ever since we met little brother Yu, I feel like your true colors have come out." Tang Ya giggled, drawing a half-foot dagger from her soul tool and piercing the spider's head.
A purple ring slowly condensed. Sitting cross-legged, she began to absorb her third spirit ring.
For the first time, Beibei felt uneasy under Xu Zihuang's calm gaze.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he had already lost too much.
Simple-hearted Huo Yuhao looked between Xu Zihuang and Beibei in confusion. But what stayed in his mind was the power Xu Zihuang had displayed—and those eyes glowing with golden patterns.