Afternoon sunlight in the core of the Star Dou Great Forest was cut into tiny flecks by layer upon layer of branches and leaves, falling onto the ground carpeted with rotting foliage.
Half a day later, Qian Daoliu led Bibi Dong toward the Purple-Winged Spider Emperor's lair, following the system's directions.
Xiao Wu and her mother stayed behind to catch up with Da Ming and Er Ming. Qian Daoliu deliberately gave them more time together; for Soul Beasts, after all, a reunion like this was truly rare.
Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong walked side by side through the dense forest. Fallen leaves rustled softly beneath their feet, but the sound was soon drowned out by the distant roars of unknown beasts.
System, pinpoint the Purple-Winged Spider Emperor's location.
Qian Daoliu issued the command silently.
[Target coordinates updated. Located in Black Wind Valley to the southwest, approximately three li from the host.]
The two followed the system's directions, dead branches snapping faintly beneath their feet.
When they reached the entrance to a gorge, a pungent, sickly-sweet stench suddenly filled the air. It was intensely corrosive, and even the surrounding vegetation had withered to a purplish black.
"We're here."
Qian Daoliu stopped and raised a hand, pointing into the depths of the gorge.
Bibi Dong followed his gaze, and her heart gave a sudden jolt-there, crouched on a rock at the bottom of the gorge, was a grotesquely shaped spider Soul Beast.
The creature's body measured less than two meters across, yet its six purple legs were each four meters long. Every leg was flat as a blade, its edges gleaming with a cold, eerie light. Nine sharp barbs grew at each leg joint, glistening with deadly poison. A purplish-black carapace covered its entire body, marked with irregular dark-red patterns