Testing the Woman, Luring the Demon Spiders to Their Deaths

Four days later, Qin Yi and the others arrived near the inner reaches of the Blood-Colored Forest. Although they had encountered some first-tier Demon Beasts along the way, the group had dealt with them easily.

"We're almost at the tree demon's location. Remember, everyone must give it their all when the time comes. That tree demon is at the Foundation Establishment Realm," Li Ze reminded everyone once again.

Just as the group was preparing to continue, Li Ze suddenly stopped. "There are two Nine-Eyed Demon Spiders ahead. We need to go around them."

Qin Yi's eyes lit up. There was no way he would go around them. He had finally encountered them, so how could he possibly let them go? He also wanted to use the two Demon Spiders to test the woman's strength.

Qin Yi pretended to take a pill from his Storage Bag to restore his spiritual power, slowing down until he was walking at the back. He secretly left a small length's worth of Beast Soul Incense powder behind. He had obtained it from an elder of Heavenly Balance Peak. It could attract the surrounding Demon Beasts and was perfect for getting the better of people through underhanded means. Just a little could drive Demon Beasts into a frenzy.

Qin Yi did not dare leave too much. He was afraid that if he attracted too many Demon Beasts, the others would not be able to hold them off. He only needed to draw the two Nine-Eyed Demon Spiders over.

As the group pressed on, Li Ze suddenly stopped and turned to look behind them. His expression darkened. "Those two Nine-Eyed Demon Spiders are coming after us."

As soon as Li Ze finished speaking, two enormous spiders sprang from the grass and pounced straight at Qin Yi and the others. Their nine deathly pale eyes struck terror into their hearts. Everyone immediately scattered, and Li Ze shouted, "Everyone, end this quickly, or we might attract more Demon Beasts!"

Qin Yi summoned Cangyuan, flames coiling around the spear as he observed everyone's expressions. Sure enough, the others were braced for battle, but the woman alone was frowning, seemingly very displeased. I need to make her fight. Qin Yi rubbed his chin, then saw that none of them had made the first move. He chuckled inwardly. Here's my chance.

"What are you waiting for? End this quickly!" Qin Yi shouted and charged at one of the Nine-Eyed Demon Spiders. Seeing this, the others joined the fight.

Clang!

Cangyuan struck the Demon Spider, but only sent it flying without doing it much harm. Seeing this, Li Ze rose into the air. The sword before him spun rapidly, conjuring countless strands of Sword Qi. "Go!" Li Ze shouted, and the Sword Qi behind him shot forth.

Hiss!

The Demon Spider let out a hiss. Sword cuts appeared on the hard armor of its back, deep enough to expose flesh, and dark green blood flowed from the wounds. Clearly, Li Ze's Sword Qi had done it considerable damage.

This won't do. These two beasts won't last much longer, Qin Yi thought. He had yet to achieve his goal of testing the woman, so the two Demon Spiders could not die yet.

"Heavenly Profound Spirit Fire!" Qin Yi swiftly attacked.

A jet of flame erupted beneath the Demon Spider, blasting it into the air. Cangyuan then stabbed fiercely into the spider, sending it flying toward the very battlefield where the woman was fighting.

Sorry, fellow Daoists. Qin Yi felt sorry for the people on that battlefield. The woman was clearly holding back, and the others were obviously concealing their abilities too. They had only joined forces to trap one spider, still hoping to conserve their strength and let Li Ze attack. With another suddenly flying their way, tsk, tsk.

Sure enough, the Demon Spider Qin Yi had sent over spat a web through the air, ensnaring a ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivator. Before he could break free, the other Demon Spider's leg pierced his chest, killing him instantly.

"Damn it," the woman cursed under her breath, glancing at Qin Yi. She then exerted herself discreetly and separated the two Demon Spiders, dividing the battle once more. But Qin Yi had already achieved his goal: the woman had indeed been concealing her strength. Although she was still doing her utmost to hide it, the fluctuations of spiritual power when she attacked had already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. Had Qin Yi's lightning and fire dual Spirit Roots not given him a perception of spiritual power fluctuations far beyond that of ordinary people, he would not have noticed either.

Why would a Foundation Establishment cultivator conceal her presence and infiltrate a group of Qi Refining cultivators? Before Qin Yi could ponder the matter further, an enraged roar from Li Ze beside him interrupted his thoughts. It seems Li Ze didn't notice either, Qin Yi thought.

"You vile beast, you must die today!"

Li Ze charged into the battle and smashed a fist into the ground, sending the Nine-Eyed Demon Spider flying high into the air. His spirit sword rapidly grew enormous, its blade glowing red and radiating scorching heat. "Kill!" Li Ze shouted. The giant sword flew forth and pierced straight through the Nine-Eyed Demon Spider in an instant.

Thud! The Demon Spider's corpse fell to the ground. Qin Yi looked toward the other battlefield. After the ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivator's death, the others no longer dared to be careless. Under their relentless attacks, the Nine-Eyed Demon Spider was covered in wounds and on the verge of defeat. Just then, its nine eyes suddenly turned bright red, and its speed surged. An eighth-layer Qi Refining cultivator failed to dodge in time and was sliced in two at the waist by a spider leg, dying a gruesome death on the spot.

"Flowing Fire Sword Rain!"

Li Ze swung his sword, sending countless strands of Sword Qi formed from flames rushing toward the Nine-Eyed Demon Spider. The spider could only raise two legs in front of itself to block, but the Sword Qi drove it back again and again.

"Nine Asura Profound Fire!"

Qin Yi appeared above the Demon Spider, power gathering in his spear as flames coalesced around it. "Die!" The next moment, the spear shot toward the Demon Spider and pierced its body in an instant. The flames gathered around Cangyuan's shaft instantly vaporized the flesh and blood inside the spider.

"Hiss!" The Nine-Eyed Demon Spider made its final sound in this world, then collapsed limply to the ground.

Li Ze landed, his face grim. They had lost two people before even reaching the tree demon. "Damn beasts!" he cursed, then put the two Demon Beasts into his Storage Bag. Turning to the others, he said, "Let's leave this place first."

The others followed Li Ze away, leaving behind only two battered corpses.

Not long after leaving, Qin Yi and the others found a cave where they could restore their spiritual power. As the sky darkened, Li Ze did not dare risk a fierce battle with the tree demon. He said to the group, "We've already lost two people today. I know you were all concealing your abilities before and didn't give it your all, but when we hunt the tree demon tomorrow, you must give it everything you have."

Everyone nodded in agreement. A trace of ruthlessness appeared in Li Ze's eyes as he continued, "If any of you hold back tomorrow, even if the tree demon doesn't kill you, I'll kill you with my own hands."