https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-17-Senior-Sect-Brother-Can-Give-You-an-Iou/13509789/
Chapter 16: The Surprise from the Ghost-Faced Spider
Chapter 16: The Surprise from the Ghost-Faced Spider
There was something off about this cultivator!
Driven by primal instinct, the ghost-faced spider immediately spat out its web to ensnare the enemy. But before the silk could land, a fireball the size of a clenched fist erupted from Xiao Chen’s fingertip. It tore through the web and exploded directly on the spider’s carapace.
“Boom!”
A blazing inferno erupted, sending scorching heatwaves surging forward. Xiao Chen instinctively raised his arm to shield himself. This was the first time since entering Feihong Mountains that his Fireball Technique had failed to pierce through an opponent’s defenses.
The ghost-faced spider’s hardened shell had actually withstood the spell, triggering the fireball’s secondary detonation. This, in fact, was the Fireball Technique’s intended function—relying on explosive flames to wound foes. Previous encounters had been too easy; weaker enemies couldn’t withstand the initial strike, so the explosion never activated.
In the next instant, flames roared skyward. The spider’s web-laced underbrush became perfect kindling, igniting in seconds. The surging flames forced Xiao Chen to retreat three steps, engulfing the ghost-faced spider entirely.
“Spare me—”
The spider’s plea barely escaped its mouth before a second fireball slammed into its open jaws.
“Pop!”
Another explosion rang out, and the spider collapsed, motionless.
Chanting another spell, Xiao Chen pointed sharply. “Go!”
A third fireball followed, obliterating the spider’s face and reducing its head to ashes.
This ghost-faced spider, having undergone bloodline regression, possessed nascent intelligence—a rare cunning for its kind. With its Qi Condensation Stage 7 cultivation, it had hunted multiple cultivators in recent days, even treating Foundation Building sixth-layer experts as playthings.
Yet until its dying moments, it couldn’t comprehend why this seemingly weaker foe, according to its innate perception, had proven so deadly.
Within ten breaths, Xiao Chen had launched three fireballs—three times faster than ordinary cultivators. This speed stemmed from the Featherweight Class hex, which accelerated his mana circulation tenfold. While mana flow speed was only one factor in spellcasting, it doubled his fireball release rate, enabling consecutive strikes that secured the kill.
“Hmph, a strong spirit beast indeed. Surviving three hits? This must be Qi Condensation Stage 7 at least.” Xiao Chen exhaled, steadying his breath before launching a final fireball to confirm the kill.
“No reaction. Definitely dead.” He relaxed. “Not an ordinary beast—could this be the legendary ghost-faced spider?”
No wonder it was called “ghost-faced.” Its camouflage was flawless; he hadn’t doubted its deception for a second. But could it truly deceive and speak human tongue? That seemed unnervingly intelligent.
Xiao Chen didn’t mean to underestimate spirit beasts, but he recalled Old Wu’s words: only Foundation Building-stage beasts could develop advanced intelligence or mimic speech. Yet if this spider were truly Foundation Building-tier, he’d be the one lying dead.
Puzzled, he sliced open the spider’s abdomen in search of its core token. Instead, he found a round golden orb.
Hissing in surprise, he muttered, “What is this? Could it be… a Golden Core?”
Had he just slain a Golden Core-stage spirit beast?
Shaking off the absurd thought, he picked up the orb. It felt shockingly heavy—half an inch wide yet weighing at least ten pounds.
“A spirit beast’s inner core?”
Typically, only Foundation Building-stage beasts developed inner cores, which transformed into Golden Cores upon reaching Core Formation. He’d never heard of a Qi Condensation-stage beast possessing one.
Though curious, he refrained from consuming it directly. Instead, he wrapped it in a scrap of cloth. There was no need to risk poisoning—back at the sect, he’d have ample resources to identify it properly.
After retrieving the spider’s jade token, he prepared to leave. But the beast’s stomach held another surprise. Nestled beside the token was a foot-long corroded flying sword and a small jade box glowing faintly.
The sword was unmistakable—a standard-issue weapon for outer sect disciples. Though partially digested, its craftsmanship was still recognizable.
But Xiao Chen’s attention fixated on the jade box. He cleaned both items with his Water Healing Technique. Once purified, the box’s glow dimmed.
Interesting. This resembled the storage boxes used to preserve precious pills or materials. Old Wu owned one—a high-grade model he’d purchased specifically for alchemy.
Such boxes resisted fire, water, and blades, requiring mana activation to open. Testing it, he channeled mana twice—the second attempt succeeded.
“Click.”
The box sprang open, revealing a large, lustrous pill inside.
“A Heyuan Pill!”
A high-grade first-tier pill brimming with spiritual energy, it aided mana condensation and breakthroughs. At the Merit Hall, he’d seen its price: ten spirit stones. Back then, with only forty stones to his name, he’d hesitated. Now, fortune had handed him one freely.
Recent battles had already strengthened his mana through cycles of depletion and recovery. Combined with this pill, he was ninety percent certain he could breakthrough to Foundation Building’s sixth layer.
Had circumstances allowed, he’d have meditated on the spot. But the location was unsuitable, and delays risked missing the sect’s gathering.
Stowing the box carefully, he donned his cloak and headed toward the meeting point.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
