Fang Chang's attack descended from the heavens, catching Tang San off guard. He had no choice but to swing the Clear Sky Hammer upward in a desperate defense.
The collision sent a sharp sonic boom through the air, and Fang Chang's spider leg plunged into the waterlogged mud at Tang San's feet, splashing water several meters high.
In the spray of water, Tang San's body was sent flying backward uncontrollably. He landed hard on his back, skidding several meters before finally coming to a stop.
"Cough, cough…"
Tang San struggled to sit up, using the Clear Sky Hammer as a crutch. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and he spat out a mouthful of crimson.
Just one clash had left him with significant internal injuries.
Tang San's spirit power was still at level 30, as he had been unable to absorb his intended spirit ring. While his Mysterious Heaven Technique provided some support, he was still vastly outmatched by Fang Chang's overwhelming strength.
Previously, Tang San had relied on the element of surprise, using his Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique to destabilize the Man-Faced Demon Spider and his Zhuge Crossbow to inflict critical damage.
But now, after Fang Chang's evolution, his strength and defense had reached terrifying levels. The Clear Sky Hammer felt like it was striking a massive iron plate, and the recoil alone was almost too much for Tang San to bear.
Fang Chang, emboldened by his success, advanced confidently on his eight legs.
In his mind, memories surfaced—of how Tang San, in his later years, had annihilated the Man-Faced Demon Spider species in a fit of rage. The thought sent a chill down his metaphorical spine.
Wait, I'm a Man-Faced Demon Spider now! If I let this guy live, isn't that basically signing my species' death warrant?
Fang Chang's mind was made up. Tang San had to go.
With a burst of speed, Fang Chang lunged forward, his shield-like front leg swinging directly at Tang San's face.
Tang San quickly raised his left hand, summoning the Blue Silver Grass.
Vines erupted from cracks in the ground beneath Fang Chang, wrapping tightly around his spider legs.
Fang Chang struggled against the Blue Silver Grass. Though the vines were much tougher than they appeared, their flexibility and tensile strength exceeded his expectations. For the moment, he was trapped.
But Fang Chang's raw strength began to show. The vines snapped one by one as he exerted himself, though Tang San continued to pour his spirit power into replenishing them. The battle became a tug-of-war, with neither side willing to back down.
In the distance, the Shrek Seven Devils and the Spirit Hall team finally arrived.
Seeing Tang San locked in battle with the "Man-Faced Demon Spider," both sides hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. They glared at one another, wary of making the first move.
Meanwhile, Tang San, sensing his limits, withdrew the Clear Sky Hammer and concentrated all his spirit power into his Blue Silver Grass.
But his injuries were catching up to him. Earlier, he had suffered during his encounter with the Titan Giant Ape, then endured backlash from his interrupted spirit ring absorption. Now, Fang Chang's relentless assault had pushed him to the brink.
A fresh spurt of blood escaped Tang San's lips, and his spirit power faltered.
Seizing the opportunity, Fang Chang channeled all his strength into his eight legs.
With a powerful lunge, he shattered the remaining vines and leaped high into the air—five meters above the ground—before crashing down toward Tang San.
Tang San barely managed to roll to the side, evading Fang Chang's crushing blow by a hair's breadth.
But Fang Chang wasn't done. Two of his sharp legs stabbed toward Tang San, aiming for his neck and abdomen.
Tang San flipped backward with a palm strike to the ground, narrowly avoiding the deadly strikes.
A cold, human-like smile crept across Fang Chang's spider face. Turning slightly, he swung his shield-like front leg in a sweeping arc, aiming directly for Tang San's head.
Mid-air, Tang San had no footing to dodge.
He crossed his arms defensively, bracing for the impact.
"Bang!"
The strike sent Tang San hurtling into the ground, forming a muddy crater. His body was drenched, his clothes plastered with mud.
"Tang San!"
"Brother San!"
The Shrek Seven Devils shouted in panic, but before they could react, Fang Chang struck again.
With a heavy swing, he slammed Tang San's face, sending him rolling several meters across the ground.
Blood mixed with the rainwater as Tang San sat up shakily, spitting out broken teeth. His right cheek swelled grotesquely, obscuring his features.
Tang San's gaze turned icy. Since I reincarnated, this is the first time I've been… humiliated like this—by a spider no less.
The Shrek team rushed to assist, but the Spirit Hall members intercepted them.
They had already accepted that they wouldn't recover the Soft-Boned Rabbit. However, if they couldn't win, neither would Shrek. They silently rooted for Fang Chang to finish Tang San off.
"Out of the way!" Dai Mubai roared, leading the Shrek team into battle against the Spirit Hall group.
The two sides clashed fiercely, neither willing to yield.
Fang Chang smirked at Tang San.
"Never seen a handsome spider before?" he sneered, though all Tang San heard were "screeech screeech screeech" sounds.
With a mocking glint in his eyes, Fang Chang raised his leg for another swing.
Tang San staggered back, using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to retreat. Yet, Fang Chang's leg extended unnaturally, catching him again and sending him flying.
This time, Tang San hit the ground hard, unconscious and barely breathing.
Fang Chang stepped closer, ready to deliver the final blow.
But just as his leg rose, the ground shook violently.
Fang Chang froze, glancing toward the horizon.
A massive figure—dozens of meters tall—charged through the forest with terrifying speed. It was the Titan Giant Ape.
Name: Er Ming
Species: Titan Giant Ape
Spirit Power: 108,000 years
HP: 108,753/108,753
Strength: 29,988
Attack: 25,666
Defense: 24,788
Speed: 23,659
Fang Chang gulped. So this is the power of a 100,000-year spirit beast…
The Titan Giant Ape reached the cliff in mere moments. Both the Shrek and Spirit Hall teams retreated, not daring to provoke the colossus.
On the Titan Giant Ape's shoulder sat a young girl—Xiao Wu.
Ignoring the dozen pairs of eyes staring at her, Xiao Wu leaped gracefully to the ground and knelt by Tang San, checking his injuries.
Fang Chang looked up at the Titan Giant Ape, his tiny frame dwarfed by the enormous beast. For the first time, he felt truly powerless.
Xiao Wu's eyes turned red with anger as she wiped the mud from Tang San's face. She glanced at Fang Chang before signaling the Titan Giant Ape.
With a deep snort, the Titan Giant Ape raised its massive fist, ready to crush Fang Chang.
Panic surged through Fang Chang. Without hesitation, he turned and leaped off the cliff into the fog below.