Chapter 185: Face Demon Spider

Although the flying boat was fast, it still fell short compared to sword flight.

So after two hours of rest to restore their magic power, each of them took to the skies again, riding their swords.

This time, there was no race for speed—cultivators could fly for long stretches at a normal pace.

Another two hours passed, and the mountains beneath and ahead grew increasingly desolate; though it was still afternoon with bright sunlight, the surroundings gave He Pingsheng a heavy, dark feeling.

The sound of wild beasts roaring never ceased in his ears.

"We're almost there!"

Xuan Yuan Changgeng pointed to the towering mountain ahead and said: "The Mist God Flower differs from other spiritual herbs—it is a rule-based herb, so it does not grow in places rich with spiritual energy; wherever it grows, rules must accompany it!"

"Behind this mountain lies a valley, perpetually shrouded in mist!"

"The Mist God Flower grows within this valley!"

"Everyone be careful—this place's demonic beasts are extremely dangerous!"

"Pay attention to concealing your own aura!"

Swoosh…

As they spoke, the four crossed the towering mountain, where snowflakes swirled and the wind howled bitterly.

The four guided their swords into a sharp dive, plunging toward the valley.

In a few breaths, they descended from the peak to the valley floor.

The temperature in the valley suddenly rose, and the slopes revealed lush green vegetation and flowers scattered everywhere.

As they descended further to the valley bottom, everything was a chaotic, hazy white.

Mist swirled everywhere!

The four landed.

Beneath their feet was soft, a thick layer of decomposed leaf litter accumulated over years.

He Pingsheng extended his spiritual sense, clearly perceiving everything within four hundred zhang around him—even if his eyes couldn't see, it didn't matter.

The four moved forward through the mist.

After walking a short while, they spotted a fresh plant growing beneath several giant trees ahead.

The plant bore a single blue flower.

The flower was small, about the size of a palm, yet it emitted a faint, swirling aura, swaying as if clinging yet ready to scatter.

He Pingsheng took a deep breath—he recognized it: this was the Mist God Flower.

At least on this point, Xuan Yuan Changgeng had not lied to him.

"Don't act rashly!"

Xuan Yuan Changgeng lowered his voice: "Look at the trees… two venomous spiders are hiding there—and both are at Foundation Establishment peak!"

Everyone extended their spiritual sense upward and indeed saw two massive spiders slowly moving on the giant trees.

He Pingsheng noticed that each spider's back bore a pattern shaped like a human face.

"This…" Bai Long's voice trembled: "Xuan Yuan Daoist, could these be the Face Demon Spiders?"

"Correct!" Xuan Yuan Changgeng said: "The very Face Demon Spiders that strike fear into all who hear of them!"

"This… this… this…" Bai Long was retreating: "Xuan Yuan Daoist, you know these creatures are highly venomous, right?"

"Even though we outnumber them, if even one of us is poisoned, survival is nearly impossible!"

"Heh…" Xuan Yuan Changgeng said: "No need to worry… Bai Long Daoist, though I didn't tell you beforehand this was the Face Demon Spider's lair, I can tell you I've fought these two several times already!"

"They're indeed difficult to deal with, but they have weaknesses!"

"Namely, these two beasts lack sufficient spiritual intelligence!"

"All you need to watch out for is their venomous silk!"

"Watch me first—see how I engage them!"

As he spoke, Xuan Yuan Changgeng leapt upward, a flash of swordlight slicing toward one of the venomous spiders.

The spiders, perhaps having already noticed the four intruders, moved the instant Xuan Yuan jumped.

The targeted spider swung its body like a pendulum, leaving its original position.

The other spider shot out a white silk thread toward Xuan Yuan Changgeng with a swoosh.

Its speed was terrifying.

Fortunately, Xuan Yuan had anticipated it—he twisted midair immediately after his strike.

Hss…

The silk pierced the air, grazing Xuan Yuan's side.

One misstep and he would have been struck.

"Hss…"

The next instant, the two spiders gave Xuan Yuan no time to react—they both spat silk simultaneously.

Each Face Demon Spider fired three strands of silk.

The silk was as sharp as arrows.

"Open!" Xuan Yuan, suspended in midair, waved his hand and summoned a shield, channeling magic power to manifest a shield's afterimage.

Six strands of silk struck the afterimage at once.

With a bang, the immense force rebounded, flinging Xuan Yuan, a Foundation Establishment peak cultivator, backward.

Xuan Yuan used the momentum to retreat and landed again beside He Pingsheng and the other two.

"See?" Xuan Yuan said: "The challenge isn't how to kill these two Face Demon Spiders—it's controlling your power. If you unleash a single spell carelessly, you might kill the spiders but destroy the Mist God Flower below—and then our entire mission is pointless!"

Only then did He Pingsheng grasp the true difficulty of this mission.

Just now, Xuan Yuan had clashed with the two venomous spiders, but once he retreated, the spiders did not pursue.

They simply guarded their original position.

So luring them away was impossible.

They could only fight.

But when fighting, they couldn't strike to kill—otherwise, one careless move might destroy the Mist God Flower below.

Yet without killing blows, they couldn't win.

The deadlock was unsolvable.

No wonder Xuan Yuan hadn't succeeded before?

"Next, we do this!" Xuan Yuan looked at Bai Long and said: "Bai Long Daoist, please use your treasure to trap one of the spiders!"

"No need for long—just two breaths!"

"He Daoist, you and I will handle the other spider!" Xuan Yuan said: "Follow my orders—if you can poison the spider with your venomous thorns, even better!"

"Finally!" Xuan Yuan turned to Zi Xian Daoist: "Zi Xian Daoist, the task of harvesting the flower is yours!"

"Just pluck it directly!"

"Remember—the flower must remain intact, no damage allowed!"

"Understood?"

Xuan Yuan asked.

The three nodded.

Xuan Yuan said: "Then begin now… He Daoist, follow me. Bai Long Daoist, get ready!"

Swoosh…

Swoosh… swoosh…

He Pingsheng and Xuan Yuan flew forward together toward the spiders.

"Open!"

Xuan Yuan activated his shield immediately.

He Pingsheng stirred his spiritual sense, and dozens of thorny vines erupted from the ground, shooting toward the spider to bind it.

But it failed.

Because the spider hung from the tree and moved with unnatural agility.

Swoosh… swoosh…

Hss… hss… hss…

Not only did they fail to trap the spider, but two strands of silk shot toward He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng dodged and immediately launched another attack.

Hss… hss… hss…

This time, the thorny vines sprouted from the tree itself, lunging straight at the spider.

And this time, they actually trapped the spider.