ALL NOVEL Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Escape
Name: Fang Chang
Species: Ghost Armor Demon Spider
Soul Power: 5835 years
Evolution Points: 28,560
HP: 1665/2350 (recovering slowly)
Strength: 610
Attack: 630
Defense: 920
Speed: 684
According to the description of the Soul Ascension Fruit, it could boost the soul power of its user by half, but not beyond the fruit's own age limit.
After consuming the Soul Ascension Fruit, Fang Chang's soul power surged dramatically, increasing by nearly 2000 years. Even so, the fruit's full potential hadn't been realized.
Fang Chang speculated that the Giant Demon Ape had been guarding the fruit for so long because it intended to consume it at the perfect moment, hoping to use it to break through the critical 10,000-year threshold.
Unfortunately for the ape, its plans were thwarted, and Fang Chang reaped the benefits.
"Breakthrough successful! Acquired new racial skill: Blade Armor."
Blade Armor: Causes blade-like spikes to grow on the external carapace, increasing defense by 20% and reflecting a portion of physical damage received.
"Is this just a spiky armor game now?" Fang Chang couldn't help but grumble at the skill's description.
This was his fourth racial skill, equivalent to a human's fourth soul skill. After surpassing 5000 years of soul power, he naturally unlocked it.
Hu Liena had just reached within five meters of the Soul Ascension Fruit. Watching Fang Chang nearby, her expression darkened.
Her cultivation speed had never been slow. At 16, she had already broken through to the Soul Ancestor level, a feat that placed her among the most gifted in Spirit Hall's history.
But who wouldn't want to grow stronger? She was a naturally competitive person.
When she first saw the Soul Ascension Fruit, she had been confident that obtaining it would allow her to reach the Soul King level within three years, setting a new record.
Yet now, all she could do was watch helplessly as the aura of this mutated Man-Faced Demon Spider grew stronger and stronger. This opportunity, meant to be hers, had been stolen.
"Damn it!" She bit her lip, her envy toward Fang Chang morphing into anger.
Without hesitation, she launched herself forward, her speed increasing as a fox-like shadow materialized behind her.
As she closed the distance to Fang Chang, Hu Liena twisted mid-air, raising her leg to kick at his head.
Fang Chang blinked all eight of his eyes. Her short crimson skirt made the attack look bold, if not outright provocative.
As the kick closed in, Fang Chang raised a shield-like front leg and swatted defensively.
But Hu Liena accelerated unexpectedly, landing her kick squarely on Fang Chang's head. The blow left him momentarily stunned, his body tilting backward.
Her victory, however, was short-lived. Fang Chang's shield-like leg came swinging down, slamming into her midsection.
"Ugh…"
Her muffled cry was soft and melodic, causing Fang Chang to momentarily shiver.
Hu Liena's body was sent flying, only to be caught mid-air by Xie Yue. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Meanwhile, the battle between Yan and the Giant Demon Ape had reached a fever pitch, with both combatants sustaining injuries.
But noticing the commotion on Fang Chang's side, both paused their fight.
The Giant Demon Ape's eyes burned red as it stared at Fang Chang, who still had bits of the Soul Ascension Fruit's leaves clinging to his mouth. Its fur bristled in rage.
It had guarded that fruit for so long, only to have it stolen by this opportunist. There was no way it could let this slide.
Abandoning Yan, the ape charged through the forest, heading straight for Fang Chang.
Yan, however, was even more enraged. Out of the corner of his eye, he had seen Fang Chang strike Hu Liena with his leg.
"Beast! How dare you harm Nana!"
Flames flared around him as the Flame Lord martial soul behind him solidified. His fury even caused his soul power to break through another level.
Blazing like a comet, Yan bypassed the Giant Demon Ape, his target also Fang Chang.
Fang Chang glanced at the approaching Yan and the Giant Demon Ape, then shifted his gaze to the injured Hu Liena and the advancing Xie Yue.
For a brief moment, his body flickered. Three identical clones materialized beside him, forming a line.
Before anyone could react, the four figures darted off in different directions.
The three clones rushed toward Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, while Fang Chang's true body charged straight at the enraged Giant Demon Ape.
The ape hesitated, its simple mind unable to discern which figure was real.
As confusion reigned, Fang Chang seized the opportunity. Leaping onto the ape's broad shoulder, he activated Leap.
A streak of black light shot into the air, his enhanced attributes boosting the skill's range significantly.
With one mighty jump, he soared 30-40 meters, landing directly in front of the tunnel leading to his nest. Without hesitation, he darted inside.
"Don't let it escape!" Yan's voice roared.
This was no longer just about completing the mission—it was personal.
Fang Chang vanished down the tunnel, leaving the Giant Demon Ape roaring in frustration. The Spirit Hall trio flew past it, ignoring the beast entirely.
After a moment, the ape stilled, staring at the now-empty tunnel with a faint sadness in its eyes.
Then it turned its attention to the five human soul masters who had tagged along with Hu Liena's group.
Fang Chang quickly emerged in his nest's main hall. Surveying his surroundings, he selected a storage room close to the tunnel entrance and slipped inside.
Moments later, the Spirit Hall trio arrived in the hall.
It was eerily quiet and empty, as if no one had ever been there.
Looking at the dozen or so tunnels branching off, the trio hesitated.
"He must have escaped through one of these," Xie Yue said, bending slightly toward Hu Liena.
"Nana, you usually have the best ideas. Which way do you think it went?"
"Let me check…" Hu Liena carefully scanned the room, her gaze sweeping closer and closer to the storage room where Fang Chang was hiding.
Before she could lock onto his location, Yan interrupted.
"It's just a mutated spider. How smart could it be? We've got time. We'll search each tunnel—I refuse to believe it can keep running forever."
Without waiting for a response, Yan charged into the most inconspicuous tunnel.
"You…" Hu Liena stomped her foot in frustration, but seeing Xie Yue follow Yan, she had no choice but to trail after them.