Da Xuan Martial Saint

Actually, Chu Jingsui and Xiahou Yan were deliberately speaking to each other to make the Spider King even more infuriated, thereby drawing all of its attention onto themselves, so that Chen Mu, who was about to retreat, could do so with less trouble from it.

But.

Just at that moment, an unexpected change occurred.

"Hiss hiss!!!"

This Seventh Rank Spider King, in a fit of extreme rage, experienced some sort of anomaly. Its six pair of crimson eyes suddenly became tainted with a wisp of black Qi, and the entire aura of the creature abruptly changed. Strands of visible black lines rapidly and densely spread across its body, mixing a violent Blood Fiend Qi into its already raging demonic power.

This sudden twist caused both Chu Jingsui and Xiahou Yan to change their expressions, shock written all over their faces.

"Demonization!"

The two of them exclaimed almost in unison.

In the Ancient Times, the world was dominated by Demons. Later, as the Martial Arts of the Human Race developed, they began slaying demons and eradicating Demonic Qi, eventually dominating this stretch of heaven and earth, the mountains and rivers. Since demons were considered a resource, they were not fully exterminated, but the 'Demons' from the Primordial Era to the present were always annihilated without exception.

What's called 'Demonic Qi' is not actually a type of life form, but the product of being tainted by 'Demonic Qi'. Demons can turn into Demonic Beasts, and humans can also turn into 'Human Demons'. Once demonized, their nature changes drastically, and they become brutal and vicious.

Even Chu Jingsui, let alone Xiahou Yan, who had defended the Border Pass for decades, had seen very few Demonic Beasts in their lifetime, no more than the number of fingers on one hand. Yet, they did not expect to encounter a Spider Demon here, infected by Demonic Qi!

And.

It seemed that this Spider King was not initially demonized, but under their pressure, it couldn't suppress the Demonic Qi it had absorbed from who knows where, thus causing it to transform.

"This is bad."

Chu Jingsui and Xiahou Yan both inwardly cursed their luck.

If they had known that this Spider King had Demonic Qi within it, they would not have pressured it too harshly. As a result, the creature lost control and became completely demonized, not only becoming more ferocious and vicious but even its demonic power, mixed with a trace of Demonic Qi, became stronger!

Boom! Boom! Boom!!!

Explosions continuously echoed throughout the cavern.

Chu Jingsui and Xiahou Yan, who had previously managed to block the Spider King's attacks with relative ease, suddenly found themselves in a desperate situation, being pushed back step by step. Although they were trying their best to support each other, they evidently didn't have the same level of composure as before.

At this very moment, this Spider King — now exerting itself as a true Seventh Rank Demon King, almost possessing the strength of a Grandmaster!

If it weren't for its attacks being too savage and lacking the Solidifying Refinement, erupting in complete disarray, Chu Jingsui and Xiahou Yan, even with the help of Spirit Weapons, would hardly be able to withstand them.

Whoosh.

It was at this moment that Chen Mu's figure finally appeared here.

"Run!" Read exclusive adventures at empire

"Junior Brother, retreat quickly!"

Chu Jingsui and Xiahou Yan almost shouted at the same time.

After its demonization, the Spider King had become too difficult to resist. Initially, they had considered whether they could try to slowly grind it down to death, but now they completely abandoned that idea and just wanted to make a quick escape.

Chen Mu had already noticed the abnormality within the cavern. His gaze also fell on the demonized Spider King, observing the strange black patterning that emerged on its body, as well as that foreign Qi different from demonic power, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Is this... a Demonic Beast?

He had read about 'Demons' in books.

Although demons were less intelligent than humans, they still possessed some level of wisdom. Under normal circumstances when there wasn't a demon calamity, they were relatively tranquil and not very inclined to conflict with humans, often hiding in mountains or deep within the Earth's Veins.

But if tainted by Demonic Qi and turned into 'Demonic Beasts', that was a different story altogether. They would become completely insane and violent, knowing only to slaughter without any hint of wisdom left, driven purely by the instinct to kill.

If demons could be eroded in this manner, so could humans.

Thoughts flashed through his mind.

Chen Mu took a step forward, aiming to pass by the cavern and rendezvous with Chu Jingsui.

But just at that moment, the demonized Spider King also became aware of Chen Mu's presence. Sensing Chen Mu's weak aura, it let out a violent hiss and, with two movements, it swiped up two rolling waves of sand, repelling Chu Jingsui and Xiahou Yan and then lunging straight at Chen Mu.

"Not good."

Chu Jingsui's face changed as he shouted angrily, "Damn it!"

As he roared, he seemed to activate some Secret Technique; his aura surged, breaking through the incoming wave of sand. He then stretched out a Wind Blade several meters long towards the demonized Spider King in an attempt to stop its attack on Chen Mu.

But the demonized Spider King, seemingly bereft of any intelligence in its raging state, did not dodge the strike from behind. Instead, it lifted two of its hind legs and took the hit directly. Deep gashes split open on its legs, and black blood gushed out.

At the same time.

The Spider King, having taken the hit, had already reached Chen Mu, raising two of its forelegs, wrapping them in a terrifying demonic power that turned into a dark red phantom light, viciously piercing towards Chen Mu, aiming to exterminate him on the spot!

Seeing this, both Chu Jingsui and Xiahou Yan became extremely anxious. Xiahou Yan was pushed back by the wave of sand and was unable to lend help in time, while Chu Jingsui's previous effort was his limit. They did not expect the Spider King to choose to injure itself rather than leave Chen Mu unharmed.