Chapter Seventy-Three: The Jade-Eyed Demon Spider

“Hold on!” Xu Youyi, usually silent and reserved, waved his hand, and the four of them immediately came to a stop. “This valley is peculiar.”

“What’s going on?” Compared to Lin Xiaobao, Si Mengling naturally knew her senior brother better. His silence often meant that every word he spoke was loaded with meaning.

“It seems this place is covered by a formation. Though it’s ancient and already showing signs of damage, we should proceed cautiously!” With that, Xu Youyi took the lead, walking ahead of the other three.

Lin Xiaobao promptly hopped to stand between Si Mengling and Le Hongcai, as if that was the only way he could feel safe.

“Follow my steps. Don’t make a wrong move!” At this moment, Xu Youyi advanced, sometimes shifting sideways, occasionally retreating a step or two.

“This guy really has some skill!” From Xu Youyi’s movements, Lin Xiaobao could tell he possessed remarkable mastery over formations—at least, among the new generation of disciples at Wind and Snow Pavilion, Lin Xiaobao hadn’t seen anyone with such understanding, himself excluded.

Lin Xiaobao also knew that, while this formation at its peak could have wiped out even a ninth-stage Spiritual Path expert, after centuries of erosion—perhaps with its spiritual power nearly exhausted—it now served mainly as a distraction, its offensive strength largely gone.

An hour passed. Under Xu Youyi’s guidance, the four finally crossed the perimeter of the formation.

“This is it, I’m certain!” Once through, the four immediately sensed an abundance of spiritual energy here—rivaling even Flowing Cloud Sect and Wind and Snow Pavilion. Le Hongcai became visibly excited; discovering the seal’s location would be a tremendous achievement, even if they couldn’t open it.

Lin Xiaobao, meanwhile, realized why a first-tier spirit beast could thrive here. Living long in such an environment, even a pig, if it survived, might be transformed into a first-tier spirit pig.

“Ah... Aghan Heart Blossom!” Si Mengling’s eyes locked onto a small purple flower amid the wild grass ahead. Her eyes sparkled as she rushed over, carefully picked it, and tucked it into her storage pouch.

Flowing Cloud Sect operated much like Wind and Snow Pavilion: disciples needed contribution points to earn more resources. By Si Mengling’s calculation, this Aghan Heart Blossom could fetch at least five hundred contribution points.

While Lin Xiaobao had picked many herbs along the way, their quality wasn’t high, just relatively rare; the other three had no interest in vying for them.

Here, with abundant spiritual energy and almost no prior visitors, high-grade herbs flourished everywhere—one could hardly walk far without encountering a plant worth over five hundred contribution points.

Upon each discovery, Si Mengling and the others accepted them with joy. Even the usually silent Xu Youyi now wore a rare smile, as if they felt this trip would be worthwhile even without finding the ancient seal.

Lin Xiaobao, too, coveted these herbs, but refrained from acting. First, he didn’t want to expose his abilities; second, while these herbs were superior, they weren’t truly rare—he believed he could exchange for plenty of such herbs after this journey.

Of course, if a truly exceptional treasure appeared, Lin Xiaobao wouldn’t stand idly by.

Observing the trio’s delighted expressions, Lin Xiaobao’s lips curled slightly. He felt they’d forgotten one thing: an environment that nurtures high-grade herbs would also foster spirit beasts.

Almost as if to confirm Lin Xiaobao’s thoughts, a piercing beast roar suddenly shattered the valley’s tranquility.

Lin Xiaobao extended his spiritual sense and his expression changed—Emerald-Eyed Demon Spider!

The Emerald-Eyed Demon Spider, a first-tier spirit beast, possessed strength between the first and second stages of the Spiritual Realm. It spat poisonous silk, moved at lightning speed, and its emerald eyes could mesmerize opponents, causing them to lose their senses briefly.

When Lin Xiaobao’s spiritual sense detected the spider, the information from the “Spirit Beast Chronicles” flashed through his mind. If the spider possessed only this level of power, Si Mengling and the others might just manage to deal with it. After all, while their cultivation was only at the first stage of the Spiritual Path, as disciples of Flowing Cloud Sect, they surpassed ordinary practitioners of the same level.

The terrifying thing was, Emerald-Eyed Demon Spiders always lived in pairs—male and female. Meaning, besides the one he’d found, another must be nearby. If there were two, the situation would become grim. No matter how much Lin Xiaobao expanded his spiritual sense, he couldn’t locate the other spider.

Upon hearing the beast’s roar, the three moved instantly. Swords drawn, they stood back-to-back, each facing a different direction, expanding their spiritual senses.

In that instant when the Emerald-Eyed Demon Spider appeared, their spiritual senses locked onto it—and simultaneously noticed Lin Xiaobao perched atop a tree branch.

When had he climbed up there? The three were puzzled, but had no time to ponder, as the spider gave them no room for thought.

Upon appearing and seeing the three humans before it, the Emerald-Eyed Demon Spider emitted a sharp screech, clearly displeased at intruders in its territory. Threads of blue-green silk shot from its mouth, arcing beautifully through the air before spreading into a vast web, descending upon the trio.

Yet, none of them were mediocre. Not only were they skilled, they were first-stage Spiritual Path experts—and their cooperation was flawless.

With a shout, Xu Youyi leaped skyward. Si Mengling and Le Hongcai pushed forcefully at his feet, propelling themselves quickly out from under the web’s cover. With their support, Xu Youyi’s body spun through the air like a shooting star, sword leading, body following, hurtling straight toward the Emerald-Eyed Demon Spider.

Lin Xiaobao, in the treetop, did not praise their coordinated moves. His brow remained tightly furrowed: the battle had begun, but he still couldn’t locate the second spider, even with his spiritual sense at its utmost.

Hiss... hiss... As the three had just left the ground, the web landed, its potent corrosive power stripping the green from the earth, leaving a huge, dark pit and a foul stench rising from it.

At this moment, Xu Youyi had already reached the Emerald-Eyed Demon Spider, confident that at such speed, it could not evade his attack.