Douluo Dalu: Starting Evolution as the Man-Faced Demon Spider

Fang Chang lifted his head, warily scanning the nearby woods. From that direction, he could sense something rapidly approaching.

Then, his gaze shifted to the left. There was movement there too.

As a soul beast, Fang Chang possessed an innate sense of danger, which had grown even sharper after several evolutions. Though he couldn't yet determine whether the intruders were humans or soul beasts, it was clear they were coming for him.

His instincts urged him to find a place to hide. However, aside from the surrounding trees, the only option was the nearby mud pit.

The mud pit!

Without hesitation, Fang Chang leapt into the muddy waters, activating both "Concealment" and his newly acquired "Underwater Breathing" skill.

From the surface, only a series of bubbles initially rose, which gradually grew fewer until the water stilled. To any passerby, the mud pit would seem completely undisturbed.

"It's in the mud pit."

The thin, wiry reconnaissance soul master observed the scene with precision and immediately reported it to Hu Liena.

She nodded and quickened her pace, leading the team toward the target.

Their group was the largest and strongest of the three pursuing Fang Chang. In addition to the reconnaissance soul master and the Golden Generation trio, they had two powerful soul kings with them.

The other two groups flanking Fang Chang's position were similarly composed, each led by a soul king and accompanied by two soul sects.

This overwhelming force seemed like an overkill for a soul beast with less than 10,000 years of cultivation.

The soul kings in particular displayed varying degrees of complacency upon hearing about their target. While the Man-Faced Demon Spider was known for its strength, such a grandiose response seemed unnecessary. The Golden Generation were talented, no doubt, but their inexperience was showing.

However, as the team approached the mud pit and saw the corpse of a fellow soul king nearby, their attitudes shifted.

Previously, the notion of the spider killing four soul sects seemed distant and unconvincing. But the sight of a slain soul king—a peer of theirs—brought the reality crashing down.

"Prepare for battle. It's hiding in the water."

Hu Liena arrived last, briefly glanced at the soul king's body, and issued orders without hesitation.

Their formation was straightforward: the four soul kings stood in the front alongside Yan and Xie Yue, while Hu Liena and the five soul sects formed a second row behind them.

The reasoning was obvious: the strong were to shield the weak.

Hu Liena, relegated to the back row, showed her dissatisfaction with a pout but didn't argue further. Yan's insistence and the gravity of the situation outweighed her complaints.

Underwater, Fang Chang observed the group through the murky water. Twelve human soul masters had surrounded him, forming two overlapping arcs.

Each member was positioned roughly two meters apart, with the second row standing in the gaps between the first. This arrangement minimized interference while providing the rear with ample cover.

And at the center of their formation, their target was none other than Fang Chang in the mud pit.

"I've been discovered."

The realization hit Fang Chang hard. He had believed his hiding spot to be flawless, but the humans had pinpointed him with alarming accuracy.

There was no time to dwell on how they had found him. The twelve soul masters were already preparing their attacks, their soul power gathering into a rainbow of destructive energy.

At Hu Liena's signal, twelve attacks rained down on the mud pit in unison.

The swamp exploded as water and mud splattered everywhere, creating a rainfall-like scene across a wide area.

Anticipating such an assault, Fang Chang raised his shield-like front legs to defend himself. Though he avoided serious injury, the vibrations left his blood surging uncomfortably.

But with the mud pit's water level dropping and his "Concealment" skill disrupted, part of Fang Chang's body emerged from the muddy depths, fully exposing him to the humans' gaze.

"Them again!"

Fang Chang's annoyance spiked as he recognized the Golden Generation trio among the group. These persistent humans were proving to be a thorn in his side—ones he couldn't kill, yet couldn't escape easily.

"Fine. Add it to the list of grudges against Spirit Hall. One day, I'll settle them all!"

Knowing he couldn't win a head-on fight, Fang Chang quickly made up his mind. With a powerful leap, he activated "Leap" and launched himself toward the deeper sections of the swamp.

The Spirit Hall forces weren't about to let him escape. The soul masters unleashed another barrage of attacks, filling the air with a cacophony of explosive energy.

Fang Chang activated every defensive skill in his arsenal: "Harden," "Blade Armor," and "Dragon's Might LV2." His defenses rose significantly, and his enhanced strength propelled him further away.

Even so, the relentless onslaught drew several pained cries from Fang Chang as black blood spurted from his mouth. His health, which had only just recovered, plummeted rapidly.

Thankfully, the combined effects of the human attacks pushed him deeper into the swamp, out of their optimal range.

Weakened, Fang Chang made one final jump into another muddy pit, disappearing into the murky waters. This time, the pit seemed to connect to the deeper wetlands. Without hesitation, Fang Chang swam toward the safer depths.

"Do we continue chasing?" Yan turned to Hu Liena, his voice uncertain.

He hadn't expected the mutated spider to withstand their combined attacks and still have the strength to flee.

"Yes. We can't let it ruin the plan. The Supreme Pontiff won't forgive failure," Hu Liena responded firmly, already moving toward the pit where Fang Chang had vanished.

Her jump into the mud splashed water everywhere. The short skirt of her outfit clung to her thighs, accentuating her figure. The male soul masters behind her couldn't help but stare, particularly Yan, who was practically drooling.

But there was no time for distractions. Gritting their teeth, the remaining soul masters reluctantly followed her into the swamp.

Swamps were notorious as death traps in the Star Dou Forest. With their treacherous terrain and the lurking soul beasts, they posed immense risks for human soul masters.

Yet, for soul beasts like Fang Chang, they were a sanctuary.