Clink. Clink. Tap. Tap.
Four spidery legs lifted their master up off his feet while the pointy tips of the rest sniffed around like they had a mind of their own.
Suspended at the center of that cage of limbs, Qian Fusha rubbed his bruised stomach that got stamped by a boot print and locked his chilling gaze on the culprit.
Despite his injury, Jin Baihu grinned back provocatively and Qian Fusha didn't leave him waiting.
The next heartbeat, the four legs skittered forward and the spider appeared before the prey in the blink of an eye!
Four spear-like limbs attacked from various angles, boxing the wounded prey in!
But Jin Baihu showed zero fear! "Think a little injury will stop me?! Hah!"
Though blood was spilling from the hole in his chest, a body cultivator like Jin Baihu could still gather strength to fight back!
But two arms can't beat four, let alone eight!
So instead of defending, Jin Baihu simply went all out and swung his sickle in hopes of trading injuries for injuries!
Offense is the best defense!
Besides, even with four spears, it'll be hard to stab a tempered martial artist to death in one bout.
On the other hand, as long as his sickle lands once…
Deng! Clang! Spider limbs alternately deflected the wild sickle!
While that's happening, spider legs agilely circled around the prey, looking for a breakthrough…
Or perhaps it was just a hunter waiting for the prey to exhaust itself in its web…
Jin Baihu knew his condition will only get worse as time drags on! So, he purposefully sold a flaw!
As soon as there was an opening, two limbs speared towards Jin Baihu!
Puff! One skewered right through the chest again! Another critical injury!
Another darted for the head, only to get grabbed by a bloody, calloused hand—grip!
Success! The spider got locked in place!
Jin Baihu grinned like a madman and his mouth was ready to roast this spider to death!
But just when Jin Baihu was about to spew out the fire brewing in his lungs, a painful sting in his meridians caused his Qi to churn chaotically and he lost control of the flames!
The backlash immediately scorched his organs and all that got coughed out was blood…
Stab!
Taking advantage of his illness, the enemy's spear mercilessly drove straight through his dantian and hoisted him off the ground like a trophy for display!
In the next heartbeat, the explosive power faded from his body and even the sickle got knocked out from his hand.
"Kekek—!" Jin Baihu's once blazing eyes dulled, staring at the hunter that turned him into a fish on a chopping board. "...You… how? When?"
Qian Fusha's reply was as flat as a butcher's knife.
"Did you think I left that blood bag there for decoration? It was originally prepared for someone else. But… you can only blame yourself for being greedy."
"So that's how it is…" Jin Baihu chuckled weakly. "The metal toxin... from the Taiyin Clan, huh? Hah… You actually colluded with those doll-loving freaks…"
Qian Fusha coldly dismissed that dying attempt to put a hat on him. "Don't put it so harshly. It's just a transaction that everybody is happy to see." Well… all but you blood leeches.
"So it is… huhuhu…" A feeble cackle rattled out of Jin Baihu's chest.
"Shame... and here I thought I could put up... more of a fight after being given that opportunity. What a waste. Huhu… no matter…"
"It's already good enough that I forced out your hidden hand. Since I met the quota, at least my nephew… will have a way out…"
The man stared up at the heavens, where the sun disc blazed like the last drumbeat of life, and cracked his last stubborn grin.
"Do it. Even if I live, I can't be saved. A true man will rather die on the battlefield than to rot away as a cripple for life!"
"As you wish."
Slckk! A life ended just like that. The spider legs folded back up and faded away like it never existed.
Another round was over, but this time, Qian Fusha's breath was much more uneven and even some sweat broke out on his forehead.
The battle was in his favor for the most part, but manifesting his innate Gu for just that short burst at the end took much more out of him than the whole fight combined!
Still, getting rid of a powerful mid-stage foundation realm cultivator and reducing the power of an enemy clan made it completely worth it!
Unfortunately, slaying the enemy meant the round is over, and others won't give him the chance to delay like before.
"Next up—Jin Bailiang, take the torch!"
Crank... Crank... Crank…
The heavy gate shuddered open and out stepped another challenger with a grim yet very young face.
But instead of focusing on his opponent, Jin Bailiang's gaze froze on his uncle's body laying there and he trembled ever so slightly.
A myriad of emotions were carved in that gaze, but he suppressed whatever turmoil was boiling within and marched over silently.
Qian Fusha didn't stop him. Instead, he only claimed the storage pouch then drifted back into the intact part of his lair and used the time to recover as much as possible.
There seemed to be a tacit understanding between both sides. A body for time.
Even the "begin" bell got ignored.
Jin Bailiang simply lived by his own pace and eventually stopped besides his uncle.
"...Why? Even though I gave that chance to you, I never saw you for a burden, and would never will…"
Alas, he'll never hear the answer to that.
Kneeling down, his hand slowly reached out and gently closed the open eyes so the father who has raised him could finally rest in peace.
A head dipped and after mumbling prayers to the sun, the corpse got carefully packed away in a storage pouch.
Once that was done, Jin Bailiang took a deep breath to calm himself and finally set his gloomy gaze on the man meditating like there was no enemies around. "You—Don't expect me to show mercy."
Qian Fusha slowly opened his eyes and a sharp light flashed in them. "I wouldn't expect any less. If you want revenge, I'll always be waiting."
Jin Bailiang sneered and blood welled from his fingertips, shaping into a pair of wolf claws over his hands. "There's no need to wait! Let's make it... now."
Qian Fusha was unbothered by the avenger's declaration.
He simply retreated deeper into his lair as if inviting the wolf into the spider's den.
"You're a hundred years too early to be saying that. Come—let me teach you a lesson on your dead uncle's behalf."
"Heheh…" The provocation was maxed out and Jin Bailiang was so ready to tear a piece of meat off the man!
Crouching in a sprinting stance, he raised his claws threateningly, "My claws can't wait to drink your blood! Get ready to bleed under the wrath of the Blood Wolf! Aowoooo!"
The howl turned the man into a beast that dashed forward on all fours!
Every pace closer, the howling wind gathering around the man-beast became stronger and stronger…
As soon as the gap shrunk to less than half a field, the gathered power exploded and the wolf lunged forward, spinning like a drill!
The spinning force was so great that the man, claws, and all became one, transforming into a cyclone of blood that drilled through everything—webs, lairs, and all!
"Man-Wolf Style: Hurricane Fang!!!"