Chapter 1509: Ghostly Spider Transformation

Five cities were attacked almost simultaneously. A total of fifty fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders, all led by mutated variants, suggests that there are at least a hundred fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders. With their current strength, they couldn't possibly defeat the spiders, so it seemed more cultivators would need to be mobilized.

Song Xiruo's expression turned grim. She had a persistent feeling that the Netherworld Spiders were luring them into a trap, as if the spiders were hunting them rather than the other way around. Hundreds of fourth-tier Netherworld Spiders would likely require the intervention of Spirit Transformation cultivators; they couldn't handle this.

"Fairy Song, Fellow Daoist Wu, Madam Fan, and Master Jingkong, do you think a fifth-tier Netherworld Spider might have emerged?"

Wang Qingshan put forward a bold hypothesis. The ten major sects of Northern Borderland had deployed their elite forces to establish five cities on the periphery of the Myriad Puppet Mountains. Each city housed thousands of cultivators, yet large numbers of Netherworld Spiders had stormed out of the mountains, attacked these five cities, and abducted thousands of cultivators, including two Nascent Soul cultivators. This was truly strange.

His words immediately stunned everyone in the room.

If this were true, it would be an absolute disaster for the cultivation world of the Northern Borderland, and the cultivators stationed here would be the first to suffer.

"Amitabha," Master Jingkong agreed, "Fellow Daoist Wang's speculation is not without reason. Netherworld Spiders reproduce very quickly. Since their emergence, millions of them must have died! Over fifty thousand cultivators have been casualties, along with more than a hundred thousand mortals. Yet, the number of Netherworld Spiders shows no sign of decreasing; instead, they have evolved, improving both their innate abilities and intelligence."

Master Jingkong strongly agreed; Wang Qingshan's guess was not impossible.

Wu Chang and Li Ling'er frowned deeply. If Wang Qingshan's words were true and a fifth-tier Netherworld Spider had emerged, they would be in grave danger.

"Our Three Flames Palace has already sent for other seniors, and Martial Uncle Ye is also on his way back," Song Xiruo said with a solemn tone. "Our immediate task is to prevent the Netherworld Spiders from breaking out of the Myriad Puppet Mountains and wreaking havoc on the world." As the Vice Palace Master of Three Flames Palace, she knew she had to take responsibility during this critical juncture.

"Fellow Daoist Wang's speculation isn't baseless. How about this? We retreat thirty thousand li and establish multiple strongholds to defend against the Netherworld Spiders."

Fan Ruoruo proposed this, reasoning that it would reduce the risk. The Myriad Puppet Mountains were too vast, stretching for tens of thousands of li, and array formations couldn't cover the entire range. They could only set up outposts on the periphery to prevent the Netherworld Spiders from harming mortals.

Wang Qingshan shook his head. "No, dividing our forces would only give the Netherworld Spiders an advantage. It's better to retreat a full thirty thousand li directly."

Wu Chang and Li Ling'er strongly agreed. Song Xiruo also concurred with Wang Qingshan's view. With the majority agreeing, Fan Ruoruo had no objections.

Inside a secret realm accessible from the Puppet Emperor Palace, a vast locust forest stretched out. A team of Netherworld Spiders, with golden patterns on their bodies, moved through the forest, each carrying a massive golden cocoon, which they then hung on the trees. They hung the golden cocoons on thick tree trunks, where they resembled golden lanterns. At a glance, hundreds of these golden lanterns could be seen swaying occasionally throughout the locust forest.

Inside one of the enormous golden cocoons, a thin middle-aged man's eyes were wide with terror. He clutched a red-glowing flying sword, hacking at the golden spider silk. A muffled thud echoed, and sparks flew. A reddish-gold flame surged from his palm and struck the golden spider silk. The flames spread quickly but soon extinguished, leaving the golden silk entirely unharmed. Just then, the spider silk suddenly tore open, and a pale golden gas rushed in. The man inhaled a small amount and instantly passed out. A Netherworld Spider ripped an opening in the golden cocoon, laid golden spider eggs on the inner wall, and then sprayed a mass of golden silk to envelop the eggs. Once hatched, the small Netherworld Spiders would burrow into cultivators' bodies, feeding on their flesh and blood until they grew large enough to burst out of their hosts.

On a steep, ten-thousand-zhang-high peak, a massive black greatsword stood at the summit. An enormous cocoon lay within a large, scorched pit. Thousands of Netherworld Spiders were active throughout the secret realm. Two entirely golden Netherworld Spiders carried two enormous golden cocoons up the peak. After placing them down, the cocoons began to shake violently, as if alive.

With a cracking sound, a thin crack appeared on the surface of a golden cocoon. The crack widened, and a hand with golden spiritual patterns on its skin emerged. Immediately after, the cocoon tore open, revealing a naked young woman. She had striking features, firm breasts, golden spiritual patterns on her arms, and a third eye between her brows. On her fair, jade-like back, there was a shimmering golden spider motif. The aura she exuded clearly indicated a Spirit Transformation stage cultivation. This was a fifth-tier Netherworld Spider; she had not only advanced to the fifth tier but also transformed into human form after devouring a vast amount of rare treasures.

The young woman strode towards another golden cocoon and easily tore it open, revealing a middle-aged man in a black Daoist robe. The man stared, dumbfounded, at the naked young woman before him. He quickly recovered and intended to kill the young woman, but it was too late. A brilliant golden light erupted from the young woman's body, enveloping an area of five zhang around her. The middle-aged man was trapped by this light, unable to move. The young woman extended her left hand to his head. The man groaned, his face contorted in pain. Soon after, he felt a chill in his chest. The young woman had actually ripped out his heart and consumed it. A black light flashed, and a miniature Nascent Soul flew out. Before it could get far, the young woman sprayed a thin golden silk, entangling the miniature Nascent Soul, pulling it into her mouth, and swallowing it.

After devouring the middle-aged man, the young woman tore open another golden cocoon, revealing an old woman in a green robe, past fifty years of age. Before the old woman could react, a shimmering golden hand pierced her chest, brutally tearing out her heart. A green light flashed, and a miniature Nascent Soul, clutching a small green bell, flew out. The instant the miniature Nascent Soul left the body, a shimmering golden spider web descended from above, enveloping both the miniature Nascent Soul and the green bell, carrying them into the young woman's mouth. The young woman chewed a few times before swallowing them whole. Even magical treasures were devoured; her teeth were incredibly strong, enduring even artifacts.

"The Eastern Barren... Realm? Northern Borderland... Nine Nether... Sect." The young woman's speech was somewhat indistinct, and her eyes were filled with a chilling glint.

She retrieved a golden gown from the two Nascent Soul cultivators' storage rings and put it on. Then, she let out a sharp shriek. The void twisted, and air currents reversed as a shimmering golden sound wave shot out, striking a desolate peak opposite her. The peak instantly exploded, sending dust flying. Throughout the secret realm, all the Netherworld Spiders prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.