NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Giant Demon Ape
Fang Chang's eyes gleamed as he scanned the names of the treasures in the valley.
"Phoenix Blood Herb, Grade Four Spiritual Medicine."
"Crimson Essence Fruit, Grade Three Spiritual Fruit."
"Hundred-Leaf Lotus, Grade Three Spiritual Medicine."
His legs trembled slightly as he processed the magnitude of what lay before him.
The fragmented memories from his Human-Faced Demon Spider days told him about the strict hierarchy of the Star Dou Great Forest.
If the forest were divided into rings, then:
Innermost Ring (Life Lake): The heart of the forest, home only to the most powerful 100,000-year soul beasts. This area was restricted to top-tier predators.
First Ring: Encircling the Life Lake, this zone was for soul beasts with soul powers near 100,000 years and natural talents rivaling Titled Douluo-level humans.
Second Ring: This area housed soul beasts with 10,000+ years of power, capable of defeating weaker Soul Douluo-level humans.
Third Ring: Soul beasts here generally had 1,000–10,000 years of soul power.
Fourth Ring: Occupied by weaker soul beasts ranging from 1,000–5,000 years.
Fang Chang was currently in the outermost fringe of the forest, a place typically filled with thousand-year or weaker soul beasts.
The deeper into the forest one ventured, the fewer beasts there were, and the richer the resources became.
This circular valley, abundant in treasures, might not be remarkable in the second or third ring. However, in the outermost zones, it was akin to stumbling upon a pot of gold.
Fang Chang couldn't help but feel fortunate. "Disasters truly bring blessings," he thought.
Without the desperation of leaping off the cliff to escape the Giant Demon Ape, or the subsequent struggle with the Fire Ants, he wouldn't have discovered this hidden paradise.
Suppressing his excitement, Fang Chang immediately plucked a Phoenix Blood Herb, dirt and all, and stuffed it into his mouth.
He then scuttled up the nearest Crimson Essence Fruit Tree, savoring the fruit as he feasted to his heart's content.
Although these treasures didn't directly boost his soul power, their benefits were undeniable:
His soul power surged and condensed, stripping away impurities. His previously unstable power—caused by rapid gains from consuming soul beasts—was further refined and stabilized.
Name: Fang Chang
Species: Dark Armored Demon Spider
Spirit Power: 2776 years
Evolution Points: 7970
HP: 750/765 (Regenerating)
Strength: 163
Attack: 181
Defense: 283
Speed: 214
His attributes had skyrocketed, bolstered by the feast of Fire Ants.
Fang Chang also noticed a new additional skill:
Fire Armor Technique: Cloaks the body in searing flames, dealing damage to nearby enemies.
This was likely acquired from devouring the Fire Ant Queen.
Finally, Fang Chang turned to his evolution options. It was time to plan his next step.
Option 1: Blackflame Dark Armored Demon Spider
Requirements: 2000+ spirit power, 3000 evolution points, devour at least one fire-type spirit beast.
Rewards: Minor attribute enhancements.Transformation into a fire/poison hybrid.Gain the skill "Blackflame."
Fang Chang grimaced. While the conditions were already met, this path locked him out of the ultimate form—the Undying Evil Spider Emperor.
"Hard pass." He dismissed it immediately.
Option 2: Dragon Spider
Requirements: 3000+ soul power, 20,000 evolution points, devour three soul beasts with dragon bloodlines.
Rewards: Major attribute enhancements. Gain the skill "Dragon Breath."
"Holy crap, this is OP!" Fang Chang's eyes lit up.
In the world of Douluo, any creature with dragon blood was a force to be reckoned with.
Choosing this path would allow future evolution into Seven-Headed Dragon Spider, Nine-Headed Dragon Spider, and eventually the Undying Evil Spider Emperor.
However, acquiring three dragon-blooded soul beasts was no small feat, especially in his current state.
Option 3: Ghost Armored Demon Spider
Requirements: 3000+ soul power, 10,000 evolution points, devour one Ghost Tiger.
Rewards: Major attribute enhancements. Gain the skill "Shadow Clone."
This option was nearly as appealing as the Dragon Spider path.
The evolution requirements were more attainable, and its final form, God-Eating Evil Spider Emperor, was almost as impressive as the Dragon Spider's ultimate evolution.
While slightly less prestigious, this path seemed more practical. Fang Chang decided to keep it as a backup.
After settling on his plans, Fang Chang descended from the spiritual fruit tree and continued scouring the valley, casually munching on treasures as he went.
As dusk settled, a golden glow painted the valley, casting long shadows over the landscape.
Fang Chang's attention was drawn to a particularly radiant plant.
Species: Soul-Rising Fruit
Grade: Grade Six Spiritual Fruit
Years: 3000 years
Effects: Enhances spirit power by up to 50%, limited by the fruit's age.
Fang Chang nearly choked on his excitement. A Grade Six Spiritual Fruit was valuable even for 10,000-year soul beasts!
This fruit, capable of directly increasing spirit power, would undoubtedly cause a frenzy among human soul masters.
Suppressing his eagerness, Fang Chang scuttled toward the Soul-Rising Fruit, his movements growing faster with each step.
In mere moments, he was within ten meters of the treasure.
Suddenly, a massive boulder, larger than his entire body, hurtled toward him from above!
Fang Chang instinctively crouched, the boulder whizzing past him with a deafening roar.
As the dust settled, Fang Chang raised his head, his legs trembling as he looked toward the source of the attack.
Atop a rocky overhang near the Soul-Rising Fruit was a massive cave entrance.
Standing guard was a monkey-like soul beast, towering at over three to four meters tall, its massive frame rippling with brute strength.
"Giant Demon Ape."
The name appeared in Fang Chang's mind as his vision locked on the imposing figure.