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

"Father, you're amazing!" Tang Li'er clapped her hands excitedly as she watched her father, Tang Liu, swing his Blacksmith Hammer, sending a soul beast flying.

The soul beast was a Mandrake Snake with a soul power of around 100 years—barely a threat in the Star Dou Forest.

But to Tang Li'er, the bigger a soul beast, the stronger it must be. This snake was the largest one she had seen so far, so she naturally thought it was incredibly powerful.

If her father could swat it away so easily, then he must be even more formidable! Father is the best!

Hearing his daughter's praise and seeing her starry-eyed admiration, Tang Liu felt an overwhelming sense of pride. His back, hunched for decades, straightened as if he had regained his youth.

Wielding the over-meter-long blacksmith hammer with skillful ease, he displayed his soul rings—two faint yellow ones—while relentlessly striking the snake. Already dazed, the Mandrake Snake had no chance. In no time, it lay limp and motionless on the ground.

Tang Liu wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to his daughter. "Li'er, how about we let you absorb this Mandrake Snake as your first soul ring? Its soul power is just right, and it's also a poison type like your Earth Spider martial soul…"

"No!"

Tang Li'er pouted, her refusal firm and absolute. "I want a Man-Faced Demon Spider!"

Tang Liu nearly choked on his own breath. But seeing his daughter's stubborn resolve and not wanting to ruin her perception of him, he reluctantly agreed with a bitter smile.

At that moment, the rustling of leaves and the sound of voices broke the forest's calm. Four disheveled figures approached from the north, grumbling and cursing.

"That cursed Man-Faced Demon Spider! If I see it again, I'll rip it to shreds!" The pudgy fourth member of the Spirit Hall squad cursed furiously.

Having been bested not once, but twice, by a mere soul beast had left him fuming.

Bai Yu, their leader, shot him a glance before addressing the young woman in their group, "Little Sis, I'm sorry this trip didn't work out. We'll have to return tomorrow, and I promise we'll find you a suitable soul ring next time."

The woman known as Little Sis nodded silently. Her real anger wasn't toward the kids from Shrek Academy but rather toward the Man-Faced Demon Spider that had ruined her plans twice.

As the group of four came closer, Tang Liu and Tang Li'er finally noticed them.

Tang Liu immediately recognized them. These were not just any soul masters—they were well-known figures from the Spirit Hall branch in Baishui City.

The leader, Bai Yu, was nicknamed the "Feathered Sword," known for his lightning-fast attacks. The lean third member was Lu Sang, and the pudgy fourth, Zhu Si, also had some fame in Baishui City.

The youngest member, the elegant young woman, had the most renown of all. Known as Xue Wu, she was lauded as the most beautiful soul master in Baishui City, with her long legs earning widespread admiration.

Tang Liu couldn't help but glance at her a bit too long, his old heart stirring. If only she weren't a soul master… or part of the Spirit Hall, maybe I could take her as my 19th wife.

"Father, what are you staring at? Are those people strong?"

Tang Li'er's voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"Very strong," Tang Liu replied, eyes still fixed on the approaching group—though his gaze lingered more on Xue Wu's legs than their combat prowess.

When Bai Yu noticed the small old man watching them, he gave Tang Liu a polite nod, acknowledging him as a fellow soul master. Tang Liu immediately bowed deeply, his hands clasped in respect.

Soul masters were rare on the Douluo Continent, and even though Tang Liu was only a low-ranking one, he recognized the significant gap in status between himself and these Spirit Hall elites.

The four Spirit Hall members walked past without saying a word.

"Ugh, what's so great about them anyway?" Tang Li'er grumbled, displeased by their haughty demeanor.

Tang Liu quickly covered her mouth, his face pale. Some things were better left unsaid, even by a child. If they offended the Spirit Hall, their entire family could be in danger.

After the group disappeared into the distance, Tang Liu finally let go of his daughter. Seeing her sulk, he ruffled her hair gently.

"Alright, alright. Let's go find that Man-Faced Demon Spider you want so much."

Tang Li'er brightened instantly, hopping along beside him as he led the way.

Tang Liu thought carefully. The Spirit Hall group had returned safely, with no visible injuries or signs of battle. That meant the area they came from was likely free of strong soul beasts, making it relatively safe for him and his daughter.

Besides, with the Spirit Hall's strength, most soul beasts would instinctively avoid them, leaving the area even safer.

When it got darker, Tang Liu planned to find a random soul beast and convince his daughter to absorb it as her first soul ring.

Meanwhile, Fang Chang watched from the shadows as the Spirit Hall group disappeared. Holding the still-breathing Long-Eared Rabbit in his jaws, he swaggered back to the pond.

The rabbit regained some consciousness, its red eyes filled with desperate pleading.

"Sp-spider bro… please don't eat me…"

Fang Chang glanced at it and chuckled darkly. An old children's rhyme from his past life popped into his head:

"Little white rabbit, so fluffy and nice, after the kidneys, I'll eat the lungs next…"

Snapping out of his reverie, Fang Chang opened his maw, ignoring the rabbit's despairing gaze. The Devour skill activated.

The soul power of an 800-year soul beast was much richer than the smaller creatures he had consumed earlier. Satisfied, Fang Chang sprawled out by the pond, his eight legs stretched lazily.

For the first time in days, he could finally relax.

The serene pond reflected his armored form, and the soft breeze created ripples on the water's surface. Tender willow branches swayed gently, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

Fang Chang stirred the water idly with one leg while using another to pick rabbit meat from his teeth. Before he realized it, exhaustion caught up to him, and he drifted into a deep, defenseless slumber.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the faint laughter of a father and daughter echoed through the forest path leading to the pond…