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

The setting sun cast long shadows of the old man and young girl along the path, their reflections stretching across the pond.

Tang Li'er, spending her first night outside, was brimming with excitement. In stark contrast, Tang Liu was cautious, holding his daughter's small hand tightly and scanning the surroundings like a searchlight.

As nightfall approached, soul beasts became more active. Fortunately, this area was on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, near human settlements. Tang Liu wouldn't dare venture deeper into the forest with his daughter in tow.

"Dad! Dad, look over there!"

Tang Li'er's exuberant shout caught Tang Liu's attention. He followed her pointing finger, only to hear words that made his scalp tingle.

"It's a Man-Faced Demon Spider! Look!"

At the end of the path, near the pond, lay a massive spider-like soul beast. It was motionless, seemingly asleep.

Its body was a deep purple-black, with a size comparable to an adult human. Each of its eight legs was over two meters long, and its dark, metallic exoskeleton glinted faintly in the twilight.

It bore a striking resemblance to the legendary Man-Faced Demon Spider, though upon closer inspection, there were slight differences.

Tang Liu's heart sank. Even without confirming the details, he could sense the creature's strength. Its soul power, even while dormant, exerted immense pressure—several times greater than that of an ordinary 1,000-year soul beast.

This spider had to be at least 2,000 or 3,000 years old, possibly even stronger.

"Dad, why are you standing there? Go get it!" Tang Li'er's voice yanked Tang Liu back to reality.

She sounded thrilled, unaware of the life-threatening danger. Her excitement made Tang Liu's heart skip a beat.

"Come on, come on, Dad! I want this Man-Faced Demon Spider!"

For the first time in his 90-plus years, Tang Liu felt true terror. His innate soul power was a mere Level 2, and his martial soul was just slightly better than trash-tier. Even after a lifetime of cultivation, he'd barely reached Level 29, just shy of becoming a Soul Elder.

Years ago, he'd participated in group hunts for 1,000-year soul beasts, but only as part of a team of more than a dozen people. Facing a 3,000-year-old soul beast alone? He wouldn't stand a chance.

Why is a soul beast of this level here? Tang Liu's mind raced as cold sweat drenched his back.

He was about to grab Tang Li'er and flee when he saw her bend down, pick up a small rock, and hurl it at the "Man-Faced Demon Spider."

"No! Don't! Li'er, stop!" Tang Liu's shout was laced with panic.

"Too late!" Tang Li'er stuck her tongue out at him, thinking he was joking. The rock arced through the air, landing squarely on the spider's hard exoskeleton.

Clang—clang!

The sound echoed crisply, as if striking metal. Tang Liu felt the noise resonate in his chest, as though it were his own heart being hammered.

At the pond's edge, Fang Chang's eight eyes flickered open.

He shook off the leaves covering his body and slowly rose, his spider legs supporting him as he stood.

How could I have fallen asleep here? Fang Chang scolded himself internally.

Sleeping so carelessly in the Star Dou Forest, a place rife with danger, was akin to courting death.

Wait… He furrowed his brows.

Had someone just attacked him while he was asleep?

Focusing his gaze, Fang Chang spotted the culprits: an elderly man trying to drag away a reluctant little girl.

It didn't take long for him to connect the dots. That girl must've been the one who "attacked" him with the rock.

Tang Liu, seeing the spider rise, felt his last shred of hope crumble. Taking a deep breath, he cast aside his walking stick and shielded his daughter with his arms.

His entire body was trembling. Though his actions appeared heroic, it was obvious he was terrified.

Fang Chang was amused by the sight.

With a menacing air, he approached them slowly. His eight crimson eyes stopped just 20 centimeters from Tang Liu's face, studying him intently.

"Dad, what are you doing? Go kill it and make it my soul ring!"

Tang Li'er's pouting voice shattered the tense silence.

Tang Liu turned to her, enraged for the first time in her life. "Shut up!"

"Dad, you're mean! Wahh!" Tang Li'er burst into tears.

Fang Chang couldn't help but laugh internally.

These two seriously thought they could take me down for a soul ring?

He recalled his previous encounters with soul masters. The last group that dared to target him had almost been wiped out. Were it not for that meddling Titan Giant Ape, they'd have been dead already.

Extending one of his long legs, Fang Chang gently tapped Tang Liu's shoulder.

"Hey, pal, life is precious. Why risk it?"

Of course, all Tang Liu and Tang Li'er heard was a series of ominous hisses.

Despite Fang Chang's light touch, Tang Liu crumpled to the ground, paralyzed with fear.

Tang Li'er, blinking through her tears, finally realized her father was no match for the spider. Her unwavering belief in his invincibility shattered.

Fang Chang gave her a brief glance, then turned and walked away.

Though tempted to kill them, he ultimately decided against it. The girl's naïveté might prove useful in the future. Besides, he saw no benefit in wasting his energy on them now.

As Fang Chang disappeared into the distance, Tang Li'er watched him with a peculiar glint in her eyes.

Someday, I'll be just like him! she thought.

Being a spider-shaped soul master herself, she couldn't help but admire the power and grace of such a formidable soul beast.

It was a long time before Tang Liu snapped out of his daze. Grateful to be alive, he quickly pulled Tang Li'er along, retreating toward the forest's edge.

Meanwhile, far away, a grand convoy made its way toward Baishui City.

From within a golden carriage, an otherworldly beauty peered through a slightly raised curtain.

Outside the carriage, a knight clad in golden armor bowed deeply.

"Your Holiness, we should reach Baishui City by tomorrow morning."

The woman gave a silent nod, lowering the curtain again.