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

The instant Tang San uttered "Forgive my offense," the tension between the two sides escalated sharply. Both groups prepared for battle, and the four Spirit Hall members summoned their martial souls in unison.

The leader, a Level 37 Spirit Elder, wielded an ancient sword as his martial soul. Two of the other three had beast-type martial souls—a deer and a boar. The most striking, however, was the woman. Her martial soul was a rare Snow Rabbit, imbued with natural ice attributes, granting her control abilities and strong offensive capabilities.

Given her martial soul, her status within the Spirit Hall was undoubtedly significant.

For beast spirit masters, spirit rings from creatures similar to their martial souls were highly compatible, providing the greatest benefits. This explained why the Spirit Hall team valued the Soft-Boned Rabbit so highly.

On Shrek's side, the group also summoned their martial souls.

"Ning Rongrong, don't get involved," Oscar quickly advised as he saw her preparing to summon the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

"Your martial soul is too distinctive. It'll spell trouble if they recognize it and go after your family."

"Hmph!" Ning Rongrong brushed his hand aside dismissively.

"What's a little Spirit Hall compared to my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? We're one of the Three Great Sects. Do you think they'd dare trouble us over a Spirit Elder from some branch hall?"

As she spoke, a radiant, crystalline pagoda appeared in her hand. Its glow enveloped her teammates, providing powerful buffs.

The Spirit Hall leader's expression froze.

The girl wasn't just a sect member but from the main family. Her martial soul confirmed her status as a direct descendant.

Her presence complicated matters. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was one of the most powerful support-type martial souls in existence. In small-scale skirmishes, it could completely overturn the balance of power.

Adding to their woes, the Spirit Hall team already had a numerical disadvantage.

"Are you sure you want to interfere?" the leader asked again, his tone cautious.

Tang San said nothing, stepping forward with firm resolve. His companions followed, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

The Spirit Hall leader sighed, muttering instructions to his team in a low voice.

"Xue Wu, go deal with that girl. Don't harm her—just incapacitate her."

"Third and Fourth, stay with me. If Xue Wu succeeds, we'll still have a chance."

On Shrek's side, Tang San issued his own quiet orders.

"Protect Ning Rongrong. Watch out for the Snow Rabbit girl."

The battle began with an explosion of soul power. The stocky Spirit Hall member charged directly at Tang San's group, his martial soul fully activated. Both sides exchanged rapid strikes, soul power clashing in a dazzling display of fire and sparks.

Hiding in the bushes nearby, Fang Chang trembled as the battle unfolded.

This fight is too close! He had no choice but to pray that stray attacks wouldn't hit him.

Glancing at the unconscious Soft-Boned Rabbit lying just a short distance away, Fang Chang's heart raced.

That rabbit is worth over 1,000 evolution points!

The fight quickly revealed the disparity in skill.

The Spirit Hall members had initially hoped their age and experience would give them an advantage over the younger Shrek team. But they were sorely mistaken.

The Shrek Seven Devils fought with impeccable teamwork, their battle instincts honed to perfection. Even Ning Rongrong and Oscar, as support spirit masters, held their own. Attempts to isolate or ambush them repeatedly failed.

 "Xue Wu, now!" the Spirit Hall leader barked, his frustration mounting as the fight dragged on.

Xue Wu, the Snow Rabbit spirit master, nodded. With a nimble leap, she bypassed Tang San's group and darted toward Ning Rongrong.

However, Shrek was prepared.

Oscar stepped in, intercepting Xue Wuand exchanging a palm strike with her. At the same time, Tang San summoned several thick Blue Silver Grass vines from the ground, entangling Xue Wu's ankles.

"Help me, brothers!" Xue Wu cried, struggling against the bindings.

The Spirit Hall members, seeing Xue Wu in trouble, increased their pressure, pushing the Shrek team back several meters to free her.

Fang Chang's eyes lit up.

The fight had shifted away from him, creating a perfect opening. Both sides were entirely focused on the struggle between Ning Rongrong and Xue Wu, leaving the Soft-Boned Rabbit completely unguarded.

Without hesitation, Fang Chang moved.

Despite his trembling legs, he lunged forward, his eight limbs moving with startling speed. Reaching the Soft-Boned Rabbit, he paused briefly to grab it with his massive jaws before bolting into the dense forest.

"Wha…! Man-Faced Demon Spider!" Ning Rongrong shrieked, her voice cutting through the din of battle. "Stop fighting! It's taking the rabbit!"

Both groups froze momentarily, turning to look.

In the distance, a towering creature over 1.5 meters tall with legs spanning over 3 meters carried their contested prize—the Soft-Boned Rabbit—into the forest.

"Damn it!" the Spirit Hall leader cursed, glaring at Tang San's group before taking off after Fang Chang.

Tang San stood frozen, his eyes red with fury.

The sight of the Man-Faced Demon Spider carrying the Soft-Boned Rabbit reminded him too vividly of the Titan Giant Ape taking Xiao Wu.

Could she already be…?

Grief and rage boiled over, and Tang San launched himself into pursuit, bypassing the Spirit Hall members entirely.

Fang Chang, clutching the rabbit, raced deeper into the forest, the shadows swallowing him whole as his pursuers closed in.