Chapter 37: The Spider King

Chu Xiaotian was surprised but quickly became serious. The ancient ferocious Ice Spiders usually ventured anywhere with ice and snow, so their reluctance to enter the cave suggested an even more terrifying presence inside.

"We should recover first; I sense great danger," Chu Xiaotian advised gravely.

Mu Qingcheng agreed, and they focused on recuperating. After regaining their strength, they carefully surveyed the cave. It was vast, able to accommodate thousands, and significantly colder than the outside. The cave's ceiling was adorned with various ice sculptures of humans and beasts, sending chills down Chu Xiaotian's spine and raising a premonition of doom.

"Do you notice anything unusual?" Chu Xiaotian asked, spreading his spiritual power but finding nothing.

"No," Mu Qingcheng replied, shaking her head.

"This doesn't make sense," Chu Xiaotian muttered. If there wasn't a significant threat, the Bloodthirsty Ice Spiders would not have let them go so easily.

"We should look for the Ice Dance Flower," Mu Qingcheng suggested, undeterred by the potential danger.

"Alright, but be careful," Chu Xiaotian agreed, knowing they were here for Mu Qingcheng's mission and needed to find the flower.

The cave was complex, with numerous passages leading to unknown destinations. If Mu Qingcheng's desired item was hidden within these passages, finding it would be challenging. The potential dangers within these pathways were also unknown.

"What now?" Chu Xiaotian asked as they stood at the entrance of a passage.

"I have a way," Mu Qingcheng said, producing a small icy-blue insect that flew into a tunnel. But as soon as it entered, it fell silent. Suddenly, a giant Bloodthirsty Ice Spider, several meters in size, emerged, emitting a ferocious and foul stench.

"Bloodthirsty Spider King!" Chu Xiaotian and Mu Qingcheng both recognized the enormous spider and turned pale. They hadn't expected a Spider King to be lurking inside, which explained the smaller spiders' reluctance to enter.

The situation was dire. "Let's escape!" Chu Xiaotian suggested, knowing they couldn't defeat such a formidable opponent.

"I'm not ready to give up," Mu Qingcheng said, determined to complete her mission despite the obvious danger.

As they spoke, the Spider King spun a web of icy-blue silk, rapidly encasing the area and trapping them within layers of nearly indestructible threads.

"It seems we can't escape," Chu Xiaotian said grimly.

"We have no choice but to fight," Mu Qingcheng replied, her face set in determination.

"Kill!" Chu Xiaotian roared, attacking the Spider King with his Zhan Tian Sword. His sword techniques were swift and powerful, but the Spider King easily parried them with its eight legs.

Meanwhile, Mu Qingcheng's aura changed from icy to blazing hot. Her Ice Snow Sword ignited with intense flames, forcing the Spider King back despite successfully blocking her attack. The spider's vulnerability to fire was evident.

"Fire Will?" Chu Xiaotian was puzzled, having sensed only cold intentions from Mu Qingcheng before.

As Mu Qingcheng continued her fiery assault, her cultivation level rose rapidly, reaching the peak of the ninth level of Lingyuan Realm. Chu Xiaotian realized Mu Qingcheng was more skilled in fire than in ice, and her deep concealment of this fact suggested significant hidden motives.

"Hidden deeply, with ambitious plans," Chu Xiaotian commented coldly as he watched Mu Qingcheng's fierce battle with the Spider King. He had underestimated her strength and intentions.