The demon spider worried that every subsequent batch of spider eggs would only grow larger and larger in number. While this might lead to the development of an entire spider clan, it somehow still felt... afraid.
Perhaps subconsciously, it didn't want to wake up one day surrounded by endless, dense swarms of little spiders—or worse, to be devoured by its own offspring in its sleep. That wasn't outside the realm of possibility...
In nature, after giving birth to spiderlings, a female spider that lacks the strength to hunt prey will sometimes choose to feed its young with its own body. This genuinely occurs—though among the myriad spider species, such cases are not especially common.
Of course, the scene before its eyes now already had a bit of that flavor.
A total of eleven little spiders with blue-violet patterns—lying or crawling about—were living in its spider nest.
After a long, long period of psychological self-consolation, reason returned, and the demon spider barely managed to begin thinking about how to solve the problem.
"Once twelve more little guys are born, the space will be even more crowded. Should I release some to live independently? No, that's not a sustainable solution."
"Or... entrust a few more to Lin Binbin or Long Ge?"
"After all, right now I genuinely can't find a larger, more suitable place to build a nest."
"Wait a moment..."
A thought suddenly flashed through the demon spider's mind: Why stay here at all?
The back mountain of Xingchuan University was close to the city and had a relatively high pedestrian density in the surrounding area. Strictly speaking, it wasn't suitable for long-term habitation.
The reason it had chosen this place as its second 'home' in the first place was primarily to investigate He Jun's disappearance and Wang Miaoyin.
Now, He Jun's fate could no longer be changed, and Wang Miaoyin had become its Agent. Although this had led to the trail of a 'mentor' possibly parasitized by the anomaly purple light, with no further clues at present—not even knowing the mentor's gender or whether they were a permanent resident of the school—continuing to search the campus would be a bit like fishing for a needle in the ocean.
Furthermore, it could task its human attendants with beginning an investigation into Agent Yao of the Criminal Investigation Department—and the Criminal Investigation Department was far smaller than Xingchuan University.
"Thinking about it this way, I can indeed consider relocating. As for selecting the new address, I can leave that to Lin Binbin and Long Ge."
Suddenly, Bai Jie sensed two streams of intent directed toward it from spider kin.
"It's those two little ones. Come to think of it, ever since I released them to live independently, I've rarely gone to check on them... What could they want now?"
Bai Jie entered Invisibility and arrived at the shaded side of the back mountain, where the former Blood-Shadow Spider Queen—now the two little ones'—nest was located.
The two little ones had long since sensed their mother's arrival and had come out to the nest entrance in advance to wait.
Seeing the two small golden spiders, now each larger than a basketball, Bai Jie couldn't help but inwardly sigh: They've grown so fast—clearly they haven't been eating lightly on this back mountain.
Relevant information materialized before its eyes.
[Target]: Gold-Striped Laser Snake-Devouring Spider (Awakened Form)
[Vitality]: 33 (MAX)
[Body Length]: Leg Span 35cm
[Status]: Healthy
"Their Vitality has already reached the current species' limit. Such a pity that my talent 'Spirit-Devouring Body' wasn't passed down to you—otherwise, you could evolve too, and even develop different evolutionary paths."
The demon spider dispelled its Invisibility, and the two little ones immediately pressed close, rubbing against it affectionately, circling around the spider as they walked.
From the thoughts the two little ones transmitted, the demon spider learned the reason they had summoned it here.
"You two... have children?!"
"..."
Only now did it belatedly recall—these two were a male and a female...
Uh, well...
Forget it. They're not human anyway—no need to worry about any taboos.
After a moment's pause, Bai Jie extended its perception into the nest—because with its current size, it couldn't squeeze inside at all.
And then it 'saw' dozens—no, over a hundred—translucent golden spider eggs wrapped in layer upon layer of spider silk.
"Good lord, they're really prolific..."
By comparison, its own skill didn't seem so exaggerated after all... Bai Jie consoled itself.
"..."
Bai Jie didn't quite know what to say to the two little ones. It couldn't exactly say: Congratulations, I wish you happiness, right?
After thinking it over, Bai Jie transmitted dryly: "Uh... well done. Keep at it. The glory of building the demon spider clan rests on you two."
The two little ones raised their pedipalps, as if to say: Mission will be accomplished.
After offering encouragement, Bai Jie was just about to lecture the two little ones not to overhunt the venomous insects on the back mountain—lest they exhaust the supply—
when suddenly, palpitations coursed through its heart. The hairs on its legs bristled.
The long-absent Spider Sense!
And the unease in its heart was growing ever more intense.
"What's about to happen?"
With 'Spider Sense' now at Lv.9, it could already perceive the direction from which danger originated.
But—
Bai Jie was stunned to discover that this time, the danger was coming from all directions?!
It was as if it had fallen into the deep sea—immense pressure and suffocating darkness surging in from every direction, intent on killing it!
...
In the blink of an eye, it was noon. Bai Jie returned to its spider nest, heart heavy with worry, yet the crisis had still not erupted—as though it was still brewing.
The back mountain. The back mountain!
It was finally certain: a tremendous danger was about to descend upon this place!
At the same time, a powerful stream of psychic power had locked onto its position.
No—not only that. It seemed there were threads of fate in the unseen world, mysteriously and unfathomably probing out its location.
All at once, a call echoed within its mind.
In that instant, Bai Jie's heart stirred, and its consciousness connected to that call from its human Agent.
"Lord Bai Zhi."
Lin Binbin was using the little spiders to remotely transmit to Bai Jie.
"The Law Enforcement Department and the Community Management Committee have suddenly made a move—they're organizing a forced evacuation of residents in my area. I just scouted around, and the evacuation operation seems to be centered around Xingchuan University's perimeter. The situation looks extremely urgent."
Bai Jie fell into silence at once.
"Lord Bai Zhi?"
After three seconds, Bai Jie slowly transmitted back: "Mm. I am aware."
"From now on, without my orders, you are not to enter the back mountain."
"My Lord! Could it be that something is about to happen?!" Lin Binbin's tone suddenly rose with tension.
"Do not overthink it. I have my own plans. You need only obey orders!" Bai Jie's voice brooked no doubt.
After a brief hesitation, Lin Binbin replied, "Yes, Lord Bai Zhi."
Bai Jie nodded slightly. "Now, there is something I need you to accomplish."
...
At the same time, atop the rooftop of a teaching building at Xingchuan University.
A woman—her figure full and shapely, a windbreaker flapping noisily in the wind—gazed out toward the distant back mountain, as if simply admiring the scenery.
She appeared to be past forty, faint crow's feet lining the corners of her eyes, yet these detracted nothing from her beauty—instead lending her a unique, indescribable mature allure.
Her features were dignified and solemn, her raven hair coiled, her unique makeup setting off her full, rosy face with a touch of flushed, glamorous charm.
Slowly, she drew a slender lady's cigarette from her windbreaker pocket—one that exuded the fragrance of red wine—lit it with a snap, her crimson lips drawing gently, then slowly exhaling. The fragrant smoke swirled and coiled, strangely refusing to disperse in the wind, veiling her expression and noble features.
Through the smoke, all that could faintly be seen were threads of pink-purple light streaming through the depths of her eyes.
...
Not long after finishing his instructions to Lin Binbin, Bai Jie received another telepathic request from Long Ge. The call, too, carried a note of urgency.
"Long Ge, what is it?"
"Lord Bai Zhi, grave news! That newly arrived elder, Long Bingheng—I don't know how, but she's learned of your existence!"
"She just convened the inner-hall disciples of our Wu Gu Clan on short notice and notified..."
Long Ge paused here, hesitating.
"What did she say?" Bai Jie pressed.
"She said..."
Long Ge gritted his teeth. "She wants us to join forces with the authorities and head to the back mountain of Xingchuan University to assist in an operation to exterminate the anomaly creature!"
"I understand," Bai Jie replied with words as calm as a lake's surface.
"Long Bingheng, is it... Then do you know what her Gu insect is—and which Wu Gu arts she specializes in?"
"This humble one... has heard some things," Long Ge answered in a deep voice.
"That Long Bingheng..."
Long Ge proceeded to relay all the information he knew, point by point.
Severing the remote transmission with Long Ge, Bai Jie could almost hear the drumming of its own heart thundering in its ears.
Its hairs remained standing on end. Even breathing seemed to have grown difficult.
Spider Sense—more intense than ever before. Every single cell in its body was screaming for help, urging the main body to flee immediately.
Extreme danger!
In this moment, the premonition of potential death was exceptionally vivid!
But Bai Jie's thoughts continued to race with icy calm.
Using spider silk, it wrapped together the twelve spider eggs, the three Gu-Eating Demon Spiders, the eight 'Shadow of Dark Lightning' spiders, and the two little golden spiders—bundling them all up, hardening the outer layer into a solid, enclosed, multi-faceted silk-web space.
The little spiders initially struggled, not understanding why the demon spider was doing this. But as one thought of reassurance after another was transmitted, they all quieted down.
Then, carrying the clusters of silk-wrapped bundles of various sizes, it stuffed them into the spatial bracelet gifted by Yang Shining and swiftly arrived at the shaded-side water pool of the back mountain, where it summoned Bai Huahua.
"Bai Huahua, I'm giving you a mission. Take my offspring... and bring them out of the back mountain alive. Enter the underground waterways and find a safe place. Guard them there—until one of my human attendants comes to receive you."
"Sister Bai Zhi, what's going on?" Bai Huahua's tone was still languid, not fully understanding.
"Listen!" The demon spider suddenly amplified its telepathic volume, making the little snake's body shudder in fright.
But the demon spider's voice immediately softened again. "Very soon, a tremendous danger will descend upon this place! Help me. Take them away from here. Alright?"
"Sister Bai Zhi..."
The little snake was stunned. This was the first time she had ever heard the demon spider transmit to her in such a tone.
"Alright. I promise, Sister. I will take them safely away."
"I'm counting on you."
"Then what about you, Sister?" The little snake said nervously.
"I am fully capable of protecting myself. Once the danger is resolved, I will come find you. Don't worry."
It wasn't that Bai Jie didn't want to flee—it was that it had already discovered the back mountain was enveloped and sealed by a formidable aura. The edge of the back mountain was further surrounded by a powerful spiritual barrier, somewhat akin to the barrier Yang Shining had deployed at the girls' dormitory.
No, it was more than that. This feeling of being trapped and caged—this was unmistakably a domain, just like the 'Worm Hell'!
Not even considering how difficult it would be to break through the domain, the source of the danger was right at the mountain's base. The enemy had likely already encircled the entire back mountain. If it forcibly broke through while carrying the little spiders, it would very likely face the enemy's maximum firepower—and then protecting the little spiders' lives would be nearly impossible.
Even if it successfully broke through, facing that psychic power that had locked onto it... most likely even entering 'Invisibility Camouflage' would be of no use.
But if Bai Jie were to break out alone, leaving the little spiders on the back mountain—it couldn't bring itself to do that.
Thus, it had no choice but to first ensure the safety of Bai Huahua and the little spiders.
Since the enemy wanted to catch a turtle in a jar, and breaking through wasn't so simple, then it might as well prepare in advance before the humans attacked. Besides, the humans didn't seem to intend to level the back mountain—and itself—with weapons of mass destruction. Perhaps they coveted something about its secrets... Bai Jie thought to itself.
Bai Jie used spider silk to tie the spatial bracelet to Bai Huahua. According to Bai Huahua, the current underground waterway was large enough to accommodate her and the bracelet—it was only a pity that the waterway couldn't fit the demon spider's physique.
After arranging all this, Bai Jie returned to its old nest atop the mountain and spotted Wang Miaoyin beneath the tree.
Without Invisibility, Bai Jie openly and boldly appeared directly above Wang Miaoyin.
"What are you thinking about?"
"About... whether I'll be able to make it out of here alive," Wang Miaoyin replied with a faintly bitter smile.
As a human who had absorbed six drops of Mutated Venom, she had already begun to develop a rudimentary 'Spider Sense' ability.
"Rest assured. I will not allow my attendants to die so easily. So long as I remain, I will naturally spare some strength to provide you shelter," the demon spider said calmly.
Shh-shh!
Spider silk shot out. Amid Wang Miaoyin's astonished gaze, several specks of pink-purple fluorescent fluid sank beneath her snow-white tender skin. She let out a quiet moan and fell into a brief daze.
Only after a long while did she awaken and return to the world.
By this point, Wang Miaoyin had absorbed ten drops of Mutated Venom!
This number surpassed even the other two Agents!
The situation was urgent—it could no longer afford to care. This was done precisely to give Wang Miaoyin a greater chance of survival.
Under Bai Jie's gaze, Wang Miaoyin's information panel unfurled.
[Target]: Wang Miaoyin (Mutant)
[Identity]: 3rd Attendant
[Vitality]: 76
[Body Length]: 174cm
[Status]: Fine
A human—actually reaching a Vitality value of 76!
This was the first time Bai Jie had ever seen such a thing with its own eyes.
But...
The change Bai Jie had been dreading all along... had appeared...
The young woman's pupils had turned a blue-violet hue. A crescent-moon mark emerged on her forehead. Two fangs, longer than fingernails, sprouted from her mouth, gleaming with a chilling and ghastly light. Beneath the skin of her snowy neck and chest, large black veins could even be seen.
Ding! A system notification arrived:
[Poisoned subject has received a medium dosage of Mutated Venom. Continuing to infect with more Mutated Venom will cause more physical traits of the poisoner to manifest—and may even lead to loss of control.]
[After the poisoned subject has been infected with a medium dosage of Mutated Venom, the subject may still suppress the Mutated Venom within their body through various means and revert to their original form.]