Chapter 64: Crushing the Ashstone Spider
The cannibal tribe’s cave was not difficult to find. All Ye Da had to do was follow the Blackstone Mountains; there was a narrow, barren path winding upwards, and that was where the cannibals’ lair lay.
Ye Da suspected the existence of that winding trail was due to the frequent comings and goings of the cannibal tribe, leaving their marks upon the land.
Clip-clop!
Clip-clop, clip-clop!
However...
Ye Da had barely caught sight of the winding path from afar when the Graystone Spider emerged abruptly from the forest, blocking the way directly in front of the three of them!
If Ye Da wanted to ascend, he would have to pass right by the Graystone Spider.
This was a real headache.
Ye Da and the two wolf cubs halted where they were. The Graystone Spider, perhaps puzzled as to why its prey had suddenly stopped, stared back wide-eyed at Ye Da, as if locked in a contest of gazes.
Spat!
The Graystone Spider, growing impatient, was the first to spew a mouthful of green venom, which landed less than a meter in front of Ye Da—nearly splattering him.
Yet...
After releasing its venom, the Graystone Spider remained motionless, seemingly on guard.
Hmm?
Ye Da suddenly had a thought—could it be that this creature was a passive predator? In other words, it would not move unless its prey did, and only acted in response.
To test his theory, Ye Da waved his arms and shouted at the Graystone Spider, now ten meters away, “Can’t you stop spitting everywhere?!”
Spat!
Sure enough, the spider spat again, this time landing barely half a meter from Ye Da, the venom sizzling and releasing white smoke as it corroded the earth. The previous spit had already eaten a pit into the hard ground, filled with smoke and charred remains, terrifying to behold.
Yet Ye Da did not retreat.
He realized that the Graystone Spider would not attack until it confirmed its prey was weaker than itself. In short, as long as Ye Da didn’t run, the spider wouldn’t pursue.
For absolute safety, the spider would spit venom at its prey, trying to kill it before moving in to feed.
A peculiar hunting style.
But...
This unique hunting approach played right into Ye Da’s hands.
“Shameless thing!”
Ye Da silently tightened his grip on the Exploding Fruit, fixing his gaze on the Graystone Spider. “Try spitting again, I dare you!”
The more brazen the prey, the more cautious the Graystone Spider became.
Spat...
Seeing Ye Da’s audacity, the spider opened its jaws, preparing to spit again.
Ye Da seized the moment; as soon as the spider’s mouth opened, he darted forward, swung his arm, and hurled the Exploding Fruit straight into its maw!
Bullseye!
A perfect shot!
Boom!
The Exploding Fruit detonated inside the Graystone Spider’s mouth, echoing with a loud blast.
The spider shrieked in agony.
Just as Ye Da thought this would scare the monster away, the Graystone Spider opened its jaws and sprayed a burst of fire.
Then...
The massive spider crashed to the ground, its graystone armor colliding with the earth, stone shards scattering everywhere.
Soon, the spider was kicking its eight legs wildly at the sky, howling in pain, white smoke billowing from its mouth each time it opened.
Flames ignited from within!
Could it be...
Ye Da swore he only intended to drive the monster off with the Exploding Fruit. The creature’s tough hide had compelled him to aim for its mouth.
Who could have guessed—the venom inside the spider’s mouth was flammable, and the fire spread from its jaws down into its belly, burning it alive.
A plume of blue smoke drifted by.
The Graystone Spider transformed into three glowing spheres.
Black Iron Helm +1
Common Stone +100
Beast Core +1
Another piece of the Black Iron set?
Ye Da quickly burst the spheres and examined the Black Iron Helm.
Black Iron Helm (Black Iron Set 2/7): Physical Defense +10, Magical Defense +5
PS: This equipment is essential for Black Iron warriors. Collecting the full Black Iron set will double all attributes.
He had only just advanced to Black Iron Tier One, and already possessed two pieces of the set. It seemed likely he could collect the complete Black Iron set during this stage.
A hundred common stones?
Fortunately, these could be fused into superior stones; exactly ten superior stone blocks could be crafted. Had it been any other material, his storage bag might not have held them.
But he had a slot reserved for superior stones in his bag, not yet full.
Now he could store them together.
After stowing the superior stones, Ye Da popped the last sphere.
The Beast Core!
This time, the core was different from those he’d gained from ordinary monsters—no longer gray, but tinted with a metallic sheen, reminiscent of ironstone.
Whatever the color, a beast core was a beast core—a prized item for Ye Da’s advancement.
Swoosh!
As Ye Da grasped the core, a surge of warmth, far more intense than the gray ones, flooded into his palm.
This time, Ye Da used his left hand to seize the core.
His right hand had already become completely petrified.
If his guess was correct, the next limb to petrify would be his other arm.
Sure enough...
The instant the beast core entered him, Ye Da’s entire left palm was transformed to stone—like donning a Graystone glove, completely encasing his hand and granting both hands tremendous destructive power.
The beast cores of the Abyss World were indeed potent.
Previously, Ye Da had to absorb three cores simultaneously to petrify his hand, but now a single core sufficed.
Clearly, the energy within the Graystone Spider’s beast core was formidable.
Clip-clop!
Clip-clop, clip-clop!
Just as Ye Da finished collecting his rewards and thought he could finally catch his breath and check his phone...
A dense clattering sound rang out behind him!
It was the impact of sharp-footed creatures striking the ground!
No way...
Ye Da frowned slightly—he’d only just taken down one.
Now a whole group?
Howl!
When Ye Da heard the wolf cubs simultaneously issue threatening growls, he realized—
His guess was right!
“Run!”