Chapter Fifty-Four: Joining Forces Against the Colossal Demon Beast

A deafening roar, like that of a monstrous insect, erupted as the floor suddenly caved in, leaving a gaping hole from which emerged an enormous black, segmented limb. This colossal appendage, several meters thick, was bristling with iron-hard spines.

The entire auction hall shook violently, as if struck by a powerful earthquake. Fine, pale dust rained down from the ceiling, while the swaying chandeliers crashed to the ground. From the pit, a gargantuan black beast—towering over ten meters tall—struggled to emerge, its massive, segmented legs climbing up one after another. Eight black, barbed limbs supported its huge insectoid body, while four large, red eyes spun wildly. Its spider-like jaws opened and shut, revealing menacing fangs.

It was a monstrous beast from the insect horde—a Black Threaded Arachnid.

Its towering form broke through the ceiling, startling those gathered outside the auction hall. The Black Threaded Arachnid appeared like a terrifying behemoth, its presence exuding a suffocating sense of dread.

All the lesser monsters had already been slain, and now, every demon hunter’s gaze was fixed on this monstrous colossus. One look at its enormous, shadowy form was enough to awaken primal fear in anyone.

"My God! What on earth is that creature?"

"It’s enormous!"

"Everyone, stay alert!"

Even as this formidable beast made its dramatic entrance, Cheng Feng did not spare it a glance. His eyes remained locked on the Magician, refusing to give his opponent the slightest chance to escape. "So this monster you summoned—was this the trap you spoke of earlier?"

"Indeed," the Magician sneered, clutching his bleeding throat. As a vampire, the wound quickly healed. "All of you are destined to become food for the Black Threaded Arachnid."

He laughed coldly. "Kid, I’ll let you keep it company for now. Next time, I’ll come for your bloodline power—assuming you survive, of course."

Cheng Feng saw the intent to flee in his opponent’s eyes and mocked him. "Coward. I thought you were someone to be reckoned with, but you’re running away the moment you lose?"

"Heh, do you really think you can provoke me?" The Magician gave a dismissive laugh. "You’re a dangerous one, and I’ll be sure to report you to Lord Dracula. Well then... until next we meet."

"Don’t even think of escaping!" Cheng Feng lunged with lightning speed, slashing fiercely at the Magician.

But the Magician’s figure, clad in a tailcoat, dissolved into a cloud of blood mist, vanishing as if melting into the very air—a manifestation of his blood magic element.

Cheng Feng’s blade sliced through empty space. His gaze darted around, searching for any sign of his adversary.

Liu Shiyu hurried to his side. "Cheng Feng, we should deal with that giant monster first."

The Black Threaded Arachnid let out another ear-splitting screech, its monstrous cry blasting apart the auction hall with terrifying force. Just before the explosion, Cheng Feng summoned his Blood Combat Technique, drawing blood to his palm and forming a thick, wide scarlet shield. He shielded both himself and Liu Shiyu from the devastating shockwave unleashed by the hall’s destruction.

He Moli burst through the swirling dust, borne aloft by a gust of cyan wind. She hovered in the air, frowning deeply as she fixed her gaze on the giant spider.

Meanwhile, the demon hunters stationed outside were stunned as the auction hall was reduced to rubble. Through the settling haze, the immense form of the Black Threaded Arachnid slowly emerged.

What a gigantic spider!

Gu Yan, Luo Ke, Jiang He, and the rest of the hunters all shared the same thought—what could possibly have nourished this beast to such monstrous proportions? They had believed that tonight’s operation would simply be a routine sweep of the auction house’s monsters, never expecting to unleash such a titan.

"Its size makes it the perfect moving target! Watch me blast it to pieces!" Gu Yan’s eyes shone with excitement, her demeanor a stark contrast to the shocked faces of her fellow hunters—she was practically itching for battle.

She raised her pair of oddly shaped pistols. Golden muzzle flashes erupted as a barrage of silver bullets hurtled toward the beast.

The Black Threaded Arachnid stamped its legs, pounding the earth and sending powerful shockwaves and clouds of dust into the air, flinging the attacking hunters aside. The silver bullets struck its armored carapace with a metallic clatter, producing only dazzling sparks—barely enough to tickle the monster.

"This thing’s hide is unbelievably tough!" Gu Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Let me try," Jiang He said, tightening his grip on the hilt of his spirit blade, Mounting Pressure.

"Wait, Jiang," Luo Ke cautioned. "We’ll only stand a chance if we attack together."

"Everyone, hold your positions and await my command. Withdraw immediately!" called He Moli, the acting commander for tonight’s operation. Her gaze was icy as she glared at the giant spider. "This beast is mine to handle."

"Spiritual power, release."

With a whispered incantation, He Moli’s pitch-black eyes flared with emerald radiance, transforming into twin jade orbs as an overwhelming aura burst forth.

Facing the assembled demon hunters, the Black Threaded Arachnid let out a sky-shaking roar. Its eight bristling limbs thundered forward, each step a seismic event. No one dared approach—one misstep and they would be crushed to pulp. Even the shockwaves alone were deadly.

Its fangs opened and shut, its four red eyes spinning wildly as it spat a long strand of white silk, ensnaring a hunter who failed to dodge in time.

"Let me go!" the trapped hunter shouted, swinging his spirit blade to cut the web. But the silk’s adhesive strength was immense, and it stuck fast to the blade, rendering him immobile.

The Black Threaded Arachnid reeled in its prey, opening its massive jaws. The hunter screamed in terror as the monster prepared to devour him whole.

At that moment, Cheng Feng unleashed his Blood Combat Technique once more, shaping a blood-red javelin and hurling it at the beast’s glaring red eye.

With a whoosh, the javelin pierced one of the monster’s eyes, sending it into a howling frenzy.

Beside Cheng Feng, Liu Shiyu swung Frost Moon, carving a crescent-shaped blade of icy energy through the air. With a sharp whistle, the ice blade sliced through the web, freeing the imperiled hunter.

Now half-blind, the Black Threaded Arachnid glared at Cheng Feng and Liu Shiyu with its remaining three red eyes—eyes burning with murderous rage. To be wounded by two insignificant "ants" was a humiliation for such a powerful creature.

It let out a hideous, guttural roar and raised a massive limb, intent on crushing the two of them.

The looming shadow forced Cheng Feng and Liu Shiyu to leap aside just as the mighty leg smashed down, pulverizing the ground where they had stood.

With a thunderous crack, the earth split into a web of fissures, and the ground trembled violently.

While the beast’s attention was fixed on its two adversaries, He Moli struck—her spirit blade, Gale, unleashing a raging hurricane.

ps: Special thanks to Old Alley Paper Umbrella for the generous reward.