The Illusion Spinning Spider loomed over Tao, its eight crimson eyes gleaming with malice, its massive legs crushing the ancient stones beneath it. The oppressive stench of venom and decay filled the air, clawing at Tao’s senses as he fought against the sticky webbing that bound him. His chest heaved, blood dripping from his lips as he glared at the beast, the weight of exhaustion and pain pressing down on him like an iron shroud.

The spider hissed, its fangs clicking together as it lunged, venom spraying in a deadly arc. Tao twisted his body, ripping through the webbing with sheer force, the sharp strands cutting into his arms and legs. He hit the ground hard, the impact jarring his already battered ribs.

“Not here,” Tao growled through gritted teeth, his vision blurring as he forced himself to his feet. “I won’t die here.”

The spider reared back, its carapace glinting like obsidian in the faint light. Tao’s sword felt like a fragile stick in his hands, but he tightened his grip, channelling the last reserves of his Qi into the blade.

“Raging Waves Sword Art!” he roared, his voice raw with desperation.

The sword vibrated in his hands, its edge glowing with a violent, undulating energy. Tao dashed forward, his movements fuelled by a primal defiance. The spider struck first, one of its legs crashing down with enough force to crack the ground. Tao sidestepped, his Qi enhanced speed barely carrying him clear of the impact.

He slashed upward, his blade slicing through the joint of the spider’s leg. A spurt of black ichor sprayed from the wound, and the spider screeched, the sound piercing and inhuman. Tao staggered back, his breathing ragged as pain lanced through his side.

The spider retaliated with terrifying speed, its fangs snapping inches from Tao’s face. He rolled to the side, his vision swimming as the world tilted around him. The Raging Waves Sword Art surged again, the chaotic energy spilling out of his blade as he struck wildly at the creature’s legs.

Each blow chipped at the spider’s carapace, leaving faint cracks and shallow wounds, but it wasn’t enough. The beast roared, its venom spraying in all directions. Tao cried out as a drop seared his arm, the pain blinding as his flesh sizzled.

“Tao!”

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Jian’s voice cut through the chaos, weak but alive. Tao turned to see his companion stirring, his sword gripped tightly in one trembling hand. The spider noticed too, its eyes narrowing as it shifted its focus.

“No!” Tao shouted, pushing himself between Jian and the beast.

The spider lunged again, its massive fangs aiming straight for Tao’s chest. He swung his sword with everything he had, the Raging Waves Sword Art flaring to its peak. The blade collided with the spider’s head, a deafening crack splitting the air as the impact shattered his sword into fragments.

The force of the blow sent Tao flying backward, his body slamming into a crumbling pillar. He collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood as his vision darkened. His hands clawed at the dirt, his body refusing to give up even as it screamed in agony.

Jian, his face pale and streaked with blood, rose shakily to his feet. “You’re not dying here,” he growled, stepping forward to face the spider.

The beast hissed, its venom dripping fangs gleaming as it bore down on him. Jian slashed at its legs; his strikes precise but lacking the force to break through its armour. The spider retaliated with a swipe of its leg, sending Jian crashing into the ruins.

Jian groaned, blood pouring from a deep gash across his chest. His sword clattered to the ground as he struggled to rise, his body trembling with the effort.

The spider loomed over them both, its massive form blocking out the faint light of the forest. Tao’s fingers dug into the dirt as he tried to crawl forward, his mind a haze of pain and fury.

Just as the spider raised its fangs for the killing blow, a piercing screech tore through the air. Tao’s head snapped up, his blurred vision catching the shape of a massive bird like creature descending from the canopy.

The Copperwing Vulture was a high order Spirit Beast, its coppery feathers shimmering like molten metal. Its talons, long and razor sharp, glinted as it dove straight for the spider.

The spider turned, its screeching cry filled with rage as it faced the new threat. The vulture’s claws raked across its back, tearing deep gouges into the carapace. The spider lashed out with its legs, venom spraying in wide arcs as the two beasts clashed violently.

Jian staggered to Tao’s side, his face pale and bloodied. “We… we have to move,” he gasped, grabbing Tao’s arm.

Tao’s body screamed in protest as Jian hauled him to his feet. His vision swam, but he forced himself to focus, leaning heavily on Jian as they stumbled away from the ruins. Behind them, the battle raged, the vulture’s screeches and the spider’s roars echoing through the forest.

The two barely made it out of the clearing before collapsing against a fallen tree. Tao’s breath came in ragged gasps, his chest burning with every inhale. Jian slumped beside him, his blood soaked clothes sticking to his skin.

“We… we shouldn’t have made it,” Jian said, his voice shaking

They had survived, but at what cost? The Wilds had stripped them to the bone, and the Black Hollow Forest still lay ahead.