Chen Tian's drills, aimed directly at the Black Magic Golden Spider, instantly transformed into a streak of cyan light. The Black Magic Golden Spider also extended its long, slender legs, and they collided, sparks erupting from the friction against its shell, a testament to the power of Chen Tian's Whirlwind Drill.
Chen Tian, facing the Black Magic Golden Spider, increased his strength, but the drill couldn't penetrate its shell. The creature's exoskeleton seemed to have become significantly stronger than before.
With a flick of its leg, the Black Magic Golden Spider sent Chen Tian flying. He regained his balance and observed the spider, noting its reinforced shell. Images of various attacks and defensive counter-maneuvers flashed through his mind as he continuously calculated during the battle.
Chen Tian was confident that his opponent would have weaknesses, just as his own attacks had flaws. He focused on identifying this vulnerability, his silhouette a blur as he darted around the Black Magic Golden Spider at extreme speed, appearing like a phantom of cyan wind, too fast to discern.
Countless wind blades shot towards the spider's body, creating a cacophony of sounds, but they failed to breach its defenses. Chen Tian continued to distract it. Unable to see Chen Tian, the Black Magic Golden Spider remained stationary, enduring the attacks.
However, Chen Tian's attacks were of no consequence to it; it didn't even feel them. Suddenly, the Black Magic Golden Spider's eyes glowed red. Its five eyes flared with light, and its legs lunged towards the three o'clock direction. As the legs descended, Chen Tian crossed his arms, his arm guards expanding, and he retreated rapidly.
The tip of a spider leg scraped against his arm guard, creating a hairline crack. Seeing this, Chen Tian decisively enveloped himself in a tornado and teleported to another location.
The spider leg struck the ground, causing a massive explosion that shattered the earth, spewing molten lava.
Chen Tian observed the scene and remarked, "Its attack power and toxicity have greatly increased, and that poison can even corrode lava."
He noticed a patch of the lava below being vaporized, forming black fumes that drifted skyward.
Turning back to the Black Magic Golden Spider, Chen Tian realized he still couldn't pinpoint its weakness and could only stall for time. He activated "Battle-hardened" and "Torso Reinforcement," two amplification skills.
Instantly, his aura surged, matching the Black Magic Golden Spider's. Their energies clashed.
The Black Magic Golden Spider attacked first, its leg thrusting towards Chen Tian. Chen Tian nimbly dodged, choosing not to face it head-on. He shuddered, recalling the previous impact, and knew better than to directly confront such a strike.
The ground erupted again, lava flowed, and Chen Tian unfurled his cyan wings. He rocketed towards the spider, unleashing a barrage of wind blades, this time compressed hundreds of times.
The concentrated wind blades streaked towards the Black Magic Golden Spider, which retaliated with countless silver and gold beams of light from its back, colliding with the wind blades mid-air.
As if sensing a threat, the Black Magic Golden Spider unleashed an explosion, and Chen Tian appeared directly above it. A cyan long spear materialized in his hand and plunged down towards the spider's eye.
The spear pierced an eye, and the Black Magic Golden Spider thrashed. Chen Tian leaped back and ascended into the sky. He observed the spider, finally having discerned its weakness.
Its eyes were the source of its power. Enraged, the Black Magic Golden Spider let out a roar, and a terrifying radiance emanated from its back, unleashing a dense volley of light beams towards Chen Tian.
Chen Tian rejoiced, confirming his suspicion about its eyes. Otherwise, it wouldn't have reacted so desperately. Furthermore, the power of its beams had diminished, giving Chen Tian a clear target.
He spread his arms wide, channeling a fierce wind current between them, which condensed into a sphere of wind blades. With a pull of his hands, countless wind blades shot out, colliding with the spider's beams.
While the spider's attacks were occupied, Chen Tian transformed his hands into wind swords and lunged towards the Black Magic Golden Spider's eyes. The spider, aware of his intent, thrashed its legs, causing the ground to quake and crack. Its sheer size was overwhelming.
As Chen Tian neared the spider, eight illuminated projectiles hurtled towards him, resembling black and silver scythes spinning in his direction.
Chen Tian froze, realizing they were spider legs. He glanced at the Black Magic Golden Spider, which had flattened itself against the ground.
Chen Tian understood this was a desperate last stand, but he knew he had to be wary of these eight scythe-like legs. Contact would mean poisoning, a fate he couldn't escape even with his healing and clearing skills, unless the spider was slain.
Chen Tian dodged, weaving through the scythe-like legs.
Two scythe-like legs lunged at him from above and below. Chen Tian spun, slipping through the gap between them.
Having evaded the eight scythe-legs, Chen Tian found himself above the Black Magic Golden Spider. His wind swords descended, and with a *thwack*, the spider cried out in pain and thrashed.
Chen Tian ignored its struggles and struck two or three more times, piercing three of its eyes. As he was about to strike the last one, it fired a beam of blue light. Chen Tian's wind sword met it with a *bang*, and Chen Tian was flung back as if sliced by something.
The struck eye remained intact, but the spider's final eye still remained. Chen Tian rose, feeling a massive gash on his back, from which black energy seeped, turning his health bar black.
Chen Tian looked at the Black Magic Golden Spider and said, "What a cunning move. Sacrificing four of its eyes just to poison me with its spider legs."
He felt as if the creature possessed the intelligence of a boss, capable of such sacrifice. Its thinking ability was truly remarkable.
However, Chen Tian added, "But now, you are incredibly weakened. If I defeat you in this state, I can lift this curse. I have nothing to fear."
Without regard for his wound, Chen Tian drew his long sword and charged at the Black Magic Golden Spider.
The Black Magic Golden Spider, knowing its demise was imminent, didn't wait for Chen Tian's sword to pierce its eye. The final eye exploded, astonishing Chen Tian. Had it committed suicide?
But what was the point? It had already sacrificed its eyes to inflict poison on him. Why then commit suicide? Was it simply to spite him?
Chen Tian looked at the corpse and then at his health bar, which remained black. He muttered, "Something's not right. The opponent is dead, but the status effect hasn't ended. What's going on?"
"Could it be that it's not over yet?"
As if in response, the Black Magic Golden Spider's body began to crack. Chen Tian backed away, sensing a formidable power.
The corpse exploded, and a figure appeared before Chen Tian – a young woman in black robes. Spider legs protruded from her back, her hands were fair, and her fingernails were sharp, claw-like.
Her eyes were dark as she looked at Chen Tian and spoke, "Thank you. You allowed me to evolve to this extent. Otherwise, I would still be that weak spider."
The maiden's voice was enchanting, coupled with her slender legs, fair skin, and mature, alluring aura, as if she were inviting him closer.
Chen Tian's senses reeled momentarily, snapping him out of his daze.
The maiden smiled, pursing her lips. "Not bad. For a human, you possess the ability of spiritual awareness and can resist my charm. You! I shall turn you into my slave."
"Consider it repayment for helping me evolve."