Chapter 285: Escape by Deception

Outside the cave, Fairy Taomo finally arrived with reinforcements.

Eight Ghosts had recovered enough to stand and quickly explained the situation with the Ghost-Faced Demon Spider.

Fairy Taomo nodded, her lips curling into a cold smile.

“Good. Let’s see how Chen Fei escapes this time.”

Their pursuit had come at a high cost—many demonic cultivators had fallen, especially those at the Origin Realm who were practically defenseless against Chen Fei’s sudden ambushes. However, now that Chen Fei was trapped inside the lair of a transformed Ghost-Faced Demon Spider, the situation had shifted in their favor.

His endurance during the chase had been impressive, but now, it was time to end it.

Fairy Taomo turned to address the group.

“You all understand the importance of the Blood Fiend Formation to our Sacred Sect. With it, we’ll have Dao Soldiers to guard our Sect—just like Tianqing Sacred Land. Even they won’t dare challenge us then!”

“Together, we rise!”

Everyone responded with conviction.

Fairy Taomo nodded in satisfaction.

Only one thing remained: eliminate the Ghost-Faced Demon Spider. No matter the cost, it would be worth it.

“Let’s begin,” she ordered.

Eight Ghosts had earlier speculated that the spiders couldn’t withstand the harsh sunlight of the Dusk Desert. If that was their weakness—then they would expose the entire lair!

At her command, the arm of a demon cultivator twitched, and three demonic artifacts slowly rose into the air—a bell, a seal, and a hammer.

The artifacts began to enlarge rapidly, casting huge shadows that provided a rare moment of relief from the desert’s intense heat.

Then—

BOOM!

The artifacts smashed into the ground, shaking the entire desert.

“Impudent fools!”

A furious shriek came from underground as the artifacts were forcibly repelled and sent flying back into the sky.

The demon cultivators quickly regained control of their tools and resumed the attack.

From below, web-like green threads erupted, trying to hold the crumbling cave together—but they were barely holding up.

Fairy Taomo’s lips curled into a smirk.

“Everyone, strike together! That demon beast won’t last much longer!”

More magical tools appeared, blotting out the sky. Every cultivator here was at least at the Origin Realm. Combined with the devastating power of their artifacts, not even the shifting desert sands could withstand it.

The ground shook violently. The cave began collapsing. Countless Ghost-Faced Demon Spiders were crushed before they could even escape.

“You wretched beast! Release Chen Fei now, and we may let you live!” Fairy Taomo shouted, sensing victory.

“Dream on!” Bai Jing screamed back.

She spat out another thick layer of webbing to hold the collapsing cave in place.

But then—something changed.

Beneath her throne, golden runes began to glow.

Contrary to their expectations, Bai Jing wasn’t panicking. On the contrary—her eyes gleamed with excitement.

“It’s happening… finally! Heaven helps me, hahahaha!”

She laughed, staring at the golden symbols.

Fairy Taomo, unaware of what was truly happening, grew more aggressive.

“Refusing a peaceful death? Fine. Everyone—attack! Let her leave no escape!”

The artifacts struck again, hammering the cave with tremendous force.

Bai Jing’s webs were instantly torn apart, crushed beneath the sheer weight of their assault.

Meanwhile, Bai Jing looked up at the falling debris, her smile growing wider.

Crack!

A sharp snap echoed as the bindings on her throne shattered.

Suddenly, a terrifying aura burst out of her body.

“Hahaha! My power—it’s finally returned!”

Bai Jing raised her arms, her claws flaring with energy. She shredded the chains hidden in the void with a wave of her razor-sharp limbs.

Then—with a leap—she soared into the sky, relishing her newfound freedom.

Outside the cave, Fairy Taomo’s face lit up.

“We did it!”

But her joy lasted only a moment.

The cave exploded, and Bai Jing’s massive spider form leapt into the sky, her human face full of mockery and satisfaction.

“I never expected you to be this stupid. You actually released me!”

She glanced at Eight Ghosts, who stood frozen in shock.

He’d been outsmarted by a demon beast.

So much for her fearing sunlight or being trapped underground—that had all been an act. If she were truly that vulnerable, how had a heavily wounded Eight Ghosts managed to escape the cave?

To make it more convincing, Bai Jing had even sacrificed her spider offspring—but to her, they were expendable. With enough meat, she could spawn more anytime she wanted.

Then came the sound—

Rustling. Chittering.

From the ruins, swarms of Ghost-Faced Demon Spiders began to emerge. They hadn’t found a way to suppress them—they’d set them free!

“Now then… shall we settle the score?”

Bai Jing turned toward the gathered cultivators.

“Not good! Attack now!”

“Everyone—strike! Don’t let her recover!”

The demon cultivators finally came to their senses. They roared and launched a barrage of attacks.

The smaller spiders, though numerous, were only weaklings—not even at the Origin Realm. They were easy to kill.

The real threat—was Bai Jing.

A transformed great demon.

Stronger than many humans, and far more cunning.

Fairy Taomo clenched her fists, fury burning in her chest. From the moment she’d entered the Tianzhang Mountain secret realm, her luck had spiraled downward.

At Lin Nan City, they had performed a blood sacrifice, entering with high hopes. With four Mystic Realm experts, they expected to subdue Chen Fei with ease.

But instead?

He escaped.

He killed their people.

He gravely injured Lihun.

And now, she herself had been tricked—she’d personally helped free this monstrous spider.

“All together! That shapeshifting beast thinks she can run wild?”

Fairy Taomo’s tone turned icy, her eyes glowing faintly pink.

Suddenly, a forest of peach trees burst from the dry desert sand.

At the same time, Bai Lian, Eight Ghosts, and the others began to use their trump cards, ready to deliver a finishing blow to Bai Jing.