Chapter 228: The Gray Realm

“Sentinel Spider?” Qian Ye frowned slightly, “If not werewolves, then spider demons? But it seems they haven’t sent a Grand Duke this time?”

Qian Ye couldn’t quite fathom the Demon Emperor’s intentions. If even Soza was ineffective, he had expected to face two Grand Dukes immediately. Of course, there was also the possibility that the current pursuers were merely vanguards, as one couldn’t use Grand Dukes as scouts.

In fact, the pursuit team of the demon race was extraordinary. Not only did they deploy a great wizard, but it was also Prince Puletick himself. However, to the surprise of most, Puletick failed to predict Qian Ye’s exact location.

Qian Ye left the sentinel spider untouched and covered it with a fallen leaf. Sentinel spiders were one type among the many spider servants of the arachne. Placed at key locations, their death would alert the strong arachne who placed them. The arachne, relying solely on the sentinel spiders, could serve as the best guardians for critical spots.

The presence of the sentinel spider indicated that the strong arachne was not far away. Qian Ye hesitated as he identified the direction.

From the traces in the forest, it seemed there were two arachne strongmen, each searching in different directions, and now quite a distance apart.

This distance was somewhat awkward. While it offered Qian Ye the opportunity to defeat them individually, he couldn’t prevent the attacked from sending messages. Once his whereabouts were locked, even the dense forest wouldn’t be a safe hideout.

While hesitating, Little Zhu Ji tugged at Qian Ye’s sleeve and pointed in the direction of the weaker aura.

Just a Duke, should be no problem, right? Qian Ye looked at Little Zhu Ji, somewhat unsure. Little Zhu Ji was anxious, repeatedly assuring she wouldn’t force things and would flee at the first sign of danger. She nearly cried while hugging Qian Ye’s leg, and only then did Qian Ye reluctantly nod.

Even during their flight, Little Zhu Ji had been subjected to the strictest training by Nighteye and Qian Ye. The little girl’s foundation was too good, and her senses, which inherited some of Qian Ye’s sharpness, coupled with her innate combat instincts, made her difficult for Qian Ye to handle later on.

An arachne Duke, if just for harassment, shouldn’t be a big problem.

With this thought, Qian Ye finally nodded. Little Zhu Ji cheered and leaped up, disappearing into the forest instantly, leaving Qian Ye no chance to reconsider.

Qian Ye shook his head helplessly, temporarily setting aside his worries, and followed the tracks quietly toward the enemy.

Arachne naturally had an advantage in the forest, but Qian Ye’s Eyes of Control allowed him to see every trace of the residual black and blue origin energy on the ground. However, the arachne strongman seemed unafraid of being discovered, barely concealing his movements.

Qian Ye suppressed his aura and ran at a steady pace. If any other strongman sensed it, they would only think it was an ancient tree. Yet, a momentary pause would reveal it to be a rapidly moving tree.

After nearly an hour, a gust of wind swept through the forest ahead. A massive figure used the wind to move swiftly, its powerful senses sweeping the surroundings, missing nothing.

Though efficient, such scanning was futile against Qian Ye, who could mask his presence. But the arachne strongman wasn’t foolish. He didn’t rely solely on his own search, continuously throwing out tiny sentinel spiders along the way.

These sentinel spiders could survive without food for over ten days, and Qian Ye’s negligence might lead to his discovery.

In the forest, the arachne strongman didn’t assume a human form for convenience but instead reverted to his hybrid spider form, his massive body surprisingly agile, swiftly navigating the trees. Clearly, he was a formidable foe.

As he searched, he suddenly stopped, looking around with extreme caution.

He sensed a profound danger, almost certain that Qian Ye was hiding in the forest. He drew his heavy shield and war spear, and with a sweep of his segmented legs, cut down several ancient trees, clearing a battlefield.

Qian Ye had been observing, and now, he spoke softly, “It’s quite impressive that you managed to find me.”

The arachne strongman fired a spear, piercing a distant tree, the force causing it to explode. But Qian Ye’s image shattered, dissipating into thin air.

Startled, the arachne strongman raised his heavy shield, protecting himself. Qian Ye appeared before him, striking the shield with a powerful punch!

The arachne roared, his massive body sinking, eight segmented limbs digging into the ground, half-submerged by Qian Ye’s punch.

In contrast, Qian Ye was only slightly pushed back.

The arachne struggled to pull himself out, his heavy shield shattering, his thick arm trembling slightly.

His fierce spirit diminished, he said gravely, “I’ve rarely seen anyone overpower me, Pedro, in terms of strength. Could you conceal your true rank?”

Pedro fixed his gaze on Qian Ye, waiting for an answer. His unique bloodline, despite his rank as a Grand Duke, allowed him to match a prince of another race in power. Pedro maintained his spider form during the search to leverage his strengths, yet he was still suppressed by Qian Ye.

Qian Ye responded calmly, “You don’t flee or report, are you planning to die here?”

Pedro discarded his broken shield, replacing it with a smaller, sturdier round one, and said, “Come, let’s have a real fight.”

He planted his eight legs and charged, his war spear like a dragon, thrusting at Qian Ye. This move transformed the surroundings, covering everything in webs, even the sky.

Webs appeared on Qian Ye, slowing his movements. At their level, even a slight delay could be fatal.

Pedro clearly saw Qian Ye as a significant adversary, unleashing his domain without reserve.

Facing the oncoming spear, Qian Ye summoned his emerald blood sword, deflecting the spear.

The momentum of the sweep caused the surroundings to turn gray, everything appearing hazy.

This was Qian Ye’s domain!

Pedro paused, cautiously retreating, confused.

Pedro saw no use in Qian Ye’s domain and felt no impact on his own. Their domains coexisted without interference, contrary to common sense.

Sensing something, Pedro noticed Qian Ye’s expression, uncharacteristic of a normal battle.

A realization dawned, “He hasn’t mastered his domain!” Without hesitation, Pedro unleashed countless webs, enveloping Qian Ye.

These webs, though numerous, could not fully encase Qian Ye. Pedro advanced, aiming his spear at Qian Ye’s heart.

However, the webs within Qian Ye’s domain dissipated in the gray mist. Those outside, upon entering the domain, dissolved, none reaching three meters.

Pedro, shocked, retreated, shouting, “What is that domain?” His webs, even those of equal-ranked opponents, couldn’t easily escape. How were they so easily dispelled?

Before he finished, he grunted, blood trickling from his nose. His domain breached, even with his strength, he was injured.

Qian Ye didn’t respond, closing in, his gray domain enveloping Pedro, delivering a devastating blow.

Pedro blocked, his war spear bending. His massive body was again driven into the ground.

Struggling to rise, Pedro felt a heavy gray mist, causing him to sink again.

“How can it be so heavy?” Pedro exclaimed.

The seemingly insignificant gray mist felt like a small mountain, making him struggle. More of it would leave him unable to move, pinned to the ground.

Around him, the gray mist swirled. With a roar, Pedro conjured a green moon, forcing Qian Ye to retreat.

Countless webs shot from Pedro, a deadly attack similar to Qian Ye’s. But Pedro’s webs were tangible, more durable, and sharper. Even Qian Ye wouldn’t test them with his body.

Qian Ye stepped back, and Pedro leaped, using a web to vanish.

He fled?

Qian Ye shook his head, abandoning the chase. Killing someone like Pedro, who was both terrifying and sturdy, was difficult. Such foes, focused on escape, were hard to stop. Opponents like Brox, frail and relentless, were his preferred targets.

With Pedro gone, Qian Ye rushed to another battlefield.

Deep in the forest, Roel was moving cautiously, his actions more careful than Pedro’s. Suddenly, a snap sounded, alerting Roel. He concealed his aura, raising his arm shield and battle axe, approaching the sound stealthily.

Finding nothing, Roel’s experience told him something was amiss. Drawing a short gun, he fired into the forest.

A cry of pain followed, and a figure darted away.

“Trying to escape?” Roel sneered, giving chase.

He assessed the opponent’s strength, finding it formidable but inferior to his. Speed-wise, Roel, with his arachne golden bloodline, was faster.

He pursued relentlessly.

Soon, he caught up to the fleeing figure.

Facing the beautiful girl, Roel’s heart softened, but his face remained stern. “Think you can escape from me, the heir of the ancient Anub’arak, possessor of the golden bloodline, and Darknight Duke Roel? Think again!”

The girl, frightened, lunged at Roel, panicking.

Roel sighed, thinking, “Looks like I need to subdue her first, then get the information. I’ll go easy on her.”