Fang Chang blocked Shen Mazi's axe swing with a shield-like leg and pinned Xu Wei's spear to the ground with another.
He then saw Wang Hu ignite a firework-like signal flare. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he grimly muttered, "This isn't good."
The flare shot skyward and exploded, its bright light illuminating the surrounding area. It was a standard signal soul masters used to alert comrades to critical discoveries or dangers.
Under normal circumstances, such a flare might only attract some curious glances or a few idle onlookers. However, with the mutated Man-Faced Demon Spider incident stirring up fervent interest, this signal couldn't be ignored.
Jokes had circulated among the soul masters about notifying others when they found the creature, but most dismissed it as jest. No one wanted to share the reward, after all.
Now, within miles of the flare, soul masters hesitated for a moment, suspecting a ploy, but soon surged toward the signal. The movement of one group inspired another, and more followed.
Fang Chang scanned his three opponents with a murderous glare. Shoving Shen Mazi and Xu Wei aside with his shield-like leg, he turned to flee.
Yet, the two relentlessly pursued him, determined to delay his escape.
"Damn it! These pests don't quit!" Fang Chang cursed.
He had planned to escape but was trapped by their persistent interference.
"Hold it down! Reinforcements will arrive soon!" Shen Mazi yelled as he swung his axe at Fang Chang.
Fang Chang's patience wore thin. His shield-like leg blocked the strike, and fire erupted from his body. He roared, activating "Fire Armor Technique" and "Dragon's Blood lv1," drastically enhancing his power.
Shen Mazi's axe clashed against Fang Chang's leg, producing sparks and leaving a faint crack. The recoil sent Shen Mazi stumbling back, blood seeping from his mouth.
Before Shen Mazi could recover, Fang Chang lunged, activating the "Venom Spear" skill aimed at Shen Mazi's shoulder and head.
Xu Wei intervened with his spear, diverting Fang Chang's attack but leaving his back exposed. Fang Chang seized the opportunity, stabbing three legs into Xu Wei's back. Blood gushed from deep gashes, revealing white bone before it was concealed again by crimson.
Xu Wei groaned in pain, collapsing to the ground, clutching his spear and bleeding profusely.
Wang Hu returned, transformed by his martial soul, resembling a ferocious tiger. He charged Fang Chang but was overpowered mid-air and slammed to the ground. Fang Chang took advantage of Wang Hu's disorientation and delivered a fatal blow to his throat.
"Tiger!" Shen Mazi cried out, rushing forward, only to witness his companion's death.
Shen Mazi stopped in his tracks, realizing his hopeless position. Fang Chang spat a "Poison Web" as a diversion while delivering a fatal "Venom Spear" attack to Shen Mazi.
Mortally wounded, Shen Mazi collapsed, blood pouring from his abdomen. As his vision blurred, he regretted provoking the mutated Man-Faced Demon Spider.
Fang Chang turned to the barely-conscious Xu Wei, ending his suffering with a swift blow.
Though the battle lasted only a few minutes, the surrounding forest teemed with approaching soul masters, drawn by the flare. Over a third of the tournament's thousand participants were converging on Fang Chang's location..