Having witnessed the current might of the spider tribe, Fang Chang felt much more at ease.
The current Divine Realm boasted over a thousand deities, both major and minor. No matter how strong his side became, only a handful could truly contend with them.
Relying solely on such limited forces to overthrow the Divine Realm was unrealistic. But with these spiders, things were different. Their bloodline talents were exceptional, and each possessed the "Devour" ability, granting them astonishing potential!
Given time to grow further, they might truly pose a threat to the Divine Realm—becoming Fang Chang's greatest asset in his future counterattack.
But before that, there was something else he needed to handle.
After over a decade in the Star Dou Great Forest, Fang Chang finally decided to venture deep into the Lake of Life.
There lay another formidable force. Previously, he had avoided disturbing them, believing the time wasn't ripe. But now, with recruitment critical, hesitation was no longer an option.
As he descended deeper into the lake, an invisible force suddenly surged from the depths, repelling his advance.
Fang Chang paid it no mind. With a soul power exceeding three million years and dual godhoods, he far surpassed even ordinary God Kings. How could such a feeble barrier stop him?
The six red dots on his forehead split open, revealing six crimson eyes beneath.
Then, all eight of his eyes flashed red—and the obstructing force was violently dispersed. His body continued sinking unimpeded.
"Who goes there? Outsiders are not welcome."
A male voice echoed from the lakebed as the barrier shattered.
A colossal black dragon, over a thousand meters long, surged upward from the depths, warily confronting Fang Chang.
"Step aside. I'm here for the Silver Dragon King."
Fang Chang ignored him, casually waving his hand. Dark currents surged in the lake, forcibly shoving the imposing dragon aside.
"You—!"
The black dragon's fury ignited, jaws widening as if to attack.
But then, a gentle female voice from below halted him.
"Stand down, Di Tian. You are no match for him."
The dragon's eyes flickered before he reluctantly assumed human form and retreated.
Fang Chang didn't press further, continuing his descent. The woman had only told Di Tian to withdraw—not once inviting him down. Clearly, his presence was unwelcome.
At the lake's bottom, aside from the black dragon, several other soul beasts lurked, most with cultivations spanning hundreds of thousands of years. If unleashed, they could cause significant trouble for the spider tribe.
Among them was a plump, protein-rich insect, trapped by the others. Despite its powerful aura, its combat strength paled even compared to the Titan Giant Ape, Er Ming—what a disgrace!
Behind these beasts lay a colossal silver egg, hundreds of meters in diameter. The woman's voice had originated from within.
Di Tian, now in human form, vigilantly positioned himself between Fang Chang and the egg, clearly wary of ill intentions.
Then, a translucent female figure materialized above the egg.
Silver-haired, violet-eyed, and draped in radiant robes, her flawless beauty stirred even Fang Chang's long-dormant human desires.
"You must be Fang Chang, the spider causing trouble aboveground, as Di Tian described."
Her tone was icy, her demeanor aloof.
"That's me."
Fang Chang strode forward without hesitation.
As he passed Di Tian, their shoulders brushed—sending the latter flying back dozens of meters. The other soul beasts tensed but dared not intervene.
"When I last observed your battle against those Divine Realm intruders, your strength was notable. Now, you seem even stronger."
Her voice remained cool, though her gaze sharpened.
During Fang Chang's clash with the Divine Realm forces above Star Dou Forest, Gu Yue, the Silver Dragon King, had taken notice.
That incident had prompted her strict orders: Di Tian and the others were forbidden from leaving the Lake of Life or provoking Fang Chang—all matters were to wait until her emergence.
Yet barely a decade later, he had come knocking uninvited.
"Seems Lady Gu has been paying close attention to me."
Fang Chang stepped closer, his tone teasing.
"You know me?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Yue's face.
Fang Chang pointed at Di Tian, then the other beasts, before finally settling on the Sky Dream Iceworm.
"Not just you. Him. Them. Even that worm—I know them all."
By now, he had reached Gu Yue's projection, casually resting a hand on the silver egg. Di Tian's eyes burned with rage; Gu Yue's gaze turned frosty.
"What is your purpose here? If you seek to humiliate me, know that I will make you pay—even at the cost of my life."
"Now, now, Lady Gu, no need for hostility."
Fang Chang leaned against the egg, his full weight pressing into it.
"If I'm not mistaken, your injuries haven't fully healed, have they?"
According to the original timeline, the Silver Dragon King was still recuperating, needing another ten thousand years to fully recover. Now was her weakest moment.
His accurate deduction startled Gu Yue, her expression darkening further.
In her current state, she had yet to fully emerge or split into Na'er—thus, "Gu Yue" remained the appropriate address.
"Speak. What do you want? I refuse to believe you came merely to chat."
"Can't I just drop by for a friendly visit?"
Fang Chang grinned.
"With such a beautiful neighbor, I should've visited sooner."
He knew women like Gu Yue—proud and aloof—needed their pride provoked before they could be truly approached.
"You—!"
Never in her existence had anyone—let alone a spider—dared treat her with such insolence!
"Fine, enough teasing."
Fang Chang sobered slightly.
"I came to ask: Are you interested in joining me to attack the Divine Realm?"
"And don't pretend you lack grievances against them."
"No. Not interested."
Gu Yue flatly refused.
"Even if I were to fight, I would never ally with someone like you."
"Oh? But what if I insist?"
As he spoke, the silver egg trembled violently.
Di Tian lunged forward—only to be effortlessly swatted away.
Gu Yue's projection vanished, clearly incensed. Had she not sensed Fang Chang's lack of killing intent, she might have erupted from the egg then and there.
"Very well. Since Lady Gu isn't in the mood today, I'll return tomorrow."
With that, Fang Chang turned and left, leaving Di Tian and the others utterly bewildered.
The exalted Silver Dragon King, sovereign of all soul beasts—had just been bullied by a spider?