Demonic Cultivator(310-317) (Patreon)

Chapter 310: Traitor's Trail

Chu Xuan watched the group of six and smiled.

"If you perform well in this task, your positions, wealth, and power will be in your grasp. You may even one day glimpse the path to Nascent Soul," he said.

Upon hearing this, the six of them, including Yuan Zichu, were even more deeply moved.

Nascent Soul Path—for many Golden Core cultivators, this was an unattainable goal without enough Nascent Soul spiritual items. But the person standing before them was the Sect Master of Heavenly Infinite Sect, the strongest person on Mystic Azure Star—a figure of immense power, whose words were law. His promises were always kept.

Bai Jinkun, Yuan Zichu, and the others spoke with solemn reverence, "We are duty-bound to serve the Sect Master!"

"Good. Go ahead, and the sect will remember your deeds," Chu Xuan replied with a smile.

"Understood!"

As the six of them left, Chu Xuan stood still, watching their retreating figures with a faint smile. Planting a few spies within the sect was hardly a challenge for him as the Sect Master.

As for the grand promises, who couldn't make such promises? In his past life, he had heard countless bosses promise all kinds of things, and now he wielded those skills with masterful precision.

In this way, these individuals would naturally work hard to uncover every possible traitor within the sect.

And if they died while performing their tasks? Well, that was the price of failure. He never promised compensation. In fact, the death of one could potentially identify more traitors, making it all the more useful.

...

On Yuan Zichu's way back to his cave, he couldn't stop thinking about Chu Xuan's words.

Nascent Soul… Nascent Soul!

Even someone as cautious as Yuan Zichu couldn't help but feel a burning excitement in his heart at the thought.

"Could the Sect Master be just drawing a fantasy for us?" he wondered, then shook his head. "No, he's a person of immense authority. He wouldn't make such empty promises. I must be overthinking it."

Still, he couldn't shake the allure of the possibility.

The Sect Master was right. The Heavenly Infinite Sect was still in its early stages, with all kinds of people joining, and surely, some traitors had infiltrated the sect, plotting its downfall.

"How do I find these traitors?" Yuan Zichu thought, scratching his head. He had just arrived and didn't know where to start.

"Never mind," he sighed. "It's a quiet day, so I'll head to the brothel to listen to some songs."

But he wasn't going to any ordinary brothel. Zhu Yuqiao could sing beautifully. Yuan Zichu decided to visit her at Wu Dalang's cave, enjoy a song, and then discuss the intricacies of formation techniques afterward.

As for finding traitors? That could wait until tomorrow.

Wu Dalang drained the last of his wine, his gaze calm and steady as he sat in his cave. The entrance was directly in his line of sight, and he saw Yuan Zichu being welcomed by Zhu Yuqiao into her cave.

The two of them seemed to be in high spirits, as if they were once again about to engage in deep, yet simple discussions on the art of formations.

Wu Dalang's expression, however, remained unchanged—like a tranquil pond that had not been disturbed. He paid no mind to the situation at hand.

He had known for a long time about the secret dealings between Yuan Zichu and Zhu Yuqiao. But so what? It was just a woman, after all. The two of them, however, felt a lingering sense of guilt, which only seemed to make them treat him better than before.

The last time they escaped the foreign battlefield, and now arriving at the Heavenly Infinite Sect, both had been greatly aided by Yuan Zichu.

"Yuan Zichu is not lacking in talent, and he's also a Talisman Master," Wu Dalang mused. "Zhu Yuqiao may have mediocre talent, but she is a rare Formation Master. They will undoubtedly be valued by the Heavenly Infinite Sect."

He took another sip of wine and leaned back thoughtfully.

Wu Dalang reflected on his past. It was on the extraterritorial battlefield that he had lost contact with Yuan Zichu and Zhu Yuqiao and had nearly perished in the mouth of a Nether Crocodile. By sheer fortune, a monk from the Celestial Sound Zen Temple had saved him, and he narrowly escaped death.

Since that moment, he had decided to follow the teachings of the Celestial Sound Zen Temple. He had even made an agreement with the monk that one day he would travel to Celestial Sound Star to become one of their monks.

Unfortunately, fate had not been kind. The foreign battlefield had mysteriously collapsed, and by some twist of fate, he found himself back on Mystic Azure Star.

Deep down, Wu Dalang disliked the demonic cultivators of Heavenly Infinite Sect. However, he had no choice in the matter. Now that he had an opportunity to act, he would not hesitate. Not for his own benefit, but to repay the monk from the Celestial Sound Zen Temple who had saved his life.

"If I can gather enough information about the Sect Master of Heavenly Infinite Sect through Yuan Zichu and Zhu Yuqiao," he thought, "then it will be worth the effort."

Wu Dalang took another drink, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. The game had only just begun, and he would bide his time until the right moment arrived.

Blue Star.

Chu Xuan sat cross-legged, deep in meditation for ten years. At last, he slowly rose to his feet. His body had grown more powerful and robust, with every muscle and bone perfectly proportioned and exquisitely developed. This was the external manifestation of a body refiner's prowess.

"Ten years of hard cultivation, and I've finally advanced to the thirty-sixth level." Chu Xuan nodded in satisfaction. The Black Nether Falcon's flesh had indeed been a treasure, its life force inexhaustible and continually replenishing him.

"It's time to return to Mystic Azure. The hidden cultivators there should be moving by now." With a single step, Chu Xuan returned to his cave on Infinite Island.

He carefully reviewed the messages in the Transmission Jade. With a sweep of his divine sense, he quickly finished listening to all of them. Although ten years had passed in Blue Star, only one year had passed on Mystic Azure, yet Bai Jinkun, Yuan Zichu, and the others were very diligent. They sent him a transmission almost every ten days. However… the content was rather unremarkable.

Bai Jinkun:

"Master, nothing to report today."

"Master, nothing to report today."

"Master, I suspect a traitor, and I am investigating."

"Master, the suspected traitor was just having a drinking gathering. I checked and decided not to pursue it."

"Master…"

Yuan Zichu:

"Master, today I had a sparring match with Fu Peng, no issues."

"Master, today I went on a mission with Cao Mo. No issues."

"Master, I discussed talismans with Elder Liu Ruoshui today and found no signs of betrayal."

"Master…"

Only when he reached the latest transmission did Chu Xuan's eyebrows raise slightly.

Bai Jinkun:

"Master, today Wu Dalang suddenly asked whether I liked the sect and mentioned that he personally didn't like the sect. I suspect something is off with Wu Dalang, and I am continuing to investigate."

Chu Xuan had already gone through the list of Golden Core and higher cultivators in the sect, so he was familiar with Wu Dalang. This person was Zhu Yuqiao's partner and had a brotherhood bond with Yuan Zichu.

"Interesting..." Chu Xuan muttered to himself. "It looks like it won't be long before I can drag out the big fish hiding in the background."

He smiled faintly. Wu Dalang, a mere Golden Core cultivator, might be able to gather information, but he lacked the ability to pass it on. Only a Nascent Soul cultivator had such capabilities.

"Who could it be?" Chu Xuan pondered. "Could it be Shi Juntian, Wei Ji, or one of the Nascent Soul cultivators stationed on Mystic Azure by the Heavenly Blood Alliance?"

The Nascent Soul cultivators from the Heavenly Blood Alliance were not part of the first batch of recruits. They had been sent later, and the reason was simple. The Heavenly Infinite Sect, though powerful, was still small and weak.

The Heaven Shaking Divine Sect feared that the Heavenly Infinite Sect might not be able to hold Mystic Azure, so they ordered the Heavenly Blood Alliance to send reinforcements.

Chapter 311: Painting a Pie In the Sky

These few individuals were ostensibly under the command of the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect.

Chu Xuan understood this well.

In addition to assisting in the defense of Mystic Azure Star, their other role was to keep a watchful eye on the Heavenly Infinite Sect. Especially on him, its sect leader.

Given the current turbulent times, it was only natural for the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect to prepare for both outcomes.

Chu Xuan, however, did not concern himself with this. He only cared about who the traitor was.

Mystic Azure Star was peaceful and serene. He had no desire to become embroiled in the war between the Reincarnation Divine Sect and the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect.

Whoever disturbed his tranquility would meet their end.

Several days passed.

Once again, Wu Dalang sought out Yuan Zichu.

The two conversed for a long while, their words filled with dissatisfaction toward the Heavenly Infinite Sect.

They raged against the demonic practices and expressed their helplessness at the current situation.

After some time, Wu Dalang spoke in a low voice, "Yuan, since you harbor such discontent towards the Heavenly Infinite Sect, why not join us?"

Yuan Zichu knew the bait had been set, yet he did not reveal any emotion. He sighed deeply instead, "Mystic Azure Star is the territory of the Heavenly Infinite Sect. Even if I wished to leave, I would have no means."

Wu Dalang smiled. "Indeed, leaving now is difficult, but you could infiltrate under a different guise and serve the Church!"

Yuan Zichu froze. "The Church? You mean... the Reincarnation Divine Sect?"

Wu Dalang nodded emphatically. "Exactly!"

He then recounted his experiences on the extraterritorial battlefield.

Yuan Zichu was astonished. "I never imagined Brother Wu had already been noticed by the eminent monks of the Celestial Sound Zen Temple. Truly impressive. However, with just our strength, how could we possibly transmit any intelligence?"

He sighed again, "Not that we don't wish to, but we simply cannot!"

His words were laced with frustration at the current state of affairs.

Wu Dalang watched him carefully, nodding in agreement.

He looked around, lowering his voice to the utmost secrecy before continuing, "Above us, there is a Nascent Soul cultivator."

Yuan Zichu's heart stirred.

Perfect! The big fish had taken the bait!

"Who? Which elder?" Yuan Zichu asked eagerly.

Wu Dalang smiled and shook his head. "I cannot say. The identity of this Nascent Soul cultivator must remain hidden. From now on, any intelligence you gather, report it directly to me. I will pass it on to the Nascent Soul master. Then he will relay it to the Church."

Yuan Zichu felt some regret but understood the situation. If Wu Dalang had so easily disclosed the name of the Nascent Soul cultivator, it would have been highly suspicious. Since he had prepared himself to catch the big fish, the fishing line must be cast far and wide!

In the days that followed, whenever Yuan Zichu acquired information, he promptly shared it with Wu Dalang. During drinking sessions, he would also vent his dissatisfaction with the Nascent Soul elders and Golden Core cultivators, thereby strengthening Wu Dalang's trust in him.

Until one day, Wu Dalang once again found Yuan Zichu and solemnly said, "Come with me. That person has acknowledged your contributions."

A short while later, the two met in a remote mountain range beneath Wujie Island.

Yuan Zichu noticed there was another Golden Core cultivator present. It was Cao Moren, one of the elders under the command of Elder Wan Hun.

Yuan Zichu inwardly sneered.

Wasn't this person a true demonic cultivator? Why did he harbor dissatisfaction with the Heavenly Infinite Sect? Or was he merely swayed by personal gain?

Wu Dalang respectfully said, "Greetings, Elder Lu."

Yuan Zichu and Cao Moren also bowed respectfully.

The figure then turned around, revealing a smile. "Yuan Zichu, you've done well."

Yuan Zichu clearly saw the person before him and finally recognized him. It was Lu Ren.

Lu Ren was one of the three Nascent Soul cultivators sent by the Heavenly Blood Alliance to be stationed on Mystic Azure Star.

"Cao Moren, you too have shown unwavering loyalty to the Church," Lu Ren smiled. "I have observed both of you over the past few days, and your loyalty to the Church has not gone unnoticed. From today onward, both of you will officially join my command, becoming part of the Orthodox Alliance."

Yuan Zichu was filled with excitement. "Yes! Thank you, Elder Lu! I've finally found an organization!"

Cao Moren also solemnly declared, "I will serve the Church, even at the cost of my life!"

Lu Ren smiled faintly. "The Orthodox Alliance is still but a tiny spark. But with time, it will inevitably grow into a roaring fire, consuming this Demonic Sect to ashes! At that time, Mystic Azure Star will return to the Church's rule. The billions of mortals on Mystic Azure Star will finally live in a peaceful and harmonious environment!"

Wu Dalang and Yuan Zichu were both filled with exhilaration. "Yes!"

After the excitement subsided, Yuan Zichu respectfully asked, "Elder Lu, is the Orthodox Alliance... just us?"

Lu Ren laughed heartily. "Of course not! Rest assured, there are many cultivators within the Heavenly Infinite Sect who despise the demonic ways. And across Mystic Azure Star, such cultivators are abundant!

When the Church once again turns its attention to the Mystic Azure Star, we will raise our arms in unison, and the world will respond. With this inner and outer coordination, we will surely welcome back the divine army!

At that time, you will all have made great contributions and will undoubtedly receive the Church's immense rewards! Reaching the Nascent Soul Dao will no longer be a dream, but a reality within your grasp!"

Yuan Zichu inwardly sneered.

So, painting a pie in the sky.

The Sect Master's pie is close at hand, but your pie lies far beyond reach!

Although he thought this, his face was filled with excitement. "The Nascent Soul Dao... I will do it! Please, Elder Lu, assign us our task!"

Lu Ren nodded repeatedly. "The task I give you is simple: continue to sow discord within the Heavenly Infinite Sect and turn more cultivators to our cause. Carefully assess their loyalty, and once you have fully trusted them, bring them into the Orthodox Alliance. As for intelligence, I will pass it up to the higher-ups."

"Understood!" Wu Dalang, Yuan Zichu, and Cao Moren all bowed respectfully as they watched Lu Ren depart.

By the Flying Fish Lake.

Yuan Zichu recounted all his experiences before speaking, "Sect Master, this is everything I have witnessed. Please, Sect Master, give your instructions."

Chu Xuan casually tossed a handful of fish food into the lake, watching the flying fish leap from the water, before offering a faint smile. "It's time to reel in the net."

Yuan Zichu paused in surprise. "Sect Master, should we not wait for the Orthodox Alliance to expose more individuals before we act?"

Chu Xuan chuckled softly. "Why wait? A soul search will suffice."

Yuan Zichu shuddered.

Of course, for capturing traitors, the soul-searching technique, a typical demonic method, was indispensable. How had he forgotten it?

Just as Chu Xuan was about to leave, he received a transmission from Shang Xingchen.

"Sect Master, I have captured a traitor attempting to send information beyond the realms."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Who is it?"

Shang Xingchen replied, "A cultivator of the Heavenly Blood Alliance, Lu Ren."

A moment later, Chu Xuan arrived in a remote mountain range, where he met Shang Xingchen.

Lu Ren lay on the ground, his limbs severed, the wounds sealed to prevent further blood loss.

From the despair in his eyes, it was clear that his soul had been suppressed, leaving him unable to self-destruct his Nascent Soul.

Chapter 312: Research

Shang Xingchen smiled. "Sect Master, to ensure you don't suspect I had any intentions of silencing him, I've waited for quite a while. Shall I perform the soul search, or will you do it?"

Chu Xuan nodded. "I'll handle it."

Soul searching was something one should do personally.

Shang Xingchen's Spiritual Qi surged as he pushed Lu Ren toward Chu Xuan.

With a swift motion, Chu Xuan reached out and enveloped Lu Ren with his Spiritual Qi, effortlessly neutralizing the poison in his body. However, he did not immediately begin the soul search. After all, performing such a technique would reduce his sensitivity to the outside world.

He didn't want Shang Xingchen watching him as he worked.

Chu Xuan turned to Shang Xingchen. "How did you come to know this person was a traitor?"

Shang Xingchen smiled. "Cao Meren is one of mine. Given the Sect Master's cautious nature, I assume there must be someone among the Orthodox Alliance who is loyal to you as well?"

Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

Shang Xingchen was indeed impressive, moving faster than he had, and even more cleverly waiting here, not using the soul search technique himself to avoid raising suspicion.

Chu Xuan casually probed, "It seems, Elder Shang, you detest traitors even more than I do."

Shang Xingchen was the first to act, clearly more eager than anyone to prevent information about Mystic Azure Star from leaking out.

Shang Xingchen smiled. "The Reincarnation Divine Sect and I have a deep enmity, a matter of life and death. Rest assured, Sect Master. I, Shang Xingchen, will never stand with the Reincarnation Divine Sect. Sect Master wishes for peace and stability on Mystic Azure Star, and so do I."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

A kindred spirit. With that, he was reassured.

...

The next day.

Shang Xingchen arrived at the grand hall of the sect.

Chu Xuan handed him a list. "Elder Shang, this is for you."

Shang Xingchen smiled and nodded. "Sect Master, rest assured, it is my duty to eradicate the traitors."

That very day, a team of Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators stormed the peaks and caves, rooting out those within the sect who harbored ill intentions toward the Mystic Azure Realm.

In the end, all the traitors were publicly executed.

Among the crowd, Yuan Zichu and Zhu Yuqiao also witnessed Wu Dalang's decapitation.

Zhu Yuqiao's heart tightened. "I never expected him to be a traitor..."

She instinctively grasped Yuan Zichu's hand tightly. The thought that someone so close to her, sharing her pillow, could be a traitor, filled her with an innate fear.

Yuan Zichu also tightened his grip on her hand. With Wu Dalang's death, he no longer needed to sneak around with Zhu Yuqiao, discussing the way of formations.

Whether in the pill furnace, in the ice cave, or anywhere else...

He could be with her wherever he wanted, no longer having to worry about Wu Dalang catching them.

But... why did it still feel so wrong?

Yuan Zichu clicked his tongue, his gaze involuntarily falling upon the graceful Nascent Soul Elder Liu Ruoshui.

He pondered deeply.

...

Reincarnation Divine Sect.

At the heart of the Reincarnation Divine Sect stood a colossal tower, thrusting deep into the earth. This mighty structure was built upon a Level Five Spiritual Vein. A Level Five Spiritual Vein was one so potent that even a Deity Transformation cultivator could accelerate their cultivation by meditating upon it.

The deeper one descended into the earth, the richer the Spiritual Qi became. The further from the surface, the more concentrated it grew. Thus, the deepest cultivation chambers were reserved solely for Deity Transformation Elders and the Holy Son, those with the highest qualifications to enter.

Currently, the Reincarnation Divine Sect was embroiled in war with the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect. The Deity Transformation Elders were scattered across the battlefield, fighting fierce battles. Of the deepest cultivation rooms, only one remained in operation.

It was here that Situ Kong, the Holy Son, immersed himself in his training. He was but a step away from reaching the ninth layer of Nascent Soul. He could almost grasp that fleeting, intangible spark of insight, and was certain that soon he would break through to the ninth layer.

At such a critical juncture, it was typical for disruptions to occur—perhaps someone would suddenly arrive with a battlefield report, disturbing his cultivation and causing him to miss his chance.

Yet, Situ Kong, as the Holy Son, had ordered before his seclusion that unless a direct command came from Wen Lingtian himself, no one was to disturb his cultivation. Thus, no one interrupted his breakthrough.

Time flowed by, minute by minute.

Situ Kong seized the fleeting insight, and his cultivation advanced smoothly into the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul. His aura surged explosively, sweeping through the chamber. Its force slammed against the walls, only to rebound and swirl back in a continuous cycle. This continued for several minutes before his energy finally settled.

Situ Kong suddenly sprang to his feet, laughing heartily. His voice was filled with exhilaration.

"Good, good, good! I've finally reached the Ninth Layer of Nascent Soul! Once I perfect the Ninth Layer, I'll be able to cultivate the secret techniques granted by the Ancestor!"

A satisfied smile spread across his face. Just then, a respectful voice came from outside the room.

"Holy Son!"

Situ Kong chuckled. "What is it?"

With a wave of his hand, he opened the stone door to the cultivation chamber.

A Golden Core cultivator bowed deeply, speaking with respect. "Holy Son, there is news from Mystic Azure Star."

Situ Kong's heart soared with joy. "Excellent! The seeds I planted all those years ago have truly borne fruit!"

Lu Ren had been one of the many "seeds" Situ Kong had planted years ago. Initially, he had tasked Lu Ren with gathering intelligence about the Heavenly Blood Alliance. He never expected Lu Ren to be assigned to Mystic Azure Star by Luo Zhantian, the leader of the Heavenly Blood Alliance. This development suited Situ Kong perfectly. Now, he could learn precisely what had transpired on Mystic Azure Star.

He was eager to discover why Zhao Kai and the others had been so easily killed and who the greatest contributor to the Mystic Azure War had been.

The cultivator respectfully handed him a jade slip.

Situ Kong took the slip and infused it with Spiritual Qi. Immediately, the voice of Lu Ren echoed from within.

"Holy Son, Feather Transformation Heaven Palace has been destroyed, and the new sect established is called the Heavenly Infinite Sect."

"The Heavenly Infinite Sect's leader, Chu Xuan, was previously an unknown figure—just a Qi Refining cultivator from the Infinite Sect. He later joined the Extreme Yin Cave lineage and merged with the Heavenly Seal Sect. For a time, his whereabouts were unknown. During the Mystic Azure War, he suddenly rose to prominence, and his methods were..."

Situ Kong's eyes brightened. He was about to listen more carefully when a sudden scream pierced the air. The transmission abruptly cut off.

Situ Kong froze in shock. The Golden Core cultivator who had handed him the jade slip also went stiff.

What...? It cut off right here? Why didn't you continue speaking!? What exactly are Chu Xuan's methods?!

Situ Kong's face darkened to an extreme degree. He could easily guess that Lu Ren's true identity had been discovered. The transmission had been cut off midway because Lu Ren had been captured.

"Useless fool!"

Situ Kong's expression grew colder than ice.

The Golden Core cultivator trembled and after a long pause finally spoke, "Holy Son, the Ancestor has always wanted to know what happened on Mystic Azure Star..."

Situ Kong snapped irritably, "I know! I don't need you to remind me!"

The Golden Core cultivator quickly half-knelt, shrinking his neck in fear.

Situ Kong took several deep breaths, managing to calm his emotions with great effort.

"At least we now know about the Heavenly Infinite Sect and that Chu Xuan. Investigate! I want a full report!"

"The collapse of the extraterritorial battlefield—there must be Mystic Azure Star cultivators scattered across other cultivation worlds. Use all available methods! Find out everything about this person!"

"Yes, this subordinate will go immediately!"

Chapter 313: Now, It Was Time for the Shift

Si Tukong gazed intently at the dome of the cultivation room, his fists clenched with sudden force. The joy of reaching the ninth level of the Nascent Soul vanished in that instant.

The capture of Lu Ren likely meant that all righteous cultivators from the Mystic Azure Star had been rounded up. It would become increasingly difficult to obtain information directly from Mystic Azure Star in the future.

The only hope lay in indirect intelligence from celestial bodies like the Celestial Sound Star. Such information, however, would not be as reliable.

"Chu Xuan... Chu Xuan... Opposing my Reincarnation Divine Sect was the greatest mistake of your life!"

Si Tukong snorted coldly and resumed his cultivation.

...

Chu Xuan was quite pleased with Shang Xingchen's swift and decisive actions. With such a capable and diligent Nascent Soul elder, he could afford to be a hands-off manager.

Of course, he was far from fully trusting Shang Xingchen. To trust someone like Shang Xingchen completely would be as foolish as seeking death by slamming his head into a boulder.

Until he had the power to utterly crush his enemies, he would always maintain a level of suspicion towards both Shang Xingchen and his brother, Shang Tianjue.

When news of the betrayal by the disciples of Heavenly Infinite Sect Sect spread, it was met with widespread satisfaction. As for the fate of the traitors... they were first publicly executed, their heads displayed as a warning.

This was a message to others—kill the chicken to scare the monkey. Their corpses were then put to good use. The living souls and bodies of Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators were highly coveted treasures.

No one would overlook such spoils. As for the division of the spoils, that was not Chu Xuan's concern. Once the traitors were dealt with, he returned to Blue Star, focusing his attention on the Cavern World.

...

"It's snowing," Lie Yong remarked, looking up at the heavy, goose-feather-like snowflakes falling from the rocky dome above.

Instinctively, he tightened the red cloak wrapped around him. This cloak was crafted from the fur of the Flame Worm. Though light and thin, it was exceptionally warm, making it a rare and costly item.

Traditionally, only the clan leader and elders were privileged to wear such garments. Yet now, despite wearing this fine cloak, he still felt a chill. It was a stark sign that his age had truly caught up with him.

After all, his three insects were all Fire Ants. Once his Fire Ants had reached the highest golden tier, not only had they granted him great strength, but their heat had also kept him warm. Unless the temperature dropped drastically, he would never have felt cold.

Lie Yong suddenly spoke, "Chen He, who do you think is most suitable to be my successor?"

Only one person stood beside him—Chen He. When the Fire Ant Tribe rose to power, it had swallowed the Swallow Ant, Blade Ant, and eventually the Devouring-Thunder Ant tribes.

During that time, many of his trusted subordinates had perished. Some had died of old age. Now, only Chen He remained to accompany him.

The other old confidants were all but too frail to move. As a long-time follower, Chen He, and by extension the Chen family, represented a powerful force within the Fire Ant Tribe.

Upon hearing Lie Yong's question, Chen He lowered his gaze, his voice steady.

"Every one of the chief's children is exceptionally talented and strong, all fit to become the next leader."

Lie Yong let out a hearty laugh, "Chen He, don't humor me. We've shed our titles now. You are no longer the head of the Chen family, nor the grand elder of the Fire Ant Tribe. I am no longer the chief of the Fire Ant Tribe. Tell me, who is truly worthy of leading as the next chief?"

Chen He thought for a long while before replying.

"Your third son, strong and valiant, unmatched in courage. Your seventh son, sharp-witted, possessing the makings of a general. Your eighth son, with outstanding talent, wise and decisive, has married the granddaughter of the Fifth Elder of the Holy Ant Tribe, and they have a daughter. Your twelfth son, with unparalleled talent, is already a Golden-tier Low-level Insect Master. I believe these four are all suitable to take the position of chief."

Lie Yong studied Chen He closely, his expression unreadable, a smile playing on his lips.

Chen He kept his gaze lowered, silent. The heavy snowflakes continued to fall. They blanketed the shoulders of both men in a thick layer of white.

After a long pause, Lie Yong spoke again, his tone calm.

"Why didn't you recommend the thirteenth son?"

"He is your son-in-law." Chen He shook his head, "He is brave, but not as capable as your third son. He is clever, but not as sharp as your seventh son. He has some talent, but not to the level of your twelfth son. As for his background... clearly, it pales in comparison to the Holy Ant Tribe. Why would I recommend him?"

Lie Yong fell silent as well. After some time, he finally spoke again, "Let's go back. It's too cold out here."

Chen He nodded in agreement. As they walked back to the tribe, Lie Yong suddenly asked, "Chen He, how is your back injury?"

Chen He smiled, "It's fine. The healer said to avoid greasy food and alcohol. With proper care, it should heal in seven or eight years."

Lie Yong nodded with a smile, "Take good care of yourself."

After Lie Yong returned home, he immediately sent word to his eighth son, Lie Zhao, instructing him to return secretly to the Fire Ant Tribe and avoid alerting anyone.

"Father, why have you called for me?" Lie Zhao asked, his expression puzzled.

At present, he was the son-in-law of the Holy Ant Tribe, and it would take him over ten days to return to the Fire Ant Tribe from there.

Lie Yong gazed at him kindly. "My child, how old are you this year?"

Lie Zhao replied earnestly, "Fifty-five."

Lie Yong chuckled. "You are still younger than I was when I first rose to prominence."

Lie Zhao nodded seriously. He was, of course, well aware of his father's remarkable achievements in the past. It was precisely for this reason that he held his father in the deepest admiration.

Decades ago, the Fire Ant Tribe had been nothing more than a small tribe on the outskirts of the Myriad Insects Kingdom.

Now, it had become a leading force among the mid-sized tribes, commanding respect such that none of the surrounding tribes dared to provoke them.

This was a truly glorious accomplishment, one worthy of ancestral reverence. In death, his father would be honored in the ancestral temple!

Yet there was one matter that Lie Zhao was dissatisfied with—the marriage arranged by his father. The granddaughter of the Fifth Elder of the Holy Ant Tribe was truly large and strong, a daunting figure indeed.

In the early days of their marriage, she was vigorous and youthful, savoring the pleasures of their union, and night after night, he was almost drained of energy. He had to feign sickness every few days, citing headaches or minor ailments, to avoid being utterly exhausted.

Now, the situation had only worsened. Lie Zhao had even been forced to find several male concubines to satisfy his wife's needs, at least to keep the peace in their household.

Lie Yong looked at his son with seriousness. "Zhao'er, my life is nearing its end. I plan to pass the leadership of the Fire Ant Tribe to you."

Lie Zhao froze. "Father... why me? Third Brother, Seventh Brother, Twelfth Brother, and Thirteenth Brother are all capable. Why choose me?"

He had once harbored thoughts of competing for the position of clan leader, but since his marriage into the Holy Ant Tribe, he had let go of those ambitions.

After all, a man who had married out was like water spilled. He had long abandoned any such notions. To his surprise, his father wanted to pass the position of leader to him?

Lie Yong smiled. "Your daughter is remarkable. She is a child of both the Fire Ant Tribe and the Holy Ant Tribe. If, in the future, she is able to inherit the Holy Ant Tribe, no one would object."

Lie Zhao's eyes widened in disbelief.

Father... I can't even begin to imagine such a thing! You're far too ambitious!

Lie Yong took a soft leather pouch from his chest and handed it to Lie Zhao. "My child, this is my greatest secret. You've always wanted to know why, despite having only two Insect Orifices back then, I suddenly gained three? It was because of this."

Lie Yong smiled faintly. Cautiously, he had only shared the "Orifice Opening Scripture" with his most trusted aides, not even passing it on to his own son. After all, one could never be too sure of the intentions of others.

Now, it was time to pass on the legacy.

Chapter 314: Life is short, and one must learn to enjoy it.

Lie Zhao was struck dumb by his father's words. His hands, which held the soft leather pouch, began to tremble uncontrollably.

Was this the source of Father's rise to power?

He took a deep breath before slowly untying the string of the pouch. With great care, he extracted the item inside.

To his astonishment, it was a fragment of a mirror, irregular in shape.

"This is..." Lie Zhao's expression was one of confusion.

Mirrors were not rare or valuable to them. Nearly every household had one.

Lie Yong smiled faintly. "The 'Orifice Opening Scripture' was revealed to me by this mirror. And the secret technique I practiced, the 'Fire Gu Refinement Method,' was also taught to me by this mirror."

At that moment, the surface of the mirror suddenly glowed with faint, shimmering lights. In the blink of an eye, a line of text appeared.

'The Great Orifice Opening Scripture' requires the Holy Ant Cultivation Method in exchange.

Lie Zhao's eyes widened in shock.

"This... this..."

Lie Yong sighed deeply. "This is what I wanted to discuss with you. The mirror does not bestow its secrets freely. It demands a yao insect cultivation method, and the more powerful the method, the more it desires it.

At first, it required the Rock Ant Cultivation Method. Later, it sought the Swallow Ant and Blade Ant Cultivation Methods. Eventually, it demanded the Devouring Thunder Ant Cultivation Method. Now, it no longer finds these sufficient. It craves the Holy Ant Cultivation Method!"

Lie Zhao's mind raced. "Father, this isn't too difficult. We could secretly capture a fifteen-year-old youth from the Holy Ant Tribe, and that would..."

Lie Yong shook his head. "I tried that approach many years ago, and it didn't work. Though the fifteen-year-old youths do listen to the Wisdom of the Insects when they touch the insect statues, that wisdom is only that—mere wisdom of the insects. Without reaching the corresponding level, they cannot offer the full yao insect cultivation method."

Lie Yong continued, "In fact, lower-level insect cultivation methods can be obtained this way. For example, our Fire Ant Cultivation Method could only be cultivated to the silver rank at first. But the higher the rank of the insect cultivation method, the more impossible it is to use this approach."

Lie Yong fixed his gaze on his son, his voice grave. "There is only one way to offer the insect cultivation method to the mirror."

Lie Zhao instinctively asked, "What method?"

Lie Yong spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "You must shatter the copper statue, and retrieve the crystal stone, and only then will you be able to offer the insect cultivation method."

Lie Zhao was stunned into silence. "Does that mean you want me to destroy the Holy Ant Tribe?!"

This was no joke. The Holy Ant Cultivation Method was the very lifeblood of the Holy Ant Tribe! As far as he knew, the Holy Ant copper statues were enshrined at the very top of the Sacred Spirit Tower in the Holy Ant Tribe. No one was allowed near them.

Only once a year, during the Opening Insect Orifice ceremony, would eight strong men descend from the top of the Sacred Spirit Tower to carefully move the statue. But as soon as the ceremony was over, the statue would be returned to its place.

And this ritual had been repeated year after year, without fail.

Lie Yong gave his son a deep, lingering look. "Don't you wish to live longer? The mirror can teach you the method to extend your life."

Lie Zhao's eyes widened. "Really?!"

Lie Yong approached the crystal tube and poured a full cup of longevity wine. "Drink this."

Without hesitation, Lie Zhao raised the cup and drank it all in one gulp.

The medicinal wine coursed through his body, and instantly, he felt his blood surge with warmth. It was as though he had shed several years of age in an instant.

"This... this is the method to extend life?" Lie Zhao asked, astonished.

"Indeed," Lie Yong nodded. "This is the method of longevity the mirror imparted to me. Unfortunately, the materials I had were rather ordinary, so this cup of longevity wine will likely only add about ten years to your life."

Lie Zhao's eyes gleamed with excitement. So, the mirror was such a powerful tool!

But then, a shadow passed over his heart. The thought of eventually having to oppose the Holy Ant Tribe sent a chill through him. The heat in his heart waned slightly.

Lie Yong saw through his son's thoughts and coldly said, "Lie Zhao, I have already shared my greatest secret with you. If you refuse to take the position of clan leader, I will pass it on to your brothers. And I will tell them that you know the secret of the mirror. Do you think they'll let that go?"

Lie Zhao shuddered, immediately replying, "Father, I am willing! I will take the position of clan leader!"

What else could he do?

Of course, it would lead to infighting, betrayal, and perhaps even violence among the brothers.

Upon hearing Lie Zhao's firm response, Lie Yong finally smiled with satisfaction. "Good boy. Take it then. My time is almost up, and the inheritance must be passed to your hands. It's a pity... If I had just fifty more years—no, thirty years—perhaps I could have led the tribe to become a large-scale tribe and gone head-to-head with the Holy Ant Tribe..."

Lie Yong sighed deeply.

"By the way, Zhao'er, your Uncle Chen has been recovering from his injuries for many years, but he still can't eat meat or drink wine. It's been hard on him. Send him a big plate of deep-fried bull mushrooms. I remember that's his favorite. And there's a jar of fifty-year-old Night-Blooming Cereus wine in my cellar—send that to him too. Tell him to eat and drink heartily. Life is short, and one must learn to enjoy it."

Lie Zhao hesitated for a moment, as though a thought crossed his mind, but he did not speak it aloud. Eventually, he remained silent.

Lie Yong slowly walked back to his bedroom and lay down. After handing over the mirror, his figure appeared oddly bent, as if he had aged greatly in that instant.

Lie Zhao gazed at his father's retreating back, and within him, a surge of determination and ambition grew.

The limitless future of the Fire Ant Tribe—it was now in my hands to forge!

Nightfall.

The door of the Chen family residence was suddenly knocked upon.

The gatekeeper opened a small crack in the door and grumbled, "Who is it? Don't you know this is the residence of the Grand Elder? How dare you come knocking at such a late hour?! Do you want to die?"

The visitor spoke calmly, "The clan leader knows that the Grand Elder has not touched meat or alcohol for a long time. He specifically instructed the Young Clan Leader to send over fried bull mushrooms and fifty-year-old Night-Blooming Cereus wine."

Upon hearing the words "Clan Leader," the gatekeeper immediately stopped his complaints and quickly ushered the visitor inside.

"Please, come in! Please!" The gatekeeper's expression instantly brightened.

The Clan Leader had single-handedly elevated the Fire Ant Tribe from a small tribe to a mid-sized tribe, defeating several surrounding mid-sized tribes along the way. The Clan Leader, Lie Yong, held immense prestige within the Fire Ant Tribe.

The Clan Leader personally sending delicacies to the Grand Elder in the middle of the night was a sign of favor, a symbol of the close relationship between the two. The gatekeeper dared not be the slightest bit negligent.

At this moment, Chen He had not yet fallen asleep. Upon hearing the news, he was slightly taken aback.

"The Clan Leader sent something to me?"

However, when he saw the two items, his surprise quickly turned to a deep sense of melancholy and sorrow.

Chen He took a deep breath and looked at the messenger. "You just said... this was sent by the Young Clan Leader?"

The visitor nodded. "Indeed."

"Who is the Young Clan Leader?"

"The Clan Leader's eighth son, Lie Zhao."

Chen He smiled faintly. "So, the Clan Leader has finally chosen him."

The messenger hesitated, then asked, "Grand Elder, will you not eat?"

Chen He nodded. "Of course, I will eat. This is a gift from the Clan Leader himself."

Without using chopsticks, he reached out with his hand and grabbed the fried bull mushrooms, chewing them hungrily. Then, he picked up the Night-Blooming Cereus wine and drank deeply.

Tears and snot streamed down his face as he continued to laugh uncontrollably.

"Delicious! So good! It's been many years since I've eaten so heartily and drunk so freely! Go back and tell the Clan Leader... that the old servant is leaving first. Hahahahaha!"

The messenger respectfully bowed to Chen He before turning and leaving.

…

Chapter 315: Strategies for Motivational Cultivating

The next day, the Fire Ant Tribe's Grand Elder, Chen He, succumbed to his old back injury. The healing herbs were of no use, and before the tribe's healer could arrive, he passed away that very night.

Lie Yong received the news and fell into a long silence.

Lie Zhao spoke in a deep voice, "Father, why did you have to..."

After a long pause, Lie Yong finally spoke, his voice calm, "Someone must go first. If he left now, it won't affect your future path."

Hearing this, Lie Zhao fell silent as well.

Chen He had been his father's most trusted confidant. As a child, Lie Zhao had been saved from danger several times by Chen He. Now, it felt as though he had personally sent Chen He on his final journey.

"I'm going to sleep. Don't disturb me…" Lie Yong waved his hand and returned to his bed.

Another day passed.

Lie Yong, the 35th Clan Leader of the Fire Ant Tribe, suddenly passed away in his sleep. He was 121 years old.

As a top-tier Gold Insect Master, his lifespan was not considered long. It was clear that his battle with the leader of the Flying Sky Ant Tribe had severely damaged his vitality, shaving many years off his life.

The Fire Ant Tribe held an extravagant funeral for Lie Yong, placing his spirit tablet at the highest point of the ancestral hall.

Out of the previous 34 clan leaders, none had managed to elevate a small tribe to a medium-sized one. Lie Yong had done it. He had truly earned the honor.

Shortly after Lie Yong's passing, his eighth son, Lie Zhao, succeeded him as the 36th Clan Leader of the Fire Ant Tribe, following his father's will.

…

Chu Xuan looked at this new host and felt a sudden surge of emotion in his heart.

Lie Yong had died. Had he been granted a few more decades of life, perhaps he could have overthrown the Holy Ant Tribe. What a pity, what a pity.

"This Lie Zhao is somewhat indecisive. I wonder if he can live up to Lie Yong's legacy. And he's so young. The longevity method holds little allure for him."

Chu Xuan couldn't help but furrow his brows.

After observing Lie Zhao for a few days, he realized that Lie Zhao could not be compared to his father, Lie Yong. However, what he had discerned so far was merely his indecisiveness.

What if Lie Zhao was more of a ruler content with preserving the status quo? That would be even harder to deal with. What he needed was a host with a pioneering spirit.

Even if the host failed halfway, that would be fine. At least the mirror fragment would fall into the hands of the next host. It would be far better than being left to gather dust in the hands of a ruler who was merely content with maintaining the existing state.

"Now that Lie Zhao is the new clan leader, everything must be taken over anew. There will be no opportunity for external expansion. I probably won't need to bother with him for the next few years. Let's head back to Mystic Azure and see how things are there."

Chu Xuan withdrew his focus. With a single step, he returned to his retreat on Infinite Island.

...

On Infinite Island, by the shores of Flying Fish Lake, stood a small pavilion constructed from redwood and green bricks.

Inside, Chu Xuan and Shang Xingchen sat across from each other, sipping spirit tea.

Chu Xuan smiled, "Ku Mao Feng tea was personally cultivated by me—bitter yet sweet, with a lingering aftertaste."

Shang Xingchen glanced at the boiling tea and was about to take a sip when he gently furrowed his brows.

"The poison isn't in the tea, but rather on the rim of the cup," he remarked. "The Sect Leader's poison techniques have become even more inventive."

Chu Xuan chuckled. "Elder Shang, you are quite perceptive. Your toxic powder has diffused through the steam rising from my small red clay stove, spreading over a three-zhang radius."

He leaned closer and sniffed. "Curiously, it also has an aphrodisiac effect. Could it be, Elder Shang, that you intend to watch me make a fool of myself?"

Shang Xingchen smiled faintly. "I wouldn't dare. It's just a new poison I recently concocted, and I wanted to try it out. The Sect Leader's poison skills are unparalleled, so my humble trick has surely embarrassed me."

Both men chuckled lightly and took another sip from their cups.

After his recent cultivation in Blue Star, Chu Xuan's Qi Refining had reached the sixth level of Nascent Soul, and his body refining had reached the thirty-sixth stage.

He considered himself immensely powerful, capable of dealing with three or four cultivators of the same level with ease, and with the aid of the Ghost King and Corpse King, he could even face multiple Nascent Soul cultivators simultaneously.

Yet every time he faced Shang Xingchen, there was always a faint sense of danger. He knew better than to act rashly without absolute certainty. He could tell Shang Xingchen was the same type of person.

"With Elder Shang's vast network, do you know to what extent the war between the Sect and the Church has escalated?" Chu Xuan asked, taking a sip of the bitter tea.

Shang Xingchen replied calmly, "The Divine Sect has captured Mystic Azure Star, while the Church, through covert methods, has taken Heavenly Radiance Star. As for the extraterritorial battlefields, I don't know much about those. They're the domain of the Deity Transformation cultivators. However, I did notice that the Heavenly Blood Alliance lowered its flag to half-mast. It seems a Deity Transformation cultivator from their side has perished."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

A few members of the Heavenly Blood Alliance were stationed on Mystic Azure Star, and they would raise the Blood Dragon Flag every day. When the flag was lowered to half-mast, it naturally caught his attention.

He smiled, "I already knew about this, Elder Shang. Don't treat me like an outsider—are you unwilling to share things I don't already know?"

Shang Xingchen pondered for a moment before responding, "The war between the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect and the Reincarnation Church is at a critical juncture, and the resources consumed must be vast. Sect Master Luo mentioned that the Divine Sect will soon begin requisitioning various resources. Medicinal pills and talismans will be in high demand. This is an excellent opportunity to exchange for sect contributions."

Chu Xuan nodded thoughtfully.

That was certainly true. During times of war, medicinal pills and talismans were among the most sought-after consumables—no one could ever have enough.

"Just right, the formations I set up on Blue Star and Soul Star are starting to fall behind. This could be an opportunity to completely upgrade them to Nascent Soul-level formations."

Chu Xuan quietly made a note of this matter.

"Elder Shang, do you think Mystic Azure Star is in any danger of being affected by the ongoing war?" he suddenly asked.

Shang Xingchen nodded. "No cultivation star can remain unaffected. Unless the Divine Sect maintains a dominant position throughout. But from the current deadlock in the war, it's clear that sooner or later we will be drawn into it as well."

Chu Xuan furrowed his brow. "I've been walking around the sect lately and noticed the disciples' cultivation seems to have stagnated. This is not a good sign."

Shang Xingchen agreed. "Indeed. I think a rewards system could be set up. Those who advance their cultivation quickly should be rewarded. This will help stimulate their motivation to cultivate."

Chu Xuan nodded in agreement. "Elder Shang has a point."

Shang Xingchen continued, "I've already drafted a plan, though it's still in its preliminary stages. The Sect Leader might want to listen."

Chu Xuan smiled. "I'm all ears."

Shang Xingchen explained, "For Golden Core cultivators if they break through a minor realm within twenty years, they should be granted a Major Breakthrough Pill and a bottle of Blood Essence.

For Foundation Establishment cultivators, if they break through a minor realm within ten years, they should be granted a Minor Breakthrough Pill and a bottle of Great Blood Pearls. For Qi Refining cultivators, if they break through a minor realm within a year, they should be given a bottle of Blood Pearls. What do you think, Sect Leader?"

The Breakthrough Pills were precious medicines that allowed cultivators to forcibly break through bottlenecks, and they were expensive. They had to be combined with spiritual herbs rich in Spiritual Qi to be effective.

They were not easy to come by, and this kind of reward system would indeed encourage the disciples' ambition to improve.

However, it still wasn't quite enough.

Chu Xuan nodded thoughtfully. "Good strategy, but I'd like to make a few adjustments."

Chapter 316: Moved to Tears!

Chu Xuan calmly stated, "All timeframes shall be halved. Golden Core cultivators must increase one small realm within ten years. Foundation Establishment cultivators must do so within five years. Qi Refining cultivators, within half a year.

As for the twenty years, ten years, and one year mentioned by Elder Shang earlier—those are the absolute minimums. If a cultivator exceeds these limits, their soul will be extracted and refined into a vengeful ghost, their body turned into a corpse puppet. This way, we can truly ignite the disciples' drive to improve swiftly. What does Elder Shang think?"

Shang Xingchen's usual calm expression faltered slightly.

Was this really about pushing the disciples to excel, or was it because the Sect Leader was running low on materials for ghosts and corpse puppets?

After a long pause, Shang Xingchen finally broke into a smile, "Sect Leader has a profound insight!"

Chu Xuan nodded with satisfaction. "I will have the detailed rules written and announced in a few days. I hope that all the disciples of the sect will not disappoint the effort I've put in."

Shang Xingchen cleared his throat lightly. "I believe the sect's disciples will be deeply grateful to Sect Leader."

The two of them chatted for a while longer.

Shang Xingchen took a few sips of tea before casually asking, "Sect Leader's rise truly resembles the sun rising in the east—so awe-inspiring. But logically speaking, with Sect Leader's talent and power, even as a Golden Core cultivator, you should not have been an unknown figure."

Chu Xuan clicked his tongue, "This tea tastes bland and unpleasant, so I'll be leaving now." He then stood up and left.

Shang Xingchen chuckled softly. Watching Chu Xuan's retreating figure, he fell into deep thought.

"When Chu Xuan was still a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he entered the Heavenly Seal Sect with Wan Wuying. Then the Ghost King Palace emerged, the Heavenly Seal Sect was destroyed, and Chu Xuan vanished without a trace."

"When he reappeared, he was already a formidable Nascent Soul cultivator…"

"What exactly happened during that time? It's truly a mystery worth investigating."

A few days later, the "New Regulations of the Heavenly Infinite Sect Sect" were posted on the stone monument in the plaza of Infinite Island.

Alongside them were the promotion methods and new privileges for outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples, and true disciples.

Soon, the news spread far and wide, with each person passing it on to ten, and ten to a hundred. Every cultivator who learned of the new regulations was moved to tears.

Were they tears of fear?

No.

They were tears of deep gratitude, touched by the Sect Leader's encouragement and resolve!

Cultivators gathered in small groups, discussing the matter eagerly.

"I see that the last line mentions the new regulations were proposed by Elder Shang Xingchen and approved by the Sect Leader."

"It seems Elder Shang was behind these... ah... I mean, these new regulations designed to push us forward."

"Elder Shang, sigh... we have no say in the matter, we must just accept it."

"Still, the benefits for the inner sect and true disciples have been increased by more than fifty percent. That's a good thing."

"Let us cultivate. If we fail to do so, we'll have our souls extracted and bodies turned into puppets."

The cultivators dared not linger, rushing back to their caves to continue their cultivation. Without cultivation, one would die!

Shang Xingchen, upon reading the new regulations, felt a peculiar unease.

This was too much. It was clearly his suggestion, yet now it was being attributed to him! Was this an attempt to throw the dirty water on him?

Shang Xingchen wished to say something but found himself without words.

In the end, he could only let it go.

...

In the cave world, when Chu Xuan once again focused his attention on Lie Zhao, ten years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Lie Zhao sat at a large desk, his expression weary. Even though he had assumed the role of clan leader ten years ago, he still felt the weight of the position pressing on him.

"Father, how did you manage to handle tribal affairs and simultaneously train the yao insects? I can't seem to do it..."

Lie Zhao smiled bitterly. His abilities were limited, and he struggled to focus on two things at once. The three fire ants he had raised were still only at the middle-tier silver rank, far from reaching the upper tier. Fatigue overwhelmed him. Leaning back in his chair, he gradually fell asleep.

At that moment, a young girl with a delicate, dainty figure hurried into the room. The two bronze insect masters at the door noticed her and were about to salute, but the girl waved her hand and gestured for silence.

The two bronze insect masters understood immediately, bowing slightly but saying nothing. The girl stepped softly into the clan leader's study. She stood behind Lie Zhao, carefully inspecting the documents on his desk.

After a long while, Lie Zhao slowly awoke. He rubbed his groggy eyes and was about to continue handling tribal affairs. At that moment, a pair of icy little hands suddenly covered his eyes from behind.

"Guess who I am?"

Lie Zhao inhaled the familiar fragrance and laughed heartily. "Xin'er, how old are you now, yet you still play such childish games? How could I not recognize the scent on you?"

Lie Xin immediately pouted, withdrawing her hands. "Father's emotional intelligence is so low! Your daughter travels all the way from the Holy Ant Tribe to see you, and you can't even indulge me in a little game?"

Lie Zhao gave a bitter laugh. "It's not that I don't want to, but there are just too many tribal matters to attend to. You see, there's a mountain of documents waiting for me."

Lie Xin pointed to a document that Lie Zhao had been pressing down with his elbow.

"Isn't that the financial report of the tribe from last year?"

"I think it's quite simple. I've already calculated it. Last year, the tribe spent 13,000 silver insect crystals and earned 25,000 silver insect crystals. There's a surplus of 12,000 silver insect crystals."

Insect crystals were the universal currency of the cave world. Small tribes rarely had access to insect crystals, usually relying on bartering for goods. Medium and large tribes, however, would encounter this monetary system.

Insect crystals came in two varieties: Silver insect crystals, produced by silver ingot worms, and gold insect crystals, produced by gold ingot worms. The methods for cultivating these ingot worms were tightly controlled by the Myriad Insect Tribe and were seldom leaked.

Particularly the gold ingot worms, which were incredibly difficult to cultivate, making gold insect crystals even more valuable.

Moreover, the Wan Insect Tribe could control the ingot worms to produce insect crystals with unique patterns. These patterns served as anti-counterfeit markers.

Even if some tribes managed to acquire a few ingot worms, it was nearly impossible for them to replicate the insect crystals. This was why the price system in the cave world remained remarkably stable.

Lie Zhao, upon hearing his daughter's words, was somewhat surprised. He quickly lowered his head to recalculate. After a long while, he arrived at the same conclusion.

"Xin'er, try calculating these as well." Lie Zhao handed over several more documents.

Lie Xin took them and glanced over them. Within a few breaths, she had already provided an answer. Her speed left him utterly astonished.

Lie Zhao stared at her as if seeing her for the first time, inspecting his daughter with new eyes.

"Father, what is it?" Lie Xin chuckled mischievously.

Lie Zhao shook his head. "When did you develop such an extraordinary ability with numbers?"

Lie Xin pouted. "I've had it since I was little, but Father always paid attention to my brothers and never cared about me."

Lie Zhao awkwardly smiled and quickly changed the subject. "Xin'er, what brought you back so suddenly? How have you been at the Holy Ant Tribe? How's Mother treating you?"

Chapter 317: Chaos in the Fire Ant Tribe

Lie Xin's expression grew somewhat despondent upon hearing this.

Lie Zhao quickly asked, "What's wrong?"

Lie Xin spoke in a low voice, "Mother... had another child, just half a month ago."

Lie Zhao fell silent. He understood this. His legitimate wife had strong desires, and he had sent a few men to satisfy her needs, but it had been a reluctant decision.

Now that he had returned to the Fire Ant Tribe to take up the position of clan leader, his legitimate wife remained in the Holy Ant Tribe, undoubtedly indulging herself and living in lavish revelry day and night.

The child born now, clearly, was not his own flesh and blood.

"Mother... doesn't really care about me. I rarely eat with her. She's much more concerned with my two younger brothers."

Lie Xin spoke softly.

Lie Zhao could only remain silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Xin'er, would you prefer to stay in the Holy Ant Tribe, or remain in the Fire Ant Tribe? As long as you wish, I'll have someone bring your belongings over, and you can stay here from now on."

Lie Xin shook her head. "I just wanted to see you this time. I'll stay in the Holy Ant Tribe. Grandfather arranged for you and Mother to marry because he saw that she's the granddaughter of the Fifth Elder of the Holy Ant Tribe.

I have the bloodlines of both the Holy Ant Tribe and the Fire Ant Tribe. There, no one will bully me. If the tribe needs any rare resources, I can help collect them in the Holy Ant Tribe and have them sent here. Staying there will be more useful to you, Father."

Upon hearing this, Lie Zhao couldn't help but look at Lie Xin again, a few more times. Although he had many children in name, Lie Xin was the only one born of his legitimate wife.

His three older sons were from concubines, now cultivating in the Fire Ant Tribe to break through to higher levels. As for Lie Xin's younger brothers, it went without saying. None of them carried his bloodline.

In the past, he had never considered that his daughter, a girl, could bear the weight of his vision for the future. But now, hearing his daughter speak, he was for the first time struck by the realization that he had perhaps underestimated her all these years.

"Xin'er, how old are you this year?" Lie Zhao suddenly asked.

"I'm twenty-four," Lie Xin replied.

Lie Zhao felt a wave of emotion. He had only married his legitimate wife from the Holy Ant Tribe when he was forty. The following year, Lie Xin was born.

"How many Insect Orifices have you opened?" Lie Zhao asked again.

Lie Xin's expression darkened slightly, "Father, how could you not know even this?"

Lie Zhao awkwardly smiled, "I can't remember."

Lie Xin spoke softly, "I've opened two Insect Orifices, but the third one is half open. I'm already a silver intermediate Insect Master. I'll soon surpass you, Father."

Lie Zhao nodded. "Xin'er, would you like to open another Insect Orifice?"

Lie Xin was stunned. "Another Insect Orifice? How is that possible?"

Lie Zhao explained the situation with the Orifice Opening Scripture.

Lie Xin's eyes widened in surprise, "Father, you haven't told anyone about this, right? And you haven't passed the Orifice Opening Scripture on to anyone else?"

Lie Zhao shook his head. "No, I haven't."

"My father, your grandfather, only passed on the Orifice Opening Scripture to his most trusted subordinates. Before your grandfather died, all those subordinates were gone as well. Now, only you and I know of the Orifice Opening Scripture's existence."

Lie Xin spoke with great seriousness, "This secret must never be leaked. Unless there is someone with incredibly powerful means to completely control another person, the Orifice Opening Scripture should never be taught to them. Otherwise, anyone could betray us, even blood relatives. Once the Orifice Opening Scripture spreads widely, we will all die."

Lie Zhao was taken aback.

At that moment, his daughter did not seem like a twenty-year-old girl, but rather like a seasoned leader with years of experience.

Lie Zhao pondered for a moment and asked, "The Holy Ant Tribe has the ability to mutate. Do you know of any insects that can control others?"

Lie Xin thought for a moment and then said, "The Holy Ant's breeding method can create a type of demon insect called the Heart-Eating Ant. Through the Heart-Eating Ant, one can control an Insect Master completely. If they leak even a word of the Orifice Opening Scripture, the Heart-Eating Ant will turn on them and consume their heart. However, the Insect Master who cultivates the Heart-Eating Ant is already branded as an evil insect master by the Holy Ant Tribe. The breeding method of the Heart-Eating Ant has been tightly sealed away, and no one can see it."

Lie Zhao sighed lightly. "It's fine. I was just curious. Come with me. I'll pass on the Orifice Opening Scripture to you. Study in secret within the Holy Ant Tribe and don't expose your level."

Lie Xin covered her mouth and giggled lightly. "Don't worry, Father. How could I expose myself so easily?"

Lie Zhao chuckled softly, realizing that his daughter's will was indeed firm, even more so than his own. She would certainly not expose herself.

Yet, he still didn't mention the existence of the magic mirror. That was the greatest secret his father had passed on to him. He had yet to choose his successor. The only person who could know the secret would be the successor.

After Lie Xin left, Lie Zhao once again buried himself in his work, attending to the heavy matters of the tribe.

Chu Xuan had been observing everything.

Lie Zhao's abilities, character, and qualifications were clearly not as remarkable as those of the former Lie Yong. Now he understood. Lie Yong had chosen Lie Zhao as the successor because of his good daughter.

"I hope this Lie Xin will bring me some surprises in the future." Chu Xuan smiled softly.

Five years later, in the Cave World, an unexpected event occurred.

The thirty-sixth leader of the Fire Ant Tribe, Lie Zhao, succumbed to the toll of years spent hunched over his desk, laboring tirelessly.

One day, he suddenly began vomiting blood and could not stop. After three days of lying in bed, with medicine proving useless, he passed away in the dead of night, his life extinguished in an instant.

At the time of his death, Lie Zhao was only seventy-two years old. As a Silver Insect Master, he should have lived to around one hundred and ten. His untimely death was a tragedy, and worse still, he had not named a successor, unlike his father, Lie Yong.

Lie Zhao had three sons within the Fire Ant Tribe and a daughter and two sons in the Holy Ant Tribe. Though the two sons in the Holy Ant Tribe were not his bloodline, no one knew this.

Therefore, the question of who would inherit the leadership of the Fire Ant Tribe became a pressing problem. According to the tribe's rules, all of his offspring had the right to vie for the position of chief.

What made matters even more complicated was that Lie Zhao's three sons were all similarly powerful, each backed by a different elder. This created a stalemate, leading to fierce competition for the position of chief. The Fire Ant Tribe quickly descended into chaos.

...

Holy Ant Tribe.

Lie Xin was reading through books, having already perused the entire collection of the Holy Ant Tribe. Now, she was exploring the libraries of various mid-sized tribes.

"Xin'er, your father is dead."

A large, muscular woman suddenly approached Lie Xin and spoke, her tone casual.

Lie Xin froze, springing to her feet. "What?"

The woman smiled lightly. "I said, your father is dead. Now, the Fire Ant Tribe is without a leader. Your fifth brother wants to try his hand at being chief. You should bring him back. These six Insect Masters will ensure your safety. Of course, there will be those who oppose, but don't worry. Just kill them."

Lie Xin turned to look at the young man standing nearby.

The young man was tall and handsome, and his name was Lie Qing, her fifth brother. The two of them shared half of the same bloodline.

"Sister, let's go," he said, grinning widely. "That's the leader of a mid-sized tribe! I've been looking forward to this day!"

Lie Qing smiled broadly, showing no trace of grief over their father's death. Instead, his eyes gleamed with eager ambition for the position of chief.

Lie Xin suppressed the pain in her heart and, with a calm face, replied, "Alright, we'll go. The position of chief is meant for you, Fifth Brother."