Demonic Cultivator(330-336) (Patreon)

Chapter 330: I Have Never Failed in Divination

Fu Tenglong understood the situation all too well.

Wen Lingtian was a Deity Transformation cultivator, deeply versed in the art of divination. As long as he was willing to expend some of his lifespan, locating the Golden Dragon Ship would be no challenge at all.

However, the faction led by Elder Jin Yaozu had always been at odds with him. After much thought, Fu Tenglong decided it was not wise to squander a favor with Wen Lingtian. Let Jin Yaozu handle the headache himself.

With a cold sneer, Fu Tenglong instructed his subordinates to inform Elder Jin Yaozu of the situation.

...

In the Boundless Starry Sea

A fleet of ships was steadily advancing toward a cultivation planet.

At the head of the fleet was an enormous ship, far larger than any of the others behind it. This was the ship of the Exquisite Treasures Alliance's Elder Jin Yaozu—the Tianlong Ship.

At this moment, Jin Yaozu sat cross-legged upon a plush bed. Two graceful female cultivators flanked him, offering the freshest spiritual fruits.

Just then, a voice came from outside the door.

"Master, news from Treasure Star—The Golden Dragon Fleet has gone missing."

Jin Yaozu froze, abruptly rising from the bed. "Come in and speak!"

A burly middle-aged man entered cautiously—this was Jin Yaozu's eldest disciple, Dong Fangshuo.

Ignoring the two female cultivators, Dong Fangshuo spoke respectfully, "Master, the Alliance Lord says that even his Boundless Star Disc cannot detect the whereabouts of the Golden Dragon Ship, and he suggests you handle it yourself."

Jin Yaozu clenched his fists. "No other information? What about Jin Dafu? What's his status?"

Dong Fang Shuo shook his head. "We don't know."

Jin Yaozu began to pace back and forth, his face darkening. "That bastard Fu Tenglong! He's clearly trying to avoid helping me! His Boundless Star Disc can track the location of every ship in the fleet—how could it possibly fail to locate the Golden Dragon Ship? Damn him!"

The more Jin Yaozu thought about it, the angrier he became, convinced that Fu Tenglong was relishing his predicament.

Dong Fang Shuo, ever the cautious disciple, gently offered a suggestion. "Master, since you share a bloodline with Jin Dafu, perhaps you can track him through your blood connection."

Jin Yaozu suddenly slapped his forehead. "That's right! Damn Fu Tenglong! He's made me lose my wits!"

Dong Fang Shuo lowered his head, silent. He had long since grown accustomed to his master's frequent lapses in clarity, especially when his emotions ran high. The more agitated Jin Yaozu became, the more disoriented he seemed.

But there was no helping it—this was just how his master was.

Jin Yaozu immediately squeezed out a drop of his essence blood, forming a hand seal to activate his secret method.

The blood swelled up unexpectedly, transforming into a massive blood screen. If all went as expected, this blood screen would reveal the location of Jin Dafu. He had used this method before to search for his lost sixteenth son and found him with ease.

However, this time, the blood screen didn't aid him. The blood screen remained a foggy red, showing nothing at all.

Jin Yaozu refused to believe it. He immediately forced out three more drops of essence blood, infusing them into the screen. The blood screen grew brighter and more vivid, yet still, there was nothing.

Jin Yaozu was dumbfounded. Dong Fang Shuo was equally stunned. This was a Deity Transformation cultivator using his essence blood to trace a bloodline heir. How could it not work?

Unless...

Someone else, also a Deity Transformation expert, had used sinister means to obscure the bloodline connection.

Jin Yaozu gritted his teeth. "Who? Who could it be?! Is it one of my rivals in the Exquisite Treasures Alliance? Or someone coveting Jin Dafu's wealth?"

Dong Fang Shuo lowered his voice, "Master, I know you're anxious, but please calm down. Anyone who could block a bloodline connection must be powerful. I think you could try asking Zhao Tiancang for help. His divination skills are exceptional and almost never fail.

If he helps, we'll surely find Jin Dafu's whereabouts. Then, we'll know exactly who did this. If even Zhao Tian Cang can't find anything, we may need to ask Wen Lingtian of the Reincarnation Divine Sect. But his fees are quite high..."

Jin Yaozu cursed, "Zhao Tiancang? That old ghost doesn't have a good relationship with me. If I go to him for divination, I'll be forced to pay through the nose again!"

Dong Fang Shuo lowered his head, "Master, it's inevitable that we'll need to part with some treasures to find Jin Dafu. Please don't be upset."

Jin Yaozu took several deep breaths to calm himself down.

"Send word. We won't go to Silver Orchid Star. Change course to Reincarnation Star!"

"Yes, Master!"

Not long after, Reincarnation Star.

Zhao Tian Cang, the venerable diviner, sat across from Jin Yaozu. Dong Fang Shuo stood respectfully by the side.

Jin Yaozu, growing impatient, asked, "Zhao Tian Cang, give me a clear answer. Will you help me with the divination and find my son's whereabouts?"

Zhao Tian Cang leisurely sipped his tea and smiled, "I can help, but I require a Heavenly Array Colossus."

Jin Yaozu's eyes widened in surprise, "Heavenly Array Colossus? Impossible! I only have three!"

The Heavenly Array Colossus, much like the Gaint Rock Puppet, was one of Exquisite Treasures Alliance's unique puppets.

The Heavenly Array Colossus could control arrays. Any array with it at the helm would increase its power by more than thirty percent. Additionally, it had the ability to alter the formation, making it nearly equivalent to a half-formation master.

Zhao Tian Cang rose from his seat, "Then I'm afraid you'll have to leave."

Jin Yaozu cursed, "A lion's share, eh? I'll never ask for your help again!"

He stormed towards the hall's entrance, taking one step, then two, then three...

Zhao Tian Cang, unfazed, simply watched him leave.

Then, Jin Yaozu paused and returned, "Fine, I'll give it to you."

Dong Fang Shuo observed the entire exchange, maintaining an air of detachment.

His master, despite leading a major business group, acted more like a territory chief than a savvy merchant. He wasn't good at bargaining. Whenever someone gave him a price, he simply agreed, rarely attempting to negotiate.

Zhao Tiancang smiled widely and nodded, "Each time I perform divination, it costs at least a hundred years of my life. My hundred years of life are precious, Fellow Daoist Jin, please understand."

Jin Yaozu snorted coldly, "I'll give you the Heavenly Array Colossus, but my only condition is that you must find my son's whereabouts. Otherwise, I won't compensate for the lost years of your life, and I'll take back the Heavenly Array Colossus!"

Zhao Tiancang laughed heartily, his confidence unwavering, "Rest assured! I have never failed in divination!"

He took out a set of thirty-six jade slips, each one carefully crafted as part of his latest magic treasure, the Six Divinations Technique. It represented the culmination of his life's work in divination.

He then requested a drop of Jin Yaozu's essence blood.

The blood condensed into threads, merging with the thirty-six jade slips.

"With a hundred years of my life, I inquire about Jin Dafu's location."

Zhao Tian Cang slammed the Six Divinations Technique onto the table, speaking with great solemnity.

The jade slips flew into the air, weaving together a glowing screen. Countless stars spun and shifted. The vast starry sky rippled, changing shape. The image seemed to be gradually becoming clearer.

Jin Yaozu and Dong Fang Shuo both stretched their necks, eager to discover where Jin Dafu might be.

But then...

Crack!

It sounded as though a colossal hand, filled with boundless power, had come crashing down from the void. The glowing screen produced by the Six Divinations Technique was instantly flattened.

Zhao Tiancang's smile froze.

Jin Yaozu stared at the now empty Inquiry Heaven Mirror and looked at him, "Where is my son?"

Zhao Tiancang: "...".

Chapter 331: I am growing old... old

It wasn't until Jin Yaozu stormed off with Dongfang Shuo in tow that Tiancang came to his senses. He stood there, lost and disoriented, muttering to himself, "How could this be..."

He had invested countless efforts and spiritual stones, entrusting others to craft the Six Divination Slips. Yet two of them shattered instantly.

The rest of the jade slips were also riddled with cracks. This magical treasure had essentially been ruined. Not only had he failed to obtain the Heavenly Array Colossus, but he had also wasted a century of his lifespan, along with the precious Six Divination Slips.

He had originally intended to use this treasure to track down He Liang's whereabouts.

"How could this be! How could this be!"

True Master Tiancang howled, his eyes wide with madness.

...

"Tiancang the old wretch is a master of divination, yet he couldn't even find my son's whereabouts."

Jin Yaozu muttered darkly.

Dongfang Shuo lowered his voice, "Master, should we perhaps ask Senior Wen Lingtian of the Reincarnation Divine Sect for assistance? As long as you can meet his price, he will surely help."

Jin Yaozu clenched his teeth, "Wen Lingtian... he's not like Tian Cang the old ghost. Even if he can't find Dafu's whereabouts, there's no chance he'd return what he took from me. He's an Astral Projection cultivator; I wouldn't dare argue with him."

Dongfang Shuo sighed, "Then it is up to you, Master. Dafu's spirit should understand from the heavens."

At the mention of his son, Jin Yaozu's eyes reddened. Jin Dafu had been his most beloved son. To lose him in such silence and without a trace—how could he possibly accept it?

"Let's go! We shall find Wen Lingtian!"

...

At the Reincarnation Divine Sect's main hall, Situ Kong received Jin Yaozu. He cupped his hands in respect and said, "Senior Jin, my ancestor has publicly announced that he will no longer perform divination. Senior Jin, you may want to seek someone else."

"What?!" Jin Yaozu's face was filled with astonishment.

No more divination?

You, a powerful Astral Projection cultivator, whose very life treasure is a divination tool, now claim to stop divining? Who would believe that?

Jin Yaozu gritted his teeth. "I am willing to offer the method for crafting the Heavenly Array Colossus! Please, Senior, grant me this favor!"

Situ Kong raised an eyebrow.

The crafting method for the Heavenly Array Colossus was indeed a priceless treasure. The Exquisite Treasures Alliance had repeatedly insisted that only the puppets themselves could be sold, but the crafting method must never be leaked.

The Reincarnation Divine Sect had long coveted the Heavenly Array Colossus. To his surprise, Jin Yaozu was willing to trade this method in exchange for one divination from Wen Lingtian.

"Please wait, Senior Jin. I will report to my ancestor!"

Situ Kong turned and left. Moments later, he returned, smiling.

"Senior Jin, my ancestor has said that although he no longer performs divinations, he deeply understands your paternal affection and is willing to make an exception."

Jin Yaozu bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior, for your kindness!"

He immediately handed over a jade slip with both hands. "This contains the method for crafting the Heavenly Array Colossus. Please, do not spread it."

Situ Kong smiled. "I understand."

After a while, a hearty laugh suddenly echoed through the hall.

"Jin Yaozu, I remember you well. How time flies! You've even reached the Deity Transformation realm—very impressive."

Wen Lingtian, with the ethereal aura of a celestial being, appeared before them. Jin Yaozu and Dongfang Shuo hurriedly bowed. This was an Astral Projection cultivator—the ancestor of the Reincarnation Divine Sect! With a mere wave, he could obliterate them both.

"For the sake of your son, you have gone to such lengths. Truly, the bond between father and child is evident. I have always favored those who are deeply devoted in love. Enough, enough. I shall make an exception and help you this once!"

With a wave of his hand, Wen Lingtian summoned the Inquiry Heaven Mirror. The surface of the mirror reflected the boundless starry sky, with countless stars rising and falling in an endless cycle.

Dongfang Shuo, after just a glance, felt as if he too were sinking into the mirror, floating and sinking among the stars.

Jin Yaozu quickly grabbed Dongfang Shuo, hissing, "This is a divination treasure, infused with immense fate. You are but a Nascent Soul cultivator, your cultivation too weak—do not gaze upon it any longer!"

Dongfang Shuo hastily averted his eyes, his heart filled with fear.

Wen Lingtian spoke calmly, "Your blood."

Without hesitation, Jin Yaozu forced out a drop of his essence blood.

The blood fell into the Wen Tian Mirror of its own accord. In the blink of an eye, it was absorbed, disappearing into the vast sea of stars.

"With my hundred years of lifespan, I seek the whereabouts of Jin Dafu!"

Wen Lingtian let out a low growl and slammed his palm onto the Inquiry Heaven Mirror.

The mirror's surface immediately rippled with violent waves, as though a furious ocean raged beneath a storm. Within the storm, the shape of stars slowly began to emerge.

Jin Yaozu's face brightened.

Indeed, the divination of an Astral Projection cultivator was far more reliable than that of a Deity Transformation cultivator. After all, Zhao Tian Cang had not seen a single image during his divination.

However, Wen Lingtian's expression gradually darkened. The stars reflected in the mirror were increasingly unfamiliar—some even beyond his experience.

What troubled him further was that the image had not yet stopped. It continued to move forward, unceasing. Finally, the mirror began to churn violently. The entire Mirror trembled with intensity.

Crack!

It was as if an invisible hand had struck from the void, causing the mirror to calm instantly. It returned to its initial stillness.

Jin Yaozu's face went pale with confusion. "Senior, what is this...?"

Wen Lingtian's face was ashen, and after a long pause, he spoke in a cold voice, "I cannot find him."

Jin Yaozu and Dongfang Shuo gaped in shock.

An Astral Projection cultivator couldn't find him? How could that be?!

Jin Yaozu couldn't contain himself. "Senior, you accepted my Heavenly Array Colossus crafting method. You can't possibly... betray your conscience..."

Wen Lingtian's veins bulged, his voice like a thunderclap. "I, the ancestor of the Reincarnation Divine Sect, would not casually deceive you! Your son, Jin Dafu, is simply beyond my reach! My lifespan cannot be wasted in vain! Situ, see them out!"

With a sweep of his sleeve, Wen Lingtian summoned a gust of wind so powerful it swept Jin Yaozu and Dongfang Shuo from the hall, tossing them out of the sect.

Situ Kong sighed bitterly, offering a wry smile. "I suspect your son may have been taken control of by an Astral Projection cultivator. After all, few can escape the divination methods of our ancestor."

Astral Projection cultivator?

Jin Yaozu racked his brain, unable to fathom how his son, Jin Dafu, could possibly provoke such a powerful figure.

"Impossible. I must confront Senior and discuss this!"

"Leave!"

A furious shout echoed from within the hall.

The air rippled like the roar of an ancient beast.

Jin Yaozu's body broke out in cold sweat, while Dongfang Shuo trembled so violently he nearly fell to his knees.

"Let's go. Let's go..."

Jin Yaozu, disheartened, realized he had lost composure.

For a Deity Transformation cultivator to offend an Astral Projection cultivator—Wen Lingtian had not killed him, all because of the precious gift he had offered.

Situ Kong was about to return to the hall when another roar rang out.

"You get out too!"

Situ Kong, with a bitter smile, turned to leave.

Wen Lingtian gazed at the now still Inquiry Heaven Mirror, his expression one of deep frustration. For the first time, he felt his divination skills were worthless.

"I thought that after all these years, my divination would have improved. But it seems... I've only regressed. I am growing old... old..."

His face fell, and he walked into the darkness of the hall, his shoulders slumping with a sense of melancholy.

Chapter 332: Slay this Scoundrel

Chu Xuan had no knowledge of the events that transpired between Gold Dragon Ancestor, Zhao Tian, and Wen Lingtian. He was also unaware that his seemingly innocent actions had inadvertently shattered the Dao hearts of Zhao Tian and Wen Lingtian.

At present, his attention was entirely focused on the Cave World, and more specifically, on Lie Xin. It had now been thirty-one years since the Cave World began, and Lie Xin had just turned sixty years old.

Over the past few years, Chu Xuan's spiritual sense had undergone significant refinement, and his range had expanded greatly. He could now easily perceive most of the Fire Ant Tribe, with clarity and precision. As a result, he could closely monitor Lie Xin's every move.

In broad terms, Lie Xin was leveraging the identity of Lie Qing to gain support from the Fifth Elder of the Holy Ant Tribe. Various resources were continuously funneled into the Fire Ant Tribe. After all, Lie Qing was the grandson of the Fifth Elder's granddaughter, making him a favored great-grandson!

This connection alone had enabled the Fire Ant Tribe to acquire far more resources than neighboring tribes like the Flying Sky Ant Tribe and the Corrosive Ant Tribe, much to their envy.

With these resources in hand, everything became easier.

On the micro level, things were even more intricate, and this was Lie Xin's area of expertise. Numerous strategies were proposed by her and officially decreed through the mouth of Lie Qing.

These measures covered all aspects of the tribe's operation. Some of them were universally beneficial, drawing support from both the upper and lower ranks of the tribe, while others directly harmed the interests of certain individuals.

Take the issue of resource management, for example.

Previously, the Insect Masters had never been involved in production and had always been supported by the tribe. Over time, they had become disconnected from the lower-ranked members, indulging in luxury while the common folk struggled. This led to ridicule, with some even joking that they lived as though they were untouched by hardship.

To ensure the tribe's prosperity, it was necessary to allocate more land to the lower-ranking members, allowing them to cultivate it, raise magical insects, and have room for upward mobility. However, land had to be taken from the families of the Insect Masters.

Would this not directly infringe upon their interests?

Lie Yong, Lie Zhao, and the past patriarchs were not blind to such conflicts, but they had no power to change them. However, Lie Xin had the ability to act, for the current patriarch, Lie Qing, was supported by the Fifth Elder of the Holy Ant Tribe!

No matter how powerful the families of the Fire Ant Tribe were, they dared not defy the Holy Ant Tribe. They could only swallow their grievances in silence.

In the span of thirty years, the Fire Ant Tribe had grown considerably. One could roughly estimate a tribe's strength by the number of Insect Masters who had undergone specific stages of training over a certain period.

Chu Xuan could roughly estimate that the overall strength of the Fire Ant Tribe had expanded at least threefold over the past thirty-one years.

This was the remarkable achievement of Lie Xin in those thirty years.

At this moment, Lie Xin sat by the pool, leisurely fishing. Beside her was a plate of fruit that resembled grapes. She appeared quite relaxed.

Her hair had turned completely silver, and her face had gained many wrinkles. Yet, traces of her youthful beauty could still be seen. Perhaps due to the tragic death of her father, who had succumbed to exhaustion, Lie Xin had learned the importance of not overworking. She now refrained from excessive toil and instead focused on setting the larger goals and strategies. As for the finer details, she left them to her subordinates to handle.

Her philosophy was simple: "Trust those you employ, and if you doubt them, don't use them." If one attempted to oversee every minute detail personally, it would eventually lead to burnout, just as her father had experienced.

At that moment, a figure approached her. The person was tall, with graying temples, and was none other than Sheng Jie, Lie Xin's maternal uncle. However, the current Sheng Jie treated her with great respect.

"Master," he said respectfully, "As per your instructions, I've anonymously reported the Flying Sky Ant Tribe leader's secret meeting with the Mad Spider Tribe to the Third Elder."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing. "However, I'm concerned. The evidence is half true, half false. Will the Third Elder believe it?"

Lie Xin smiled faintly. "The Third Elder and the Fifth Elder of the Holy Ant Tribe have always been at odds. The Mad Spider Tribe is the mortal enemy of the Holy Ant Tribe. Once this matter comes to light, the Third Elder will certainly use it to force the Fifth Elder to take drastic action against the Flying Sky Ant Tribe. This will give us the excuse we need to strike at the Flying Sky Ant Tribe. And from this point on, the Fifth Elder will have no choice but to rely on our Fire Ant Tribe for everything."

Sheng Jie nodded in respect. "Master's insight is unmatched."

Lie Xin waved her hand dismissively. "Go now. I'm not involved in the internal matters of the Holy Ant Tribe. You are one of the Fifth Elder's sons, so you have the qualifications to participate. If the Fifth Elder shows any signs of wanting to eradicate the Flying Sky Ant Tribe, inform me immediately."

"Understood, Master!" Sheng Jie replied, bowing respectfully before turning to leave.

Lie Xin watched his retreating figure, a faint smile playing on her lips.

The Mind Control Ant had been implanted in Lie Qing's mind, subtly altering his cognition over the years. Even if the Mind Control Ant were to leave his mind now, Lie Qing would still unconditionally follow her commands.

Now, she had turned the Mind Control Ant on Sheng Jie, her uncle.

The results were immediate.

Sheng Jie had become her eyes and ears within the Holy Ant Tribe, providing her with a steady stream of intelligence.

The current scheme to deal with the Flying Sky Ant Tribe was merely a small maneuver. With the strength of the Fire Ant Tribe, it would be easy to crush the Flying Sky Ant Tribe, but they simply lacked a reason to do so.

The fabricated evidence, half-truth and half-lie, provided the perfect excuse.

This would also force the Fifth Elder to act against the Flying Sky Ant Tribe, severing ties with his own allies and leaving him with no choice but to rely on the Fire Ant Tribe.

Such a situation would eventually make it easier for her to take control of the Holy Ant Tribe.

"I remember we still owe the Flying Sky Ant Tribe quite a number of Insect Crystals. After so many years of delays, there are still around seventy to eighty thousand left. Eliminating the Flying Sky Ant Tribe will clear that debt once and for all."

A sly glint flashed in Lie Xin's bright eyes.

In less than three days, Sheng Jie sent back news that the Fifth Elder had indeed decided to sever ties decisively.

Lie Xin acted without hesitation.

The insect masters of the Fire Ant Tribe, who had been accumulating power for years, charged into the Flying Sky Ant Tribe's territory, their battle cries echoing through the air.

However, the insect masters adhered strictly to their code. They harmed no women or children. They destroyed no homes. They took no valuables.

Faced with such overwhelming strength, the insect masters of the Flying Sky Ant Tribe were utterly defeated, retreating step by step.

The common tribespeople could only watch as the insect masters of the Fire Ant Tribe stormed into the tribal hall.

The Flying Sky Ant Tribe's leader, in utter despair, fell to his knees.

"Lie Qing! Spare me, spare my life!" he cried. "I, the Flying Sky Ant Tribe, am willing to merge with the Fire Ant Tribe. I beg you, spare my life!"

He clung desperately to Lie Qing's leg as though it were his only lifeline.

But Lie Qing said nothing. Instead, he stepped aside, allowing a small figure to emerge from the entrance of the hall.

The figure walked slowly, step by step, and soon stood before the leader of the Flying Sky Ant Tribe.

The leader froze in place, raising his head.

"Did you ever consider this moment when your Flying Sky Ant Tribe coveted our land and repeatedly invaded the Fire Ant Tribe?" Lie Xin's cold voice pierced through the silence as she glared down at him.

The Flying Sky Ant Tribe's leader wept bitterly, his tears streaming down his face. "I was wrong! I will never do it again! Please, spare me!"

Lie Xin sneered, raising her hand with a swift motion.

Two iron blades were immediately pressed against his neck.

"Execute this traitor, and use his head to appease the spirit of the 35th patriarch, Lie Yong, in the heavens!" Lie Xin roared.

Her small body released an unexpectedly powerful voice.

Her grandfather, Lie Yong, had been gravely wounded in battle with the leader of the Flying Sky Ant Tribe and had died early as a result.

The sound of a sharp crack echoed through the hall.

The iron blades fell. The head of the Flying Sky Ant Tribe's leader rolled onto the ground like a ball. In his eyes, a look of disbelief and unwillingness remained.

Chapter 333: Appointing the Worthy Without Favoritism

In the Cave World, another decade passed. Lie Xin was now seventy years old.

Over these ten years, she had remained steadfast in executing her strategies. On the one hand, she continued to strengthen the Fire Ant Tribe. On the other, she worked diligently to weaken the Holy Ant Tribe, laying the groundwork for her eventual ascension to its leadership.

She knew very well that the current patriarch of the Holy Ant Tribe had little time left to live. It was imperative to swiftly designate a young patriarch.

According to the Holy Ant Tribe's tradition, the patriarch and the five elders each selected one candidate. Together, these six individuals would compete for the position of the young patriarch.

The Fifth Elder had no candidate, and Lie Xin, after decades of hard training, had risen to the rank of a top-tier Golden Insect Master. If all went according to plan, she would be one of the six.

However, the Holy Ant Tribe's patriarch held great power. He intended to appoint his young great-grandson as the young patriarch. How could Lie Xin turn the situation in her favor?

At present, the overall strength of the Fire Ant Tribe had expanded significantly. But even so, it was only on par with the Holy Ant Tribe. If she were to force an attack, the outcome would surely be disastrous.

How could she achieve the greatest victory with the least cost?

Lie Xin furrowed her brows in deep thought.

Just then, Sheng Jie hurried over.

"Master, important intelligence!" he exclaimed. "The Great Elder, the Third Elder, and the Mad Spider Tribe have secretly met and, in the dark, replaced the guardians of the tribe with their own people."

Lie Xin raised an eyebrow.

What was this about? A rebellion?

The Third Elder, usually the most vocal, had always claimed that he would annihilate the entire Mad Spider Tribe. Yet, to her surprise, this bold, brash individual had already betrayed them.

Lie Xin pondered for a moment.

This could be an excellent opportunity. If she played her cards right, she might just be able to secure the position of young patriarch. Ultimately, once the current patriarch passed, she could take control of the Holy Ant Tribe!

After thinking for a while, Lie Xin issued her command.

"Pass the orders. The elite insect masters of the Fire Ant Tribe are to immediately set up ambushes at the caves outside the Holy Ant Tribe, awaiting my signal. Also, inform the agents I have placed under the Great Elder and the Third Elder to do the same and wait for my signal before they act together."

Sheng Jie bowed respectfully. "Understood."

...

A few days later, the Fifth Elder indeed sent word.

The patriarch's time was short, and a meeting was to be convened to decide the candidate for the young patriarch. The patriarch and the five elders would each select one candidate, who would immediately travel to the Holy Ant Tribe to compete for the position.

The Fifth Elder's chosen candidate was Lie Xin.

Since Lie Xin had demonstrated the strength of a Golden Insect Master, no one dared to underestimate her anymore. Moreover, though she was seventy, given the lifespan of a Golden Insect Master, she still had many years ahead of her. She was also the Fifth Elder's great-granddaughter, which made her the natural choice in both sentiment and reason.

Several more days passed.

Lie Xin, escorted by the insect masters of the Fire Ant Tribe, arrived at the Holy Ant Tribe's hall. There, she met the other five candidates for the young patriarch position.

Patriarch Sheng Wei was sitting in his chair, his body supported by four robust insect masters as they carried him into the hall.

"What's your name? I don't recall seeing you before," he suddenly asked, noticing one of the insect masters guarding the entrance.

The insect master appeared flustered but still respectfully responded, "I am Sheng Zixiong, newly assigned to guard the hall."

Sheng Wei nodded slightly, not giving it much thought, and entered the hall.

"Ahem... Since everyone is here, let's begin," the patriarch said, clearing his throat several times before speaking slowly.

He sat in the highest chair, his entire body sunk deep into the soft furs. Though his figure remained tall and his frame still strong, there was an air about him, like a flickering candle on the verge of going out.

Sheng Wei calmly spoke, "As per tradition, each of you will first present your candidate and explain your reasons. Once everyone has spoken, I will make the final decision."

He looked around, as though experiencing a brief moment of clarity, before saying solemnly, "In the matter of recommending talent, I will not avoid family ties. The candidate I recommend is my great-grandson. Though he is young, he is naturally gifted, possessing the Four Insect Orifices. In the future, he will surely become a Platinum Insect Master. He is fit for the position of young patriarch."

After speaking, Sheng Wei turned his gaze toward the others. "Now, it is your turn."

When he said this, he carried the air of an aging lion, though still imposing in presence.

The Great Elder spoke calmly, "I recommend my eldest grandson."

Sheng Wei furrowed his brows and turned to the Second Elder. "And you?"

The Second Elder gave a dry chuckle, "I second the patriarch's recommendation."

Sheng Wei's expression softened slightly as he looked toward the Third Elder.

The Third Elder immediately stood up and addressed Sheng Wei, "Patriarch, your great-grandson is still too young. Who knows how many more years it will take before he matures? The Holy Ant Tribe is surrounded by powerful enemies. We do not have the luxury of time for his growth."

Sheng Wei's brows furrowed deeper.

Within the Holy Ant Tribe, his authority was unrivaled. This meeting was supposed to be a mere formality. In reality, everyone already knew that his great-grandson was the chosen one for the young patriarch position.

Now, there was unexpected resistance?

The Third Elder spoke loudly, "The position of young patriarch is of paramount importance to the future of our tribe. It cannot be decided by just one person. Moreover, the tribe is not a dictatorship ruled by the patriarch alone. We must select someone capable, someone with experience, to assume the position of young patriarch. I believe the Great Elder's eldest grandson is a suitable candidate."

With that, the Third Elder returned to his seat.

Sheng Wei furrowed his brows and turned to look at the Fourth Elder.

The Fourth Elder scratched his head, looking hesitant. "Patriarch... I think this matter still requires careful consideration..."

Sheng Wei's face darkened, his gaze shifting to the Fifth Elder.

The Fifth Elder forced a polite smile, "I recommend my great-granddaughter, but I do believe what the patriarch said has merit. Still, I think it's important to discuss this matter more carefully..."

Lie Xin, listening to this, couldn't help but laugh inwardly. The Fifth Elder's words sounded like a broken record, repeating the same idea without any substance.

Sheng Wei took a deep breath. "Great Elder, Third Elder, are you so determined to oppose me?"

The Third Elder stood tall and spoke in a righteous tone, "It is not that we oppose, Patriarch, but we must think of the tribe's future!"

Sheng Wei's face twisted with fury, and he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. "Oh, what a noble stance for the tribe's future! Patriarch's guards, come forth, seize the Great Elder and Third Elder!"

Swish, swish, swish!

Immediately, a large group of insect masters appeared, but instead of bowing to Sheng Wei, they turned and faced the Great Elder and Third Elder.

The lead Golden Insect Master respectfully addressed them, "Greetings, Great Elder, Third Elder!"

The Great Elder calmly responded, "The Patriarch is old and confused, deceived by treacherous people. Take the Patriarch back to rest. The matter of the young patriarch should be discussed later."

"Yes!" The lead insect master nodded respectfully.

Swish, swish, swish!

The insect masters immediately rose, moving toward Sheng Wei with evident intent to detain him.

Sheng Wei's face drained of color, his chest swelling with fury. These insect masters were strangers to him—he had never seen them before. His suspicions immediately crystallized. The Great Elder and Third Elder must have secretly replaced the tribe's guards!

These two had been planning this for a long time!

"You... you!" Sheng Wei's voice trembled with rage. His anger caused him to cough up blood repeatedly.

Although he was a Platinum Insect Master, he was now old and frail, his strength much diminished. His power was no longer on par with a high-ranking Golden Insect Master. At this moment, he couldn't do anything to stop the Great Elder and Third Elder.

Just as the tension was about to escalate, a voice suddenly rang out.

"The Fire Ant Tribe has objections!"

Chapter 334: Mutiny

Everyone turned toward the voice, seeing a petite, delicate figure emerge from the shadows.

The Third Elder paused for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.

"Haha! Fifth Elder, is this the person you recommended? She doesn't even bear the Sheng surname!" he mocked.

The Great Elder's expression remained calm as he spoke, "I remember your name, Lie Xin. You do not bear the Sheng surname, so you are not one of our Holy Ant Tribe," he continued, his tone filled with disdain. "Those who are not of our kin must have different hearts. Seize her and throw her into the tribe's dungeon!"

As the Great Elder gave the order, a few insect masters rushed forward to subdue Lie Xin.

However, in the blink of an eye, Lie Xin suddenly swung her fist with explosive force. Her petite fist struck with overwhelming power, and in an instant, the insect masters who had tried to seize her were sent flying to the ground. They writhed in pain, clearly unable to continue fighting.

The leader of the group, the Golden Insect Master, Zhu Qi, felt his pupils contract in shock. These insect masters, although not Golden Insect Masters, were seasoned Silver Insect Masters, yet they had been effortlessly knocked out by Lie Xin.

The Great Elder and Third Elder exchanged glances, both surprised.

"This Lie Xin... seems to have some real strength."

"Seize her!" the Great Elder barked.

"I'll handle it personally," Zhu Qi sneered as he stepped forward.

Zhu Qi was a mid-level Golden Insect Master from the Mad Spider Tribe. He had been sent by the tribe's leader to assist the Great Elder and Third Elder in their power struggle. Even without calling on his yao insect, he was confident in his ability to subdue this petite woman with ease.

"Come here!" Zhu Qi roared as his large, rough hands lunged toward her.

Lie Xin's lips curled into a faint smile, and instead of retreating, she advanced, delivering another crushing blow with her fist.

Zhu Qi let out a derisive laugh. "You're seeking death!"

In the next instant, their fists collided with an explosive crash.

Crack!

Zhu Qi's arm twisted unnaturally at the impact, his bones clearly shattered as the force of Lie Xin's strike drove through him. Lie Xin then swiftly twisted his arm further, contorting it in a painful direction, causing Zhu Qi to scream out in agony.

Unable to withstand the pain, Zhu Qi's body instinctively bent downward to alleviate the intense pressure on his arm.

This left his head exposed to Lie Xin's next strike.

"Die!" Lie Xin's eyes gleamed with a cold, lethal light as she raised her elbow high, preparing to strike at the back of Zhu Qi's head.

If the blow landed, it would surely kill him.

Zhu Qi's pupils dilated in panic, and the instinct for survival took over. He immediately summoned his demon insect—the Earth Tough Spider.

The spider, the size of a young calf, emerged from the ground with a terrifying presence. Its body was a dirty yellow, covered in thick bristles, and its sheer size was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.

The Earth Tough Spider, one of the most popular demon insects of the Mad Spider Tribe, was known for its immense strength and durable exoskeleton—perfect for withstanding enemy attacks.

Seeing the spider, Lie Xin smiled faintly and immediately sprang backward, leaping several feet away to create distance.

"Spiders!"

The crowd gasped in shock.

In the Holy Ant Tribe, insect masters traditionally contracted with ants, but only their mortal enemies, the Mad Spider Tribe, were known to form pacts with spiders!

"This person is an insect master from the Mad Spider Tribe!" a few insect masters whispered in disbelief.

Sheng Wei slammed his hand onto the armrest, his face contorted with fury. "Great Elder, is this your person? You've colluded with the Mad Spider Tribe—you're staging a rebellion!"

The animosity between the Holy Ant Tribe and the Mad Spider Tribe had existed for generations. In fact, opposing the Mad Spider Tribe was considered a political standard in the Holy Ant Tribe.

For the Great Elder and the Third Elder to seek the Mad Spider Tribe's help to seize power, they had been careful to ensure that none of the Mad Spider Tribe's insect masters openly summoned their demon insects. But now, with Lie Xin's unexpected interference, their plans had been exposed.

With Zhu Qi revealing his affiliation with the Mad Spider Tribe, the rebellion of the Great Elder and Third Elder had been confirmed.

The Great Elder's face darkened. "Since that's the case, then we'll leave no one alive! Kill everyone here, not a single one shall remain!"

The Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder all turned pale, quickly summoning their demon insects.

But they were old now. Even though they had once held the rank of Golden Insect Master in their youth, their power had significantly waned. Facing the overwhelming force of the Mad Spider Tribe's insect masters, how could they hope to withstand?

Zhu Qi gritted his teeth, enduring the pain as he slowly rose to his feet. His eyes were fixed on Lie Xin, and he growled through clenched teeth, "So be it!"

With a sweeping motion of his arm, two more spiders appeared beside him.

One was the Shadow Spider, known for its stealth and ambush abilities. The other was the Purple Poison Spider, notorious for spitting deadly venom.

"Filthy woman, I'll tear you apart!" Zhu Qi's features twisted with rage. He had never suffered such humiliation—being a mid-tier Golden Insect Master, to have his arm twisted like a ragdoll by a woman, no less one whose physique was nowhere near his own!

At that moment, Lie Xin took out a special insect whistle and blew it with a sharp, eerie tone. The strange, low-pitched sound resonated and traveled far.

Zhu Qi sneered, "Trying to call for backup? Don't bother! Seventy to eighty percent of the Holy Ant Tribe's insect masters have been dispatched elsewhere. There's no group of insect masters nearby. You're all alone!"

"Kill her!" Zhu Qi roared, his voice dripping with venom.

The Shadow Spider, Purple Poison Spider, and the Earth Tough Spider all rushed toward Lie Xin with terrifying speed.

Lie Xin smirked. "I wouldn't be so sure about that!"

With a wave of her hand, two massive ants appeared before her.

The ant on the left was enormous, its body covered in thick, tough exoskeleton armor. Three pairs of legs were engulfed in flames, and its powerful jaws were sharp enough to cleave through steel.

The ant on the right was slightly smaller, lacking the flames of its counterpart. However, it continuously exhaled thick clouds of black smoke from its mandibles, creating an ominous aura.

The ground trembled slightly as the two giant ants stood poised, ready to engage in battle.

The two giant ants, named Flame Armored Ant and Explosion Ant, were formidable creatures.

The former was strong both in defense and in fiery attacks, while the latter could spit high-temperature fireballs that not only burned their target but also exploded on impact. After practicing the Fire Gu Refinement Method granted by the mirror, the strength of these two ants had greatly increased.

In an instant, Lie Xin's giant ants collided with Zhu Qi's demon spiders.

Even though it was two against three, the Flame Armored Ant and Explosion Ant completely suppressed Zhu Qi's three spiders. The Flame Armored Ant, with its enormous size and thick exoskeleton, blocked the spiders' attacks, while the Explosion Ant remained in the rear, firing explosive bursts of fiery projectiles.

Zhu Qi was stunned.

Three against two, and still getting crushed?

He couldn't believe it. Was this going to turn into a full-on team fight?

In that moment, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Lie Xin's rank was clearly not low-tier Golden Insect Master—she was certainly a high-tier Golden Insect Master, stronger than him. Otherwise, there was no way her two demon insects would be able to overpower his three.

This woman was terrifying. How much power was she hiding?

Grinding his teeth, Zhu Qi snarled, "Everyone, come at her! Attack together!"

As his command rang out, two more low-tier Golden Insect Masters rushed forward, summoning their demon insects to join the fray.

The Flame Armored Ant and Explosion Ant were powerful, but facing so many demon insects at once, even they began to show signs of strain.

Just then, the sound of shouting and killing echoed from outside.

In the blink of an eye, the insect masters Zhu Qi had stationed outside were slaughtered, and a fresh group of insect masters stormed into the tribe's main hall.

"Fire Ant Tribe insect masters, here to rescue the Holy Ant Tribe!" came the loud roar from the newcomers.

At the forefront were two figures—Lie Xin's older brother, Lie Tang, and her second brother, Lie Song. They had been waiting for the signal.

The special insect whistle that Lie Xin had blown earlier was the signal. The moment they heard it, they rushed in without hesitation, ready to turn the tide of the battle!

Upon seeing the Fire Ant Tribe insect masters appear, the Great Elder, the Third Elder, and Zhu Qi's faces instantly turned pale.

How could this be?!

Chapter 335: How Could I Covet the Holy Ant Tribe?

"Big Brother, Second Brother, leave the rest to you. This one is mine."

Lie Xin waved her hand decisively.

Lie Tang and Lie Song laughed heartily, charging toward the other insect masters of the Mad Spider Tribe, intent on cutting them down. Once again, the battlefield was reduced to a standoff between Lie Xin and Zhu Qi.

Zhu Qi swallowed nervously. He knew all too well that he was no match for Lie Xin. "Let’s speak calmly. There is still a chance for cooperation between us..."

Lie Xin scoffed, "Who would want to cooperate with you?"

Her mind stirred, and the Flame Armored Ant and Explosive Ant advanced, one after the other, launching a ferocious assault. The Shadow Spider, attempting a sneak attack, was swiftly identified by the Flame Armored Ant, which bit through its body in a single snap, splitting it in two. The Purple Poison Spider, spewing venom, was struck by a fireball from the Explosive Ant, instantly bursting into seventeen or eighteen pieces.

As for the Earth Strong Spider, its defense was formidable, allowing it to hold on for some time. However, under the relentless onslaught of the Flame Armored Ant and Explosive Ant, it could only accumulate more and more wounds. Soon, it let out a blood-curdling screech before collapsing to the ground.

Lie Xin took a quick step forward, gripping Zhu Qi's throat with one hand and tossing him to the insect masters below, binding him tightly.

"Zhu Qi has been captured alive! The other insect masters of the Mad Spider Tribe will be spared if they surrender!"

Lie Xin shouted. Her voice echoed throughout the tribe’s main hall.

Seeing that even someone as skilled as Zhu Qi had fallen into such a state, the morale of the other insect masters plummeted, and one by one, they surrendered. Before long, the chaos was over.

The Grand Elder, the Third Elder, Zhu Qi, and others were all tightly bound and taken to the tribe's dungeon. The Fifth Elder stared at Lie Xin in shock, as though he was seeing his great-granddaughter in a new light.

Clan Leader Sheng Wei, barely managing to rise to his feet, sighed, "Lie Xin! Thank you for your help! The Fire Ant Tribe is a great benefactor to our Holy Ant Tribe!"

His great-grandson Sheng Ying, still young, had been so frightened during the chaos that he curled up in a corner, trembling. Now, he let out a loud wail.

Lie Xin swiftly moved to him, lifting Sheng Ying in her arms and walking toward Sheng Wei. Upon seeing Lie Xin’s gesture, Sheng Wei's smile faltered, and his heart tightened.

"Sheng Ying, don’t cry. The bad guys have all been defeated. Your great-grandfather is fine." Lie Xin reached out and wiped away the tears from the corner of Sheng Ying’s eyes, her other hand resting on his delicate neck.

At first glance, this action seemed harmless, even affectionate. However, to Sheng Wei, the sight of a Golden Insect Master like Lie Xin made it all too easy for her to snap Sheng Ying’s neck. The expression on his face immediately darkened. The flames burning in his eyes began to fade, as if life itself was slowly draining away.

Lie Xin's expression remained calm, her voice polite but carrying an undeniable weight. "Tribe Leader, aren't we to decide the succession now? After all, this is an important matter for the future of the tribe."

She gently wiped away the tears from Sheng Ying's eyes, her smile kind, but there was no mistaking the firmness in her posture. The pressure on the boy's neck was subtle yet unyielding.

Sheng Wei fell silent, his lips sealed in deep contemplation.

The Second Elder, Fourth Elder, and Fifth Elder, along with Lie Tang, Lie Song, and other insect masters of the Fire Ant Tribe, all cast their gazes upon him. They waited patiently for the voice of the elderly patriarch, whose very presence seemed to echo the frailty of decaying wood.

Sheng Wei's voice came forth in a hoarse whisper, "I... Sheng Wei, the 89th patriarch of the Holy Ant Tribe. In my time as patriarch, my accomplishments have been few, and my mistakes have been many. My life's end is near, and I feel deeply that the tribe cannot survive a day without a leader. Therefore, I have decided to pass the position to... Lie Xin..."

Lie Xin, however, shook her head gently. "Patriarch, how can this be? I do not bear the surname 'Sheng,' so how could I inherit the leadership of the Holy Ant Tribe? The position of patriarch should rightfully pass to Sheng Ying."

Sheng Wei froze for a moment. A glimmer of confusion filled his murky old eyes.

Wasn't it just moments ago that you threatened to seize the power for yourself?

Lie Xin smiled softly. "Sheng Ying is still young. If the patriarch does not mind, I am willing to assist him in growing to maturity. At that time, I will hand over the power and allow Sheng Ying to rule the Holy Ant Tribe on his own. Do not worry, Patriarch. I have always been an outsider. How could I ever covet the leadership of the Holy Ant Tribe?"

Her tone was filled with an air of sincerity. Though a part of Sheng Wei felt something was amiss, he could not bring himself to doubt her—after all, she had no reason to deceive a dying man.

Gratitude flickered in his eyes as he nodded. "There was a mistake before... The position of patriarch shall pass to Sheng Ying. Lie Xin has performed a great service in protecting the Holy Ant Tribe... Before Sheng Ying turns sixteen, all matters of the tribe shall be decided by Lie Xin, together with the Elders."

Sheng Wei struggled to utter these words, and once he finished speaking, the light in his eyes faded rapidly.

The 89th patriarch of the Holy Ant Tribe, Sheng Wei, his lifespan exhausted, passed away on the spot. Thus, Lie Xin smoothly took control of the Holy Ant Tribe.

Moreover, because she had foiled the plot of the Mad Spider Tribe, saving the patriarch, the young patriarch, and several elders, her contributions were immense.

In addition, with the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Elders aging rapidly and their powers waning, Lie Xin, in the prime of her life and an esteemed Golden-rank insect master, swiftly ascended to a position of power, practically becoming the most influential figure under the patriarch.

Some believed Lie Xin could easily seize the patriarch's position and overthrow the Holy Ant Tribe's leadership.

Others believed that Lie Xin was truly loyal to the tribe, aware that she did not bear the surname "Sheng" and thus was unfit to be patriarch.

Still, some speculated that Lie Xin was actually from the Mad Spider Tribe, and that her actions that day were merely part of a grand scheme played out in collaboration with them. There were countless rumors circulating.

Yet, none could have guessed that the vast Holy Ant Tribe was already under Lie Xin's control.

As for the still-immature Sheng Ying, she would simply use the Illusionary Ant to subtly alter his perception. He was never part of her true calculations.

After the chaos settled, Lie Xin, within just five years, smoothly broke through to the Platinum-rank Insect Master level. With this achievement, her influence in the Holy Ant Tribe grew even more formidable.

...

"Such a remarkable person, truly remarkable."

Chu Xuan had watched nearly the entire process of Lie Xin's rise to power within the Holy Ant Tribe.

Every step she took had been executed with flawless precision, always staying ahead of everyone else.

It was precisely because Lie Xin had spent the previous decades secretly accumulating strength that she now possessed overwhelming power.

It was because she had woven an immense intelligence network that she was able to learn of the Elder's, the Third Elder's, and the Mad Spider Tribe's plans in advance.

It was because of her possession of the Illusionary Ant that she didn't need to claim the patriarchal title for herself, but instead could indirectly control the Holy Ant Tribe by manipulating Sheng Ying.

Had it not been for those prior accumulations, Lie Xin could never have taken control of the Holy Ant Tribe so effortlessly.

Indeed, as the saying goes: Opportunity is always reserved for those who are prepared.

After becoming a Platinum-rank Insect Master, Lie Xin no longer needed to shatter the bronze statue to extract the crystal stone. Her mind alone contained the full set of Holy Ant cultivation techniques. Furthermore, she had ordered the collection of various insect cultivation methods.

As a result, Chu Xuan had easily acquired a large number of insect cultivation manuals—ants, spiders, mantises, scorpions, poison bees...

The continuous supply of these manuals from Lie Xin brought immense joy to Chu Xuan, causing him to smile uncontrollably.

With these cultivation methods in hand, he was certain he would find common ground, allowing him to further enhance the Blood Queen and the Blood Steel Wire. He believed that day was not far off.

Chapter 336: Self-Defense Ability Elevates Once Again

Three years later, on Blue Star.

Chu Xuan gazed at the Blood Queen and the Blood Steel Wire, both in the process of cocooning, and a smile of satisfaction spread across his face.

The endless stream of insect cultivation methods provided by the cave world had indeed brought him quite a pleasant surprise. After all, these were the crystallized wisdom of countless insect masters over millennia from an entire world.

Wisdom, after all, should never be underestimated. It was as if he were standing on the shoulders of countless others. With such a foundation, if he had not made significant strides, it would truly be a disservice to the Myriad Realms Mirror.

"Now, with this advancement, both the Blood Queen and the Blood Steel Wire will step into the ranks of the Fourth Transmutation Gu Insects. I can't wait to see their new forms."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

The Blood Queen was the first to emerge from her cocoon. Her size had not changed much, but the golden patterns covering her body had increased significantly.

The more Chu Xuan looked at her, the more she resembled a smaller version of the Sunfire Bee Queen. If nothing went wrong, the next time she advanced to the Fifth Transmutation Gu Insect level, she would likely fully return to her ancestral bloodline and become the Sunfire Bee Queen!

The Blood Queen's brood of blood bees had also been comprehensively enhanced.

A few days later, the Steel Wire followed closely, emerging from its cocoon. However, unlike the Blood Queen, who had slowly torn through her cocoon, the Blood Steel Wire violently shattered the blood cocoon and shot out like a black line. If not for Chu Xuan's keen eyesight, he might have missed its appearance entirely.

However, as soon as it shot out, due to its incredible speed, it instantly pierced through the surrounding walls. It should be noted that Chu Xuan's residence on Blue Star had already been heavily modified by his corpse puppets.

The walls were incredibly thick, and even the detonation of cluster bombs might not be able to breach them. Yet, the Blood Steel Wire had pierced through them effortlessly. This alone demonstrated the terrifying hardness of the creature.

Chu Xuan's face lit up with delight. He waved his hand, and the Blood Steel Wire, after crashing through several more walls, finally began to adjust to its new form.

It obediently returned to his hand. Upon closer inspection, the Blood Steel Wire had become exceedingly slender. It truly resembled a "steel wire."

Moreover, its body was incredibly flexible. Given Chu Xuan's current physical strength at the thirty-seventh level of body refinement, he could not harm it unless he used the Great Extinguishing Thunder Fist.

Chu Xuan clicked his tongue in amazement.

He could tell that the Steel Wire had now fully evolved into what was once called the "Mountain Steel." This meant that the Blood Steel Wire had successfully reverted to its ancestral form.

It was no longer the common, low-limited Blood Steel Wire from before, but an extremely rare Mountain Steel!

The Mountain Steel, even without symbiosis with a cultivator, could grow naturally in the wild and reach the Fifth Transmutation Gu Insect stage. That was comparable to a great cultivator undergoing Deity Transformation!

At that moment, the Blood Steel Wire transmitted a thought to him.

"Food, food. Hungry."

Chu Xuan smiled and immediately took out a low-grade magic treasure.

There were many cultivators who generously gifted him treasures without expecting anything in return. As a result, his storage bag had accumulated quite a few low-grade and middle-grade magic treasures that he had no use for. As for magic tools, there were even more.

The Mountain Steel, this type of Gu insect, did not favor blood food. Instead, it preferred rare minerals, magic treasures, and magic tools.

Sure enough, when Chu Xuan handed over a low-grade magic treasure, Gangsi pounced on it like a famished man who had just seen meat, immediately devouring it.

All Chu Xuan could hear were the continuous crack-crack sounds. In the blink of an eye, the once-glimmering low-grade magic treasure was covered in holes, as if it had been gnawed by countless insects.

Chu Xuan smiled slightly, "Take your time. No one's going to steal it from you."

Only then did it slow down its feeding.

Chu Xuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. The current physical strength of the Gangsi was comparable to that of a high-grade magic treasure.

In a battle, as long as it took a few bites from the opponent's high-grade magic treasure, it could drastically reduce the magic treasure's power.

However, magic treasures used by cultivators were often protected by Spiritual Qi and divine sense, so this tactic wouldn't be effective in the early stages of a battle. It would only work after some time when the opponent's Spiritual Qi and divine sense had begun to weaken.

In contrast, Chu Xuan believed that the Steel Wire's greatest ability lay in its stealth and assassination capabilities. If aided by the cover of night, it could maximize its assassination potential.

"Impressive, impressive. My self-defense ability has taken another leap. I continue to improve my strength, after all, to protect myself."

Chu Xuan sighed, taking a step forward, and returning to Mystic Azure.

...

By the Flying Fish Lake.

Chu Xuan and Shang Xingchen sat facing each other.

As usual, they exchanged insights on the path of poison and Gu techniques before beginning their tea brewing.

Though the Blood Queen had risen to the Fourth Transmutation Gu Insect level and her Hidden Bees had greatly enhanced, Shang Xingchen's countermeasures were just as numerous.

Moreover, it seemed that this person had a natural aptitude for poison techniques, progressing at an incredibly rapid pace. If not for Chu Xuan's own proficiency in poisons, it would have been difficult for anyone else to withstand the level of testing Shang Xingchen subjected them to.

"Elder Shang, you're well-informed. Do you know how the Exquisite Treasures Alliance reacted after Jin Dafu's disappearance?" Chu Xuan casually tossed a ball of fish food into the lake and asked calmly.

Shang Xingchen smiled. "Quite a few interesting things have happened recently. Jin Dafu is the son of Jin Yaoyu, the Grand Elder of the Exquisite Treasures Alliance. Jin Yaoyu, in order to find his son, first sought out True Master Tiancang. I heard that in the end, Jin Yaoyu left Zhao Tiancang's cave residence with a grim expression and turned to visit Ling Tian of the Reincarnation Divine Sect's ancestors."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Any progress?"

Shang Xingchen shook his head. "I don't know exactly what happened, but from Jin Yaoyu's expression, it's clear that he still hasn't found any trace of Jin Dafu. He probably hasn't even located the Golden Dragon Ship."

Chu Xuan's expression remained unchanged.

Jin Dafu had long since become part of the Heavenly Corpse Tower, his soul residing within the Sky-Shielding Umbrella. Of course, they couldn't find him.

As for the Golden Dragon Ship, it was still parked on Blue Star. Even if someone like Wen Lingtian, an Astral Projection cultivator, were to make a move, how could he cross the vast expanse of the starry sky to locate Blue Star?

Shang Xingchen couldn't help but glance at Chu Xuan a few more times.

At the time, Chu Xuan had claimed to possess the ability to hide the Golden Dragon Ship. He had been somewhat doubtful then, but hadn't pressed the matter further.

Now, however, it seemed that Chu Xuan's methods were indeed formidable.

Even someone as skilled in divination as Wen Lingtian from the Reincarnation Divine Sect had likely been unable to locate the Golden Dragon Ship.

What could possibly shield the location from a cultivator of the Transcendence Realm's divination?

It could either be another Astral Projection cultivator or an extraordinarily unique spiritual treasure. Spiritual treasures, which were above magic treasures, were artifacts reserved for those of the Deity Transformation Realm and the Astral Projection Realm!

At this thought, Shang Xingchen's wariness and caution towards Chu Xuan grew even stronger. If there was no absolute certainty of being able to kill him, he knew it was best to avoid any confrontation. Otherwise, the one who would end up dead might very well be himself.

Chu Xuan took a sip of tea, then suddenly spoke, "I heard, Elder Shang, that you entrusted many treasures to Luo Mengzhu of the Heavenly Blood Alliance to deliver to your brother?"

Shang Tianjue had recently been designated as a core disciple by the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect. Chu Xuan had heard about it from several cultivators of the Heavenly Blood Alliance, and only then did he realize.

Shang Xingchen smiled. "My brother is far from capable. As his younger sibling, I couldn't help but want to lend a hand."

The two fell silent once more, continuing to drink their tea. After finishing their tea, they stood up, turned, and left. One headed east, the other west. Not even the path they walked or the air they passed through touched each other.