Demonic Cultivator 551-560 (Patreon)

Chapter 551: Heading to Green Mountain Star

The black-robed cultivator smiled faintly. "Liu Zhenxiong, mid Golden Core, bound for Green Mountain Star."

Green Mountain Star was a cultivation world within the territory of the Mountain Sword Sect, near the borders of the Exquisite Treasures Alliance. It lacked rare resources but boasted a large mortal population and fertile lands, which had been extensively developed into spiritual fields. Each year, it produced a variety of spiritual rice and flour.

The tall female cultivator spoke casually. "To Green Mountain Star, a second-class cabin costs eighty medium-grade spirit stones. We have sixteen second-class cabins available. Which one would you like, Senior?"

The black-robed cultivator chuckled. "No first-class cabins?"

The tall female cultivator blinked, caught off guard. "There are, seven left. But a first-class cabin costs one hundred sixty medium-grade spirit stones."

She left the rest unsaid. Nascent Soul cultivators typically took first-class cabins when traveling. Late Golden Core cultivators might also opt for them. But mid or early Golden Core cultivators? They usually stuck to second-class cabins. Why? Simple—cost. Spirit stones were hard-earned and quickly spent. For a wandering cultivator, frugality was a necessary trait.

Unless, of course, the cultivator hailed from a sect. Sect disciples were often far wealthier than their wandering counterparts.

At that thought, the tall female cultivator's face lit up with a warm smile. "Which first-class cabin would you like, Senior? We have ones by the window, near the stairs, or close to the dining hall."

The black-robed cultivator smiled. "I'm not picky. Any cabin will do."

The tall female cultivator nodded. "First-class cabin ninety-five has a good view and is close to the exit stairs. Would that suit you, Senior?"

"Fine by me."

The black-robed cultivator nodded, tossing out one hundred sixty medium-grade spirit stones. The tall female cultivator promptly produced a token, recorded his basic information, and presented it with both hands. "This is your cabin token, Senior. Please keep it safe."

The black-robed cultivator took it with a nod and strode into the ship.

As the tall female cultivator watched his retreating figure, she muttered under her breath, "I thought he'd be some wealthy sect disciple. Turns out he's just a broke Golden Core cultivator splurging on a first-class cabin. I figured he'd pay with two high-grade spirit stones and toss me the forty medium-grade ones as a tip."

A round-faced female cultivator nearby spoke softly. "Spirit stones don't come easy to anyone. Maybe this Senior just broke through to a minor realm and is short on funds. It's understandable."

The tall female cultivator scoffed. "That Golden Core Senior in first-class? Now he's generous, throwing spirit stones around like they're nothing! And he's the one who just reached Golden Core!"

The round-faced cultivator shook her head. "He's a disciple of the Mountain Sword Sect. There's no comparison. Let's drop it. Talking behind a Senior's back could get us in trouble if he overhears."

The tall female cultivator let out a cold huff but said no more.

Inside first-class cabin ninety-five, the black-robed cultivator sat cross-legged and immediately set up a formation to block out external noise and disturbances. This cultivator was none other than Chu Xuan.

He had concealed his Deity Transformation cultivation, revealing only a Golden Core level, to avoid drawing attention. He could have posed as a Nascent Soul cultivator, but arriving at a cultivation world with such a high profile would surely attract scrutiny. A Golden Core cultivator, however, was far less conspicuous.

He had carefully chosen this fleet. Backed by the Mountain Sword Sect, it was unlikely to be targeted by rogue cultivators. The fleet also had a Deity Transformation cultivator overseeing it, meaning Chu Xuan wouldn't need to intervene if trouble arose—the fleet's own expert would handle it. Moreover, the Mountain Sword Sect was a relatively peaceful faction, unlike the aggressive Reincarnation Divine Sect or Heaven Shaking Divine Sect. Its reputation among wandering cultivators was solid.

"There's a lot to do next," Chu Xuan mused. "First, I need to find a way to neutralize this blood-colored rune. Then there's Giant Star, still waiting for me to explore. And the Lunar Fallen Dragon Qi-Devouring Method—I can start gathering materials to cultivate it. Chu Xuan quickly outlined his plans.

Meanwhile, in another part of the cosmos, the collapse of Fallen Dragon Valley sent shockwaves through the Starshatter Sea. Black light dissipated, and countless dragon souls scattered across the region. Countless cultivators witnessed the spectacle with their own eyes.

As fear and unease gripped the cultivators, a bombshell swept through the Starshatter Sea like a storm. The Bone Concealing Hall, Heavenly Martial Pavilion, and Soul Lock Manor had all lost Deity Transformation cultivators to death or destruction. The Bone Concealing Hall suffered the most devastating blow. Its Grand Hall Master, Zheng Kejin, was dead, the Second Hall Master, Jiang Yuan, was gravely injured and missing, and the Third Hall Master had perished long ago. Leaderless, the Bone Concealing Hall descended into chaos, with every Nascent Soul cultivator scrambling for power and a share of the spoils.

Then there were figures like Chen Jin, Han Zhao, and Sima Yi—renowned names across the Starshatter Sea. All of them had perished in that black light.

Even more shocking was the news that one of the Starshatter Sea's only two Astral Projection True Monarchs, the Seven Kills True Monarch, had fallen. Rumors also swirled that the Purple Star True Monarch had been gravely wounded, forced to retreat to the Starfall Palace, unable to venture out. These rumors sent ripples of unrest through the region.

As the tales spread, more stories circulated among the cultivators. Some claimed that an alchemist named He Liang had single-handedly slain Chen Jin, Sima Yi, and others. Others whispered of a cultivator named Chu Xuan, who had cut down Deity Transformation cultivators, including Zheng Kejin. There were even tales attributing the dissipation of the black light and the sudden appearance of countless dragon souls to He Liang.

These stories became the talk of the Starshatter Sea, eagerly discussed among cultivators. But new events always overshadow old ones. The tales of Chu Xuan and He Liang were soon buried beneath the upheaval of the four major Heaven-grade factions in the Starshatter Sea.

Within months, countless factions chose sides and clashed. The Bone Concealing Hall was ultimately absorbed by the Three Corpses Temple. To counter this growing power, Heavenly Martial Pavilion and Soul Lock Manor formed an alliance. The Starshatter Sea settled into a delicate tripod of power.

To Chu Xuan, these were trivial matters. Yet, whenever he stepped onto the deck to catch some air, he overheard cultivators discussing the Starshatter Sea. Hearing others speak of his past deeds stirred a strange feeling in him.

The journey proceeded without incident. Few rogue cultivators dared to attack a fleet backed by the Mountain Sword Sect. In this calm and peaceful atmosphere, Chu Xuan arrived at Green Mountain Star.

The fleet docked temporarily at Green Mountain Star to replenish spirit stones for the ship's formations and to transport bulk goods for trade on other cultivation worlds. The cultivators aboard took the opportunity to disembark, trading with Green Mountain Star's locals to exchange goods and resources.

It was under these circumstances that Chu Xuan set foot on Green Mountain Star. The planet was governed by a fifth-tier cultivation sect, the Green Mountain Sect, led by a single Deity Transformation cultivator. Coming from the chaotic Starshatter Sea to Green Mountain Star felt like stepping from a high-stakes battlefield into a low-risk haven. The sensation was nothing short of exhilarating.

Chu Xuan glanced around and noticed eight other Golden Core cultivators disembarking alongside him, clearly also bound for Green Mountain Star. The number surprised him. Wasn't Green Mountain Star supposed to lack cultivation resources, known only for its abundant spiritual rice and flour?

Chapter 552: Any Hope of Wearing Down the Blood-Colored Rune Will Do

Chu Xuan's gaze drifted to the front, where a Golden Core cultivator was surrounded by a group of others. They all wore identical robes, unmistakably disciples of the Mountain Sword Sect. In the blink of an eye, a figure appeared on the horizon—a Nascent Soul cultivator from the same sect. The Golden Core disciples promptly boarded the Nascent Soul cultivator's flying treasure, vanishing in an instant, likely heading back to the sect's mountain gate.

A voice tinged with envy sounded behind Chu Xuan. "That's Shangguan Ting, a prodigy of the Mountain Sword Sect. To have a Nascent Soul cultivator personally escort him—what a privilege."

Chu Xuan turned to see a youthful face. "And you are?"

The young cultivator smiled warmly. "I'm Dong Yu, from the Dong Family, a Nascent Soul clan on Green Mountain Star. I've been working for the Heavenly Martial Pavilion in the Starshatter Sea, but my family sent word that a good amount of Plain Silver Sand has been found in Green Mountain Star's seas, so I hurried back."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Plain Silver Sand?"

Plain Silver Sand was a rare metal known for its remarkable toughness. When mixed into magical treasures, it greatly enhanced their resilience, making it ideal for unconventional treasures like whips, silk garments, or chains. It was also a key ingredient in certain alchemical recipes.

For Chu Xuan, however, it held little value—effective for magical treasures but nearly useless for spiritual artifacts. Still, he knew that where Plain Silver Sand appeared, there was a chance to find Plain Silver Marrow. If nurtured over years with yin or nether energy, this spiritual substance could transform into Fiend Silver Marrow, which could elevate his Evil Soul Chain into a spiritual artifact. That was something worth pursuing.

Whether Green Mountain Star's Plain Silver Sand contained any Plain Silver Marrow, though, was anyone's guess.

Dong Yu nodded. "Exactly. Didn't you come for the Plain Silver Sand, Fellow Daoist?"

Chu Xuan chuckled. "Nah, I was just tired of the chaos in the Starshatter Sea. Picked a random cultivation world to settle down, maybe enjoy a quieter life."

Dong Yu nodded enthusiastically. "I get it. But you don't look that old, Fellow Daoist."

Chu Xuan sighed dramatically. "Truth is, I'm over four hundred years old. Just good at keeping up appearances."

Dong Yu's eyes widened. "Over four hundred?" He quickly clasped his hands in respect. "Then just call me Little Dong. May I ask your name?"

Chu Xuan smiled. "No need for formalities. I'm Liu Zhenxiong. I dabble in talisman crafting and plan to open a shop here on Green Mountain Star to sell them."

Dong Yu's face lit up. "Brother Liu! I can help with that. My family has plenty of empty shops ready to be transferred."

Chu Xuan's brow twitched. Empty shops? For a cultivation clan, that wasn't a good sign. Was Dong Yu cozying up to him with some ulterior motive? On the surface, though, Chu Xuan kept his expression neutral and nodded with a smile. "That'd be great. I'm new here, so I could use your help getting settled."

Dong Yu grinned. "No rush, Brother Liu. There are a few others new to Green Mountain Star. Let me go chat with them." With that, he approached the other cultivators.

Chu Xuan let out a soft laugh. He understood now. Dong Yu wasn't singling him out—he was networking with everyone equally. That put Chu Xuan at ease.

Before long, Dong Yu returned with two other Golden Core cultivators. One was a burly man brimming with vital energy, clearly a cultivator who practiced both spiritual and blood techniques. The other was a female cultivator of average beauty, though her figure was strikingly curvaceous.

Dong Yu cheerfully introduced the trio. Chu Xuan learned their names and backgrounds. The burly cultivator was Li Lingyun, and the curvaceous woman was Peng Ling. Both had come for the Plain Silver Sand.

Li Lingyun, at the eighth layer of Golden Core, barely acknowledged Chu Xuan after learning he'd fled the Starshatter Sea to "retire" on Green Mountain Star. With arms crossed, he gave a curt greeting and said no more. Peng Ling, however, seemed intrigued, her eyes scanning Chu Xuan as if trying to unravel some mystery about him.

As for the remaining five Golden Core cultivators who had disembarked, four were quickly recruited by other clans. Only one chose to remain a wandering cultivator, rejecting all offers.

Dong Yu smiled warmly. "Please, follow me. I've already informed the clan leader, and a welcome banquet has been prepared for the three of you!"

Chu Xuan nodded. "Sounds good."

The banquet was lively, filled with clinking cups and cheerful music, but nothing particularly noteworthy happened. That night, Chu Xuan settled into the guest room arranged by the Dong Family. As was his habit, he inspected the room thoroughly, set up protective formations, and began to reflect.

During the banquet, the Dong Family's leader had toasted all three of them multiple times. Though Chu Xuan's displayed cultivation level was modest, the clan leader treated them all with equal respect.

Naturally, Li Lingyun, with his superior strength, was the most celebrated guest. Still, it was clear the Dong Family's invitation was sincere. Given that, Chu Xuan saw no harm in aligning with them for a while. He only needed a temporary place to rest, after all.

"Let's see if I can get rid of this blood-colored rune," he murmured.

Chu Xuan channeled his spiritual Qi, directing it toward the blood-colored rune on his arm. A buzzing hum filled the air as his spiritual Qi surged like crashing waves. Yet the rune stood firm, unyielding as a reef against the tide. No matter how fiercely the energy washed over it, the rune showed no sign of fading.

Hours passed, and Chu Xuan had burned through half his spiritual Qi. At first glance, the rune appeared unchanged. But as he examined it closely, a spark of excitement flashed in his eyes. "Huh, it's worn down a bit."

As long as there was hope of eroding it, the rest was just a matter of persistent effort.

...

A month later, in Green Mountain Market, an unassuming shop appeared with a sign reading "Little Talisman Pavilion." A black-robed Golden Core cultivator lounged in a rattan chair, flipping through a book, looking utterly at ease. As a new shop with no established reputation, it drew few customers. The black-robed cultivator—Chu Xuan—didn't seem to mind, as if he were truly content with this leisurely life.

A pair of rounded shadows suddenly blocked his view. On closer inspection, they weren't shadows but Peng Ling's striking figure. She grinned. "Fellow Daoist Liu, this won't do. You're barely earning enough spirit stones to cover the rent."

Chu Xuan sighed lightly. "I'm new here, so business is slow. Not much I can do about it." He glanced at her. "The usual, Fellow Daoist Peng?"

Peng Ling nodded. "Yup, same as always—two Earth Prison Talismans and one Five Thunder Talisman. The demonic beasts in the sea have been ferocious lately. I need to stock up on talismans."

With a casual gesture, Chu Xuan summoned three talismans through the air and handed them to her. Peng Ling placed thirty medium-grade spirit stones on the counter.

Chu Xuan remarked offhandedly, "Looks like you've got a new magical treasure, Fellow Daoist Peng. Must've found a good haul of Plain Silver Sand."

Peng Ling smiled. "Luck's been on my side. I managed to get two pounds of Plain Silver Sand." Her tone shifted to one of envy. "But Fellow Daoist Li Lingyun's the one with real luck. Six days ago, he killed a Golden Core-stage demon whale and found over five pounds of pure Plain Silver Sand in its belly!"

Chapter 553: The Ways of the World Are Fickle

Peng Ling sighed. "Fellow Daoist Li is now the Dong Family's honored guest. Even their Nascent Soul ancestor came out of seclusion to meet him personally. He's truly in the spotlight."

Chu Xuan smiled. "Fellow Daoist Li is impressive. He deserves the attention."

Peng Ling blinked curiously. "Your talisman crafting is impressive too, Fellow Daoist Liu. Why settle for a quiet life here instead of heading to the sea to hunt for Plain Silver Sand?"

Chu Xuan shook his head. "I know a bit about talismans, but my combat skills are lacking. I'd rather steer clear of all that fighting and killing."

They chatted a bit longer before Peng Ling took her leave. Chu Xuan hummed a tune, returning to his book. It was just a travelogue written by a Golden Core cultivator from Green Mountain Star, but its lively and witty prose was a joy to read. More importantly, it offered valuable insights into the planet.

The book was also a cover. While reading, Chu Xuan was simultaneously studying the Supreme Bliss Pill King inheritance gifted by Shang Xingchen. He could feel his alchemy skills improving by the day. With a bit of practice, he'd soon be able to refine Deity Transformation-grade pills with ease.

"Ever since word of the Plain Silver Sand spread, more and more cultivators have been flocking to Green Mountain Star," he mused. "It's starting to feel like a gold rush."

The sounds of a scuffle echoed from the market, and Chu Xuan shook his head. More people meant more chaos—and more potential trouble. He just hoped those troubles wouldn't come knocking at his door. If they did, he wouldn't hesitate to send the instigators to his Heavenly Corpse Tower for a "chat."

...

Several months later, Chu Xuan gazed at his newly crafted Bao and nodded with satisfaction. The corpse refinement inheritance from Ye Hantian detailed two methods. The first, the Blood Demon Frenzy Corpse Method, produced corpse puppets that excelled in speed, striking like lightning to tear out an enemy's throat before they could react. The second, the Flying Poison Corpse Method, created puppets with wings that could soar through the air, their bodies brimming with toxins that poisoned anyone they scratched.

Without hesitation, Chu Xuan chose the Flying Poison Corpse Method. His own expertise in poison arts made it a natural fit. To his delight, the newly refined Bao had already reached the ninth-tier Corpse King level. The gap between Corpse King and Great Corpse King was significant, but with steady nurturing, Bao could smoothly ascend to that rank—unlike Hu, whose progress was riddled with obstacles.

"Corpse puppets made from body refiners are something else," Chu Xuan said, nodding approvingly. Bao had been crafted from the remains of Wang Tiancheng, a cultivator who had reached the forty-third stage of body refinement in life. It was normal for its strength to dip slightly after being refined into a corpse puppet. If Chu Xuan had used the older Diamond Corpse Refinement Method, it might have dropped to the Corpse General level.

Just then, Chu Xuan turned his attention inward to the Heavenly Corpse Tower and noticed movement from Hu's blood cocoon. His heart leaped with excitement. Focusing intently, he watched as cracks began to form on the cocoon's surface.

With a soft thud, a large hand burst out, tearing the cocoon apart. A loud bang followed, and a dark, muscular figure leaped out—Hu! Even in its normal state, Hu's body now stood a full zhang tall. When it unleashed its blood energy, it could grow to three zhang, a veritable giant.

"Master! Hu is ready to fight for you!" Hu sensed Chu Xuan's gaze and immediately knelt in reverence.

Chu Xuan nodded with satisfaction. "You've reached the Great Corpse King level. Well done. For now, cultivate diligently in the Heavenly Corpse Tower. Your time will come."

"Yes!" Hu replied respectfully.

At that moment, a shout came from the front of the Little Talisman Pavilion. "Master Liu! I'm here to buy talismans!"

Chu Xuan responded with a call and stepped out. As more cultivators arrived on Green Mountain Star, the demand for talismans had grown. His Little Talisman Pavilion was gradually gaining customers. They discovered that its talismans were potent and high-quality, turning many into repeat visitors. The man before him was one such regular.

This was Zhang Jing, a first-layer Golden Core wandering cultivator. Chu Xuan had learned through earlier chats that Zhang Jing's spiritual roots were mixed, and he lacked any special physique, making Golden Core an unlikely goal. But a few months ago, after falling into a river by chance, he stumbled upon a Golden Core-grade spiritual item. With grit and determination, he actually succeeded in breaking through.

"Little Zhang, what happened? You're covered in wounds," Chu Xuan remarked, glancing at him casually.

Zhang Jing gave a bitter smile and lowered his voice. "The Dong Family and the Bai Family got into a fight over a Plain Silver Sand mine. Since I took the Dong Family's money, I had to help them out. But… I was outmatched and got banged up."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "How's the fight going? Who won?"

Zhang Jing grinned. "Of the six Nascent Soul families on Green Mountain Star, the Dong Family's strength is second only to the Lei Family. The Bai Family barely ranks fifth. Of course, the Dong Family won. And the Bai Family lost big—word is, even their genius disciple was killed."

Chu Xuan nodded. He already knew the relative strengths of Green Mountain Star's six Nascent Soul families. The Dong Family's second-place ranking was stronger than he'd initially assumed; he had thought they might be the weakest. But family disputes were usually kept in check—both the Dong and Bai Families were under the Green Mountain Sect's authority, and all-out war wouldn't benefit the sect. Killing the Bai Family's genius, however, was a misstep. It would undoubtedly escalate tensions between the two families in the foreseeable future.

Chu Xuan said casually, "The fighting will only get fiercer. Be careful if you keep working for the Dong Family."

Zhang Jing was sharp but needed guidance. Chu Xuan's nudge made him realize the deeper implications, and he nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Master Liu. You're a good man!" His face hardened with resolve. "But… I have no family, no master. If I want to grow stronger, I have to risk everything. I was just a cowherd in the mountains once. If I hadn't fallen off a cliff and stumbled into a Foundation Establishment cultivator's cave, I'd never have set foot on the path of immortality. I have to keep fighting, to grow stronger!"

He placed a few dozen medium-grade spirit stones on the counter, took his talismans, and left.

Chu Xuan watched his retreating figure and sighed softly. Those with heaven-defying talent or powerful backing were rare. Most were like Zhang Jing, clawing their way up step by desperate step, only to fall into some forgotten abyss one day, their bodies left to rot in obscurity.

Chu Xuan reflected inwardly. Without the resources from the Myriad Realm Mirror, he might have peaked at Golden Core himself. How could he have climbed to Nascent Soul or Deity Transformation?

"The ways of the world are fickle. Take care," he murmured, then returned to flipping through the travelogue.

Chapter 554: Quite Something

To the east of the Starshatter Sea, on a barren planet with scarce spiritual Qi, Luo Zu seized a cave once occupied by a giant python and sealed it with a formation. Only then did he take out the half-piece of the Fallen Dragon Relic.

Though it was only half of the complete relic, it was enough. His goal was simply to restore his memories. Luo Zu gave the relic a deep, lingering look before slicing it into countless fragments and swallowing them whole.

Moments later, he sat cross-legged, eyes closed. Scenes from the relic's past flickered through his mind like a revolving lantern, playing in reverse. He saw Ye Hantian painstakingly distributing twelve Fallen Dragon Tokens. He watched as Ye Hantian, bewitched by the relic, entered Fallen Dragon Valley, only to lose his physical body and have his spirit merge with the relic.

"So that's it," Luo Zu murmured. "Over countless years, the Fallen Dragon Relic developed its own consciousness, luring powerful cultivators into the valley to feed on them. Ye Hantian was one of them. He was lucky—lost his body but his spirit fused with the relic…"

Lost in thought, Luo Zu pressed on, diving deeper into the memories. Countless figures and scenes sped by in reverse. At one point, he saw himself killing two cultivators and fleeing in a frenzy.

Frowning, he slowed the memories to examine them closely. He saw himself entering Fallen Dragon Valley with three other cultivators, intent on exploring its secrets. But upon touching the relic, he went berserk, killing two companions on the spot and wounding the third. When he came to his senses, unable to accept what he'd done, he descended into madness and fled the valley.

"This was me? I woke up once before, only to fall back into dormancy?" Luo Zu's brow furrowed as he pushed further back.

The scenes remained monotonous for years. Then, one day, he saw himself entering Fallen Dragon Valley alone, only to be consumed by the relic's consciousness. The memories continued to rewind, eventually dissolving into complete darkness.

Luo Zu pulled back his consciousness, his lips trembling. "So, I'm truly just a clone. One of many awakened clones. Luo Zu isn't my name—it's the name of my original body."

He paced the cave, his expression growing increasingly unhinged. Anyone, no matter how strong, would teeter on the edge of madness upon learning they were merely a clone. Yet, after a brief bout of frenzy, his face settled into an eerie calm.

"What does it matter if I'm a clone? If a clone grows strong enough, it can surpass the original. I am not Luo Zu, yet I am Luo Zu." He let out a strange laugh, fully embracing his reality in the blink of an eye.

"Still, the cost of regaining these memories was steep. I lost the Bone Prayer Beads, refined from several Astral Projection cultivators—a decent spiritual treasure." Luo Zu snorted, and Chu Xuan's image flashed in his mind. "That kid slipped away fast. Too bad he didn't take the beads with him."

"Should I track him down?" Luo Zu mused, frowning. The Void Refining Dao Lord from the Creation Cave Heaven was likely already on his trail. With his strength diminished, causing a scene would be unwise. Even if he escaped a Void Refining cultivator, he'd be gravely injured—not worth the risk.

After a moment's thought, Luo Zu decided to let the Bone Prayer Beads go. Then, his attention shifted. "Hm? He's trying to wear down the Blood Demon Mark?"

Luo Zu sensed something unusual and let out a strange chuckle. "Kid, if you can completely wear down that Blood Demon Mark, you're quite something."

"My Blood Demon Mark…" He started to speak but froze, realizing he had no idea where the mark came from or what technique it was tied to. After a long pause, he sighed. "Forget it, let him be. That kid's clever and slippery. I've got a feeling we'll cross paths again."

"For now, I need to hunt for more ancient relics to awaken my past memories." Luo Zu quickly pushed thoughts of Chu Xuan aside, focusing instead on where to find other relics tied to his existence. The Fallen Dragon Relic in the Starshatter Sea had been found through his instincts, but the star sea was vast and boundless. Relying solely on intuition to find the next relic could take an eternity.

Luo Zu sighed softly. "No use thinking about it now. First, I need to restore my strength."

...

On Green Mountain Star, another towering ship docked. A figure descended from the deck on a flying magical treasure, setting foot once more on the verdant planet. He took a deep breath. "Green Mountain Star, your Huangfu Yuan has returned."

His gaze drifted to the highest peak, where Qing Fengzi, the Deity Transformation ancestor of the Green Mountain Sect, secluded himself. For centuries, year after year, nothing had changed. Even two hundred years ago, when Huangfu Yuan was expelled from the sect, Qing Fengzi hadn't emerged.

"I wonder how my eight senior brothers and sisters are faring," Huangfu Yuan mused, a twisted smile flickering across his face. "The day I was cast out was all thanks to their collective efforts."

A crazed glint flashed in his eyes before vanishing. At that moment, a cultivator from the Zhuang Family approached, smiling warmly. "Fellow Daoist, are you new here? Would you consider becoming a guest elder for our Zhuang Family? Rest assured, our Bai Family has always—"

Huangfu Yuan listened to the man's enthusiastic pitch with a gentle smile. Inside, however, a murky gray flame flickered restlessly, as if craving something. He whispered to it, "Easy, easy. There'll be better cultivators for you to feast on later." The flame quieted down.

When the Zhuang cultivator finished, Huangfu Yuan nodded eagerly. "I'm Huang Yuan. It would be my honor to serve as a guest elder for the Zhuang Family."

The Zhuang cultivator beamed. "Excellent, Fellow Daoist Huang! Please, come with me. With the discovery of Plain Silver Sand, many cultivators have flocked to Green Mountain Star. We already have several Golden Core cultivators as guest elders. Tonight, we're holding a welcome banquet—perfect for introducing you to them."

Huangfu Yuan clasped his hands with a smile. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you."

His warm demeanor pleased the Zhuang cultivator even more. The two walked side by side, chatting as if they'd known each other for years, despite having just met.

...

Inside the Little Talisman Pavilion, Chu Xuan lounged with his legs crossed, popping a piece of pastry into his mouth. The treat, called Green Tea Cake, was made from Green Mountain Star's abundant green-veined rice, blended with tea leaves, red beans, and mulberries. It was fragrant, not overly sweet, and even had a slight effect of replenishing spiritual Qi. Chu Xuan had grown fond of it, often buying a pound or two.

"Good thing I'm a Deity Transformation cultivator and a body refiner," he chuckled. "Otherwise, scarfing down sweets like this every day would've made me fat beyond recognition. Being a cultivator has its perks."

He popped the last piece of Green Tea Cake into his mouth. Just then, Zhang Jing hurried into the shop, holding a paper package.

"Master Liu! I'm back for more talismans!" he called out. "And I brought you two pounds of Green Tea Cake!"

Chapter 555: Let Him Be, Just a Passing Traveler on the Path to Immortality

Chu Xuan eyed the two pounds of Green Tea Cake and broke into a smile. Zhang Jing was a sharp one. After noticing Chu Xuan's fondness for the pastry, he'd made a habit of bringing a pound or two each time he came to buy talismans.

Zhang Jing grinned. "The bakery's got a new item recently. Tastes pretty good. I'll bring some for you next time, Master Liu."

Chu Xuan laughed, accepting the cakes. "You're too kind."

Zhang Jing chuckled. "This time, I need five Ice Condensation Talismans. Got any, Master Liu?"

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile. "Of course. But why so many Ice Condensation Talismans? You usually get Earth Prison and Five Thunder Talismans."

Earth Prison Talismans could trap enemies, while Five Thunder Talismans packed the strongest punch. They were among the most popular talismans for Golden Core cultivators, and Chu Xuan crafted them in bulk. Ice Condensation Talismans, by comparison, were far less sought after, and he kept fewer in stock.

Zhang Jing flashed a sly grin. "I found an underwater valley in the Yellow Sea with a bunch of high-purity Plain Silver Sand scattered around. I plan to use Ice Condensation Talismans to freeze it in place—makes collecting it way more efficient and keeps it hidden from prying eyes."

Chu Xuan nodded, amused. "Smart move. But aren't you worried about telling me? What if I spill your secret?"

Zhang Jing shook his head. "We haven't known each other long, Master Liu, but I can tell you're not that kind of person."

Chu Xuan smiled and patted his storage pouch, pulling out five Ice Condensation Talismans and handing them over.

"Thanks!" Zhang Jing carefully tucked away the talismans and turned to leave.

Chu Xuan called after him casually. "Be careful, Little Zhang. If word of this gets out, your life's on the line."

Zhang Jing laughed heartily. "Don't worry, Master Liu. I'm saving up spirit stones to take a dao companion!" He lowered his voice. "I've got my eye on the beauty at the bakery. She said if I can cover half the cost of buying the shop, we'll become dao companions. Then we won't have to pay steep rent every month. We can live off the bakery's earnings and stop risking our lives out there."

Chu Xuan chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, well, so that's your grand plan."

Zhang Jing clasped his hands with a grin. "See you next time, Master Liu! I'll bring the bakery's new stuff!"

Chu Xuan watched him go, shaking his head slightly. The kid was like an old general on a stage, covered in flags signaling his doom. "Let him be," Chu Xuan murmured. "Just a passing traveler on the path to immortality."

He sank back into his chair and started munching on the Green Tea Cakes again.

...

Over ten days later, Chu Xuan was in the back room of the Little Talisman Pavilion, cultivating. He channeled his spiritual Qi to erode the blood-colored rune on his arm. Since arriving on Green Mountain Star, he'd dedicated at least two hours daily to this task. His relentless effort had worn down about a tenth of the rune. At this rate, he could erase it completely within a year. Once that happened, he'd be free to traverse worlds via the Myriad Realm Mirror without worry.

"Master Liu! Here to buy talismans!" a shout came from outside.

Chu Xuan strode out to find three cultivators entering the shop together. Like Zhang Jing, they were repeat customers, but Chu Xuan wasn't as familiar with them. They exchanged pleasantries at most, not the heartfelt conversations he had with Zhang Jing.

Chu Xuan casually pulled talismans from behind the counter and set them on the surface. "Hm? I recall your group had four people. Where's the other one?"

The leader's face darkened. "Dead."

"We got lucky and found a small Plain Silver Sand vein. Hadn't even dug much when the Zhuang Family cultivators spotted us. They attacked without a word. We barely escaped with our lives."

Another cultivator gritted his teeth. "The Zhuang Family's nothing but scum!"

Chu Xuan sighed softly and offered his condolences. Then he asked, "Do you know anything about Zhang Jing? He hasn't shown up at my shop in days."

Though he only saw Zhang Jing as a passing acquaintance, there weren't many people he could chat with like that. If Zhang Jing was gone, it'd feel a bit lonely.

The leader frowned. "Zhang Jing's been active around the Yellow Sea, but I haven't seen him in a while."

The others shrugged. "Probably dead," one said. "The Zhuang Family's been running wild in the Yellow Sea, not even giving the Dong Family any respect. I heard they've clashed with the Dong Family cultivators several times already."

Chu Xuan sighed again. After the three cultivators left, he returned to the back room and resumed channeling his spiritual Qi to erode the blood-colored rune, as steadfast as ever.

...

A few days later, Chu Xuan was lounging in his rattan chair as usual when a familiar voice called out.

"Master Liu! I brought you some new pastries!"

Chu Xuan looked up and saw a familiar face, his mood lifting with pleasant surprise. "Zhang Jing? I thought you were dead!"

Zhang Jing grinned widely. "No way! I've got a long life ahead of me!"

Chu Xuan sized him up, raising an eyebrow. "Your aura's stronger. Golden Core second layer already?"

Zhang Jing beamed with pride. "Master Liu, your eyes are sharp! You nailed it! Last time I went to sea, I had another stroke of luck. Not only did I get over seven pounds of Plain Silver Sand, but I also found a piece of Blue Silver Coral. Sold it for a fortune and bought a bunch of cultivation-boosting pills. The Dong Family head even praised me in front of everyone and gifted me a magical treasure!"

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile. This was indeed great news. Zhang Jing had seized a golden opportunity. But with such success came envy. As the saying goes, a tree that stands tallest in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. Zhang Jing's rise would draw enemies—not just from rival families but even from within the Dong Family, where some Golden Core guest elders might grow resentful.

"I need ten Earth Prison Talismans. Hm? You're here too?" A voice interrupted.

A robust figure stepped over the threshold into the Little Talisman Pavilion. Chu Xuan looked closely—it was Li Lingyun, one of the guest elders who had joined the Dong Family alongside him. Li Lingyun, a cultivator of both spiritual and blood techniques, had been highly valued by the Dong Family. But lately, his luck had soured, yielding little Plain Silver Sand. With the Dong Family's growing roster of Golden Core guest elders, his prominence had waned. Zhang Jing's recent success only pushed him further into the shadows.

Seeing Li Lingyun, Zhang Jing hurriedly clasped his hands in respect. "Fellow Daoist Li, good to see you!"

Li Lingyun gave a cold snort. "Zhang Jing, you got lucky this time. But luck won't always be on your side." He tossed down spirit stones, grabbed the ten Earth Prison Talismans, and left without another word to either Chu Xuan or Zhang Jing.

He'd always disapproved of Chu Xuan's aloof, conflict-avoiding demeanor. As for Zhang Jing, he looked down on him even more, dismissing his achievements as mere luck.

Chapter 556: An Unexpected Gain

Zhang Jing's expression soured at Li Lingyun's cold demeanor. Nobody would feel good after offering warmth and getting a cold shoulder in return.

Chu Xuan chuckled. "That's just how Li Lingyun is. Don't take it to heart. But you're in the spotlight now, so watch your back around the other Dong Family guest elders."

Zhang Jing nodded earnestly. "You're right, Master Liu. I'll keep that in mind."

Chu Xuan asked casually, "What talismans do you need this time?"

Zhang Jing held up one hand. "Ice Condensation Talismans again. There's still some Plain Silver Sand in that underwater valley. I'm planning another trip soon."

Chu Xuan nodded. Just then, footsteps approached from outside. He looked up to see a petite, charming female cultivator. Her aura was modest, likely Foundation Establishment at most, but her delicate frame naturally inspired a sense of protectiveness.

This was Zheng Yi, who had taken over her family's bakery. Her business had been thriving, and Chu Xuan often bought his pastries from her shop.

Zhang Jing's face lit up. "Little Yi, what are you doing here?"

Zheng Yi covered her mouth with a giggle. "You were taking so long at Master Liu's shop, so I came looking for you." She turned to Chu Xuan. "Master Liu, Zhang Jing's always saying how much you love my pastries, so I brought you some more. These are made with Dragon Pattern Rice and Snow-in-Flower."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow, impressed. Dragon Pattern Rice, unlike the common Green Pattern Rice, was one of Green Mountain Star's most prized spiritual grains. Snow-in-Flower wasn't a flower but a rare white tea that only sprouted tender leaves during winter snowfalls. Combined, these ingredients promised a costly treat.

He took a bite and nodded repeatedly. The pastry burst with fragrance, laced with a cool, sweet undertone. It was clearly crafted with meticulous care. "What's this one called?" he asked with a smile.

Zheng Yi shook her head. "It's fresh from the oven, the first batch. I haven't named it yet. Since you've been so good to my business, I brought it to you first. Would you like to name it, Master Liu?"

Chu Xuan laughed heartily. "Naming? I'm great at that!" He thought for a moment. "Dragon Pattern Rice and Snow-in-Flower… let's call it Dragon Snow."

Zhang Jing and Zheng Yi clapped lightly, exclaiming, "Great name!"

...

Time passed. Zhang Jing and Zheng Yi became dao companions, their bond sealed. The bakery expanded, buying out the neighboring shops to double its size. Zheng Yi's two younger cousins eagerly pitched in to help, and the business flourished. Even the Dong Family's Nascent Soul ancestor, after tasting Dragon Snow by chance, couldn't stop praising it.

Zhang Jing frequently shuttled between the Little Talisman Pavilion and the bakery, his face always beaming with a smile sweeter than the pastries. Chu Xuan watched it all unfold, a quiet warmth in his heart. Though he saw Zhang Jing as just a passerby, seeing the former cowherd find happiness and fulfillment brought him a touch of joy.

"Between low-realm cultivators, it's not much different from the mortal world," Chu Xuan mused. "I've heard that great cultivators seeking to ascend through tribulation often temper themselves in the ways of the mundane. Especially those sect prodigies, raised in the cultivation world without ever touching mortal life—they can't skip this step. Perhaps that's what refining the heart is all about."

With a sigh, he returned to his daily task of eroding the blood-colored rune. A year had passed since he arrived on Green Mountain Star. The rune on his arm was now barely a wisp, nearly invisible. Once he erased this final trace, he'd be free of Luo Zu's influence, able to travel between worlds via the Myriad Realm Mirror without fear of returning to find Luo Zu lying in wait.

In the back room of the Little Talisman Pavilion, Chu Xuan sat cross-legged, his Deity Transformation second-layer spiritual Qi surging, relentlessly washing over the rune. The room was fortified with formations, ensuring not a sliver of his Deity Transformation aura leaked out. To outsiders, this remained an unremarkable shop.

"Hoo…" Chu Xuan exhaled, feeling as if a mountain had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked at his arm. The last trace of the blood-colored mark was gone.

"It's finally done," he murmured. "I can finally go back and check on things. I've waited too long for this."

A wave of relief washed over him. This ordeal with Luo Zu had only strengthened his resolve to pursue the path of immortality. He'd been a mere bystander, hoping to snag some benefits amid others' conflicts. Yet, because of his spiritual flame, Luo Zu had seized him to use as a tool. Had those Astral Projection cultivators not needed him as their "cook," he'd likely have died on the spot. Though he'd gained treasures from the experience, it only deepened his thirst for greater strength.

"Hm?" Chu Xuan paused. "This power…"

The moment the rune vanished, a surge of pure, unclaimed energy flooded out. With no master to claim it, the energy naturally merged with his own spiritual power. In an instant, his meridians felt full, then began to swell alarmingly.

Chu Xuan's eyes widened. If this continued, his meridians might burst. He quickly calmed his mind and began circulating the Mysterious Heavenly Ice Soul Scroll. It was the only way to manage this sudden influx of pure spiritual Qi.

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles… The technique hummed along, rapidly converting the unclaimed energy into his own. His aura climbed visibly, soaring past Deity Transformation second layer to the third. Then, without slowing, it broke through the third layer, propelling him into the fourth!

After a long while, Chu Xuan opened his eyes, brimming with joy. He hadn't expected such a windfall from erasing the rune.

"No wonder Luo Zu said the Blood Demon Mark could supply extra spiritual Qi to sustain the Netherfire Devouring Flame," he reflected. "He must have extracted his own spiritual Qi, turned it into unclaimed power, and sealed it in the rune branded on me. When I erased it, that energy was released and became mine."

Though Luo Zu had left a poor impression, Chu Xuan couldn't deny the opportunities he'd gained because of him: the Lunar Fallen Dragon Qi-Devouring Method, the Bone Prayer Beads, and now this surge of spiritual power. He almost felt a twinge of gratitude.

"Luo Zu hasn't come after me. He must be busy with something more important," Chu Xuan mused. "Green Mountain Star's in turmoil, with the six Nascent Soul families constantly at odds, but it's still a controlled chaos. This is the perfect time to check on Giant Star for any changes."

He cast his senses toward Giant Star. The vast primordial forest remained unchanged, but there was new activity in the cave world.

Chapter 557: Changes in the Cave World

Previously, Wan Renjie, the ruler of the Myriad Insect Kingdom, had ascended with a fragment of the Myriad Realm Mirror. But instead of reaching a celestial realm filled with immortal aura and divine beings as he'd imagined, he arrived in a vast, dark cavern. There, he encountered the most terrifying sight of his life: a colossal insect, its head and tail lost in the shadows.

Wan Renjie and the souls of his demon insects were devoured by the giant creature. Through the Myriad Realm Mirror fragment, Chu Xuan witnessed it all. Afterward, the fragment fell to the ground, buried beneath countless bones and gravel, ignored by the giant insect and the demon insects on the walls. Unable to retrieve the fragment for the time being, Chu Xuan had shifted his attention away. After all, Blue Star, Soul Star, and Giant Star demanded his focus. There was no need to linger on the unchanging scene of the cavern world.

But now, something unusual caught his eye. A new group of demon insects had invaded the cavern, and they were locked in fierce combat with the resident creatures. The air was thick with the sound of clashing wings and the splatter of yellow ichor as fragments of flesh rained down. The giant insect, still in deep slumber, seemed oblivious to the chaos.

Chu Xuan noticed the newcomers were fiery red, distinct from the cavern's gray-black demon insects. Though smaller, they were ferocious, with two red insects often overpowering a single gray-black one.

After a while, the giant insect stirred, awakening to find its minions decimated. It let out a furious roar, a low soundwave rippling outward, indiscriminately striking all the insects. Both red and gray-black insects dropped to the ground like drunken flies, dazed.

The giant insect's tail began to writhe. Moments later, fist-sized eggs shot out, hatching mid-air into fresh gray-black demon insects. These new reinforcements swarmed into battle, swiftly annihilating the red invaders.

Two particularly massive black demon insects then dragged the corpses of the red insects to the giant creature. It sniffed them, emitting a low growl. Immediately, a horde of gray-black insects, led by the two larger ones, surged in a single direction, vanishing into the darkness.

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. What was this? A rebellion among the insects? He had assumed all the cavern's demon insects were descendants of the giant creature, but this suggested otherwise.

The events that followed confirmed his suspicion. Days later, the gray-black insects returned, their numbers noticeably reduced but bearing a prize: a smaller version of the giant insect, though still massive compared to the others. It was a fiery red, just like the invading insects.

Chu Xuan shook his head, watching the scene unfold. "Swallowed in one bite? I thought there'd be something more unexpected."

The black giant insect devoured the red one effortlessly, their sizes vastly disproportionate. For a few days, the cavern returned to calm, and Chu Xuan assumed it would lapse back into monotony. But then the giant insect roared again, and its gray-black minions swarmed out once more, charging into the distance.

Days later, they returned triumphant, carrying another trophy: a pale blue giant insect. Its fate mirrored the red one's—swallowed whole by the black giant in a single gulp.

By now, Chu Xuan had a rough idea of what was happening. He decided to name the black giant insect the Black Mother Insect, given its dominance. Its underlings, the gray-black demon insects, he called Gray-Black Guard Insects, while the particularly powerful ones, pure black in color, he dubbed Jet-Black Guard Insects. The giant insects brought back as trophies were named Red Mother Insect and Blue Mother Insect, respectively.

It was clear now. The cavern world's demon insects likely belonged to multiple factions, far from harmonious with one another. The Black Mother Insect was exceptionally powerful, frequently overpowering and devouring other Mother Insects. The Red and Blue Mother Insects, with fewer and weaker Guard Insects, were easily overwhelmed and consumed by the Black Mother Insect.

Chu Xuan suspected the reason such battles were rarely seen before was that the weaker Mother Insects deliberately hid to avoid confrontation. The Red and Blue Mother Insects must have been exposed—or perhaps they foolishly challenged the Black Mother Insect, only to be discovered and devoured. Who could say what sparked these conflicts?

Chu Xuan didn't care about the reasons. His only concern was whether he could profit from the situation. "Maybe I can use the Gray-Black Guard Insects' hunting expeditions to quietly attach the Myriad Realm Mirror fragment to one of them, letting it carry the fragment out of here," he thought, a plan forming in his mind.

Some time later, the Black Mother Insect let out another roar, this time directed southward. The Gray-Black Guard Insects, led by the Jet-Black Guard Insects, surged in that direction. Seizing the moment, Chu Xuan extended his spiritual sense, now strengthened by his Deity Transformation-stage primordial spirit. It condensed into a fine thread and swiftly wrapped around the leg of a Gray-Black Guard Insect passing overhead.

Before reaching Deity Transformation, his spiritual sense could only observe a small area around the Myriad Realm Mirror fragment, unable to influence the surroundings. Now, extending and shaping his spiritual sense into threads was effortless. He also realized he could directly pull small objects into the fragment, though it consumed significant spiritual sense and energy. This opened the door to reaping benefits from the cavern world.

To avoid detection, he had gathered gravel to cover the fragment's surface, ensuring it didn't emit any light. The Gray-Black Guard Insect remained oblivious to the tiny object dangling from its leg, continuing to move with the swarm. None of its companions noticed the anomaly either.

As the swarm advanced, a narrow, well-kept tunnel came into view. "This passage is clean and orderly, clearly a frequently used route for these Gray-Black Guard Insects," Chu Xuan mused.

He had initially thought the Black Mother Insect's lair was a massive, isolated cavern. Now, it seemed to be just one part of a much larger, interconnected cave system. What followed was a dizzying display of the insects' navigation through a labyrinth of crisscrossing tunnels, moving with uncanny precision, never pausing. Chu Xuan guessed they were guided by pheromones from the Black Mother Insect.

Before long, they reached a thick rock wall and halted. It appeared to be a dead end.

Chapter 558: That Sound—It's Human!

Just as Chu Xuan thought the demon insects would turn back, the lead Jet-Black Guard Insect sprayed a glob of viscous fluid onto the rock wall. The wall reacted instantly, a small crack forming at first, then widening within a minute into a gaping fissure large enough for two Gray-Black Guard Insects to pass through side by side.

"Screech!" The Jet-Black Guard Insect let out a sharp cry, and the swarm of Gray-Black Guard Insects followed it through the gap.

Chu Xuan let out a soft exclamation and followed with his spiritual sense. A vast space opened before him, similar to the cavern world once ruled by the Myriad Insect Kingdom, Heavenly Cave Kingdom, and Flying Dragon Kingdom. It had a sturdy stone ceiling, lush forests, solid ground, and clear water sources. Countless demon insects of all kinds inhabited the area, but there were no humans. At first glance, it seemed like a smaller, more primitive version of the cavern world.

Chu Xuan noticed that nearly all the demon insects here bore white patterns, clearly belonging to a distinct lineage. The arrival of the Gray-Black Guard Insects sent the white demon insects into a frenzy, their shrill screeches echoing as they scattered in panic. But their speed was no match for the invaders. The Gray-Black Guard Insects tore through them, shredding the white insects into fragments that rained from the air.

It was a one-sided massacre. The Gray-Black Guard Insects were overwhelmingly powerful, with a single one easily fending off five white demon insects. The slaughter lasted only moments before a swarm of white guard insects arrived, engaging the gray-black invaders. But Chu Xuan could tell at a glance that these white guard insects were even weaker than the fiery red ones from before. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before they were wiped out and their White Mother Insect captured.

As expected, events unfolded as Chu Xuan predicted. The White Mother Insect was dragged out, its massive, bloated body trembling under the sharp legs of the Jet-Black Guard Insect.

"Screech!" The Jet-Black Guard Insect let out a low cry. The Gray-Black Guard Insects swarmed forward, hoisting the White Mother Insect and beginning their journey back.

Seizing the chaos, Chu Xuan severed the spiritual sense thread, letting the Myriad Realm Mirror fragment fall onto the soft grass. He watched as the Gray-Black Guard Insects departed, leaving the white demon insects in disarray, flitting about like headless flies—clearly the consequence of losing their Mother Insect.

A few days later, the remaining white demon insects in the cavern dropped dead all at once. Chu Xuan suspected that the Black Mother Insect had consumed the White Mother Insect at that moment, causing the death of its offspring, who were tied to her existence.

The small cavern fell into an eerie silence. The demon insect corpses began to decay, their remains turning into nutrients for the earth. Even so, Chu Xuan preferred this place. The Black Mother Insect's lair had been too monotonous. Here, though lifeless, there were plants and greenery—a marked improvement.

Just as Chu Xuan was about to withdraw his attention, a new group of demon insects arrived. These bore purple stripes, numbering about two hundred, their forms resembling the guard insects. They clustered around a massive, bloated Purple Mother Insect.

The demon insects explored the cavern with curiosity, looking left and right. The Purple Mother Insect emitted a series of low hums, and the purple-striped guard insects split into small groups, heading in different directions—likely to secure the cavern's entrances and exits.

Chu Xuan's curiosity was piqued by the new arrivals. With a pulse of his spiritual sense, he shook off the gravel covering the Myriad Realm Mirror fragment. The disturbance immediately drew the attention of the demon insects. Moments later, a purple-striped guard insect delivered the fragment to the Purple Mother Insect.

The Purple Mother Insect extended its forelegs, curiously prodding the fragment. It fiddled with it for a while but found nothing remarkable. Chu Xuan had no intention of revealing the fragment's extraordinary nature just yet.

By then, the purple-striped guard insects that had scattered to explore the cavern's various directions returned, chittering incessantly. The Purple Mother Insect tucked the fragment under its belly and flew toward a specific direction. Soon, Chu Xuan saw it arrive at the same fissure through which the Gray-Black Guard Insects had entered to carry out their bloody massacre.

The Purple Mother Insect paused, then spewed a large glob of viscous fluid. The fluid reacted strangely with the rock wall, and within moments, the fissure fused shut, as if it had never existed. The Purple Mother Insect let out a few more screeches, and two particularly robust purple-striped guard insects took up stationary positions to guard the spot.

Returning to the cavern's center, the Purple Mother Insect selected a secure location for its nest and began its essential task: laying eggs. It produced a variety of purple-striped demon insects, each with a specific purpose. Some resembled rhinoceros beetles, their upturned upper lips shaped like flat, double-edged axes, capable of felling trees with a single swing. Others mimicked earthworms, wriggling through hard, compacted soil to loosen it for planting. Still others acted like bees, pollinating the cavern's plants.

The newly hatched insects quickly set to work, each fulfilling its role. The once lifeless cavern, so recently steeped in death, now buzzed with activity and growth. The orderly efficiency surprised Chu Xuan. From what he'd observed of the Black Mother Insect, White Mother Insect, and others, Mother Insects typically acted on instinct, spending their days eating, sleeping, and little else. This Purple Mother Insect, however, was different—methodically developing its territory with remarkable organization.

One day, the Purple Mother Insect, which had been steadily laying eggs, suddenly sensed something. It flipped over, exposing its abdomen, and its vocal organs began to vibrate intensely. A series of long, drawn-out sounds echoed along the cavern walls.

To Chu Xuan's ears, the sounds were unmistakably human: "Do not… ascend… it's a trap… Come to the depths… I will aid you…"

His eyebrows shot up in shock. This voice stirred a distant memory. Long ago, when Wan Renjie, the ruler of the Myriad Insect Kingdom, had attempted ascension, he'd heard a voice urging him to descend into the depths rather than ascend to the "upper realm." Wan Renjie, refusing to believe it, had gone to great lengths to avoid the voice, even building a tower to distance himself from the ground. His fate was sealed when he was devoured by the Black Mother Insect.

Chu Xuan had long since dismissed the incident. Yet now, hearing that same voice again, he was stunned.

Suddenly, Chu Xuan saw a white soul slowly pass through the rock wall, drifting into the cavern.

Chapter 559: Once you board this ship, there's no getting off

"Someone actually believed it?" Chu Xuan chuckled, shaking his head. He was curious to see how the Purple Mother Insect would "aid" this ascending insect master.

"Come… come… merge with me…" The Purple Mother Insect's vocal organs produced human speech once more.

The ascending insect master sensed something was amiss and tried to flee. But, just like the Black Mother Insect, the Purple Mother Insect opened its massive maw and inhaled. A tremendous suction force erupted, and the soul, powerless to resist, was swiftly pulled into its belly.

What intrigued Chu Xuan was that the Purple Mother Insect didn't chew. Instead, it grew still, as if entering a dormant state. Moments later, the soul ceased struggling and calmly merged into the insect's head, becoming part of its consciousness. This wasn't mere devouring—it was assimilation.

Chu Xuan watched in fascination. He began to understand why the Purple Mother Insect could produce human speech to lure ascending insect masters. It had likely fused with the souls of numerous such masters. These insect masters, without exception, were prodigies and heroes of their respective kingdoms. Their lifetimes of knowledge, experience, and wisdom far surpassed that of ordinary beings. This infusion had transformed the Purple Mother Insect's chaotic, instinct-driven consciousness, granting it the memories and intellect of those it had absorbed.

Chu Xuan couldn't help but marvel. He had stumbled upon a truly extraordinary Mother Insect.

Days passed, and under the Purple Mother Insect's management, the small cavern grew increasingly vibrant. Various medicinal herbs began to sprout and flourish. Before long, the demon insects delivered an assortment of herbs to the Purple Mother Insect. It extended its forelegs, rummaging through the pile, occasionally stuffing a herb into its mouth. After sampling many, it muttered a few sounds and fell into a deep sleep.

"It's searching for herbs to strengthen its soul," Chu Xuan mused, piecing things together.

Though unfamiliar with this world's herbs, his spiritual sense allowed him to discern their properties. The Purple Mother Insect's urgent desire to enhance its soul sparked an idea. He knew techniques to bolster the soul: the Soul-Forging Art for Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Soul-Refining Art paired with Soul-Nourishing Pills for Golden Core cultivators, and the Soul-Condensing Art with Great Soul-Spirit Pills for Nascent Soul cultivators. Sharing even a sliver of this knowledge could astound the Purple Mother Insect.

But Chu Xuan wasn't one to help out of kindness. He adhered strictly to the principle of equivalent exchange—ideally, trading his low-value items for something of high value from the other party. If the Purple Mother Insect had nothing he wanted, what was the point of aiding it?

For now, he decided to observe and wait before revealing the Myriad Realm Mirror fragment's extraordinary nature.

Chu Xuan continued observing the Purple Mother Insect for a while. He found its method of enhancing its soul, while not entirely futile, was far from efficient. The insect sifted through countless herbs to identify those with soul-strengthening properties, then ordered its minions to cultivate them. The herbs grew quickly, like leeks, yielding a new crop every month. The seeds were saved for replanting, while the rest were consumed to bolster its soul. Yet, despite this effort, the results were negligible—a drop in the bucket.

Through his observations, Chu Xuan discovered something valuable in the cavern: Gold Blood Stone. For certain demon insects, this stone was like salt to humans—essential in small quantities, needed daily. The Purple Mother Insect was particularly fond of it, decorating its entire nest with the stones. Intrigued, Chu Xuan casually retrieved a piece to examine its properties.

Before he could study it, Tianku, his long-dormant gu insect, suddenly stirred. Tianku, cultivated through the Sky Hollow Insect Method, was a formidable four-stage gu upon creation, boasting moth wings, a fire sac, spider fangs, mantis arms, and phosphorescent fur—a versatile, all-around powerhouse. Its only flaw was its insatiable appetite and love for sleep. Chu Xuan had purchased 100,000 pounds of Dragon Blood Crystals, expecting them to sustain Tianku for a century or two. Yet, in just ten years, the little glutton had devoured half of it—50,000 pounds!

This speed left Chu Xuan dumbfounded. The worst part? Despite eating so much, Tianku barely grew, remaining a mid-fourth-stage gu, equivalent to a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator. If a pig had eaten that much Dragon Blood Crystal, it'd probably have evolved into a Dragon Blood Pig by now! Chu Xuan had been frustrated by Tianku's sluggish progress, but now he'd found a substitute: Gold Blood Stone. Its allure to Tianku far surpassed that of Dragon Blood Crystals, suggesting it might be key to its next transformation.

...

One day, as the Purple Mother Insect consumed dozens of herbs and prepared to nap, it sensed a vibration from its abdomen. Looking down, it realized the Myriad Realm Mirror fragment, tucked under its belly, was the source. It retrieved the fragment with its forelegs, inspecting it closely. Having absorbed the souls of numerous ascending insect masters, it recognized the object as a mirror—but mirrors didn't vibrate, did they? Its tiny, bean-like eyes brimmed with confusion.

Just as it was about to set the fragment aside, words appeared on its surface: "Soul-Forging Art." A detailed description of the technique followed.

The Purple Mother Insect froze, then eagerly read through the text. It quickly grasped that these strange words outlined a method to enhance its soul. With consistent practice, its soul could grow far more rapidly. Overjoyed, it let out a series of shrill, excited screeches.

Having visited many caverns and absorbed the souls of countless insect masters, it was familiar with cultivation techniques. But at its level, most were useless, and soul-enhancing methods were unheard of—until now. The Purple Mother Insect was thrilled to have stumbled upon such a treasure.

It immediately settled down to practice the Soul-Forging Art. The sight of a massive, bloated insect cultivating a technique was striking, but Chu Xuan, accustomed to the bizarre wonders of the cultivation world, was unfazed. Instead, he chuckled softly.

The Purple Mother Insect had no idea that the "free" gift was the most expensive. When it craved more advanced techniques, Chu Xuan would reveal his true intentions. By then, even if it resisted, circumstances would force it to comply, gathering vast quantities of Gold Blood Stone for him.

"Once you board this ship, there's no getting off," he thought with a smirk.

Chapter 560: Take the Bait

As Chu Xuan had predicted, the Soul-Forging Art, a technique meant for Foundation Establishment cultivators, was far beneath the Purple Mother Insect's capabilities. Its soul, already far stronger than that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator and bolstered by the absorbed souls of numerous ascending insect masters, mastered the technique with ease. In just over half a year, it had fully comprehended the Soul-Forging Art. However, due to the technique's low level, even perfect mastery only slightly strengthened its soul—better, but not enough.

Frustrated, the Purple Mother Insect paused its cultivation and reverted to its old habit: eating herbs. But as the saying goes, it's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to return to frugality from luxury. After only a few days, it gave up. Carefully retrieving the Myriad Realm Mirror fragment, it stared at it with its tiny, bean-like eyes, as if willing it to provide a better cultivation method.

Chu Xuan, who had been monitoring the cavern world, smirked. The little creature had taken the bait. But there was no need to respond immediately. Anything obtained too easily is rarely valued. Only what is gained through struggle is truly cherished. This principle held true for humans and, evidently, for intelligent demon insects as well.

No rush. Let it stew for a bit.

...

Ten days later, the Purple Mother Insect was restlessly munching on herbs. Though its minions had cultivated better herbs, each providing more potency than before, they paled in comparison to the soul-cultivating technique. Oh, wondrous mirror fragment, when will you respond again? it seemed to plead.

Suddenly, it felt the fragment vibrate. Its tiny claws hurriedly pulled it from under its belly. As expected, new words appeared on the fragment's surface: "Soul-Refining Art, not yet obtained." "Soul-Nourishing Pill, not yet obtained."

Focusing its mind on the Soul-Refining Art and Soul-Nourishing Pill, it saw a detailed description appear. Overjoyed, it realized the Soul-Refining Art was a superior soul-cultivation method compared to the Soul-Forging Art. The Soul-Nourishing Pill, crafted from a blend of herbs, could also enhance its soul. With a stronger soul, it could control more demon insects and grow ever more powerful.

It let out an excited, indescribable screech. But as it prepared to cultivate the Soul-Refining Art, it discovered only the first part was provided. The rest was locked away. To unlock it, it needed to offer something: Gold Blood Stone. A large quantity of pure Gold Blood Stone.

Watching the swarm of demon insects, under the Purple Mother Insect's command, diligently mine Gold Blood Stone and begin smelting it into pure ingots, Chu Xuan nodded with a satisfied grin. Though he could directly retrieve small objects from the cavern using his spiritual sense, each attempt consumed significant spiritual sense and energy. If the Purple Mother Insect offered thousands of Gold Blood Stones, he'd exhaust himself just playing interdimensional courier. Its decision to smelt the stones into refined ingots suited him perfectly.

Some time later, Chu Xuan received the first pure Gold Blood Ingot. A palm-sized ingot required over ten thousand pounds of raw Gold Blood Stone to produce. Tianku's eyes gleamed at the sight, lunging forward to gnaw on it eagerly. Chu Xuan watched with contentment. A hearty appetite is a blessing! He was already looking forward to the moment Tianku evolved into a fifth-stage gu.

"Two outdated techniques traded for a heap of Gold Blood Ingots—not bad at all," he mused. "These techniques are useless to me but are a path to power for the Purple Mother Insect. Gold Blood Stone is worthless to it but the key to Tianku's fifth-stage evolution. That's what I call equivalent exchange."

Chuckling, Chu Xuan withdrew his attention and stepped back to Green Mountain Star.

...

In Green Mountain Market, at the Little Talisman Pavilion, Chu Xuan lounged in his rattan chair as usual, idly flipping through a travelogue. Golden Core talismans were casually strewn across the counter, while Foundation Establishment talismans were tossed into a large bamboo basket. Cultivators occasionally stopped by to buy, quietly exchanging spirit stones for goods without disturbing the talisman master. Chu Xuan enjoyed the tranquility.

A new cultivator with a bushy beard, unaware of the custom, followed the others' lead and stayed silent. Only after leaving the shop did he ask his companion, "Why can't we talk in the Little Talisman Pavilion? Is that talisman master someone special? Maybe from one of the main families?"

Green Mountain Market was jointly established by the Dong and Zhao Families, and most cultivators here aligned with one or the other. The "main families" referred to these two.

His companion looked surprised. "You don't know? Though Master Liu's strength isn't great and he rarely joins conflicts, he's close with the rising star, Senior Zhang!"

The bearded cultivator's eyes widened. "Senior Zhang? You mean Zhang Jing?"

"Exactly! I heard when he arrived on Green Mountain Star, he'd only just reached Golden Core. Now he's already mid-Golden Core! The main family values him highly. Rumor has it the Dong Family head even planned to marry his sixth daughter to him, making him a son-in-law, but that fell through for some reason."

His companion nodded eagerly. "That's right! On the Dong Family's contribution list, Senior Zhang alone provided over a hundred pounds of Plain Silver Sand. Second place, Senior Li Lingyun, only managed sixty-something pounds—a total crush! I don't know how he does it. Is Plain Silver Sand that easy to find?"

The bearded cultivator scratched his head. "Maybe he found a treasure trove rich in Plain Silver Sand?"

His companion frowned. "Wouldn't he report that to the main family?"

The bearded cultivator quickly covered his mouth. "Just a guess!" The two fell silent, drifting away.

Chu Xuan, lounging in his chair, heard every word. As a Deity Transformation cultivator, eavesdropping on Foundation Establishment cultivators was effortless. "Zhang Jing's already mid-Golden Core? That's awfully fast," he murmured, frowning. "If I recall, he has a mid-grade spiritual root, cultivates slowly, and has no special physique. This speed… something's off."

He was pondering when a familiar voice rang out. "Fellow Daoist Liu, I brought you some Dragon Snow!" Zhang Jing approached with a bright smile, holding a paper package. "Fresh from the oven!"

The two had grown closer over time, now addressing each other as fellow daoists. Chu Xuan nodded with a smile, but as his spiritual sense swept over Zhang Jing, he let out a quiet sigh.