It was tiny, golden all over, chubby, and exuded a unique medicinal fragrance. It nuzzled against Shi Hao’s neck, seeming both shy and affectionate. “What do you want?” Shi Hao’s neck tingled, his mood a mix of excitement and concern as the translucent divine insect clung to him. More than one person had warned him—this little creature was notoriously difficult to raise, unlikely to survive under normal circumstances. Who knew what it needed to eat or how to care for it?
This was a *Royal Butterfly*, a being that, once matured, could rival the legendary *Ten Calamities of the Primordial Era*. But if it died under his care, it wouldn’t just be a tragedy—it’d be a joke. “You better not be picky. Stay alive,” Shi Hao murmured, pinching it gently, feeling a cool sensation as his fingers were coated in a sweet fragrance.
*Does this thing really feel like a divine pill come to life?* The entire group was suspicious. The intoxicating aroma was so refreshing it made them feel weightless. “Legend says that the most sacred beings retain their primordial essence upon birth,” Yun Xi said, her voice trembling. She had once read an ancient record that matched the symptoms of this divine insect.
The *Royal Butterfly* could locate all kinds of spiritual herbs in the world, and its eggs naturally carried a medicinal fragrance. This was its innate divine essence, lingering even after birth.
“Come here, let Uncle take a look,” the *Crimson Bird* drooled. As a bird, its instinct was to devour larvae—especially one as fragrant as this. Shi Hao smacked it aside, realizing they shouldn’t linger in the ruins where they’d attract too much attention.
Soon, they entered a massive inn, securing a private courtyard sealed with formations to examine the larva closely. “Huh? The medicinal scent has weakened,” someone noted. Even the insect’s glow had dimmed.
“Is this the result of its innate essence dissipating? It’s absorbing the impurities of the mortal world. But maybe that’s for the best—less attention,” Huo Ling’er said, admiring the golden larva.
*Slurp, slurp!* The little creature ignored everyone else, clinging only to Shi Hao, sucking on him like a lifeline. Yun Xi’s expression changed. “Wait—its golden hue is fading. It truly needs sacred nourishment from the world, or it’ll face dire consequences.”
In short, this creature was so powerful that even Heaven envied it. Raising it was nearly impossible unless one possessed heaven-defying treasures—otherwise, it wouldn’t survive infancy.
The group paled. If this *Royal Butterfly*, sealed since ancient times, died because of them, it’d be an irreparable loss. “It should be fine!” Shi Hao rummaged through his belongings, recalling the gray-robed woman’s words—*he* could raise it.
He emptied his treasures into a *Cosmic Pouch* and tossed the larva inside, letting it choose. His heart ached as the golden creature darted straight toward two crystal orbs, each containing a drop of *Immortal Spring Water*—radiant as miniature suns. He had only two left after sharing some with his village and himself.
*This thing has expensive tastes!* Shi Hao groaned inwardly. The *Immortal Spring Water* was priceless; finding more in the wilderness would be near impossible.
But to his surprise, the larva lingered before the orbs—then moved on.
Yun Xi, the *Nine-Headed Lion*, and others peered into the pouch, stunned by Shi Hao’s collection. Though few, each item was a treasure.
*Why does it always go for my best stuff?* Shi Hao grumbled.
The larva bypassed a jade cauldron sealed with *Taiyi True Water*—a rare liquid he had in abundance—and ignored a wine gourd containing a drop of *Primordial Nectar*, a legendary brew from the *Kun Peng’s Nest*.
Then, it lunged for a meditation mat woven from *Kun Wood*—branches of the divine tree that once bridged Heaven and Earth.
*Crunch!*
The group gaped as the golden larva took a bite, chewing happily.
*It eats Kun Wood?!*
The insect stopped after a small piece, its body glowing brilliantly, vitality restored.
Then—*whoosh!*—it shot toward a sealed stone box.
“No! Not that!” Shi Hao shouted, but it was too late. The box opened, revealing a green sprout—a sacred branch gifted by *Willow Deity*, meant for life-saving emergencies.
*Crunch!*
The larva munched on a tender bud, its body erupting in golden radiance.
*This little glutton!* Shi Hao wanted to strangle it.
After devouring three buds, the larva wobbled drunkenly before curling up, encased in golden light, and fell asleep.
“That branch… is it a divine herb?” someone whispered.
Shi Hao shook his head, unwilling to explain *Willow Deity’s* gift.
Three days later, the larva awoke—and chaos followed.
It transformed into a golden streak, ravaging four rare herbs Shi Hao had received from Lin Kun.
*Half a Golden Grass!*
*A chunk of Moonfall Flower!*
*Most of the Purple Star Orchid!*
*A portion of Flowing Gold Years!*
Shi Hao wanted to scream.
But the roots remained, and with care, they might regrow.
The larva, now glowing fiercely, had clearly grown stronger.
When Shi Hao tried to contain it in a magical vessel, it drilled right through.
*This thing’s terrifying!*
In the end, it curled into a golden bead, hiding in Shi Hao’s hair.
“I’ve decided,” Shi Hao declared, eyes gleaming. “We’ll raid an ancient divine mountain. At the foot, I’ll release it to secretly devour their herb gardens.”
He turned to Yun Xi. “Know any mountains with abundant spiritual herbs?”
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