“Unrefusable?” Han Li was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, and couldn’t help but feel a twinge of suspicion in his heart.
Qing Yuanzi and Jin Yanhou exchanged glances upon seeing this reaction, both revealing a trace of surprise on their faces, as if they had vaguely guessed something.
“You’ve been listening for a while now, so you should know that I am the Grand Elder of the Ephemera Clan. While our clan may not compare to superpowers like the Horned Race or the Sea Tribe, in certain areas of divine abilities, we dare say no one in the entire Spirit Realm can surpass us.” The old man didn’t directly reveal what he intended to exchange but instead spoke in cryptic, profound terms.
With a single hand, he reached into the empty space before him, and the numerous treasures that had been floating suddenly transformed into points of spiritual light, shooting back into his wide sleeves.
“Insect Control Art!” Han Li blurted out in shock.
“Haha, correct. Our clan’s techniques for taming and controlling insects are unparalleled in the entire Spirit Realm. Even other superpowers fall slightly short in this regard compared to us. What I’m offering you in exchange are two of the eighty-one types of spiritual insects I’ve meticulously cultivated. With these insects by your side, you’ll undoubtedly stand above your peers.” The old man spoke proudly, then flicked two fingers. With two soft pops, a purple and a green insect, each the size of a thumb, shot out and began circling above the table.
One of the insects had faint deathly lightning flickering across its body, while the other’s head strikingly resembled a miniature flood dragon’s head, scaled down countless times.
“These are Star Insects?” The old man’s expression changed slightly, looking somewhat peculiar.
“Purple Lightning Insect and Earth Flood Dragon Insect! Brother Xuling, how could you bear to part with these two for an exchange?” Jin Yanhou exclaimed in disbelief upon recognizing the two insects.
Qing Yuanzi’s face also shifted, revealing a mix of shock and doubt.
“Hmph, what do you know? In the past, the Netherworld River Divine Milk wouldn’t have been worth such a high price, but now it’s absolutely crucial for me. I must obtain it. Han boy, these two insects have been cultivated by me for tens of thousands of years. Their power is even comparable to that of an early-stage Body Integration cultivator. If you agree to hand over the divine milk, I can immediately erase their master imprints and help you subdue them. Heh, in the entire Ephemera Clan, I’m probably the only one capable of doing this.” The old man, Xuling, snorted, though his tone betrayed a hint of reluctance.
“Comparable to an early-stage Body Integration cultivator!” Han Li gasped, staring at the two insects, genuinely tempted.
However, he quickly reconsidered, recalling the tens of thousands of Gold Devouring Beetles in his spirit beast ring that he still couldn’t fully control. His enthusiasm instantly cooled.
Though individual Gold Devouring Beetles might not match these two extraordinary insects, releasing hundreds or thousands of them in battle would quickly reduce these two to nothing.
“Senior’s insects are indeed impressive, but I already have my own.” Han Li forced a smile under the old man’s piercing gaze, speaking haltingly.
“What did you say? Your insects can compare to mine? Boy, my patience is wearing thin. Don’t spout nonsense and truly anger me.” The old man’s eyes flashed with fury, his face darkening with menace.
Han Li was startled but before he could explain, Qing Yuanzi suddenly interjected thoughtfully, “Brother Xuling, no need for anger. Young Friend Han’s words likely aren’t insincere. He does possess a type of spiritual insect with a remarkable background—its reputation might even surpass yours.”
“Brother Jiang, even if you’re favoring this boy, there’s no need for such a poor excuse. He’s only a mid-stage Body Integration cultivator. How could his insects compare to mine? Moreover, the few most powerful insects I’ve raised have been seen by none who still live. What could you possibly know?” The old man shot Qing Yuanzi a cold glance.
“Perhaps Brother Xuling does have even more formidable insects, but I doubt you’d offer those for exchange. If that’s the case, these two alone can’t compare to Young Friend Han’s.” Qing Yuanzi raised an eyebrow but then smiled faintly.
“Oh, is that so? Brother Jiang may not know that I’ve cultivated seventy-two types of insects. Aside from a few that are fully refined as my lifebound insects, I’m willing to exchange the rest for the divine milk. Let me show you something else!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a layer of black mist enveloped most of the old man’s body. He formed a hand seal and began chanting.
A cacophony of low hums and vibrations erupted as the black mist churned, and hundreds of various insects flew out—some as large as heads, others as small as beans, each terrifying and ferocious in appearance.
“These golden-spotted Gold Devouring Beetles are indestructible, impervious even to spirit treasures. The ones shrouded in five-colored light are the Evil Silkworms, adept at devouring evil energy and nearly immortal—even if cut to pieces, they regenerate instantly. As for that blood-red mantis-like insect, it’s the infamous ‘Ghost Mantis.’ Though they seem weak individually, they’re swarm insects and the most brutal of all. A single swarm can devour an entire flood dragon, and when enraged, even I find them troublesome.” The old man pointed at the insects, introducing them one by one with pride.
Each of these insects was a rare breed seldom seen in the Spirit Realm, some even unheard of by Han Li.
More remarkably, these insects were all fully matured and ready for battle once re-bonded, offering immense assistance.
“Well? How many of these have you seen before? Han boy, I’ll make an exception—one bottle of divine milk for one insect. Surely you’re satisfied now. If you still refuse without a good reason, don’t blame me for being impolite.” The old man spoke slowly as Han Li stared in awe.
Han Li’s face twitched, and he glanced at Qing Yuanzi.
“Young Friend Han, release your insects for Brother Xuling to see. Once he does, he’ll understand.” Qing Yuanzi said gravely after a moment’s thought.
“Yes, Senior!”
Though reluctant, Han Li had no choice. With a flick of his sleeve, a buzzing sound emerged, and a dozen golden flowers the size of thumbs flew out.
The moment they appeared, they flashed with spiritual light and swelled to the size of fists—golden beetles, gleaming as if forged from pure gold.
“Gold Devouring Beetles! And mature ones at that!” Jin Yanhou exclaimed, staring at the beetles in shock.
The old man, Xuling, trembled slightly, his expression turning oddly complex as he observed the beetles.
Qing Yuanzi frowned slightly. The old man’s reaction wasn’t what he’d expected.
Still, he calmly said, “With Brother Xuling’s knowledge, you must recognize Gold Devouring Beetles. Surely you’d agree their reputation surpasses these other insects. Thus, Young Friend Han has no need to exchange for more. He didn’t mean to provoke you. Of course, if you can offer something superior, I won’t say another word.”
“Superior insects? Mature Gold Devouring Beetles? Good, very good, haha!” To everyone’s surprise, the old man burst into laughter after examining the beetles, his voice brimming with delight.
Han Li narrowed his eyes at the scene.
Qing Yuanzi stared at the old man, recalling something with a slight frown.
Jin Yanhou, however, gazed at Han Li with a complicated expression.
“Brother Xuling, you—”
“Brother Jiang, no need to speak. Let me show you and Han boy another type of insect I’ve never revealed before.”
With a wave of his sleeves, the hundred or so insects vanished into the black mist around him. Then, he opened his mouth and spat out a silver gourd, which spun and flipped open its lid.
A buzzing cloud emerged, dispersing into countless golden points of light that hovered in the hall.
“Impossible!”
“What is this?”
Jin Yanhou and Qing Yuanzi exclaimed simultaneously upon seeing the golden cloud.
Han Li gaped in astonishment at the golden lights—each contained a golden beetle identical to his Gold Devouring Beetles, equally fierce and buzzing.
“Senior also has Gold Devouring Beetles? And mature ones?” Han Li finally managed to say after suppressing his shock.
“Indeed. I’ve lost count of how many years I’ve spent cultivating these. They only reached maturity a few centuries ago. The effort involved is unimaginable. The reason I sought so much Netherworld River Divine Milk was precisely for these insects.” The old man spoke calmly.
“The divine milk is useful for Gold Devouring Beetles too?” Han Li asked reflexively, intrigued.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage