Chapter 164: Third-order Insect Master
【Shadow Horn Spider（Third-order Low-grade Bloodline）】
【A variant spider nurtured by Earth Vein power, promoting bloodline advancement, using shadows as armor, body firm as iron, driving shadows to hunt…】
【Can be refined】
Su Yan revealed a surprised expression. A Second-order Insect Master should logically only be able to refine Second-order insects.
But this Shadow Horn Spider had already reached Third-order Low-grade. He immediately reacted.
‘What is restricted is strength, not bloodline. Although the Shadow Horn Spider has a Third-order bloodline, it is still just a larva.’
Su Yan was delighted. Originally, he had planned to first contract it with the Hundred Poisons Gu Seal and then slowly refine it later.
Now it was exactly to his liking.
‘Just right to show a bit of skill and put on a background.’
Although the Fierce Insect Cauldron looked like an artifact, outsiders could not probe it at all.
Su Yan had tried more than once and investigated many legends of Spirit Tools and Dao Soldiers, but had not seen any similar situation.
He was certain in his heart that even his Master Long Qiushui definitely could not discover it.
Now displaying some means would instead confirm his bloodline talent.
He flipped his palm, and four Hundred Poisons Gu Seals appeared, spinning like purple jade.
Su Yan had previously condensed three seals and successively injected them into this Shadow Horn Spider egg.
Now these four Hundred Poisons Gu Seals were what he had condensed in the past month or so, perfect to use here.
The Hundred Poisons Gu Seals merged into the Insect Egg. A slight sound came, and a ghost-faced spider the size of a human head broke out of the Insect Egg and flew out.
“Hiss!”
The Shadow Horn Spider had just hatched and immediately revealed its ferocious side, seeming to pounce toward Su Yan.
Su Yan just pointed with his finger, and the Hundred Poisons Gu Seal turned into threads, binding it.
The seals that had merged into the Feral Beast’s body before hatching now became shackles it could not break free from.
He swept his gaze over it, and his aura pressed down.
Suddenly, the Shadow Horn Spider’s body froze like a cicada in winter, not daring to resist.
‘Refine’
The power of the Fierce Insect Cauldron flowed through the Hundred Poisons Gu Seal into the Shadow Horn Spider’s body. In just an instant, a burst of power erupted from the Shadow Horn Spider’s body.
Long Qiushui looked at Su Yan in surprise, her brows filled with delight. Clearly both were Hundred Poisons Gu Seals, but in the blink of an eye, it tamed the Shadow Horn Spider.
‘What was that power just now? Bloodline power? Indeed extraordinary.’
【Shadow Horn Spider（Young）1/100（Nascent Stage）】
Su Yan completed the refining. Although this Shadow Horn Spider was in the Nascent Stage, it also had a “young” label, truly its strength not yet fully exerted.
He took out Beast Essence Pills from the Insect Realm Space and tossed three to the Shadow Horn Spider.
The Shadow Horn Spider devoured them in big gulps, eating up the pills in the blink of an eye.
Long Qiushui said: “That’s about enough. Insect young beasts grow faster, but there are limits. If you want it to mature quickly later, you still need to work on the Hundred Poisons Gu Seal.”
Contracted Beasts and Martial Artists complement each other. A Martial Artist’s help can allow Feral Beasts, which originally grow slowly and have difficulty breaking through, to constantly surpass bottlenecks.
“Thank you, Master.”
Long Qiushui nodded, her gaze shifting slightly. Suddenly she said: “The day to open the rankings and set the roster is not far off. Cultivate diligently these few days. I will go watch the fights at the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform. Don’t stumble at the last step.”
Su Yan showed a smile: “I definitely won’t disappoint Master.”
Long Qiushui dispersed the formation on Xuan Shuang Mountain, instructed Su Yan a couple of things, and then left the place.
Su Yan returned to his own courtyard and finally revealed a joyful expression.
The Fierce Insect Cauldron had been vibrating nonstop just now. The previously suppressed power surged out from the Fierce Insect Cauldron in waves, merging into his limbs and bones.
The Insect Bone Armor Body emerged, the armor body even more solid, the power amplification even stronger. With power gathered throughout his body, even a Third Realm practitioner might not have an advantage against Su Yan.
Su Yan raised his gaze, spiritual light gathering at his brow center, his spirit continuously strengthening, as if a power was constantly hatching.
In the courtyard, every detail was within perception: one leaf, one flower, one speck of dust, one bit of soil… all objects seemed to sweep before him.
He did not open his eyes to look closely, yet he perceived it so clearly.
Buzz
His spirit shook slightly, and the Fierce Insect Cauldron had completed its power feedback.
【Third-order Insect Master1/10000】
【Trait: Insect Bone Armor Body, Insect Consciousness Seed】
【Insect Realm: 1000 cubic meters】
In just an instant, his Spiritual Power was like breaking out of a cocoon into a butterfly. At the location of his Sea of Consciousness, a point of spiritual light was like a white silkworm.
With just a thought, his Spiritual Power swept like a giant hand. The newly planted Leaf Rong tree in the courtyard, not long planted, was directly crushed at the trunk.
‘Such strong Spiritual Power, tangible like substance, and within a hundred zhang radius, all under control, a bit like radar.’
Another trait added. Su Yan immediately sensed the power of this trait.
Powerful Spiritual Power was the foundation of this Insect Consciousness Seed.
Detection first, with some attack methods, and most importantly, this was the Insect Consciousness Seed.
With a thought, he summoned the Shadow Horn Spider.
The Insect Consciousness Seed entered the Shadow Horn Spider’s body. In an instant, Su Yan’s mental world seemed to split.
Just as he thought in his heart, the Shadow Horn Spider moved, every action controlled by him, and all perceptions synchronized back.
He lifted his own arm, and at the same time controlled the Shadow Horn Spider to pounce onto the platform. The actions had no interference, no divided attention, no lag, just like one mind two bodies.
“Using insects as body, even thousands of li away, this perception has no hindrance…”
The Fierce Insects he controlled were powerful, but still required control.
Back in Yun Cang Town, if away from him, he could still control Fierce Insects with arm and finger precision.
Then, whether killing Niu Han and that group of ruffians or destroying the Little Mountain Association, he could execute more means without a trace.
Insect Consciousness Seed plus Fierce Insect was like a false body, enough for Su Yan to handle more matters.
After some testing by Su Yan, this perception ability, if fully activated, would also play a significant role in battle.
Thus, by nightfall, he suppressed the joy in his heart.
In the following days, Long Qiushui came every day to spar with her disciple Su Yan and conveniently brought quite a few Spirit Herbs to feed the Shadow Horn Spider.
At first, she thought her disciple did not have many resources and might miss the critical Young Stage of the Shadow Horn Spider.
But after coming twice, she suddenly noticed something wrong.
Her disciple supplied Second-order Pills to the Contracted Beast nonstop every day, and even for his own cultivation, he used three kinds of pills together.
Blood Essence Condensing Pill to strengthen Bone Structure, Dragon Tiger Golden Pill to temper the body, Return Intent Yuan Pill to condense True Intent True Essence.
Even when she was at True Intent Realm back then, she was not as lavish as him.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Long Qiushui asked, and then learned that her disciple was also a Second-order Pill Master.
Both shocked and delighted, she still punched Su Yan in annoyance.
With such skills, not saying anything was one thing, but how could he have the face to mooch resources every day?
Simply, with the fight only a few days away, she sent Su Yan down Xuan Shuang Mountain.
Leaving behind: ‘Five days later, still 279th place, just wait to spar with the Heavenly Centipede.’
“279th place? In previous years, just standing firm was good enough. Master’s ambition is really big. She didn’t ask about me being a Pill Master?”
Su Yan muttered to himself with a hint of regret. Dan Qiao True Persons were truly wealthy. In just a few days, the Shadow Horn Spider had swallowed two Second-order Mid-grade Spirit Herbs, the kind that consolidated bloodline.
Each one, if put outside, was no less than two or three thousand First-order Origin Stones.
“Su Yan, you’ve finally appeared!”
The Six-Winged Blood Centipede had just landed outside the Gui Cang Mountain courtyard gate when several gaunt-cheeked disciples stepped forward.
Two beast patterns on the cuffs, upright posture, heads raised—clearly Second Year disciples.
“We want to challenge you.”
They immediately stated their purpose. They had been guarding this gate for not just one or two days. Now that the main target appeared, they inevitably showed some aggressive aura.
Su Yan shook his head slightly: “Instead of competing with me, why not look behind? No need.”
He stepped forward to pass them. That man gritted his teeth, swung his venomous snake staff, and warned: “Be careful.”
He was not completely shameless, but Su Yan did not know that in this half month, many new Inner Disciples had been challenged down the rankings.
Excluding Su Yan and a few others, everyone now on the list were Second Year or even Third Year disciples.
If they were confident, they would not be waiting here for Su Yan.
“Hmph”
Su Yan snorted coldly, and an invisible giant hand pressed down.
Only a sound of bones creaking was heard. The three who acted were all bent at the waist, nearly kneeling on the ground.
He stepped over the three, entered the courtyard gate, and with a bang, shut them outside.
“Brother Su has impressive skills. Those few have been waiting for days, just refusing to believe your ability to fight seven at once. They say it’s relying on the ferocity of your Contracted Beast.”
From the neighboring courtyard, Wang Wuyang poked his head out like a monkey head and said with a grin.
“Did they disturb you?”
“Exactly, blocking the door made it inconvenient to come and go, and I couldn’t beat them.”
Wang Wuyang had seen Su Yan’s prowess that day. Not to mention the Fierce Insect, just the mysterious and powerful True Intent Beast Spirit Star Moon Centipede was enough to defeat most Second Year disciples.
Still wanting to challenge him—unless they were real geniuses.
“Many people looking for me these past few days?”
“Many, but not too many.”
Wang Wuyang thought: “Some want to get to know you, some want to challenge you, but rashly coming here—only those idiots. The other branches have said some not-so-good things.”
“What things?”
“Qing Tianyi of Azure Dragon Peak wants to swing his sword to defeat you. Yao Yuntao of White Python Peak has consecutively challenged several disciples, including a Second Year disciple who later took 283rd place, and won… They all say your position is up for grabs.”
Wang Wuyang came not to chat idly, but to remind: “You are the first among this batch of Inner Disciples. Too many people covet this position, both new and old disciples wanting to step on you to rise.”
Even among Martial Artists, how many can see through fame and fortune?
Su Yan smiled: “Coincidentally, I also plan to give them some surprises.”
Five days, neither long nor short.
A bell toll resounding through the Sect came from the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform.
“Inner Sect Tiger Ranking, the last hundred ranks, gather at Nine Tablet Spirit Platform in a quarter hour.”
The voice sounded, and everyone stirred. Finally, the fight time had arrived.
Numerous disciples streamed out. Black Horned Giant Eagles in the sky swarmed like bees, flying chaotically everywhere, all heading toward the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform.
The struggle for the Inner Sect Tiger Ranking was not just watching the show, but also seeing what level fellow Inner Disciples had reached. Observing the battles was also cultivation.
Su Yan exited his room and looked up at the countless Black Horned Giant Eagles: “Really lively.”
He summoned the Six-Winged Blood Centipede, stepped out onto it, and like a blood shadow, slashed across the sky.
“It’s Su Yan!”
“Such a ferocious Contracted Beast, like an ancient breed.”
The crowd glimpsed the Six-Winged Blood Centipede’s form and was startled. Gossips immediately patted their Black Horned Giant Eagles and hurried to follow.
Su Yan had appeared, so those seven-branch disciples who boasted of crushing Su Yan were probably about to act. Big spectacle incoming.
Large numbers of disciples gathered at the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform. When Su Yan arrived, many disciples were already standing there.
A circle of two or three thousand surrounded the outside, all spectators, with quite a few Outer Disciples.
Further in were Inner Disciples, holding Weapons, rubbing fists, already starting to regulate their breathing.
These people were either challengers or disciples ranked after the 200th on the Tiger Ranking.
With everyone assembled, on the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform, Qian Mulan, Lei Yuxi, and others like Dan Qiao True Persons had already sat in the front with Yin Mingchen.
“Six-Winged Centipede, such a ferocious Feral Beast. Junior Sister, your disciple has truly inherited your mantle.”
Lei Yuxi saw Su Yan’s Contracted Beast, eyes brightening, praising nonstop.
Such a fierce beast, controlled freely, and the person was also good-looking—a fine seedling.
“I’ve heard that Elder Qing’s grandson wants to cut down Autumn Water’s disciple?”
Shui Manyi sized up Su Yan with big eyes, then turned to look at Qing Yunheng beside her.
Qing Yunheng’s gaze darkened, and he said flatly: “Junior Sister is joking. Young people are hot-blooded, just competing for ranking, not about killing.”
Long Qiushui’s gaze was calm: “If they have the skill, then try it.”
While they spoke, the disciples had basically gathered, and the quarter hour was up.
The hundred Inner Disciples stood at the very front, with almost all gazes converging on them.
“New ranking initially set, 21 positions empty. Today there will be 21 arenas. The last 21 step up. Three battles one rest, ten battles set the ranking. Other ranked ones, if interested, may also step up.”
As Yin Mingchen’s words fell, the Nine Tablet Spirit Platform rumbled and shook, and 21 floating Fighting Platforms rose.
Su Yan moved, already stepping onto the first Fighting Platform.
The others successively jumped onto the Fighting Platforms.
Su Yan noticed with his peripheral vision that among these 21 people, most had changed; fewer than a third of the new Inner Disciples remained.
Qing Tianyi and Yao Yuntao were still among them. Bai Yun was too, but already on the seventh-to-last arena, her ranking dropped quite a bit.
“Su Yan, I’ll fight you.”
Just as they stood firm, a disciple impatiently stepped forward.
Ni Hai held a three-pronged spear, followed by a scale-clawed, crimson Flame Lizard, eyes burning as he stared at Su Yan.
That day his ranking had successively suffered blows, barely taking seventh place. After several days of challenges, though he held 294th, he was not content.
That day, if not for unfamiliarity with the trial, how could his ranking fall behind Su Yan and others.
Now still on this Nine Tablet Spirit Platform, he simply had not yet gone to his own arena. Spear tip pointing at Su Yan, he came to seize this arena.
Su Yan smiled: “I remember that day Qing Tianyi defeated you?”
Ni Hai was furious inside and said coldly: “You are the first among this batch of Inner Disciples. Defeating you, he is still my defeated subordinate.”
“Such big talk.”
Qing Tianyi snorted coldly. Yao Yuntao lifted his gaze coldly. Even Bai Yun stared tightly at Ni Hai.
Truly unreasonable, seeking his own death.
Yin Mingchen and the others were amused—quite interesting.
“Come up then, don’t waste time.”
