Chapter 183: Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust
This metamorphosis lasted for three full days, and the dense malevolent energy in the courtyard even alerted Long Qiushui.
When she learned that this malevolent energy was caused by the Blood Fiend Mother Worm’s breakthrough, her shock was unimaginable.
In the past, although the strength of these few fierce insects was only equivalent to that of a second-order Feral Beast.
They were no more than third or fourth realm martial artists compared to cultivators.
Although their strength was not high, each of them possessed a talent and foundation sufficient to become a third-order Calamity Beast-level Feral Beast.
It was precisely these displays that made Long Qiushui realize the power of her disciple’s unknown Innate Martial Body.
Even the Nine-Pattern Mysterious Bird Martial Body of the top-ranked true disciple in the Nine Peaks Sect, with its Calamity Beast bloodline, was not much different.
Long Qiushui ordered the Mysterious Frost Sky Centipede to shrink its body to three zhang and guard the outside of the courtyard.
For three full days, the malevolent energy rose and fell three times, and finally, in the early hours of the third day, all the malevolent energy began to converge, and a powerful aura vanished in an instant.
【 Blood Fiend Mother Worm: 0/3 （ Metamorphosis Stage ）】
【 Molting Material: Third-order Bone Blood, Heavenly Fiend Soul Stone, Third-order Low-grade Spirit Artifact 】
“Finally, it’s the metamorphosis stage.”
Su Yan’s eyes lit up. The Blood Fiend Mother Worm’s aura had become much stronger, and at this moment, it fully possessed second-order late-stage strength.
He also did not expect the Soul Jade Crystal to be so effective.
“Third-order Bone Blood and Third-order Low-grade Spirit Artifact… The Crimson Needle Sword is exactly a third-order Spirit Artifact, but the amount of Third-order Bone Blood needed is probably not small, and it’s difficult to obtain…”
He frowned slightly. As the fierce insects continuously broke through, the required molting materials became even more precious.
“Second-order late-stage, your fierce insect’s foundation is indeed good.”
As the voice fell, Long Qiushui had already stepped into the courtyard.
Since the Mysterious Frost Sky Centipede was guarding the outside of the courtyard, the changes in the Blood Fiend Mother Worm would naturally be noticed by Long Qiushui.
Seeing Long Qiushui arrive, Su Yan’s eyes suddenly lit up: “Master, you’ve arrived just in time. I have an impolite request.”
“Then don’t ask.”
Long Qiushui’s eyes, filled with a smile, directly interrupted him.
But Su Yan didn’t care, saying, “The Blood Fiend Mother Worm is just one step away from breaking through.”
“Hmm?” Long Qiushui showed a surprised expression, “It has already crossed a small stage, and it’s not considered a breakthrough?”
Wait!
Suddenly, Long Qiushui reacted: “Your fierce insect is going to metamorphose?”
The word “metamorphosis” should originally be used for creatures like moths and butterflies.
However, in this world of martial arts, it was not a rare occurrence.
Under the bloodline returning to its ancestors or due to special opportunities, Feral Beasts evolved into variants, pushing their bloodlines to a higher level.
These could all be called metamorphosis.
It’s just that the path of metamorphosis is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Even within the Beast King Sect, there are very few who can cultivate their contracted beasts to continuously metamorphose.
Special environments, materials, and years of nurturing are the roots of metamorphosis.
Long Qiushui’s own Mysterious Frost Sky Centipede was initially just an ice centipede. Relying on the guidance of the Heavenly Centipede Great Law and an Yin Vein, it metamorphosed into the Mysterious Frost Sky Centipede.
And Su Yan’s fierce insect was clearly about to go further.
She stared intently at her disciple until she saw him nod.
“It is going to metamorphose, it just lacks some materials.”
Long Qiushui immediately said, “What materials, I’ll help you find them.”
“Third-order Bone Blood, Heavenly Fiend Soul Stone, Third-order Low-grade Spirit Artifact.”
Su Yan did not hide anything. Long Qiushui’s eyes narrowed, and she pondered, “Ordinary people find molting materials, at most finding items with certain effects. He actually named them so directly, could it be that he knew beforehand?”
“The feeling of an Innate Martial Body?”
She asked.
Su Yan nodded, “Yes, I can feel what the fierce insect is lacking, and I instinctively thought of these three things.”
Long Qiushui said, “Then it seems to be true. Innate Martial Bodies inherit some memories from their ancestors, which is not a strange thing. I once heard that in the Monster Suppressing Guard, there was a Golden Saber Guard with a Heavenly Fiend Tiger Innate Martial Body who, in his sleep, awakened a cultivation manual called Devour Heaven and Earth.”
She merely gave a hint and then immediately said, “Third-order Bone Blood, Qu Changqi in the prison is a third-order martial artist. If that’s not enough, I’ll also bring Qi Yingzhen.”
Long Qiushui was not someone who hesitated. It was their honor to be able to contribute to her disciple’s contracted beast.
“I have the Crimson Needle Sword for the Third-order Low-grade Spirit Artifact.”
Su Yan had just spoken when Long Qiushui immediately said, “The Crimson Needle Sword was a gift to you, why use it here? Moreover, your fierce insect has such heavy malevolent energy. If it metamorphoses, it will likely lean towards malevolent energy. If you want to absorb the Spiritual Charm and Power of a third-order Spirit Artifact, those with heavy malevolent energy are the first choice.”
“But Master, it will be difficult to find a suitable Spirit Artifact in the Hundred Peaks Barrier for a while.”
Spirit Artifacts were already rare treasures, mostly in the hands of Perfected Second-order or Dan Qiao Realm martial artists.
They were already capable individuals and would not easily part with their Spirit Artifacts.
“I can’t speak for other places, but within the Hundred Peaks Barrier, there is indeed one person who can help. Come with me.”
Long Qiushui took Su Yan and flew out of Feng City, heading towards Sword Hanging Peak.
“Are we going to Sword Hanging Peak?”
“Not entirely, just looking for someone in its branch range.”
After Long Qiushui replied, she flew with Su Yan for about an hour.
In the distance, the sword-like towering mountain peaks could already be seen, with clouds and mist subtly responding around them.
Long Qiushui brought Su Yan down, and suddenly, a crack large enough for two people to pass through appeared on the snow-covered cliffs before their eyes.
The two passed through the crack, and the wind howled through the dark, black fissure.
Beyond the crack, it opened up to a small valley beneath a snow mountain sinkhole.
The small valley was not shrouded in clouds and mist, and one could immediately see the vitality nurtured by the low-temperature environment.
Lush green grass, exotic flowers blooming, and some trees of varying heights all surrounded a thatched hut.
“Junior Sister Qiushui, what brings you here?”
A man in white, about 40-50 years old, with his hair casually draped over his shoulders, slightly raised his head, revealing a smiling expression.
“It is my fault for disturbing Senior Brother Jianyu’s pure cultivation, Junior Sister.”
Jianyu did not blame Long Qiushui; it was just a playful remark.
He then noticed Su Yan behind Long Qiushui, his eyes moved slightly, and a smile appeared.
“You’re even bringing disciples now, how rare.”
He looked at Long Qiushui and asked, “What do you need from me?”
“I want to exchange two items with Senior Brother: a Spirit Artifact refined by a Sacred Weapon Path disciple, preferably one containing malevolent energy, and the other is Heavenly Fiend Soul Stone.”
Jianyu was slightly taken aback, his gaze sweeping over Su Yan: “For him? Sacred Weapon Path Spirit Artifacts are powerful, but they are soul-stirring and devour essence blood. If not controlled carefully, they can harm oneself and others.”
“Senior Brother, please rest assured, it is not for self-protection, but for another use.”
Hearing this, Jianyu’s eyes flickered slightly. He stroked his beard, then waved his hand, and a dark red tiger-head saber appeared before him, followed by an incredibly black stone that drew the eye.
“I have frequent dealings with people from the Sacred Weapon Path. This is one of the spoils of war. If Junior Sister wishes to trade, just give me something of equivalent value.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother.”
Su Yan watched from the side. Long Qiushui also took out a third-order Spirit Artifact and a Spirit Ore of the same grade.
After the two finished their exchange, they left Jianyu’s small valley.
Long Qiushui found a secluded spot in the Sword Hanging Peak Mountain Range and stopped.
“Master, was that Senior Uncle Jianyu also a disciple of our Beast King Sect?”
“Of course. Senior Brother Jianyu has been guarding this place for thirty years and is one of the foremost experts in formations. The arrangement of Sword Hanging Peak is all his planning.”
Long Qiushui explained to her disciple, saying, “That day you were in the mountain’s shaded side. If you had been on this side, and if I and Yuan Fatty hadn’t been there, Qu Changqi wouldn’t have been able to harm you.”
Thirty years…
Su Yan clicked his tongue slightly. How many martial artists could live for thirty years? True Intent Realm martial artists only had a lifespan of two to three hundred years upon reaching the Fourth Realm, and Dan Qiao Realm martial artists had a lifespan of only five hundred years.
Thirty years in a flash, a plan spanning thirty years, the mental exhaustion involved was unimaginable.
“We’ll talk about Senior Brother Jianyu’s matter later. Release your fierce insect and let it eat him first.”
Long Qiushui threw out Qu Changqi. At this moment, he was completely unconscious, having been subdued by Long Qiushui’s methods to make him so compliant.
Su Yan was not polite and released the Blood Fiend Mother Worm with a wave of his hand.
In just a few moments, the Blood Fiend Mother Worm left not even a single bone behind.
*Buzz*
Long Qiushui’s eyes shimmered with brilliance. Just by swallowing one of the molting materials, despite being at the Dan Qiao Realm cultivation, she could see the visible strengthening. She immediately understood the fierce insect’s strength.
She brought out the tiger-head saber and Heavenly Fiend Soul Stone they had traded for.
Su Yan’s mind moved, and the Blood Fiend Mother Worm swallowed both items into its storage.
The tiger-head saber was particularly hard and was a third-order low-grade item, making it resistant to most weapons.
However, in the Blood Fiend Mother Worm’s mouth, it was like a cookie, easily crushed.
In a few breaths, about ten seconds, everything was completely eaten.
Red light appeared, like countless threads, completely enveloping the Blood Fiend Mother Worm, forming a giant cocoon.
The cocoon was three to four zhang high, emitting a faint red glow.
Fortunately, this was the wilderness. If it were in the courtyard of Feng City, it would have already alerted the Mountain Guard and other martial artists.
Although Su Yan had many methods, exposing himself to everyone like this also carried certain risks.
Long Qiushui did not ask in detail about the other matters of the cocoon, but simply waited with Su Yan.
As dawn gradually broke, a cracking sound suddenly came.
A powerful Insect Yuan surged into Su Yan’s body.
The Insect Consciousness Seed in his sea of consciousness suddenly grew a bit larger, and the Insect Bone Armor Body within its bone blood became even more sturdy with the nourishment of the Insect Yuan.
The cocoon shattered continuously, and a three-zhang blood-colored fierce insect appeared before Su Yan.
It was clad in red armor, with more than ten pairs of claws, varying in size, resembling locust sickles. A pair of blood-red eyes, as large as human heads, and a ferocious mouthpart like concentric rings of fine gears.
【 Blood Fiend Mother Worm, after devouring the molting materials Third-order Bone Blood, Heavenly Fiend Soul Stone, and Third-order Low-grade Spirit Artifact, metamorphosed into Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust 】
【 Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust 1/100 (Nascent Stage ）】
A powerful aura emerged. The contained malevolent energy was like a knife, constantly ready to unleash its sharpness.
Long Qiushui merely sensed the aura of the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust, and her eyes showed surprise.
At least Perfected Second-order.
She wasn’t exaggerating. Fierce insects belonged to the category of Feral Beasts. Aside from lacking many divine abilities, their physical body strength was absolutely top-notch.
With such a fierce insect and martial skills, Su Yan, within the Divine Union Realm, would likely be an opponent to most people, except for a few heavenly prodigies.
“Get very familiar with your fierce insect. It’s best to plant more Hundred Poisons Gu Seals. The stronger the connection, the faster your strength will grow.”
Long Qiushui offered advice. At present, the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust’s strength had surpassed Su Yan’s Ruyi Stage.
If not for his ‘Innate Martial Body,’ ordinary contracted beasts might have already been difficult to control, or even rebelled.
Su Yan nodded repeatedly, “Received,” but his attention was entirely focused on the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust.
Malevolent energy in the form of locusts could condense countless Fiend Bees, Blood Bees, and Blade Blood Bees, totaling no less than a hundred thousand.
The so-called Fiend Bees were difficult to kill. They would turn into smoke and re-condense once the danger had passed.
Unless they were continuously worn down, there was no way to completely kill the Fiend Bees.
This was the true meaning of insect swarm tactics, and the Fiend Bees themselves were shrouded in malevolent energy, being servant insects formed from malevolent energy.
Once a scale was formed, the pervading malevolent energy could erode Spiritual Power and True Essence.
With this assistance, the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust’s strength had instantly increased by a large margin.
Furthermore, the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust was originally an exotic insect that controlled malevolent energy, so its ability to sense malevolent energy would naturally become an aid to Su Yan.
The Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust circled in the air once, its aura gradually retracting.
Seeing that it was almost time, Long Qiushui said, “Let’s go back. During this period, you should familiarize yourself with the changes in your contracted beast in Feng City. When Sword Hanging Peak opens and enters the barrier, there might be people from the Sacred Weapon Path causing trouble.”
“Okay.”
Su Yan nodded in agreement. Long Qiushui rose into the air, but this time she did not take Su Yan with her.
He grinned, knowing this was to let him adapt to the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust.
Immediately, he leaped and landed on the back of the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust.
The Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust flapped its wings and flew towards Feng City, trailing behind Long Qiushui at a moderate distance.
“Huh?! Is that malevolent energy?”
The Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust beneath him trembled slightly. Su Yan’s Insect Consciousness Seed directly merged into its body, and he instantly saw through the Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust’s perspective.
Everything in the world appeared dark red, as if dyed with blood.
And on the continuous Sword Hanging Peak Mountain Range, there were actually fine black lines.
They converged from various branches to the main peak of Sword Hanging Peak, emitting black smoke, like writhing worms.
Su Yan recognized this as malevolent energy. Just as he was about to look closer, the color of the world suddenly changed slightly, returning to the appearance of green mountains and clear waters.
His expression sank. That must have been malevolent energy. Even though it was fleeting, he couldn’t have mistaken it.
“Sword Hanging Peak is to be incorporated into the Hundred Peaks Barrier. Are they going to use malevolent energy to connect the Earth Vein? This doesn’t seem right.”
Su Yan’s mind was filled with questions. Was this malevolent energy from a malevolent Earth Vein that Sword Hanging Peak originally possessed, or was it an artificial arrangement, or perhaps the work of the Beast King Sect?
He immediately caught up with Long Qiushui: “Master, there is a problem with Sword Hanging Peak.”
Long Qiushui stopped him, her figure suspended in mid-air, “What did you say?”
“The Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust sensed the contained malevolent energy of Sword Hanging Peak. Is this also part of our arrangement?”
Long Qiushui’s expression changed slightly, “Are you sure?”
