’So he’s a simp?’
Qin Xuan imitated Sangjila’s hoarse voice, his tone carrying a perfectly asured complexity. "It’s been many years, yet you... are as dashing as ever."
Shi Wei gazed at the wrinkled, stooped figure of "Sangjila" before him. A flicker of imperceptible pity crossed his eyes before he smiled and said,
"It’s rely the effect of my Cyan Silk Gu, delaying the skin’s aging. It’s nothing compared to your deep mastery of Gu Techniques."
Shi Wei’s gaze swept over Qin Xuan’s sleeve. "I heard your Golden Threaded Centipede from Black Stone Village took the top spot this ti? Congratulations."
"It was just a fluke. Nothing compared to the profound heritage of your Baixi Village."
Qin Xuan seized the opportunity to steer the conversation toward Thousand Gu Ridge, hoping to fish for so useful information.
"I heard that the rules for this year’s Hundred Gu Festival seem to be different from the past?"
Shi Wei nodded and lowered his voice. "They are indeed. Do you see those ’Spider Cocoons’ in the sky?"
He pointed to the countless cocoons hanging from the web above.
"This ti, the Gu selection won’t involve the Gu Insects fighting each other to the death."
"Oh?" Qin Xuan put on an appropriately interested expression.
"This ti, it’s a Tier Three Gu Array, the [Thousand Spider Heart Net]."
Shi Wei explained, "In a mont, the Elder Council of Thousand Spider Ridge will activate a Secret Technique. All Gu Insects participating in the festival will be sent into their corresponding Spider Cocoons."
"The [Thousand Spider Heart Net] will emit a strange pulse, and the Gu Insects must resist this pulse from within the cocoons while displaying their Lifebound Divine Techniques."
"The judging criteria will be based on how strange and powerful their Divine Techniques are, how deep their potential is, and whether they have a complentary effect with one of Thousand Spider Ridge’s Poisonous Spiders—perhaps even evolving as a result."
"Furthermore, any that perform exceptionally well might be chosen by one of the three great Elders of Thousand Gu Ridge to beco a [Spider Companion]. That would be a heavenly opportunity!"
Qin Xuan’s heart stirred.
’This selection thod is certainly novel. It doesn’t focus on imdiate combat strength, but on potential and Attributes.’
’This isn’t good for my Golden Threaded Centipede.’
’The Golden Threaded Centipede is just an ordinary Tier Two Gu Insect.’
’It doesn’t have any impressive Lifebound Divine Techniques to speak of.’
’No matter. If it cos to it, I’ll just cheat. It would be a complete joke if I, a dignified Star Mansion Fifth Level Cultivator, couldn’t handle an Array set up by soone in the Early-stage Purple Mansion.’
"I see. Thank you for clearing that up, Village Chief Shi."
Qin Xuan thanked him in a hoarse voice.
Shi Wei waved his hand. "It was nothing. Speaking of which, your Golden Threaded Centipede seems exceptionally Spiritual. Perhaps it really will stand out this ti. If so... hehe, maybe our two villages can beco much closer in the future."
Shi Wei’s words seed to carry a hidden aning, hinting at rekindling an old fla.
A chill of disgust ran through Qin Xuan, and goosebumps broke out all over his skin.
’This old guy’s got so heavy tastes.’
’How can you stomach the looks of Granny Sang, who looks like she’s eighty years old?’
Qin Xuan’s expression remained impassive. "Ahem, let’s talk again after the Hundred Gu Festival."
Just then, on a high platform in the center of the valley, three Elders appeared. They were dressed in black robes with intricate spider patterns, and their auras were all at the Foundation Establishnt Peak.
The one in the lead was rail-thin with sunken eyes, but his voice bood like a great bell, echoing through the valley.
"Let the Hundred Gu Festival begin! All villages, send your Gu into the cocoons!"
As his voice faded, a sky full of Spider Silks descended, precisely connecting with every Cultivator holding a competing Gu Insect.
Qin Xuan ignored Shi Wei and, following the instructions, released the Golden Threaded Centipede from his sleeve.
The centipede transford into a thin ray of golden light, leaping onto a dangling strand of Spider Silk. It was then pulled up into an empty, grayish-white Spider Cocoon, where it vanished from sight.
Like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, the hundreds and thousands of Gu Insects in the valley surged into their respective Spider Cocoons.
The entire Valley of Ten Thousand Spiders fell silent in an instant.
In contrast, the strange pulse from the Thousand Spider Heart Net grew ever clearer, beating like a heart. THUMP. THUMP.
All the Cultivators held their breath, their gazes fixed on the sky.
Whether they would be worms or dragons was now up to the Gu Insects themselves.
"Don’t worry, Goldie. I’m here to help you."
Qin Xuan smiled faintly and discreetly attached a wisp of his Divine Sense to the Golden Threaded Centipede.
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