“The origin of the Demonic Insect Cultivation Manual?”
Nan’s words took Qiping by surprise.
He hadn’t expected her to bring up the very question he’d been aning to ask.
“Yes, its origin,” Nan confird with a nod.
Qiping didn’t beat around the bush. “Of course I’d like to know. If you hadn’t ntioned it, I was going to ask myself. It’s important to …”
“You’ve always been straightforward,” Nan remarked, giving him a aningful look before continuing. “This manual ca from Peak Seven in the A-zone. There’s a well-hidden cave abode there—one I discovered by accident when I was much younger, about ten years ago.”
“Peak Seven in the Misty Cloud Mountains’ A-zone?” Qiping was stunned.
The top ten peaks in the A-zone were the most spiritually rich areas in the entire mountain range. Only Foundation Establishnt cultivators—or those with ties to the three great clans or the Qingyuan Sect—could afford to lease land there. Had Nan lived there as a child?
This only deepened Qiping’s curiosity about her background. But since she hadn’t volunteered the information, he didn’t press further.
“Yes, that’s the place,” Nan said. “Back then, my strength only allowed to obtain a small portion of the inheritance there. The rest was beyond my reach. Once you’re stronger, you might consider leasing the peak to explore it yourself. Though I didn’t encounter any danger back then, it’s better to be cautious.”
She pulled out a map and an ancient jade pendant shaped like a silkworm and handed them to Qiping. “Here’s a detailed map of the cave’s location, along with a token to open it.”
Qiping accepted them without hesitation, his expression solemn.
If [Beast Cultivation: Demonic Insects] alone had such impressive effects, obtaining the full inheritance might even allow his Golden Marrow Bees to break through to the Golden Core stage—or beyond. There could even be thods for cultivating other types of spirit beasts.
But this gift was far too valuable. The debt of gratitude he owed Nan wouldn’t be easy to repay.
“Thank you for this, Nan. If you ever need anything within my power, I won’t refuse,” he vowed earnestly.
“Maybe one day, when you’ve reached Golden Core-level strength, I’ll swallow my pride and ask for your help,” Nan replied with a faint smile. “But until then, let’s just focus on surviving this wretched world. Sothing tells the coming chaos won’t spare even Foundation Establishnt experts…”
…..
After settling matters regarding the manual, Qiping insisted Nan stay overnight on Peak Seven to ensure her safety before letting her leave. Before she departed, he gifted her a portion of Golden Marrow Honey.
Nan t his gaze, accepted it without protest, and nodded. By now, their trust in each other had grown beyond the need for formalities.
Once she was gone, Qiping returned to his usual routine—tending his fields, raising bees, and preparing to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining.
With his breakthrough imminent, he planned to visit the Bluestone Market once he reached the fourth level and amassed around seven hundred Swift-Cutting Bees. There, he’d purchase spirit beasts, Fire Spirit Grass, and—if possible—a spirit beast pouch.
The recent crisis with the black-robed cultivator had left him wary, but his newfound ability to transform into a beast in the wild had given him a lifeline. Whether facing rogue cultivators, demonic insects, or the undercurrents of unrest in the Qingtian Domain, he no longer felt the sa fear.
With survival assured, he could afford to take things slow and steady.
…..
Three days later…
“The black-robed cultivator’s body and the bloodstained soil have all been removed. The burial site’s been replanted with flowers.”
“I’ve also scouted the surrounding terrain in bee form. The area is rugged and overgrown—once my Swift-Cutting Bees disperse, even a Foundation Establishnt cultivator would struggle to track them.”
“As long as I don’t court disaster, my safety shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Next, I need to use my bonded animal companions to acquire an innate talent—sothing like the Crimsonfla Tiger’s [Crimsonfla] or the Blue Lotus Sprite’s [Lotus Body]. At the very least, it should be high-tier first rank, preferably low-tier second rank or higher.”
“With a talent like that, breaking through to Foundation Establishnt would be much easier, and my foundation would be far more solid.”
Given his own lack of natural talent, this was the only path Qiping could take to improve his cultivation potential.
For example, the [Crimsonfla] talent—the Crimsonfla Tiger’s most powerful innate ability—would synergize perfectly with his [Woodfla Art], accelerating his progress and solidifying his foundation. At the very least, it would smooth his path through Qi Refining and even aid in reaching Foundation Establishnt.
He had also begun to realize that plant-based energy wasn’t synonymous with wood-attribute spiritual power. Plants, like all things, had their own elental affinities—so aligned with wood, others with fire, water, and so on.
This ant that, within a forest, a Druid’s control over plant-based energy could, to so extent, enhance their ability to commune with the world’s spiritual energy—though spiritual roots remained the foundation.
Thus, both wood and fire could serve as the core of Qiping’s cultivation.
…..
Just as Qiping shifted back from bee form, dressed, and prepared to resu tending his Blood Ginseng, a Swift-Cutting Bee frantically buzzed up to him.
A woman of terrifying power had appeared at the mountain’s base—and she was heading straight for the peak.
From the bee’s description, Qiping quickly pieced together the details:
Qi Refining, ninth level. Woman in blue robes. Emblem of the Qingyuan Sect.
An inner disciple of the Qingyuan Sect.
His expression darkened.
Without hesitation, he stored all the spiritual herbs from the Blood Ginseng plot into his storage pouch and ordered the Swift-Cutting Bees to transport them deep into the forest, burying them far underground.
He had rehearsed this contingency plan countless tis. Within monts, the task was complete.
Then, he transford into a Swift-Cutting Bee and fled.
He had no intention of interacting with an inner disciple of the Qingyuan Sect. Who knew whether such an encounter would bring fortune or disaster?
He’d wait until she left before returning.
But what happened next left him utterly baffled.
For nearly an entire day, the woman in blue road Peak Seven with a black compass in hand, refusing to leave.
Qiping had no choice but to maintain his bee form, ready to flee or fight at any mont.
Fortunately, he had long since prepared hiding spots for his Golden Marrow Bees. Aside from the Swift-Cutting Bees, they were all concealed in deep underground tunnels with multiple escape routes.
And the Swift-Cutting Bees themselves were poised for battle…
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