Chapter 90: Chapter 85: All things are Like Insects.
Translator: 549690339
Li Fan was startled by the horrific scene before him.
Such was the bizarre!
Trapped between life and death, clarity and confusion, bound by obsession, and eternally repeating in a cycle as per unchangeable rules.
Unable to free oneself.
That was the case with Qin Tang, and so was it with the Insect Sage.
Noticing no reaction from Li Fan, Insect Sage dangled a pair of Golden Pills in front of him and said, “Senior Brother, these elixirs.”
He was looking at Li Fan, full of hope.
Li Fan, with regret, shook his head, “My talent is too limited. Even if I consume these pills, they won’t improve my spiritual cultivation by much. So, I better not take them. They would be more useful to my more talented brothers in the future.”
Seeing this, the Insect Sage was a bit disappointed, about to dissuade him again.
However, Li Fan immediately followed up, “But, I would like Junior Brother to help me with something. Would you be willing to assist?”
The Insect Sage’s spirits lifted again, “Absolutely. Whatever you need, just tell me, Senior Brother.”
“I’d like to learn the method of bug-catching from you,” Li Fan slowly said.
The bizarre has its rules.
If one does not adhere to the bizarre’s rules, they will assuredly meet their end.
However, if one can understand these rules, they can not only survive in abnormality but also gain various benefits from it.
Take, for instance, the Statues of Qin Hall from earlier.
In the test of Qin Hall, if one completes all three tests reasonably well, they can use good wine as an offering and request guidance from Qin Tang before leaving.
Based on their performance during the tests, Qin Tang might help improve their spiritual cultivation or teach them a new technique.
And in the case of the Insect Sage, if you choose to consume the golden pill, you can gain his method of alchemy.
However…
This method of alchemy is not traditional alchemy, but the Path of the Insect Elixir.
The materials for the elixir mostly come from various bizarre flying insects, and the resultant pills also take the form of these insects.
What’s worse is that the more Insect Elixirs one crafts, the more they will become like the Insect Sage.
Becoming a being that is neither human nor ghost.
So, Li Fan did not choose the golden pills as his reward, he opted for something else, something with a value equal to the Path of the Insect Elixir.
Hearing Li Fan’s words, Insect Sage scratched his head, a little embarrassed, “Senior Brother, the Bug-binding Net is only something I use for fun. Why
would you want to learn it…”
Li Fan earnestly explained, “Our fellow brothers are fighting bravely on the front lines, and there’s the inevitable nuisance of various bugs plaguing them. Although I am weak and unable to fight the enemy myself, if I learn your Bug-binding Technique, I can help them by cleaning up these irritating bugs from the sidelines.”
The Insect Sage suddenly realized, “I never thought the Bug-binding Net could have this use. Senior Brother, you are so intelligent!”
Li Fan honestly replied, “I’ll need you to teach me.”
Insect Sage, his face red with excitement, said, “Alright, Senior Brother, I’ll immediately teach you the method to weave the net.”
With that, a few buzzing sounds emanated from behind the Insect Sage, revealing four transparent wings.
He reached behind him and tore off one.
Still stained with blood, the Insect Sage handed the wing over to Li Fan.
Li Fan gently touched it, and the transparent wing dissolved into waves of radiance, which were then absorbed into Li Fan’s body.
As this happened, there seemed to emerge numerous intersecting threads in the world before Li Fan’s eyes.
He felt as if he could manipulate these threads at will, weaving them into a massive net that could capture all living beings in sight.
“That’s it, the Innate Divine Ability: Bug Binding.”
The giant net illusion slowly faded from his eyes, but Li Fan knew he had gained this incredibly powerful divine ability.
As long as the opponent’s realm is below his own, he can instantly immobilize them with the Bug-binding divine power.
A cultivator bound by Bug-binding, no matter their divine ability, is rendered powerless.
They can merely squirm like a bug in a web, ready for slaughter.
Upon first glance, this Bug-binding divine power seems rather limited, as it can only be used on cultivators with lower realms.
That, however, is not the case.
Remember, one’s cultivation realm doesn’t necessarily correspond to their fighting capability.
In the outside world, there isn’t a cultivator who doesn’t have one or two ultimate moves up their sleeves.
Caught off guard, even a superior cultivator can’t guarantee their safe return.
However, with this Bug-binding divine power, there is no such worry.
As long as your realm is higher, you can surprise and directly capture your opponent.
It’s especially suitable for dealing with those whose realm is not up to par, but who seem to have many secrets…
The figures of Sikong Yi and Baili Chen momentarily flashed across Li Fan’s mind.
With divine power in hand, Li Fan was unwilling to delay any longer.
“Junior Brother Insect, I’ve already learnt the method of weaving the net. I’m going to the front lines now to join our brothers. Take care of yourself!”
Insect Sage seemed reluctant to part, “Senior Brother, you must be careful.
Make sure to come back safe!”
After Li Fan left, the concerned look slowly faded from the Insect Sage’s face.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the murmuring of the Insect Sage could once again be heard throughout the quiet Demonic Refinement Tower.
“…Without alchemy materials, what should I do now…”
Exiting the Demonic Refinement Tower, Li Fan was attempting to sense the location of Sikong Yi and the others.
They were close to the Central Core Area of the Celestial Palace of Clouds and
Waters: the Taiyi Hall.
Information about the Taiyi Hall immediately appeared in Li Fan’s mind. The Taiyi Hall was said to be where the Celestial Palace of Clouds and Waters held receptions for distinguished guests and meetings of the sect.
It wasn’t particularly dangerous, but the specific situation was rather unique.
Looking at Sikong Yi and Baili Chen, for some reason, they had stopped and were only inching towards the central area at a snail’s pace. A smirk crept onto Li Fan’s face as realization dawned on him.
With a cold chuckle, he set off in their direction.
In front of the Taiyi Hall, countless broken swords were embedded in the ground.
The swords crisscrossed, forming a forest of swords blocking the way to the Taiyi Hall.
Thus, Sikong Yi and Baili Chen were stepping on the hilt of these swords, walking towards the Taiyi Hall.
With every step they took, a sword shadow corresponding to the broken sword beneath their feet would appear above them.
Then pierce through their bodies.
No blood splashed out, and the shadow disappeared as soon as it pierced them.
It wouldn’t cause actual harm, only pain.
The excruciating pain made them tremble uncontrollably, and sweat kept dripping from their foreheads.
It took a while for them to recover from the indescribable pain.
The pair of them took a deep breath and continued walking on the swords.
Another sword shadow pierced through them.
This was why their progress was so slow.
Despite the extreme pain, there wasn’t a shred of retreat in their eyes.
Their hard-sought treasure was just ahead, within their grasp.
How could they give up now?
With a determined mind, they gritted their teeth and continued forward.
Just then, they sensed someone approaching from behind.
Turning around, the shock in their hearts couldn’t be suppressed, and they couldn’t help but shout out.
“You?! How is that possible?”
