Chapter 455 - 278: Obtaining a Fire Crystal Again, Insect Emperor Ancient Scroll

Chapter 455: Chapter 278: Obtaining a Fire Crystal Again, Insect Emperor Ancient Scroll

"Go."

Lin Changheng flicked his finger, and the dark gold flame sank silently into the Red Crystal Wood Crown Layer.

The next moment—

"BUZZ!"

The Red Crystal Wood Crown Layer abruptly contracted inward as if clenched by an invisible giant hand. Immediately after, a blinding dark gold light erupted from within, yet not a single sound escaped!

After the light faded, the entire crown layer, along with the swarm within, was instantly vaporized, leaving only wisps of green smoke. Mo Zhaoli chose the perfect moment to guide the surrounding vines to close in, completely concealing the dissipating energy fluctuations and the smoke.

The entire process was clean and efficient, over in the span of a single breath.

In the split second as the dark gold flame sank into the crown layer and its destructive energy was about to erupt, the Tier Two Middle Grade Red-winged Bee Queen—relying on its superior strength and instinctive premonition of danger—reacted far faster than its entire swarm!

"BZZZ BZZZ~"

It issued the signal to flee, its fist-sized, crimson-ringed abdomen contracting sharply. The two pairs of wings on its back—as thin as a cicada’s, yet with edges as sharp as blades—began to vibrate at a frenzied, imperceptible frequency, emitting a shriek that tore through the air!

"SWOOSH—!"

It became a crimson afterimage, like a poisoned arrow shot from a powerful bow, desperately trying to burst out of the crown layer and flee the shadow of death that made its very soul tremble.

In that instant, its compound eyes no longer reflected its familiar nest and kin, but an endless dark gold light. The destructive will contained within that light caused its fearsome mandibles to open and close unconsciously, emitting a silent screech of terror.

The vicious glint once in its eyes was now replaced by the most primal, ultimate fear of death!

Driven by its survival instinct, the Red-winged Bee Queen managed to escape just before the Red Sky Profound Flame fully enveloped everything. But with its entire swarm annihilated, it had no courage for revenge. It just spread its wings, turned, and fled.

"Trying to run?"

Mo Zhaoli arched an eyebrow and made her move.

With a pinching motion of her hand, a cage of golden light materialized from thin air, traversing space to fall directly over the Red-winged Bee Queen and trap it inside.

Its wings vibrated continuously as it tried to break out, but golden ripples pulsed from the cage, slashing down on it.

"SCREE! SCREE!"

After being struck several times, the Red-winged Bee Queen shrieked in pain. It stared at the golden cage with deep apprehension, no longer daring to attempt another breakthrough.

Seeing this, Mo Zhaoli smiled faintly. With a beckoning gesture, she drew the cage into her hand. She carefully examined the Red-winged Bee Queen within, which seemed utterly dejected and resigned to its fate, before asking Lin Changheng if he had any thoughts on raising it in his Dao Field.

"This bee produces a special kind of Hundred Flowers Spirit Honey. It’s quite helpful for rapidly recovering Magical Power."

Lin Changheng shook his head. "I already have enough Spirit Beasts and Spirit Plants on my island. To raise this bee, which has no swarm, would require rebuilding its colony. Not only do I lack the manpower, but it would also be a massive waste of time and Energy. It’s better to forget it."

He then added, "If you want to raise it, Li’Er, feel free to take it."

"Very well." Mo Zhaoli nodded with a gentle smile. "When it produces Spirit Honey, I’ll bring some for you, Brother Lin."

But just then, the Red-winged Bee Queen’s abdomen contracted sharply. Demonic Power gathered rapidly in its tail, and its Poison Needle shot out toward Mo Zhaoli in a treacherous and sudden attack.

Aimed straight for Mo Zhaoli’s throat.

"Watch out!"

Lin Changheng had barely uttered his warning when Mo Zhaoli gave a cold laugh. She flicked her finger, and a streak of golden light shot out, striking the Poison Needle and sending it flying with a loud PANG.

She then cast several Seals, binding the Red-winged Bee Queen securely, and tossed it into her Spirit Beast Bag.

"This bee has a vicious temperament. Li’Er, you may need to spend some time breaking it in."

Seeing that Mo Zhaoli was unharmed and had handled the situation with practiced ease, Lin Changheng nodded in approval but still felt the need to offer a word of caution.

"No need to worry, Brother Lin. I happen to have a Tier Two Insect Control Inheritance that I acquired by chance. I’m confident I can make this bee obedient."

Mo Zhaoli had no intention of hiding it from Lin Changheng, so she revealed the key point.

"An Insect Control Inheritance?"

A look of surprise appeared on Lin Changheng’s face.

The Insect Control Dao is one of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation. Centered on Insect Breeding and Insect Control, a cultivator who reaches a high Realm in this Dao becomes a one-person army—treacherous and difficult to defend against. In some ways, it is even more troublesome than Beast Taming.

However, this Dao is difficult to enter. The requirements for Talent, resources, insect sources, and breeding are all extremely high, and its Inheritances are far rarer than those for mainstream Skills like Pills, Artifacts, Talismans, and Arrays.

There was once a Middle Stage Core Formation cultivator known as the ’Insect Demon’ who had obtained a species of Ancient Exotic Insects. He bred them into a swarm numbering in the tens of thousands. With a wave of his hand, a cloud of gold and silver insects would surge forth, which he controlled as easily as his own limbs.

That cultivator once completely overwhelmed and devoured a Late Stage Core Formation cultivator. Magic was useless against the swarm, and Magical Treasures could hardly kill them. The victim’s agonized wails echoed from within the insect cloud until nothing, not even bones, was left.

He left behind a terrifying and illustrious reputation in the Song-Jin Lands, one that struck fear into the hearts of all who heard it.

Later, it was said he left to travel in the outer regions, and he was never seen in the Song-Jin Lands again.

But the mere mention of his name remains a nightmare for many High Tier Cultivators.

"That’s right." Mo Zhaoli’s face lit up with a smile.

"Congratulations, Li’Er, on obtaining this Hundred Arts Inheritance. You’ve gained another Guardian Dao method, and your future on the path of cultivation looks promising."

Lin Changheng nodded, happy for her. Mo Zhaoli had never had a suitable one of the Hundred Arts, so acquiring one now was a good thing.

"Brother Lin, are you interested in the Insect Control Dao?"

Mo Zhaoli asked suddenly, her beautiful eyes fixed on Lin Changheng.

Lin Changheng naturally understood her underlying meaning.

"Alright. I actually am quite interested in learning a thing or two about it," he said immediately, without any hesitation or refusal.

"Please wait a moment, Brother Lin."

Mo Zhaoli spoke, then unhesitatingly took out a blank Jade Scroll and pressed it to her forehead. Her Divine Sense surged, rapidly imprinting a vast amount of information onto it.