Chapter 50: Insect Eggs and True Flame

Elder Wan felt the bone-piercing chill radiating from that blue flame, his expression darkening, his brows tightly furrowed.

Though his heart was now filled with extreme caution, he still forced himself to maintain his dignity. He was certain that Jiuyou was merely bluffing and would never dare to actually lay a hand on him. After all, no one in the entire Demonic Path Alliance had ever openly defied the face of Endless Island.

What was more, this time he was here on behalf of the three major alliances.

That white-robed cultivator reacted quickly. He hurriedly restrained his aura, forced a strained smile, and gave Jiuyou a slight bow.

"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Jiuyou for breaking through your bottleneck, joining the ranks of the top cultivators of the Abyssal Sea as a Mid-Nascent Soul expert. Not only have you greatly increased your cultivation, but you also slew the Righteous Path Alliance's Old Ghost Qingshan. Bai is full of admiration."

He paused, then quickly added.

"The two of us have come here on the orders of the Grand Elder of Endless Island. Now that the Abyssal Sea is in turmoil, with Beast Tides erupting frequently, humanity is in grave danger... We have come to invite Fellow Daoist Jiuyou to emerge from seclusion and lend your aid."

After that, he succinctly recounted the cataclysmic changes that had swept through Tianyuan Sea over the past seventeen years:

The blood-colored mist, the raging Beast Tides, the three alliances joining hands, the border defenses... Every detail was shocking.

Jiuyou listened quietly, his brow gradually relaxing. The Nether Capital Ghostfire in his hand slowly withdrew, and the surrounding area returned to normal. He clasped his hands behind his back and paced back and forth in the air twice, his tone carrying a hint of appropriately measured apology.

"So that's how it is. Then it is this old man's fault. It is only right for the two of you to come and question me on behalf of the alliance. Now that the Abyssal Sea is in turmoil and humanity is facing disaster, I was here on the island in closed-door cultivation, breaking through, and was unable to lend timely aid... How shameful, how shameful."

Elder Wan suppressed the resentment and jealousy surging in his heart, forcing a smile onto his face.

"Fellow Daoist Jiuyou jests. This time, it was Bai and I who were rash. I hope you will not take offense."

"Now that humanity is in imminent peril, for you to break through to Mid-Nascent Soul at this critical moment has added a great combat power to our race! You must know that there are only just over forty Mid-Nascent Soul cultivators in the entire Tianyuan Sea right now. This breakthrough of yours could not have come at a better time."

As he spoke, he made a solemn bow to Jiuyou, a gesture of apology.

Then, he cast a glance at the white-robed man beside him. The white-robed cultivator understood the cue, nodded slightly to Jiuyou, and spoke in a serious tone.

"The border war is pressing now. Since we see that Brother Jiuyou is safe and sound, Elder Wan and I can rest assured. We must return quickly to report back, so we cannot stay long. One month from now, we hope you will come to Endless Island to discuss countermeasures with the other fellow cultivators. I imagine that when the other daoists see that Brother Jiuyou has broken through to Mid-Nascent Soul, they will have nothing more to say."

Jiuyou nodded slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he returned their salute.

The two men, as if granted amnesty, immediately transformed into a purple and a white streak of light, slipping away in disgrace until they vanished at the horizon's edge.

Jiuyou watched them leave. Only after confirming they had completely departed did his expression rapidly turn cold again. He let out a snort.

"In this cultivation world, no matter what realm you reach, in the end, everything comes down to strength."

If he hadn't broken through to Mid-Nascent Soul today, would those two have let the matter drop so easily? Though he was dissatisfied in his heart, the truth was that he had acted improperly in this matter. Since the three major alliances had sent envoys to question him, there wasn't much he could say.

More than that, what truly concerned him was the current situation of the Abyssal Sea.

Monstrous beasts were rampant in the outer sea, and even vast areas of the inner sea had been overrun by frenzied Beast Tides.

The three major alliances had been forced to join hands, barely managing to hold a single line of defense.

Blood-colored mist, frenzied Exotic Beasts, the upheaval of Heavenly Abyss Mountain... What lay behind all of this? Would an even greater catastrophe strike next?

No one could say for sure.

Jiuyou withdrew his thoughts, his brow furrowing slightly. He then gently shook his head.

Since he couldn't predict the future, the only option was to find every possible way to increase his strength. The Ten-Thousand-Year Life-Extending Fruit had given him several hundred more years of life, which he hadn't even had a chance to enjoy properly. If he were to lose his life amid this sweeping tide, wouldn't those eight hundred years of lifespan have been refined for nothing?

In the distance, Canfeng, Gu Qing, and the remaining few Golden Core Executives quickly flew back.

Canfeng was in the lead, his face beaming with a smile.

"Congratulations to the Ancestor on breaking through! You are one step closer to the Great Dao. The Late Nascent Soul stage is within reach!"

Jiuyou glanced at Canfeng, noticing he was still stuck at Mid-Golden Core, but he said nothing. Didn't he know exactly what this so-called "grandson" of his was plotting?

But now that his own cultivation had broken through, even if Canfeng managed to break through to Late Golden Core in the future, he wouldn't refine him.

He stroked his beard out of habit, his voice hoarse. He pointed at Canfeng, then at the few Golden Core Executives behind him, and finally swept his gaze over the slightly ravaged island.

"Canfeng, the cleanup on this island is up to you and the others. Once everything is taken care of, you can attempt to break through your bottleneck. Don't let outsiders see and think that this Ancestor has been stingy with your cultivation resources."

"Yes, Ancestor!" Canfeng immediately responded, leading the men behind him as they swiftly flew off in different directions across the island.

Jiuyou withdrew his gaze and settled it on Gu Qing. A slight smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he let out a light laugh.

"Gu Qing."

"Disciple is here." Gu Qing hurriedly bowed in response, bending deeply, his posture extremely submissive.

Jiuyou stared at him calmly, saying nothing. That gaze was as still as water, yet it made Gu Qing feel like needles were pricking his back. Cold sweat involuntarily beaded on his temples.

After a long moment, Jiuyou spoke slowly.

"You've been honest enough. You haven't made any unusual moves all these years."

Gu Qing's heart clenched. He quickly replied.

"This disciple is fortunate to have been taken in by Master. How would I dare harbor any disloyal thoughts? For over a year now, I have worked day and night to cultivate the Soul-Eating Insects, never daring to slack off even a little."

As he spoke, he took out three Spirit Insect Pouches from his bosom and respectfully presented them with both hands.

"Master, these are the Soul-Eating Insect eggs your disciple has cultivated. A total of thirty thousand eggs. Every single one has been carefully tended, brimming with spiritual energy and of excellent quality. As long as you warm them with your own spiritual power to hatch them, they will recognize you as their master."

Jiuyou took the Spirit Insect Pouches and probed them with his Divine Sense.

Inside the pouch, it was densely packed. The eggs were like purple pearls, their spiritual light flowing. As Gu Qing had said, the quality was excellent.

He nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad."

Seeing Jiuyou's expression soften, Gu Qing steeled himself. He gritted his teeth and extended one hand.

A faint movement of his palm, and a ball of blazing red-gold flame suddenly burst forth. It was the Golden Sun True Flame. The flames danced, distorting the surrounding air with their heat.

Jiuyou's gaze sharpened. He stared at the flame but said nothing.

Gu Qing took a deep breath, cupped the flame in both hands, and bowed deeply to Jiuyou.

"Master, this Golden Sun True Flame, your disciple is also willing to offer. I have already severed my soul connection with it. It is now an ownerless thing. Master only needs to refine it with your Divine Sense to become its new master."

As he spoke, his hand seals changed, and the soul brand on the flame completely dissipated. The flame flickered once, then settled into calm, like an unclaimed treasure awaiting a new owner.

A ghostly light flickered in Jiuyou's eyes, but he did not immediately reach for it. He just stared at Gu Qing, his gaze deep, as if weighing something.

Gu Qing knelt prostrate, his forehead pressed against the back of his hands, his voice trembling.

"Your disciple only begs Master to spare my life. I am willing to ride ahead of you, to be your lackey, to serve with all my loyalty."

Jiuyou was silent for a moment. Then he suddenly let out a low chuckle and reached out to take the Golden Sun True Flame.

"Good. Very good."

He tucked the flame into his sleeve and looked down at Gu Qing, still prostrate on the ground. His tone was flat, but carried a hint of weighty significance.

"This Ancestor has come to appreciate you more and more. You are much smarter than your senior brother."

Gu Qing did not dare to raise his head. He just lay prostrate, his whole body trembling slightly.

Jiuyou stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed into the distance, speaking unhurriedly.

"Get up. This old man is now at Mid-Nascent Soul. What benefit would it bring me to refine a mere Early Golden Core like you? Do your work well, and this Ancestor will not treat you unfairly."

Gu Qing felt as if he had been granted amnesty. He kowtowed repeatedly, then shakily rose to his feet, standing with his hands lowered at his side, the cold sweat on his brow still not dry.

This was the best result he could have imagined, the best he could have achieved.

Jiuyou didn't look at him again. With a sweep of his sleeve, he transformed into a pitch-black streak of light and flew deep into his cave dwelling, thinking to himself.

"This kid is sharp, he works cleanly and efficiently, and he has good judgment. It wouldn't hurt to spare his life."

Inside the cave dwelling, layer upon layer of stone doors rumbled shut.

Jiuyou sat cross-legged. He took the Golden Sun True Flame from his sleeve. The red-gold flame danced in his palm, radiating a searing, pure aura.

The Supreme Yang Flame.

The bane of all demonic cultivation techniques.

And now, it had fallen into his hands.

Jiuyou stared at the flame, a slow smile spreading across his face.

He closed his eyes, extended his Divine Sense into it, made one final confirmation, and then began the slow process of refinement.

The Golden Sun True Flame flickered gently in his palm, its spiritual light dimming and brightening by turns.

Within the cave dwelling, the red-gold and pitch-black lights intertwined, slowly merging.

Outside the window, the sea wind howled.

In the distance at the horizon, blood-red and darkness intertwined.