The Nascent Soul cultivators from the Heavenly Blood Alliance were not part of the first batch of recruits. They had been sent later, and the reason was simple. The Heavenly Infinite Sect, though powerful, was still small and weak. The Heaven Shaking Divine Sect feared that the Heavenly Infinite Sect might not be able to hold Mystic Azure, so they ordered the Heavenly Blood Alliance to send reinforcements. These few individuals were ostensibly under the command of the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect.Chu Xuan understood this well. In addition to assisting in the defense of Mystic Azure Star, their other role was to keep a watchful eye on the Heavenly Infinite Sect—especially on him, its sect leader. Given the current turbulent times, it was only natural for the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect to prepare for both outcomes.Chu Xuan, however, did not concern himself with this. He only cared about who the traitor was. Mystic Azure Star was peaceful and serene. He had no desire to become embroiled

At such a critical juncture, it was typical for disruptions to occur—perhaps someone would suddenly arrive with a battlefield report, disturbing his cultivation and causing him to miss his chance.Yet, Situ Kong, as the Holy Son, had ordered before his seclusion that unless a direct command came from Wen Lingtian himself, no one was to disturb his cultivation. Thus, no one interrupted his breakthrough.Time flowed by, minute by minute.Situ Kong seized the fleeting insight, and his cultivation advanced smoothly into the ninth layer of the Nascent Soul. His aura surged explosively, sweeping through the chamber. Its force slammed against the walls, only to rebound and swirl back in a continuous cycle. This continued for several minutes before his energy finally settled.Situ Kong suddenly sprang to his feet, laughing heartily. His voice was filled with exhilaration."Good, good, good! I've finally reached the Ninth Layer of Nascent Soul! Once I perfect the Ninth Layer, I'll be able to c

At that moment, the surface of the mirror suddenly glowed with faint, shimmering lights. In the blink of an eye, a line of text appeared.'The Great Orifice Opening Scripture' requires the Holy Ant Cultivation Method in exchange.Lie Zhao's eyes widened in shock. "This... this..."Lie Yong sighed deeply. "This is what I wanted to discuss with you. The mirror does not bestow its secrets freely. It demands a yao insect cultivation method, and the more powerful the method, the more it desires it. At first, it required the Rock Ant Cultivation Method. Later, it sought the Swallow Ant and Blade Ant Cultivation Methods. Eventually, it demanded the Devouring Thunder Ant Cultivation Method. Now, it no longer finds these sufficient. It craves the Holy Ant Cultivation Method!"Lie Zhao's mind raced. "Father, this isn't too difficult. We could secretly capture a fifteen-year-old youth from the Holy Ant Tribe, and that would..."Lie Yong shook his head. "I tried that approach many years ago, and

"With Elder Shang's vast network, do you know to what extent the war between the Sect and the Church has escalated?" Chu Xuan asked, taking a sip of the bitter tea.Shang Xingchen replied calmly, "The Divine Sect has captured Mystic Azure Star, while the Church, through covert methods, has taken Heavenly Radiance Star. As for the extraterritorial battlefields, I don't know much about those. They're the domain of the Deity Transformation cultivators. However, I did notice that the Heavenly Blood Alliance lowered its flag to half-mast. It seems a Deity Transformation cultivator from their side has perished."Chu Xuan nodded slightly. A few members of the Heavenly Blood Alliance were stationed on Mystic Azure Star, and they would raise the Blood Dragon Flag every day. When the flag was lowered to half-mast, it naturally caught his attention. He smiled, "I already knew about this, Elder Shang. Don't treat me like an outsider—are you unwilling to share things I don't already know?"Shang X

In the past, he had never considered that his daughter, a girl, could bear the weight of his vision for the future. But now, hearing his daughter speak, he was for the first time struck by the realization that he had perhaps underestimated her all these years."Xin'er, how old are you this year?" Lie Zhao suddenly asked."I'm twenty-four," Lie Xin replied.Lie Zhao felt a wave of emotion. He had only married his legitimate wife from the Holy Ant Tribe when he was forty. The following year, Lie Xin was born."How many Insect Orifices have you opened?" Lie Zhao asked again.Lie Xin's expression darkened slightly, "Father, how could you not know even this?"Lie Zhao awkwardly smiled, "I can't remember."Lie Xin spoke softly, "I've opened two Insect Orifices, but the third one is half open. I'm already a silver intermediate Insect Master. I'll soon surpass you, Father."Lie Zhao nodded. "Xin'er, would you like to open another Insect Orifice?"Lie Xin was stunned. "Another Insect Orifice?