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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 2: [Jiuli Insect Valley]
Chapter 42 (69): [Killing Murong Xiao]
(42nd of Volume 2)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Li Weiyi placed the Stone Coffin and Nine Sovereigns Banner on the ground.
As a precaution, he brought the Yellow Dragon Sword and cautiously approached the Spring.
The spiritual Qi ahead was so dense it resembled a swirling cloud, constantly releasing a waterfall of mist.
The stone platform within was invisible to the naked eye.
"Chi! Chi!"
An unusual sound echoed.
From within the swirling cloud of spiritual Qi, a fluttering sound emerged - like a cicada's wings, or perhaps a moth's, loud and piercing.
Li Weiyi's gaze sharpened. He pushed off the ground and retreated two meters.
"Whoosh!"
The cloud of spiritual Qi was scattered by the fluttering wings, revealing a massive, moth-like insect crawling out. It was nearly a meter long, its body radiating a multicolored, glass-like glow. Its six sharp claws looked like they were forged from metal, each hook razor-sharp.
Its eyes held a dangerous, ferocious aura as it crawled forward, its wings spread and trembling.
The outer wings were iridescent and colorful, while the inner wings were thin, membranous, and insect-like.
Senior Stone Coffin said, "This is bad! They've hatched early. It must be because the Heaven-Law and Earth Spring has expanded. Quickly use the Insect Scripture to subdue it."
"Which Insect Scripture should I use?"
Li Weiyi sensed danger. He retreated while asking, "Senior Stone Coffin, why can't I see the Insect Scripture you carved on the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor?"
Senior Stone Coffin replied, "Back then, I carved the seven Insect Scriptures onto seven Insect Eggs. Even after they hatched, the scriptures should have remained imprinted on them. But now, they're invisible."
Senior Spirit Tablet, with his deeper understanding of extraordinary insects, explained, "Because its level exceeds our expectations. If I'm not mistaken, this is a Phoenix-Winged Moth Monarch, not just Monarch-Marquis, but Emperor-Monarch Level. The Insect Scriptures you carved has been hidden within its body."
"What? Emperor-Monarch Level?" Master Guan exclaimed in shock.
Senior Spirit Tablet continued, "Judging by its current size, already three feet long, it's clearly no longer a larva. I estimate its combat power is no less than that of a Immortal Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator."
Hearing this, Li Weiyi's vision blurred, and his calves began to cramp.
Am I here to collect insects or to feed them?
Senior Stone Coffin, ever rational, quickly analyzed, "That's not right! The Tomb of the Azure King has no food. It couldn't have grown from a larva to the Immortal Realm. Moreover, if it truly possessed Immortal Realm strength, its intelligence would be exceptionally high. It would have long broken out of the tomb. Wei Yi, it's bluffing!"
Li Weiyi could clearly sense the terrifying aura emanating from the approaching Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor. He wouldn't dare gamble on it bluffing.
Suddenly, inspiration struck, "Perhaps there's another way!" he exclaimed.
He immediately activated the Fusang Divine Tree Meditation Technique, simultaneously channeling the Spiritual Light Flame from his Third Eye Spiritual Realm to activate the Dao Ancestor's Tai Chi Fish.
The two bronze fish completed a full rotation, unleashing a surge of Spatial Power.
"Whoosh!"
A subtle ripple of spatial distortion spread outward, instantly pulling the approaching Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor into the Blood Mud Land inside the Buddha's Relic. It was utterly unable to break free.
A moment later, Senior Spirit Tablet's voice echoed from within the Buddha's Relic: "Indeed, it was bluffing. It has reverted to its true form - a mere inch long, a larva."
"Whoosh!"
From the swirling cloud of spiritual Qi beneath the Heaven-Law and Earth Spring, six inch-long Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors emerged, each no larger than a moth. Their bodies shimmered with iridescent colors, a dazzling spectacle.
They flew with incredible speed, like arrows, simultaneously attacking Li Weiyi.
Without hesitation, Li Weiyi immediately entered the Microscopic World within the Buddha's Relic, determined to capture the first one.
After experiencing intense weightlessness, Li Weiyi crashed onto the blood-mud floor of the space, which was only a few dozen feet across.
He looked up at the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor perched on the Bone Urn, its body now only about an inch long.
Li Weiyi relaxed, chuckling: "Just a larva, and already so intelligent. You almost scared me."
"Whoosh!"
The first Insect Scriptures coalesced and shot out from his brow.
Li Weiyi hadn't neglected his Psychic Power cultivation recently. The Spiritual Light Flame in his Third Eye Spiritual Realm had doubled in size, now as large as a bean.
The Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor soared into the air like an arrow loosed from a bow, directly smashing through the Insect Scriptures and hurtling toward Li Weiyi's brow.
The first Insect Scriptures was useless against it!
Li Weiyi raised his sword to block.
"Bang!"
A metallic clang echoed as if two iron blocks had collided.
The force of the moth's impact was even more terrifying than the long arrow shot by Murong Xiao. The impact sent Li Weiyi reeling backward, nearly causing him to lose his grip on the Yellow Dragon Sword.
The sound of fluttering wings filled the air.
The moth burst into a burst of speed, swerving and slamming into Li Weiyi's chest.
Li Weiyi dared not meet the attack head-on.
He sidestepped to dodge, and at the same moment, the second Insect Scriptures finished forming in his brow and flew toward the moth.
The Spiritual Light Insect Scriptures had barely left his forehead when it resonated with the Insect Scriptures within the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor.
The Insect Scriptures within the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor flickered, slowing its flight and suppressing its power.
"Whoosh!"
In the next instant, it was struck by the Insect Scriptures and crashed to the ground.
Li Weiyi looked at the deep wound on his armpit, torn open by the moth's wing. The gash was so deep it nearly reached the bone, but he showed no anger. Instead, he endured the pain and chuckled, "Such terrifying power in such a tiny body... and this is just a larva."
A moment later, a wave of lingering fear washed over him.
'Thank goodness the second Insect Scriptures hit its mark. Otherwise, today would have been truly dangerous.'
"Quickly use your blood to draw the second Insect Scriptures, using the same Inscriptions. Only then will you truly subdue it, and it will obey only you from now on," Senior Spirit Tablet reminded him.
With Li Weiyi's current Psychic Power, he could only remain on the Buddha's Relic for a short time before being pulled back to his original world space.
Time was precious. He retrieved the Insect Pattern (Glyph) Needle, one of the Six Treasures he had purchased earlier, and immediately began the ritual.
Just before the sensation of weightlessness hit, he managed to carve the blood-drawn Insect Scriptures into the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor's abdomen. Then, he quickly scooped up the Spirit Tablet and Bone Urn.
After experiencing the weightlessness, they all returned together to the underground space where the Tomb of the Azure King lay.
Li Weiyi knew that with his current cultivation level, he stood no chance against six Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors.
There was only one way: first, to capture all six Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors within the Blood Mud Space of the Microscopic World, and then subdue them one by one.
He had brought Senior Spirit Tablet and Master Guan with him out of concern that they might be attacked by the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors.
At this moment, the six Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors were frantically ramming the Stone Coffin, producing thunderous thuds like fists and kicks. Fortunately, the coffin was made of a special material; otherwise, Senior Coffin's remains would have been torn to shreds.
"Whoosh!"
Sensing Li Weiyi's presence once more, the six Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors swarmed toward him.
Li Weiyi stood his ground, unyielding.
Only when the six Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors had closed within three meters did he form a hand seal, using the Spiritual Light Flame to activate the Dao Ancestor's Tai Chi Fish.
"Whoosh!"
After a ripple of Spatial Power surged outward, all six Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors were caught in the net and sealed within the Buddha's Relic.
Having activated the Dao Ancestor's Tai Chi Fish three times in quick succession, Li Weiyi's Third Eye Spiritual Realm darkened, and the Spiritual Light Flame nearly flickered out from exhaustion.
Steadying himself, he slowly approached the Heaven-Law and Earth Spring and entered the Abbot's Dao Domain. After confirming there were no dangers, he sat cross-legged, absorbing the luminous particles emanating from the Spring above him and began cultivating spiritual Qi through breath technique.
He cultivated both Psychic (Telekinesis) Power and Martial Law simultaneously.
Half a day later...
His Third Eye Spiritual Realm began to glow once more.
A soft "pop" echoed overhead as a faint, straight beam of light shot up from Li Weiyi's Heavenly Spirit.
The beam was about an inch thick and extended nine feet high.
Everything flowed naturally. Li Weiyi opened his Seventh Spring Heavenly Spirit, officially entering the Surging Spring Peak Realm.
The three Remnant Souls in the distance watched his transformations closely. Though stunned by the nine-foot-high Heavenly Spirit beam, they no longer reacted with the wide-eyed wonder of novices.
They had grown somewhat numb.
Master Guan said, "Old Coffin, your initial plan was for him to reach Surging Spring in two years, right? I think he'll reach Five Seas in just one."
"Faster is naturally better. But from here on, every step must be solid. The Wind Palace and Ancestral Field aren't easy to open. Even Pure Immortal Physiques sometimes stop at the Seventh Spring. Talent is a fickle thing. Those who shine brightest must work twice as hard and discipline themselves even more. The slightest lapse can lead to a catastrophic fall. Sometimes, those who start with difficulty end up growing stronger with each step."
The Remnant Soul in the Stone Coffin had placed immense hope in Li Weiyi, treating him like a blood relative. He wished for his continued meteoric rise, yet also lived in constant fear of failure. As the Dao Ancestor's Tai Chi Fish's Master's early guide, the pressure on him was immense.
.....
Five days later...
The two stone gates of the Tomb of the Azure King, each over a hundred feet tall, slowly opened. Li Weiyi emerged, carefully scanning and sensing his surroundings.
Finding no trace of Li Ling or Martial-Mystic Cultivators from the Cangli Tribe, he felt a slight sense of relief. Reaching the plaza before the tomb, he turned and bowed deeply three times toward the Tomb of the Azure King.
Regardless of the circumstances, he had obtained an extraordinary opportunity within.
The Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors had been nurtured and hatched by the Heaven-Law and Earth Spring, and one must show gratitude for such a gift.
He didn't touch the Otherworldly Coffins piled in the plaza; he couldn't. Each was inscribed with array runes.
Leaving the Ancestral Realm.
Outside, it was May, the weather hot and the sun blazing.
The primeval forest buzzed with cicadas and birdsong, as rabbits darted across the undergrowth, a stark contrast to the deathly stillness of the Ancestral Realm.
Having finally seen daylight again, broken through the Seven Springs of Breakthrough, and subdued seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors, his injuries fully healed, Li Weiyi was brimming with vitality and in high spirits.
He sprinted along a mountain path at breakneck speed.
He came across a pool beneath a waterfall.
"Plunk!"
He dove in, washing away a month's worth of accumulated grime.
The water in the pool was icy cold, piercing to the bone, yet a sense of refreshing comfort filled his heart.
After climbing out, he changed into the last clean robe he had stored in the Evil Camel Bell and strode purposefully toward the mountain's edge.
Everything he saw along the way seemed vibrant and full of life; he wanted to touch every grass and tree. His heart overflowed with gratitude for the beauty of the world.
Until two days later, as he emerged from the dense forest of the Mangshan Mountain Range, his good mood vanished instantly.
He saw a humanoid black shadow hovering in the air.
It was Murong Xiao!
She carried a massive spiritual artifact bow and quiver on her back.
"Even after all this time, she's still haunting me. Does she think I'll eventually have to leave the Mangshan Mountain Range?"
Li Weiyi retreated back into the forest and concealed himself.
After a moment of thought, he formed a hand seal. A light shone from his brow, and streams of luminous particles emerged, flowing into the Dao Ancestor's Tai Chi Fish hanging around his neck.
"Whoosh!"
Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors materialized, each radiating a fist-sized ball of multicolored light. They circled Li Weiyi, fluttering like dancers in a vibrant ballet.
Using Psychic (Telekinesis) Power, Li Weiyi communicated with them, ordering them to attack Murong Xiao in the air.
The seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors weren't particularly obedient. Their powerful bloodlines allowed them to resist the Insect Scriptures to some extent. More importantly, Li Weiyi's Psychic (Telekinesis) Power was currently too weak.
With no other choice, Li Weiyi retrieved the three-hundred-year-old treasure herb, Nine-Leaf Cattail Grass, and plucked seven crystal-clear, fragrant leaves to feed them.
After each Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor consumed a cattail grass leaf, they became exceptionally lively, chirping excitedly.
Li Weiyi quickly put the remaining cattail grass away, using his Psychic (Telekinesis) Power to say, "If you don't put in any effort, don't even think about eating again. This Nine-Leaf Cattail Grass is worth thirty thousand silver coins. What you're eating isn't just food; it's gold, it's silver, it's my blood! Hurry up and go!"
"Oh no, she's leaving!"
Li Weiyi, with the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors in tow, sprinted out of the dense forest to pursue her.
Murong Xiaofei, hovering two hundred meters above the ground, seethed with resentment: "It's been so long, and she still wants me to search the nearby area every day. Does she really think I'm one of the Changlin Gang's lackeys? That brat who trespassed into the Jiu Li Clan's Ancestral Realm is probably already dead in there. I'll head back to Yaoguan first!"
"Murong Xiao!"
....
A familiar voice called out faintly from the ground.
Murong Xiao turned to look behind her.
Standing by the Sui River and waving at her was none other than Li Weiyi.
Her eyes widened in surprise, then filled with joy.
'What a madman!'
Knowing she couldn't kill Li Weiyi, Murong Xiao immediately spread her wings, preparing to fly to Yaoguan to report his presence.
Yaoguan City was teeming with experts eager to take Li Weiyi's life, including her allies: Tang Yan, the Vice Gang Leader of the Changlin Gang, and Xue Zheng, the fourth-ranked disciple of the Seven Springs Hall.
"Whoosh!"
The dense sound of wings enveloped her, plunging her vision into darkness and filling her surroundings with multicolored light spots.
"Thud!"
"Thwack!"
Seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors flitted past Murong Xiao, weaving through her body and around her.
Soon, the twenty-first-ranked Spring Surge Realm expert of Seven Springs Hall had become a corpse, plummeting from the sky.
When Li Weiyi arrived at the spot where the body had fallen, he saw Murong Xiao's riddled form and couldn't help but exclaim, "Truly brutal!"
The seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors flew toward him, chirping and clamoring for the Nine-Leaf Cattail Grass.
Li Weiyi tossed them the remaining cattail grass and immediately squatted down to loot the corpse.
He plucked off the money pouch, which felt heavy.
When he opened it, it was filled with white Yongquan Coins - at least fifty or sixty of them. That was equivalent to five or six hundred thousand copper coins.
For a top Hundred Strong Warrior, it wasn't a fortune.
The true treasure on Murong Xiao's body was the three-meter-long spiritual artifact greatbow.
Li Weiyi picked it up and strained to draw it, but the bow's long limbs felt awkward and unbalanced.
It would be a perfect fit for a tall, muscular Aberrant Humanoid Martial-Mystic Cultivator.
After sinking Murong Xiao's corpse in the river, Li Weiyi tossed the greatbow into the Evil Camel Bell, intending to sell it for money.
Standing under the scorching sun, he gazed south along the Sui River. The entire horizon was bathed in Immortal Radiance, especially a beam of light rising from the ground, so bright it seemed to pierce the very heavens.
Li Weiyi scanned his surroundings and realized he had passed through this area before, located between Yaoguan City and Burial Immortal Town.
In other words, the region shrouded in Immortal Radiance was where Burial Immortal Town lay.
"What exactly happened in Burial Immortal Town? It's already been a month, and the situation still hasn't calmed down?"
Li Weiyi was extremely curious about the commotion nearby, but he dared not get involved. He decided to head first to Yaoguan City, controlled by the Shou Li Tribe.
After a month of eating dried rations, he desperately craved a steaming bowl of noodle soup and a comfortable bed to sleep in.
He would set out for the Jiu Li Hidden Sect tomorrow.
After the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors devoured all the cattails, they swarmed around him, fluttering incessantly before his face, nearly blinding him!
"Gone, gone! I've fed you all the medicinal herbs I bought earlier!" Li Weiyi quickly activated the Dao Ancestor's Tai Chi Fish, drawing them into the Buddha's Relic, finally finding peace.
Senior Spirit Tablet had told him that Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors were vegetarian, feeding only on rare and precious medicinal herbs.
Raising them to adulthood required an astronomical amount of treasure herbs.
"Sigh! What a disaster. It feels like I'm raising seven little ancestors. I'd better go to Yaoguan to buy some medicinal herbs. After all, they're Emperor-Monarch Level Insects. I can't let them starve to death in their youth!"
Li Weiyi disguised himself, smearing dirt on his face and letting his hair fall loose, making him look utterly disheveled and wretched.
Though a month had passed, and the rumors had likely died down, it was always better to be cautious than to be in a dangerous situation.
Along the way, he saw giant warships sailing up the Sui River toward Burial Immortal Town, Martial-Mystic Law experts riding Strange Beasts speeding past him, and even more formidable figures soaring through the sky on hundred-meter-long Giant Birds, carrying golden, resplendent palaces on their backs.
Yaoguan City was bustling with activity. Sect disciples were everywhere, and Martial-Mystic Law experts moved in groups.
Martial-Mystic Cultivators and Spiritual Mind Masters had flocked here from across Li Province and even the other six provinces of the Southern Territory, drawn by the rumors.
Li Weiyi had just entered the city when he caught a familiar scent.
Li Ling leaped out from the crowd, lightly tapping him on the shoulder before darting in front of him, her bright eyes and white teeth gleaming as she smiled: "You've got guts, coming to Yaoguan. Don't you know many people want to kill you for the bounty?"
Li Weiyi froze for a moment: "How did you..."
"Your crude disguise might fool others, but it won't fool me. Don't worry, now that you're in Yaoguan, you're in Jiu Li Clan territory. I'll protect you. Come with me!" Li Ling said.
Li Weiyi finally confirmed that Li Ling could indeed pinpoint his location with uncanny accuracy: "Where are we going?"
"To see my father!"
After a moment's thought, Li Ling added, "And my mother, my brother, Fourth Uncle... Oh, and my sixteen-year-old cousin. This time, it's for real."
Li Weiyi stopped, staring at her with a strange expression.
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END OF CHAPTER
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