Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Hive

Upon hearing those words, Ji Xun’s deft hands faltered mid-move.

A tempest raged within him. The language Qu Qing had just spoken was unmistakably the tongue of Ji Xun’s previous life.

Qu Qing waved his hand, dispersing the golden-armored bees.

“Hahaha, so you do understand. Looks like we’re countrymen reunited, eyes brimming with tears.”

“If I’ve done anything amiss before, don’t take it to heart. We travelers from another world must support each other.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Has my beating knocked you silly?” Ji Xun replied in the language of this world.

But inwardly, Ji Xun sneered. In truth, when countrymen meet, it’s more fitting to shoot each other in the back. He didn’t believe Qu Qing had so easily changed his nature.

Qu Qing, too, began to ponder; his earlier attempt was merely a feint. Though Ji Xun’s reactions aroused his suspicions, he could not be certain.

“If you can see that insect nest, you’re either a transmigrant, or born with the constitution of a natural Insect King.”

“No matter what, it’s better to resolve enmity than to deepen it. Friend, I, Qu Qing, am determined to make your acquaintance.”

Qu Qing’s expression was amiable, his ferocious teeth concealed, giving him an unexpectedly pleasant look.

Just then, Ji Xun sensed a faint, nearly undetectable demonic aura at his feet. Were it not for the support of the Demon-Refining Vessel, he would never have noticed.

He glanced down to find a centipede-shaped poisonous insect. Infusing his foot with demonic energy, he crushed it beneath his heel.

Far off, Qu Qing’s face changed as he spat another mouthful of blood.

Ji Xun remarked, “You really do make for quite a friend.”

Qu Qing admitted, “You’re ruthless. Even my Heart-Breaking Gu couldn’t escape your notice. Now I’m certain there’s a great secret on you.”

But before his words faded, the transparent insect wings on his back exploded. He transformed into a streak of light, rushing straight for the hive.

His speed was such that the black bear spirit barely had time to react, and Ji Xun, too, could not intercept.

Qu Qing’s mantis forelimbs pierced into the hive, extracting a massive golden-armored queen bee.

The queen, enraged, led several large golden-armored bees in an attack against him.

Yet Qu Qing spat blood onto the nest beside him, and in the next instant, the queen bee became docile, landing on his shoulder.

Ji Xun watched all this unfold, and from Qu Qing’s actions, deduced that the strange insect nest was invisible to most. Yet he could see it clearly. Judging by what he observed, the nest could control insects.

However, the duration of control remained a mystery.

Their gazes met: Ji Xun’s dark pupils locked onto the fragmented insect eyes.

Both men knew that only one could survive.

Qu Qing believed his golden finger had been discovered by Ji Xun; he could not allow Ji Xun to live.

Ji Xun, meanwhile, thought that if Qu Qing survived, he would surely seek revenge. He preferred not to leave trouble unresolved.

In the next moment, Ji Xun unleashed his supernatural power, shaping demonic energy into forms.

On his left arm, the energy manifested as the shadow of a fierce tiger; on his right, as a graceful crane.

His body moved with both the tiger and crane forms, thunderous yet subtle, each style ready to shift as needed, as he pounced upon Qu Qing.

Qu Qing’s insect nest summoned multitudes of insects—creeping and flying, densely packed—to impede Ji Xun.

Ji Xun’s tiger form was bold, his crane form gentle; combining strength and softness, the demonic insects could not approach him.

The queen bee, meanwhile, led her swarm to block the black bear spirit.

For a time, the battle was evenly matched; neither side could gain the upper hand.

In the midst of the stalemate, Ji Xun seized the chance to swallow several spirit stones, preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.

Both harbored murderous intent, yet the fight dragged on.

At last, Qu Qing’s face was pale, his demonic energy nearly depleted, and he gasped for breath.

“Wang Dali, I’ll remember you. I’ll find you again and kill you.”

Countless insects, together with the golden-armored bees, burrowed into Qu Qing’s body.

Qu Qing screamed, voice shredding his throat, but the swarm around him was so thick Ji Xun could not reach him—he could only strike down some of the insects.

A pair of black insect-wing shadows sprouted from Qu Qing’s back, and a multitude of demonic insects clustered about his body.

“Then, farewell.”

Though his demonic strength was almost exhausted, Qu Qing made himself the nest, borrowing the power of his insects to perform an escape technique.

Just then, a yellow dog appeared out of nowhere, sinking its teeth into Qu Qing’s left leg.

The mass of insects—centipedes, spiders, scorpions, and more—emitted nauseating demonic energy, crawling toward the dog. But a thick demonic armor enveloped the yellow dog, keeping the insects at bay.

It was the innate supernatural power of the black bear spirit, the Fangzai Demonic Armor.

Everything was unfolding according to Ji Xun’s plan.

In the end, under Qu Qing’s terrified gaze, a fist loomed larger and larger, demonic energy shaped as a fierce tiger enveloping it.

“Help me…”

Qu Qing’s cry for help was cut short as his head was pulverized by a single punch, red and white matter splattering in all directions.

Countless insect demons burrowed into Qu Qing’s body, then disappeared.

Having killed Qu Qing with one blow, Ji Xun’s heart grew heavy, for Qu Qing’s last cry for help lingered.

“This place is not safe for lingering.”

He struck Qu Qing’s corpse with several more punches, shattering his heart, dantian, and vital points, ensuring he was beyond saving.

“Old Black, lend me your demonic armor.”

He proceeded to search the corpse, but strangely, found nothing on Qu Qing. This seemed unreasonable, as most new cultivators carried their techniques for constant study.

Finally, Ji Xun grasped Qu Qing’s pair of green mantis forelimbs and tore them off.

At that moment, the strange insect nest emerged from Qu Qing’s body, shooting into the sky.

Ji Xun reached for it, but his hand closed on empty air—the nest was not corporeal, much like the Demon-Refining Vessel.

He felt an odd sensation; the nest seemed to actively reject him as its master.

Ji Xun punched the ground, creating a deep pit with demonic energy.

He tossed Qu Qing’s battered corpse into it, and the black bear spirit used its supernatural power to bury it instantly.

“Old Black, let’s join forces and bring down the hive.”

The black bear roared with delight.

Together, man and bear struck, and the hive fell to the ground in a single blow.

From Qu Qing’s death to the hive’s destruction, only ten breaths had passed.

The black bear spirit cradled the hive, and along with Ji Xun and the yellow dog, left the forest.

Though fraught with danger, Ji Xun descended the mountain safely—he had no intention of returning to the village.

After all, having killed Qu Qing, the risk was substantial.

Just as he was about to depart, a gentle feminine voice wafted through the air.

“Impressive. I never imagined such a small place would produce two prodigies. It’s a pity Qu Qing was slain so easily.”

Merely hearing the voice, Ji Xun felt his whole body ignite with uncontrollable heat, recalling all manner of scenes from films he’d watched in his previous life.

The alluring voice sounded again.

“Would you like to take Qu Qing’s place? Become my guardian, follow me into the sect, and cultivate alongside me?”