Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book Chapter 1026 - 715: Soul-Devouring Insect

The towering yellow sand ascended even higher; the Desert Sea ahead resembled a colossal, man-eating beast. Every Spirit Talisman launched toward it failed to create even the smallest ripple.

After deploying a few Spirit Talismans and truly grasping the formidable nature of the Forbidden Land of Fallen Souls, Ye Qingfeng ceased his offensive actions. Instead, he began to skirt the periphery of this perilous zone, cautiously surveying its surroundings. After all, Ye Haisheng’s Sword Array possessed a limited range, and his adversary was merely in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. While victory was uncertain, a temporary stalemate seemed achievable.

The sand in this particular vicinity exhibited a distinct difference, carrying a subtle hint of pitch-black, which left Ye Qingfeng in a state of mild bewilderment. He collected a small amount of this sand, examining it meticulously. It felt somewhat soft, akin to a peculiar type of ore. After weighing it in his hand and confirming it was composed of mundane substances, much like ordinary sand, Ye Qingfeng let out a sigh and moved onward.

The Forbidden Land of Fallen Souls was vast. However, in other sections, the sandstorm raged with even greater ferocity compared to the area where the Jia Family Cultivator had made his escape. An ordinary Purple Mansion Cultivator venturing into such conditions would likely need to simultaneously deploy both their Protective Spirit Shield and a powerful Magical Treasure merely to survive the passage.

Ye Qingfeng had only drawn a little closer when he felt an imminent threat of being swept away. Even the errant sand and dust that whipped out struck his Spirit Shield with such force that it flickered precariously. This situation brought to mind someone perfectly suited for such an environment—Ye Haige. Ye Haige was a Purple Mansion Body Cultivator and also possessed a Wind Spirit Root, making him ideal for these conditions.

Yet, he quickly dismissed the thought, realizing he was in no state to ponder such matters. His immediate priority was to maintain pace with Ye Qingwen and Ye Qingyan. Both of them had already reached the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment and were likely on the verge of advancing to the Late Stage. This realization stirred a sense of urgency within him, causing his steps to quicken as he moved to the side once more.

And in that fleeting moment of distraction, a figure clad in Golden Armor erupted from the sandstorm, unleashing a swift sword strike towards Ye Qingfeng. The speed of the sword was astonishing. In that split second, Ye Qingfeng managed only to fling a single Spirit Talisman in defense. A blinding Spiritual Light coalesced, forming a golden Magic Shield. However, the Sword Light was too swift; the shield was instantly cleaved in two. Ye Qingfeng caught a glimpse of a face entirely encased in metallic luster.

In that instant, he finally comprehended how the Jia Family Cultivator had managed to infiltrate the Forbidden Land of Fallen Souls. This individual had clearly refined his own physical body into a Spirit Puppet, augmented by Magical Artifacts, rendering him impervious to the raging sand and dust.

But at this critical juncture, Ye Qingfeng was consumed by an overwhelming sense of dread. His Protective Spirit Shield had been shattered instantaneously. Before he could even raise his Magical Artifact, he saw the Flying Sword poised to strike between his eyebrows. For a disorienting moment, his entire life flashed before his eyes.

Yet, in the very next moment, a blood-red Sword Light streaked past, its dense Sword Qi causing Ye Qingfeng’s back to prickle as if pierced by needles. Boom! The impact of the Spiritual Light sent Ye Qingfeng’s body hurtling backward. The ferocious Sword Light carved numerous bloody gashes across his form. And the blood-red Sword Aura, like a predatory Blood Eagle, once again descended upon the Jia Family Cultivator.

"Weren't you in seclusion..." The Jia Family Cultivator's expression darkened considerably. He propelled himself backward toward the dust storm, but it was futile. The blood-red Sword Light moved with extraordinary speed. As a Tier Three Sword Embryo, it surpassed even most Tier Three Magical Treasures in prowess; how could a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator possibly evade it? In an instant, only a grotesque, half-human, half-puppet corpse remained.

Evidently, this individual bore a striking resemblance to Jia Zeyuan from Jiaxing Pass. However, facing a Tier Three Sword Embryo, his head was severed cleanly, and his internal organs pulverized; even the formidable strength of his physical body could not save him from such a fate.

"Qingfeng, you had best write a proper reflection this time. As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, to become distracted at such a critical moment and not even have your Magical Artifact activated—you have truly disappointed the family!" Ye Haisheng approached, his voice laced with reprimand. The Sword Array and Sword Nurturing were, in truth, fabrications. He had spoken loudly precisely to be overheard by the Jia Family Cultivator and had deliberately positioned a Sword Array to mask his true presence. This tactic was something he had learned from Ye Haige, and it had proven remarkably effective.

Accompanying him were two other Ye Family Cultivators.

The latter hurried forward to support Ye Qingfeng.

"Uncle Haisheng, this grandson was wrong!" Ye Qingfeng lowered his head very low; in truth, his distraction had only lasted an instant.

But to a Cultivator, a single instant could be fatal.

So Ye Haisheng’s reproach wasn’t targeted at him in the least.

This time, he had truly taken a trip to Ghost Gate and back; even now, he still felt lingering fear from that Sword Light.

Only then did Ye Haisheng nod, even subconsciously adopting an air of profundity.

Though he was of the Sea Generation, his age was about the same as many of the Jing Generation.

In the past, it had always been Ye Haige and the Xue Generation patriarchs lecturing him; today, he finally got to instruct a junior.

In his memory, those elders had always maintained such a deep and solemn demeanor.

The figure of Ye Jingcheng flashed through his mind as well.

Of course, once he thought of how the latter would never make a mistake, he swept those thoughts away and even cursed himself inwardly once.

Ye Haisheng then put away the Jia Family Cultivator’s Storage Bag and corpse.

This half‑Spirit Puppet, half‑flesh body was quite valuable for the Ye Family’s study. Moreover, this time the Ye Family had obtained this Spirit Puppet inheritance; in the future, they could continue to examine its structure.

Though Spirit Beasts were superior, one had to admit that Spirit Puppets also embodied a unique line of thought.

Most importantly, these puppet materials were extremely valuable. He was currently in deep debt, so naturally he wouldn’t miss even the slightest chance to earn something.

This was also the reason why Ye Xueliang had long since returned to Celestial Phoenix Oasis, while he was still here hunting down Jia Family Cultivators.

"Something’s wrong! Fall back, now!" In the very next instant, Ye Haisheng suddenly shouted.

The other Ye Clan members reacted as well.

They saw that within the sandstorm, everything suddenly turned pitch‑black!

As if something had taken flight inside!

"It’s Soul-Devouring Insects!" At that moment, Ye Qingwen roared.

The only reason he knew this kind of Spirit Insect was because he had stayed in the Ye Family’s Hidden Valley and was extremely familiar with Ye Jingchong; the latter had shown him some Insect Talismans.

Although these Soul-Devouring Insects were only at the Late Stage of First Tier, they were famous for their massive swarms. Most crucially, they could unleash a Soul-devouring Sound that devoured Divine Sense, somewhat similar in principle to the Soul Flame of the Three-Eyed Demon Roc.

Ye Jingchong had been extremely eager to become a Spirit Binder of this kind of Spirit Insect before.

Of course, right now, the only word in his heart was "run."

Facing such a massive number of Soul-Devouring Insects in the Desert Sea, they absolutely could not meet them head‑on.

"Whatever you do, don't use Magical Treasures or Artifacts!" Ye Qingfeng reminded again.

Only, his reminder came a bit late. Seeing the insect tide about to burst out, Ye Haisheng’s Sword Embryo had already slashed forth.

Under the rampaging Sword Light, countless insects shattered and fell like raindrops.

However, when the Spiritual Light was spent and the Sword Embryo’s true body was revealed, they saw insects clinging to it, beginning to devour its Divine Sense.

Fortunately, at that moment, Ye Haisheng hastily produced a Tier Three Spirit Talisman, which turned into a sheet of freezing rain, icing over the Soul-Devouring Insects stuck to it and knocking them down as Ice Crystals.

Only then did the Sword Embryo seize the chance to fly back, but even so, the Sword Embryo was already pitted and uneven. Worse, within that insect tide, there was still a much larger one that feared no ordinary cold at all, now screeching as it spread its wings and flew over.

The aura it exuded was clearly anything but ordinary.

"A Tier Three Soul-Devouring Insect!" Ye Haisheng couldn’t help but frown.

He finally understood why this place was a Forbidden Land.

He flicked his finger, casting a strand of Golden Sword Skill.

Yet even a Golden Sword Skill, strong enough to slay a Tier Two Demon Beast, failed to leave even a scar on that Tier Three Soul-Devouring Insect.

That his Sword Embryo could freely slaughter Tier One Soul-Devouring Insects did not mean the carapace of the Soul-Devouring Insect was not tough.

Hiss hiss hiss!

Right then, dense soul sound turned into rippling waves, crashing straight into their minds, causing the Magic of the few Foundation Establishment Cultivators like Ye Qingfeng to abort before forming, and they clutched their heads in extreme pain!

"Retreat!" Thankfully, Ye Haisheng, who possessed a Tier Three Divine Soul Treasure, shouted again.

He activated his Soul Pendant, releasing a great ring of radiance that enveloped their bodies.

The others were jolted awake then, hastily flinging out Spirit Talismans; Ye Qingfeng even unleashed strand after strand of Spiritual Fire.

At this critical juncture, none of them dared to cast any Magical Artifact into the swarm of insects, as it would be akin to throwing meat buns to a dog – utterly futile and swallowed without a trace.

Such a thankless task, they would naturally not undertake.

Yet, the impact of ordinary Spiritual Fire and even Palm Thunder was incredibly slight. Upon their demise, these Soul-Devouring Insects would exude a type of insect oil that, upon detonation, would swiftly extinguish the Spiritual Fire, while the Celestial Thunder would dissipate almost immediately.

Even so, it was barely sufficient to momentarily impede the relentless onslaught.

The small group retreated to a considerable distance, but the Tier Three Soul-Devouring Insect Great Demon pressed on, its pursuit unwavering, causing Ye Haisheng’s eyes to widen.

How could he possibly countenance being hounded by a mere Tier Three Soul-Devouring Insect?

Although his Water Technique and Flying Sword proved ineffective in this situation, he still possessed five Five Elements Celestial Armor Puppets.

Unlike other Ye Family Cultivators who had established Communication Beast Contracts with the four great Demon Beast clans, Ye Haisheng himself specialized in the Water Technique. While he had not directly profited from this particular expedition, the Ye Family had, in consequence, bestowed upon him quite a number of Celestial Armor Puppets.

Now, the Five Elements Magic wielded by the Five Elements Celestial Armor Puppets surged towards the Tier Three Soul-Devouring Insect, aiming to ensnare and obliterate it.

A barrage of Celestial Fire, entangling Wooden Vines, piercing Ice Cones, crushing Falling Rocks, and sharp Golden Sword attacks erupted in unison.

The Soul-Devouring Insect Great Demon was thrown into a furious rage, but it was powerless to counter. It unleashed a Soul-Slaying Sound, yet it had no discernible effect on the five Celestial Armor Puppets.

It then attempted to close the distance, intending to devour the Divine Sense that was linked to the Spirit Puppets.

But in the very next moment, Ye Haisheng seized the opportunity, sacrificing his Sword Embryo; a wave of blood-colored light washed over, accompanied by flaring Sword Aura and Sword Light, which directly cleaved the body of the Soul-Devouring Insect Great Demon in two.

With the demise of the Tier Three Soul-Devouring Insect Great Demon, the remaining Soul-Devouring Insects became even more frenzied, swarming towards the Sword Embryo.

Ye Haisheng swiftly deployed two more Spirit Talismans in quick succession. After momentarily stalling the horde, he collected the corpse of the Tier Three Soul-Devouring Insect and made a rapid withdrawal.

As for the other Soul-Devouring Insects, he had no further inclination to engage them.

Should they become entangled, even a Purple Mansion Cultivator might meet their end here; fortunately, he had judiciously avoided entering the Forbidden Land of Fallen Souls.

After all, with the fall of a Tier Three Great Demon and the apparent lack of reaction from the remaining Soul-Devouring Insects, it was highly probable that another Tier Three Soul-Devouring Insect Great Demon resided within.

"If my memory serves me correctly, Jingcheng seems to have a need for soul-type Spirit Insect corpses!" Ye Haisheng mused silently.

"Let's depart. We shall investigate the Jia Family Secret Realm first," Ye Haisheng announced once more.

Given their limited numbers, they were unequivocally incapable of contending with the Soul-devouring Insect Race.

It was imperative that they report back to the family and allow the higher echelons to make the decision.

And prior to that crucial step, despite the Secret Realm having already been plundered, Ye Haisheng remained apprehensive.

If they could locate an Ore Vein, their circumstances, and those of his Little Chen Whale, would be significantly alleviated.