Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 741 - 315: Rare Insect vs. Rare Insect

East of Peony City.

Ji Yuan was positioned atop the Sky-Splitting Boat, the surrounding scenery rapidly receding like fleeting shadows.

Having encountered an unknown Core Formation cultivator on this excursion, a change of location was naturally necessitated.

Ji Yuan intended to retreat to the secluded, unnamed island for a period of recuperation. His subsequent plan involved a visit to the North of Water.

He could not entirely entrust Qiu Qianhai's welfare to Shuinan alone.

His attention also needed to extend to the North of Water.

However, at this precise moment, Ji Yuan detected a subtle disturbance behind him, compelling him to instantaneously deploy his Divine Sense.

In the span of a single breath, his expression shifted slightly.

A Core Formation cultivator, manifesting as an Escape Light, was rapidly advancing. Judging by its aura, it was indeed the same individual he had encountered earlier in Peony City.

"He actually found me!"

"Fellow Daoist, please halt your journey."

The person clad in black robes spoke with a placating smile, "I harbor no ill intentions; I merely wish to confer about a certain matter."

Just as Ji Yuan was retrieving the Talisman Treasure bestowed by Hu Li, the pursuing Core Formation cultivator employed a Secret Technique.

In an instant, he transformed into a single feather, vanishing without a trace.

Upon his reappearance, he was already positioned directly before Ji Yuan. Raising his right hand, he reiterated,

"Fellow Daoist, please remain."

Gripping the Sky-Splitting Shuttle Talisman, Ji Yuan edged back slightly, stating in a firm tone,

"I was merely seeking an old acquaintance and had no intention of intruding upon Senior's affairs. I humbly request your forgiveness."

Concealing the Talisman Treasure within his sleeve, Ji Yuan offered a slight cupping of his hands towards the figure before him.

The man was adorned in black robes, possessed graying hair, and his sallow complexion suggested internal injuries. A faint, peculiar odor emanated from him, hinting at an unknown Demon Skill, and his fingertips showed signs of slight corrosion.

"Heh heh, even if you happened to glimpse something... it signifies no consequence."

The black-robed cultivator began to circle Ji Yuan, his movements suggesting an assessment or a search for something specific.

"May I inquire what matter Senior wishes to discuss?"

As the cultivator rotated, Ji Yuan simultaneously turned, maintaining constant eye contact.

"It is nothing of great significance."

The black-robed cultivator eventually returned to his original stance, fixing his gaze upon Ji Yuan and uttering slowly,

"I merely wish to propose a mutual exchange."

"An exchange?"

"Indeed. This old individual harbors a profound fascination for the Spirit-Devouring Bees in your possession. I wonder if you would consider relinquishing them?"

The black-robed cultivator stroked his beard with a smile, continuing, "Naturally, I would not permit you to incur a loss without fair recompense. I am prepared to offer Spirit Stones in exchange. What say you?"

... 'How does he ascertain my possession of the Spirit-Devouring Bees?'

'Furthermore, he likely possesses the Demon Spirit Bees and is a Core Formation cultivator.'

A sudden glimmer of realization illuminated Ji Yuan’s mind, and he connected the dots.

"Could it be that you are... the Hundred Insects Old Immortal?"

"Ah, you possess considerable knowledge."

The Hundred Insects Old Immortal's smile widened considerably, confirming, "Precisely, that is indeed who I am."

"It is thus understandable why the existence of the Spirit-Devouring Bees could not be concealed from me."

"This old man cherishes the Spirit-Devouring Bee above all else, yet unfortunately, I have never had the fortune to find them. Our meeting today must surely be preordained by fate."

Ji Yuan subtly shifted his stance, observing the composed elder before him, and slowly articulated,

"But what if my intention is not to part with them?"

"Then, I shall be compelled to take them by force!"

Upon the Hundred Insects Old Immortal's pronouncement, a resonating hum emanated from behind him.

However, in that very instant, Ji Yuan’s form flickered and vanished, reappearing directly in front of the Hundred Insects Old Immortal.

He unleashed a seemingly unremarkable punch.

"Agh––!"

The Hundred Insects Old Immortal displayed an expression of profound shock. He instinctively activated his Spirit Robe and simultaneously conjured a defensive technique.

Yet, under the seemingly ordinary force of Ji Yuan's punch,

The shield-like Technique crumbled, and the Array woven into the Spirit Robe was rent asunder.

This single blow continued its trajectory, piercing directly through his chest and annihilating his heart.

... 'This is impossible!'

Ji Yuan lightly bit his tongue, a jolt of clarity instantly dispelling the fog in his mind as he landed firmly back on the Sky-Splitting Boat.

Glancing back at the location he had occupied moments before, he observed, with no recollection of when it arrived, a colossal butterfly now resting there.

The butterfly's body was adorned with a mosaic of black and white spots, and a mere glance induced a disorienting effect on the observer.

'This must be... the Dream Butterfly, ranked thirty-sixth among the rare insects!'

The instant Ji Yuan identified the creature, a wave of shock coursed through his being.

'So, from the very outset, I was ensnared within the illusory realm fabricated by this Dream Butterfly.'

'Had it not been for my exceptionally potent blood energy and my formidable Divine Soul... I might have succumbed to the Hundred Insects Old Immortal!'

"Remarkable, truly remarkable."

Floating far from the shore, beyond the immediate vicinity, the Hundred Insects Old Immortal stroked his beard, a smile gracing his features.

The Dream Butterfly then fluttered its wings, returning to its resting place upon his shoulder.

"However, witnessing your techniques... why do they bear such a resemblance to a Body Cultivator's style?"

The Hundred Insects Old Immortal furrowed his brows as he questioned, "Wasn't it long rumored that the path of Body Cultivation on our Cangluo Island had been severed?"

Ji Yuan's only reply was the appearance of a nascent Flying Sword.

Its appellation... Flowing Firefly!

Hailing from Mirror Lake, the Flowing Firefly Flying Sword possessed Water Transport abilities, capable of extending into a Star Illusion Realm.

At this precise moment, the nocturnal sky was clear and vast, decorated with innumerable stars.

Upon unleashing the Flowing Firefly Flying Sword, an illusory realm abruptly manifested all around.

Following this, the sky-splitting boat descended, and Ji Yuan's form plunged directly towards the earth.

"You intend to flee while under my pursuit?"

The Hundred Insects Old Immortal uttered a cold sneer, the Dream Butterfly on his shoulder gently beating its wings.

Subsequently, a wave of Spiritual Qi rippled outwards, causing the Star Illusion Realm, conjured by the Flowing Firefly Flying Sword, to shatter into countless fragments wherever its influence reached.

"...So incredibly potent?!

Ji Yuan hastily retracted the Flying Sword embryo with his focused intent, and before his descent reached the ground, he formed a hand seal. Over ten azure Array Flags materialized, and he promptly embedded them into the surrounding cliff faces.

The Hundred Insects Old Immortal, who had been in close pursuit, abruptly ceased his advance. Levitating momentarily in mid-air, he extended his Divine Sense, instantly grasping the underlying reality.

"An Array?"

"Heh, this ancient one has no need to personally dismantle the formation."

With that declaration, he lightly tapped the Spirit Beast Bag secured at his waist.

In an instant, an uncountable legion of black ants, wreathed in flames, emerged and surged towards Ji Yuan's Array like an overwhelming tidal wave.

They latched onto the periphery of the Array, commencing their relentless gnawing.

"This is...

Within the confines of the Reverse River Lake Formation, Ji Yuan's expression grew increasingly grave.

'Could these be the Fiery Ants that Hu Li spoke of? How can they possibly breach this Array!'

Acting on impulse, a swarm of peculiar insects unfurled from the Spirit Beast Bag at his waist—the Spirit-Devouring Bees!