Chapter 1891: Gold-Eating Worm and the "Gold-Eating Worm"

**Volume Ten: The Demon Realm War**

**A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality – Volume Ten: The Demon Realm War**

"Cannot refuse?" Han Li was naturally startled upon hearing this, a slight murmur of doubt rising in his heart.

Seeing this, Qing Yuanzi and the Golden Flame Marquis exchanged glances, a hint of surprise on their faces, as if they had vaguely guessed something.

"You've been listening for a while, so you should know that I am the Grand Elder of the Mayfly Clan," the old man said, without directly revealing what he intended to trade. Instead, he spoke cryptically. "While our Mayfly Clan might not be comparable to super clans like the Jiaochi or Sea Clan, I daresay that in certain divine abilities, no one in the entire Spirit Realm can surpass us."

Then, with a single hand, he made a grabbing motion in the air before him. The numerous treasures that had been floating instantly transformed into specks of spiritual light, shooting back into his large sleeve.

"Insect-controlling techniques!" Han Li exclaimed, startled.

"Haha, exactly," the old man said proudly. "Our clan's insect training and controlling techniques are absolutely unrivaled in the entire Spirit Realm. Even other super clans fall slightly short compared to us in this regard. What I'm offering you in exchange are two of the eighty-one types of spirit insects meticulously cultivated by this elder. With the help of these spirit insects, you will be able to easily overpower others at your cultivation level." He then flicked two fingers, and with two soft 'puffs,' a purple and a green thumb-sized spirit insect shot out, hovering and dancing above the table.

One of the spirit insects had faint, death-like electric threads flickering across its body, while the other's head bore a striking resemblance to a miniature dragon's head, as if shrunk countless times.

"Are these Star Insects?" The old man's expression subtly shifted, becoming a little strange.

"Purple Lightning Insect and Earth Dragon-Jiao Insect!" the Golden Flame Marquis exclaimed, recognizing the two spirit insects. "Brother Xuling, how could you bear to part with these two spirit insects for exchange?"

Qing Yuanzi's expression also changed, appearing surprised and uncertain.

"Hmph, what do you two know?" the Elder Xuling snorted, a hint of reluctance in his tone. "In the past, this Styx Divine Milk wouldn't have been worth such a hefty price for me, but now, these spiritual milks are of paramount importance; I must acquire them. Little Han, these two spirit insects have been meticulously cultivated by me for tens of thousands of years. Their inherent power is even sufficient to contend with an early Integration stage cultivator. As long as you agree to hand over the spiritual milk, I can immediately destroy their master-recognition imprints and help you subdue them. Hehe, I daresay I'm probably the only one in the entire Mayfly Clan capable of doing something like this."

"Equivalent to an early Integration stage cultivator!" Han Li gasped, gazing at the two spirit insects, genuinely tempted.

However, he immediately reconsidered. Remembering the tens of thousands of Gold Devouring Beetles in his spirit beast ring that he still couldn't control at will, he instantly dismissed the idea.

While individual Gold Devouring Beetles might not be as powerful as the two rare insects before him, if hundreds or thousands of them were unleashed in a fight, these two spirit insects would undoubtedly be utterly devoured.

"Senior, while your spirit insects are indeed remarkable, this junior already possesses some,"

After Han Li's mouth twitched, he could only brace himself and stammer, enduring the old man's piercing gaze.

"What did you say?! Your spirit insects can be compared to mine?!" Elder Xuling's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, and a chilling aura suddenly appeared on his face as he spoke. "Boy, my patience is wearing thin; don't just blabber nonsense and truly provoke me!"

Seeing this, Han Li's heart pounded. But before he could open his mouth to explain anything, Qing Yuanzi, who was beside him, suddenly spoke up thoughtfully:

"Brother Xuling, there's no need to be angry," Qing Yuanzi said. "Little Han's words just now might not be insincere. He does indeed possess a spirit insect of significant origin, and in terms of reputation, it might very well surpass your own spirit insects."

"Brother Jiang, even if you intend to favor this boy, there's no need to come up with such a poor excuse," the old man said, sweeping a cold glance at Qing Yuanzi. "He himself is a mid-Integration stage existence; how could his spirit insects possibly compare to mine? Moreover, those who have seen the most formidable spirit insects I cultivate are long gone from this world. How much could you possibly know about them, Fellow Daoist Jiang?"

"Hehe, perhaps Brother Xuling truly possesses other, more powerful spirit insects," Qing Yuanzi said with a faint smile, a slight twitch in the corner of his eye. "But surely, Fellow Daoist, you wouldn't bring *those* out for exchange, would you? If that's the case, then based solely on these two spirit insects, they genuinely cannot compare to Little Han's."

"Hehe, is that so?" "Fellow Daoist Jiang, you probably don't know that I cultivate as many as seventy-two types of spirit insects. Aside from a few natal spirit insects that have been completely refined, it's not impossible to bring out the others for the spiritual milk. I'll give you all another eye-opening display!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a layer of black energy surged from the old man's body, submerging most of him. He then formed hand seals with one hand, muttering incantations.

Immediately, various low chirps and vibrating sounds erupted simultaneously. As the black energy churned, hundreds of diverse spirit insects suddenly flew out from within it.

Some were as large as human heads, while others were as tiny as bean grains. They came in various colors, but each one was hideously terrifying, exuding a ferocious aura.

"This one with golden spots is a Gold Devouring Beetle," the old man explained, pointing at the spirit insects before him and introducing each one as if enumerating his most prized possessions. "Its body is incredibly hard; even spiritual treasures cannot damage it in the slightest. The one enveloped in a five-colored glow is a Corpse Silkworm, adept at devouring malevolent energy, and possessing the most vigorous life force, almost immortal; even if cut into pieces, it can instantly recover. As for that blood-colored, mantis-like spirit insect, that is the famous Ghost Mantis. Although their individual auras don't seem high, they are group spirit insects and the most brutal among these. They can devour an entire dragon in a single go. Once they unleash their ferocity, even I get a headache."

Indeed, not a single one of these spirit insects was anything less than a rare specimen seldom seen in the Spirit Realm; Han Li himself was hearing of some of them for the very first time.

Even more remarkably, these spirit insects had clearly been cultivated to full maturity. Once they re-recognized a master, they could immediately be deployed in combat, offering a significant aid out of thin air.

"Well, how about it?" Elder Xuling slowly said to Han Li, who was currently dazzled by the sight. "How many of these spirit insects have you seen before? Little Han, I'm making an exception; I'll allow you to exchange one bottle of spiritual milk for any one of these spirit insects. You should be satisfied with this price, shouldn't you? If you still don't agree and can't provide a satisfactory reason, then don't blame me for being discourteous."

Upon hearing this, Han Li's facial muscles twitched a few times, and he couldn't help but glance at Qing Yuanzi.

"Little Han, release your spirit insects and let Brother Xuling take a look," Qing Yuanzi pondered for a moment, then spoke earnestly to Han Li. "Once he sees them, he should understand."

"Yes, Senior!"

Although Han Li was full of reluctance, under the current circumstances, he simply could not refuse this request. Immediately, he flicked his sleeve, and a buzzing sound emanated from within, followed by a dozen or so thumb-sized golden flowers that flew out.

The moment these golden flowers flew out, they instantly flashed with spiritual light, their forms rapidly expanding several times over. They transformed into fist-sized golden beetles, gleaming with dazzling golden light, as if crafted from pure gold.

"Gold Devouring Beetles! And mature forms!" the Golden Flame Marquis exclaimed, staring intently at the dozen or so golden beetles, his face etched with shock.

Elder Xuling's body trembled, and as he looked at the dozen or so Gold Devouring Beetles, his expression instantly turned extremely peculiar.

Seeing the old man's expression, Qing Yuanzi frowned. The other party's reaction seemed somewhat different from what he had expected!

Although he secretly felt a little strange, Qing Yuanzi still spoke calmly:

"With Brother Xuling's vast knowledge, it's impossible that you wouldn't recognize Gold Devouring Beetles, is it?" Qing Yuanzi said. "I believe Fellow Daoist will have to admit that the renown of these insects truly surpasses that of the spirit insects you've shown. Therefore, Little Han genuinely has no need for an exchange when it comes to spirit insects, and he certainly didn't intend to offend you. Of course, if Brother Xuling can produce spirit insects superior to the Gold Devouring Beetles, I, Jiang, will not utter another word."

"Better spirit insects! Mature Gold Devouring Beetles... Good, very good, haha..." To everyone's great surprise, after Elder Xuling finished examining the Gold Devouring Beetles and repeatedly uttered "good," he suddenly threw his head back and burst into wild laughter.

His laughter was filled with ecstasy.

Witnessing this scene, Han Li's eyes couldn't help but narrow slightly.

Qing Yuanzi stared at the old man, a slight frown appearing on his brow as if he were recalling something.

The Golden Flame Marquis, however, looked at Han Li with flickering eyes and a somewhat complex expression.

"Brother Xuling, you..."

"Brother Jiang, there's no need to say anything more. I shall let you and Little Han witness another type of spirit insect that I have never revealed to others."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the old man suddenly waved both his sleeves. The hundred-plus spirit insects were instantly enveloped by the black energy swirling from his body and vanished into him.

Then, opening his mouth, he actually spat out a dazzling silver gourd. It spun once, then suddenly inverted and opened its lid.

A similar buzzing sound emanated, and a cloud of something spurted out from the gourd. With a flash of spiritual light, it dispersed, transforming into specks of golden light that hovered above the main hall.

"Impossible..."

"What is this?"

As soon as the Golden Flame Marquis and Qing Yuanzi clearly saw the true form of the golden cloud, they both exclaimed almost simultaneously.

Han Li, gazing at the specks of golden light in the air, was also utterly dumbfounded.

Encased within those golden lights were, surprisingly, individual golden beetles—identical to Han Li's Gold Devouring Beetles, and similarly buzzing with extraordinary ferocity.

"Senior actually has Gold Devouring Beetles too, and they're mature forms!" After a long moment, Han Li finally suppressed the shock in his heart and muttered, letting out a long breath.

"Indeed," the old man said with unusual calm. "I've cultivated these Gold Devouring Beetles for so long, I've forgotten how many years it's been, only finally advancing them to their mature form a few hundred years ago. The immense effort I poured into them is self-evident. My original intention for requesting such a large quantity of Styx Divine Milk here this time was precisely for these insects."

"The Styx Divine Milk is also useful for Gold Devouring Beetles?" Han Li's heart stirred, and he subconsciously blurted out the question.