Chapter 2344: Butterfly Woman

Gonggong's Platform.

Qin Sang, familiar with the way, entered the forbidden area. After observing for a while, he didn't sense any unusual atmosphere.

He had not only leaked the secret to the Dongyang Clan and the Huozheng Clan, but also managed to disclose it to the Kanghui Clan.

“They certainly didn't act rashly,” Qin Sang murmured.

This was also within his and the Ghost Mother's expectations. For the Fire and Water Clans to seize the divine blood, they would first need to scout the area and gather their forces, all of which would take time. According to the Ghost Mother's plan, the divine blood would ignite conflicts among the Five Clans, most likely around the time of the Grand Heaven and Earth Sacrifice. Based on common sense, people's minds would be settled during the Grand Sacrifice, making it the perfect opportunity for the Fire and Water Clans to make their move.

If they did nothing next, accidents could still occur. However, Qin Sang didn't need to worry about such issues. The Ghost Mother hadn't just been hiding in Xuandan Mountain to heal since her ascension; she had long laid plans within the Witch Clan. Once activated, her influence would be a formidable force, discreetly pushing the matter forward.

Qin Sang had only one mission: to invite the Void Butterfly out of seclusion.

Qin Sang arrived alone. Shi Liu, Wu Zhao, and the tokens controlling that territory had all been given to the Ghost Mother, to serve as Liu Ying's future foundation. Releasing the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to scout and identify directions, Qin Sang then swept towards the Insect Tomb. The journey was unexpectedly peaceful.

With his previous experience, Qin Sang skillfully avoided the hidden dangers within the forbidden area and successfully reached the place where he had once fought the Shaohao descendants. His figure paused, and Qin Sang and the Sky-Eyed Butterfly fully activated their divine abilities, their gazes piercing through the blood clouds, staring in the direction of the Blood Well.

There were no traces of a grand formation. It seemed the Shaohao descendants, having experienced their last failure, had given up and completely withdrawn. However, after observing patiently for a while, Qin Sang still sensed a few subtle spiritual fluctuations.

It didn't matter what the Shaohao descendants were doing here, or even if they had given up on stealing the divine blood. As long as they remained, they would inevitably arouse suspicion from the Fire and Wood Clans.

In a chaotic war among five clans, open and honest communication was impossible. Once suspicion arose, it would be extremely difficult to resolve!

A strange smile appeared on Qin Sang's face. He bypassed the Blood Well and quietly arrived before the Insect Tomb.

The true entrance to the Insect Tomb was a lush green grassland, without any obvious boundaries between inside and out. One would simply walk into the Insect Tomb while traversing the grassland. Here, blood clouds still hung low, extending deep into the prairie.

Despite the lack of sunlight, the flowers and grass on the ground were unusually lush, emitting refreshing scents that even diluted the smell of blood.

Qin Sang glided forward steadily, just above the tips of the grass. Before long, his vision suddenly brightened, and the blood clouds vanished into thin air.

Above was a clear blue sky, and beneath his feet lay vibrant green grass. Such beauty was rarely seen even in the outside world.

“Zzzzt!”

Thunder light flickered at Qin Sang's fingertips, immediately drawing a slight backlash from heaven and earth. He had indeed entered the Insect Tomb.

Looking around, Qin Sang decided to follow the path Yu Ling had described and first find the ancient insect imprints. Since he didn't know the location of the Void Butterfly's dwelling, Qin Sang needed to first attract its attention.

According to the Ghost Mother, since this place was called the Insect World, vast and boundless, it was likely that more than one powerful insect being cultivated here. Each powerful insect being had its own territory, and those ancient insect imprints might belong to the Void Butterfly's domain.

This time, Qin Sang had made ample preparations. Not only had he obtained many elixirs specially refined for spirit insects from the Tianyu Clan, but he had also exchanged for the Green Jade Eye, which now truly belonged to him.

This treasure was perfectly suited for the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, and Qin Sang had no intention of returning it. Yu Yunyi, intending to win Qin Sang over, agreed very readily. Not long after flying, the ground ahead began to undulate. As he drew closer, Qin Sang saw the land covered in hills, resembling identical burial mounds; even the flowers and grass on them were the same.

The hills were countless, stretching as far as the eye could see, marking the first trial to enter the Insect Tomb.

Hidden here was an illusion array. Entering it was like falling under a hallucinatory spell. Cultivators, unable to use any power, could only resist with willpower and rely on their spirit insects to find the array's vital exit, or else be lost here forever.

This first trial deterred countless Witch Clan cultivators. The illusion array constantly changed. The elder from the Tianyu Clan had observed here for many years before finding a few seemingly plausible patterns.

Of course, for Qin Sang and the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, deciphering such an illusion array was effortless. Therefore, Qin Sang didn't pause at all, directly entering the array. The so-called hallucinatory power had no effect on Qin Sang, and no changes within the grand array could escape the Sky-Eyed Butterfly's eyes.

Qin Sang walked leisurely among the hills. Before long, he reached the other end of the hilly region, where he suddenly heard the roar of waves.

“Whoosh, whoosh…”

Ahead lay a vast expanse of water, boundless as a sea. The seawater was black, like a pool of ink.

This was the second trial of the Insect Tomb, known as the Ink Sea. Beyond the Ink Sea, paths diverged, leading to different landscapes, each with its own dangers and opportunities.

Qin Sang knew how to deal with the dangers in the Ink Sea and took out a seed he had prepared long ago. This seed was also black, slender and sharp like an eagle's beak. Qin Sang instructed the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to help him resist the backlash from heaven and earth, then personally activated the seed.

In an instant, the seed broke its shell and sprouted, growing into a black spiritual plant at a visible pace. The plant's form was peculiar: its leaves resembled layers of gauze, accumulating and overlapping, like a dense net.

Qin Sang and the Sky-Eyed Butterfly entered the dense net formed by the leaves. The spiritual plant then floated lightly, landing in the Ink Sea like a small boat, drifting on the water's surface, rising and falling with the waves, almost merging with the black water.

The Sky-Eyed Butterfly used extremely subtle power to gently push this special grass boat forward.

The Ink Sea had considerable winds and waves, causing the grass boat to sway, yet it remained remarkably sturdy. It drifted all the way to the other shore without encountering any dangers.

“Splash!”

A wave pushed the grass boat ashore. Qin Sang and the Sky-Eyed Butterfly emerged, put away the boat, ascertained the wind direction, and continued forward.

In this manner, Qin Sang utilized various ingenious methods, progressing at a remarkably fast pace. Even when encountering danger, he could rely on the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to turn peril into safety. All his experiences along the way matched Yu Ling's descriptions. At this rate, he was certain to find the ancient insect imprints!

Unbeknownst to him, more than half of the journey was complete.

“Hmm?”

Qin Sang crossed a mountain range and, upon seeing the scene ahead, his expression suddenly changed.

The landscape on the other side of the mountain was vastly different from Yu Ling's description. Either Yu Ling had deceived him, or the Insect Tomb had changed!

Qin Sang suspected the latter was more likely. If the Void Butterfly intended to teach the Shaohao descendants a lesson, it wouldn't let them leave so easily. Yu Ling's return journey had been too smooth. Perhaps the Void Butterfly, seeing she wasn't the instigator, allowed her to leave by specially creating a shortcut that vanished after her departure. This was definitely not what Qin Sang wanted to see. Aimlessly searching in the Insect Tomb, he didn't know when he would find the ancient insect imprints, and feared he would miss something important. Gently stroking the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, Qin Sang sighed, "Let's go."

Perhaps only the terrain of this area had changed; otherwise, he'd have to rely on luck, traveling for a bit, then taking out the Ghost Mother's token to call out to the Void Butterfly. The Sky-Eyed Butterfly vibrated its wings, and the Divine Wood Thunder transformed into a thundercloud, ready to carry Qin Sang down the mountain.

Just as they were about to cross the mountain ridge, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly stopped without any warning.

“What's wrong?”

Qin Sang's heart tightened, yet he sensed no danger.

Communicating with the Sky-Eyed Butterfly telepathically, a flash of surprise crossed Qin Sang's eyes. The Sky-Eyed Butterfly had just felt an invisible force preventing it from moving forward, though Qin Sang hadn't perceived it at all.

At the same time, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly seemed to hear a voice, seemingly telling her, "Go back…”

“It's her!”

Qin Sang immediately realized that the one stopping the Sky-Eyed Butterfly must be the Void Butterfly.

Only the Void Butterfly would treat the Sky-Eyed Butterfly differently. The Void Butterfly likely thought they had returned to the Insect Tomb for the supreme treasure that attracted the Sky-Eyed Butterfly. Since the Sky-Eyed Butterfly had chosen Qin Sang, it was no longer fated to possess that treasure. The Void Butterfly's action was to dissuade the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, saving them from wasted effort. Qin Sang suddenly looked up.

It was dusk, and the sky was dim.

His expression straightened, and he bowed towards the sky. "Junior Qin Sang, along with the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, pays respects to Senior! We have not come seeking treasure. Guided by another senior, we now understand your good intentions. We are here, firstly, to thank you for bestowing the spiritual medicine opportunity, and secondly, entrusted by that senior, to meet with you as there is an important matter to discuss." As he spoke, Qin Sang took out the Ghost Mother's wooden hairpin and presented it with both hands.

Before his words fully fell, the void before Qin Sang suddenly split open, like a gaping mouth, swallowing him and the Sky-Eyed Butterfly whole. Qin Sang felt his vision darken for an instant, then it brightened again, and he found himself in a vast, ethereal space.

Here, there was no sky above and no ground below, as if it were an independent void.

Immediately after, Qin Sang felt his hand lighten. He looked up and saw the wooden hairpin fall into the hands of a woman.

“Is this the Void Butterfly?”

Qin Sang observed discreetly.

This was likely not the Void Butterfly's true form; her body appeared slightly ethereal, like morning mist in the mountains, giving off a sense of transcendence and otherworldly grace.

The woman had a gentle countenance, dressed in a pure white long dress, with hair reaching her waist. At a glance, she appeared to be an extremely gentle woman, inspiring immediate goodwill and causing one to instinctively lower their guard.

“Who gave you this wooden hairpin?” The woman stared at the hairpin for a while before suddenly asking, her voice equally gentle and pleasant. Qin Sang noticed that the woman's expression seemed a bit strange, making him uncertain of her thoughts. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "May I ask if Senior is the Void Butterfly?" Receiving her affirmation, Qin Sang respectfully said, "A senior gave it to this junior. She said that when Senior sees this hairpin, you would know she is…." Then Qin Sang witnessed a scene that astonished him.

“That bitch is still alive!”

The Void Butterfly first wore an expression of disbelief, then her slender eyebrows furrowed, and she burst into a torrent of curses, completely shattering her gentle demeanor.

Qin Sang's heart sank, and he couldn't help but inwardly curse the Ghost Mother.

*Are you old acquaintances or enemies?*

If the Void Butterfly vented her anger on him, it would be a terrible injustice; he would die with lingering grievances!

“Where is she?!” The Void Butterfly glared fiercely at Qin Sang, the wooden hairpin creaking in her hand, as if she were clutching the Ghost Mother herself.

Qin Sang immediately distanced himself from the Ghost Mother.

“If Senior is referring to the senior who gave this junior the wooden hairpin, then this junior also does not know that senior's whereabouts, nor her true identity. I merely received her grace when my cultivation was low, and have only met her a few times since. That senior has always been elusive, appearing and disappearing like a dragon. Some time ago, she suddenly sought out this junior, gave me this wooden hairpin, and commanded me to bring this token to the Insect Tomb to deliver a message to Senior.”

“Is that all?”

The Void Butterfly stared into Qin Sang's eyes, her gaze seemingly trying to pierce into his mind.

Qin Sang hesitated for a moment, then gave a wry smile. "I wouldn't dare deceive Senior. Actually, this junior took the initiative to visit that senior. Last time I came, I hadn't yet met that senior, so I didn't know it was your doing. Previously, that senior, seeing that my natal spirit insect was the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, gave me some guidance and told me that once my cultivation advanced, I should seek her out, and she would guide me to an opportunity for the Sky-Eyed Butterfly's metamorphosis."

The Void Butterfly looked at the Sky-Eyed Butterfly on Qin Sang's shoulder.

Ever since seeing the Void Butterfly, Qin Sang sensed that the Sky-Eyed Butterfly's state of mind was unstable, feeling an instinctive closeness to the Void Butterfly, yet also a hint of fear.

When facing the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, her expression softened somewhat, but it turned fierce again when she faced Qin Sang. She coldly asked, "What does she want to say?"

“That senior said she encountered a problem and wished to ask for your assistance…”

Qin Sang replied, bracing himself.

It wasn't his first time facing a powerful being, and he didn't know if the Void Butterfly had broken through to the Eighth Transformation. The pressure she exerted on him was immense, far surpassing that of Hong Tian and others. Before Qin Sang could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a cold laugh.

The Void Butterfly laughed in extreme anger, gnashing her teeth. "That bitch has been missing for so long, with no news whatsoever. I thought she had already turned to dust! Now she suddenly appears, dares not to see me, yet has the nerve to ask for my help!"

It didn't sound like hatred; rather, it sounded like resentment.

The Void Butterfly now resembled a resentful woman abandoned by a scoundrel. Had the Ghost Mother done something to offend her?

But the Ghost Mother was a female cultivator, and the Void Butterfly had also manifested as a female. And one person, one…

Qin Sang couldn't help but recall some strange images in his mind, which he instantly suppressed. He thought to himself that with the Ghost Mother's personality, she must have offended many people; even her close friends and family probably weren't spared her sarcasm and mockery.

He couldn't help but feel a little worried now; this task was truly difficult to complete.

A thought flashed through his mind, and then he saw the Void Butterfly fling the wooden hairpin back. "You may leave…”

Although the Void Butterfly refused, fortunately, she didn't direct her anger at them.

Qin Sang sighed in relief and quickly said, "There's one more thing. That senior said she is willing to offer Imperial Platform Nectar as your reward!"

“Imperial Platform Nectar?”

The Void Butterfly was startled. "She still has Imperial Platform Nectar?"

“That senior said that although she doesn't possess Imperial Platform Nectar currently, she knows how to ascend the Imperial Platform and steal it… With your divine abilities, wouldn't it be easy to sneak into Dengbao Mountain?”

As Qin Sang spoke, he observed the Void Butterfly's expression, then simply spilled all his schemes at once.

“Senior only needs to bring this junior into Dengbao Mountain as well. Besides that, Senior doesn't need to do anything further; just take this junior away after the task is complete. In addition, please guide her…”

Qin Sang quietly comforted the Sky-Eyed Butterfly.

The Sky-Eyed Butterfly finally mustered its courage and slowly flew towards the Void Butterfly, hesitating and not daring to approach closely.

The Void Butterfly sighed softly, extended a slender finger, and allowed the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to land on its tip.