Chapter 640: Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit

Such a large-scale poisonous spring is truly rare. It’s a pity its toxicity is too weak; it would require an extra purification step. It’s not even as good as the smaller springs controlled by the Spirit Control Sect.

Qin Sang stood by the lake, his spiritual sense spreading out, taking in everything around him. Although it was a poisonous spring, the water itself was no different from any other, exceptionally clear. The formation of poisonous springs is complex; many result from sudden, significant changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, leading to the accumulation of toxins. Even after the spiritual energy returns to normal, the springs remain poisonous.

Qin Sang extended his spiritual sense into the ground and rock crevices, searching inch by inch.

"Senior, have you found anything?"

Just then, Cui Xuanzi arrived, panting. Qin Sang didn't wait for him; his figure flickered, and he directly disappeared into the deepest part of the mine, where he completed his search.

At the entrance of Black Wind Valley, a flash of sword light cut through the gloomy wind, circled once in the air, and then sped towards the heart of the Western Frontier, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

A moment later, Cui Xuanzi returned to the valley entrance. He bowed towards the direction Qin Sang had departed, his expression extremely respectful. After a full fifteen minutes, Cui Xuanzi finally straightened up, withdrew his gaze, and glanced into Black Wind Valley. A hesitant look crossed his face before he subtly shook his head and called inwards, "Seal the entrance! No one is allowed to enter or exit except for me."

"Understood!"

Spiritual energy surged within Black Wind Valley, sealing off its entrance.

Cui Xuanzi departed on the wind, returning all the way to the Five-Insect Sect. Upon entering, he saw Junior Brother Tong emerge from the shadows. Seeing Cui Xuanzi alone, Junior Brother Tong approached with a somewhat anxious expression, about to ask something, but Cui Xuanzi glared at him sharply. Junior Brother Tong immediately understood and fell silent.

The two flew silently, one behind the other, back to the Sect Leader's Hall. After chatting idly over tea for a while, they activated a mechanism and entered a secret chamber. Upon activating the restrictions within the secret chamber, both of them simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

Junior Brother Tong could no longer contain himself. "Sect Leader Brother, he didn't discover the Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit in the poisonous spring, did he?"

Cui Xuanzi closed his eyes in thought, then shook his head. "No, the Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit won't exude its spiritual power beyond the ancient restriction until it's ripe, so the spiritual spring couldn't have shown any abnormality. Ever since Black Wind Valley was discovered, cultivators have been coming and going continuously, yet none have found that ancient restriction. No matter how high his cultivation, he couldn't have easily detected it. If not for our Martial Uncle's good fortune, entering Black Wind Valley to refine the poisonous spring precisely when a Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit was ripe, our Five-Insect Sect would have missed out on this spiritual fruit."

"Indeed!" Junior Brother Tong nodded repeatedly. "To think the Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit can actually help venomous spirit insects undergo a third metamorphosis! We always thought it was just a legend, but now we know it's true. Martial Uncle truly has exceptional luck; he encountered such an incredible opportunity, allowing his natal insect-gu to transform, and then successfully form his core in one fell swoop. And there are actually three Thousand-Hand Spider Fruits on the tree, though unfortunately, they don't ripen simultaneously. Nearly a hundred years have passed since the first one ripened, and only now is the second showing signs of maturity..."

Junior Brother Tong spoke at length but received no response. Seeing Cui Xuanzi still with his eyes closed in contemplation, he couldn't help but ask, "Sect Leader Brother, what are you thinking about?"

"I'm recalling whether there were any oversights in my words or actions during this period, especially when dealing with Senior Qin," Cui Xuanzi said gravely. "This person is definitely not an ascetic who stays cooped up in a cave dwelling. Even a single flaw could lead to discovery."

Junior Brother Tong empathized, sighing, "This truly was a rollercoaster; my heart was up and down. Fortunately, we managed to preserve Black Wind Valley and the Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit. Otherwise, with the spiritual fruit about to ripen, if Black Wind Valley changed hands, it would fall into others' possession. It's fortunate that you, Senior Brother, took such a risk to befriend Senior Qin... While Senior Qin was here, Shocking Thunder Stronghold and Hundred Blossom Palace attacked together. Such a coincidence—was that also orchestrated by you, Senior Brother?"

Cui Xuanzi snorted, "If I truly orchestrated it, the overlord of Xiongshan territory would have changed long ago! Junior Brother Tong, don't treat Core Formation cultivators as fools, always thinking of schemes against them. I merely sensed the coming storm and was familiar with Old Man Thunder Ghost's character, so I acted to take advantage of the situation. He devoutly believes in the Witch God and seeks the Witch God's protection in all matters. It's very likely he would choose the Witch God Festival for such a major undertaking. Even if he hadn't come this time, I would still have found a way to seek refuge under Senior Qin. As long as I'm willing to be a loyal, useful dog, would he be willing to kick me away?"

Junior Brother Tong looked pained. "Sect Leader Brother, you're too wronged."

Cui Xuanzi shook his head. "We've gone to such lengths, haven't we, precisely to gain a few more years until the Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit ripens? What's there to feel wronged about?"

Junior Brother Tong said bitterly, "The spiritual fruit is about to ripen! Once you, Senior Brother, consume it with your natal insect-gu, our sect will have a third-transformation spirit insect, and we won't have to tolerate others' attitudes anymore!"

"Absolutely not!" Cui Xuanzi stopped Junior Brother Tong. "Setting aside that the Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit only increases the probability and doesn't guarantee metamorphosis, even if the transformation succeeds and I successfully form my core, you must not show the slightest disrespect to Senior Qin. If I, a Core Formation cultivator, were to attach myself to him, I presume he wouldn't be indifferent."

Junior Brother Tong's face was filled with unwillingness. "After you form your core, Senior Brother, we'll be able to dominate. Why stay beneath others..." Mid-sentence, Junior Brother Tong's face showed surprise. "Sect Leader Brother, after you form your core, are you also planning to leave the Five-Insect Sect?"

"What are you thinking? What future does the Five-Insect Sect have cooped up in the Western Frontier? This person has an extraordinary background, and there must be powerful forces behind him. Perhaps this is our Five-Insect Sect's opportunity to expand beyond the Western Frontier. It's merely a matter of humbling ourselves; it offers us countless benefits and no harm." Cui Xuanzi glared at him sharply, then suddenly remembered something and frowned. "Are you still resenting Martial Uncle?"

Junior Brother Tong pursed his lips and remained silent.

Cui Xuanzi sighed. "Back then, Martial Uncle wasn't on good terms with the sect. He was an orphan brought back by our Grandmaster, but his orphan status wasn't entirely unrelated to Grandmaster... These secrets, I've never told you."

Junior Brother Tong was utterly shocked.

"...Before Martial Uncle left, he left the Thousand-Hand Spider Fruit tree to the sect and suppressed the surrounding forces, ensuring the Five-Insect Sect's prosperity for a century. He had already done more than enough. It is we who are unworthy, disappointing our ancestors." Cui Xuanzi looked ashamed.

"Enough!" Cui Xuanzi waved his hand. "The past is like smoke; there's no need to mention it again. As long as I can form my core, these are minor matters. Listen to me: don't have any unnecessary thoughts from now on. The woman Senior Qin left behind, settle her well and cultivate her at all costs."

"Her?" Junior Brother Tong looked hesitant. "Sect Leader Brother, what do you think is the relationship between the Mute Girl and Senior Qin? Arranging her to cultivate in the sect's best cave dwelling has already caused dissatisfaction among the disciples..."

Cui Xuanzi couldn't help but frown slightly. He had initially thought that since Senior Qin had taken a liking to the Mute Girl, her talent must be exceptional. Only after investigating did he discover she possessed a four-spirit root. In the days since the Mute Girl joined the sect, she had only focused on arduous cultivation and didn't interact with anyone. Not even he, her nominal master, could get a single word out of her. Anyone unaware would assume she was mute.