Chapter 566: Poisonous Scorpion

The next moment, a large swarm of carrion ants surged out from the sea of fire, pouncing on Wang Qingjun and the others. Wang Qingling patted the spirit beast pouch at her waist, and a massive white python flew out. This second-tier Snowcloud Python, which she had raised since it was young, had been cultivated to mid-tier second rank.

The Snowcloud Python opened its gaping maw and spewed out a large expanse of white cold air. Upon contact with the white cold air, the carrion ants quickly froze and fell from mid-air.

Wang Qiuming controlled nine golden spikes, which transformed into nine streaks of golden light, circling around them. Any carrion ant that came within three zhang (approximately 10 meters) of them would be struck by the golden light and fall from mid-air.

The sheer number of carrion ants was overwhelming; they swarmed Wang Qingjun and the others from all directions as if driven mad.

Wang Qingjun frowned, then opened his mouth, and a palm-sized red command flag flew out. A layer of red glow enveloped the flag's surface, radiating potent spiritual energy.

His Natal Artifact, the Fiery Cloud Flag, had been imbued with the spirit of a high-tier second-rank Fiery Cloud Python.

Wang Qingjun infused the Fiery Cloud Flag with his magic power. The flag instantly swelled in size, its surface erupting with blinding red light, transforming into a scarlet giant python over ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) long. Its entire body was covered in fist-sized red scales, and its form was enveloped in scarlet flames.

The scarlet giant python opened its gaping maw and pounced on the carrion ants. Those ants that touched the flames on the scarlet fire python instantly turned to ash. The remaining ants then converged, forming a purple giant python, which lunged at the scarlet python. After a few exchanges, the purple python found itself at a disadvantage.

Wang Qingjun formed a hand seal, and the scarlet giant python's body swelled dramatically. It bit the purple giant python, causing a large cloud of green smoke to appear. The purple giant python desperately tried to flee, but it couldn't escape far before the scarlet giant python caught up.

The scarlet giant python, as if effortlessly slicing through vegetables, easily devoured more than half of the purple python.

The purple giant python then dissolved, scattering into a large swarm of carrion ants that fled in various directions.

The scarlet giant python opened its gaping maw and spewed out a vast sheet of scarlet flames, engulfing them. Moments later, the flames dissipated, leaving not a single carrion ant behind.

Wang Qingjun waved a hand at the scarlet giant python, and it transformed back into a red command flag, vanishing into his mouth.

“Twelfth Brother, your Natal Artifact is incredibly powerful. If only I had one too,” Wang Qingling said with an envious tone. She had established her foundation relatively late and did not yet possess her own Natal Artifact.

Wang Qingjun grinned. “Ninth Uncle personally refined this for me,” he said. “If you earn great merit, you can ask him to refine a Natal Artifact for you. This swamp-clearing mission is a great opportunity, so make sure you seize it.”

Wang Qingshan was exceptionally powerful. With him around, they typically had few chances to earn merit. Since Wang Qingshan wasn't participating in this swamp-clearing operation, and Wang Qingjun was leading the team, he naturally intended to perform well.

“Exactly! If Seventh Uncle gets involved, we'd just be picking up scraps; there wouldn't be any chance to earn merit ourselves.” Wang Qiuming smiled faintly in agreement.

Wang Qingling nodded with a smile and recalled her Snowcloud Python.

“Purple Loquat Flowers themselves have little medicinal value, but they constantly generate miasma, which readily attracts venomous insects. Purple Loquat Flowers over a century old can be used to set up certain poison formations. Twelfth Uncle, do you think we should harvest some?” Wang Qiuming asked slowly, pointing to the purple sea of flowers ahead.

“No, there's no need. Places with Purple Loquat Flowers tend to have many venomous insects. It's not worth risking our clansmen for such meager gains.” Purple Loquat Flowers over a century old were only worth a few spirit stones, and those were located deep within the flower sea. Wang Qingjun had no intention of wasting too much time here. The Barrier-Breaking Pearl consumed a significant amount of magic power, and they had a considerable task: clearing a 30-li (approximately 15 km) area.

Many cultivators had entered the swamp, and it was wise to assume some might harbor ill intentions. He needed to be wary of other cultivators.

He drew a circle in the air with both hands, and a vast expanse of scarlet firelight emerged, forming a colossal fireball the size of a house. It hurtled towards the Purple Loquat Flowers, radiating a scorching heatwave.

With a deafening crash, the colossal fireball transformed into a vast sheet of scarlet flames, rapidly spreading through the purple loquat flower sea. A plume of green smoke rose, and numerous venomous insects could be seen fleeing from the flames.

Shortly after, the flames died down, leaving all the Purple Loquat Flowers completely incinerated.

Wang Qingjun released a small dog puppet beast, sending it to lead the way. They followed closely behind it.

The swamp teemed with countless venomous insects, hidden in the mud, trees, weeds, or puddles, ready to ambush passing cultivators. Wang Qingkai had extensive experience in hunting demonic beasts, so they naturally wouldn't be harmed by these venomous insects.

Their journey proceeded with minor scares but no true danger; they slew several first-tier venomous insects and gathered some spirit herbs that were over a decade old.

After about the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, they emerged from the dense forest and arrived outside a narrow mountain valley.

A thick purple miasma permeated the valley, obscuring the view within. Wang Qingjun could feel his magic power draining more quickly; the stronger the miasma, the more power the Barrier-Breaking Pearl consumed.

Steep peaks flanked both sides of the valley, and a large patch of Purple Loquat Flowers grew at its entrance.

Wang Qingjun rested his chin on one hand, analyzing the situation. “There might be second-tier venomous insects inside,” he said. “Qiuming, blow away the miasma so we can see what's in there.”

Wang Qiuming nodded, then produced a palm-sized green gourd. He struck it with a hand seal, and the gourd instantly swelled, spewing forth a massive green hurricane that swept into the valley.

As the green hurricane swept through, the purple miasma rapidly dispersed, allowing Wang Qingjun and his companions to clearly see the valley's interior.

Inside the valley was a vast expanse of Purple Loquat Flowers, taller than a person. By their appearance, these flowers were clearly over a century old.

“With so many century-old Purple Loquat Flowers, there are certainly second-tier venomous insects,” Wang Qingjun cautioned with a solemn expression. “It's likely not just one, but a clustered group. Everyone, be extremely careful and on guard.”

The green hurricane dissipated, and the purple miasma re-condensed, once again obscuring the valley.

“First, let's burn down the Purple Loquat Flowers to disperse the miasma, then we can deal with the demonic insects.” Wang Qingjun then summoned a red gourd, which spewed forth a vast sheet of scarlet flames.

Upon contact with the scarlet flames, the Purple Loquat Flowers immediately ignited fiercely. The fire rapidly spread, surging deeper into the valley.

Before long, a roaring blaze engulfed the valley, sending thick smoke billowing upwards.

A strange hissing sound echoed, and a powerful gust of wind burst from the valley. The flames flickered wildly, then died out.

Seven enormous purple giant scorpions flew out from the valley. Each had four wings on its back and two tail stingers, with golden patterns across their bodies. The largest purple scorpion was four zhang (approximately 13 meters) in size, spewed venomous mist from its mouth, and possessed golden tail stingers. It was clearly a high-tier second-rank demonic insect.

Of the seven purple scorpions, four were second-tier demonic insects and three were first-tier demonic insects. They appeared to be a family.