Chapter 346: 神蚕九变

"Senior, do you know what this is?" an old man beside him respectfully asked.

This showed how transcendent the status of the Ji Family Stone Garden's guardian was; even some old-timers referred to themselves as juniors in his presence.

He was tall and imposing, with a cascade of silver hair and skin as white as jade, clearly indicating he cultivated extraordinary techniques.

"This small golden creature..." He furrowed his brows, appearing somewhat uncertain.

Everyone listened attentively, and surprisingly, even the small golden sprite was listening, tilting its head, focused on the discussion.

The silver-haired elder examined it carefully, nodded, and said, "It should be a Divine Silkworm from the Primordial Era."

These words astonished everyone. How could it be a silkworm? It clearly resembled a true dragon, yet it was being called an insect.

The small golden creature blinked its large eyes, appearing confused and not acknowledging the elder's words.

Everyone was perplexed and full of questions. However, they all knew that this elder held an extraordinary status and would not speak carelessly.

"It looks exactly like a young dragon, not a silkworm at all," someone murmured softly.

The silver-haired elder explained, "Actually, it can also be called a beast. However, a Source Master from ancient times referred to this creature as a Divine Silkworm, and that name has been passed down."

"Why is that?" someone asked, even more confused.

"According to the Source Master, its first form is a Divine Silkworm. The word 'Divine' was added before 'Silkworm' because it is exceptionally extraordinary. It can be called a divine insect."

The silver-haired elder spoke slowly, with no one interrupting. Everyone listened carefully, and even the small golden sprite, well-behaved, listened intently.

This creature is very peculiar and can evolve continuously. Its first form is indeed that of a silkworm, golden and translucent all over, feeding on source energy, and having an unconventional lifespan.

Legend has it that after its first transformation, it sheds its silkworm form and becomes a small golden snake.

In its lifetime, it can undergo up to nine transformations. Each transformation is a rebirth, akin to a nirvana, and its power will surge accordingly.

However, under normal circumstances, this creature is fortunate to undergo one or two transformations, as the conditions for each are extremely demanding.

"What kind of existence does a Divine Silkworm become after nine transformations?" someone asked.

The silver-haired elder replied, "It will become an unimaginably powerful creature, capable of dominating all realms, even in the Primordial Era."

"A divine insect can transform to such a level?!" Many found it hard to believe.

"Indeed it can," the silver-haired elder nodded.

These secrets originated from an ancient Source Master who, having traversed mountains and ancient veins and excavated countless large mines, possessed the most authoritative knowledge of Primordial creatures.

However, the silver-haired elder only knew a portion of it and could not elaborate further. After all, the passage of time was too vast, dust had buried history, and the truth had faded, making it difficult to uncover.

"Normally, this divine insect can only transform once or twice. If it truly completes nine transformations, could it become a true dragon?"

Hearing this speculation, everyone looked surprised and gazed at the small sprite perched on the shoulder of the young nun in white.

It shimmered with golden light all over, truly resembling a young dragon, and its large eyes held an innocent expression, as if saying, "Don't look at me."

The silver-haired elder shook his head and said, "No one can say for sure what it will ultimately transform into."

Years ago, a Source Master once stated that the nine transformations of the Divine Silkworm were entirely unpredictable, and it was difficult to ascertain what kind of creature it would become.

He had speculated that some of the humanoid kings among Primordial creatures might have been transformations of this very being.

Of course, all of this was speculation, without any concrete evidence.

However, Source Masters had the most authority regarding Primordial races, as they had extensive contact with them and unearthed many secrets from the earth and ancient mines that ordinary people could not comprehend.

After learning all this, many cultivators were astonished, staring at the small golden creature. They all showed unusual expressions, realizing that if this little thing could undergo nine transformations, it would become a supreme being!

"How many transformations has it undergone?" someone finally asked.

"It should only be two transformations," the silver-haired elder replied.

But everyone remained puzzled, because the small sprite seemed very confused, as if it didn't understand any of this and didn't acknowledge what the elder said.

"It's like a blank slate, still very innocent, seemingly unaware of its own identity."

"Yes, it looks like a little daze, completely clueless."

The silver-haired elder shook his head and said, "Each of its transformations is a rebirth. Not only does its body change, but its memories are also erased, allowing it to start anew."

"That's outrageous! Does 'Divine Silkworm Nine Transformations' mean it experiences nine lifetimes?!" Even some of the old-timers were shocked.

"Otherwise, how could it become an existence that dominates all realms?" the silver-haired elder replied.

Someone pondered, then said, "I'm reminded of an ancient scripture from Dongying that was lost long ago; it's very similar to these Divine Silkworm Nine Transformations."

"In the past, there was an 'Immortal Heavenly Art' that could give birth to a divine embryo within a dying old body, breaking down and then rising anew."

Today, Ye Fan had unearthed such a creature—the appearance of a living Primordial being startled everyone, making many both envious and jealous.

"Although it's a Primordial creature, it's not necessarily more valuable than Brother Tuoba's divine source!" Wu Ziming suddenly interjected.

"Exactly, it can barely transform. Under normal circumstances, one or two evolutions are its limit. How can it compare to divine source worth five hundred thousand catties?" Li Chongtian echoed.

They were afraid of losing and unwilling to concede, not wanting to hand over tens of thousands of catties of source to Ye Fan.

"Setting aside whether it can undergo the Divine Silkworm Nine Transformations, its mere sentience surpasses divine source," the silver-haired elder stated.

"It's sentient?" everyone asked, their faces showing doubt.

"Because it can produce divine source," the silver-haired elder explained.

Ten thousand years ago, a Source Master once stated that even without considering its potential to transform into a supreme being, a Divine Silkworm was worth at least six hundred thousand catties of source.

This creature feeds on source energy and can spin divine silk, forming a divine silkworm cocoon, which is the purest form of divine source.

"Heavens, no way!"

Everyone was stunned. The fact that this small sprite could produce divine source left them speechless.

At once, a group of old-timers and countless others stared intently at the small, dragon-like sprite, their eyes burning with fervent desire.

It blinked its large eyes, still maintaining an innocent expression. A small golden paw clutched a lock of the young nun's beautiful hair, clinging nervously to her shoulder.

"Little Brother Gu Feng, name your price! I must have this sprite!"

"I'll buy it at any cost!"

A crowd surrounded Ye Fan, and he couldn't get a word in. Everyone was extremely eager.

"Senior, how much source does it need to consume before it can produce divine silkworm cocoons?" Ye Fan asked the silver-haired elder, using the question to divert the cultivators' attention.

"A lot, it's not cost-effective..."

If it's a small creature that has only transformed once, it would consume a million catties of pure source, and if it could produce divine silkworm cocoons worth ten thousand catties of pure source, that would be considered good.

"This... is simply wasteful!" everyone exclaimed, dumbfounded.

"Divine Silkworms that have undergone two or more transformations have a significantly higher conversion rate."

Many people backed away, realizing they couldn't afford to keep this little creature; it was practically a bottomless pit.

Of course, this only applied to ordinary sects. People from the Sacred Lands, however, were moved, as divine source held special significance and value, making it highly coveted by top-tier major powers.

If possible, they were willing to squander endless pure source to convert it into divine source, despite the extreme wastefulness.

The white-haired elder said, "Ten thousand years ago, the Jade Lake Holy Land had a Divine Silkworm, gifted by a Source Master. All I know about this creature comes from what I learned at Jade Lake."

Many showed peculiar expressions. Ten thousand years ago, that extraordinary individual came to Divine City and gambled so much that even the great Holy Lands turned green with frustration, yet they were powerless to stop him.

All methods are interconnected; when Source Arts reach their pinnacle, approaching the Great Dao, one can attain earth-shattering abilities. That extraordinary individual's power was unfathomable.

"Could the Divine Silkworm of Jade Lake eventually transform into a supreme being?" The silver-haired elder shook his head, saying, "Almost impossible. Each transformation requires extremely harsh conditions, making it difficult to succeed even in the Primordial Era, let alone now."

"Little one, I rescued you, so come over quickly. I'll give you source to eat."

Ye Fan smiled, pulled out a large piece of pure source, and beckoned to the small golden creature. The dragon-like sprite immediately puffed up, turned its head away, and completely ignored him.

"You have quite the temper," Ye Fan chuckled. "You just ate my divine source, worth a hundred thousand catties."

"You snatched Little Cutie's divine source, so it's naturally going to be annoyed. That belongs to it," the young nun in white muttered softly.

In just a short while, she had already named the small golden creature, and the little thing seemed to accept it. It extended a small paw, palm facing upwards, as if demanding the piece of divine source, glaring at Ye Fan.

Ye Fan tried to scare it, saying, "Little fellow, I rescued you, so from now on you'll follow me. Why do you still want divine source? If you don't listen, I'll sell you."

"Great! I want to buy Little Cutie," the young nun in white said, looking delighted. The small golden sprite clenched a tiny fist and silently waved it at Ye Fan, then looked at the Great Xia Princess, blinking its bright, shimmering eyes.

Ye Fan had a headache. How should he deal with this little creature?

It seemed he couldn't keep it. Many major powers, including those from the Holy Lands, were sending him telepathic messages, wanting to buy the small golden creature.

He couldn't afford to offend any of these major powers, and it was clear this little creature was a prodigal eater; even a piece of divine source half the size of a human head wouldn't be enough for a single bite.

"Does he really have to sell it? But what if it truly undergoes the Divine Silkworm Nine Transformations in the future..."

Ye Fan shook his head, not making a decision, and walked towards Tuoba Chang. It was time to collect his winnings.

Wu Ziming and Li Chongtian stood to the side; seeing Ye Fan approach, their faces instantly paled. They had just lost tens of thousands of catties of source again.

Nearby, Li Yishui, the Supreme Elder of the Illusionary Destruction Palace, felt dizzy; he had recently fallen into a huge pit, and now he had to hand over eighty thousand catties of source. He truly felt like spitting blood.

Ye Fan ignored them. What was most important now was to collect the head-sized divine source. It hung quietly in the air; although covered by the stone skin, dozens of divine rays still shot out, making it exceptionally brilliant.

Tuoba Chang was extremely unwilling, but there was nothing he could do. He watched helplessly as Ye Fan held the divine source in his palm.

"Little fellow, I still have such a large piece of divine source here. Don't you want it?" Ye Fan enticed the small golden creature nearby.

"Whoosh!"

As expected, a streak of golden light shot over with extreme speed. No one present reacted in time. Fortunately, Ye Fan was prepared and swiftly put away the divine source with a backhand motion. Then, he turned his hand and reached for the creature.

"Whoosh!" The golden light flashed and vanished as the small golden creature returned to the shoulder of the young nun in white, glaring angrily at Ye Fan.

"The Divine Silkworm Nine Transformations, an ancient legend—could it truly be coming true?" At some unknown point, Daoist Red Dragon appeared in the Stone Garden, his pupils contracted as he stared at the small golden creature.

At the same time, Li Heishui sent a telepathic message to Ye Fan, suspecting that some strange stones had shifted.