Chapter 553: The Might of the Golden Core Ancestor

Commander Li wouldn't dare to disobey, not when two powerful cultivators, both at least at the middle Qi Refinement stage, were coming to visit the tribe. He secretly complained to himself, filled with dread and anxiety.

Their tribe was weak; if they displeased these two powerful figures, he feared they could wipe out the tribe with a mere wave of their hand.

Any insect race capable of forming a tribe would number at least in the millions. While a tribe could be destroyed, it was exceedingly difficult to kill them all. The insect race had survived from ancient times to the present precisely because of their vast numbers and powerful reproductive capabilities.

Countless ancient races had been annihilated, yet the insect race still existed, spread throughout the Demon Realm. Their remarkable survival capability was evident.

"I have eaten every kind of demon, but insects are simply unpalatable; I've never touched them," the Immortal Chef declared, a look of disgust on her face as she tried to distance herself from the insects. As an esteemed Immortal Chef, she certainly didn't cook just any ingredient.

"Besides, I have no reason to eat insects; they've never provoked me."

"Are all the demons you eat ones who have provoked you, Immortal Chef?"

"Of course. You wouldn't believe how brutal demons are. They especially love devouring cultivators; their flesh and blood are great tonics for them. Before I became an immortal, I was hunted by demons all day long."

"Those were not easy times. If you didn't kill them, they'd kill you. I had no choice but to fight back and killed quite a few demons."

"I'm not like Immortal Ying Tian or Immortal Qilin, who are blessed with destiny, incredibly lucky, and stumble upon opportunities one after another. Immortal Ninefold has the support of the Lianshan Clan, so he doesn't have to worry about cultivation. And don't even get me started on Immortal Years; he was already at the Tribulation Transcending stage when I was just beginning Qi Refinement."

"I started from nothing, so poor I couldn't find any cultivation resources. Without cultivation resources, you couldn't get stronger, and if you weren't strong, you'd just be killed. So, I ate the demons I killed."

The Immortal Chef sighed. Those times had truly been difficult. She couldn't count how many perilous situations and dead ends she had encountered. Fortunately, she was strong in combat and became powerful quickly enough to overcome numerous difficulties.

Led by Commander Li, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou arrived at the insect tribe.

According to Commander Li, their tribe was named "Hydroxyl," known as the Hydroxyl Insect Tribe. The tribe that wanted to marry Song Xiaomi was called the Stiff Insect Tribe.

"We're here! It's right there!" Commander Li said, pointing ahead.

Following Commander Li's finger, Lu Yang saw specks of starlight deep in the mountain forest, exceptionally beautiful. Only upon getting closer did he realize it was the glowing abdomens of fireflies.

The chieftain was pacing nervously at the tribe's entrance, anxiously awaiting news from Commander Li. Before he saw Commander Li, he noticed two enormous figures roaming in the darkness, like man-eating beasts, their eyes glowing as they fixed their gaze on the tribe.

As a powerful insect at the third Qi Refinement stage, he felt a deadly pressure before these two colossal beings. These two monsters were at least at the sixth Qi Refinement stage! A tribal catastrophe!

"All units, prepare for defense!"

At the chieftain's command, the tribe's warriors sprang into action, holding small toothpicks and pebbles, aiming at the two large monsters.

"Chieftain, don't move! Don't move!" Commander Li exclaimed, terrified, as he rushed over to explain. If these two powerful figures were angered, what was originally nothing would certainly become something serious.

"These two are Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang from the Prison Suppressing Sect. They are visiting the Demon Realm for the first time and wish to tour our tribe."

The chieftain finally sighed in relief. If a fight truly broke out, even if they won, it would be a Pyrrhic victory.

"I've brought Miss and Chishui back."

Song Xiaomi and Chishui, securely bound, stumbled before the chieftain.

"Father, I don't want to marry him!"

"Chieftain, please believe me. Give me time, and I will definitely cultivate to the seventh Qi Refinement stage!"

The chieftain glared at Song Xiaomi and Chishui, his third Qi Refinement stage pressure terrifying. "Nonsense! Is this about what you want? I will entertain our two esteemed guests first, then I'll deal with you!"

"Take them away!"

The chieftain turned back with a forced smile and said, "Esteemed guests, please come this way."

"Wait a moment, don't take them away yet," Meng Jingzhou said.

"My lord, what are your instructions?" the chieftain respectfully asked.

Meng Jingzhou stood with his hands behind his back, his tone calm. "Instructions? Not exactly. While I don't particularly care for lovers ending up together, I dislike even more the abuse of power and forced marriages!"

"If the two of you truly love each other, then I will protect this tribe!"

It was a rare chance to show off; how could he not seize it?

Lu Yang glanced at Meng Jingzhou with disdain, easily guessing his thoughts. How pathetic! What skill was it to show off in front of a group of insects mostly at the third Qi Refinement stage at best? He should at least have a Foundation Establishment cultivator to cheer him on.

Song Xiaomi and Chishui were overjoyed, never expecting such powerful figures to offer them protection voluntarily.

The chieftain was equally delighted. His daughter wouldn't have to marry, and the tribe would gain the protection of powerful figures. This was a tremendous stroke of luck.

Learning that the tribe would be protected by two powerful cultivators, the entire tribe cheered and warmly welcomed the two.

The two noticed that there were very few human-shaped insects in the tribe; most were un-transformed insects. These insects possessed intelligence but could not speak. Those insects capable of transformation held important positions in the tribe, such as protecting the village, managing it, and hunting outside. The insects who apprehended Song Xiaomi and Chishui were tasked with protecting the village.

The Hydroxyl Insect Tribe did their utmost to entertain the two. They appeared quite experienced, likely not their first time hosting humans.

The two sat down cross-legged, as ants, in large groups, carried enormous bowls, chopsticks, fruits, and decorative flowers for them to enjoy.

Lu Yang took a bite of an unnamed fruit; it was crisp and refreshing. He then sipped the juice from a bowl, cool and soothing as it went down his throat. These were all delicacies not found in the Central Continent, specialties of the Demon Realm.

Fireflies served as a campfire, gathering together like a beautiful river of stars. From above, it looked as if the two were seated within a galaxy.

The only drawback was during the dance performance, when swarms of mosquitoes flew before them. Fortunately, Meng Jingzhou's willpower was astonishing, and he managed to suppress the urge to swat the mosquitoes.

The night was lively.

The next morning, uninvited guests intruded upon the Hydroxyl Insect Tribe.

A large contingent of insects from the Stiff Insect Tribe arrived. One of the transformed insects sat on a leaf, his expression arrogant. He treated the Hydroxyl Insect Chieftain with contempt, not even bothering to step down from the leaf.

He was Qing Dong, the son of the Stiff Insect Tribe's chieftain. He noticed two hills not far from the Hydroxyl Insect Tribe and was puzzled. They shouldn't have been there the last time he visited. Never mind, he wouldn't think too much about it.

"I heard my fiancée almost escaped yesterday. Is that true?"

"Nephew Qing Dong, you jest! Nothing of the sort happened!" The Hydroxyl Insect Chieftain vehemently denied it.

Qing Dong narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying I'm mistaken?" He conspicuously emanated a Qi Refinement fourth-stage fluctuation!

The Hydroxyl Insect Chieftain was greatly alarmed. He hadn't expected the other party, at such a young age, to already be a powerful cultivator at the fourth Qi Refinement stage! No such genius had ever appeared in the entire history of the Hydroxyl Insect Tribe!

As they stood in a standoff, a deep, thunderous sound echoed. The ground trembled, insects fell to the ground in fright, and Qing Dong tumbled from his leaf.

In Qing Dong's horrified gaze, the hills awoke, then slowly rose like mountains emerging from flat ground. Their colossal presence blocked the sun, casting everyone into their shadows.

Those weren't mountains at all; they were people! That person's eyes shone brightly, like two small suns. The pressure they exuded sent chills down Qing Dong's spine.

"Mere Qi Refinement stage ants, daring to speak so boldly in my presence?"