"Flying Dragon Cultivation Method... So it's not a real flying dragon after all. It's a demonic insect that resembles a dragonfly."

Chu Xuan's spiritual sense swept over the Flying Dragon Cultivation Method, and he nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, the cultivation world had similar concepts. Enormous dragonfly-like demonic beasts were known as "Dragon Dragonflies." This Flying Dragon Cultivation Method seemed quite good.

However, Chu Xuan no longer needed more insect creatures. With Gangsi, Chenxi, and Tiankong, these three insect creatures were more than enough. Any additional ones would only serve as embellishments.

Chu Xuan focused his spiritual sense and materialized the words, displaying the Great Orifice Opening Scripture on the surface of the mirror shards.

On the other side of the mirror, Xiao Renjie's face was filled with ecstasy.

"Good, good, good! This is indeed the Great Orifice Opening Scripture! With it, I shall surely ascend!"

Xiao Renjie quickly selected the "Azure Fire Dragon," the most powerful insect from the Flying Dragon Kingdom, to be his new demonic insect.

After cultivating both the Orifice Opening Scripture and the Great Orifice Opening Scripture, he had gained two more Insect Orifices. Now, he had seven Insect Orifices in total, capable of taming seven demonic insects!

At that moment, a look of joy on Xiao Renjie's face suddenly twisted into one of pain.

"No! Don't come closer! I must ascend. I must become the strongest insect master in the history of the three great kingdoms! I will never go underground! You will never influence me!"

Xiao Renjie writhed in agony within the grand palace, as if he were a wriggling insect.

Several eunuchs attempted to approach, but the old eunuch who had been with Xiao Renjie for years shook his head, signaling them to stay back.

A young eunuch, with a sudden flash of thought, growled, "I cannot let the King suffer like this! Your Majesty, I will save you!"

He dashed forward.

The old eunuch sighed deeply and made no further move.

The young eunuch quickly reached Xiao Renjie's side and was about to speak, but before he could do so, Xiao Renjie's eyes turned bloodshot. He suddenly extended his hand.

With a sickening crunch, he crushed the young eunuch's skull, killing him instantly.

After venting his inner torment, cruelty, and rage, Xiao Renjie gradually calmed down.

The old eunuch waved his hand, signaling for the other young eunuchs to come forward, clean up the bloodstains, and remove the headless body.

"Your Majesty, is it the same as before?" The old eunuch offered a clean white cloth, speaking in a hushed tone.

Xiao Renjie wiped the bloodstains from his face. "Kill them all. Not one should be left alive."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will take care of it immediately." The old eunuch bowed respectfully and turned to leave.

Before long, the air outside was filled with the sounds of abrupt, anguished screams.

Xiao Renjie rubbed his temples, his brow furrowing deeply.

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"Why? My rank keeps rising, but I'm growing more susceptible to His influence. What in the world is this thing...?"

After pondering for a while, Xiao Renjie picked up the shattered mirror and muttered, "Magic mirror... no, divine mirror, do you know what the voice in my head is? I now control the three great kingdoms. Whatever demonic insect cultivation method you want, I can get it for you!"

Chu Xuan clicked his tongue in annoyance.

I don't know anything about this.

The mirror remained calm and unresponsive, showing no sign of reaction.

Xiao Renjie sighed heavily and placed the mirror aside. After a brief rest, he resumed his cultivation.

...

"The sensation of lightness is clearly a sign that the upper realms are beginning to attract me. It's the prelude to ascension. Once my level reaches its full potential, ascension will undoubtedly follow. However, the Cave World has no sky, only a stone dome. How am I supposed to ascend?"

It seemed that Xiao Renjie would have no choice but to abandon his physical body and ascend in soul form. But then, what was the strange voice tormenting Xiao Renjie, and why did it urge him to descend underground instead of toward the higher dome?

Chu Xuan thought for a long time, but could not figure out the reasoning behind it. Perhaps it was simply a matter of the unique circumstances in the Cave World.

As an outsider, there was little point in overthinking it. The best course of action was simply to continue observing. After all, Xiao Renjie would inevitably ascend one day. At that time, the answer would be revealed.

Chu Xuan scanned Xiao Renjie's body with his spiritual sense. It was clear that he still had quite a distance to go before his energy was fully charged.

With that, Chu Xuan withdrew his spiritual sense and returned to the Tea House.

Neon Garment Island, Heavenly Human Tower.

This was the number one restaurant on Neon Garment Island.

It was said that the mastermind behind the establishment was the Deity Transformation Ancestor, Yun Feijian, from the Divine Sword Sect. For this reason, very few people dared to stir up trouble here.

The head chef of Heavenly Human Tower was a Golden Core cultivator, who had been refining the art of spiritual cuisine since his childhood. No matter how unpleasant or unappetizing the spiritual ingredients might be, after his cooking, they would turn into exquisite delicacies that could rival the finest dishes in the mortal world.

Many cultivators, aware of their own mediocre talents and their inability to break through to higher realms, decided it was better to enjoy their remaining lifespan by indulging in life's pleasures. The exquisite cuisine at Heavenly Human Tower catered perfectly to these cultivators.

As a result, Heavenly Human Tower was always bustling with activity, with people coming and going.

On the recommendation of He Zhao, Chu Xuan also decided to visit Heavenly Human Tower and sample the food. He chose a window-side seat and ordered several of the restaurant's signature dishes.

While waiting, he casually listened in on the conversations of other cultivators around him. The cultivators dining at Heavenly Human Tower mostly discussed trivial matters. They didn't go out of their way to whisper or avoid being overheard by others.

Chu Xuan listened attentively and quickly picked up on numerous bits of gossip. For example, a certain Nascent Soul cultivator had just taken his ninety-second concubine. Or how a Golden Core cultivator in the late stage, with the help of his Deity Transformation Ancestor, had successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul stage. Such matters were endlessly abundant.

"Hmm? Someone is actually talking about the Eight Extremes Palace?"

Chu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle softly.

It made sense, though.

He had been in the East Third Ring for a while now. The emergence of the Eight Extremes Palace in the South Third Ring was a major event, and it had undoubtedly already spread here.

He listened carefully, but soon realized that not many were speaking about events that had actually happened. Most of what was being discussed was hearsay.

Some claimed that all the Deity Transformation experts in the South Third Ring had died within the Eight Extremes Palace. Others said that all eight sects' inheritances within the Eight Extremes Palace had been claimed by a single individual. Some even claimed that the hall concealed terrible demons and evildoers, and that one day, the Shattered Star Sea would be swallowed up by these sinister creatures.

Chu Xuan couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. Not long after, the restaurant's signature dishes were brought to his table.

Chu Xuan picked up his jade chopsticks and began to savor the food.

He Zhao stood beside him, respectfully saying, "Senior, I followed your instructions and searched through in Neon Garment Market, but there are no closed shops at the moment. The shops that are still operating require a considerable price to acquire…"

Chu Xuan nodded in understanding.

This was perfectly normal.

It was impossible to expect to stumble upon a bankrupt shop for sale at rock-bottom prices just after arriving. Such "main character halo" scenarios were clearly not suited for him.

He casually replied, "Let's wait a bit. This matter is not urgent. Tell me more about the situations in the different districts."

He Zhao nodded and was about to speak when suddenly, an elderly and hearty laugh came from the side.

"Ah, isn't this Fellow Daoist He? What a pleasant surprise!"

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