Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Cocoon Formation and Embryonic Development

Forming cocoons and molting is an instinct many demons possess. After consuming large amounts of food or some Celestial and Earthly Treasure, they will form a cocoon or molt.

After completing this metamorphosis, these demons often benefit from purified bloodlines, greatly enhanced physiques, and more.

The Blood Shadow Mosquitoes, a type of insect bred solely to collect Blood Qi, could surprisingly undergo multiple, stable molts. This initially caught the attention of several Nascent Soul Great Powers from the Dark Spring Demon Sect. However, their interest waned after discovering that the effects of each transformation were quite limited, while the amount of Blood Qi required for each subsequent molt increased exponentially.

Even so, a Nascent Soul Elder, unwilling to give up, continued to cultivate them. He mobilized massive resources to raise a single Blood Shadow Mosquito to the Ninth Transformation.

A Ninth Transformation Blood Shadow Mosquito was incomparably ferocious. An ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator would be stung the moment they saw its blood-red shadow, their Essence Blood drained in an instant, leaving them utterly powerless to resist.

The problem was that the resources required to raise a Blood Shadow Mosquito to the Ninth Transformation were enough to cultivate an entire nest of other Upper Grade Demon Insects, any of which could contend with a Golden Core Cultivator. The return on investment was simply too poor.

Since then, those who raised Blood Shadow Mosquitoes were mostly Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators from the Dark Spring Demon Sect. At the very least, Blood Shadow Mosquitoes reproduced extremely quickly, and after being cultivated to the Third Transformation, they could be considered quite fierce. They were suitable for these Mid-Low Tier Cultivators who had no way of obtaining Upper Grade Demon Insect Eggs.

Yang Jing would bet anything that the Blood Shadow Mosquito before him had undergone a mutation during its transformation. What was originally the simple instinct of forming a cocoon and molting had mutated into a Talent.

There is a world of difference between a Talent and an instinct. For example, humans are born with the ability to crawl and walk without needing much learning; this could never form a Talent like “Rapid Sprint.” Something like Yinjiao, who was born able to command the Cloud Escape and perform Cloud Riding, is what truly counts as a Talent.

’If I could obtain this Talent through a contract,’ an idea sparked in Yang Jing’s mind, ’could I use Cocoon Formation and Embryonic Development to metamorphose and change my own mediocre aptitude?’

His greatest weakness right now was his extremely poor Spirit Root aptitude.

Demon Insects were known for their terrible aptitude. With the exception of a few Upper Grade Demon Insects, it was difficult for them to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage; they could only win through sheer numbers. And among Demon Insects, Blood Shadow Mosquitoes were considered particularly poor. This Three Capitals Blood Demon Mosquito Mother had at most undergone its Fifth Transformation, yet it had actually managed to advance to the Foundation Establishment Stage and become a Great Demon. The assistance from its Cocoon Formation and Embryonic Development Talent must have been significant!

A fervent heat rose in Yang Jing’s heart.

The Demon Shadow Green Demonic Flame hanging in the sky surged, blasting against the Profound Black Celestial Star Array. The barrier of light covering the entire Celestial Star Array trembled slightly but quickly stabilized under the infusion of Spirit Vein Spiritual Qi.

“Yu Yingwu is such a waste. With such an advantage, he still gave you an opportunity to activate the Grand Array.”

His voice was as dry and grating as two pieces of scrap iron rubbing together.

“I gave him Spirit Stones and told him to use fine wine and women to delay those short-sighted Independent Cultivators so the Blood Shadow Mosquito larvae could develop quickly. I never thought he’d get so caught up in the fun himself that he’d completely forget my instructions. He didn’t even know that the three juniors I sent into the city had died.”

A chill ran down Song Min’s spine as a cold, sinister gaze fell upon her.

“But what I truly didn’t expect was that the person who repeatedly foiled my plans was a woman. Speak. Which Sect are you from? The Five Elements True Spirit Sect? Or the Taixu Sword Sect?”

the Demon Shadow said.

The Chen Family of the Chen Kingdom originated from the Five Elements True Spirit Sect, giving the sect stronger influence over the kingdom. The Taixu Sword Sect, on the other hand, was known for the outstanding individual combat prowess of its members and was often dispatched to eliminate Demon Cultivators who had infiltrated the Six Great Sects.

Song Min raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I am indeed a disciple of the Taixu Sword Sect. Sixty years ago, seven Sword Cultivators from the Taixu Sword Sect were ordered to bring the son of the former Sovereign of Qishui Kingdom back to the sect. They never imagined that a Demon Sect spy had infiltrated their ranks. He coveted the Sovereign’s son, who possessed a pure bloodline and extraordinary aptitude. On the journey back, while his sect brothers were exhausted from a series of magical combats with demons, he secretly poisoned them and ruthlessly struck, killing them all.”

The Demon Shadow in the sky fell silent for a moment.

Yang Jing, meanwhile, looked completely lost.

“But for all his scheming, the Demon Sect spy was severely wounded by one of the senior brothers, who used a technique to take them both down. Knowing his death was near, and that he would never be able to protect the Sovereign’s son if he took him back to the Demon Sect, he had no choice but to implant a Celestial Demon in the boy and hide him in the underground water veins for his descendants to find.”

A dazzling Sword Light suddenly flared in Song Min’s eyes as she stared fixedly at the Demon Shadow in the sky.

“You must be the descendant of Master Xuanli of the Taixu Sword Sect from back then, aren’t you? The one who died taking him down with him was my father, Master Profound Pure.”

“So that’s how it is. To think we’re old enemies. You changed your name and infiltrated San Yuanli just to avenge your father?”

The Demon Shadow roared with cold, sinister laughter.

“That’s right. You Demon Sect bastards are too good at hiding. I knew that once the Pioneer Order was issued, you would definitely use the opportunity to come to the Huangyuan Marketplace area to retrieve the son of the Qishui Sovereign from the water. I secretly investigated everyone in Huangyuan Marketplace, but I could never find a single trace of you.”

“To force you to show yourself, I kept my identity hidden and stood by while the people of an entire county were reduced to withered bones. My Sword Heart is now stained with dust.”

As she spoke, Song Min retrieved a Flying Sword from her Storage Bag. The blade was just over a foot long, as light and clear as a pool of autumn water. The guard was simple and ancient, and the spine of the blade was intaglio-carved with dense Talismanic Script.

“But I don’t feel a shred of regret. Let’s settle this with our lives. It’s time to end the grudge from sixty years ago.”

Even without activating his Bright Qi Talent, Yang Jing could sense the vibrant Spiritual Mechanism on the Flying Sword. This was a rare Flying Sword, an Upper Grade artifact even among Spiritual Flying Swords.

With a surge of Song Min’s Magical Power, the Flying Sword hovered in midair.

“Hah!”

She unleashed her Sword Gang, which moved like wind and thunder. The next moment, a brilliant Sword Light shot across the sky like a silver dragon.

The Sword Light was so fast that when Yang Jing looked up, all he could see was a silvery net. As this net descended upon the nearly endless swarm of Blood Shadow Mosquitoes, they fell in sheets like rain.

The next moment, the Sword Light retracted, returning to Song Min’s hand.

“Take care of yourself.”

Her voice suddenly echoed in Yang Jing’s ear.

Before Yang Jing could say anything more, Song Min channeled her Magical Power. Achieving Body and Sword as One, she shot straight toward the Demon Shadow in the sky. Her brilliant Sword Light tore through the air, its roar like a sudden clap of thunder on a clear day—its power was terrifying.

Sword Qi Thunder Sound!

Yang Jing was shocked.

He had guessed from the Awakening Tea she drank that her identity was extraordinary, but he never imagined she was a Sword Cultivator who had mastered Sword Qi Thunder Sound.

The value of Sword Qi Thunder Sound was far greater than that of Refining Sword into Gang. Anyone in the Taixu Sword Sect who could master it during the Foundation Establishment Stage would be cultivated directly as a Golden Core Seed.

’With her stunning beauty and such astonishing Swordsmanship,’ a doubt arose in Yang Jing’s mind, ’why have I never heard Song Min’s name in the Nine Heavens World? Even if she’s using an alias, there was no female Sword Cultivator as outstanding as her in the future Taixu Sword Sect.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep