Chapter 1664

"A Zerg is coming—Eternal Stage." Xu Jingming whispered.

"Should we act?"

Lin Qianxue instantly entered battle stance.

Fine electric arcs danced around her body; her exquisite face glowed with battle intent.

She had only recently broken through to the Eternal Stage.

She wanted to test her strength after gaining the acknowledgment of the Lightning Primordial Source.

Xu Jingming paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over Hai Li, who was still breaking through.

He glanced again at the rapidly approaching insectoid aura, then shook his head:

"Don't move yet.

They were likely drawn here by the commotion from Hai Li's breakthrough.

This is an opportunity—perhaps we can let Hai Li slip inside the insectoid stronghold."

If this worked.

He would have planted a spy deep within the insectoid ranks on the Seven Stars Continent.

Intelligence gathering and future operations would become vastly easier.

"Let's go." Xu Jingming made his decision instantly.

He waved his hand, retracting the Star Scar Vessel, then grabbed Lin Qianxue's hand.

Their figures transformed into an almost invisible streak of light, vanishing thousands of kilometers in an instant.

They hid within the shadows of the endless mountain range.

With Xu Jingming's current spiritual sense strength.

Unless an entity above Eternal Stage Six deliberately scanned, they could never detect their presence.

Insectoids, unlike humans, lack a Virtual Universe for easy communication.

In fact, most insectoid technology originates from humans or the Mechanical Clan.

Communicating across several star regions is already a remarkable feat.

Thus, their intelligence transmission network is far less advanced than humanity's.

It suffers from inherent latency and regional limitations.

Moreover, Hai Li's breakthrough to the Eternal Stage will involve a Divine Body reformation.

Her appearance, aura, and life fluctuations will subtly change—utterly distinct from her Cosmic Stage form.

Precisely because of these two factors, Xu Jingming dared to risk letting Hai Li attempt the infiltration plan.

Otherwise, if insectoids truly had a real-time global communication network,

or if Hai Li's appearance and aura remained unchanged, she'd be exposed at first glance—no chance at all.

Shuā shuā shuā—

Not long after Xu Jingming and Lin Qianxue fled,

Three powerful streaks of light pierced the sky and arrived.

All three were female insectoids, all fully manifested.

The leader wore dark purple biological armor; her compound eyes were deep and dark.

To her left, one bore four pairs of transparent membranous wings, her aura light and swift.

To her right, the largest stood nearly eight meters tall, wreathed in thick, earth-yellow light.

All three—Eternal Stage Insectoid Empresses!

"It's one of our own breaking through!"

"This aura is pure and vast—undoubtedly royal bloodline!"

"Strange—when did a royal emerge in this region?"

"Probably just entered the Fourth Star Zone. Let's observe—wait until her breakthrough completes."

"......"

The three Empresses hovered midair.

Silent, they watched the figure below, shrouded in the sea of dual Primordial Laws.

Though wary, their eyes held more scrutiny and a trace of curiosity—fellow kin assessing kin.

After a long while, the spectral image of the Primordial Law sea above slowly faded.

The final wisp of Water and Life Primordial energy flowed into Hai Li.

Her divine light receded; her six-meter Divine Body was flawless.

Her skin shimmered with crystal-like luster; behind her, three pairs of wings edged with exquisite Law patterns.

At her brow, a deep-blue, droplet-shaped Law mark slowly coalesced.

Emitting a gentle yet vast Water Primordial pressure.

She had successfully gained the Water Primordial Source's acknowledgment!

"Congratulations, sister—you've entered the Eternal Stage, your Divine Body now immortal!"

The three Insectoid Empresses stepped forward, smiling warmly.

Though insectoids competed internally, for fellow kin—

Especially newly risen Eternal Stage royal bloodlines, courting and alliance were standard.

Hai Li slowly opened her eyes; her deep-blue compound eyes glowed with shifting light.

She had learned her master's full plan through the Shi Xin Wen.

Her expression was calm, tinged with the detachment of a recent breakthrough; she gave a slight nod:

"Thank you, three sisters, for guarding me."

"You're too kind. May I ask your name? Which star region are you from?"

The Purple-armored Empress asked with a smile, her tone warm.

"I am 'Xi.' I have long traveled the cosmos alone, cultivating."

"I only recently arrived at this Seven-Star Continent. Sensing its abundant energy, I attempted to break through."

"I didn't expect to disturb the three sisters."

Hai Li had prepared her words in advance; her voice was clear and melodious.

"A lone wanderer?"

The Purple-armored Empress's eyes lit up. "Sister, you've just broken through to the Eternal Life stage—surely you're still unfamiliar with this Fourth Star Region?"

"Here, the insectoid forces are deeply entrenched, and other races' strong ones roam as well. Traveling alone leaves you isolated and weak."

The Four-Winged Empress immediately took up the thread, warmly saying:

"Exactly! Why not travel with us?"

"We've operated in this region for years."

"We know many sister clans—we can introduce you to them."

"With mutual support, acquiring resources and handling danger becomes far easier."

Hai Li feigned thoughtfulness, then nodded gently after a moment:

"Very well. As a newcomer, I do need to familiarize myself with the surroundings. I'll rely on the three sisters then."

"Wonderful!" The three Empresses showed delight.

Gaining the allegiance of a newly risen, deeply rooted royal insectoid Empress would greatly benefit their small group.

It would significantly enhance their overall strength and influence.

"Master, they've invited me to join them."

"I accepted the situation. Should I leave with them now?"

Hai Li transmitted her thoughts to Xu Jingming through the Heart-Eroding Pattern.

"Good. Maintain contact. Stay safe."

"Without exposing yourself, gather as much information as possible on the insectoids' troop deployments and gathering points in the Fourth Star Region."

Xu Jingming replied briefly, his tone approving.

"Yes, Master." Hai Li responded respectfully.

She flew south with the three insectoid Empresses, soon vanishing beyond the horizon.

Only after their presence had completely faded did Xu Jingming and Lin Qianxue emerge from concealment.

"Didn't expect it to go so smoothly."

Xu Jingming smiled. The first step of the plan had proceeded unexpectedly smoothly.

"Insectoids possess formidable mental powers—they've always enslaved other races."

"No one could possibly imagine that a full-fledged insectoid Eternal Life Empress would be soul-subjugated."

"This blind spot in their thinking is our greatest advantage," added Lin Qianxue beside him.

"Indeed."

Xu Jingming smiled faintly:

"The pawn is in place. Now we see how much information Hai Li can bring us."

"Meanwhile, we can launch our own synchronized strike."

"Let's go. Let's see how many insectoids this Fourth Star Region hides."

"Alright." Lin Qianxue nodded obediently.

Xu Jingming casually chose a direction.

The two flew off in sequence, becoming two streaks of light.

To conceal their identities, they had already activated their divine power.

They adjusted their facial muscles and bones, altering their appearances.

Xu Jingming now looked ordinary—unremarkable, indistinguishable in a crowd.

Lin Qianxue remained beautiful, yet her breathtaking, heart-stopping radiance had dimmed; she now appeared gentle and refined.

Meanwhile, they made no effort to conceal their energy signatures.

In a region teeming with insectoids, two human Eternal Life Stage One cultivators.

Such blatant exposure was tantamount to suicide.

Thus, after only half a day of flight,

Xu Jingming's spiritual sense suddenly stirred—he locked onto a sudden surge of insectoid mental energy a thousand li ahead!

"Here it comes! The first Eternal Life insectoid!" Xu Jingming's spirit lifted.

He wondered how many Source Points killing one Eternal Life insectoid would grant him.

He didn't know how many Source Points killing a Perpetual Stage beast would grant him.