Chapter 1668

On the other side,

Xu Jingming and Lin Qianxue sat facing each other in the Star's lounge after logging off.

"Jingming, why didn't you accept?"

Lin Qianxue's cold voice carried a note of confusion:

"Aren't we searching for traces of the insectoid race?

Three Immortal-stage beings—this is a rare opportunity."

Xu Jingming did not answer immediately but pulled her into his arms.

Lin Qianxue leaned naturally against his shoulder.

Beneath the black combat suit, her full chest pressed into an alluring curve, sending warmth and softness through his touch.

His fingers lightly traced her slender waist, feeling the astonishing elasticity, and murmured:

"Narun is acting strange—he's too eager."

Even among humans, strength dictates dominance.

Facing two lone Immortal Stage One cultivators,

Cora and Elin's caution was normal.

Narun, a full Immortal Stage Five, is far too accommodating.

Even excessively so—almost suspiciously so.

At this, Lin Qianxue's slender brows furrowed slightly:

"You think he's hiding something?"

"Mm."

Xu Jingming nodded. "In the Outer Domains, vigilance between strangers is the norm.

His unreserved invitation feels forced.

I fear there's a trap here."

"Then what do we do next? Abandon this lead?"

Lin Qianxue had now realized the danger.

"First, gather more intelligence. If nothing turns up, we drop it," Xu Jingming mused.

He did possess the Chaos Pearl.

But he was far from invincible at the Immortal stage.

His maximum limit was fighting an Immortal Stage Eight.

If a higher-stage insectoid appeared, even he would be finished.

Therefore,

before obtaining concrete intelligence, he would not act rashly.

At that moment, Xu Jingming's spirit stirred.

Haley transmitted a message through the Soul-Eroding Mark.

"Master, the insectoids just gave me orders.

They want me to join the squad and prepare for a coordinated extermination of humans."

Xu Jingming's eyebrows shot up, and he immediately sent a mental voice:

"Where did they get this intel? Haley, probe them."

Meanwhile, deep within a hidden underground nest in the Fourth Star District,

the light was dim.

Walls inlaid with insectoid crystals emitting violet glow illuminated the chamber in eerie opulence.

Haley,

the newly ascended insectoid Empress, alias "Xi," stood obediently beside three other Empresses.

After receiving her master's command, she blinked her deep blue compound eyes.

Her face showed perfectly timed confusion:

"Sisters, our target this time is humans.

But the Fourth Star District is vast, and human movements are erratic.

How do we know their exact location and strength?"

"Hahahaha!"

The purple-armored Empress burst into a triumphant, eerie laugh.

She extended her slender finger and lightly tapped Haley's forehead.

"Little Xi, you've just ascended to Immortal stage—you don't yet know everything."

The purple-armored Empress's crimson lips curled, her eyes gleaming with cold mockery:

"What are insectoids best at? Souls! Mental domination!"

She paused, her tone tinged with pride:

"We've long enslaved several human puppets.

Planted them deep within the human Virtual Universe.

Their sole purpose: lure isolated or grouped human cultivators into traps.

Once they reach the designated location...

Hehe, that's when our hunting ground opens."

Another Empress, with four pairs of transparent membranous wings, drifted closer, her voice light yet dripping with cruelty:

"Xi, this time during the raid, you can try enslaving a human."

"Even if it doesn't succeed, it will greatly help you become familiar with soul manipulation and improve your spiritual secrets."

"After all, our insect race's power isn't just in the insect sea."

Hai Li's expression outwardly showed sudden understanding and gratitude as she nodded obediently:

"So that's how it is—thank you, sisters, for your guidance."

"If not for you leading me, I wouldn't know how many detours I'd still be taking."

She lowered her head, but a cold glint of frost flashed deep in her eyes.

Enslaving souls of humans.

Luring fellow kin to their deaths—what an utterly vile tactic!

This insect is no ordinary insect.

The master must strike with full force!

So she quickly transmitted all the intelligence from this place.

Through the Corpse-Heart Mark, she relayed every word without omission to Xu Jingming.

On the other side, inside the Xinghen's cabin.

Xu Jingming's expression froze upon receiving Hai Li's message.

"What's wrong?" Lin Qianxue noticed his change in expression.

Xu Jingming briefly recounted the information Hai Li had sent.

"Damn insects! They're enslaving humans to fish!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Qianxue's face instantly froze over with ice.

Anger surged in her eyes.

"Those filthy insects."

"They've used this trick for countless years."

"They've lured countless of our demonic race's elites to their deaths!"

"And now they're still using it—truly a pack of treacherous, venomous bugs!"

The succubus little girl, Vera, floated out, angrily waving her tiny fists.

Though as a succubus, she herself had often used this very method.

"If it works, you keep using it."

Xu Jingming, however, smiled—but the smile carried a chill:

"But they probably never dreamed—"

"That the 'Xi' they're talking about is mine."

Lin Qianxue, sharp as ice, immediately grasped the key point:

"Are the humans they've enslaved—including Nan Luo?"

"Whether he is or isn't—we'll find out by testing." Xu Jingming's eyes flickered with a faint Lei Guang.

He sent a message to Nan Luo through the Virtual Universe:

"Brother Nan Luo, after discussing with my partner, I believe this opportunity is too good to pass up—we're willing to join the operation."

"But our strength is weak, and we're truly uncertain."

"Fortunately, I know an elder—a Level Six Immortal."

"He's been active near the Fourth Star Zone."

"Could we ask him to come along? More hands mean greater safety and better results."

The message was replied to almost instantly.

Nan Luo's enthusiastic reply came back:

"Hahaha! Brother Su Chen, you've thought of everything!"

"Of course! Welcome with open arms!"

"More people mean greater safety and bigger gains."

"Please, do invite that elder to come along!"

"We're ready to coordinate at any time!"

Xu Jingming stared at the reply, his gaze growing colder.

He immediately whispered to Hai Li:

"Watch for any signs of new human powerhouses joining the operation."

Moments later, Hai Li's voice echoed again:

"Master, the insects have just revised their plan."

"They say the humans might send one more Level Six Immortal."

"They've ordered the sisters to prepare—assign one additional Level Six Immortal sister to join the raid."

"Tell the sisters to be ready, and send one more sister at the Immortal Sixth Rank to join the encirclement."

Xu Jingming's gaze sank completely:

"Nan Luo is the enslaved bait."

"His so-called combined battle formation and distribution by contribution—all just a ruse to lure us in."

"His so-called joint strike formation and contribution-based distribution were nothing but bait to lure us into the trap."

Lin Qianxue asked, faint electric arcs already flickering around her body.

Lin Qianxue asked, faint electric arcs already glimmering around her.

"Go? Of course we're going."

Xu Jingming grinned, a fighting spirit rising in his smile:

"Moreover, we need to make them send over more 'people.'"