Chapter 174

Pat.

Yunhe and the Heavenly Capital Gu Corpse carefully landed on Yun Island.

Instantly, a not weak spiritual energy surged over him.

"This piece is almost catching up to a Second Stage middle-grade spirit vein, right?" Yunhe clicked his tongue inwardly.

The resources of the Yun Wai Realm are even more extravagant than those of the Yun Zhong Realm; just randomly picking a remote little island, the spiritual energy actually reached Second Stage middle-grade level, so it's no wonder this place has so many formidable Yun Zhong Beasts and a large amount of precious spiritual materials.

Extending his divine sense, he cautiously stepped into the forest.

This island isn't actually large, so the divine sense Yunhe extended could almost encompass half of it within its perception.

But he thus showed a look of puzzlement.

"Strange. How come there isn't a single Yun Zhong Beast or demonic beast?"

With such dense spiritual energy and even growing "Blood Crystal Wood", the resources are clearly abundant, yet the absence of any Yun Zhong Beast makes the island seem increasingly suspicious.

The whole island is so quiet that almost no sound can be heard, only the occasional breeze brushing past, bringing a rustling of leaves.

"Is it a Yun Zhong Beast with concealment abilities? Or perhaps the island's owner left to hunt?"

Yunhe furrowed his brows, stepped back a step, and let the Heavenly Capital Gu Corpse go ahead.

At the same time, he lightly patted his spirit insect pouch, releasing nearly a hundred Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees.

Buzz—

But as soon as the Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees appeared, even before receiving Yunhe's order to scatter and search for creatures on the island, they suddenly became excited and active.

"Hmm?"

Sometimes, indeed, the intuition of demonic beasts is more reliable than divine sense.

Soon.

Yunhe's divine sense then detected an abnormality.

In the absence of wind, the trees and leaves emitted a "sha-sha-sha" sound; immediately afterward, in his divine sense, tiny-seeming black dots flew out from the trunks of some trees.

Looking closely, one could see that each trunk had a small black hole where those black dots had been hiding.

Moreover, not only ordinary trees, but from the trunks of the not-far Blood Crystal Wood also flew out black dots that were faster, and under their "summons", the black dots flying from all the trunks gathered together.

Soon after.

A large murky black mass, like a dark cloud, swept toward his position.

And the Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees beside Yunhe became even more active, fluttering up and down.

If it weren't for Yunhe holding them back, they might have already rushed out.

"Mosquitoes?"

When Yunhe finally saw clearly what those black dots gathered into a cloud were, he couldn't help but stare.

Buzz—

The dense buzzing of wings indicated at least a thousand or two, a black mass.

At this moment, Yunhe also somewhat felt the visual and sensory impact that enemies experience when he uses his bee swarm to fight.

Setting aside other factors, just this number alone is enough to make one hesitate.

But Yunhe, looking at this swarm of mosquitoes, not only was unafraid, he actually showed an interested expression.

After a brief recollection.

He then realized what they were.

"Wood-Dwelling Blood Mosquitoes!"

A rare spirit insect ranked 153rd on the Spirit Insect List!

Wood-Dwelling Blood Mosquitoes inhabit the trunks of dense forests, often active in groups, dormant by day and out at night, feeding on demonic beasts' blood.

Mosquitoes aren't exactly common spirit insects, but Yunhe remembers that among the top ten on the Spirit Insect List there is a mosquito-type spirit insect called the "Blood-Wing Black Mosquito", whose abilities are extremely strong; it is said that not only can it suck blood, it can also suck the essence of magical treasures, and treasures sucked by it can hardly remain intact.

No wonder the Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees got excited.

Under Yunhe's deliberate cultivation, the Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees have a strong craving for blood food, and since the Wood-Dwelling Blood Mosquitoes feed on demonic beasts' blood, the scent they carry is something the bees like.

"Still not weak."

His divine sense locked onto the group of Wood-Dwelling Blood Mosquitoes, and he also noticed that a few of them faintly gave off a dangerous aura, indicating they had been here a long time; not only is their population considerable, but some individuals are quite strong.

Given their strength and numbers, as long as they're willing to suffer casualties, they could probably take down even a third-stage demonic beast, right?

Even an ordinary early Golden Core cultivator meeting them would be hard to predict.

But unfortunately.

They happened to run into Yunhe, who likewise commands a large-scale spirit insect force.

All we can say is... what a coincidence.

Seeing them draw nearer, Yunhe threw out two spirit insect pouches.

Buzz—

In an instant, a vast swarm of Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees surged forth, and at extreme speed they overwhelmed the Wood-Dwelling Blood Mosquitoes in numbers.

And upon seeing so many Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees, the Wood-Dwelling Blood Mosquitoes' originally fierce momentum inevitably stalled.

Previously, when they numbered less than a hundred, they regarded the Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees as prey; even if they could sense the bees' strength, they still had a larger swarm.

But now.

Whether in numbers or in population, the Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees have formed an overwhelming advantage over them.

Yunhe gave a slight smile and formed hand seals.

The Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees' forms briefly blurred; amid the hazy crimson shadows, their numbers doubled again!

This is one of the Crimson Shadow Golden Winged Bees' abilities, Crimson Shadow!

Just like the "Golden Shadow Talisman", it can produce illusory doubles; a few days ago Yunhe used this trick to temporarily scare off the Blood Kui Elder.

He tightly waved his hand.

The Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees then swiftly rushed up, while the Host-tree Blood Mosquitoes wanted to flee, but their speed could not compare to that of the Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees, and they were soon surrounded.

It was nearly a one-sided slaughter.

"To the Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees, spirit insects are better food than breeding pills."

Soon after.

Large numbers of Host-tree Blood Mosquitoes were then devoured by the Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees.

However, among this group of Host-tree Blood Mosquitoes, a few individuals were relatively strong and also inflicted some damage on the Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees.

"The Spirit Insect Ranking is only for reference; the strength among spirit insects still depends on cultivation time, invested resources, and individual strength. The Spirit Insect Ranking merely lists the relative strength and weakness when they theoretically reach a certain stage."

For example, for spirit insects whose destructive power only manifests upon reaching a certain number, if one encounters a lower-ranked but well-developed individual that is not a group-type spirit insect, letting even a single or dozens of group-type spirit insects fight it would definitely be impossible to win.

"Very nourishing!" Yunhe smacked his lips.

Before the Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees were about to completely devour the Host-tree Blood Mosquito swarm, he called a halt to the bees' movement.

He left eight ordinary Host-tree Blood Mosquitoes and two relatively strong Host-tree Blood Mosquitoes, subdued them with some means, and placed them into a separate spirit insect bag.

No matter how you say it, this is also a rare spirit insect that can rank in the top hundred on the Spirit Insect Ranking, and its value is beyond doubt.

Afterwards, he waved his hand and recalled the large swarm of Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees.

Some of those that had eaten more were now somewhat dazed and lethargic, obviously having gained considerable benefit from this feeding, possibly accelerating the growth of the Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees.

With the Host-tree Blood Mosquitoes gone, Yunhe walked unimpeded to the three towering Blood Crystal Trees.

Moreover, in the hollows of the Blood Crystal Tree trunks, he discovered many Host-tree Blood Mosquito eggs and collected them as well.

"Finally."

With a hint of emotion, Yunhe gently stroked the rough bark of the Blood Crystal Tree that glowed faintly red.

At last, he had found the Blood Crystal Tree.

After that, it depended on the Demon Beast Body side.

He and the Heavenly Capital Gu Corpse together felled those three Blood Crystal Trees, not even leaving the roots or leaves.

After doing that.

Yunhe also did not prepare to immediately leave and return to the Cloud Middle Realm; spending five hundred spirit stones, he couldn't just make a trip and go back.

He planned to stay on this island for a period, honing his artifact refining skill; coincidentally, the Demon Beast Body side was expanding its territory, with many demon beasts actively delivering materials, so supplies were not lacking.

At the same time, he also intended to continue exploring the potential of the Crimson Shadow Gold-winged Bees.

After simply opening a cave dwelling on a small hill on Yun Island, Yunhe moved in.

Yao Shou Shijie

Huanhu Dao, Medicinal Field

"Qing Yao, let's begin."

Yunhe said softly.

Before him lay several thick sections of Blood Crystal Wood.

"Hmm."

Plop——

To be honest.

She did not know where Yunhe had obtained these Blood Crystal Woods.

Although she did not always maintain her spirit form in the outside world, she also had a rough idea of Yunhe's outings.

However, it had long grown accustomed to Yunhe's secrets; who doesn't have a few secrets?

During this time, aside from staying on Huanhu Dao, the place he visited most was that yin-energy-filled Abyssal Ravine.

Qing Yao naturally also knew what he went there to do.

Seeking Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence!

Back then, regarding how to reignite the wutong wood again, Qing Yao and Yunhe had an in-depth discussion; meanwhile, Qing Yao also proposed several completely different methods, and the one Yunhe favored most was to use Heavenly Thunder Fire to reignite the wutong wood.

This not only makes the flames of the reignited wutong wood stronger, but also gives the wutong wood considerable benefit, equivalent to letting it undergo a heavenly tribulation.

You should know, Heavenly Thunder Fire is not something you can easily obtain.

Theoretically, it can only be produced when a demon beast undergoes a heavenly tribulation.

Until Qing Yao learned that Yunhe had a considerable amount of Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence in his hand.

It was somewhat taken aback.

How could there be so much?

Could it be that they found a vein of Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence?

As it followed Yunhe on a stroll through the Abyssal Ravine, it could almost conclude that the Abyssal Ravine definitely contained even more Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence!

However, they dared not go too deep, nor did they dare to go to the bottom of the Abyssal Ravine.

Their intuition told them it was very dangerous.

Extremely dangerous!

But even so, after scouring the surface layer, Yunhe still harvested a considerable amount of Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence; however, the surface layer had already been searched back and forth many times and was exhausted, so to obtain more he would have to continue diving deeper, with the danger increasing exponentially.

This made Yunhe think of the formations and barriers deep in the lakebed riverbed.

So they chose to give up.

However, with the Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence Yunhe currently has on hand, igniting a small wutong sapling would be sufficient.

Ready.

He took out several pieces of Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence of varying sizes.

Yunhe took a deep breath.

Zila—

Much of the golden arc light that had dispersed from the Heavenly Thunder Gold Essence was drawn in and absorbed by him.

Innate Divine Ability: Thunder Storage!

At the same time.

Qingyao flicked its wings, rolling up the Blood Crystal Wood on the ground.

Ang!!!

With Yunhe's roar, a bolt of golden lightning shot from his mouth at a speed impossible to catch with the naked eye, striking straight at the small sapling in the medicinal field that had just sprouted tender shoots.

Boom!!

In the tremendous roar, lightning intertwined with verdant wood color.

Xiong—

A mass of flame suddenly rose above the sapling.

Looking at it, the flame seemed overly vigorous; the sapling could at any moment be burned to ashes.

Ling—

Then.

Qingyao violently shook its wings, let out a long cry, wrapped the Blood Crystal Wood, gave Yunhe a deep look, and then plunged headfirst into the flames.

Xiong!!

The already fierce flame, with the input of Qingyao's spirit form and the Blood Crystal Wood, was not brought under control but instead grew even more vigorous.

The fire quickly surged and spread, nutrients in the surrounding soil being absorbed at a visible speed; the dark brown soil rapidly dried out, and even some spiritual plants near the medicinal field withered quickly as a result.

Seeing this, Yunhe's expression changed slightly; he immediately slapped his storage bag, took out several buckets of prepared Beast Blood, and poured it onto the soil around the parasol tree.

It was still quickly absorbed.

But its impact on the surrounding environment was obviously much smaller.

Gazing at the blazing inferno, Yunhe felt uneasy and involuntarily stepped back a distance.

Within the flames, there seemed to be a firebird bathing in the flames, continuously circling and dancing, crying out without cease.

All the Blood Crystal Wood was burned, turning into the purest blood and wood qi.

Gradually, the Azure Luan's qi shifted from illusory to solid.

The parasol tree actually began to grow at a visible speed.

The Luan-Phoenix is born from bathing in the parasol tree's fire; the parasol tree grows by being nourished with the Luan-Phoenix's qi.

Above the firmament, clouds gathered, within which thunder broth lurked, causing Yunhe to involuntarily narrow his eyes.

'Could it be that the Nirvana is too extravagant, inviting a heavenly tribulation?'

Ling!!

Another long cry.

But this time, not only could Yunhe hear it, the sound spread across the entire Huanhu Dao.

All the beasts on the island stared blankly at the fire‑bathed Luan‑Bird, each expression dazed; some weaker beasts trembled with fear.

Luan‑Phoenix Sacred Fire Nirvana Technique!

After a long while.

Hualala—

The thunder ultimately did not fall, but rain came down instead.

The firelight gradually faded in the rain, turning into orange leaves that glowed faintly.

A parasol tree as tall as two people, faintly still entwined with firelight, appeared before Yunhe.

Along with it.

There was also a bird the size of a palm perched on a branch, preening its blue‑iridescent feathers.

It resembled a peacock; when it spread its wings, it looked like a phoenix, each feather shining as if burning with blue flame.

True Spirit Azure Luan?

No.

Qingyao, having existed as a spirit formation for too long, when performing the Luan‑Phoenix Sacred Fire Nirvana Technique, found the conditions—whether parasol tree or Blood Crystal Wood—unfavorable for it, making it utterly impossible for it to restore itself.

Even if fully restored, Qingyao is still far from reaching the level of a True Spirit Azure Luan.

But no matter what.

It has regained a fleshly body, and its interior undoubtedly contains a respectable True Spirit Azure Luan bloodline; in the future, restoring its Azure Luan form and achieving a True Spirit body is not without possibility.

You should know.

The True Spirit Azure Luan is said to be a divine beast capable of battling immortals!

It exists on the same level as the Heavenly Phoenix and the True Dragon!

Putonglong—

The azure Luan‑Bird noticed Yunhe, its eyes lighting up with joy as it flapped its wings and flew toward him.

This is what Qingyao had arranged beforehand: after its Nirvana, its strength will likely be weak, its intellect may regress, but the foundation remains, so the awakening of its intellect will be swift.

Yunhe smiled at the tiny bird, then turned his gaze to the thriving parasol tree.

Personal Magic Treasure, at last it can be refined!

(End of Chapter)