Chapter 729

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

After Xu Zhangqing finished speaking, he hesitated no longer, bringing Xu Qiansui and Fenglong with him as he turned and sped toward the cave exit.

Tai Bai, Zhu Rong, the female Earth, Gonggong, and Xu Zixiao remained behind, to continue exploring the unknown regions of Yaoguang Cave after the main body departed.

Although Lei Long was present, he was the greatest threat.

But in reality, he was also the strongest "guardian" of the several avatars.

Originally, Xu Zhangqing wanted to meet the Mermaid Princess and catch up on old times.

However, after thinking it over, he ultimately gave up on this idea; therefore, when passing by the Coral Forest, he not only did not linger, but flew away directly.

This flight took a full several days before he finally returned to Dongyu.

But the first thing he did, Xu Zhangqing did not go to the Immortal Sect; instead, he came to Dongqing City.

The jade pendant's positioning showed that Eldest Disciple Sun Shangxiang was right here.

Of course, her being here was perfectly normal; after all, Dongqing City was her home.

Her father Sun Peng, mother Lei Yunna, and the others had always lived here.

Xu Zhangqing swept with his Divine Sense and discovered that besides the Eldest Disciple, her Senior Brother Li Muyao was also here; the two had been touring Dongqing City for over ten days.

This was understandable; ever since Sun Shangxiang went to the Dongting Immortal Sect, she rarely returned home.

In a year, they might only meet during festivals or birthdays.

Now that she had finally managed to come out, she would naturally prioritize accompanying her family.

Xu Zhangqing instructed Xu Qiansui: "Conceal your aura and secretly follow Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao.

Remember, unless absolutely necessary, you must absolutely not intervene."

Xu Qiansui hurriedly nodded: "Yes, Master."

As the Spirit Pattern flashed, he transformed into a streak of Green Radiance and departed.

Xu Zhangqing, bringing Fenglong, headed straight for Xiyu where the Longhu Immortal Sect was located.

……

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On the way to the Longhu Immortal Sect, Xu Zhangqing shared vision with Xu Qiansui, wanting to personally see what the Eldest Disciple would do.

Sun Shangxiang accompanied her parents daily, her conduct no different from an ordinary daughter returning home; she even guided the clan's younger generation in their shallow cultivation, appearing exceptionally sensible.

However, at the third watch of a certain day, the originally sleeping Sun Shangxiang suddenly opened her eyes, a trace of indescribable bewilderment flashing in her pupils.

Then, as if summoned, she rose and left the room, avoiding the manor's guards, scaling the wall like a night wanderer; her steps were unsteady yet her direction was clear, and she soon left Dongqing City.

Xu Zhangqing frowned slightly: "Sleepwalking?"

He saw Sun Shangxiang arrive at a secluded spot outside the city, where a mysterious figure wrapped in a black robe stood; the figure's aura was concealed extremely well, and Xu Qiansui could not probe the details.

The black-robed figure raised a hand and threw out a yellowed cultivation method; Sun Shangxiang subconsciously caught it, and the moment her fingertips touched the pages, the method rippled with dark green Spiritual Light, faint insect cries seeming to emanate from it.

Due to the excessive distance, Xu Zhangqing could not make out the characters on it.

But this scene, he always felt a sense of déjà vu.

He did not rashly have Xu Qiansui act, worried about harming the Eldest Disciple.

After obtaining the cultivation method, Sun Shangxiang hid it close to her body, and without exchanging any words with the mysterious figure, she returned to the Sun Family Manor by the same route, as if this outing had been merely a dream.

The next morning.

Li Muyao spoke: "Junior Sister, now that family matters are settled, we should leave."

Sun Shangxiang blanked for a moment, both somewhat nervous and somewhat excited as she asked: "Go where?"

Li Muyao pointed in a direction: "To the Qingmang Mountain Range; it is said there are many spiritual plants there, suitable for Wood Spirit Root cultivation."

Sun Shangxiang thought secretly: "Should I tell Senior Brother about the cultivation method?"

Upon waking, she discovered she had an additional cultivation method.

Even more inconceivably, she had actually absorbed all the information, yet her mind held no related memories whatsoever; she fundamentally did not know how this cultivation method had come to be.

By rights, the other party was one of the people she trusted most.

But after thinking it over, she ultimately gave up.

No other reason, simply because this cultivation method was a bit sinister.

Just like that, Xu Qiansui followed covertly all the way, his perception synchronized to Xu Zhangqing.

The Qingmang Mountain Range had dense Spiritual Energy, ancient trees towering to the heavens, most suitable for Wood Spirit Root cultivation.

The two penetrated deep into the mountain range's heart, found a valley where Spiritual Energy gathered, and settled there; besides daily cultivation, they searched everywhere for spiritual plants.

This afternoon, the two went deep into the valley to pick spiritual plants.

"Junior Sister, quick look, is this a spirit insect?"

"Ah, it really is!"

"Your Master is a Spirit Insect Cultivator; you must have come into contact with this aspect of knowledge, right?"

At this time, Li Muyao discovered a spirit insect.

It was the size of a fingernail, its whole body transparent like glazed glass, its wings a pale gold color.

The most peculiar thing was on both sides of its body grew twelve extremely small leaf-shaped antennae; the antennae tips flickered with faint seven-colored Spiritual Light.

Sun Shangxiang hurried forward to examine it; although her Master was a Spirit Insect Cultivator, he spent most of his time farming, so he rarely imparted knowledge regarding spirit insects.

By rights, she likewise could not recognize it.

But one look, and the contents of the cultivation method in his mind flashed through in an instant; after combining all the information, he blurted out subconsciously: "This is a Spirit Devouring Insect!"

Li Muyao's eyes brightened, and she praised: "Junior Sister indeed recognizes it."

Sun Shangxiang's complexion changed slightly: "Senior Brother, this is a rare spirit insect that has been extinct for a long time; I didn't expect we would encounter it in Qingmang Valley."

This insect has already been extinct for thousands of years.

Its peculiarity lies in that it never eats spirit herbs or spirit dew, but instead feeds on cultivators' spiritual power and magic power, and is especially suitable for wood spiritual roots.

Moreover, after devouring it will secrete a kind of spirit dew that nurtures life, which can revive any half-dead spirit plant, and even upgrade quality.

In other words, this is simply a spirit insect tailor-made for Sun Shangxiang.

Li Muyao was equally excited: "Junior Sister, this is your opportunity!"

Sun Shangxiang always felt something wasn't quite right: "Opportunity...?"

Her constitution is special; from childhood to adulthood she has never managed to keep any spirit plant alive.

Even when helping Senior Brother and Junior Sister cultivate them, she is careful and cautious, not daring to easily make contact.

Who could have thought that at nearly thirty years old, a single trip out for experience training would actually bring a heaven-defying chance to change her fate.

Suddenly, the Spirit Devouring Insect seemed to perceive Sun Shangxiang's aura, and suddenly flapped its golden wings, actively flying toward her, then landing on her wrist.

Seeing this scene, both Sun Shangxiang and Li Muyao were stunned.

According to reason, when a spirit insect touches a person, its first reaction would definitely be to stay away.

However this one is different; not only did it not stay away, but it actively approached instead.

Sun Shangxiang took a breath, then tried using the content on that cultivation method, releasing her own spiritual power, carefully making contact with the Spirit Devouring Insect.

As spiritual power was devoured by it bit by bit, both sides gradually formed a connection.

Vaguely, Sun Shangxiang could sense this spirit insect's thoughts.

Abruptly, the Spirit Devouring Insect detached from her wrist, then flew toward the other end of the valley.

Li Muyao said thoughtfully: "Junior Sister, this spirit insect seems to be leading the way for us; perhaps there are even more precious things ahead!"

Sun Shangxiang heard this and nodded; at this moment she had already resonated with this spirit insect, and immediately followed its guidance, walking toward the deeper part of the valley together with Li Muyao.

And all of this was seen by Xu Changqing through the Spirit Plant Puppet Xu Qiansui.

He finally knew why it seemed familiar; it wasn't because he had personally experienced it.

But because there was a person who had described a similar situation; this person's name was... Gu Fusheng!