Chapter 796: Water Pool

As the cave shook for a moment, a massive head poked out.

This head did not exceed Tang Zhao's expectations, but it was also somewhat unexpected.

To say it did not exceed expectations was because the head was indeed in the shape of a large insect; to say it was unexpected was that it did not look like a cockroach as Tang Zhao had imagined, but rather more like an ant, with a much larger cranium and dense compound eyes on both sides, though it was ugly enough regardless; the moment it emerged from the cave, it delivered a tremendous visual impact. It had its head and half its thorax extended out, with the remaining half of its body still inside the cave.

The six-armed man said happily, "It's good that you've come out. Since you've agreed, hurry up and get out so I can go in for a soak."

The giant insect suddenly said, "Wait, do you know how to soak? And what is the use of soaking?"

It hadn't been obvious when it spoke using the small beads on its feelers, but when it spoke itself, there was a buzzing sensation that sounded like insect chirping. Tang Zhao had first thought it was like the State Preceptor, speaking with power leaking out, a strength not to be underestimated, but he immediately realized it was actually rubbing its wings to produce sound; it wasn't speaking, it should be called "pseudo-speech."

Truly worthy of being an insect, authentic and original.

The six-armed man laughed, "What is there not to understand? It has long since spread. There is a pool of water in your cave; as long as you soak in it, you will immediately strengthen your tendons and bones, refine your flesh and blood, as if recasting your body. It has miraculous effects when combined with special Spirit Weapons, but it's a pity it doesn't involve Qi and cannot directly raise one's cultivation realm, otherwise, would it ever be your turn to enjoy it?"

The insect buzzed, "You really are just listening to hearsay. That is wrong. First of all, this is not for tempering your physique; it is useless for flesh and blood. On the contrary, it is useful for external objects. If you soak some treasure in it and then say, 'Change for me,' that object will immediately undergo a change, mostly for the better, but it is also possible for it to become worse, or even more bizarre. Then the water pool will become ineffective for a period of time, and you will need to take out many items containing Qi to fill it before it becomes effective again."

Tang Zhao felt a stir in his heart and thought to himself: This is about right. My Glasses were originally like this, though things produced by the fairy are definitely high-quality; they might become a bit bizarre, but they haven't become worse. And it didn't mention the fairy sister—is she not here, or is it deliberately concealing her?

Regardless, the incantation "Change for me" is quite lame; it's not the same direction of lame as "Is this the gold xx or silver xx you dropped?"

If there is no fairy, then his Glasses should be one of a kind, the difference between having sentience and not having sentience compared to other Fragments, the difference between having interaction and no interaction; although the functions seem similar, they are actually very different. One is distinguishing between master and secondary—the one with sentience is the master, and the others are scraps; the other is distinguishing that this is a special treasure or a traveling companion.

In fact, hearing that the giant insect had no fairy, Tang Zhao felt a subtle sense of relief.

Conversely, the six-armed man was greatly disappointed, and still unwilling to give up, he said, "Is what you say true? But you have guarded this place for years without moving, and your strength has advanced by leaps and bounds—is it just because you are upgrading treasures here? What is the use of external objects, no matter how good they are?"

The giant insect said, "It is indeed upgrading treasures. But I am refining my own carapace, six legs, long feelers, mouthparts, and other organs as weapons. Our races are different; my shell and internal structure can be independent of each other, and my organs are far more flexible than yours. Now, after my modifications, every external organ has various miraculous uses; some can fend off enemies, some can protect the body, and some can help me cultivate. Therefore, I cultivate both internally and externally, and my strength has advanced by leaps and bounds. As for whether it is useful for you to soak in this, I do not know. Perhaps your skin can turn into Steel-Reinforced Iron Bones? But I haven't tried whether it can directly replace the bones and blood inside. Can you try it?"

Because it was wing friction, its voice had absolutely no tone, but Tang Zhao heard a bit of schadenfreude in it. In fact, Tang Zhao himself had once thought about whether he could directly swap some body parts at the fairy's place? For example, swapping for better root bones or something. But then he thought that he was generally satisfied with his own conditions and wasn't so disgusted that he wanted to peel his skin and swap his blood; he was even particularly satisfied with some parts, so it was better not to risk himself.

If this six-armed man were willing to take the risk, Tang Zhao could even make an exception and wait a day or two to see what results he could research. If one could truly be reborn, Tang Zhao, for the sake of rushing toward Sword Immortal in a short time, would not be unable to take a risk after collecting all the Fragments.

Unfortunately, the six-armed man was not very cooperative and said coldly, "So that's how it is, nothing more than that. Since it's only for external objects, then it's useless. The treasures I want in this world can always be obtained; how could I waste precious time here? Since that's the case, this place still belongs to you; I hope you can use this to get a precious opportunity to board the ship."

As soon as he said this, the giant insect suddenly panicked and hurriedly said, "Wait, do you have any treasures or Spirit Medicine that increase cultivation efficiency or directly raise cultivation level? Or Spirit Medicine you have eaten that is no longer effective, or weapons that can no longer keep up with your strength—these can all be upgraded, with immediate results."

With him being so proactive in persuading, it was unknown whether the six-armed man was truly moved by him, or if he had just been putting on an act and was now taking the opportunity to step down, saying, "Oh, that can be tried. Then you come out, and I will try it. If it is indeed useful, then my previous promise still counts."

When the moment arrived, the giant insect actually hesitated for a moment. At this time, the beetle-man next to them finally spoke, "Da Can, are you not tired of staying in this place yet? No matter how high your strength rises, what is the point if there is no place to use it? If you had obtained the chance to go to the Qianxian back then, you would have gone to that world to dig for gold long ago, instead of staying in these mountains releasing Qi to create beast-servants and playing with the local savages to kill time, right? If I were you, let alone now when you are in urgent need of qualifications, even normally, if Fu Shao Ye came to the door and wanted me to trade external objects for a chance at a vast world, I would be willing. Anyway, I have used the treasures for so many years, it has long since paid for itself, but that opportunity cannot be bought back with any amount of strength or treasure."

Tang Zhao thought with no small amount of malice: Now I know your choice; I don't know what you used to trade for becoming a lackey for this Fu Shao Ye, but this choice is really not bad.

Although Tang Zhao looked down on him in his heart, these words were very practical and ultimately moved the insect in the cave. It braced its body and finally emerged completely from the cave.

Once it came out like this, even Tang Zhao couldn't help but be shocked.

It turned out that this guy's lower body and upper body were completely different; although one could see the structure was integrated, the texture was worlds apart.

From its chest to its abdomen, and then to its six legs, how to describe it? It was a work of art! The form, structure, and posture went without saying, all in perfect proportions. At a glance, there was a fluid beauty, as if one had taken a big gulp of iced fine wine in summer, feeling comfortable all over. Not to mention the texture of its body, it was not the feeling of any existing material; no matter what kind of organic or inorganic materials, none could compare to it. Solid wood could not compare to its steadiness, metal could not compare to its luster, and fine jade could not compare to its translucence. Seeing this texture, even Tang Zhao didn't feel it was ugly, and even wanted to go up and touch its body.

The six-armed man couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva and said, "No wonder you want to stay here all the time; you are actually wanting to change your whole body into this texture and then emerge to stun everyone, right?"

The giant insect said regretfully, "It's a pity it's too slow. I spent forty years to become like this; if I want to become a perfect state, I need at least another thirty years. If I really obtain a complete body, who would I fear, and who would I be controlled by?"

The six-armed man ignored its subtext and said, "Thirty years is too long; one should seize the day. You go, I want to use this place today."

He spoke impatiently; clearly, he had been indifferent before, but he had just been shocked by the giant insect's body and began to take it seriously. The giant insect landed on the ground and guarded the cave entrance. The six-armed man shook his head and said, "You might as well stay further away; I still prefer A Jia to guard the entrance for me."

The insect rubbed its wings a few times, clearly somewhat dissatisfied, but it had no expression, so it couldn't show it. Finally, it said, "Then I will go for a walk in the forest; you go in. If there is anything you don't understand, just tell A Jia to find me in the forest to the East."

The six-armed man said, "Easy enough. After all, we are only newly acquainted; you follow me well, and in the future, I will surely trust you just as I trust A Jia." Having said that, he swaggered into the insect cave, which was very spacious for him. And his follower A Jia guarded the cave entrance with a very loyal appearance, staring at the insect until it fled far into the mountain forest, only then shifting his gaze back, standing motionless like a door god.

The six-armed man clearly relaxed after entering the cave, revealing an uncontrollable smile, and then, his smile stiffened quite a bit.

He saw that there was indeed a pool of water in the cave, but it was not half a pool as the six-armed man had imagined; it was only as big as a bathtub, clear enough to see the bottom, and the bottom wasn't very deep either, only reaching his knees.

This was truly a bathtub in the literal sense. The six-armed man suddenly realized; no wonder that guy said it would take another thirty years to completely change its body. It was truly a wonder how it managed to stuff such a thick, heavy body into this basin bit by bit, not to mention it should have been more than once or twice.

However, with the six-armed man's physique, this matter was simple; even if he lay down completely, it would only take one go. However, he certainly wouldn't be so aggressive at the beginning. He squatted down, took out many odds and ends from the bag on his body, compared them, and finally chose a pendant of neither high nor low value, placed it in his hand, and extended it toward the water surface bit by bit.

Suddenly, he only felt a pain in the back of his head, followed by darkness before his eyes, and with a splash, he fell headfirst into the water, losing consciousness as soon as he entered.

At the last moment, he had only one thought: What the hell is A Jia doing?