Chapter 339: Star‑Saint Insect Empress!

Buzz… buzz…

As the teleportation array gradually takes shape, the spatial rune mysteries echo continuously in the surrounding space.

On the other side of the portal, faint silhouettes can be barely seen.

I scrutinize the door‑frame‑type teleportation array before me.

The many transcendent beings about to enter each wear a grave expression, daring not a hint of slackness.

Some casters begin to apply states to themselves such as source‑energy regeneration, acceleration, shield, and the like.

Some melee‑class transcendants also covertly clutch certain techniques, ready to unleash at any moment.

This portal works by projection, sending entrants straight to the deepest part of a shipwreck fragment micro‑world.

Such random projection may land directly near an exotic shark‑insect nest.

To prevent everyone from being wiped out by the exotic shark insects in one fell swoop.

Each person's landing spot is different.

In other words, after projection, in the initial stage each will have to fight alone.

Besides having to face hordes of exotic shark insects.

They must also try to meet up with others, join forces, quickly build a stronghold, and open a passage.

Only after the passage is opened will the entrants have hope of survival.

If the passage isn't opened, and one fails to find a suitable hideout, the exotic shark insects will keep hunting them.

Becoming the shark insects' dinner is merely a matter of time.

Taku had already learned this when he previously communicated with the surrounding exotic transcendants.

After the divine war began.

Several shipwreck fragment micro‑worlds opened by the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World were seized by exotic shark insects, resulting in heavy losses.

At present.

The shipwreck fragment micro‑world that Taku and his group of sixth‑rank transcendants are currently opening.

Before this, three waves of sixth‑rank transcendants had already tried to enter a place called the "Ya Guang Shipwreck Fragment Small World."

If you can fight, fight; if not, hide.

This was also a lesson Taku gathered when speaking with other transcendants.

At this moment, many of those who entered gather together, murmuring privately.

"These past few days, I've heard that many Mo Lei·Shen Ting strongmen have arrived at the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World."

"Really? So Mo Lei·Shen Ting's strongmen have all come over?"

"It's not surprising that Mo Lei·Shen Ting's strongmen came, since the Blood Sea Ancient Shipwreck Site itself is a battlefield between Mo Lei·Shen Ting and the Alumov Half‑God World."

"However, I've heard that some Chao Shen Da Shi of the Dark Sun Church and several top experts have also arrived here."

"Did the Dark Sun Church's strongmen also join in? That's a bit odd, since this is the main insect‑nest offensive zone, and normally the Dark Sun Church wouldn't easily get involved."

"Does anyone know the reason?"

"What else could it be? Naturally, it's to attack the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World."

"Now that the divine war has begun, once the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World near the Blood Sea Ancient Shipwreck Site is captured, the Exotic Divine Alliance and Mo Lei·Shen Ting will gain more resources and power to reinforce the Blood Sea Ancient Shipwreck Site."

"I don't think that's necessarily the case."

At that moment, a voice rose from the crowd.

Everyone turned to look.

It was a "Sixth‑Rank Ranger" bearing a rune‑etched longsword and clad in a white ranger's robe.

The ranger took a moment to compose himself before speaking slowly.

"Regarding the Dark Sun Church's reinforcements, I've heard a bit, though I'm not sure how accurate it is."

"This time the exotic shark insects have cut off the star‑track, forcing many transcendants to arrive at the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World."

"In a relatively distant location, a Three‑Eyed Divine Retainer from the Transcendent Dual‑Star Realm appears to have arrived at this Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World."

"The Dark Sun Church's dispatch of Chao Shen Da Shi and numerous strongmen may be to hunt that Three‑Eyed Divine Retainer from the Dual‑Star Realm."

As the Sixth‑Rank Ranger finished, many surrounding transcendants wore expressions like "Your story's pretty good, don't make up another one next time."

"Your reasoning isn't exactly unforced, though."

"If you claim that the Three‑Eyed God's top Saint Son arrived at the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World and the Dark Sun Evil God Church and Mo Lei·Shen Ting sent Chao Shen Da Shi to assassinate, I can at least understand the motive."

"You let this Divine Retainer be hunted by the Dark Sun Evil God Church's Chao Shen Da Shi—this plot is overly dramatic."

"Exactly!"

"Could it be that you, the ranger, are just weaving stories to amuse us!"

The Sixth‑Rank Ranger, after being teased by the crowd, neither got angry nor argued, but continued cheerfully.

"If you speak of Saint Sons, indeed a Saint Son has descended upon the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World recently—not one, but two."

"One is the Chaos‑Crowned Saint Son of the Three‑Eyed God, the other is the Time‑Crowned Saint Son of Alumov Half‑God."

"It is said the two Crowned Saint Sons arrived together aboard a Spiritual Realm Star‑Track Steam Train."

"However, the weaving of fate is never that simple."

"I guess the Three‑Eyed Divine Retainer the Dark Sun Church pursues, who defiled the Dark Sun deity, is probably a fellow traveler."

"The Three‑Eyed Divine Retainer defiled the Dark Sun deity?"

Someone asked in confusion.

"Naturally so; otherwise the Dark Sun deity wouldn't dispatch a Chao Shen Da Shi here to seek a chance for vengeance."

"This Zi Yu Lan is bound to be stained with blood."

Cough… cough…

Seeing the sixth‑rank ranger start babbling, Ha Luo De immediately let out two heavy coughs, cutting off the ranger's raven‑tongued words.

The sixth‑rank ranger was also clever and alert; the puppeteer Ha Luo De wouldn't let him speak further, and he shook his head, decisively remaining silent.

Everyone looked at each other, and couldn't help to ponder silently.

In a corner of the crowd, Ta Ke, shrouded in shadow, was silently contemplating.

"Is that Time Crown strong one Xi Luo the holy son of the half‑god A Lu Mo Fu?"

"Time and Space, the two great rune mysteries, are themselves extremely hard to comprehend; Xi Luo's eighth‑rank realm has already condensed the Time Crown, and indeed he bears the aura of the half‑god A Lu Mo Fu."

"It is undoubtedly confirmed that he is the holy son of the half‑god A Lu Mo Fu."

"Only the identity of Bo Ge·Ke Li Si Di, who shares the Steam Wizard title and the Wind Crown with me, remains unknown."

"The intertwining threads of fate are interesting!"

Ta Ke gave a faint smile.

As the information gradually unfolded, the past rewound in his memory.

Ta Ke then realized that the Goddess of Fate's fingers had already begun to play the dance of destiny.

Amid his thoughts, Ta Ke looked toward the crowd.

The sixth‑rank ranger who had just expounded this information.

And the towering youth standing like a mountain in the corner, bearing a blood‑colored battle axe.

These two gave Ta Ke the impression of considerable strength.

However, the sixth‑rank ranger's exposition made Ta Ke secretly wary.

Although Ta Ke's voyage brought him to an exotic Transcendent world, his status and information as a divine‑favored one are unknowable to ordinary Transcendents.

But those opponents are all schemers.

Any trace of Ta Ke's information will certainly not be let go.

"It seems… the plan is progressing normally on the big picture, but the details need to be handled better."

Just as Ta Ke was pondering silently.

"Buzz!"

Accompanied by intense spatial teleportation waves that spread throughout the area.

Ha Luo De immediately spoke.

"Everyone, the remote magical gate transmission is now open; follow the contents of the magical letters previously given to you and act according to the plan."

With personnel maintaining order and transmission power, Ta Ke and many other sixth‑rank Transcendents began to enter one after another.

…………

Yaguang Sunken Ship Fragment Mini World.

Upon a rocky platform spewing blood‑colored gray mist.

Two men and a woman, three seventh‑rank Transcendents, were seated here in meditation.

Below the platform, countless Exotic Shark Insects drifted slowly in the blood‑mist ocean.

"Bzzzz…"

The power of space emitted one radiant aurora after another across the mini world's sky, dazzling like a meteor shower's finale.

As those Exotic Shark Insects let out low roars toward the sky.

The three meditating on the platform all ceased their practice, rose, and quietly examined the arriving "Pioneers".

"Those idiots from Purple Magnolia sent more people to die inside again."

Among the three, the middle‑aged wizard in a wizard robe gazed cruelly, with a hint of madness, at the sixth‑rank Transcendents who had been sent, his murderous intent barely restrained.

The darkness enveloping his body seemed to have a demon stirring within.

Steam Wizard "Di Ke Te".

A top‑tier Dark Rune Crown talent of the Dark Sun Church, also bearing the title "Dark Sun Divine Favored".

Of course, compared with the identities of the two beside him, this divine‑favored status appears rather ordinary.

Kai Lun·Ka Er, the Holy Lady of the Black Witch God, an S‑rank Transcendent prodigy of exceptional talent.

And the one in the middle was even more remarkable.

Mo Lei·Shen Ting, among the Twelve Star Saints — the Purple Star Saint.

A saint among saints, a genius among geniuses, the top Transcendent prodigy of the age.

It is rumored that he possesses an extremely strong SS‑rank Transcendent talent.

As a Star Saint, he wields the solitary power of meditative stars.

The Space Rune had long condensed the Crown.

His Space Sword Path had reached an extremely high level; very few Seventh‑rank Transcendents could match it, and its strength was comparable to an invincible being of the same rank.

The Chao Shen Da Shi realm was already easy for him.

Now, this Star Saint is further consolidating worldly power, laying a solid foundation for his future ascent to Chao Shen Da Shi.

The Black Witch God's Holy Lady Kai Lun·Ka Er flashed a pair of jet‑black luminous eyes, watching the "meteors" streaking across the sky.

"The last Transcendents who came in were too weak; we hadn't even acted before those damned insects wiped them out."

"Hopefully this time there are stronger Transcendents among them who can hold out longer; otherwise pure cultivation here would be too boring."

"Exactly!"

"My demons no longer wish to eat these monotonous insects."

Beside him, Steam Wizard Di Ke Te also showed a blood‑stained, cruel smile.

And "Bai Lun·Ya Dang", one of Mo Lei·Shen Ting's Twelve Star Saints, said lazily.

"The insect king priest of those Exotic Shark Insects is building a world‑spirit network here; their queen can hear our conversation."

"Being able to, while Her Majesty the Empress devours the world, absorb this world's world‑force; the Empress has already been very courteous to us—secretly speaking ill of people behind their backs is not a good habit."

Two Seventh‑tier Saint Sons, one Seventh‑tier Divine Attendant.

The three are entrenched here, presently absorbing this world's 【World】 primordial trait.

For them, cultivation here is primary.

As for taking part in the battles of these exotic shark‑insects and the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World,

it is merely a leisure activity.

In this ship‑wreck fragment small world, the under‑age Seventh‑tier exotic shark‑insect Empress is gnawing this world, together with three Insect‑King Priests of the shark‑insect tribe, weaving the world's spiritual lattice.

The world's primordial power continuously spreads along the lattice.

They also rely on that exotic shark‑insect Empress to swiftly boost their own 【World】 primordial trait power.

Otherwise, by their own cultivation, it would be impossible to draw the 【World】 primordial trait at such speed.

"Byron!"

Just as the three were about to discuss further,

the ethereal sounds of the surrounding spiritual network rose.

The three immediately turned to listen closely to the surroundings.

"This time there are two fairly powerful Transcendents entering."

"I need them to train elite‑rank warriors; even one of the ranger‑caster line is suitable to be cultivated as an Insect King—this is a very rare human species."

Absorbing the world's primordial force beside the Insect Tribe Empress is not without cost.

Now, the Insect Tribe Empress Mei Lai'er Enfilisha is still in her developmental stage.

Whether it is the ordinary exotic shark‑insect power of her subordinates, her own soul power, or the elite warriors, priest‑Insect Kings she has recently cultivated, none are particularly strong.

Dealing with ordinary Sixth‑tier Transcendents is more than sufficient.

But confronting the stronger exotic shark‑insects is doable, though it costs time and effort.

And these three, having absorbed the world's primordial force she draws, must pay a price.

This small price is merely a pastime for them.

As for the Insect Tribe Empress Mei Lai'er Enfilisha's request,

the three simultaneously showed great interest.

The dull cultivation—where is the fun in catching those intruders?

"Karen, last time you went out alone for a long while."

"This time, it's your turn to guard the upper World Gate."

Bai Lun Ya Dang's words rang out.

The big‑eyed Saintess Kai Lun Ka Er instantly wore an extremely unwilling expression.

"Um… protecting or not isn't the point; the main thing is there are only two targets this time, cannot split them."

"Remember, you guard the World Gate; you must not dismantle the World Gate yourself," Bai Lun Ya Dang said seriously.

The Saintess Kai Lun Ka Er hurriedly looked to the side and pleaded to Di Ke.

"Uncle Di Ke Te…"

"Ahem… my age would even be considered old by your grandfather."

Before Kai Lun Ka Er's plea turned to anger, Steam Wizard Di Ke Te made a dark leap and swiftly left.

If a real fight broke out, he might not be Kai Lun Ka Er's opponent.

He's only cultivated for a longer time.

And Kai Lun Ka Er, this little girl, truly has strong talent—only slightly weaker than the Star Saint Bai Lun Ya Dang.

"Why only two? Isn't three okay?"

Watching the two depart swiftly,

Kai Lun Ka Er alone, empty‑handed, guards the upper World Gate, gazing into the distance.

"Had I known… I shouldn't have so easily crushed those invaders last time; lingering a bit longer would have been fine."

……

"Buzz…"

Cross‑dimensional transmission over extreme distance, more precisely a projection.

Ta Ke has already experienced this before.

Previously, in the Ao Gu Twin Stars Transcendent World, Ta Ke used the World Gate's power to repeatedly place himself inside a teleportation cannon barrel and launch himself outward with the Gate's force.

Here in the Zi Yu Lan Transcendent World, the effect is similar.

However, here the use of 【World】 power has begun interfacing with the 【Teleportation Array】 technique.

As the spatial ripples blossomed, Ta Ke appeared in the low sky of this "Ya Guang Shipwreck Fragment Small World."

Looking out far,

In this small world, the massive ship‑deck landmass stretches tens of thousands of meters above ground, intersecting in a criss‑cross.

Though it takes the form of earth and soil, the outline of the original colossal construct remains evident.

And Ta Ke can feel that

the ecology of this world is essentially built by these huge ship constructs.

Yet a single Sea‑Demon ship can become a tiny Transcendent ecological micro‑world.

A ship‑wreck fragment this large forming a small Transcendent world is perfectly normal.

And moreover!

The fragment itself rivals a large Transcendent world, and deep in the void it still retains the form of a "Ruins Ship."

He carefully sensed this 'sub-light shipwreck fragment micro-world'.

"Not bad ecology, and quite interesting, just that there are a lot of bugs."

Ta Ke nodded slightly.

Those gigantic ruin mountain ranges, deep in the jungles, and above the firmament.

Almost everywhere are exotic domain shark insects, their numbers too many to count.

"Huh?"

Ta Ke, who was sensing this world, suddenly furrowed his brows.

"World origin?"

Ta Ke carefully sensed the echo of the world's origin, and couldn't help but become serious.

After a moment, Ta Ke looked toward the distant direction and quickly began to think.

"A seventh-rank insect clan empress, and she is obviously about to ascend to eighth rank."

"Those exotic domain shark insects actually used this small transcendent world as food and a hatchery to cultivate a new insect clan empress."

"The world's origin is being devoured and absorbed."

"And..."

Ta Ke lightly grasped in the air.

The mental network constructed by the insect king priests in the insect clan's ecosystem was easily pinched by Ta Ke.

Although the insect clan's mental network is worth studying, the immediate focus is obviously not a question of whether to study it or not.

But rather!

This is a development base for a seventh-rank insect clan empress.

The mental network diffused in the air, like a net of perception.

All who enter, if they cannot avoid the insect clan's mental network,

they will be immediately discovered by the insect clan empress upon entry.

Then they will face endless pursuit, ultimately becoming food for the insect clan empress.

But this is not the crux of the problem.

The crux of the problem is……

Ta Ke drew a deep breath, his face turned dark green, and his body began to tremble slightly.

"Purple Violet... do they know?"

"If they don't know, their continuous investment of force might merely be a simple strategic misjudgment."

"Or perhaps they are simply using us exotic domain transcendents; anyway, we sixth-rank transcendents are just cannon fodder in war."

"If they do know."

Ta Ke's eyes narrowed slightly, and he let out two cold chuckles.

"Hehe..."

"I and the other transcendents carrying out so-called counterattacks are merely feeding the insects for them!"

"In this situation, is it the person in charge who has defected, or is it the Chao Shen Da Shi responsible for this sector who has defected?"

"Or perhaps it is... the entire upper echelon of the Purple Jade Orchid."

Ta Ke looked toward the firmament, and toward the distant Purple Jade Orchid transcendent world.

Ta Ke knew that, without realizing it, he had already fallen into a huge, terrifying, and dreadful conspiracy and vortex.