Beichen Sword Sect's Headmaster's Secret Records

Chapter 398 Living Beings
This prehistoric gossip and unofficial history of the Spirit Race is so explosive and outrageous that Huangfu Yi really feels his IQ is insufficient.

For a moment, Huangfu Yi's mind was filled with nothing but insects, centipedes, and maggots. He didn't even know where to begin when trying to figure things out. For a brief moment, Huangfu Yi even hoped that this was just a simple trap, where a large group of centipedes would jump out and shout, "Hehehe! I was just kidding you! Let's fight!" That way, everyone could just tear off their clothes and fight to the death, without having to care about any secrets, truths, or gossip.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work.

Clad in imperial armor, he leaped from the Demon Capital, plunging into the deep darkness of the Void Star Abyss. On a near-vertical cliff, he raced swiftly towards the bottomless fissure.

Amidst the howling wind, all the light and fire from all directions were swallowed up by the endless darkness. Only the faint glow of the Hundred Suns Divine Armor illuminated the way forward, like a dying candle being thrown into a dark valley.

Downward, downward, along the cliff, breaking through the darkness, passing through those jagged, strangely shaped stalagmites and fissures torn apart by gravity, as if treading over the scars of the earth.

It wasn't until hundreds of millions of these golden stone insects, piled up like mountains and covering the plains, appeared in Huangfu Yi's field of vision that he truly understood.

What imperial ambitions, what transcendence and ascension, what the difference between humans and demons, what grudges and affections...

It's all a trivial matter, not worth mentioning.

Killing insects is the main objective.

Yes, bugs, or, to use a more sophisticated term, drones.

Before Huangfu Yi lay a vast drone graveyard, piled high with the wreckage of tens of thousands of drones. These were not simple machines, but relics of an ancient, extinct civilization, forged from silicon crystals and strange alloys, incorporating prehistoric technology far beyond the comprehension of cultivators. Judging from their structure, they might even be more advanced than those in the Outer Heavens.

In the endless darkness, countless remnants emitted a cold glow, and the remaining blue energy flickered like will-o'-the-wisps, illuminating the sleeping swarm of insects and revealing the massive, layered, densely packed, and intertwined insect nest that stretched to the end of the darkness. It was as if one were in the eighteenth level of hell, trapped in a nightmare from which one could never wake up.

"boom!"

Like a falling meteor, it stirred up countless clouds and dust, and the thunderous roar of the divine weapon hitting the ground echoed and spread like muffled thunder.

Alone, Huangfu Yi, who had rushed into hell, slowly stood up from the crater, looking at the grotesque insect remains around him.

Upon closer inspection, it's no wonder they're called the Zerg. Each drone is a realistic insectoid, and when magnified, they resemble creatures crawling out of a nightmare. Some look like spiders, some like wasps, and some resemble giant beetles. Their bodies are covered with intricate engravings and sensor lenses, and their tattered wings curl up like withered leaves. A thin layer of rust covers their surfaces, yet the tiny engines inside still tremble faintly, as if they might revive at any moment.

At this moment, their limbs twisted and intertwined, their alloy claws embedding themselves like hooks into the nearby remains, forming a massive insect graveyard. The deeper they went, the larger the graveyard became, to the point that the accumulated insect remains were directly cast into towering "insect nests."

These nests are composed of smaller, more intricate drone components, resembling a torso that has not yet fully grown limbs and a shell, or like the egg sacs of a bee colony. The surface is inlaid with a crystalline silicon-based core, within which the code of an ancient civilization seems to be sealed, occasionally flashing a string of undecipherable symbols, like the whispers of ghosts.

Under the cover of darkness, these symbols twisted and distorted, casting eerie shadows, as if telling the final cry of a dying civilization, echoing with a low hum in the air. It could be the sound of hot air convection passing through the wormhole, or it could be the resonating residual energy within these remains.

Tens of thousands of insects rose and fell, like waves or buzzing, sometimes high and sometimes low, sometimes as loud as thunder, sometimes as soft as a mosquito's hum. It was as if this sea of ​​insects was only temporarily quiet, and could be transformed into a world-destroying tidal wave at any moment by the ripples stirred up by a falling pebble.

Baiyang Road
"See? I'm not kidding you, but how can these bugs survive without guarding them? Sooner or later it'll be your turn."

Huangfu Yi swallowed hard, unable to speak for a moment.

With a flick of his centipede braid, Baiyang pointed forward.
"The Queen Insect is over there."

So Huangfu Yi leaped up and hopped like a rabbit across the hills of corpses and the mountains of quartz, trekking through the sea of ​​insects. Soon, following Baiyang's guidance, he rushed all the way to a vast plain.

Then, from afar, Huangfu Yi heard a tremendous sound and saw an exceptionally large swarm of insects bulge out, like a spring gushing from a sea of ​​insects, or a hill bursting forth from the ground. The colossal creature, covered inside and out by insects, arched out of the ground to welcome his arrival.

It's the head of a centipede.

Huangfu Yi looked up at the enormous head, which resembled a palace, and froze on the spot.

Baiyang swung her centipede braid, brushing away the insects on her head.

"What, are you afraid I'll eat you up?"

Huangfu Yi frowned.
"Is this your true form?"

Is this really a demon? Why is there no demonic aura...?

Indeed, it is enormous. This centipede is a gigantic demon unlike any seen before. Such a behemoth is hard to find even north of Yinshan. Compared to it, the dragons and snakes I have seen before are like loaches.

But what puzzled Huangfu Yi was that he hadn't sensed a trace of demonic energy from beginning to end. No, not only was there no energy, but there wasn't even a scent or body temperature; it wasn't a living being at all. Moreover, the centipede's body seemed remarkably similar to the bodies of the surrounding insectoid creatures. Could it be…

"That's right, this is also my shell. This one is the prison where the Queen of Insects was imprisoned. At the same time, it was made into a weapon like a chariot by the Celestial Palace. It can fire divine light and earth fire to instantly kill the surrounding enemies and temporarily suppress the rampaging insect race."

However, without reinforcements, I won't be able to hold out for more than a few waves. The Zerg below will likely evolve to a level that counters me. Come in, the Queen is about to give birth. Take the Tiger Seal.

Huangfu Yi leaped into the centipede's mouth and discovered that the centipede's interior was indeed different from the ones above. It was not an empty shell that had been hollowed out, but had been modified and fitted with a large number of metal semiconductor devices. It had indeed been transformed into an armed vehicle such as a tank.

Following the passage into the centipede's body, Huangfu Yi raised the tiger talisman and received the divine light that authenticated and authorized it. One after another, the gates of restrictions opened in front of Huangfu Yi, finally revealing the core seal to him.

A woman was locked in a prison cell.

Yes, whether viewed with the naked eye or detected by divine sense, this was a female human body, and clearly a pregnant woman. However, her eyes were lifeless, her pupils pale, and she was suspended in mid-air, her entire body entwined with a large centipede, four zhang long, with a black back and a red head.

The golden centipede's legs, like steel knives, pierced through the skin and fat, embedding themselves deep into the woman's waist, abdomen, thighs, and back. The centipede's iron claws were tightly gripping the woman's skull, and it seemed to be sucking out her brain marrow or injecting some kind of venom into her brain.

In the past, upon seeing such a bizarre scene, Huangfu Yi would have already punched the monster without hesitation. But now…

After a moment's hesitation, Huangfu Yi reached out and touched the woman's stomach. He tried to channel some Qi into her to check her physical condition.

It was human, yet it was not quite human. From its appearance and internal organs, it was indeed human-shaped, but strangely, its body did not have human meridians or energy channels, nor did it have the so-called divine court or sea of ​​energy. Moreover, its bones and muscles were different from human bones and blood. Although it was impossible to say what specific material it was made of, it was more like some kind of artificial doll.

As for what was in her womb, it was definitely not a fetus, but a puddle of pus, with some strange, indescribable shape forming inside the womb, like a silkworm pupa turning into a butterfly.

"If you kill me and the Queen Insect is freed, she will truly destroy the world."

Then a blue light flashed in the cell, projecting a burly man wearing the Hundred Suns Divine Armor. This was also humanoid, with a broad back and thick waist, and fists as big as buckets. Apart from two centipede braids on his head and four single eyes on his forehead, he didn't look significantly different from the guardian deities worshipped in the celestial palace.

Huangfu Yi pursed his lips and loosened his clenched fist.
"You go on."

The burly man shrugged and pointed to the centipede coiled around the woman like a python.

"What else is there to say? If I kill her, the insects will spread out to find other queens."

Only by keeping her locked up like this at all times will the insect swarm outside be wary and be suppressed for the time being.

However, no one has come to relieve me for many years, and no one has given me any elixirs to prolong my life.

If this continues, my lifespan will be over soon, and then this trouble will be your responsibility.

Huangfu Yi fell silent for a moment, carefully considering and thinking, sincerely trying to find flaws in the other party's words to expose the huge lie.

However, no matter how he calculated, the results told him that the other party was not lying, and besides, those insects outside were not fake either...

"What...what evidence do you have that she will destroy the world once she escapes..."

The burly man was too lazy to waste words. He figured no matter how much he said, the man wouldn't believe him. With a flick of his finger, he projected a picture of a prehistoric battlefield where people had fought to the death.

Looking at the massive monsters and demons on the battlefield, each one a god-level being, their death rays sweeping across the land at the drop of a hat, countless meteor showers, and scenes of mountains collapsing, seas drying up, and rocks crumbling, Huangfu Yi could only sigh helplessly.

"Then what do you want me to do..."

"The elixir of immortality."

The other party didn't beat around the bush either.
"My lifespan is coming to an end. If you don't give me an elixir to prolong my life, I'm doomed. If you want me to continue guarding this place, fine, but you'll have to extend my life by at least a thousand years, right?"

Huangfu Yi has a big head.
"Where can I find an elixir that can extend your life by a thousand years..."

"Find them." Bai Yang pointed to the Flying Immortal Island on the battlefield projection, which was flying in the sky radiating death rays and providing fire support.

“In the past, every thousand years the Immortal Palace would send people to check the seal and bring elixirs to distribute rewards.”

Moreover, it was originally agreed that I would only need to guard this place for three thousand years before I could ascend to the ranks of the immortals. However, the last time someone came to the Southern Heavenly Gate was more than six thousand years ago.

So either you come and relieve me, or you get back the pay you owe me. And it has to be quick, otherwise I might really die at any time.”

Well, Baiyang has already given up, and Huangfuyi is also in a real bind.

He really wanted to take the lead, but he didn't have the ability...

Baiyang: "Oh no, we're doomed."

Huangfu Yi sighed helplessly, "What is it now...?"

Baiyang pointed to the abdomen of the worm queen, and it was clear to the naked eye that the pregnant belly had shrunk and returned to a flat and smooth abdomen.

Huangfu Yi swallowed hard and couldn't resist reaching out to poke it.
"What the hell is this...?"

"The egg has been digested."

Baiyang had a completely hopeless expression on his face.

"Because a new queen is hatching outside, it no longer needs to lay eggs."

Huangfu Yi was also covered in cold sweat.

"What should I do?"

Baiyang quickly switched the view and, seeing that the swarm of insects outside was relatively calm, breathed a sigh of relief.
"It seems the new queen hasn't matured yet; she's probably just hatched and parasitized, and can't summon the Zerg army yet. But it's only a matter of time, and the seal isn't just here."

"Since there are no eggs left to guard, you can take this armor. Once we get outside and find the queen, we can try to destroy her before she becomes an adult and builds her nest; it might still be in time."

"it is good……"

Huangfu Yi was about to turn around when he suddenly frowned.

"And what about you? Aren't you nearing the end of your life? How much longer can you hold on?"

The centipede wrapped around the queen insect tightened its grip, almost breaking her waist.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely bite her to death before I die. As for what happens after that, you'll have to deal with it yourselves."

However, Huangfu Yi stood firm and fell silent for a moment.

Baiyang frowned.

"What's wrong? Is there anything you don't believe? Ask me quickly."

"Why were you able to hold on for so long?"

Huangfu Yi did not understand.
"Whether it's six thousand years or three thousand years, even if you're a demon... spirit, you've spent most of your life guarding the queen insect, haven't you?"

Why is that? Is the Spirit Race's realm really worth risking everything to defend?

Baiyang scratched his head.
"Actually, I didn't feel like it lasted that long. I spent most of my time sleeping to conserve energy, and when I was hungry, I would eat an egg."

But to be honest, it has nothing to do with the Spirit Race; it was just my own idea to do it.

Huangfuyi turned his head to look at it.
"You want to do it yourself?"

Baiyang nodded.

"Of the 140 siblings from my nest, only I have survived to this day."

People despise my strange and ugly appearance, and they make things difficult for me in every way, even resorting to violence and killing. But I have survived to this day.

My brothers who went to the battlefield with me were almost all killed or wounded by the Zerg, not a single one of them survived, but I still gritted my teeth and survived.

If I can guard the Demon Sealing Platform for three thousand years, one day I can be listed among the immortals and continue to live.

How fortunate we are to be born with a spirit.

I've barely made it this far, so I want to keep living, to keep living forever..."

Then he looked at the queen insect.

"So I will be the first to object to anyone who wants to take my life, destroy my spirit, or trample me underfoot like a lowly worm."

I'd rather die than agree.

Huangfu Yi remained silent for a long while before letting out a long sigh.

"No matter what, I hate you demons. No matter how eloquently you speak, I will not believe you."

Because I know that a demon is a demon, and sooner or later you will not be able to hold back and will devour people..."

Baiyang nodded.
"Of course, snails are meant for us to eat."

They said this is called... the fundamental code of the genes, something that even if your race ascends to higher realms, it's difficult to change.

Huangfu Yi glared at it.
"...Therefore, I do not want my intelligence to be erased, nor do I want to see the human race fall into the same miserable state as the snipe, becoming food for generations to come."

I'll help you this time.

Then Huangfu Yi raised the iron rod, condensed his Qi, and made it look like a long sword standing in front of him.

"I have a sword manual here. Although its power is only so-so, it has a unique supernatural ability that can refine demons into Gu, transform them into my second primordial spirit, and create an external avatar."

Once it's successfully refined, although I will be the master, we will in reality be one, cultivating together, our lives intertwined, sharing life and death, and our destinies connected. As long as I survive this calamity, you might also escape death. At the very least, once my divine sense senses any change in the seal here, I will surely return to help.

Furthermore, I hereby swear that I will never erase your spirit, but will only leave you here to guard this place. Once I find the elixir of immortality and the method to suppress the insectoid race, I will come to exchange you for your release.

But I also want to make it clear beforehand that once you become my natal Gu, I will keep an eye on you from now on. If you commit any indiscriminate killing or bring disaster to the common people, I will be the first to kill you!
Would you be willing?

Bai Yang frowned, clearly having experienced thousands of years, and understood what he meant.

"You...you're going to take me in?"

Huangfu Yi nodded.
"That's right. So, you really won't agree..."

To everyone's surprise, Bai Yang revealed a disgusting smile, and even the centipede excitedly twisted its body, squeezing the queen insect into a grotesque shape, and spitting out a huge demon core as big as a luminous pearl.

"Of course I'd take you in! I couldn't be happier! Oh, finally someone's willing to take me in!"
Oh, I get it! I get it! No ordinary person has this kind of ability! You're from Nantianmen! You've been testing me all along, haven't you! I passed the interview, didn't I!
Oh dear! I'm not bragging, but back in the day, I broke through enemy lines, leading from the front, and made countless contributions. My spirit body was destroyed and rebuilt countless times. If it weren't for the higher-ups being picky and thinking I was ugly, refusing even an interview opportunity, I wouldn't be stuck in this wretched place, waiting to die!
Haha! Heaven has finally opened its eyes! I've finally found a gatekeeper who takes notice of me! Now I have a permanent position! Waaah, I knew it, I knew it! The Celestial Palace won't forget me!
As long as you work hard, are single-minded, and loyal, Heaven will never let down an honest person... *cough cough*, sorry for being rude, come, come, take me in quickly!

Huangfu Yi hesitated to speak, then stopped again. He had nothing to say, only a sigh escaped his lips.

"...Hopefully, God won't let honest people down."

(End of this chapter)