The Path to Immortality: Starting with an Analysis of Basic Concepts

Chapter 451 Marketplace A, Twenty-Three: Fire Palace Flower Lord (Please Subscribe)

"Um?

'

Zhu Yuwei was taken aback for a moment, then looked in the direction of the sound.

Not far away, a Zerg warrior, about the size of a carriage, resembling a beetle with a jade-red carapace, three pairs of segmented limbs, a slightly smaller head, and a long, shell-like trunk and tusks like an elephant, raised its trunk and called out his name.

It is the "Big-nosed Weevil" from one of the ten major tribes of Tiannan.

"Huh..."

Zhu Yu felt inexplicably that the aura of this "Big-nosed Weasel Beetle" was somewhat familiar, and he couldn't help but recall that the beetle had sold the Lord-level "Sea Serpent Algae" divine fruit to his little brother "Jia Twenty-Three" for two jade coins.

When it ran in front of me.

He immediately realized that the "big-nosed weevil" the size of a carriage was his close friend and generous younger brother, "Jia Twenty-Three".

Zhu Yu's eyes flickered, her mind racing, and she exclaimed with delight, "Jia Twenty-Three, you've come to the Red Fire Ant 'Market' too!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Ershisan exclaimed happily, "It really is you, Jufeng!" He then circled around him, saying with a mixture of curiosity and pride, "Jufeng, you've changed so much! If it weren't for Jia Ershisan's keen sense of smell, I wouldn't have recognized you."

As they belonged to the same ten major tribes of Tiannan, Zhu Yu had no need to hide anything and truthfully said, "After transforming into the Mountain Lord Realm and tracing back to the bloodline of the spirit beast, my physique has become like this."

As he spoke, he glanced around with a puzzled look and asked curiously, "A23, did you come out on your own?"

In his perception, "Jia Twenty-Three" was much stronger than it was three years ago, but it had not yet transformed into a Mountain Lord. Given its background, it shouldn't have gone out alone.

After all, the "Insect World" isn't exactly safe...

Jia Twenty-Three said with envy, "Giant Peak, you're amazing! You've transformed into a mountain lord so quickly!" He paused, then added, "I know about the 'Parasitic' talent of the 'Great-Winged Wasp.' My mother said it's incredibly powerful, no less so than the 'Great-Nosed Weasel Beetle's' talent, 'Elephant God's Strength.'"

After saying that, it shook its head and said honestly, "Jia Twenty-Three came with his mother, and just went out to take a dump..."

At this point, it said indignantly, "The red imported fire ants won't let Jia Twenty-Three defecate in the 'market,' it..."

Zhu Yu was speechless for a moment, not wanting to talk about excrement and urine with it, and quickly interrupted, "Jia Twenty-Three, this is not the place to talk. Let's go inside and talk as we walk."

"it is good."

A23 nodded happily.

There was no entrance fee for the "market," and the two insects and one spirit beast entered smoothly.

The first thing that catches the eye is a straight road hundreds of feet wide, leading all the way to the giant wild "fire date" divinely bestowed spiritual seed that grows taller than the hill.

Insects come and go on the Great Dao, and spirit beasts appear in an endless stream.

Each insect-beast carries a load no smaller than itself, and led by red fire ants of varying sizes, they either head deeper into the road or enter and exit the various stone houses on both sides of the road.

Zhu Yu exclaimed subconsciously, "So this is a 'market'? It's so lively..."

He only glanced at it briefly, but found no fewer than ten types of insectoid warriors and spirit beasts.

In the vast "Insect Realm," this is simply unimaginable. Who knows how many hardships these insect warriors and spirit beasts, who are not even at the "Mountain Lord" level, have overcome to reach the "Marketplace."

"It's very lively."

A23 nodded in agreement, then added with disdain, "They just don't let us poop anywhere..."

77

Zhu Yu glanced at it speechlessly, and was about to say something when a childish voice came from the side.

"Do the three gentlemen need a guide?"

'

Zhu Yu looked in the direction of the sound.

Not far from his feet stood a red fire ant, less than a foot long, with a still very young carapace. When it saw him looking over, it struggled to stand up and clasped its fists in greeting.

"I'm not short of money, and I know every corner of the 'Marketplace' well. I only need one hundred 'Life Stones' a day."

"Money is never a burden..."

Zhu Yu scrutinized the young "Red Fire Ant" that had not yet been infused with spiritual energy, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "An extraterrestrial cultivator..."

'

Before he could speak.

Jia Twenty-Three, standing nearby, shoved a handful of Life Stones into Qian Buqiong's hand and asked expectantly, "Larva, what fun places are there in the 'Market'?"

Qian Buqiong didn't rush to answer. Instead, he waved to the side, and two equally small red fire ants quickly ran over and carried the "Life Stone" bit by bit.

It clasped its hands in a fist salute before replying, "There are so many fun places in the market."

As it spoke, it pointed to a shop not far away and said, "Take that newly opened 'Paradise Nest,' for example. It's full of 'succubi,' it's so much fun."

Seeing that A23 remained unmoved, he pointed to another shop.

"That shop is called 'God of Gamblers' Pavilion.' Go in with a Life Stone, and you might come out with a whole room full of Life Stones."

"And that other shop is..."

Qian Buqiong enthusiastically introduced each shop.

Zhu Yu noticed that the places he was introducing were almost always associated with "pornography and gambling," and he immediately lost interest. He turned to Cai Ling and asked, "Cai Ling, where are your friends?"

Cai Ling didn't say anything and walked deeper into the street.

"Jia 23, Jufeng has some things to attend to, so he'll be going now..."

Zhu Yu called out and followed. He hadn't gone far when he noticed that Jia Ershisan and Qian Buqiong, who was trying to introduce gambling and prostitution, had followed them.

He glanced at them, said nothing, and looked around at the shops on both sides.

As he walked, he realized that it wasn't that Qian Buqie didn't want to introduce other things; it was just that more than 90% of the shops on both sides of the street were occupied by people with yellow poison, and the remaining 10% mostly sold spiritual food.

He couldn't help but feel disappointed.

I thought the "market" would be a vibrant and diverse place, but it turns out they're all like this.

However, considering the limitations of setting up "teleportation" and the cost of using the "Red Fire Ant" tribe's teleportation array, it becomes somewhat clear why the shops that are opened are all businesses with no initial investment.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yu turned to Qian Buqiong and asked, "Are all shops in the 'market' like this?"

Without hesitation, Qian Buqiong replied, "That's true eight or nine times out of ten." Realizing his mistake, he quickly added, "If you don't like this kind of thing, sir, I can take you to see some more unique shops."

"For example, shops that sell exotic creatures and rare spirits..."

At this point, it hesitated for a moment, then said, "However, I advise you, sir, to just take a look. Ordinary shops might cause you harm and financial loss, but they won't kill you. But the items in those special shops might be..."

"Oh?"

Zhu Yu was immediately curious, but he didn't rush to let it lead the way. He followed Cai Ling to the depths of the main road.

They walked until they reached the roots of a wild "fire date" tree, a divinely bestowed species, which were as vigorous and undulating as a dragon's serpent, before finally stopping.

At this moment, the surrounding temperature rose to several hundred degrees Celsius.

"A divine gift of king-level power..."

Zhu Yu looked up at the crimson tree canopy that stretched for hundreds of miles across the sky, his eyes filled with shock.

Previously, from a distance, I didn't notice anything different about this "ancestral tree," only that it was too big. But now that I'm under its canopy, I can finally understand how terrifying it is.

In his divine perception.

The wild "Fire Date" divinely bestowed spirit seed is a colossal beast that breathes out massive amounts of fire-attribute spiritual energy with each breath, and one can faintly sense that its body contains energy powerful enough to destroy the world.

"hiss..."

Zhu Yu took a light breath, and a thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Can it harness this power?

If not, that would be fine.

If possible, then his views on the "Insect World" would need to be changed.

As one of the major tribes, the "Red Fire Ants" possess a king-level ancestral tree comparable to a "Primordial Spirit True Monarch." Therefore, the other ten tribes of equal status most likely also possess king-level ancestral trees comparable to "Primordial Spirit True Monarchs."

Considering that the "Red Fire Ant" tribe is only in the middle of the top ten tribes.

Most importantly, "Tiannan" is only one part of the "Insect World".

At this time.

Zhu Yufang then realized how terrifying the "Insect World" was.

No wonder the sect leader, "Huiyue Zhenren," and the other Zhenren were so cautious about the "Insect Realm."

It's likely that they know the terrifying nature of the "Insect Realm" that prevents them from provoking it. Otherwise, given the plundering nature of the True Person of the "Heavenly Dao Sect," it would be difficult for them to resist invading the resource-rich "Insect Realm."

Just as he was thinking this.

The burning pain on his skin startled him awake. When he came to his senses, he found a terrifying gaze fixed on him, and a scorching, magma-like, intense will descending upon him.

Zhu Yu froze instantly, instinctively looking towards that terrifying gaze.

The first thing that catches the eye is two golden compound eyes that resemble houses, followed by a pair of ferocious fangs, and a massive body that looks like a divine metal hammer. The terrifying heat emanating from it causes the surrounding air to subtly wrinkle and distort.

At this time.

Sensing an external threat, the "Purifying Flame" transformed into wisps of heat, floating on Zhu Yu's body and igniting a faint, illusory flame.

This faint, illusory flame not only absorbed the surrounding temperature, but also devoured its radiating power without any mercy.

next moment.

Zhu Yu felt a sense of relaxation throughout his body, as streams of heat flowed into his body, strengthening his physique and spiritual power from the root. The feeling was like soaking in a hot spring, warm and comfortable.

Before he could even enjoy it for a moment.

The will that had been covering him suddenly withdrew, and a booming voice, undisguised in its disdain, exploded out.

"Hmph, those winged wasps that only steal the talents of spirit beasts are truly ugly and despicable, a disgrace to the ten great tribes—"

I don't know if it's just my imagination.

Zhu Yu could vaguely detect a hint of sourness in his tone.

At this time.

Cai Ling's domineering and arrogant voice came through.

"Lord of the Fire Palace Flower, Cai Ling and Ju Feng will truthfully tell what you said to the chieftain of the 'Great Winged Wasp,' 'Tianmu'—"

These words were spoken.

The "Red Fire Ant" lord, named "Fire Palace Flower," immediately fell silent, crouched down, looked down at the insect and beast, and hummed, "The 'Heavenly Eye' clan leader is a great winged wasp; he won't care about my petty jealousy—"

He hastily added a comment, avoiding Cai Ling's gaze and fixing it on Zhu Yu, saying, "Ju Feng, right? You want to buy a 'Divine Power Talisman'?"

Jufeng snapped out of his daze and respectfully said, "Honorable Fire Palace Flower Lord Warrior, Jufeng wishes to purchase your immense power with the 'Life Stone'—"

"snort--"

Lord Fire Palace Flower stared at him for a few moments, then snorted coldly, raised her head high, and said, "Why don't you go find the 'Great Winged Wasp'?"

Lord?

Zhu Yu truthfully stated, "The Giant Beetle is one of the 'insects' sent out by the tribe and has not yet returned to the 'Giant-winged Wasp' tribe."

Lord Huogonghua exclaimed in surprise, "You haven't returned to your tribe yet!—"

Zhu Yu shook his head.

Lord Fire Palace Flower stared at him for a few more moments, then suddenly said, "A lucky bug—"

He shook his head, said no more, and raised his head to say, "Then, Giant Peak, what price are you prepared to pay for my power?"

Zhu Yu had already guessed that the "supernatural talismans" were more valuable than he had imagined. Without hesitation, he shook out all the cloth bags from his back armor, placed them in front of him, opened them one by one, and respectfully said, "I wonder if these can be exchanged for your power—"

"Huh—"

Concentrating on examining Zhu Yu's background and disparaging "Big-Winged Wasp," Lord Huogonghua hadn't carefully examined the cargo on its back. Upon seeing it now, he was quite surprised.

The 50 million "Life Stones" are secondary.

What makes it stand out is the divine gift of the "Chaotian Mushroom"—

It took one with a thought, examined it carefully, and was even more surprised. After a few moments of silence, it said, "An insect that has received the favor of the Mother Goddess—"

Zhu Yu was speechless. So this is how someone goes from being a lucky bug to being upgraded?

Lord Fire Palace Flower was somewhat conflicted. Originally, it had accepted Cai Ling's invitation simply to give face to this old friend with extraordinary bloodline. As for selling "supernatural talismans," it hadn't fallen to such a state of destitution.

Zhu Yu's origins surprised it somewhat, and the fact that his bloodline abilities were clearly extraordinary surprised it even more.

Next, he took out the "Heavenly Mushroom," a divinely bestowed fruit.

Moreover, it was originally "given by God".

Lord Huogonghua was momentarily at a loss as to how to refuse.

It is not afraid of the "Wasp" tribe, but it does not want to refuse the friendship of a "Wasp" warrior who will most likely become a lord in the future.

After all, talk is cheap.

Which insect doesn't know how formidable the "great-winged wasp" is?

Once the century-long rotation period is over, and in the future, when we wage war against the ugly insectoid "kingdom" beyond Tiannan, if Zhu Yu can transform into a lord, perhaps they can all go together to conquer it—

Thoughts surged within it, and the Fire Palace Flower Lord lowered its gaze, slightly opened its mouth, and a hundred "Heavenly Mushrooms" flew into its mouth. Then it slowly lay down, and a golden-red energy like magma rose around its body, enveloping it.

"When the sun rises, I will bestow upon you my strength, not because of the 'divine gift,' but because of your friendship, Giant Peak—"

Zhu Yu was taken aback, then came to his senses and said respectfully, "I am deeply honored by your friendship."

After saying this, he hurriedly picked up the spider silk bag on the ground, turned around and retreated a hundred feet.

I was just about to ask Cai Ling about the background of Lord Huogonghua.

Suddenly, Jia Twenty-Three, who had been waiting outside, stepped forward and asked, "Jufeng, are you looking to buy this?"

It slightly opened its mouth, and a deep blue light flew out, manifesting as a purplish-black "Siren Ugly Duckling" flower in front of the two insects. Wisps of light surged within the petals, making Jufeng feel a chill run down his spine and a series of alarming signs urging him to flee the place.

He stared intently at the flower, took a few steps back, and suppressed his discomfort, saying, "Jia Twenty-Three, quickly put it away. Jufeng can't afford this—"

Jia Twenty-Three didn't put away the "flower" containing lord-level divine power. His gaze fell on the spider silk bag on his back armor, and he chuckled, "Giant Peak can afford it, as long as—as long as you give all the life stones on your back to Jia Twenty-Three, this 'divine power talisman' will be yours—"

"It's more than fifty million Life Stones—"

Zhu Yu shook his head repeatedly.

Unlike other "supernatural talismans," these contain the lord's will. He dared not buy them without the lord's permission; that would not be buying supernatural abilities, but rather buying a bomb that could be detonated at any moment.

"Fifty million!—"

Jia Twenty-Three's eyes lit up. He grabbed the "flower" and stuffed it into Zhu Yu's hand. It wasn't stupid; it knew what Zhu Yu was worried about. It slightly opened its mouth and spat out two more "flowers."

He winked at Zhu Yu and said, "Don't worry about the giant peaks, there are still two more Jia 23 flowers left—"

"this--"

Zhu Yu was stunned for a moment, then his eyes showed a strange expression.

When will "supernatural talismans" be able to have three layers?

Cai Ling, standing to the side, also looked at "Jia Twenty-Three" with a strange expression. Suddenly, as if sensing something, its pupils shrank to the size of pinpoints, and its feathers bristled slightly.

Just as Zhu Yu was about to politely decline, he felt a gentle, wind-like will emerge and lightly brush against him. Immediately afterward, a kind and gentle voice rang in his mind.

"Lucky little fellow, it's the friendship of Jia Twenty-Three. If you'd like, don't hesitate—"

As soon as he finished speaking, his will silently crumbled.

"Was that... the 'Sea Serpent Queen' lord just now?"

'