Chapter 664

Chapter 664: The Black Insects

"Ye Yun, do you know snake gallbladders are highly nourishing these days?" Drooling at the giant python, the Ancestor of the Sword Path infused his soul power into the Purple Shadow Divine Sword. A surge of overwhelming Sword Might erupted along Ye Yun’s blade, accompanied by fierce winds capable of tearing through everything as the sword arc charged forward.

"Don’t worry. While Ye Yun lacks appreciation, I certainly don’t!" The Ancestor merged with Ye Yun’s Born as a Sword technique. As the sword’s radiance shattered the python’s mind, he glimpsed a shadowy figure observing the creature—a mere glance that sealed the python’s fate.

"Though the benefits are minimal, it’s still better than nothing." Inside Ye Yun, the Ancestor chuckled while absorbing the refined essence of the red snake gallbladder. Its physical form had crumbled to dust when extracted, leaving only this condensed illusion of vitality.

"You never miss a chance to restore your soul power, Ancestor," Ye Yun sighed, landing on the python’s upturned belly at the lake’s center. He plunged his sword into the flesh, carving out chunks from its vital region.

"Rarely eaten snake meat… a good chance to try it here." Storing the heart meat in his storage pouch, Ye Yun smiled faintly.

"Enjoy your feast. This Ancestor cares little for serpent flesh," the Ancestor remarked, watching Ye Yun work. "Though in my physical days, a python this size might’ve tempted me."

"Best you remain a soul, then." After finishing, Ye Yun turned to find Jin An and Golden Ling’er approaching. Golden Ling’er prodded the python’s corpse, intrigued by its tentacles. Slicing a membrane, she recoiled as blood gushed out.

"Why does it bleed like this?" Jin An asked, eyeing the pungent pool.

"Likely a guardian spirit of the Xumi Treasure," Ye Yun said. "Stay close, or I can’t ensure your safety. If uneasy, I’ll erect a Deceptive Array here. Follow me, and I’ll protect you."

"Senior, without you, we’d never have reached this place," Jin An replied. "Any treasure you claim is rightfully yours. We’re honored to receive even scraps."

"Exactly! Brother’s useless usually, but he’s right this time," Golden Ling’er added.

"Don’t underestimate me. Protect Ling’er, but I’ll join you deeper into the treasure," Jin An insisted.

"No! If Brother goes, I go too!" Golden Ling’er stamped her foot.

"Naïve youngsters," the Ancestor mused privately. "Weak, yet spirited. Amusing."

"The dangers ahead could kill even me," Ye Yun warned. Seeing their resolve unshaken, he relented. "Very well. I’ll stop dissuading you."

"Hehe, you’re too stubborn, Senior!" Golden Ling’er teased from Jin An’s shoulder.

"Ling’er’s bored. Staying safe here would mean no real growth," Jin An admitted. Ye Yun’s earlier sword strike—obliterating a hundred like him—had ignited his thirst to witness true power.

Ye Yun’s concerns lingered. If the True Roaring Four-Tailed Flower indeed rivaled a Seventh Level Nascent Soul cultivator wielding two supreme Immortal artifacts, protecting them while fighting would be precarious.

Supreme Immortal artifacts created vast disparities. Their wielders were extraordinary geniuses from major sects—like the man in black clothing Ye Yun had met, whose Supreme Sword of Inquiry radiated lethal perfection. Against such foes, Ye Yun might need to break his oath and unleash the full Born as a Sword technique, channeling spiritual power and true qi to replicate that devastating strike from the Time and Space Hall.

Guided by the fragment’s pink glow, Ye Yun navigated the underground maze. After hours, they emerged into a vibrant meadow—utterly unlike the Extreme Northern Frost Land’s icy desolation.

"No snow… not even water!" Golden Ling’er twirled among butterflies.

"Don’t wander," Jin An cautioned.

"Ugh! I’m not a child!" She dove into flowered bushes.

"Ye Yun! Don’t use spiritual power here!" the Ancestor suddenly roared. Before Ye Yun reacted, the ground quaked. A Black Windstorm of insects surged toward them, darkening the sky.

Four-colored spiritual light enveloped Ye Yun as a cold gust whipped past.

"Damned pests!" The Ancestor crushed ambushing insects with soul power.

"Fight with true qi and bodies only!" Ye Yun ordered. Golden Ling’er summoned a golden bell, its Immortal artifact aura flaring. "We’re shielded. Focus on killing them!"

"Your luck’s rotten today." Ye Yun’s true qi erupted, pulverizing nearby insects. "Born as a Sword!"

The Purple Shadow Divine Sword flashed. A black arc sliced the swarm, Sword Path will detonating among them.

"Retreat! You’ve drawn *it* out!" the Ancestor barked. The earth split as a colossal troll wielding a club-like treasure loomed ahead.