Wandao 020
Before dawn fully lit Niupu Village, morning mist drifted between treetops and fields, carrying lingering chill and damp earth scents. Dewdrops clung like pearls, leaves trembled, occasional birdsong punctuated the calm—a rhythm of peaceful morning, soon shattered—
Buzz—!!
A faint vibration echoed from Lin Qixian's spirit bug pouch, like thousands of wings fluttering or spiritual energy surging within. He snapped open his eyes, alert.
Nearby, Wan Xiaochuan sat bare-chested, lean and taut, his skin shimmering pale blue after recent wind-thunder energy exposure. A spirit jade rested on his chest; the Wind-Thunder Sword lay across his knees, sword aura unyielded, strands of lightning and azure wind swirling on the blade. Beside it, a small cluster of blue insect eggs faintly stirred, seemingly awakened by the world's spiritual energy, gradually hatching.
"Xiaochuan, the spirit locusts have matured." Lin Qixian said seriously, withdrawing a green-glowing insect shell from his pouch. "This is the core Qingli spirit bug I spent seven years nurturing. Now I entrust it to you."
Wan Xiaochuan blinked, understanding this was not just a gift of bugs but a bond of life-and-death brotherhood. He took a fine iron blade, cut his fingertip, letting blood drop onto the Qingli main bug's forehead. The bug suddenly shuddered, wings spreading, revealing blue-silver armor and three pairs of slender antennae, its spirit awakening.
"With my blood, recognize me as master." Wan Xiaochuan vowed softly, spiritual and blood energy flowing into the bug, air around instantly thickening.
Lin Qixian also presented a newly nurtured clutch of insect eggs, sealed with grass cord, handing them to Wan Xiaochuan.
"These are unhatched Qingli bug eggs. Keep them with you, nourished by spiritual energy and environment. They will grow stronger as you train, possibly becoming your main battle force."
Wan Xiaochuan looked at him gratefully. "You truly trust me with heart and soul."
The two smiled, ready to resume cultivation, when the village alarm suddenly rang—
Dong!
Dong Dong!
Three consecutive beats, signaling "Spirit beast attack!"
From the southwestern horizon, a black cloud surged toward the village, crossing hills, threading through forests and stones, hissing incessantly.
Rui Ni appeared like wind, drifting out from the woods. She wore a blue-purple embroidered thunder-patterned long dress, hem like smoke, waist bound with white jade thread, silver silk shawl draped on her shoulder, fabric light and refined. Her snow-white skin and flowing black hair contrasted her fierce phoenix-like eyes filled with sword intent.
"The insect tide approaches," she said solemnly, "and there's more than one spirit beast among them!"
Wan Xiaochuan sprang up, thunderlight rising slowly along the sword, eyes fixed on the horizon: "No, it's like... someone's controlling them."
"Uncle Qi," Lin Qixian said coldly, full of caution, "this insect tide is no natural event."
The distant mountains trembled as dozens of crimson-armored pincers beetles, three feet long with sharp red shells, charged forth. Behind them came an overwhelming swarm of black-winged poison bees, blue-striped armored caterpillars, earth-walking bone bugs, purple-eyed sting spiders—like a surging black wave pouring down the mountainside.
Lin Qixian raised his spirit bug pouch; the Qingli main bug let out a long cry as dozens of adult bugs flew out like lightning, forming a green tornado assaulting the opposing swarm.
"Swift march! Poison spin!" he shouted sharply; the bug swarm spun like blades, forcibly intercepting the first wave.
Wan Xiaochuan flashed into the air, swinging his Wind-Thunder Sword, performing "Wind Shock Thunder Strike · Twin Shadows Sever Emotion!"
Buzz—boom!
Sword aura split into two, real and phantom, twin blades entwined like thunder snakes, slicing the earth-walking bone bug in half! Lightning exploded, black smoke billowed, forest shook!
Rui Ni summoned her sword spirit's core; threads of thunder energy flowed from her palm into the air, forming a thunder lotus blade blooming like snow.
"Thunder Severing · Falling Blade Lotus!" she called.
Wan Xiaochuan smirked, familiar with the move: "Our sword spirits really are dominant."
The three attacked together, gradually breaking the black tide. Suddenly, a figure appeared on a distant hillside—an amiable fat old man in a green robe, jade ring, low laughter—Uncle Qi!
"Hehe, kids respond well. But—this is only the appetizer."
With a sleeve wave, a giant beast appeared behind him—the Red-Eyed Devourer Bug, body red-black, hundreds feet long, mouth like a blood basin, wings spread blotting out the sky, shaking the forest as it advanced.
Wan Xiaochuan gasped: "Primordial spirit rank... spirit beast?"
Rui Ni's face darkened: "If we don't give our all, someone will die here!"
They were only at late Qi Refinement stages, facing such beasts was like mountains pressing down. At this moment, the Wind-Thunder Sword trembled like a drum, Qingli spirit bug emitted sharp cries.
The true trial had just begun...