txolops Chapter 427 The Liu Family Seeks Refuge
Chapter 427 The Liu Family Seeks Refuge
Chapter 427 The Liu Family Seeks Refuge
These little guys were the six-winged frost centipedes that he had obtained from Liu Yu years ago, possessing the bloodline of a true dragon with ice attributes.
Over the past decade, Luo Ming has spared no effort in nurturing the mutated snow silkworms by providing them with "extreme cold energy" that is highly beneficial to ice-attribute spirit insects, investing a lot of spirit stones to maintain a rich spiritual energy environment, and regularly feeding them the cold breath insects that he "casually" brought back from the Spirit Control Sect years ago, which were specifically used to cultivate ice-type spirit insects.
The growth rate of these eight six-winged frost centipedes is astonishing; they have all reached the peak of level two and are only one step away from breaking through to level three.
The "Ice Soul Breath" they exhale now, when combined, is pure and fierce enough to pose an effective threat to a level 5 demon beast, and can even freeze its movements for a short time.
Luo Ming had no doubt that once all eight Frost Centipedes advanced to level five, with their True Dragon bloodline talent, the combined power of their "Ice Soul Chill Breath" would definitely be enough to threaten a Nascent Soul cultivator! This would be another powerful asset in future battles.
However, Luo Ming's ambitions went far beyond that. What he wanted was an even larger and more elite swarm of Frost Centipedes!
A glint flashed in his eyes, and he raised his right hand, his palm shimmering with light, instantly producing two more items.
On the left is a "blue jade bottle" that is about three inches tall, entirely emerald green, and faintly glowing with spiritual light.
A faint, yet strangely sweet and pungent, aura emanated from the mouth of the bottle, capable of stirring a certain primal impulse deep within the bloodline of demonic beasts.
It was the "Demon-Attracting Grass Essence" that he had refined in his early years, which had a strong aphrodisiac and reproductive-promoting effect on demonic beasts and insects. This substance is now ineffective against the Gold-Eating Insects, but it is still very effective against other types of low-level demonic beasts and spirit insects.
On the right was a palm-sized, flawless, and warm-to-the-touch "jade box." The lid was tightly closed, but Luo Ming clearly remembered that inside was a special crystal left by a strange insect—the "Spirit Mist Insect"—that he had accidentally discovered and collected when he was still in the Foundation Establishment stage on the small island where the secret cave of "Willow Stone" was located.
This crystal also has the magical effect of stimulating the reproductive desires of monsters and spirit insects, and its properties are slightly different from those of the essence of the Demon-Attracting Grass, which may produce a synergistic or complementary effect.
Without further hesitation, Luo Ming flicked his fingers, and two beams of spiritual light struck the sealing talisman on the jade bottle and the lid of the jade box, respectively.
"Pop!" "Click!"
The slight cracking sound and the opening sound rang out almost simultaneously.
The next moment—
An indescribable odor, a mixture of the unique sweet and fishy smell of the alluring grass and the faint fragrance emanating from the crystals of the spirit mist insects, instantly filled the secret room!
The smell was quite strange, even pungent, to human cultivators, but to the eight six-winged frost centipedes that were quietly lying on the ice, breathing out cold air, it was nothing less than the most potent catalyst!
"hiss--!"
"Hiss—!"
The previously quiet six-winged frost centipede suddenly raised half of its body almost simultaneously, its compound eyes instantly turning blood red, and it emitted an anxious and excited hiss!
They ignored the spirit stones beneath them and stopped breathing out cold air. Instead, they all turned their bodies and stared at the open jade bottle and box in Luo Ming's hand with their crimson compound eyes. Their slender bodies trembled slightly with excitement, and their wings vibrated at a high frequency, making a soft "buzzing" sound. They looked impatient and eager!
Looking at the eight six-winged frost centipedes that instantly entered a state of excitement, Luo Ming showed a satisfied expression. With a gentle wave of his hand, he evenly sprinkled a few drops of crystal-clear liquid from the jade bottle, as well as a few grains of rice-sized "spirit mist insect crystals" emitting a hazy white light from the jade box, onto a specially made jade plate inside the light shield.
"Go. Whether you can produce better offspring and purify your bloodline depends on your own fate." Luo Ming murmured, removing the part of the restriction that covered the jade plate.
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh whoosh!"
Eight white shadows flashed by, and eight six-winged frost centipedes pounced on the jade plate at top speed, frantically licking and devouring anything that could greatly stimulate their reproductive instincts.
Inside the sealed room, the strange "odor" grew stronger, accompanied by the excited hissing of the frost centipedes and the "rustling" sound of them rubbing their carapaces.
Just as he was fully focused, a faint light flashed from the barrier outside the secret chamber, and a pale golden communication talisman silently penetrated in and hovered in front of him.
Luo Ming's brows twitched slightly as he sent a wisp of his divine sense into the object to examine its contents.
"Liu Su?" A hint of surprise flashed in Luo Ming's eyes. He withdrew his gaze from observing the Frost Centipede, gently pinched the communication talisman between his fingers, and released a little magic power from his fingertips. The talisman turned into specks of spiritual light and dissipated.
"How did she end up on Silver Shark Island? Isn't this woman from the Liu family on Red Sand Island? I remember the Liu family still has a Nascent Soul ancestor in charge. Although their reputation isn't great, they're still a force to be reckoned with. As a master weapon refiner in her clan, why isn't she staying on Red Sand Island? Why is she running off to this dangerous place on the open sea, and even trying to rely on me, a newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator?" Luo Ming muttered to himself, a hint of confusion showing between his brows.
A scene flashed through his mind: a hundred years ago, at a small trade fair in the Golden Green Cave, when he first met that gentle female cultivator in a light green dress, with graceful manners and insightful knowledge of weapon crafting.
Back then, he was just a newcomer to the Core Formation stage, while she was already a renowned weapon-refining master. Time flies, and unexpectedly, he heard news of her again here, this time in the form of "seeking dependence."
"However—" Luo Ming's eyes flickered slightly as he pondered.
"This woman's talent for weapon crafting is indeed extraordinary. I could tell from our conversation back then that she had a solid foundation and unique insights. Over the years, her skills must have become even more refined. A true weapon crafting master is a rare resource no matter where you are. Although Bright Moon Pavilion is not short of resources now, it does need reliable professionals to oversee the customization of high-level magic weapons and the crafting of special magic artifacts."
Although Wen Siyue is clever, she only has a superficial understanding of weapon crafting. If Liu Su genuinely wants to join us and we can resolve any potential problems she might cause, taking her into our establishment would be a good deal.
He stood up, straightened his perfectly wrinkle-free black robe, and with a slight thought, the door to the secret chamber slid open silently.
Before leaving, he glanced one last time at the Frost Centipede inside the light barrier, which had already entered the state and begun to attempt mating. He then waved his hand and cast several auxiliary spells to stabilize the aura and promote success. With a flicker, he transformed into a faint phantom and headed up the stairs.
On the top floor of Mingyue Tower, in a quiet room with elegant furnishings and a view overlooking the small peninsula.
Wen Siyue was talking to a guest. Today, Wen Siyue was wearing a sky-blue palace dress, her hair was tied up in a high bun, her skin was like jade, and the immaturity of a girl had faded from her eyes, replaced by the charm and competence of a mature woman. With every glance, she exuded the calm and composed demeanor of someone in charge.
After she advanced to the Core Formation stage, her temperament changed significantly. In addition, she had been handling the affairs inside and outside Mingyue Tower for many years, and she was no longer the shy and blushing little girl she used to be.
Sitting opposite her was a woman with a slender figure and delicate, gentle features, dressed in a light green, belted long dress. It was Liu Su. She sat upright with her hands folded on her knees, her expression showing a hint of respect and barely perceptible tension. Her gaze occasionally swept towards the door of the quiet room, clearly waiting.
"Fellow Daoist Wen, there's no need to be so polite. Just call me Liu Su." Liu Su spoke softly, smiling slightly at Wen Siyue, trying to ease the slightly reserved atmosphere. "Senior Luo's condensation of the Nascent Soul, which has shaken the outer seas, is truly a fortunate event for our human race. It is already an intrusion of Liu Su to come and offer my congratulations."
"What are you saying, Fairy Liu?" Wen Siyue smiled sweetly and personally poured her a cup of spiritual tea. "Sister's craftsmanship is renowned throughout Silver Shark Island. It is our blessing that Bright Moon Pavilion can have her supply us on a long-term basis."
As they were talking, the door to the quiet room was gently pushed open, and a figure in black robes slowly entered.
Luo Ming's gaze fell on Liu Su, whose expression had changed. A century had passed, but it had not left many marks on her face. Her temperament had become more calm and gentle, and there seemed to be a faint trace of sorrow between her brows. She had lost the bright and clear look of her when she was focused on the way of weapon crafting.
The light green dress she wore was quite similar in color and style to the one she wore when they first met, instantly reminding Luo Ming of the trade fair on Red Sand Island.
"Fairy Liu, how have you been? It's been a long time," Luo Mingchao said with a gentle smile.
The moment Luo Ming entered, Liu Su recognized his face, which hadn't changed much from a hundred years ago, except that his eyes were more profound and serene.
However, the imposing and unfathomable spiritual pressure of the Nascent Soul on the other party, as well as Wen Siyue's respectful "Master," clearly told her that the person in front of her was Luo Ming, the newly promoted ancestor who had recently stirred up a storm on Silver Shark Island and even in the surrounding seas and repelled a powerful enemy!
In her memory, Luo Ming had clearly just formed his core not long ago.
In less than 120 years, he leaped from the early stage of Core Formation to become a Nascent Soul cultivator, and even possessed combat power far exceeding that of his peers—this cultivation speed is simply astonishing!
A storm raged in Liu Su's heart, but she remained calm and composed, quickly suppressing her shock. She stepped forward, curtsied deeply, and said in a clear and respectful voice, "Liu Su congratulates Senior Luo on achieving the Great Dao, condensing your Nascent Soul, and attaining unparalleled supernatural powers! Since we parted a hundred years ago, Senior's demeanor has surpassed even that of the past. This junior—truly admires you."
She adopted a very humble posture, addressing him as "senior" and showing the respect due to a junior, clearly distinguishing the difference in their current status. Although they might have been able to interact as equals and discuss weapon crafting a hundred years ago, times have changed. The difference between Nascent Soul and Core Formation is like an insurmountable chasm.
Luo Ming accepted the greeting calmly and slowly walked to the head seat to sit down.
He realized that this was the difference between the Nascent Soul stage and the Core Formation stage. In the eyes of lower-level cultivators, Nascent Soul stage cultivators were unpredictable and could decide the life and death of others at will, requiring them to be respected and treated with utmost caution. He could no longer, and did not need to, treat these "juniors" as equals as he had in the past.
Luo Ming looked at Liu Su calmly and said, "I remember that the Liu family's ancestor was a Nascent Soul cultivator. Fairy Liu, as the Liu family's weapon-refining master, now wants to pledge allegiance to me. It seems that something has happened to your family!"