yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， zhì shǎo jiù rén jiè lái shuō ． yǐ shì dǐng ér jiān ér de gāo shǒu ， fǒu zé zhè zhǒng děng jí de cún zài ． bú huì bèi chēng zhī wèi lǎo guài 。
元婴期修仙者，至少就人界来说．已是顶儿尖儿的高手，否则这种等级的存在．不会被称之为老怪。
Advanced Spirit婴 cultivators, especially within the human world, are already top-tier experts. Otherwise, such beings wouldn't be called old monsters.
néng gòu jié yīng chéng gōng ． duì yú xiū shì lái shuō ． yǐ shì fú bù shēn hòu ． bù jǐn shòu yuán kě yǐ zhǎng dá qiān nián zhī jiǔ ． yī shēn shén tōng yě dào le néng gòu fān jiāng dǎo hǎi de dì bù 。
能够结婴成功．对于修士来说．已是福簿深厚．不仅寿元可以长达千年之久．一身神通也到了能够翻江倒海的地步。
Successfully forming an infant spirit is a great fortune for cultivators; not only does it extend their lifespan to over a thousand years, but also grants them formidable abilities that can manipulate the natural world.
zhì yú hòu qī de dà xiū xiān zhě ． gèng shì lìng rén xiàn mù 、 chú le shòu yuán hào jìn yǐ wài ． jī hū bèi shì wéi bù sǐ bù miè de cún zài 。
至于后期的大修仙者．更是令人羡慕、除了寿元耗尽以外．几乎被视为不死不灭的存在。
As for later-stage cultivators, they are even more enviable—aside from exhausting their lifespans, they are almost considered immortal.
zhè shì xiū xiān jiè de cháng shí ． rán ér fán shì jiē yǒu lì wài 。
这是修仙界的常识．然而凡事皆有例外。
This is common knowledge in the cultivation world. However, there are always exceptions.
yuán yīng xiū shì gù rán fēng guāng wú bǐ 、 rán ér zài tā men shàng miàn hái yǒu lí hé qī 。
元婴修士固然风光无比、然而在他们上面还有离合期。
Advanced Spirit cultivators may be glorious, but above them lies the Separation and Union stage.
zhǐ bù guò dào le nà ge děng jí ． shì sú duì tā men lái shuō ． yǐ méi yǒu yì yì ． yī xīn suǒ xiǎng de dōu shì rú hé fēi shēng dào líng jiè qù 。
只不过到了那个等级．世俗对他们来说．已没有意义．一心所想的都是如何飞升到灵界去。
At that level, secular society holds no meaning for them; all they think about is ascending to the Spiritual Realm.
bié shuō pǔ tōng de xiū xiān zhě ． jiù suàn hòu qī dà xiū shì yì bān yě méi yǒu jiàn guò lí hé lǎo guài de 。
别说普通的修仙者．就算后期大修士一般也没有见过离合老怪的。
Even ordinary cultivators have never seen an old monster from the Separation and Union stage.
chuán shuō ， lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě néng gòu cāo zòng tiān dì yuán qì ， shí lì zhī qiáng ， yuǎn yuǎn chāo guò yì bān xiū shì de xiǎng xiàng 。
传说，离合期修仙者能够操纵天地元气，实力之强，远远超过一般修士的想象。
Legends say that Separation and Union stage cultivators can manipulate primordial energy of heaven and earth, their power far exceeding that of regular cultivators.
yǎn qián biàn rú cǐ ． qí yú zhī rén zàn qiě bù tí ． nà chì xiāo zhēn rén kě shì huì wài sān xiān zhī yī ， rú guǒ méi yǒu tiān yá hǎi gé ． zhěng gè wài huì xiū xiān jiè biàn yǐ tā men sān rén wéi zūn le 。
眼前便如此．其余之人暂且不提．那赤霄真人可是诲外三仙之一，如果没有天涯海阁．整个外诲修仙界便以他们三人为尊了。
Here, it's no different; aside from Lin Xuan, the rest were merely eliminated in a single exchange.
shēng míng yuǎn bō ． xiǎng yù zhǎng dá bǎi nián zhī jiǔ ． kě yǎn qián ． bù guò yí gè zhào miàn ． jiù fǎng fú lóu yǐ yì bān de bèi miè shā diào le 。
声名远播．享誉长达百年之久．可眼前．不过一个照面．就仿佛蝼蚁一般的被灭杀掉了。
At this moment, life is so fragile—whether you're a great cultivator or not, before an old monster from the Separation and Union stage, you are all equally vulnerable.
zài zhè yī kè ． shēng mìng shì rú cǐ cuì ruò ． guǎn nǐ shì bú shì suǒ wèi de dà xiū xiān zhě ． zài lí hé qī lǎo guài miàn qián dōu shì yī yàng de 。
在这一刻．生命是如此脆弱．管你是不是所谓的大修仙者．在离合期老怪面前都是一样的。
"Old friend Lin, why do you think I'm patrolling the territory of our sect? As one of your senior elders, what's wrong with me doing my duty?" Lin Xuan coldly retorted.
chū shī wèi jié shēn xiān sǐ ， liù rén yuán běn shì xiǎng yào xún zhǎo tiān sāng xuè guǐ de bǎo wù ． què zuò mèng yě xiǎng bú dào huì yǔn luò zài cǐ chù 。
出师未捷身先死，六人原本是想要寻找天桑血鬼的宝物．却做梦也想不到会陨落在此处。
"What? You're that Lin Xuan?" The old man in green robes was taken aback before his expression turned understanding.
bù guò zhè yàng de shì qíng hěn duō ． yōu shèng liè tài ． cóng lín fǎ zé 、 xiū xiān jiè zì gǔ yǐ lái yí xiàng biàn shì rú cǐ de 。
不过这样的事情很多．优胜劣汰．丛林法则、修仙界自古以来一向便是如此的。
Given the few Separation and Union stage cultivators among both human and妖族, they are well-known to each other, regardless of their relationships.
jǔ shǒu tóu zú ， shùn xī jiān miè shā le liù míng yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ． rán ér nà qīng páo lǎo zhě de biǎo qíng fǎn ér yīn mái xià qù le 。
举手投足，瞬息间灭杀了六名元婴期修仙者．然而那青袍老者的表情反而阴霾下去了。
Hearing this, he deduced who I am. "It's you, Lin Daoist? Please forgive my earlier mistake. I'm Master Hundred Insects from the Spirit Manipulation Sect. Our two sects have always had good relations; I came here for a matter and didn't expect to encounter your sect." He smiled as he clasped his hands.
yīn wèi yǒu yí gè rén hái huó zhe 。
因为有一个人还活着。
"Hundred Insects, Hundred Insects True Man?"
bù jǐn huó zhe ， zì jǐ de zǐ xīng piáo chóng hái bèi tā shī fǎ kùn zhù ， rú cǐ shén tōng ， jué bú shì yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ． nán dào shuō …．
不仅活着，自己的紫星瓢虫还被他施法困住，如此神通，绝不是元婴期修仙者．难道说…．
Lin Xuan's pupils constricted. Although he had suspected this earlier, hearing him admit it made him wary.
qià hǎo ． lín xuān tái qǐ tóu lú ． yǔ duì zhuān de mù guāng xiāng chù ， shì qíng dào le zhè yī bù ， yǐn cáng xiū wèi yǐ méi yǒu yì yì ． shēn shēn hū xī ． lín xuān lüè yī yùn zhuàn tǐ nèi de fǎ lì 。
恰好．林轩抬起头颅．与对专的目光相触，事情到了这一步，隐藏修为已没有意义．深深呼吸．林轩略一运转体内的法力。
Hundred Insects True Man was undoubtedly an old monster from the Separation and Union stage, which meant he was also the Supreme Elder of the Spirit Manipulation Sect.
dùn shí ， yī gǔ jīng rén de líng qì chōng tiān ér qǐ ． lín xuān hún shēn qīng guāng shǎn shuò ． qì shì bǐ gāng gāng bào zēng le shí bèi hái duō 。
顿时，一股惊人的灵气冲天而起．林轩浑身青光闪烁．气势比刚刚暴增了十倍还多。
It was well-known that insect manipulation techniques were one of the hundred arts in cultivation, with unparalleled power.
“ dào yǒu guǒ rán shì lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě 、 cáng tóu lù wěi de lái dào cǐ chù ， suǒ yù wèi hé ？”
“道友果然是离合期修仙者、藏头露尾的来到此处，所欲为何？”
Thousands or even tens of thousands of spiritual insects swarming over—higher-grade cultivators often found themselves in shock when encountering them.
nà qīng páo lǎo rén yī zì yī dùn de kāi kǒu le ， yǔ zhī bàn suí de shì ． tā shēn shàng de qì shì yě zài yī fēn yī fēn de biāo shēng kuáng zhǎng ． suǒ sàn fà chū lái de wēi yā bǐ lín xuān gèng qiáng 。
那青袍老人一字一顿的开口了，与之伴随的是．他身上的气势也在一分一分的飙升狂涨．所散发出来的威压比林轩更强。
In the cultivation world, it's difficult to challenge across levels; while multiple factors determine a cultivator's strength, the most significant is their realm.
tóng wèi lí hé ， dàn lín xuān bù guò shì gāng gāng jiāng jìng jiè wěn gù ． ér duì fāng yǐ jīng shì chū qī dǐng fēng le 。
同为离合，但林轩不过是刚刚将境界稳固．而对方已经是初期顶峰了。
However, for those skilled in insect manipulation, such challenges were common.
wén běn 。“ hēng ， dào yǒu zhè huà hǎo méi dào lǐ ， zhěng gè yún zhōu wài hǎi ． yí xiàng shòu wǒ tiān yá hǎi gé bǎo hù ． lín mǒu shēn wèi běn pài zhǎng lǎo ． xún shì zōng mén lǐng dì yǒu hé bù ān ． dǎo shì gé xià guǐ guǐ suì suì de lái dào cǐ chù ． shì xiǎng yào duì běn mén bù lì me ？” lín xuān lěng lěng de kāi kǒu le 。
文本。“哼，道友这话好没道理，整个云州外海．一向受我天涯海阁保护．林某身为本派长老．巡视宗门领地有何不安．倒是阁下鬼鬼祟祟的来到此处．是想要对本门不利么？”林轩冷冷的开口了。
Not just one level, but even several—Lin Xuan had read of an advanced凝聚期 cultivator who used thousands of spiritual insects to defeat a middle-stage infant spirit.
“ shén me ， tiān yá hǎi gé ． zhè me shuō ， nǐ jiù shì nà lín xuān lín xiǎo zi le ？” qīng páo lǎo zhě yī dāi ， suí hòu liǎn shàng jiàn jiàn lù chū liǎo rán de biǎo qíng lái 。
“什么，天涯海阁．这么说，你就是那林轩林小子了？”青袍老者一呆，随后脸上渐渐露出了然的表情来。
The opponent's body was destroyed; they barely managed to escape back into their cave after exhausting all their abilities.
fàng yǎn rén yāo liǎng zú ． lí hé xiū shì yě qū zhǐ kě shǔ ． bǐ cǐ zhī jiān bù guǎn guān xì rú hé ， yě dōu shì fēi cháng shú xī de 。
放眼人妖两族．离合修士也屈指可数．彼此之间不管关系如何，也都是非常熟悉的。
From this alone, the power of insect manipulation could be seen.
tū rán chū xiàn yī shēng miàn kǒng ， tā xīn zhōng yǐ zài dí gū ． rú jīn yòu tīng lín xuān zhè me shuō ． zì rán huà dào tā de lái lì le 。
突然出现一生面孔，他心中已在嘀咕．如今又听林轩这么说．自然话到他的来历了。
But as with everything, there are pros and cons. While the power of insect manipulation is tempting, achieving such strength requires a large number of insects.
yuán lái shì lín dào yǒu ， qǐng shù lǎo fū gāng cái shī yán ， zài xià yù líng zōng bǎi chóng ， guì wǒ liǎng pài guān xì yí xiàng bù cuò ， wǒ lái zhè lǐ dāng rán bú shì xiǎng yào duì fù tiān yá hǎi gé 。” qīng páo zhě bào quán yī xiào de shuō 。
源来是林道友，请恕老夫刚才失言，在下御灵宗百虫，贵我两派关系一向不错，我来这里当然不是想要对付天涯海阁。”青袍者抱拳一笑的说。
Only when an insect cloud forms in scale can it instill fear into enemies.
“ bǎi chóng ． bǎi chóng zhēn rén ？、
“百虫．百虫真人？、
Otherwise, even top-ranked ferocious creatures on the spiritual insect list, if only two or three, would be laughable.
lín xuān bù yóu de tóng kǒng wēi suō ， suī rán gāng cái jǐ yǐn yǐn yǒu cāi cè ， dàn tīng duì cái qīn kǒu tǎn chéng ． biǎo qíng hái shì dà wèi jiè jù qǐ lái le 。
林轩不由得瞳孔微缩，虽然刚才己隐隐有猜测，但听对才亲口坦诚．表情还是大为戒惧起来了。
Unlike ordinary insects, these wild and strange insects became harder to control as they grew stronger.
bǎi chóng zhēn rén ． jì rán shì lí hé qī lǎo guài wù ， bú yòng shuō ． zì rán yě jiù shì yù líng zōng de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo le 。
百虫真人．既然是离合期老怪物，不用说．自然也就是御灵宗的太上长老了。
Even reaching the infant spirit stage, a cultivator with hundreds of spiritual insects was already considered outstanding. Those who could command thousands were passed down from master to disciple over generations.
zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， qū chóng shù yě shì xiū xiān bǎi yì ， ér qiě wēi lì wú yǔ lún bǐ 。
众所周知，驱虫术也是修仙百艺，而且威力无与伦比。
As Supreme Elder Hundred Insects, his position was highly respected; he inherited an incredible number and scale of spiritual insects, himself being an old monster from the Separation and Union stage. With their aid, he was far more formidable than ordinary peers.
chéng qiān shàng wàn de líng chóng fēng yōng guò qù 、 jiù suàn shì děng jí gèng gāo de xiū shì yù jiàn le ． wǎng wǎng yě huì hài rán shī sè 。
成千上万的灵虫蜂拥过去、就算是等级更高的修士遇见了．往往也会骇然失色。
Although Lin Xuan wasn't weak, he rarely encountered cultivators at this level. However, after his encounter with the Spirit Manipulation Sect, he had heard much from his sister.
zài xiū xiān jiè ． yuè jí tiǎo zhàn shì hěn nán de ． suī rán jué dìng xiū shì shí lì yǒu duō gè yīn sù ， dàn jiù yǐng xiǎng dà xiǎo lái shuō ． jìng jiè wú yí shì zuì zhòng yào de 。
在修仙界．越极挑战是很难的．虽然决定修士实力有多个因素，但就影响大小来说．境界无疑是最重要的。
Master Hundred Insects was undoubtedly a difficult opponent to deal with.
dàn duì shàn cháng qū shǐ líng chóng de xiū shì lái shuō ． yuè jí tiǎo zhàn què lǚ jiàn bù xiān 。
但对擅长驱使灵虫的修士来说．越级挑战却屡见不鲜。
He hadn't expected to meet him head-on.
shèn zhì hái bù zhǐ yuè le yī jí ， lín xuān zài diǎn jí shàng suǒ kàn guò de zuì jìng diǎn zhàn lì ， shì yī míng níng dān hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě ， qū shǐ shàng wàn líng chóng ， dǎ bài le yī míng yuán yīng zhōng qī de lǎo guài wù 。
甚至还不止越了一级，林轩在典籍上所看过的最径典战例，是一名凝丹后期的修仙者，驱使上万灵虫，打败了一名元婴中期的老怪物。
Thinking of this, Lin Xuan felt wary. While confident in his own strength, it was better to be cautious.
duì fāng shèn zhì lián ròu shēn dōu huǐ qù le ． shǐ jǐn hún shēn xiè shù ． cái zhōng yú ràng yuán yīng táo huí le dòng fǔ 。
对方甚至连肉身都毁去了．使尽浑身解数．才终于让元婴逃回了洞府。
"Old friend Hundred Insects, I've long admired you," Lin Xuan clasped his hands and smiled coldly. "But do you know what I came here for?"
qū chóng shù wēi lì rú hé ． cóng zhè yì diǎn yě kě jiàn yī bān le 。
驱虫术威力如何．从这一点也可见一斑了。
"That's not right, Daoist Lin. Indeed, the Cloud State Outer Sea has always been under your sect's leadership. But this isn't the main base of the Spirit Manipulation Sect. Why should I report to your sect?" The old man in green robes frowned disapprovingly.
bù guò fán shì yǒu lì jiù yǒu bì ． qū chóng shù de wēi lì ， gù rán lìng rén yǎn chán bù yǐ ． dàn líng chóng xiǎng yào dá dào yí dìng de zhàn lì ． shù liàng shì jué bù néng shǎo de 。
不过凡事有利就有弊．驱虫术的威力，固然令人眼馋不已．但灵虫想要达到一定的战力．数量是绝不能少的。
"Ah, you're correct. I was mistaken. Regardless, I have matters to attend to here. As it stands, this is still within the territory of our Spirit Manipulation Sect. As they say, a guest shouldn't overshadow the host. Shouldn't you be accommodating?" Lin Xuan smiled.
chóng yún zhǐ yǒu xíng chéng le guī mó ． cái yǒu ràng dí rén wén fēng sàng dǎn de xiào guǒ 。
虫云只有形成了规模．才有让敌人闻风丧胆的效果。
For ordinary treasures, Lin Xuan naturally didn't want conflicts with peers; it wasn't about fear but avoiding unnecessary enemies.
fǒu zé 、 jiù suàn shì líng chóng bǎng shàng pái míng xíng shí de xiōng wù ． zhǐ yǒu liǎng sān zhǐ ． yī yàng bù guò shì xiào kuò bà le 。
否则、就算是灵虫榜上排名行十的凶物．只有两三只．一样不过是笑括罢了。
But here was different—these butterflies were both strange and beautiful, clearly not something trivial. Moreover, Mo'er had mentioned in her识海 that she recognized these spiritual insects, though the memory was vague.
rán ér yǔ fán chóng bù tóng ， nà xiē mán huāng qí chóng 、 yuè lì hài de ． yuè nán yǐ cuī shú 。
然而与凡虫不同，那些蛮荒奇虫、越厉害的．越难以催熟。
Of course, they must have some connection to her past life.
yì bān shàn cháng qū chóng shù de xiū xiān zhě ． jiù suàn dá dào le yuán yīng qī ， yǒu jǐ bǎi zhǐ líng chóng yǐ fēi cháng liǎo bù qǐ 。
一般擅长驱虫术的修仙者．就算达到了元婴期，有几百只灵虫已非常了不起。
Given this, even if it were just Master Hundred Insects, Lin Xuan wouldn't give up; he planned to snatch the treasure from his jaws.
nà xiē néng gòu qū shǐ shàng qiān líng chóng de xiū shì dōu shì yóu shī fù chuán gěi tú dì ， zhè me yí dài yí dài jì chéng xià lái dì 。
那些能够驱使上千灵虫的修士都是由师傅传给徒弟，这么一代一代继承下来地。
Not wanting trouble didn't mean fearing it. Even as a late-stage infant spirit, Lin Xuan had dared to face old monsters, so now was no different.
ér bǎi chóng qí rén shēn wèi yù líng zōng de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo ． shēn fèn zūn chóng ， jì chéng de líng chóng de shù liàng yǔ guī mó ． dōu dào le lìng rén tàn wéi guān zhǐ de dì bù ， běn shēn yì shì lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě ， jiā shàng líng chóng de fǔ zhù ， yuǎn bǐ yì bān de tóng jiē xiū shì nán yǐ duì fù 。
而百虫其人身为御灵宗的太上长老．身份尊崇，继承的灵虫的数量与规模．都到了令人叹为观止的地步，本身义是离合期修仙者，加上灵虫的辅助，远比一般的同阶修士难以对付。
If Master Hundred Insects cooperated, that would be fine. But if they clashed, Lin Xuan wouldn't mind using him as a test of his strength.
yǐ qián lín xuān suī rán shí lì bù ruò ． dàn bì jìng hěn shǎo jiē chù zhè zhǒng děng jí de xiū xiān zhě ， bù guò shàng cì zài tiān yá hǎi gé ． què tīng jiě jiě shuō le xǔ duō 。
以前林轩虽然实力不弱．但毕竟很少接触这种等级的修仙者，不过上次在天涯海阁．却听姐姐说了许多。
After advancing to the Separation and Union stage, Lin Xuan knew his power had surged significantly, but he needed to test just how strong he was through combat.
zhè bǎi chóng zhēn rén wú yí shì jí wéi nán chán de yí gè 。
这百虫真人无疑是极为难缠的一个。
And the opponent couldn't be too weak; only peers could allow him to fully unleash his secret techniques.
méi xiǎng dào què dāng tóu jiù bèi tā gěi yù shàng le 。
没想到却当头就被他给遇上了。
"What do you mean by that? I arrived here a few days ago, and now you want me to leave first?" Master Hundred Insects was both surprised and angry. His expression darkened as if it would turn into night.
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ． lín xuān bù yóu de dà wèi jiè jù ， suī rán duì zì jǐ de shí lì ． tā tóng yàng xìn xīn shí zú ， dàn xiǎo xīn yī xiē ． zǒng méi yǒu dà cuò 。
想到这里．林轩不由得大为戒惧，虽然对自己的实力．他同样信心十足，但小心一些．总没有大错。
In truth, he had stumbled upon these butterflies purely by chance while casually wandering around. He discovered an extremely powerful spiritual insect that he had never heard of before.
yuán lái shì bǎi chóng dào yǒu ， zài xià jiǔ yǎng le 。” lín xuān bào le bào quán ． pí xiào ròu bù xiào de kāi kǒu ：“ jiù bù zhī dào yǒu lái wǒ tiān yá huì gé ． suǒ yù shì shén me ？”
源来是百虫道友，在下久仰了。”林轩抱了抱拳．皮笑肉不笑的开口：“就不知道友来我天涯诲阁．所欲是什么？”
As a senior elder of the Spirit Manipulation Sect, Master Hundred Insects was familiar with all kinds of wild and strange insects. Even those long extinct were recorded in their sect's archives, allowing him to identify them instantly.
“ lín dào yǒu ． nǐ zhè huà kě jiù bú duì le ， bù cuò ． yún zhōu wài hǎi ． xiàng lái què shí wéi guì mén mǎ shǒu shì wǔ 、 dàn zhè lǐ kě bú shì mǎn zhōu dǎo zǒng duò ． wèi fū lái zhè lǐ bàn yī bàn shì ． nán dào hái yào xiàng guì mén bǐng bào me ？” qīng páo lǎo zhě liǎn sè yī chén ， fú rán bú yuè de shuō 。
“林道友．你这话可就不对了，不错．云州外海．向来确实唯贵门马首是舞、但这里可不是满洲岛总舵．未夫来这里办一办事．难道还要像贵门禀报么？”青袍老者脸色一沉，拂然不悦的说。
But these butterflies—neither had he seen nor even heard of them.
“ ń ． shì zài xià shī yán le ． bù guò lín mǒu lái zhè lǐ yě shì yǒu shì yào bàn de ， bù guǎn rú hé ， zhè lǐ zǒng shì wǒ tiān yá hǎi gé de shì lì fàn wéi ． sú huà shuō ， qiáng bīn bù yā zhǔ ， dào yǒu shì bú shì gāi xíng yí gè fāng biàn ne ？” lín xuān wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
“嗯．是在下失言了．不过林某来这里也是有事要办的，不管如何，这里总是我天涯海阁的势力范围．俗话说，强宾不压主，道友是不是该行一个方便呢？”林轩微笑着说。
Master Hundred Insects became curious. His subsequent observations only made him ecstatic; the strength of these butterflies was beyond imagination, easily able to defeat middle-stage infant spirits.
rú guǒ shì pǔ tōng de bǎo wù ． lín xuān zì rán bù xiǎng yǔ tóng jiē xiū shì chōng tū ． zhè bú shì pà bù pà de wèn tí ． ér shì méi yǒu bì yào wú gù shù dí 。
如果是普通的宝物．林轩自然不想与同阶修士冲突．这不是怕不怕的问题．而是没有必要无故树敌。
Seeing a target of interest, his keen eyesight revealed that they were merely young insects.
dàn yǎn qián bù tóng ． nà xiē hú dié yāo yì ér měi lì ． xiǎn rán shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě zhī wù ． ér qiě yuè ér zài shí hǎi zhōng shuō ． hǎo xiàng rèn de zhè zhǒng líng chóng ． dàn yìn xiàng yì fēi cháng mó hú 。
但眼前不同．那些蝴蝶妖异而美丽．显然是非同小可之物．而且月儿在识海中说．好像认得这种灵虫．但印象义非常模糊。
The thought of their power upon maturity left him speechless.
bú yòng shuō ． kěn dìng yǔ tā qián shì yǒu jǐ fēn guān xì 。
不用说．肯定与她前世有几分关系。
Not many things could entice an old monster from the Separation and Union stage, but at this moment, Master Hundred Insects was practically drooling.
jì rán rú cǐ ． bié shuō qū qū bǎi chóng zhēn rén le ． jiù suàn wàng tíng lóu zài cǐ chù ． lín xuān yě bú huì fàng qì ． zhǔn bèi yǔ tā shàng yǎn hǔ kǒu duó jì 。
既然如此．别说区区百虫真人了．就算望亭楼在此处．林轩也不会放弃．准备与他上演虎口夺祭。
However, while spiritual insects were tempting, subduing them required effort.
bù xiǎng rě shì bìng bù dài biǎo pà shì ， lín xuān hái shì yuán yīng hòu qī de shí hòu jiù gǎn yìng káng lí hé ． xiàn zài zì rán gèng bú yòng shuō 。
不想惹事并不代表怕事，林轩还是元婴后期的时候就敢硬扛离合．现在自然更不用说。
He tried several insect manipulation techniques without success. It seemed ordinary spells couldn't make these insects recognize him as their master.
rú guǒ zhè bǎi chóng zhēn rén shí xiàng yě jiù bà le ． jiǎ ruò shuāng fāng sī pò liǎn pí ． lín xuān bù jiè yì ràng tā zuò zì jǐ shí lì de shì dāo shí 。
如果这百虫真人识相也就罢了．假若双方撕破脸皮．林轩不介意让他做自己实力的试刀石。
But the Spirit Manipulation Sect had been one of the five major forces in ancient times, and its reputation wasn't just for show.
jìn jiē lí hé yǐ hòu ． lín xuān zhī dào zì yǐ shí lì bào zhǎng le xǔ duō ． dàn jiū jìng dào shén me dì bù ． hái shì xū yào yī zhàn lái jiǎn yàn de 。
进阶离合以后．林轩知道自已实力暴涨了许多．但究竟到什么地步．还是需要一战来检验的。
Desperate, the old monster produced his treasure.
ér qiě duì shǒu hái bù néng tài ruò ． zhǐ yǒu tóng jiē xiū xiān zhě ， cái néng ràng lín xuān hān chàng lín lí de shī zhǎn shén tōng mì shù 。
而且对手还不能太弱．只有同阶修仙者，才能让林轩酣畅淋漓的施展神通秘术。
The Hundred Insects Bell!
“ dào yǒu zhè huà shén me yì si ． běn zūn shù rì qián jiù lái dào le zhè lǐ ． nǐ jū rán yào wǒ xiān lí qù ？” bǎi chóng zhēn rén yòu jīng yòu nù ， liǎn sè yī xià zi yīn mái dào jí chù 。
“道友这话什么意思．本尊数日前就来到了这里．你居然要我先离去？”百虫真人又惊又怒，脸色一下子阴霾到极处。
Legends said it was brought down from the Upper Realm by spiritual realm cultivators during ancient times.
shuō qǐ lái ， tā lái dào cǐ chù ， hái zhēn dī jī yuán qiǎo hé ， ǒu rán yóu lì lù guò ， jié guǒ què fā xiàn le yī zhǒng jí wéi lì hài de líng chóng 。
说起来，他来到此处，还真堤机缘巧合，偶然游历路过，结果却发现了一种极为厉害的灵虫。
It was a divine artifact that could manipulate primordial energy.
shēn wèi yù líng zōng dà zhǎng lǎo ， bǎi chóng zhēn rén shén me yàng de mán huāng qí chóng méi yǒu jiàn guò ， jiù suàn shì zǎo yǐ miè jué diào de ． zōng nèi yě cún yǒu tú pǔ ， néng gòu yī yǎn biàn shí dé chū 。
身为御灵宗大长老，百虫真人什么样的蛮荒奇虫没有见过，就算是早已灭绝掉的．宗内也存有图谱，能够一眼辨识得出。
Unlike ordinary spiritual artifacts, this one served as an auxiliary tool; in other words, it couldn't attack or defend well.
kě zhè zhǒng hú dié ， tā bié shuō jiàn le ， gēn běn lián tīng dōu méi yǒu tīng shuō 。
可这种蝴蝶，他别说见了，根本连听都没有听说。
However, it had a suppressive effect on spiritual insects.
bǎi chóng zhēn rén dà wèi hào qí ， jiē xià lái de guān chá gèng ràng tā xīn zhōng kuáng xǐ ． zhè zhǒng hú dié shí lì zhī qiáng ， nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng ． jiù suàn shì yuán yīng qī xiū xiān zhě ， yě néng qīng yì miè chú 。
百虫真人大为好奇，接下来的观察更让他心中狂喜．这种蝴蝶实力之强，难以想象．就算是元婴期修仙者，也能轻易灭除。
No matter what wild and strange insect—once encountering the bell, their power would diminish significantly.
jiàn liè xīn xǐ ， ér qiě yǐ tā de yǎn lì 、 zì rán kàn zhě chū zhè zhǒng hú dié bù guò shì yòu chóng ér yǐ 。
见猎心喜，而且以他的眼力、自然看者出这种蝴蝶不过是幼虫而已。
In short, with such a treasure, facing cultivators skilled in insect manipulation almost guaranteed victory.
nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng ． yí dàn chéng shú ， huì qiáng hèng dào shén me dì bù 。
难以想象．一旦成熟，会强横到什么地步。
Despite his efforts, Master Hundred Insects used the divine artifact to confine these butterflies for several days but couldn't subdue them.
néng gòu ràng lí hé qī lǎo guài wù dòng xīn de bù duō ， dàn cǐ shí cǐ kè ． bǎi chóng zhēn rén dōu kuài liú kǒu shuǐ le 。
能够让离合期老怪物动心的不多，但此时此刻．百虫真人都快流口水了。
After careful observation, he realized it required forty-nine days of confinement until the insects were at their weakest point, allowing him to drop blood and claim ownership.
bù guò líng chóng suī rán ràng rén yǎn rè ， xiǎng yào shēng fú què yào fèi yī fān gōng fu 。
不过灵虫虽然让人眼热，想要牲服却要费一番功夫。
Initially elated, he was dismayed when Lin Xuan interrupted his plans.
tā yī lián shī zhǎn le shù zhǒng qū chóng shù ， dōu méi yǒu xiào guǒ ． kàn lái yòng pǔ tōng de fǎ shù ． gēn běn jiù bù kě néng ràng zhè zhǒng líng chóng rèn zhǔ 。
他一连施展了数种驱虫术，都没有效果．看来用普通的法术．根本就不可能让这种灵虫认主。
The Spirit Manipulation Sect's influence was growing; if possible, Master Hundred Insects didn't want to offend them. But now, how could he back down?
bù guò yù líng zōng nǎi shì chuán chéng zì shàng gǔ zuò wèi qù zhōu wǔ dà shì lì zhī yī ， zhè shēng míng zì rán bú shì chuī xū chū lái dì 。
不过御灵宗乃是传承自上古做为去州五大势力之一，这声名自然不是吹嘘出来地。
After all, he had invested much effort in reclaiming these butterflies, and a prize almost within reach couldn't be given away so easily.
Advanced Spirit婴 cultivators, especially within the human world, are already top-tier experts. Otherwise, such beings wouldn't be called old monsters.
Successfully forming an infant spirit is a great fortune for cultivators; not only does it extend their lifespan to over a thousand years, but also grants them formidable abilities that can manipulate the natural world.
As for later-stage cultivators, they are even more enviable—aside from exhausting their lifespans, they are almost considered immortal.
This is common knowledge in the cultivation world. However, there are always exceptions.
Advanced Spirit cultivators may be glorious, but above them lies the Separation and Union stage.
At that level, secular society holds no meaning for them; all they think about is ascending to the Spiritual Realm.
Even ordinary cultivators have never seen an old monster from the Separation and Union stage.
Legends say that Separation and Union stage cultivators can manipulate primordial energy of heaven and earth, their power far exceeding that of regular cultivators.
Here, it's no different; aside from Lin Xuan, the rest were merely eliminated in a single exchange.
At this moment, life is so fragile—whether you're a great cultivator or not, before an old monster from the Separation and Union stage, you are all equally vulnerable.
"Old friend Lin, why do you think I'm patrolling the territory of our sect? As one of your senior elders, what's wrong with me doing my duty?" Lin Xuan coldly retorted.
"What? You're that Lin Xuan?" The old man in green robes was taken aback before his expression turned understanding.
Given the few Separation and Union stage cultivators among both human and妖族, they are well-known to each other, regardless of their relationships.
Hearing this, he deduced who I am. "It's you, Lin Daoist? Please forgive my earlier mistake. I'm Master Hundred Insects from the Spirit Manipulation Sect. Our two sects have always had good relations; I came here for a matter and didn't expect to encounter your sect." He smiled as he clasped his hands.
"Hundred Insects, Hundred Insects True Man?"
Lin Xuan's pupils constricted. Although he had suspected this earlier, hearing him admit it made him wary.
Hundred Insects True Man was undoubtedly an old monster from the Separation and Union stage, which meant he was also the Supreme Elder of the Spirit Manipulation Sect.
It was well-known that insect manipulation techniques were one of the hundred arts in cultivation, with unparalleled power.
Thousands or even tens of thousands of spiritual insects swarming over—higher-grade cultivators often found themselves in shock when encountering them.
In the cultivation world, it's difficult to challenge across levels; while multiple factors determine a cultivator's strength, the most significant is their realm.
However, for those skilled in insect manipulation, such challenges were common.
Not just one level, but even several—Lin Xuan had read of an advanced凝聚期 cultivator who used thousands of spiritual insects to defeat a middle-stage infant spirit.
The opponent's body was destroyed; they barely managed to escape back into their cave after exhausting all their abilities.
From this alone, the power of insect manipulation could be seen.
But as with everything, there are pros and cons. While the power of insect manipulation is tempting, achieving such strength requires a large number of insects.
Only when an insect cloud forms in scale can it instill fear into enemies.
Otherwise, even top-ranked ferocious creatures on the spiritual insect list, if only two or three, would be laughable.
Unlike ordinary insects, these wild and strange insects became harder to control as they grew stronger.
Even reaching the infant spirit stage, a cultivator with hundreds of spiritual insects was already considered outstanding. Those who could command thousands were passed down from master to disciple over generations.
As Supreme Elder Hundred Insects, his position was highly respected; he inherited an incredible number and scale of spiritual insects, himself being an old monster from the Separation and Union stage. With their aid, he was far more formidable than ordinary peers.
Although Lin Xuan wasn't weak, he rarely encountered cultivators at this level. However, after his encounter with the Spirit Manipulation Sect, he had heard much from his sister.
Master Hundred Insects was undoubtedly a difficult opponent to deal with.
He hadn't expected to meet him head-on.
Thinking of this, Lin Xuan felt wary. While confident in his own strength, it was better to be cautious.
"Old friend Hundred Insects, I've long admired you," Lin Xuan clasped his hands and smiled coldly. "But do you know what I came here for?"
"That's not right, Daoist Lin. Indeed, the Cloud State Outer Sea has always been under your sect's leadership. But this isn't the main base of the Spirit Manipulation Sect. Why should I report to your sect?" The old man in green robes frowned disapprovingly.
"Ah, you're correct. I was mistaken. Regardless, I have matters to attend to here. As it stands, this is still within the territory of our Spirit Manipulation Sect. As they say, a guest shouldn't overshadow the host. Shouldn't you be accommodating?" Lin Xuan smiled.
For ordinary treasures, Lin Xuan naturally didn't want conflicts with peers; it wasn't about fear but avoiding unnecessary enemies.
But here was different—these butterflies were both strange and beautiful, clearly not something trivial. Moreover, Mo'er had mentioned in her识海 that she recognized these spiritual insects, though the memory was vague.
Of course, they must have some connection to her past life.
Given this, even if it were just Master Hundred Insects, Lin Xuan wouldn't give up; he planned to snatch the treasure from his jaws.
Not wanting trouble didn't mean fearing it. Even as a late-stage infant spirit, Lin Xuan had dared to face old monsters, so now was no different.
If Master Hundred Insects cooperated, that would be fine. But if they clashed, Lin Xuan wouldn't mind using him as a test of his strength.
After advancing to the Separation and Union stage, Lin Xuan knew his power had surged significantly, but he needed to test just how strong he was through combat.
And the opponent couldn't be too weak; only peers could allow him to fully unleash his secret techniques.
"What do you mean by that? I arrived here a few days ago, and now you want me to leave first?" Master Hundred Insects was both surprised and angry. His expression darkened as if it would turn into night.
In truth, he had stumbled upon these butterflies purely by chance while casually wandering around. He discovered an extremely powerful spiritual insect that he had never heard of before.
As a senior elder of the Spirit Manipulation Sect, Master Hundred Insects was familiar with all kinds of wild and strange insects. Even those long extinct were recorded in their sect's archives, allowing him to identify them instantly.
But these butterflies—neither had he seen nor even heard of them.
Master Hundred Insects became curious. His subsequent observations only made him ecstatic; the strength of these butterflies was beyond imagination, easily able to defeat middle-stage infant spirits.
Seeing a target of interest, his keen eyesight revealed that they were merely young insects.
The thought of their power upon maturity left him speechless.
Not many things could entice an old monster from the Separation and Union stage, but at this moment, Master Hundred Insects was practically drooling.
However, while spiritual insects were tempting, subduing them required effort.
He tried several insect manipulation techniques without success. It seemed ordinary spells couldn't make these insects recognize him as their master.
But the Spirit Manipulation Sect had been one of the five major forces in ancient times, and its reputation wasn't just for show.
Desperate, the old monster produced his treasure.
The Hundred Insects Bell!
Legends said it was brought down from the Upper Realm by spiritual realm cultivators during ancient times.
It was a divine artifact that could manipulate primordial energy.
Unlike ordinary spiritual artifacts, this one served as an auxiliary tool; in other words, it couldn't attack or defend well.
However, it had a suppressive effect on spiritual insects.
No matter what wild and strange insect—once encountering the bell, their power would diminish significantly.
In short, with such a treasure, facing cultivators skilled in insect manipulation almost guaranteed victory.
Despite his efforts, Master Hundred Insects used the divine artifact to confine these butterflies for several days but couldn't subdue them.
After careful observation, he realized it required forty-nine days of confinement until the insects were at their weakest point, allowing him to drop blood and claim ownership.
Initially elated, he was dismayed when Lin Xuan interrupted his plans.
The Spirit Manipulation Sect's influence was growing; if possible, Master Hundred Insects didn't want to offend them. But now, how could he back down?
After all, he had invested much effort in reclaiming these butterflies, and a prize almost within reach couldn't be given away so easily.