lín xuān tā méi jí zhe gǎn lù ， ér shì pán xī zuò zài yī lín shí kāi pì chū lái de dòng fǔ 。
林轩他没急着赶路，而是盘膝坐在一临时开辟出来的洞府。
Lin Xuan didn't rush to continue his journey. Instead, he sat cross-legged in a makeshift cave that had been carved out.
shuō shì dòng fǔ ， qí shí bù guò yī xiǎo xiǎo shí kū ， gāng gòu róng shēn bà le 。
说是洞府，其实不过一小小石窟，刚够容身罢了。
Though it was called a cave, it was merely a small stone chamber barely large enough for him to fit inside.
huǎn huǎn tiáo xī ， huī fù fǎ lì 。
缓缓调息，恢复法力。
He slowly regulated his breathing and recovered his spiritual energy.
shí jiān yī fēn yī miǎo de guò qù ， tū rán 。 lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ， huǎn huǎn de zhēng kāi le shuāng móu 。
时间一分一秒的过去，突然。林轩眉头一挑，缓缓的睁开了双眸。
Time passed by one second at a time until suddenly, Lin Xuan's brows knitted together as he slowly opened his eyes.
“ shào yé ， zěn me le ？”
“少爷，怎么了？”
"Young Master, what is the matter?"
lín xuān méi yǒu huí dá ， ér shì jiāng shǒu yī zhāo ， yī dào zǐ máng huà pò kōng qì ， xùn jí wú bǐ ， luò rù dào le lín xuān de zhǎng xīn lǐ 。
林轩没有回答，而是将手一招，一道紫芒划破空气，迅疾无比，落入到了林轩的掌心里。
Lin Xuan did not respond but instead waved his hand. A purple light sliced through the air with incredible speed, landing in his palm.
shì yī zhī mì fēng ， rán ér yǔ shì sú de què dà bù xiāng tóng ， tǐ biǎo huā wén bān bó ， shuāng shuāng yǎn chéng xuè hóng zhī sè ， yī kàn jiù bú shì fán chóng 。
是一只蜜蜂，然而与世俗的却大不相同，体表花纹斑驳，双双眼呈血红之色，一看就不是凡虫。
It was a bee, yet it was unlike any ordinary one. Its body had a mottled pattern, and its eyes were blood red, clearly not a common insect.
nǎi shì lín xuān zài yù xuán zōng qiǎo dé de mó fēng 。
乃是林轩在玉玄宗巧得的魔蜂。
This was the magical bee Lin Xuan had obtained from the Jade Profound Sect by chance. Such a poisonous creature's power was formidable; if there were enough of them, even an old monster at the Core Formation stage might retreat in fear... Of course, that referred to mature ones.
cǐ zhǒng dú chóng wēi lì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， rú guǒ shù liàng gòu duō ， yuán yīng qī lǎo guài kǒng pà dōu dé tuì bì sān shè …… dāng rán ， nà shì zhǐ chéng shú qī de 。
此种毒虫威力非同小可，如果数量够多，元婴期老怪恐怕都得退避三舍……当然，那是指成熟期的。
The beehive Lin Xuan received consisted only of young larvae. Although he had nourished them with ginseng essence for several years, their growth was extremely slow.
ér lín xuān dé dào de fēng wō bù guò shì yī qún yòu chóng 。 suī yòng cān jīng wèi yǎng le shù nián zhī jiǔ ， chéng zhǎng què jí wéi huǎn màn 。
而林轩得到的蜂窝不过是一群幼虫。虽用参精喂养了数年之久，成长却极为缓慢。
Lin Xuan wasn't troubled by this. There were countless arts and techniques in cultivation; although it was his first time delving into insect control spells, he enjoyed reading extensively.
lín xuān bìng bù kǔ nǎo ， xiū xiān bǎi yì ， hào rú yān hǎi ， tā suī rán shì dì yī cì shè liè qū chóng mì fǎ 。 dàn què xǐ huān bó lǎn qún shū 。
林轩并不苦恼，修仙百艺，浩如烟海，他虽然是第一次涉猎驱虫秘法。但却喜欢博览群书。
Most wild insects progressed slowly, which was perfectly normal.
huāng mán qí chóng ， dà duō jìn jiē huǎn màn ， zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng ， shí fēn zhèng cháng 。
荒蛮奇虫，大多进阶缓慢，这种情况，十分正常。
As the saying went, "Haste makes waste." If the Jade Luo Bee's power could be easily harnessed for maturity, wouldn't everyone switch to cultivating insects?
suǒ wèi xīn jí chī bù liǎo rè dòu fǔ ， yǐ yù luó fēng de shén tōng ， ruò shì qīng yì jiù néng dé qí cuī shú ， nà qǐ bù shì rén rén dū huì gǎi xiū qū chóng shù ？
所谓心急吃不了热豆腐，以玉罗蜂的神通，若是轻易就能得其催熟，那岂不是人人都会改修驱虫术？
According to Lin Xuan, some powerful magical insects took thousands of years to mature, far outliving Core Formation cultivators.
jù lín xuān suǒ zhī ， yī xiē lì hài de mó chóng 。 chéng shú de zhōu qī shì yǐ qiān nián jì ， yuán yīng qī xiū shì de shòu mìng dōu yuǎn yuǎn bù jí 。
据林轩所知，一些厉害的魔虫。成熟的周期是以千年计，元婴期修士的寿命都远远不及。
Thus, breeding such magical insects required generations of effort and the combined strength of a clan. Hence, while the insect control technique was incredibly powerful, few lone practitioners were known for it.
bù dé yǐ ， xiǎng yào péi yù zhè zhǒng mó chóng ， jué fēi yí dài zhī gōng ， zhǐ néng jí hé mén fá jiā zú zhī lì 。 yí dài yí dài de jiāng qí fán yǎn chuán chéng xià qù 。
不得已，想要培育这种魔虫，绝非一代之功，只能集合门阀家族之力。一代一代的将其繁衍传承下去。
Due to his ample ginseng essence, Lin Xuan's Jade Luo Bee grew faster than usual. However, even after several years, it still couldn't be used in combat but could serve other purposes, such as espionage.
gù ér qū chóng shù suī rán wēi lì wú bǐ ， què hǎn yǒu yǐ cǐ dào wén míng de sàn xiū zhī shì 。
故而驱虫术虽然威力无比，却罕有以此道闻名的散修之士。
For instance... gathering intelligence on the enemy.
lín xuān yóu yú cān jīng chōng zú ， gù ér yù luó fēng de chéng zhǎng yào kuài yī xiē ， dàn qū qū shù zài ， yě nán yǐ duì dí ， bù guò què wèi lìng yǒu bié de yòng chǔ 。
林轩由于参精充足，故而玉罗蜂的成长要快一些，但区区数载，也难以对敌，不过却为另有别的用处。
To avoid alerting them, Lin Xuan did not use soul probing techniques on the couple. Before leaving, he left a magical bee and placed his divine sense upon it.
bǐ rú shuō …… cì tàn dí rén de xū shí 。
比如说……刺探敌人的虚实。
At this moment, the magical bee returned to him. Lin Xuan formed hand seals and absorbed his divine sense into his mind.
wèi le bù dǎ cǎo jīng shé ， lín xuān méi yǒu duì nà duì fū fù shī yǐ sōu hún zhī shù ， bù guò lí kāi zhī qián ， què qiāo qiāo liú le yī zhī mó fēng ， bìng jiāng shén niàn huì zài qí shàng 。
为了不打草惊蛇，林轩没有对那对夫妇施以搜魂之术，不过离开之前，却悄悄留了一只魔蜂，并将神念会在其上。
After a few moments, he stood up. "Young Master, did you find anything?"
cǐ shí mó fēng huí zhuǎn ， lín xuān shuāng shǒu qiā jué 。 jiāng shén niàn xī rù nǎo hǎi 。
此时魔蜂回转，林轩双手掐决。将神念吸入脑海。
Lin Xuan shook his head. Although he had grasped their conversation, there wasn't much valuable information. He only knew that in the depths of the swamp was a Corpse Demon that fed on human blood to cultivate.
piàn kè hòu ， tā zhàn le qǐ lái 。” shào yé ， yǒu shén me fā xiàn ？”
片刻后，他站了起来。”少爷，有什么发现？”
The other party hadn't mentioned its cultivation stage at all.
lín xuān yáo le yáo tóu ， suī rán nà fū fù èr rén de duì huà tā dōu yǐ zhǎng wò ， dàn qí zhōng yǒu jià zhí de qíng bào bìng bù duō ， zhǐ zhī dào zài nà zhǎo zé shēn chù yǒu yī shī mó ， kào xī shí rén xuè liàn gōng 。
林轩摇了摇头，虽然那夫妇二人的对话他都已掌握，但其中有价值的情报并不多，只知道在那沼泽深处有一尸魔，靠吸食人血练功。
Now Lin Xuan had two choices: ignore it and search for Yin veins elsewhere or take a risk.
zhì yú jìng jiè rú hé ， duì fāng què méi yǒu tí jí fēn háo de 。
至于境界如何，对方却没有提及分毫的。
A Corpse Demon was essentially an intelligent zombie. During the process of enlightenment, it underwent mutations, making it more formidable than its counterparts.
xiàn zài lín xuān yǒu liǎng gè xuǎn zé ， yī shì bù lǐ cǐ shì ， chóng xīn qù qí tā de dì fāng xún zhǎo yīn mài 。 dì èr zé shì mào yī mào xiǎn 。
现在林轩有两个选择，一是不理此事，重新去其他的地方寻找阴脉。第二则是冒一冒险。
It was said that regardless of one's cultivation level, Corpse Demons would seek out suitable places to practice their arts.
suǒ wèi shī mó ， qí shí yě shì tōng líng jiāng shī de yī zhǒng ， zhǐ bù guò zài tōng líng guò chéng zhōng ， fā shēng le biàn yì ， gù ér bǐ tóng lèi guài wù ， gèng gèng jiā de nán chán yī xiē 。
所谓尸魔，其实也是通灵僵尸的一种，只不过在通灵过程中，发生了变异，故而比同类怪物，更更加的难缠一些。
In other words, there might indeed be excellent Yin veins in this swamp.
jù shuō bù lùn xiū wèi gāo dī ， shī mó dōu yǐ kāi qǐ líng zhì ， huì zé dì xiū xíng 。
据说不论修为高低，尸魔都已开启灵智，会择地修行。
With this thought, Lin Xuan made his decision. Although he was cautious, he wasn't cowardly; when it came to taking risks, he didn't hesitate at all.
huàn jù huà shuō ， nà zhǎo zé zhī zhōng ， dào què yǒu kě néng yǒu jí jiā de yīn mài cún zài 。
换句话说，那沼泽之中，倒确有可能有极佳的阴脉存在。
Given his current abilities, even if the Corpse Demon were of a high cultivation stage, he believed he could escape if he couldn't defeat it.
niàn jí dào cǐ ， lín xuān yǐ dìng xià le xíng zhǐ 。 tā zuò shì qíng suī rán xiǎo xīn ， dàn bìng bù qiè ruò ， gāi mào xiǎn shí ， kě shì bàn diǎn yě bú huì hán hú 。
念及到此，林轩已定下了行止。他做事情虽然小心，但并不怯弱，该冒险时，可是半点也不会含糊。
With no worries, Lin Xuan no longer hesitated and emitted a dazzling light. He soared towards the sky.
hé kuàng yǐ zì jǐ rú jīn de shén tōng ， bù guǎn nà shī mó shì shén me jìng jiè de guài wù ， xiǎng lái jiù suàn dǎ bù guò ， táo zǒu què shì bàn diǎn wèn tí méi yǒu 。
何况以自己如今的神通，不管那尸魔是什么境界的怪物，想来就算打不过，逃走却是半点问题没有。
The three hundred miles distance took only the time for one incense stick to burn.
jì wú hòu gù zhī yōu ， lín xuān yě jiù bù zài chí yí ， hún shēn guāng máng dà qǐ 。 fēi xiàng le tiān jì 。
既无后顾之忧，林轩也就不再迟疑，浑身光芒大起。飞向了天际。
This was because Lin Xuan had not fully exerted his powers; otherwise, it would have been even faster.
sān bǎi yú lǐ de jù lí ， bù guò yòng le yī zhù xiāng de shí jiān ér yǐ 。
三百余里的距离，不过用了一炷香的时间而已。
From afar, he could see the swamp ahead, where the stench of death grew thicker. A faint purple mist permeated the air, toxic.
zhè hái shì lín xuān bìng wèi shén tōng jǐn chū ， fǒu zé huì gèng jiā xùn sù 。
这还是林轩并未神通尽出，否则会更加迅速。
Of course, Lin Xuan did not take this to heart. This swamp was indeed not a place ordinary cultivators could enter. Lin Xuan closed his eyes and released his divine sense, beginning to explore...
yuǎn yuǎn de ， tā yǐ kàn jiàn le qián fāng de zhǎo zé ， shī qì yě biàn dé yuè fā de nóng zhòng ， kōng qì lǐ ， yǐn yǐn hái mí màn dé yǒu zǐ sè de bó wù ， yǒu dú 。
远远的，他已看见了前方的沼泽，尸气也变得越发的浓重，空气里，隐隐还弥漫得有紫色的薄雾，有毒。
After a short while, Lin Xuan's face showed signs of surprise. He hadn't expected there to be other cultivators here.
dāng rán ， lín xuān bú huì fàng zài yǎn zhōng 。 zhè zhǎo zé què shí bú shì pǔ tōng xiū shì kě yǐ jìn rù 。 lín xuān bì shàng shuāng móu ， jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， kāi shǐ tàn suǒ ……
当然，林轩不会放在眼中。这沼泽确实不是普通修士可以进入。林轩闭上双眸，将神识放出，开始探索……
He hesitated for a moment before taking out a Concealment Pill from his pocket and swallowing it. He transformed into an emaciated old man with a withered appearance. His cultivation level was controlled at the late Condensation Core stage, and he flew towards the location he had sensed.
shǎo qǐng ， tā de liǎn shàng lù chū jǐ fēn chà yì zhī sè ， méi xiǎng dào zhè ge dì fāng hái yǒu bié de xiū shì 。
少顷，他的脸上露出几分诧异之色，没想到这个地方还有别的修士。
There were three cultivators gathered together, discussing something. Lin Xuan's arrival surprised them, but after their initial shock, they all wore smiles.
lüè yī chí yí ， lín xuān cóng huái zhōng qǔ chū yǐn líng dān tūn fú ， chóng xiàn biàn huà chéng yí miàn mào kū jiāo de gān shòu lǎo zhě ， xiū wèi kòng zhì zài níng dān zhōng qī ， xiàng zhe tā suǒ gǎn yìng dào de dì diǎn fēi qù 。
略一迟疑，林轩从怀中取出隐灵丹吞服，重现变化成一面貌枯焦的干瘦老者，修为控制在凝丹中期，向着他所感应到的地点飞去。
The leader was an elderly man in his fifties with gray hair. He had also reached the Condensation Core stage. He took two steps and bowed to Lin Xuan: "Friend, are you one of Ning Clan's hired help? That’s great! We three felt we couldn't handle this Corpse Demon swamp alone, but now that you're here, our chances have greatly increased."
yī gòng shì sān míng xiū shì ， cǐ shí zhèng jù zài yì qǐ yì lùn shén me ， lín xuān de dào lái ， ràng tā men dà gǎn yì wài ， bù guò jīng yà guò hòu ， què yòu dōu lù chū le xǐ róng 。
一共是三名修士，此时正聚在一起议论什么，林轩的到来，让他们大感意外，不过惊讶过后，却又都露出了喜容。
"Ning Clan?" Lin Xuan's brows knitted together with a hint of confusion.
lǐng tóu de shì yī wǔ shí duō suì ， tóu fà huī bái de lǎo zhě ， cǐ rén jìng jiè yě dào níng dān zhōng qī le 。 tā zǒu shàng liǎng bù ， chōng lín xuān gǒng le gǒng shǒu ：“ dào yǒu kě yě shì níng jiā qǐng lái de ， tài hǎo le 。 wǒ men sān rén zhèng gǎn jué yě zhè shī mó zhǎo zé lì yǒu bù dài ， rú jīn duō le dào yǒu ， cǐ xíng kě jiù bǎ wò dà zēng le 。”
领头的是一五十多岁，头发灰白的老者，此人境界也到凝丹中期了。他走上两步，冲林轩拱了拱手：“道友可也是宁家请来的，太好了。我们三人正感觉冶这尸魔沼泽力有不殆，如今多了道友，此行可就把握大增了。”
"Are you not the helper Ning Clan has hired?" The elderly man was taken aback and his expression fell.
“ níng jiā ？” lín xuān méi tóu yī tiāo ， yǎn zhōng lù chū jǐ fēn mí huò 。
“宁家？”林轩眉头一挑，眼中露出几分迷惑。
The other two cultivators were much younger. One had a bald head and bare feet, around thirty years old, while the other wore strange attire, though he had long hair reaching his waist; both were early Condensation Core stage ghost cultivators.
“ zěn me ， dào yǒu bú shì níng jiā qǐng lái de bāng shǒu ？” nà lǎo zhě yī dāi ， liǎn sè míng xiǎn kuǎ le yān 。
“怎么，道友不是宁家请来的帮手？”那老者一呆，脸色明显垮了焉。
"Haha, I haven't heard of Ning Clan before. I just happened to pass by here and encountered you three friends, so I came down to take a look," Lin Xuan said ambiguously, not revealing his true intentions.
qí tā liǎng míng xiū xiān zhě ， zé yào nián qīng dé duō ， yí gè guāng tóu chì zú ， nián líng sān shí zuǒ yòu ， hái yǒu yí gè ， shēn zhe qí zhuāng yì fú ， suī shì nán zi ， tóu fà què zhǎng zhì le yāo bù le ， dōu shì níng dān chū qī de guǐ xiū 。
其他两名修仙者，则要年轻得多，一个光头赤足，年龄三十左右，还有一个，身着奇装异服，虽是男子，头发却长至了腰部了，都是凝丹初期的鬼修。
The trio did not doubt him as they exchanged glances. Lin Xuan noticed their lips moving, clearly exchanging telepathic messages.
“ hē hē ， níng jiā shí me de ， lǐ mǒu méi yǒu tīng guò ， wǒ zhǐ shì cóng zhè lǐ lù guò ， ǒu yù sān wèi dào yǒu ， yú shì jiù xià lái kàn kàn le 。” lín xuān zì rán bú huì jiǎng chū zì jǐ de zhēn shí yì tú ， mó léng liǎng kě de shuō 。
“呵呵，宁家什么的，李某没有听过，我只是从这里路过，偶遇三位道友，于是就下来看看了。”林轩自然不会讲出自己的真实意图，模棱两可的说。
Ignoring this, Lin Xuan pretended he was unaware of it.
sān rén yě bù huái yí ， mù guāng jiāo tì ， lín xuān zhù yì dào tā men zuǐ chún wēi dòng ， xiǎn rán zhèng zhuàn yīn sù shuō zhe shén me 。
三人也不怀疑，目光交替，林轩注意到他们嘴唇微动，显然正传音诉说着什么。
They didn't keep him waiting long. Soon, the three reached an agreement, and the elderly man spoke up: "If you're not Ning Clan's hired help, that’s fine. If you are willing to assist us, we will have generous rewards for you."
jiāng zhè xì jié kàn zài yǎn lǐ ， lín xuān què gù zuò bù zhī 。
将这细节看在眼里，林轩却故作不知。
"Oh?" Lin Xuan showed interest on his face but did not immediately agree. Instead, he frowned as he thought for a moment before replying.
bìng méi yǒu ràng tā děng duō jiǔ ， hěn kuài sān rén de yì jiàn jiù qǔ dé le yí zhì ， yī jiù shì yóu nà lǎo zhě kāi kǒu ：“ yuán lái dào yǒu bìng fēi níng jiā qǐng lái de bāng shǒu ， méi yǒu guān xì ， dào yǒu ruò kěn chū shǒu xiàng zhù 。 wǒ děng yī yàng huì yǒu fēng hòu chóu xiè de 。”
并没有让他等多久，很快三人的意见就取得了一致，依旧是由那老者开口：“原来道友并非宁家请来的帮手，没有关系，道友若肯出手相助。我等一样会有丰厚酬谢的。”
"Let the friend explain the situation first. I might be able to help if it’s not too difficult. How do you plan to reward me?" Since they were all planning to enter the Corpse Demon swamp anyway, having three more idiots leading the way wouldn't hurt. Besides, he had little information and might gain valuable intelligence from them.
“ ó ？” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū gǎn xìng qù zhī sè ， què méi yǒu lì kè dā yìng shén me ， fǎn ér zhòu méi sī suǒ ， guò le bàn xiǎng cái chóng xīn kāi kǒu 。
“哦？”林轩脸上露出感兴趣之色，却没有立刻答应什么，反而皱眉思索，过了半响才重新开口。
"There's nothing much to say," the elderly man said with a smile. "I believe you understand that Ning Clan is one of the major forces in this Yin Spirit Origin. Recently, Ning Clan’s young branch head came here to gather spirit herbs but went missing. Since the old patriarch was at a critical stage of breaking through his bottleneck and other elders couldn't leave the main hall, they entrusted us with finding the young master," he explained clearly.
nà dào yǒu shuō shuō shì qíng de yuán yóu ， ruò bú shì tài nán de huà zài xià wèi shǐ bù kě yǐ chū shǒu 。 nǐ men yòu dǎ suàn rú hé chóu xiè lǎo fū ？” fǎn zhèng dōu yǒu yào jìn rù shī qì zhǎo zé ， duō sān gè shǎ guā kāi lù yǒu hé bù kě ， zài shuō ， zì jǐ zhǎng wò de xiāo xī tài shǎo ， cóng tā men nà lǐ ， shuō bù dìng kě yǐ huò dé xū yào de qíng bào 。
那道友说说事情的缘由，若不是太难的话在下未始不可以出手。你们又打算如何酬谢老夫？”反正都有要进入尸气沼泽，多三个傻瓜开路有何不可，再说，自己掌握的消息太少，从他们那里，说不定可以获得需要的情报。
So that's how it is. Why bother asking me for help?
“ qí shí yě méi yǒu shén me kě shuō ， xiāng xìn dào yǒu yě qīng chǔ ， níng jiā shì zhè yīn líng zhī yuán zhōng shì lì jiào dà de yī gǔ ， bù jiǔ qián ， níng jiā de shǎo mén zhǔ lái zhè zhǎo zé zhōng cǎi jí líng cǎo ， bù xiǎng què jiù cǐ shī qù xià luò ， piān piān níng jiā lǎo zǔ zhèng chǔ yú chōng jī píng jǐng de guān jiàn shí qī ， qí tā zhǎng lǎo yě zài zǒng tán bù gǎn shàn lí ， suǒ yǐ jiù wěi tuō wǒ men sān rén jiē xià zhè xún zhǎo shǎo zhǔ de rèn wù 。” nà lǎo zhě hé yán yuè sè ， jǐ jù jiù xiàng lín xuān jiǎng qīng chǔ liǎo shì qíng de jīng guò 。
“其实也没有什么可说，相信道友也清楚，宁家是这阴灵之原中势力较大的一股，不久前，宁家的少门主来这沼泽中采集灵草，不想却就此失去下落，偏偏宁家老祖正处于冲击瓶颈的关键时期，其他长老也在总坛不敢擅离，所以就委托我们三人接下这寻找少主的任务。”那老者和颜悦色，几句就像林轩讲清楚了事情的经过。
"Actually..." The elderly man blushed: "Honesty, friend, this Corpse Demon swamp is somewhat peculiar. Even our combined strength seems insufficient. If you join us, it will be foolproof."
Lin Xuan didn't rush to continue his journey. Instead, he sat cross-legged in a makeshift cave that had been carved out.
Though it was called a cave, it was merely a small stone chamber barely large enough for him to fit inside.
He slowly regulated his breathing and recovered his spiritual energy.
Time passed by one second at a time until suddenly, Lin Xuan's brows knitted together as he slowly opened his eyes.
"Young Master, what is the matter?"
Lin Xuan did not respond but instead waved his hand. A purple light sliced through the air with incredible speed, landing in his palm.
It was a bee, yet it was unlike any ordinary one. Its body had a mottled pattern, and its eyes were blood red, clearly not a common insect.
This was the magical bee Lin Xuan had obtained from the Jade Profound Sect by chance. Such a poisonous creature's power was formidable; if there were enough of them, even an old monster at the Core Formation stage might retreat in fear... Of course, that referred to mature ones.
The beehive Lin Xuan received consisted only of young larvae. Although he had nourished them with ginseng essence for several years, their growth was extremely slow.
Lin Xuan wasn't troubled by this. There were countless arts and techniques in cultivation; although it was his first time delving into insect control spells, he enjoyed reading extensively.
Most wild insects progressed slowly, which was perfectly normal.
As the saying went, "Haste makes waste." If the Jade Luo Bee's power could be easily harnessed for maturity, wouldn't everyone switch to cultivating insects?
According to Lin Xuan, some powerful magical insects took thousands of years to mature, far outliving Core Formation cultivators.
Thus, breeding such magical insects required generations of effort and the combined strength of a clan. Hence, while the insect control technique was incredibly powerful, few lone practitioners were known for it.
Due to his ample ginseng essence, Lin Xuan's Jade Luo Bee grew faster than usual. However, even after several years, it still couldn't be used in combat but could serve other purposes, such as espionage.
For instance... gathering intelligence on the enemy.
To avoid alerting them, Lin Xuan did not use soul probing techniques on the couple. Before leaving, he left a magical bee and placed his divine sense upon it.
At this moment, the magical bee returned to him. Lin Xuan formed hand seals and absorbed his divine sense into his mind.
After a few moments, he stood up. "Young Master, did you find anything?"
Lin Xuan shook his head. Although he had grasped their conversation, there wasn't much valuable information. He only knew that in the depths of the swamp was a Corpse Demon that fed on human blood to cultivate.
The other party hadn't mentioned its cultivation stage at all.
Now Lin Xuan had two choices: ignore it and search for Yin veins elsewhere or take a risk.
A Corpse Demon was essentially an intelligent zombie. During the process of enlightenment, it underwent mutations, making it more formidable than its counterparts.
It was said that regardless of one's cultivation level, Corpse Demons would seek out suitable places to practice their arts.
In other words, there might indeed be excellent Yin veins in this swamp.
With this thought, Lin Xuan made his decision. Although he was cautious, he wasn't cowardly; when it came to taking risks, he didn't hesitate at all.
Given his current abilities, even if the Corpse Demon were of a high cultivation stage, he believed he could escape if he couldn't defeat it.
With no worries, Lin Xuan no longer hesitated and emitted a dazzling light. He soared towards the sky.
The three hundred miles distance took only the time for one incense stick to burn.
This was because Lin Xuan had not fully exerted his powers; otherwise, it would have been even faster.
From afar, he could see the swamp ahead, where the stench of death grew thicker. A faint purple mist permeated the air, toxic.
Of course, Lin Xuan did not take this to heart. This swamp was indeed not a place ordinary cultivators could enter. Lin Xuan closed his eyes and released his divine sense, beginning to explore...
After a short while, Lin Xuan's face showed signs of surprise. He hadn't expected there to be other cultivators here.
He hesitated for a moment before taking out a Concealment Pill from his pocket and swallowing it. He transformed into an emaciated old man with a withered appearance. His cultivation level was controlled at the late Condensation Core stage, and he flew towards the location he had sensed.
There were three cultivators gathered together, discussing something. Lin Xuan's arrival surprised them, but after their initial shock, they all wore smiles.
The leader was an elderly man in his fifties with gray hair. He had also reached the Condensation Core stage. He took two steps and bowed to Lin Xuan: "Friend, are you one of Ning Clan's hired help? That’s great! We three felt we couldn't handle this Corpse Demon swamp alone, but now that you're here, our chances have greatly increased."
"Ning Clan?" Lin Xuan's brows knitted together with a hint of confusion.
"Are you not the helper Ning Clan has hired?" The elderly man was taken aback and his expression fell.
The other two cultivators were much younger. One had a bald head and bare feet, around thirty years old, while the other wore strange attire, though he had long hair reaching his waist; both were early Condensation Core stage ghost cultivators.
"Haha, I haven't heard of Ning Clan before. I just happened to pass by here and encountered you three friends, so I came down to take a look," Lin Xuan said ambiguously, not revealing his true intentions.
The trio did not doubt him as they exchanged glances. Lin Xuan noticed their lips moving, clearly exchanging telepathic messages.
Ignoring this, Lin Xuan pretended he was unaware of it.
They didn't keep him waiting long. Soon, the three reached an agreement, and the elderly man spoke up: "If you're not Ning Clan's hired help, that’s fine. If you are willing to assist us, we will have generous rewards for you."
"Oh?" Lin Xuan showed interest on his face but did not immediately agree. Instead, he frowned as he thought for a moment before replying.
"Let the friend explain the situation first. I might be able to help if it’s not too difficult. How do you plan to reward me?" Since they were all planning to enter the Corpse Demon swamp anyway, having three more idiots leading the way wouldn't hurt. Besides, he had little information and might gain valuable intelligence from them.
"There's nothing much to say," the elderly man said with a smile. "I believe you understand that Ning Clan is one of the major forces in this Yin Spirit Origin. Recently, Ning Clan’s young branch head came here to gather spirit herbs but went missing. Since the old patriarch was at a critical stage of breaking through his bottleneck and other elders couldn't leave the main hall, they entrusted us with finding the young master," he explained clearly.
So that's how it is. Why bother asking me for help?
"Actually..." The elderly man blushed: "Honesty, friend, this Corpse Demon swamp is somewhat peculiar. Even our combined strength seems insufficient. If you join us, it will be foolproof."