Eternal Life from Talisman Painting

"It is rumored that there once was a cultivator in the Immortal Cultivation Realm who commonly used such a worm. Both righteous and demonic paths, as well as loose cultivators, became its spirit insects’ feed.

This person was known as the Insect Demon and once stirred up a bloody storm in the Immortal Cultivation Realm. Later, after being severely injured by the joint forces of major powers, he vanished without a trace, and the spirit-devouring insects also disappeared."

Lin Chang’an looked at the corpse of this insect and couldn’t help but show a solemn expression. This had nothing to do with him, but he definitely didn’t want to get involved with such trouble.

"Spirit-devouring insect?"

The Phoenix Cry Bird beside him tilted its head in confusion and instinctively pecked at one of the insects.

Immediately, a crisp ’crunching’ sound could be heard. The Phoenix Cry Bird, after tasting one, showed bright eyes, clearly finding the taste delightful.

However, Lin Chang’an stopped the greedy Phoenix Cry Bird the next moment, managing to collect just a few dozen before they were deeply buried in the sand.

"Spirit-devouring insects appearing is a big deal. Perhaps there will be a chance to use them in the future."

Lin Chang’an solemnly gathered these spirit insects and then buried the site again, restoring it to its previous state.

Then he took the Phoenix Cry Bird and started to change direction.

He preferred not to encounter this person.

It is rumored that these spirit-devouring insects do not exist in the world; it was the Insect Demon who cultivated them by using the Blood Sacrifice Secret Technique in a rare opportunity.

Lin could envision, after this secret realm trip, once news of the spirit-devouring insects spreads, it will undoubtedly cause a sensation.

Clearly, this is a massive trouble.

...

After changing routes, indeed the journey ahead was filled with encounters with various poisonous insects, especially frequent meetings with the red flame iron ants.

"In this way, it seems I’ve avoided encountering that person."

In the distance, the ant swarm buzzed with fear, yet stubbornly protected something, desperately burrowing into the ground.

Seeing this, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but smile. He formed a hand seal and slapped the ground, causing the sand in the distance to boil and churn. A large number of ants that had barely burrowed underground began surging up.

Especially when a terrifying ant queen, as large as three zhang, appeared, it let out a cry of fear and the next moment spat forth a terrifying red flame.

However, seeing this, the Phoenix Cry Bird above excitedly let out a long cry. Facing the terrifying flame, it did not dodge but dove straight down.

This terrifying flame, with the power to erode magical treasures, left not a trace on the Phoenix Cry Bird’s golden feathers.

Like raindrops rolling off, the next moment the Phoenix Cry Bird opened its beak, and a terrifying suction emerged.

A mass of red flame iron ants was swallowed into its mouth, especially the ant queen, which was grabbed by the Phoenix Cry Bird’s sharp claws and pecked at with its beak.

The exceptionally hard shell directly burst open, red blood splattering, sizzling on the hard red flame sand, melting a substantial part.

"Don’t waste it. The blood of a red flame iron ant queen is also a highly acidic poison."

Seeing this scene, Lin Chang’an exclaimed, rushing forward to take out a jade bottle from his storage bag to collect this treasure.

The red flame iron ant queen is indeed full of treasures; its hard shell is excellent for artifact refining.

"Burp!"

After devouring the mass of red flame iron ants, the Phoenix Cry Bird satisfiedly let out a burp, and a wisp of flame emerged from its mouth, now even more intense.

The hot desert wind blew through; the scene had long been meticulously cleaned up by Lin Chang’an. Then, man and bird once again set off on their journey.

Days later, as the Phoenix Cry Bird disdainfully picked and threw scorpions at his feet, Lin Chang’an in the distance seemed to sense something and was initially surprised.

Then Lin Chang’an squinted his eyes, staring in the direction to his right.

"There’s movement, this familiar aura, how did she get into such a tough battle?"

Immediately, Lin Chang’an retracted the Phoenix Cry Bird and hid behind a nearby sand dune.

In the distance, Su Miaoyin, in a gray daoist robe, appeared disheveled, struggling against an onslaught from two cultivators.

"Haha, it’s True Monarch Lu’s disciple from Bihai Palace; killing her will surely reward the ancestor with serious injuries when we return."

"Friend, assist me in capturing this woman, and all her treasures will be yours. Moreover, I will recommend you to the ancestor for entry under his wings."

"Alright, I’ve long admired the ancestor’s prestige,"

A burly yellow-faced man laughed excitedly, promising various benefits.

Lin Chang’an recognized this person; he had seen him before the entrance of the secret realm, a direct disciple of a sect at odds with Bihai Palace, and a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

The other person was dressed in a scholar’s robe, seemingly a loose cultivator or from a small family.

Faced with the temptation, his eyes were filled with greed; capturing this woman would mean gaining all her treasures, profiting him abundantly.

"A godsend opportunity indeed, no idea which friend managed to injure Mr. Su so severely; it’s a pity I get to pick up the bargain today."

Under the rumbling thunder, Su Miaoyin appeared extremely disheveled, her figure constantly retreating, struggling hard against the joint attack of the two.

And hidden in the distance, Lin Chang’an watched the battlefield as it gradually approached him, frowning and forming a hand seal to begin earth escape, his figure slowly sinking down.

However, Su Miaoyin, in her dire state, seemed to sense something and couldn’t help but call out in alarm:

"Fellow Daoist, please lend a hand, I am True Monarch Lu’s direct disciple from Bihai Palace and will greatly reward you afterward."

Su Miaoyin’s desperate plea for help caused the two Core Formation Cultivators besieging her to also become serious.

"Be careful, it might be just a bluff from this woman."