Chapter 425: Return to the Sacred Hall
The Deities murmured amongst themselves, especially those from the Hunyuan Martial Dao Saint Realm, who were clearly displeased with Li Yang.
"Li Yang's status as a genius means nothing in the face of the Gold-devouring Insect. As a genius, he might attract a few dozen aliens trying to kill him, but now that he has the Gold-devouring Insect and is still so weak, he could attract hundreds, even thousands."
"Once word spreads that Li Yang has entered the Slaughter Battlefield, he'll be in danger everywhere!"
"If Li Yang dies, the Gold-devouring Insect will just end up in the hands of a powerful alien anyway."
"So greedy. He's so weak, yet he's hoarding the Gold-devouring Insect and refusing to let go."
...
The Gold-devouring Insect is clearly a weapon against Deities. In their view, it would be best used by a Deity—a powerful one at that.
After all, some top-tier Deities could withstand the Gold-devouring Insect's attacks long enough to kill its weak master!
But Li Yang was so weak, not even at the World Realm yet. Who knew how long it would take for him to become a powerful Four-Element Deity or the like.
Therefore, leaving the Gold-devouring Insect in Li Yang's hands was a complete waste.
"Let's go."
"Sigh... We came to the Beast Origin Sect hoping to gain something, but in the end, we got nothing. Instead, that weakling Li Yang made out with the biggest prize."
"Hmph! Let's see how long Li Yang can hold onto that Gold-devouring Insect."
Muttering amongst themselves, the Deities began to leave, not lingering any longer.
Luoyu did the same. He left the area and soon arrived at a secluded spot. Two other people were there besides him—his trusted confidants, Deities from his Zun Lie Clan.
Upon arriving, the calm expression on Luoyu's face twisted into a ferocious scowl.
"Li Yang!!!"
His face was contorted with rage, his eyes filled with a vicious light.
He, Luoyu, had never been known for his good temper. As a member of the Zun Lie Clan and a peerless genius himself, countless people had tried to curry favor with him since he began his rise from obscurity. He had almost never suffered a loss.
Even on the Slaughter Battlefield, with the many treasures given to him by Zun Lie Venerable, his power was among the top tier.
But today, he had actually been made to feel aggrieved by Li Yang.
This weakling genius, whom he disliked and could have imprisoned on a whim, had in the blink of an eye forced him to proactively offer a trade. He had even offered a pile of treasures, only to be rejected.
He did not like this feeling at all.
'Very good. So you won't sell the Gold-devouring Insect, is that it? I'll just see how long you can keep it.' Luoyu's expression was grim.
'You rejected so many treasures. Next time, even without any treasures on the table, you still won't be able to keep the Gold-devouring Insect!'
Of course, he had no intention of giving up on the Gold-devouring Insect.
Li Yang had refused the trade for now, but it was still early. He had enough patience and plenty of time to plot.
...
While Luoyu was plotting his next move, Li Yang entered the Virtual World to meet with the Blade Slaughter Sect Master.
"Li Yang, you obtained the Gold-devouring Insect?" The Blade Slaughter Sect Master looked at his disciple, his eyes filled with astonishment.
'To think my own disciple managed to get his hands on such a treasure.'
It was only surprise, however; there was no trace of temptation on the Blade Slaughter Sect Master's face.
The Blade Slaughter Sect Master had mastered the Five-Element Laws and had a plethora of trump cards up his sleeve. As an expert only a step away from the Emperor realm, he could be called a king among Deities!
Therefore, even the Gold-devouring Insect was no threat to the Blade Slaughter Sect Master.
With his own power alone, he could dominate the entire Slaughter Battlefield. An expert of his caliber was actually more fearsome than a Deity who merely possessed the Gold-devouring Insect!
"Yes, Teacher."
Li Yang said helplessly, "And other Deities saw it. Just now, two Deities sent me messages, wanting to trade for the Gold-devouring Insect."
With so many Deities at the Beast Origin Sect, news that Li Yang had found the Gold-devouring Insect was bound to have leaked.
The Deities who had interacted with Li Yang before hadn't contacted him, but others who hadn't couldn't resist the temptation and sent him messages.
"Haha, Li Yang, that's perfectly normal. The Gold-devouring Insect is incredibly alluring to Deities," the Blade Slaughter Sect Master said with a laugh.
"I expect many more Deities will be contacting you. If you were a bit stronger, they wouldn't say a thing. But you're too weak, and the Gold-devouring Insect is useless to you right now."
If Li Yang were already a Divine Realm expert, no one would have said anything even if he had obtained the Gold-devouring Insect.
After all, it was Li Yang's treasure.
It was like if a Deity obtained a top-tier Divine Artifact. Even if other Deities of the Human Race coveted it, they wouldn't try to trade for it, because a top-tier Divine Artifact is useful to any Deity.
But Li Yang was weak. The Gold-devouring Insect was of no use to him now, and even if it were, it would only be after he had truly matured in power.
So, it was only natural that many Deities of the Human Race would want to buy it from him.
'I'm troubled by this too,' Li Yang thought. 'That Soul Ink seemed to want me to expose the Gold-devouring Insect on purpose. I wonder what it was thinking.'
Looking at his disciple, the Blade Slaughter Sect Master laughed. "But don't worry. You should return to the Saint Hall for a while. More than ten years have passed, so you must have many questions regarding your comprehension of the Laws. This is a good chance to digest your insights in the Legacy Palace of our Human Race's Eternal Saint Hall. At the same time, you can announce that you've already given the Gold-devouring Insect to me. That way, no one will come looking to trade for it."
The Blade Slaughter Sect Master was also a Deity. If the Gold-devouring Insect was in his hands, no one would dare to say a word.
Of course, he was just having Li Yang make the claim. He actually had no designs on the Gold-devouring Insect himself; it would remain with Li Yang.
The Blade Slaughter Sect Master added, "The news that you have the Gold-devouring Insect is spreading from person to person. It'll be impossible to hide, and the Alien Race will likely find out too. If you don't 'trade' it away, they might send even stronger Deities to assassinate you."
Previously, given Li Yang's potential, the Alien Race would at most send Tri-System Deities to assassinate him. That was the highest level of power they would commit.
But once word got out that Li Yang possessed the Gold-devouring Insect, the Alien Race might even dispatch Four-Element Deities!
The Gold-devouring Insect was absolutely worth such powerful experts taking action!
"So, come to the Saint Hall. After you leave, announce that you've given the Gold-devouring Insect to me. That way, not only will our own Human Deities give up on the idea, but the Alien Race won't send more powerful assassins after you either."
Hearing the Blade Slaughter Sect Master's words, Li Yang's heart stirred.
'The Blade Slaughter Sect Master is right. It's not just the experts of the Human Race; the Alien Race will definitely be eyeing the Gold-devouring Insect covetously.'
'After assassinating me, even if the aliens ultimately die, they could easily hide the Gold-devouring Insect somewhere during their escape for others of their race to retrieve later.'
With these thoughts in mind, Li Yang quickly nodded and said, "Thank you, Teacher."
"Haha."
The Blade Slaughter Sect Master laughed. "As your teacher, I am greatly looking forward to seeing you grow up, wield the Gold-devouring Insect, and become a king within the Divine Realm. Of course, if you can become an invincible king among Deities even without using the Gold-devouring Insect, I will be even happier."