Ye Xiu took a deep breath and finally stepped through the hall doors. At a glance, the sides of the grand hall were lined with all manner of bizarre creatures—some almost human, others barely insectile—but the look in their eyes confirmed that not a single one among them was benevolent.
“Wow, I didn’t expect such a welcoming committee,” Jun Bugu said with a simple, triumphant smile as he walked into the center of the hall. He surveyed the crowd, clapping Ye Xiu on the shoulder. “Did you see that, Ye Xiu? We’re quite popular.”
Ye Xiu ignored Jun Bugu, keeping his head down as he walked past the assembled figures. He vaguely sensed a power drawing near, an unknown source, but he knew instinctively that it was close, perhaps just moments away.
“We welcome the arrival of the Plague-Worm Emperor, Hail!” A guttural roar erupted from one of the grotesque figures. Instantly, a plume of greenish smoke billowed up from the large, circular, nest-like throne in the hall. As the smoke ascended, it slowly dispersed, revealing a fat, purple-robed insect, its body undulating like a centipede, its face covered in weeping pustules, resting comfortably within the rising vapor.
“Your subordinate pays respects to the Plague-Worm Emperor!” The surrounding figures bowed in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, betraying a deep-seated fear of their leader.
Ye Xiu retreated a step, gazing confidently at the arrogant Worm Emperor before him. Despite the creature’s repulsive appearance, every gesture radiated an undeniable imperial dominance.
“Is it you two?” The Plague-Worm Emperor swayed its head languidly. “Where are the Myriad-Poison Stones I require? If you don't have them, I suggest you take your heads and feed them to the serpents.”
Seeing the creature cut straight to the point, Ye Xiu stepped forward and bowed. “I am Ye Xiu, and this is my friend, Jun Bugu. We heard the Cultivation of the Demon-Worm Sect’s Master was unparalleled, and we hold deep admiration. It is indeed an honor to witness the majesty of the Plague-Worm Emperor; it is truly extraordinary.”
Jun Bugu stood to the side and mimicked Ye Xiu’s bow. He felt a flicker of surprise; that such words would come from the normally grim and uncompromising Ye Xiu was, in itself, impressive.
“Heh, you young whelp, you certainly know how to talk,” the Plague-Worm Emperor chuckled, rising up to scrutinize Ye Xiu. He sensed that these two hadn't dared enter the Demon-Worm Sect grounds without some significant leverage. “Enough pleasantries—where are the Myriad-Poison Stones?”
“Please!” Ye Xiu produced the Myriad-Poison Stones from his robes and held them up before the Emperor. “We came precisely to present this to you, Plague-Worm Emperor. If not for the scoundrels of Demon Peak Sect intercepting us along the way, there might have been even more.”
“Hmph, that damned Demon Peak Sect. Could someone else be practicing Poison Arts?” The Plague-Worm Emperor’s eyes gleamed. With a single-handed exertion of force, he pulled the stones across the air and into his grasp. He slammed his other hand over them, and in an instant, the vivid green stones emitted a noxious smoke, crumbling to ash. “Indeed, top-grade Myriad-Poison Stones. I accept them. You may leave now.”
Ye Xiu had intended to exchange further courtesies, but the Worm Emperor proved surprisingly inhospitable. He pressed further, “We are new to the Demon-Worm Sect’s territory; we ask for your indulgence, Plague-Worm Emperor.”
“Indulgence? You killed my Death-Judge. These few Myriad-Poison Stones are more than enough compensation.” In the Worm Emperor’s eyes, the Death-Judge was insignificant. “I should be pleased that I haven't killed you yet to avenge him. Given your merit in presenting the stones, I will let the matter drop. Go.”
“What?” Ye Xiu understood the Worm Emperor was deliberately rejecting them. He quickly clarified, “The Death-Judge’s demise was purely a misunderstanding. I presented the treasure, but he insisted on obstructing us. The resulting conflict led to tragedy, culminating in my friend striking him down by accident.”
“By accident?” Jun Bugu, feeling deeply wronged by the implication in Ye Xiu’s tone, gritted his teeth, ready to argue, but stopped himself under Ye Xiu’s sharp gaze.
“Heh, a misunderstanding? Do you realize how vital the Death-Judge was to my Demon-Worm Sect?” The Plague-Worm Emperor swept his cape behind him and settled back onto his throne. “The Heavenly Ranking Holy War is imminent. The Death-Judge was a candidate I painstakingly groomed for that contest. And you killed him. If you don’t leave now, don’t blame me if I change my mind.”
The Heavenly Ranking Holy War? A plan sparked in Ye Xiu’s mind. He hadn't realized how seriously every sect in the Interspatial Realm took this contest. Regardless, he needed the Demon-Worm Sect’s help now. “Plague-Worm Emperor, you know the Heavenly Ranking Holy War is full of formidable opponents. The Death-Judge, with his humble cultivation yet excessive arrogance, was prone to sudden defeat. My friend’s impulse resulted in his accidental death—was this not, in a way, a favor to the Demon-Worm Sect?”
“Hey, Ye Xiu…” Jun Bugu pointed a finger at his own chest, feeling unjustly accused. “It was clearly that guy who did it, not just me!”
The Plague-Worm Emperor found some intrigue in Ye Xiu’s words. He waved a hand. “Elaborate clearly. If anything you say proves false, you two will face utter annihilation.”
Ye Xiu knew he had captured the Emperor’s attention and continued smoothly, “If the Death-Judge had participated in the Holy War representing the entire Demon-Worm Sect, his peculiar cultivation would still have been met with masters beyond his reach. A swift defeat would have brought utter disgrace upon our sect before the world. Though my friend killed him by accident, he has effectively done the Demon-Worm Sect a favor by showing the Plague-Worm Emperor just how incompetent the Death-Judge truly was.”
“Eloquent tongue, quite interesting.” The Plague-Worm Emperor laughed heartily, glancing at his subordinates. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, piercing directly toward Ye Xiu. “Then you shall represent the Demon-Worm Sect in the contest. How about it?”
Ye Xiu felt a brilliant light lock onto his chest. In an instant, a murderous aura surged toward him. A beam of fierce energy flashed from the Worm Emperor’s eyes, transforming into a sword-light aimed directly at Ye Xiu.
Ye Xiu stepped back, drawing his Celestial Scrutiny Sword. The sword spun rapidly downward, cleanly deflecting the sword-light intended for his chest. “Plague-Worm Emperor, what is the meaning of this?”
“To evade the savagery of my Vermin Eye shows you possess some skill. Are you interested in joining my Demon-Worm Sect?” The Plague-Worm Emperor’s tone was lofty, carrying the air of a generous benefactor. “By your appearance, you are clearly not of the Four Clans. Joining the Demon-Worm Sect will certainly bring you advantages.”
Jun Bugu looked astonished, reacting faster than Ye Xiu. “He asks you to join the Demon-Worm Sect, what say you?”
Ye Xiu considered the situation quickly. If he joined the Demon-Worm Sect, wouldn't he have command over their myriad soldiers? He could order them to do anything. Furthermore, being new to the Interspatial Realm, he needed a patron. After a moment of thought, he replied, “I thank the Plague-Worm Emperor for your high regard. However, I am a lone wanderer without any foundational roots in the Demon-Worm lineage. How could I dare rely on an ordinary human body to enter your sect?”
“That is no obstacle. If you are willing, I shall bestow upon you the Soul of a Hundred Insects. This way, anyone can immediately discern your Demonic Insect attribute.” The Plague-Worm Emperor stated his condition. “The Soul of a Hundred Insects is a supreme treasure of the Demonic Insects. I do not give it freely. Your task will be to find more Myriad-Poison Stones for me and to participate in the Heavenly Ranking Holy War. Do you accept?”
Ye Xiu steadied himself. The mission to find Myriad-Poison Stones held little interest; his immediate goal was finding Qi’er, and for that, he had to steel himself and agree. “This subordinate is overjoyed to serve the Plague-Worm Emperor, but I confess I have never heard of this Soul of a Hundred Insects.”
Seeing Ye Xiu did not refuse, the Plague-Worm Emperor elaborated. “From the moment you entered, I sensed several strange energies latent within you. The Fox Spirit energy and the Daoist Arts are what I know best; this only proves you have some connection to those two clans.”
‘Fox Spirit?’ Ye Xiu inwardly counted himself lucky. That Fox Spirit energy clearly stemmed from the Demonic Shadow Thousand Years. Fortunately, Master Tianzhen had used his Life-Extending Heavenly Needles to regulate and conceal the various powers within him. As long as he didn't recklessly use the Death God energy, even a high-level cultivator like the Plague-Worm Emperor shouldn't be able to identify it. “This subordinate has indeed had some contact with the Fox Spirit Clan and has cultivated some of their power.”
“So, Ye Xiu, you are a Fox Spirit?” Jun Bugu glanced at Ye Xiu curiously, feeling confused himself. “If you are a Fox Spirit, then what am I? Am I without lineage?”
“Hmph! Your cultivation is chaotic; stop interrupting! I believe the Death-Judge most likely died at your hands, Ye Xiu.” The Plague-Worm Emperor snarled, dismissing Jun Bugu.
“Hoo…” Ye Xiu felt immense relief having passed the scrutiny of his identity. He looked up at the ceiling, feeling the viscous goo above was about to drip down into his neck. “As expected of the Plague-Worm Emperor; nothing escapes your sight.”
“Indeed. This is why the Soul of a Hundred Insects will assist you.” The Plague-Worm Emperor made a slight gesture, and a ball of putrefied energy coalesced in his palm. “Within the Corpse Demon Forest, cultivators are categorized into four types: Fox Spirits, Strange Fowl, Fierce Beasts, and Demonic Insects. The Fox Spirits, as the Imperial Lineage, split off from the Fierce Beasts. The Soul of a Hundred Insects is a power exclusive to those born within the Demonic Insect realm—innate, requiring no special cultivation, and impossible to cultivate.”
“So, the Soul of a Hundred Insects can only be infused into someone who already possesses Corpse Demon Forest cultivation?” Ye Xiu seemed to grasp the Emperor’s meaning, though he remained curious about the Soul’s function. “What use will it be to me?”
“Go!” With a sweep of his palm, the ball of foul energy radiated a verdant light and floated toward Ye Xiu’s head. “With your body cultivation, possessing the Soul of a Hundred Insects will allow you to utilize the special skills of the Hundred Insects—such as immunity to a hundred poisons, or tunneling through earth and forest.”
“I never imagined such cultivation methods existed in this world.” Ye Xiu had felt a covetousness toward the green energy mass earlier, but now, as it drifted over his head, he closed his eyes. He felt a profound craving within his body for this Soul of a Hundred Insects—was his Fox Spirit energy causing this reaction? “This subordinate will certainly serve the Demon-Worm Sect diligently. I thank the Plague-Worm Emperor.”
“Drink!” The Plague-Worm Emperor exerted his power, forcefully pressing the Soul of a Hundred Insects into Ye Xiu’s body. Green smoke immediately rose from Ye Xiu’s form. After a moment, the smoke coalesced into the shape of a hand, completely enveloping him.
“Ye Xiu, how do you feel?” Jun Bugu tried to rush in and pull Ye Xiu out, but as his hand approached, Ye Xiu lightly leaped. He stood perfectly balanced on one foot atop one of Jun Bugu’s arms. “H-how is this possible? When did your body become so light?”
“Light? Is it not your superior arm strength?” Ye Xiu was equally astounded. He instantly flipped away, his entire body moving with an unnatural lightness, landing softly on the ground as if employing the highest level of Qinggong. The sensation was bizarre. “Plague-Worm Emperor, is this the power of the Soul of a Hundred Insects?”
The Plague-Worm Emperor languidly waved his sleeve and smiled. “You will now need to familiarize yourself with the marvels of the Soul of a Hundred Insects. Coincidentally, there is a matter I need you to handle for me right away.”
“Please command me, Plague-Worm Emperor.” Ye Xiu was secretly delighted. Although it wasn't his Death God cultivation that had improved, having the Soul of a Hundred Insects gave him an extra defensive skill—an undeniable boon in the expert-laden Interspatial Realm. “This subordinate will exert every effort.”