"Ye Xiu, there is no time to waste. I think you should hurry to Tianyun Ji immediately." The Demon Empress supported her injured arm, her expression tense, more out of concern for the safety of the entire Boundless Realm. "Aragane City is already in turmoil, and the Corpse Demon Forest surely cannot be faring any better. I see the divine beasts across the Boundless Realm stirring; truly, misfortune follows misfortune."

Ye Xiu nodded. The current level of chaos would likely only please one person: the Saint Empress of Ten Thousand Demons. "I suppose I should make a trip to Tianyun Ji as well, but I truly don't know how to get there."

"Tianyun Ji rests atop the peaks of the Glazed Mountain Range. Only the highest spire of that range offers a floating island leading to it," the Demon Empress directed, though her worry remained palpable. "The direction of the Glazed Mountains is likely already crawling with divine beasts. You two must be extremely careful."

"Brother Ye Xiu, I'll go with you!" At this moment, Qi'er also leaped forward, her cheeks still lovely and bright. "I must find that Yan Shangcheng to avenge Master and Sister A'Bi."

Ye Xiu took hold of Qi'er, speaking earnestly. "Qi'er, rest assured. Your old brother Liu and I will definitely capture that fellow Yan Shangcheng. The Demon Empress is injured; you ought to stay here at the Fox Palace to look after her."

Qi'er thought for a long moment before finally returning behind the Demon Empress. She encouraged them, "With the two of you going, I don't think that fellow stands a chance of escape. You must both do your best."

"Let's go," Old Liu nodded toward the Demon Empress and the onlookers. He stepped onto Guizhu, pulling Ye Xiu along, and the two vanished into the sky amidst a burst of black mist.

Ye Xiu looked back at the distant Fox Palace, his mind already calculating. "We should return to the Insect Gate first. I think we'll need to borrow some troops from the Drought Demon Insect Emperor before heading to Tianyun Ji."

"Aren't you afraid Yan Shangcheng will get to the Three Primordial Needles ahead of you?" Old Liu was somewhat confused. He immediately halted Guizhu and questioned, "Yan Shangcheng possesses the Kuangmai Tianshu; he could be running rampant in Tianyun Ji before long."

"You should know that the strength of Tianyun Ji is no less than that of Aragane City," Ye Xiu analyzed coolly. "No matter how powerful Yan Shangcheng is, he still needs the Three Primordial Needles to sustain his body, meaning he has a weakness. Furthermore, we know the strength of those bird-men; it’s not something that can be overcome by a single person with a single sword. Conversely, I am more concerned with the shifting relationships between Aragane City and the various clans."

Old Liu stared at Ye Xiu and grinned cunningly. "I see. You young whelp wants Yan Shangcheng and the bird-men of Tianyun Ji to clash first, and then we swoop in to reap the benefits, right? Fine by me. I'm also eager to see how well you perform as the Hall Master of the Insect Gate."

Beneath the barrier of the Evil Karma Forest, green light still flooded the area. Countless venomous insects fluttered and spun within the rolling mists, surrounded by dry branches, fallen leaves, and rotting mire.

"Damn it, Ye Xiu, you're the Hall Master in a place like this?" Old Liu pinched his nose, looking thoroughly deceived. "Ahem..."

Ye Xiu was long accustomed to it. He simply stomped his foot softly, and a mound of earth erupted nearby. A massive forelimb burst forth from the soil. "Ant-Big, I didn't think you still remembered me."

"Hall Master Ye!" Ant-Big scrambled out, shaking his head doubtfully as he eyed Old Liu. "Who is this fellow, Hall Master Ye? He looks like some kind of Daoist priest."

Ye Xiu vaguely brushed it off and pulled Ant-Big along. "Never mind that for now. I need to reach Tianyun Ji; could you spare some flying insects to accompany me?"

"The flying insect legion reports to Mantis-Fly. We belong to two different halls, so I'm afraid I'll need to report to the Insect Emperor first," Ant-Big hesitated, though he remained loyal to Ye Xiu. "Hall Master Ye, what do you need the flying insect legion for? Are you going to fight the Demon Peak Gate again?"

"Good, take me to see the Insect Emperor quickly." Ye Xiu grimaced, picturing the scene atop Tianyun Ji. During the battle at Aragane City, the elders of Tianyun Ji had brought some forces to seize the Heaven's Punishment Unbowed Bow. Without the ability to fly, they would surely suffer.

"Please follow!" Ant-Big led Ye Xiu and Old Liu toward an underground passage, occasionally cracking jokes. "Hall Master Ye, did you know that Spider Maiden and Snake Beauty are about to go wild from missing you?"

"Heh, those two," Ye Xiu let out a faint smile. They said the most venomous hearts belonged to women, and those two venomous creatures certainly knew his value.

Hearing this, Old Liu’s lecherous side resurfaced, and he teased, "Kid, I didn't realize you were such a hit. You can't seem to be without women wherever you go."

On the Thousand Cave Insect Hall, the Drought Demon Insect Emperor sat formally. It was the power of his Myriad Poison Pearl in the Aragane City battle that allowed the Insect Gate to eliminate many fierce beasts with minimal casualties. Moreover, during that fight, he had not considered the possibility of Ye Xiu returning alive.

"Subordinate Ye Xiu pays respects to the Drought Demon Insect Emperor." Ye Xiu bowed very politely as soon as he entered the main hall, even though he knew the truth of the recent events.

"Hall Master Ye!" Spider Maiden and Snake Beauty were ecstatic, forgetting all decorum as they coiled around Ye Xiu. "I told you Hall Master Ye was fine! Who was crying their eyes out all day?"

"Hmph, weren't you acting like a mourning widow too?" The exchange between Spider Maiden and Snake Beauty was slightly suggestive but ultimately harmless.

The Drought Demon Insect Emperor was inwardly thrilled to see Ye Xiu. He admired the fact that this man had managed to seize the Heaven's Gate and survive the suppression of his Myriad Poison Pearl. He immediately raised his hand. "Hall Master Ye's prowess is truly extraordinary! Securing the highest honor at the Heaven Bone Mirror Soldier Platform is a blessing for our Insect Gate. And this is...?"

Old Liu was unimpressed by the Emperor's corpulent appearance and introduced himself. "I am Old Liu, a friend of Ye Xiu. Greetings, Insect Emperor."

The Ant Army Strategist scrutinized the pair with ill intent. "Hall Master Ye returns victorious. You must have pressing business returning to the Insect Gate. How do you intend to deal with the Heaven's Gate sword, the Heaven's Gate?"

The Ant Strategist was indeed cunning. Ye Xiu pondered that the sword had little use for him personally. He deliberately sighed, "The Insect Emperor knows I have a friend named Jun Bugu. Unexpectedly, these past few days, he was captured by the Blind Sun Clan. As a true brother, I have decided to go to Tianyun Ji to rescue him."

"And so...?" The Emperor grasped Ye Xiu’s intention. Deploying forces to Tianyun Ji was inevitable, but given the current strength of the Insect Gate, they might not be sufficient.

Ye Xiu bowed again. "This subordinate is going to Tianyun Ji to retrieve my friend. If Elder Tianyuan refuses to release him, I may have to resort to extraordinary measures."

"Is Hall Master Ye intending to use the might of the Insect Gate against the Blind Sun Clan?" The Ant Strategist understood the Emperor's heart best. He knew the Emperor highly valued his military power. "The Blind Sun Clan dominates Tianyun Ji. Relying on Hall Master Ye's Earth Worm Hall, you won't gain any advantage. Therefore, Hall Master Ye is requesting the Drought Demon Insect Emperor to deploy the power of the Flying Insect Hall."

"Precisely!" This step was part of Ye Xiu's plan. Going to Tianyun Ji was not just about inquiring after Jun Bugu; more importantly, it was about finding the Life-Reaping Heaven Needle and Yan Shangcheng. The more chaotic the situation, the more advantageous it would be for him.

The Drought Demon Insect Emperor, hearing Ye Xiu state his request plainly, found it difficult to refuse outright. He glanced at Mantis-Fly beside him. "Although all halls and insects of the Insect Gate are controlled by me, the Drought Demon Insect Emperor, their specific deployment requires the permission of their respective leaders. This matter, I fear, must be settled by Mantis-Fly."

Mantis-Fly, possessing a green hue and sharp features, was naturally reluctant to mobilize his unit without cause. "Hall Master Ye is a hero of the entire Boundless Realm. To journey to Tianyun Ji, I hardly think we lowly flying insects are necessary."

Old Liu shot Ye Xiu a sidelong glance and whispered, "These guys clearly won't help you."

Ye Xiu had anticipated this. He drew the Heaven's Gate from his waist with one hand, letting it gleam. "This subordinate obtained the Heaven's Gate at the Heaven Bone Mirror Soldier Platform for the entire Insect Gate. Although it is precious, it is useless to me here. I implore the Drought Demon Insect Emperor to accept it."

"Quickly, quickly, bring it here!" The Drought Demon Insect Emperor had not expected Ye Xiu to surrender the Heaven's Gate so readily. He beamed with delight, gesturing to the Ant Strategist to place the sword before him. "It is indeed a fine blade. This treasure is an essential component of the Heaven Sword Absolute Saber. Hall Master Ye has shown great consideration."

"Regarding the mobilization of the Flying Insect Hall, I request the assistance of the Drought Demon Insect Emperor!" Ye Xiu seized the opportunity to press further. "This trip to Tianyun Ji is a perfect chance to probe the true strength of the Blind Sun Clan. Aragane City is already in chaos. In the future, if the Insect Gate is to vie for supremacy in the Boundless Realm, the Blind Sun Clan is likely our greatest enemy, so..."

The Drought Demon Insect Emperor nodded, finding Ye Xiu's reasoning sound, but he was still hesitant to deploy the Flying Insect strength so easily. "Personally, I agree with Hall Master Ye's request, but the specific decision rests with Mantis-Fly. I wonder if Mantis-Fly agrees?"

Mantis-Fly observed the Emperor's expression and understood somewhat. He smiled at Ye Xiu. "Hall Master Ye dominated the Heaven Bone Mirror Soldier Platform. I, Mantis-Fly, am eager to witness your prowess. How about this: if you can defeat me, the Flying Insect Hall will certainly offer its full support!"

"So, it’s going to be a fight," Old Liu scrutinized Mantis-Fly closely. The man looked thin, with two curved blades clearly concealed in his sleeves. His overall appearance resembled a praying mantis, yet it hid other peculiarities. "Be careful, Death God. Although his limbs look frail, the power within should not be underestimated."

"Please step forward!" Ye Xiu nodded and took his place in the center of the Thousand Cave Insect Hall. The Drought Demon Insect Emperor was scheming and suspicious; obtaining his help required paying a price. "I also wish to witness the power of the flying insects."

The Ant Army Strategist cautiously leaned toward the Emperor, the glow of the Heaven's Gate exciting him. "Ye Xiu willingly handing over the Heaven's Gate shows his loyalty to the Insect Gate. Letting him lead a detachment to the Blind Sun Clan is also an excellent stratagem for gathering intelligence."

The Drought Demon Insect Emperor wished to gauge the hero's true strength and cheerfully said to the Ant Strategist, "I think so too. Letting Mantis-Fly test Ye Xiu's cultivation level will benefit us. A capable man like this must be kept close, but also watched with caution. Used well, Ye Xiu will be my foremost general in the Insect Gate's conquest of the Boundless Realm."