Inquiry about immortality

Chapter 2667 Return
Donglin Lake.

Ancestor Pi Hong is a powerful cultivator at the ninth level of the True Realm, renowned far and wide, and has connections with many cultivation sects in the vicinity.

It is said that this person was born into the Yue Lin Sect, but for unknown reasons, he left the sect many years ago and built a hermitage at Donglin Lake, where he has lived as a rogue cultivator ever since. However, the Yue Lin Sect has never publicly declared him a traitor, and he has maintained contact with Patriarch Pi Hong.

Some speculate that it is related to a case from years ago, in which Yue Lin Sect initially wronged Patriarch Pi Hong, but as Patriarch Pi Hong's cultivation level increased, Yue Lin Sect took the initiative to eliminate the grudges between the two sides.

As it turned out, this decision was correct. Patriarch Pi Hong was a genius who surpassed the veteran experts of Yue Lin Sect one after another, and was the first to enter the ninth level of the True Realm. He was summoned by immortals and was about to break through again.

Now that Patriarch Pi Hong has successfully broken through and transcended the tribulation, he will be summoned and guided to the legendary Land of Ascension. As is customary, before the breakthrough, fellow cultivators are invited to witness the ceremony, which is known as the Ascension Assembly.

In the past, if the timing was right, some people even underwent tribulation at the Flying Immortal Assembly, leaving behind various legends.

Upon arriving at the shore of Donglin Lake, Qin Sang saw that the surroundings were bustling with activity, as cultivators were gathering from all directions.

"What a magnificent event!"

Qin Sang gazed at the center of the lake and saw streaks of light flashing like shooting stars, moving back and forth.

He had changed his appearance and disguised himself as a young man in white. The real person was imprisoned by him in a certain place. Because of the demonic insects, he did it secretly and did not take any action against the demonic insects.

He has an invitation to the Flying Immortals Assembly, which allows him to attend openly and legitimately.

"Master Qi has arrived!"

In front of the island in the middle of the lake, a disciple of the Pi Hong Ancestor was serving as the host. Upon seeing the invitation handed over by Qin Sang, he loudly announced the guest's name.

Qin Sang presented the congratulatory gift, and the guest master smiled broadly, instructing a maid to lead him to his seat.

"Please come in quickly, senior!"

The maid walked gracefully, and Qin Sang followed behind her at a leisurely pace, looking around.

The island in the middle of the lake was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and most of the guests had already arrived. They gathered together and chatted happily, creating a lively atmosphere.

For the cultivation world, the Ascension Ceremony is a grand event of the highest order, and no cultivator who receives an invitation will miss it.

Qin Sang dismissed the maids and walked towards a group of cultivators not far away. With a little skill, she easily blended in and chatted and laughed with them. From them, Qin Sang learned more and more detailed legends about the Ascension Assembly.

"So that's how it is..."

Qin Sang seemed to be deep in thought.

There are many theories about the origin of the Immortal Summoning. Some say it is the condensation of the will of heaven and earth, while others say it is a guiding talisman sent by a senior cultivator in the cultivation world. Cultivators who reach the ninth level of True Immortality will receive the Immortal Summoning and will be guided away after their next breakthrough.

The cultivators will be guided to the Land of Ascension, where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is said to be incredibly rich, and there are countless rare treasures and profound magical techniques, which all cultivators yearn for.

For Qin Sang, who knew the truth, the truth was certainly not so pleasant. He guessed that the so-called 'guidance' was probably a harvest! If this world were likened to a field of insects, those who received the divine summons were the crops that were about to mature, and what followed was the 'harvest'.

Qin Sang was curious about the process of 'harvesting' the harvest; this Flying Immortal Assembly should be able to help him glimpse some of the truth.

As time went on, more and more cultivators came to participate in the Flying Immortal Assembly. Most of them were at least at the Nascent Soul stage, and there were also a few at the mid-stage of the Divine Transformation stage, which meant they were True Eighth-level experts. This made it easier for Qin Sang to observe the state of the demonic insects at different cultivation levels.

As expected, the higher the cultivation level, the closer the demonic insects in the cultivator's body are to the adult state.

There were no true ninth-level experts present. It is said that such experts would go into seclusion to cultivate after receiving the divine summons and would not concern themselves with worldly affairs.

"What a magnificent event!"

Qin Sang sighed again, this time for the fate of Patriarch Pi Hong and these cultivators.

At noon, Qin Sang sensed that the island's restrictions had been lifted, and a cultivator with a powerful aura slowly emerged. His cultivation level was the highest in the area, presumably the Pi Hong Ancestor.

Qin Sang put down the jade cup in her hand and looked at the sky.

At the same time, more and more cultivators noticed the abnormality, the noise gradually disappeared, and everyone looked towards the immortal mountain in the center of the island.

This mountain is uniquely precipitous and is the site of the Daoist temple of the Pi Hong Ancestor. At this moment, the clouds and mist have dispersed, and everyone can see that there is an old man standing on the mountaintop, with his back to everyone and his hands behind his back!

"Ancestor Pi Hong!"

A few soft gasps rang out from the crowd.

Some astute individuals have already realized something: the Old Ancestor Pi Hong has appeared but is not descending the mountain. Could it be that he intends to break through to a higher realm at the Flying Immortal Assembly?

Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but show their joy. Observing a ninth-level expert break through to the next level was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Qin Sang narrowed her eyes slightly, her aura becoming increasingly restrained.

With his back to everyone, the Old Ancestor Pi Hong remained silent, his aura rippling like the surrounding lake.

This state lasted for two hours, but no one became impatient. At this moment, no one cared about the fine wine and delicacies in front of them; everyone was holding their breath and looking at Patriarch Pi Hong.

Suddenly, the aura of the Pi Hong Ancestor became as violent as a pot of boiling water.

Qin Sang's heart stirred slightly. Everyone thought that Patriarch Pi Hong was about to break through the barrier, but in his eyes, it was the demonic insect inside Patriarch Pi Hong's body that had spread its wings!

The weather above Linghu Lake suddenly changed!
Just then, amidst a chorus of exclamations, Patriarch Pi Hong suddenly took a step forward, traversing the air and ascending the steps.

At the same time, a golden light shot out from his chest. The light was so dazzling that everyone squinted and could only vaguely see what looked like a golden talisman within the light.

Someone exclaimed, "A divine summons!"

The next moment, the figure of the Pi Hong Ancestor was swallowed by the golden light, and together with the golden light, it rose higher and higher.

At this moment, the tribulation clouds in the sky covered the sun and the golden light gradually merged into the tribulation clouds. Everyone completely lost sight of the old ancestor Pi Hong. Some people couldn't help but sigh, still reluctant to look away.

Qin Sang's gaze grew increasingly profound, his eyes piercing through the tribulation clouds and golden light, taking in every subtle change inside and outside the body of the Pi Hong Ancestor.

"Even demonic insects suffer heavenly tribulations, but I wonder if they also suffer inner demon tribulations?" This question popped into Qin Sang's mind.

The scene unfolding before his eyes confirmed his earlier conjecture: the moment Patriarch Pi Hong broke through was the moment the demonic insect matured and emerged from its cocoon.

The purpose of the summoning ceremony should be to guide this demonic insect back!

The Old Ancestor Pi Hong was completely unaware, still holding onto his hopes for the future and preparing to face the heavenly tribulation.

Having lived together for thousands of years, he had long since become one with the demonic insect. His every move, even his seven emotions and six desires, were deeply influenced by the demonic insect. Even if the demonic insect wanted to take over, he would only think it was a normal change in his body.

"If a demonic insect that is about to mature runs into trouble at this time, will it attract the attention of the mastermind behind it all?"

Qin Sang had this thought in mind and quietly left the island in the middle of the lake.

He wouldn't directly attack Patriarch Pihong and the demonic insects. Instead, he would "kindly" remind Patriarch Pihong of a problem within his body at a crucial moment, prompting the host to fight the demonic insects.

Qin Sang could instantly come up with ten ways to do things without leaving a trace.

At this moment, the golden light and the tribulation clouds merged, forming a strange radiant glow that permeated the high sky.

Ancestor Pi Hong was surrounded by light and clouds, and his internal energy had reached a certain limit. The heavenly tribulation was about to descend!

Qin Sang noticed that the demonic insects had begun to mutate and were gradually reviving. Within the body of Patriarch Pi Hong, the power of the demonic insects was omnipresent, whether in the internal organs or deep within the primordial spirit.

During its resurgence, the demonic insect absorbed the essence of the Pi Hong Ancestor through countless tendrils, or rather, it transformed it!

Unbeknownst to them, the power of the Pi Hong Ancestor was gradually transformed into the power of the demonic insects. At the same time, Qin Sang noticed that another strange change was appearing on the demonic insects.

"Is this...an anomaly?"

Qin Sang had raised spirit insects and discovered that the current state of the demonic insects was somewhat similar to that of Tian Li when she underwent the transformation.

"Could it be that these demonic insects not only feed on cultivators, but can also undergo mutations in this way?" Qin Sang wondered to himself.

He noticed that the demonic insect's aura was becoming increasingly peculiar, and its appearance was also changing. Its tendrils on the surface of its wings were turning into fine bone spikes. This was definitely an anomaly, not a normal metamorphosis!

However, spirit insects are a species created by the sorcerer god in the spirit realm. Unless there is another sorcerer god in the demon realm, the mutations of demon insects and spirit insects should be different...

It is indeed a different kind of mutation!

Even after the Tianmu Butterfly mutated, it was still a Tianmu Butterfly, only it gained a different kind of supernatural power. This demonic insect, on the other hand, was transforming into a completely different kind of demonic insect, with its aura and appearance undergoing earth-shattering changes.

Is the mastermind behind this creating an unprecedented demonic insect through this method?
Each cultivator possesses unique qualities, enabling them to create a variety of different demonic insects. If all living beings in the world are born from the essence of heaven and earth, and cultivators are the cream of the crop among them, then this act is tantamount to seizing the very essence of heaven and earth!

Qin Sang couldn't help but praise the brilliant idea, but the method was too cruel.

'Rumble...'

Thunder roared.

The wrath of Heaven grows ever more terrifying, and the Heavenly Tribulation is about to descend, but it seems more like a catalyst to help the demonic insects transform.

The Ancestor Pi Hong has a sufficiently profound foundation for this demonic insect to absorb. If nothing unexpected happens, this demonic insect should be able to successfully complete its transformation.

Just as Qin Sang was about to secretly make a move and cause some trouble for the demonic insects, she suddenly felt uneasy, and her heart sank. It had been the same back in the Thunder Sea. Could it be that another powerful enemy was approaching, or that her actions would attract a powerful foe?

An omen is just an omen; it cannot tell him the whole truth. He can only speculate based on reality.

Qin Sang hesitated, but having learned from past mistakes, she decisively abandoned her plan and left Donglin Lake.

Not long after, a long roar came from the sky. Ancestor Pi Hong broke through the barrier in one fell swoop, and the demonic insect was about to mature!
At that very moment, a sudden change occurred.

Qin Sang suddenly felt a pang of fear. The next moment, an invisible wave swept across the land.

This fluctuation was too strange. It came out of nowhere without any warning. For a moment, Qin Sang thought that he had been exposed and had attracted the pursuit of powerful enemies. He almost made a move.

Fortunately, he held back and hurriedly looked towards the center of the lake, where he saw a horrifying scene.

The cultivators on the island in the middle of the lake were gazing at the tribulation clouds when they heard the roar of the Pi Hong Ancestor. They showed various expressions, but when the wave came, everyone's expressions froze on their faces, as if they had turned into statues.

Immediately afterwards, as if summoned by some force, they all stood up, slowly turned around, and looked in the same direction. Their faces were expressionless, initially indifferent, then influenced by an invisible wave, they became angry and fierce, but these expressions were not something a human could make.

The most bizarre thing was their eyes, which changed from clear black and white pupils to insect-like compound eyes. Suddenly, they all opened their mouths and emitted a silent shriek that blended into the fluctuations.

Then, they all flew off in that direction!

The most unfortunate thing was that the demonic insect inside the Pi Hong Ancestor was corrupted by the fluctuations during his tribulation, lost its self, and was immediately reduced to ashes under the heavenly tribulation.

At this moment, the cultivators had left Donglin Lake, resembling a swarm of insects!
The swarm of insects was swept away by the fluctuations and roared away. Qin Sang followed closely behind the swarm and saw countless cultivators flying out from mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, and sect secret realms wherever the swarm passed.

They were all oblivious and ignorant, blending into the 'swarm'.

These cultivators have varying levels of cultivation, but like the real insect swarm, once they join the swarm, they become part of it, and the swarm changes as the population grows.

As more and more cultivators joined, the 'swarm' grew ever larger, blotting out the sky and truly living up to its name.

At the same time, the invisible fluctuation became increasingly rapid, drawing in more cultivators. It was more like an angry emotion than a fluctuation, infecting these cultivators and awakening the demonic insects within them.

Qin Sang followed the swarm of insects and witnessed this terrifying scene, filled with astonishment and doubt. He sensed that the anger contained within the fluctuations was growing stronger, and a possibility came to mind. Could it be that a powerful enemy had invaded its territory, summoning the swarm and going so far as to destroy the 'normal' cultivation world it had painstakingly created?
Is it the Demon Lord Luo Luo, or the Lord of Yinshan?

Suzaku said that if Demon Lord Luo Luo and the others were still alive, they would have been sent in the same direction as him. The timing was so coincidental that it was likely one of the two of them!
Thinking of this, Qin Sang felt even more compelled to go and take a look.

If it is Lord Yinshan, then seize the opportunity to eliminate him completely; if it is Lord Luoluo, then consider saving him, as he may know the truth.

Qin Sang quietly passed the swarm of insects and quickened her pace, seeing more and more swarms of insects along the way.

This 'insect field' is far more vast than I imagined!
Even with his cultivation level, this was the first time he had encountered such a bizarre situation.

The direction of that invisible fluctuation was very clear. Qin Sang concealed his aura, increased his speed, and flew over countless mountains and rivers before finally sensing an unusual fluctuation coming from ahead.

There are people fighting over there!
Qin Sang's heart stirred, and she became even more cautious. She activated her spiritual eyes and looked as far as the eye could see, only to find a terrifying scene of upheaval on the horizon.

Endless waters flooded the earth, and giant waves threatened to shatter the sky. Amidst the wind and waves, there was a shadowy creature, shaped like a spider with eight legs, but far more terrifying than a spider.

The insect's shadow floated on the waves, its eyes shooting out a terrifying glint, emitting sharp screech like a demonic sound.

Upon hearing the howl of the demonic insect, Qin Sang's internal energy and blood began to fluctuate.

Qin Sang noticed that there were specks of blue light flashing beneath the insect shadow, like vines or blue lightning, which seemed somewhat familiar.