Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

An indescribably magnificent scene slowly unfolded before his eyes.

Before me lies a dreamlike forest.

Each mulberry tree, its trunk and branches resembling crystal carvings, stands quietly in the water, its gnarled branches reflecting a faint light that seems to come from nowhere.

Their mulberry leaves are as thin as cicada wings, almost transparent, with veins as clear as ice silk. They sway gently with the undercurrent, refracting the light from the water's surface into countless rays of rainbow light.

Its ever-changing beauty is breathtaking.

"This is! A Crystal Mulberry Grove... such a vast Crystal Mulberry Grove!"

Jiuyou was shocked, then overjoyed.

He had seen relevant records in the ancient books that Lu Zaian had read:

'The Crystal Mulberry Tree grows in deep waters, its leaves like glass, and silkworms with crystalline light always attach themselves to it…'

Recalling the second half of the words—

Jiuyou's gaze immediately swept sharply towards the depths of the mulberry forest.

Sure enough, behind some of the crystal-clear mulberry leaves, he saw tiny specks of light slowly wriggling.

Those were silkworms that were almost transparent, with only a few specks of crystalline light outlining their shapes!

They lay lazily on the mulberry leaves, nibbling at the crystal-like leaves. Their bodies would occasionally wriggle, emitting a soft and pure halo.

further away.

Some crystalline moths have already emerged from their cocoons, their wings as thin as silk, broad and dazzling, fluttering and dancing in the forest, stirring the water and scattering specks of sparkling powder...

"Crystal Silkworm, Crystal Moth... the symbiotic monsters of this mulberry grove!!"

Jiuyou took a deep breath, suppressing the overwhelming joy in his heart.

The Crystal Silkworm feeds on crystal mulberry leaves, and its crystal silk can be crafted into magical robes.

Not only is it far more durable than ordinary magical artifacts, but it can also naturally block divine sense detection. It is also a treasure for water escape and shadow escape, and can easily blend into water and shadow, changing its shape and color according to the master's will!

Furthermore, the moth powder on the Crystal Moth is an excellent material for refining ice-type magical artifacts and elixirs!

"This isn't a one-off deal..."

Jiuyou's eyes were burning, his mind racing, and a thought instantly surfaced:

"If we could transplant this mulberry tree and its associated demonic beast back to the Cloud Hat Mountain where my main body is located, and cultivate them properly, wouldn't we be able to obtain silkworm silk and moth powder in the future?"

If it can be cultivated, it will become a long-term, sustainable industry!

Once the thought arises, it can never be stopped.

However, how to bring this vibrant mulberry grove, along with those delicate crystalline silkworms, back alive has become a problem.

Storage bags cannot hold living creatures; after a while, they will lose all their spiritual energy and become inanimate objects.

"What should I do..."

Just as Jiuyou frowned, the voice of Xiaoyi within her body sounded again:

"Eee-ooh~ Eee-ooh".

"Little Yi, do you have a solution?!"

"Eee-ooh-ee!"

Xiao Yi's voice was filled with certainty and a hint of excitement.

It turns out that it can mobilize primordial power to completely freeze this small area of ​​water, along with the mulberry trees and crystal silkworms within it.

It's like time has stopped!

At that time, the frozen "ice sculpture" can be safely stored in a storage bag. Once it returns to a suitable environment and is thawed, it will be restored to its original state.

However, given Xiao Yi's strength, the timeframe can only last for ten days to half a month at most.

If it grows any longer... the mulberry trees and crystal silkworms within will completely lose their vitality and freeze to death!

"Great idea! Ten days to half a month is enough!"

Jiuyou's eyes lit up. This plan was brilliant!

He cautiously approached the crystal mulberry grove, preparing to create an opportunity for Little Yi to cast a spell.

But just as he approached the edge of the mulberry grove.

A sudden change occurred!

The crystal moths, which had been quietly resting on the mulberry leaves and almost blending into the crystal leaves, were suddenly startled!

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Their numbers far exceeded Jiuyou's estimates. In an instant, the forest was filled with brilliant light, and dozens or even hundreds of crystal moths suddenly took flight!

These crystalline moths are completely different from the docile silkworms; their compound eyes gleam with a fierce crimson light, and with a flap of their wings—

Ignoring the terrifying water pressure hundreds of feet deep, it transformed into streaks of seven-colored light, rushing straight towards the Netherworld!

"Step aside!!"

Jiuyou had a warning in advance, and with his hands circulating the power of his blood and qi, he suddenly pushed forward.

Instantly, a large torrent of water surged forth, crashing towards a swarm of crystalline moths!

Their wings flapped wildly, and countless shimmering scales containing extreme cold power spread out!

The scales dissolved into the water, forming a magnificent yet deadly mist that enveloped the Netherworld.

Tsk tsk tsk! !

Even the most powerful body in the Nine Netherworlds felt an icy chill the moment it touched the crystal powder.

He looked down and saw a slight stinging sensation on his skin, followed by white spots appearing, and the surrounding muscles and blood vessels were almost necrotic!

"Hiss... What a vicious poison!"

Jiuyou's heart skipped a beat. These crystal moths looked to be only first-tier, with a few low-grade second-tier ones, but their advantage lay in their large numbers and their extremely domineering attacks!

He dared not be negligent, and blood flames ignited around his body, surging and shaping like boiling magma on his surface.

A dark red suit of armor appeared, instantly covering the entire body, with magical runes moving around it, and a Taotie relief roaring with its mouth open!

[Blood-Piercing Gluttonous Armor!]

This is the first time Jiuyou has been forced to use this move since entering the Black Miasma Forest!

However, with this living demonic armor, I don't have to be so careful about those scales anymore.

"Xiao Yi, hurry!"

With a loud shout, Jiuyou unleashed a flurry of punches and palm strikes, his blood and qi surging like a dragon, continuously repelling the swarming crystal moths and buying time for Xiaoyi.

In an instant, this tranquil and dreamlike underwater forest was turned upside down, with turbulent currents and flashing lights!

The shrill cries of the moths mingled with the roar of the water...

However, the swarm of moths was too numerous and too fast, and the scales seemed endless. The white spots on his [Blood Armor] increased, and his movements became slightly sluggish.

"Eee---"

Just then, Xiao Yi, who was standing to the side, finally finished charging up.

Its tiny palm emitted an incredibly pure icy blue light, and an extreme chill instantly descended.

Click...

Centered on it, the chill spread wildly, and the water visibly froze!

The most lush crystal mulberry grove, teeming with silkworms, along with the surrounding water, was instantly frozen into a huge and perfectly square ice sculpture.

Crystal clear, everything inside—

Whether it's the mulberry tree branches and leaves, or the wriggling posture of the crystalline silkworm, everything is frozen in time!

"Well done, Xiao Yi, hahaha!!"

Seeing this, Jiuyou ignored the swarm of moths frantically attacking behind him, endured several impacts of scale powder, his back turned icy white, and with a backhand strike, used the force to rush towards the ice block.

"receive!"

He shouted, and the storage bag opened, a suction force enveloped the huge block of ice, instantly pulling it into it!

"Eeya!" Little Yi's light dimmed slightly, and it quickly flew back into Jiuyou's body.

"go!"

Having obtained the treasure, Jiuyou did not linger in battle. He unleashed his full power of blood and qi, kicked off the muddy bottom of the water with both legs, and shot upwards like an arrow!

Behind them, the swarm of sparkling moths, having lost their target, chased after them frantically.

The iridescent light traced a deadly path on the underwater surface, and the scales almost turned the water below into a dazzling poisonous fog!

Jiuyou charged upwards regardless of everything!

The surrounding water pressure began to change rapidly, suddenly shifting from extreme compression to release.

The intense pressure difference made his internal organs feel like they were being churned, and his face instantly turned purplish-red.

"puff!"

As soon as he emerged from the water and saw the light of day again, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, his chest burning with pain.

He dared not be careless and immediately took several Yang Yuan Pills prepared for him by his original body, which barely suppressed his churning blood and the poisonous scales that had invaded his skin!

Below the water surface.

The swarm of chasing crystalline moths circled beneath the lake's surface a few times, but ultimately did not break through.

Finally, it transformed into countless brilliant starlight points and slowly sank back into the deep, dark waters.

Return to silence.

"call……"

Jiuyou let out a long sigh, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, looked at the storage bag in his hand, grinned, and thought, "It was worth it!"