Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 520 Is Senior Brother Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant here?

Eight golden pheasants, displaying their five virtues, flew away with imposing momentum.

In the cultivation world, they are often nurtured by major sects or aristocratic families with profound fortune, to assist in suppressing the flow of fortune.

However, the Five Virtues Golden Pheasant is a fierce bird, known for its courage and aggression; cockfighting exists only in the mortal realm, and it is difficult to tame without skilled breeding.

[With proper nurturing, it can reach the cultivation level of the Dao Embryo realm, naturally possessing the ability to subdue these kinds of insects.]

[This shows that Murong Heshan was not only skilled in cultivating spiritual plants, but also in controlling beasts.]

Unexpectedly, the swarm of crimson flying ants, far from being afraid of their bird predators, instead formed a fiery cloud, turning the entire rice paddy blood red.

The two animals were locked in a fierce battle in a rice paddy that had been chewed into pieces.

The flying ants, fearless of death, were pecked to death by the rooster, their carcasses falling like rain.

However, they were outnumbered, and the power of the fiery cloud was far more terrifying than they had imagined; even the golden pheasant was injured by the flames.

[Feathers scorched and curled, cries grew increasingly mournful.]

The eight brilliant streaks of light, darting left and right amidst the fiery clouds, suddenly showed signs of weakness.

[As you observe from the side, the Jade Emperor's Aura Observation Technique is activated, and you will see that this fiery cloud is not actually fire, but a divine light that can devour the heart and soul.]

You did recall something recorded in the Daoist canon, the "Purple-Gold Light of the Three Mountains"

[The purple-gold light, this divine light, is produced when a cultivator condenses their Great Dao Golden Core; it is also called the Holy Light of the Immortal Body.]

"Those who refine their physical form and dwell in the world to attain the Dharma form are the Dragon Court. Those who refine their physical form and are covered in purple and gold are the Golden Elixir of the Great Dao."

[It's obvious that these flying ants couldn't possibly be at the Great Dao Golden Core stage. Besides, there's another method that can produce this light, also called the Three Mountains Method, hence the name "Three Mountains Purple Gold Light."]

The term "Three Mountains" also conceals ancient secrets, referring to the three mysterious places where the Golden Crow was born, also known as the Three Mountains of the Sea.

Today, only the lineage of Penglai Immortal Mountain remains, while the rest have been lost to the long river of time.

However, the purple-gold light emanating from the flying ant's three mountains was not true divine light; otherwise, it wouldn't have resembled a strange fiery cloud, merely possessing a rudimentary form.

If it were truly divine light, these eight roosters would have been devoured by these flying ants long ago.

Even so, these early signs of development had already greatly increased the flying ants' ferocity.

Amidst the surging fiery clouds, the purple and gold shimmered, suppressing even the auspicious aura of the golden pheasant by a significant portion.

The Five Virtues Golden Pheasant ultimately couldn't withstand the attack!

Murong Heshan looked distressed and quickly made a hand seal to summon the spirit bird back.

[The eight golden pheasants, their once shimmering plumage now mostly burned away, revealing mottled, reddish skin, were barely breathing, clearly suffering from heart damage.]

If they were to force it any further, they would likely be burned to death on the spot by that eerie purple light.

Murong Heshan gazed solemnly at the sky. Although half of the flying ants had been lost, they still buzzed and surged about fearlessly.

This wasn't the first time Ji Qiu and the others had witnessed such a situation. They had previously asked sect elders to use large-scale spells to completely eradicate this menace.

However, even if they are wiped out temporarily, these flying ants will return in just a few days, seemingly impossible to eradicate completely.

It's easy to eradicate them, but difficult to eliminate them completely!

[This flying ant, however, was quite sensible. Having just won a great victory, it didn't rush over all at once, realizing that Murong Heshan was not someone to be trifled with.]

[It simply occupies that central piece of spiritual field, as if guarding its own mountain.]

Murong Heshan walked back to the edge of the field, his expression now more solemn.

Ji Qiu hurriedly asked, "Senior Brother Murong, have you found a solution? What is the origin of this insect?"

Murong Heshan frowned and pondered, "This insect is unlike ordinary spirit insects; it bears some resemblance to the 'Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant,' which is ranked third in the 'Record of Ten Thousand Insects.'"

The *Record of Ten Thousand Insects* is a strange book passed down by the heretical sect of Ten Thousand Beasts. It compiles tens of thousands of kinds of spiritual insects and strange creatures, but does not include the five types of insects: the lizard insect, the scaled insect, and the hairy insect.

[The top ten are all infamous and malevolent creatures. The fact that this Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant ranks third speaks volumes about its terror—legend has it that it was an ancient ferocious beast, later subdued by the immortals of Kunlun and appointed as a great guardian deity of the sacred mountain.]

This ant is a true spirit.

Ji Qiu and the others were all shocked upon hearing this, but these flying ants before them seemed far removed from the legendary ferocious spirits.

What kind of power does that Purple-Gold Horned Ant possess?

Legend has it that he possessed immense strength, capable of supporting half the continent, and was surrounded by a divine purple-gold light, appearing both celestial and saintly, with unparalleled majesty.

[But these flying ants before me, though billowing with fiery clouds, showed absolutely no trace of the legendary divine power.]

The girl from the Herbal Hall who was traveling with him put down the spiritual fruit in her hand, her delicate brows furrowing slightly: "Senior brother, are you really not mistaken?"

Murong Heshan nodded solemnly: "Although not pure-blooded, he must be a descendant of that bloodline."

He took a deep breath and revealed the key point: "Besides their extraordinary abilities, these horned ants possess a terrifying talent: hermaphroditism."

"Its reproductive ability is nothing short of miraculous; given sufficient spiritual energy, it can reproduce over seventy generations in a single day."

Murong Heshan gazed intently at the spirit field, "If this worm is allowed to spread, the disaster will extend far beyond this Little Green Peak; it will affect the entire Fangcun Mountain."

The girl suddenly realized the crucial point, her expression changing drastically: "Could it be... that Xiao Qingfeng is hiding a mother insect?"

Murong Heshan said in a deep voice, "If there were no queen insect, where would these overwhelming flying ants come from? A single mature queen insect can give birth to millions of flying ants."

Upon hearing this, Ji Qiu and the others panicked and anxiously asked, "Senior Brother Murong, can't even you handle this?"

"This matter is beyond our ability to resolve," Murong Heshan shook his head. "We must immediately report to the sect and request the masters' intervention. If we allow it to spread, the spiritual energy of the entire Little Green Peak will be completely drained within ten days."

Having said that, the two hastily rode away on a cloud, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation and a group of distraught disciples.

Hope has been completely shattered.

Shang Fang gazed at the withered, yellow spirit field and sighed deeply. They had already personally funded the purchase with spirit stones, hoping for a bountiful harvest of spirit rice to recoup their investment. Now, it was all ruined, just like this withered spirit field.

Shang Fang sighed and looked at you, who was standing next to Shen Qingxue, asking, "Senior Brother Zhou, is there any way?"

Ji Qiu said impatiently, "Even Murong Heshan of Caomutang couldn't do anything, what could he possibly do?"

You gaze thoughtfully in the direction the two men from Caomutang had left.

Ignoring Ji Qiu, he looked at Shang Fang and said, "There's nothing I can do about it either."

"This is beyond our capabilities, everyone disperse."

The crowd was greatly disappointed once again, and they left one after another with sighs.

[Ji Qiu stared at your retreating figures as you and Shen Qingxue walked side by side, his eyes filled with resentment. He let out a cold snort, then mounted his escape light and soared into the sky.]

Shang Fang watched your and Shen Qingxue's departing figures, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly, as if deep in thought.

~

That night!

The moonlight was like water, and the Milky Way was sparse.

The spiritual fields on the western slope of Xiaoqing Peak gleamed with an unusual luster under the moonlight.

Suddenly, two figures descended silently, riding magical artifacts, without making a sound.

"Junior Sister Zhu'er, are you really sure that this Little Green Peak is hiding a young, pure-blooded Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant?"

The man's low voice betrayed a hint of hesitation.

A girl's voice rang out, "Even if she's not pureblooded, she's not far off."

If Ji Qiu and the others were here, they would surely recognize them—these are clearly the disciples of the Grass and Wood Hall who left in haste during the day, Murong Heshan and that beautiful young woman. At this moment, the two revealed themselves, a thin veil hanging above their heads, barely visible.

To the naked eye, their figures seemed to blend into the moonlight as if transparent, with only the occasional glimmer of light from the hem of their clothes revealing a few traces of them.

In the darkness, Murong Heshan looked around with slight unease: "It's probably not appropriate for us to trespass into Xiaoqingfeng's territory so late at night."

Upon hearing this, the girl named Zhu'er rolled her eyes playfully: "Senior brother, are you a disciple of Fangcun Mountain?"

"nature."

"Could this little green peak not be Fangcun Mountain?"

Murong Heshan said matter-of-factly, "Little Green Peak naturally belongs to Fangcun Mountain."

"That settles it then! What's wrong with us Fangcun Mountain disciples coming to Fangcun Mountain!"

Murong Heshan still looked hesitant, uneasy: "What if Xiao Qingfeng's people find out?"

"Senior brother, you can rest assured."

"Over the past few years, all the other peaks have thoroughly investigated Xiaoqing Peak's strength. Apart from the peak master who is currently in seclusion at the Great Dao Golden Core stage, the remaining elders are only at the Heavenly Gate stage, with only one elder at the Dragon Court stage who is nearing the end of his life."

The young girl, Zhu'er, opened her palm and found a charred cicada shell, its entire body covered in an ethereal color, and it was warm to the touch.

"With the Cicada Shadow Robe given to me by my master, it's difficult to see through without the cultivation of the Dragon Court Realm."

The young girl Zhu'er said, "This is an ancient true spirit embryo. Although I don't know why it suddenly awakened in Xiaoqing Peak, there are precedents of spiritual embryos being conceived in blessed places like Xieyue Sanxin."

"But if it recognizes me as its master, it's equivalent to having an additional Grandmaster-level protector above the Golden Core realm. Then, it will be able to go anywhere in these four continents."

"You can't tell me you're not tempted by this, senior brother,"

"If you allow it to recognize you as its master, your cultivation, which is currently stuck at the Great Dao Embryo Realm, will be replenished by it, and you will then have hope of achieving the Great Dao."

"If we don't seize what Heaven has given us, we will suffer the consequences. This can be considered our opportunity."

A burning intensity appeared in Murong Heshan's eyes.

The girl took out another fruit, took a small bite, and her bright eyes shone in the moonlight: "Besides, Little Green Peak is going to be quite lively tonight."

"They don't have time to care about us."

The two walked slowly, their heads draped in a transparent veil that resembled moonlight.

"Senior brother, didn't you deliberately leave behind the scent of flying ants today? Quickly release the gold-seeking rat to scout ahead."

She took out a golden elixir from the brocade pouch at her waist and dangled it in the moonlight: "I've even stolen Master's treasured Spirit-Attracting Incense. Tonight, I'll definitely find where that larva is hiding."

Murong Heshan patted the beast-taming pouch at his waist, and a flash of dark light appeared.

A shiny black rat suddenly darted out, its pointed nose twitching, its eyes gleaming cunningly in the moonlight.

He placed the ant carcasses he had collected during the day in front of the rat. The black rat squeaked and stood up on its hind legs, its nostrils flaring, before sniffing the ground.

Seeing this, Zhu'er said with a grin, "That's strange. No one on Xiao Qingfeng knows what's good for them. The things we said during the day really fooled them."

“We told them that these Purple Gold Horned Ants reproduce extremely quickly, and they actually believed it. They’ve got it for life.”

"Such powerful ancient spirits often take a thousand years to conceive offspring, and reproduction is extremely difficult."

Murong Heshan looked somewhat ashamed.

The girl continued, "These flying ants and the fire locusts from before were only made strange by being tainted by the aura of the Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant."

Two figures followed the gold-seeking rat through the night, flitting across the spirit fields like ghosts.

The glossy black rat would sometimes pause to sniff, and sometimes dart away like lightning, leading the two around the protective mountain array and into the cave complex on the left side of the mountain.

The moonlight cast distorted shadows on the rugged rock face, concealing their presence without a trace.

“Strange,” Murong Heshan frowned as he watched the gold-hunting rat emerge from the empty cave once again. “We’ve already explored four caves, and they’re all empty.”

Zhu'er, however, remained calm and composed, gently stroking the rock wall with her fingertips: "Senior brother, don't be impatient. If such ancient spirit insects were so easy to find, they wouldn't have such a great reputation."

"It is this Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant that is a rare species from the ancient vacuum. It is extremely weak when it is born, unlike other true spirits that are born with the Dragon Court Realm and reach the Great Dao Golden Core Realm once they reach adulthood. Otherwise, we wouldn't have needed to come here."

"This horned ant has unlimited potential. Although its larvae are not strong, it grows up to be a creature that feeds on true spirits."

She gazed at the faint outline of the spirit fields in the distance. "Of the two hundred acres of spirit fields, only this place was affected by the disaster. The larva must be hiding nearby. This place isn't big; we'll definitely find it tonight."

Zhu'er rubbed her fingertips together, and the alluring incense ignited without wind. A wisp of dark blue smoke rose up, spreading a sweet yet fishy fragrance in the moonlight.

Two hours later, they returned.

In a bamboo forest.

At that moment, the Gold-Seeking Rat suddenly squeaked, its front paws frantically digging at the ground, its jet-black fur standing on end. In the next instant, it transformed into a blur, trembling as it scurried back onto Murong Heshan's shoulder.

"found it--"

The ferocious aura seeping from the ground, carrying an ancient and violent pressure—there was no mistake, it was the Purple-Gold Heavenly Horned Ant!
Murong Heshan pointed his fingers like a sword, and a streak of green light flashed, tearing open the ground to reveal a deep cave hidden beneath.

A pair of compound eyes, gleaming with a purplish-gold hue, flickered in the darkness, like two will-o'-the-wisps locking the two people at the cave entrance.

Just as Zhu'er was about to unleash the spirit-summoning banner, her ears twitched slightly.

Zhu'er suddenly turned around, her gaze shooting like lightning towards a shadow behind her.

"Who?"

Murong Heshan reacted extremely quickly. A flash of blue light appeared in his storage bag, and two white jade spiders the size of water vats landed with a thud.

As the snow-white spider's abdomen throbbed, countless silver threads gushed forth, instantly weaving a vast, inescapable net!
"Well!"

A muffled groan came from the shadows.

A lake-blue figure gradually emerged from the spider web; it was Shang Fang, who had been standing among Xiao Qingfeng and his group on the ridge of the field during the day.

At this moment, he was entangled in layers of spider silk containing the power to suppress spirits, and he couldn't even move his fingertips.

Shang Fang looked helpless. It turned out that when she sensed the aura of the true spirit, her emotions fluctuated and she inadvertently revealed her presence.

This girl's cultivation level seemed to be much higher than Murong Heshan's, and her divine sense was so sharp.

Seeing this, Zhu'er gritted her teeth and said, "You've been following us all the way?"

"Unexpectedly, there are some clever people among the young Qingfengs."

Shang Fang nodded with a wry smile. Being apprehended on the spot, there was no way to defend herself.

Zhu'er said, "Since you heard everything, then I'll just have to trouble you to go to the Grass and Wood Hall for a few days. Once things are over, I'll let you go back to Little Green Peak."

Shang Fang panicked. If she were really locked up in the Herb Hall, and since this matter involved the True Spirit Child, it would be difficult to resolve the situation peacefully.

She quickly cried out, "Senior Brother Zhou, please help me!"

Zhu'er and Murong Heshan were taken aback, and at the same time, their divine senses swept across the surrounding bamboo forest like a tide.

The moonlight shone on the cave on the ground, making it eerily silent, except for the Golden Rat scratching anxiously on Murong Heshan's shoulder.

There was indeed no one around!
Shang Fang had no choice but to call out again, "Senior brother, are you there?"

A voice came slowly and deliberately!
"Here I am."

The girl and Murong Heshan's expressions suddenly changed.

(End of this chapter)