The Demon Slayer Martial Saint Begins with Insect Refining

Chapter 301 The Metamorphosis of the Shadow Spider

The Dali Dynasty had long resided in the Central Plains, encompassing thirteen prefectures. The Eastern Wilderness Prefecture and the Lingnan Prefecture were located at the southern gateway to the Central Plains, keeping the Wu Kingdom to the south at bay.

Although the Wu Kingdom is not as blessed with outstanding people and resources as the Dali Dynasty, its national strength is not weak, and it is also a major enemy of the Dali Dynasty in the south.

This attack on the Demonic Realm had the shadow of the Witch Kingdom in mind, but unexpectedly their ultimate goal was to use a feint to cross the Demonic Swamp and attack the two major prefectures. If they succeed, with 400,000 witch soldiers entering the pass, I'm afraid no sect or city in the two prefectures will be spared.

This event was so significant that it shook both prefectures. 150,000 demon-suppressing troops from Lingnan Prefecture gathered at the border, while 100,000 demon-suppressing troops from Donghuang Prefecture guarded the eastern side.

The battle between the Dharma and the Dharma was truly earth-shattering.

Mu Qubing, the head of the Demon Suppression Guard of Lingnan Prefecture, Wang Can, and others, along with several leaders from the Beast King Sect, the Sword One Sect, and the Nine Peaks Sect, attempted to stop them.

More than ten Dharma Aspects blocked the opposing Witch Kingdom's Dharma Aspect Great Witch, thus halting the opponent's offensive momentum.

The Eastern Wilderness Prefecture side is equally formidable, and they also need to be wary of the several calamity beast tides driven by the Witch Kingdom.

In an instant, the two prefectures were in a state of panic, and all sects received the strictest orders: to rush to the aid of Zecheng on the east side and to gather the Hundred Peaks Fortress on the west side.

At this moment, the demon-suppressing army of Chongcheng and the demon-suppressing guards of various cities all sprang into action.

They rushed to provide aid to various places, strengthened city defenses, and guarded against any unrest caused by the Wu Kingdom in the rear.

Long Qiushui had also been transferred to the Beast King Sect's base in Wangtian Pass and met with Su Yan.

"Grandmaster and Uncle Tiger are both in Ze City. It seems that the Demon Suppression Guard has reached an agreement."

The two sat facing each other. Only the master and apprentice were in the room; Yuan Hong and Xiang Ge were not among those recruited.

"My master didn't tell me either. But since the two of them aren't here, and the sect's methods are limited, I'm afraid the demonic sect will be attacking us, and the battle will become even more severe. We must be careful."

Long Qiushui showed a hint of worry. Currently, in Wangtian Pass, the Beast King Sect only has five Dharma Aspect True Persons: Sect Master Chu Qidao, Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall Qin Lifu, Bi Qingman of Broken Moon Peak, Du Rushan of Mount Fuyue, and Gong Chenxing of Guicang Valley.

The six leaders personally led the team, and the sect leaders of the Sword One Sect and the Nine Peaks Sect were also present, along with the patriarchs of other sects.

The total number of Dharma Masters does not exceed twenty.

This is already the limit of the righteous path, because after the surprise attack on the other battlefield, the number of Dharma Aspect True Persons needed will only be more, if not more, and the battle there will probably be even more severe.

The number of Dharma Aspect True Persons gathered by the demonic warriors opposite is probably gradually exceeding this number, not to mention the sect leaders of the three major demonic sects.

Wu Yufan, the sect leader of the Hundred Caves Witch Clan; Mo Liu, the Holy Weapon Daoist; and Mo Li, the Three Soul Ancestor of the Three Flames Divine Palace.

All three are top-tier Grand Dharma Aspect Realm Masters. If they were to actually fight, it would be difficult for one or two Grand Dharma Aspect Realm Masters to handle them.

Su Yan pondered: "In this battle to break through the barrier, the outcome will likely depend on the Dharma Aspect Realm True Person, or even the Golden Body Realm Ancestor."

Long Qiushui shook his head: "I won't let the ancestor take action easily, especially on the battlefield, where both sides have an agreement."

The patriarch is the foundation of a sect. On the righteous side, there are only four patriarchs with the Golden Body Realm combat power: Qiu Weifeng of the Beast King Sect, Feng Zichen of the Sword One Sect, Qiao Ling of the Nine Peaks Sect, and Ban Chengxuan, the Demon Suppression Guardian.

The four of them were the top combat force of Lingnan Prefecture and an unshakeable cornerstone. If they were lost, the prefectural commander would be fine, as the capital headquarters could send a new prefectural commander.

However, the remaining three sects are truly facing a talent shortage, and they may even fall out of the top tier.

The same applies to the Demonic Sect, which is why they rarely use their ancestor.

Of course, this consideration also stems from the fact that if the patriarch were to take action, he could easily sweep away all his disciples, leading to indiscriminate killing on both sides and ultimately causing a shortage of skilled successors, which would benefit other sects. Hence, this agreement was made.

Of course, there is also an underlying agreement that whoever strikes first is more likely to be targeted.

Su Yan frowned: "In that case, it still depends on the Dharma Aspect True Person."

"Dharma-forms have their own way of fighting, but if the difference in skill level is not significant, it will likely lead to a stalemate, and it will depend on which side can no longer remain passive. The sect has summoned us, the martial artists of the Celestial Realms..."

Long Qiushui paused slightly, suddenly remembering that her disciple was not a Zhuxing Tianwuzhe.

"A warrior possessing the power of the Celestial Stars."

She rephrased it and said, "The Hundred Peaks Barrier can block city-destroying attacks, but in a real battle, it will not, and can hardly, block Danqiao martial artists. Such a flaw is too obvious."

Su Yan nodded slowly. Unless it was a defense that abandoned everything, the consumption of such defense would be extremely terrifying.

The reason why Wu Jijun and his group wanted to wear down Su Yan by holding their ground was that they had to intervene to stop the Giant Ridge Rhinoceros Deer's attack.

In a real war, the role of a barrier is to filter out attacks that are powerful enough to destroy city walls and cause widespread damage, and to block large siege weapons, giant beasts, and the like. This is the function of a city-protecting formation.

In addition, there is the annihilation of powerful martial artists, point-to-point killings, to solve the problem at its root.

Both of the above points determine that during the final battle to break through the barriers, martial artists of the middle and lower ranks will likely face an extremely fierce and brutal battle.

"The Dharma Forms are holding back the Dharma Forms, while the True Intent Warriors and Body Tempering Warriors charge in. Therefore, what we Danqiao (energy centers) need most is to be the key to victory?"

Long Qiushui shook her head slightly: "The key to victory or defeat? I'm afraid not, but it is crucial in dragging down the battlefield situation and affecting the battle of the Dharma Aspects."

Su Yan frowned slightly. This was no simple matter; he would likely face attacks from numerous Danqiao Realm martial artists. Furthermore, if the opponent was hiding a Dharma Aspect True Person, then…

Seeing his expression, Long Qiushui knew that she had given him the right reminder.

She said, "It's best to keep your Ten Thousand Insects Prison Tower hidden inside your body. This is your means of survival. It's fine to use the Poison Dragon Sword, just in case."

"What about you?"

Su Yan countered with a question, and Long Qiushui replied, "I also possess life-saving techniques given to me by your grandmaster, sufficient to withstand a sudden attack from an ordinary Dharma Aspect."

Both of them were resourceful, so Su Yan didn't ask any further questions.

Long Qiushui flipped her slender hand and placed a storage ring in front of Su Yan, saying, "These are the raw materials for a type of acupoint pill, twelve portions in total. Refine them into pills, and then divide them in two."

She exchanged most of her contribution points for raw materials for the Seed of the Aperture Pill.

Upon hearing this, Su Yan only learned of Long Qiushui's plan. Long Qiushui had already constructed the star map of the Xuan Shuang Poison Dragon. Now she needed to condense more star apertures, open up the star sea, and complete the path of the myriad star heavens. Only in this way could she gradually comprehend the Dharma form and prepare for the next breakthrough.

Although Su Yan is not a Celestial Being of the Star Realm, Long Qiushui has personally witnessed the depth of his foundation. With his physical body and foundation, if he were to open up more minor star apertures in advance, he could surpass the early stage of the Celestial Being of the Star Realm and construct a star map in one fell swoop once he breaks through.

She knew of Su Yan's alchemy skills.

Among third-tier alchemists, Su Yan's alchemy skills can be described as outstanding; twelve portions of raw materials are enough to refine a considerable quantity.

"I don't need it for now."

Su Yan shook his head, while Long Qiushui opposite him looked surprised. He explained, "I recently opened up 180 minor star apertures, and I'm afraid it might not be suitable to continue opening them in the short term." Long Qiushui looked astonished: "You've already opened up 180 in the Third Heaven?!"

monster
Although it was very impolite, the thought still popped into Long Qiushui's mind.

Even some of the Star Martial Masters probably can't match the number of minor star apertures Su Yan has opened.

However, she also understood why Su Yan refused. Even with a strong physical body in a short period of time, it would be difficult to change the pain and pressure of a surge in true essence that one had to endure when opening the Star Aperture.

Long Qiushui paused for a moment, then said in a cool tone, "I'll take out half of the pills to help you exchange for a high-grade third-tier protective artifact, which can be considered as compensation for the problem of your inability to use the ferocious insects due to injury."

She always remembered that Su Yan had been severely injured by the four main ferocious insects in the underground palace, and it was unlikely that he would be able to recover in time for this battle, leaving him with a fatal weakness.

Su Yan grinned and said, "In that case, Master, why don't you help me find these four things: Star Shadow Soil, Ghost Face Wood, Wandering Soul Flower, and Eight-Foot Feather Spider? The Shadow Horn Spider is on the verge of molting. If the molting is done properly, its strength may not be weaker than that of the Starry Sky Warriors."

Long Qiushui looked shocked, but finally nodded in agreement: "Okay, I'll inquire for you immediately and find it for you in three days."

The master and disciple made their agreement. Long Qiushui's tone was extremely confident. She had been a Danqiao Realm martial artist for many years and had naturally accumulated a lot of connections. Even if she couldn't exchange for materials, she must have her own channels for collecting them.

Su Yan wouldn't let Long Qiushui work for nothing. Worried that some materials would require contribution points to exchange, he simply let Long Qiushui use his remaining contribution points to make some money.

After the two parted ways, Long Qiushui went directly to Wangtian Pass to visit and inquire about her senior brothers and sisters one by one.

Su Yan also shared the news of the search for the molted creature with the disciples of the Sacred Insect Path in the city.

While searching for materials to transform, Su Yan began refining the Seed Aperture Pill.

Su Yan was already very skilled at refining the Seed-Planting Pill.

With the help of the Fusion Flame of the Molten Mountain Giant Scorpion, Su Yan successfully refined twelve batches of Seed Aperture Pills in just two days.

There are a total of 108 Seed-Planting Pills, of which 51 are of superior quality.

Long Qiushui hurriedly took the pills and delivered three kinds of transformation materials in the afternoon: Ghost Face Wood, Wandering Soul Flower, and Eight-Foot Feather Spider. He spent 200,000 contribution points, and probably gave away 30 perfectly good Seeding Aperture Pills.

Long Qiushui has not yet found the last transformation material, but Nangong Hongyue has sent over the materials, which are Star Shadow Soil collected from the rear.

"There are already over a hundred Star Aperture Warriors in the city. The whole city is in a state of panic, with small battles going on and on. I'm afraid a major battle is about to break out. Your Shadow Spider's transformation will likely cause quite a stir."

In the courtyard, Su Yan was ready. He had summoned the Shadow Spider, its dark and ferocious body lying in the courtyard, with the four materials it needed for its transformation in front of it.

Long Qiushui's eyes gleamed with autumn light, and he couldn't help but show surprise as he looked at the Shadow Spider's condition.

About a year ago, she personally helped Su Yan hatch this Shadow Spider by gathering the spiritual energy of the earth veins of Xuanshuang Mountain. Although it was a third-order bloodline, it had reached this level in just over a year, with the strength of the late third-order and the ability to undergo bloodline transformation.

It truly lives up to its reputation as a giant insect.

"Concealing Breath Array"

Four small flags appeared in Long Qiushui's hand, and she said, "I will help you set up the formation in a moment. You just focus on breaking through, and I will take care of the rest."

"it is good"

Without further ado, Su Yan opened the Insect Realm Space and immediately took out over a thousand Tier 3 Yuan Stones, covering the entire courtyard floor.

Long Qiushui flew to the main gate of the courtyard, and the small flags of the four-sided concealment array flew into the four corners, instantly forming a series of special formations on the courtyard, sealing off the energy here.

"Eat it"

Su Yan gave the order in his heart, and the Shadow Spider could no longer suppress its desire to transform, and devoured the four things in front of it.

It devoured everything in no time, and then a transformative power burst forth from its body, gradually enveloping it in red light until it finally transformed into a blood-red cocoon.

The power of transformation began to emanate little by little. A look of surprise flashed in Long Qiushui's eyes, and she exclaimed in her heart: So powerful!

It wasn't just her increased strength, but also the change in her bloodline. The Xuan Shuang Tian Centipede, which had shrunk to about a foot in size on her shoulder, was now hissing incessantly, filled with longing and understanding for its transformation.

Although Long Qiushui's true meaning has undergone a transformation, the Xuan Shuang Tianwu is not completely transforming into the Xuan Shuang Poison Dragon; it is merely a dragon transformation.

The transformation of wild beasts is far more difficult than the transformation of true meaning.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the courtyard grew increasingly terrifying.

The closest third-tier elemental stone had already turned to dust, and the abundant true essence was continuously being devoured, becoming nourishment for the Shadow Spider's metamorphosis.

The aura grew stronger, and the power increased.

At this moment, Long Qiushui also felt that things were a bit tricky, because the Concealing Breath Array seemed unable to completely prevent the aura inside from leaking out.

click
After a day and a night, the cocoon suddenly ruptured, and fine cracks continued to spread.

A viscous shadow, like tar, emerged from the cocoon and transformed into sharp, ferocious spider legs. They broke free from the cocoon's constraints and revealed their true forms.

Its entire body was pitch black, with a demonic face and massive jaws. Its spider legs were like spears, and its body was covered with ferocious black spikes and lingering, heavy shadows. Its entire back was covered with countless eyes, dark and lively, like a human eye full of mysterious power.

The Shadow Spider devours the metamorphic materials—Star Shadow Soil, Ghost Face Wood, Wandering Soul Flower, and Eight-Foot Feather Spider—to complete its metamorphosis, transforming into the Star Shadow Demon Spider.

【Star Shadow Spider 1/100 (Early Stage)】

A powerful aura instantly filled the entire courtyard, causing the concealment array to tremble slightly. Endless shadows spread as if to engulf the entire courtyard, and within these shadows, starlight like eyeballs flickered in and out, as if it could shoot out deadly starlight at any moment.

Long Qiushui's expression hardened: 'Third-tier perfected, at least comparable to a Star Chart Warrior, or even a Star Sea Warrior.'

Although it was only a glance, Long Qiushui sensed danger from the newly transformed Star Shadow Demon Spider in front of her.

She is a Star Chart Warrior, and her strength is comparable to that of a Star Sea Warrior.

Even so, I still felt threatened.

This means that even if the monster in front of her is not as powerful as she is, it is still enough to pose a threat to some extent.

"As expected of the Giant Spirit Insect Body, Junior Brother Gu's lineage is truly extraordinary."

In mid-air, two figures gradually emerged. Bi Qingman used the Moon-Eating Insect to conceal the aura of her breakthrough.

Chu Qidao, standing to the side, stroked his beard and sighed, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

(End of this chapter)