The Demon Slayer Martial Saint Begins with Insect Refining

Chapter 402 Borrowing a Mountain

"The Hundred Caves Witch Clan, what a coincidence."

Within the Hundred Caves Witch Clan, the Witch Cave is at its core, and the Great Witches of the Dharma Aspect Realm dominate the various caves and tribes of the Hundred Caves Witch Clan.

The tribes that possess the Dharma Aspect Realm are the top-ranking clans among the Hundred Caves Witch Clan.

Zhu Rong Cave, Wu Wang Cave, Dong Ming Cave, and Sheng Quan Cave are old tribes, either with a continuous lineage of Dharma forms or with fourth-tier calamity beasts protecting the tribe.

"A conflict erupted between the Hundred Caves Witch Clan and the Sacred Insect Cult, resulting in the deaths of over three hundred disciples and three elders at the Danqiao Realm. The Dragon Crystal Ant Queen was dispatched, severely injuring one of the opposing sect's Dharma Aspect cultivators. Only afterward did the situation calm down somewhat, but they have already made further preparations within the Ten Thousand Mountains..."

Nangong Hongyue briefly explained the conflict between the Sacred Insect Path and the other party.

She made it sound simple, but Su Yan knew that there was probably a lot of maneuvering and infighting involved, and even the Beast King Sect was secretly exerting its influence.

Otherwise, the Dragon Crystal Ant Queen alone would not be enough to deter the Hundred Caves Witch Clan.

It should be noted that even though the Hundred Caves Witch Clan is loosely organized, there is still a Golden Body Realm ancestor above them—Helian Ming.

"What a coincidence. I was just about to make a trip to the Crimson Cloud Mountains to settle some old scores with them."

Following Su Yan's instructions, Nangong Hongyue distributed these ferocious insects and provided them with the same care as before.

After making the arrangements, Su Yan summoned the Wind and Thunder Insect, which transformed into its new form, and led the two of them to explore the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

……

“The disciples of the Sacred Insect Path are too arrogant. They have seized the spiritual veins of the Three Stone Caves in Nawu Mountain and Yundie Mountain. If this continues, they will probably seize our Zhurong Cave sooner or later.”

Inside the Zhurong Cave, the clan's Danqiao elders all wore angry expressions.

Despite being an established cave within the Hundred Caves Witch Clan, they were forced to retreat in the face of the Sacred Insect Path.

The First Elder, Crimson Eyebrows, had a grim expression. He said, "Ancestor Wu Yan has gone to the Witch Cave to request the Ancestor's assistance. We have dispatched tribal warriors to guard various locations outside and inside the Zhu Rong Cave, and have summoned the Crimson Rock Tribe, the Wildfire Cave Tribe, the Fire Viper Tribe... to guard against the thieves of the Sacred Insect Path. They rely on the Beast King Sect, and they are not easy to deal with now..."

Second Elder Lie Heng nodded emphatically: "The Holy Insect Path will stop at nothing to control the alien insects. We also have an old feud with the Beast King Sect, so we can only be on guard like this."

The Zhu Rong Cave has two patriarchs at the Dharma Aspect Realm and a Flame Armor Fire God Moth guarding the cave. Naturally, they are worried that their guardian beast is being targeted.

Rumble!
A terrifying thunderclap came from the sky, and the faces of the ten elders of Zhu Rong present changed drastically. An extremely terrifying pressure and aura emanated from the air.

not good!

The ten people leaped out and transformed into beings outside the tribe. Looking up, they saw a ferocious insect appearing amidst the lightning.

Above the several-foot-tall ferocious insects, there was another person with an extremely youthful face, yet his aura was indifferent but carried an imposing and awe-inspiring presence.

The aura just now was entirely emitted by Su Yan.

"You...it's you?!"

Chi Mei originally wanted to step forward and ask a few questions, but the next moment, when he saw Su Yan's face clearly, he was so frightened that his face turned pale.

"Activate the Mountain-Protecting Formation!!!"

Red Eyebrows didn't hesitate at all and immediately summoned his elder token. The remaining nine reacted very quickly and summoned their tokens almost at the same time.

Instantly, the entire Crimson Cloud Mountain Range was shrouded in fiery smoke and mist. Wisps of fiery essence surged from various mountain ranges and converged inside and outside the Zhurong Cave, forming a crimson barrier.

"Su Yan, what are you doing here in my Zhurong Cave? Do you really think the Hundred Caves Witch Clan is powerless? Leave at once, or you'll regret it."

At this moment, Chi Mei wanted to force Su Yan to retreat. This boy used to kill his peers as easily as cutting melons and vegetables when he was in the Danqiao stage. Now there are even rumors that he has already reached the Dharma Aspect stage. The aura he just felt probably proves the rumors true.

'Damn the Beast King Sect, why isn't such fortune on my tribe?'

Red Eyebrows stared intently at Su Yan, who merely glanced at them before saying, "I want the Crimson Cloud Mountains, and your Crimson Cloud Marsh Secret Realm. Hand them over and I may spare your tribe's life."

"Bah! Don't think that just because you've broken through to the Dharma Aspect Realm, you can act arrogantly in my clan. How dare my clan's ancestor be so presumptuous?!"

Lie Heng cursed angrily. At this moment, Su Yan raised his eyes and looked past the ten people: "Is this also your idea?"

Everyone was suddenly awakened and turned around sharply. An old man with white hair and beard and blood-red eyes, accompanied by a strange giant moth with flames swirling around its body like ribbons, had its aura completely locked onto Su Yan, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Wu Zheng sighed, but his voice was firm and resolute: "Fellow Daoist, why are you so unreasonable? Although Zhu Rong Cave is not good, with my cultivation, it should not be a problem to hold you back."

As he spoke, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. He was the oldest Dharma Aspect Realm cultivator in Zhu Rong Cave, and his cooperation with the Flame Armor Fire God Moth was the most tacit.

Even though the ferocious insects under Su Yan's command displayed an extremely terrifying aura, they still had a chance to hold Su Yan back.

Zhurong Cave is already in a relatively core position of the Hundred Caves Witch Clan. As long as a huge commotion is caused, other tribes will naturally come to its aid.

"Since you've made this choice, don't blame me."

Su Yan raised his hand and summoned something. Nine black dragons soared into the sky and attacked various parts of the mountain range. A pitch-black shield immediately took control of the entire area.

"Not good! Ten of you control the formation, follow me and kill him."

Wu Zheng immediately ordered the ten elders to take action, and he himself also released his Dharma form—Yan Jun.

He dared not hold back at all, because he could not fathom Su Yan's true abilities.

He raised his hand and released a huge crimson gourd. Yan Jun controlled the gourd and shot out terrifying flames at Su Yan.

The Flame Armored Fire Moth swooped down on Su Yan, its crimson phosphorus powder enveloping him amidst a deafening roar.

The Ten Elders' formation converged, transforming into a giant crimson hand, which reached out to grab Su Yan's body.

With the support of the formation, they were now no less powerful than a Dharma Aspect Realm martial artist.

However, all this is in vain.

Su Yan unleashed a Concealing God Banner to conceal the movements of the Nine Dragons Imprisoning Demon Shield, and then released the Molten Mountain Giant Scorpion as the terrifying attack landed in front of him.

The flames engulfed the giant lava scorpion, the scorching temperature distorted the air, and the rocks on the ground gradually melted.

The terrifying flame attack was enough to melt a Dharma Aspect Realm cultivator, but even amidst this terrifying flames, the ferocious appearance of the Molten Mountain Scorpion, like a mountain, crashed heavily into their hearts.

Horror, domineering, despair...

With a single blow, the unscathed Lava Giant Scorpion, like a world-destroying Titan, pierced through their mental defenses.

The Flame of Fusion!

The giant molten scorpion opened its blood-red maw, from which crimson light gathered, resembling a blazing sun, and instantly shot out terrifying flames.

The protective array of Zhurong Cave was pushed to its limit by Chi Mei and his group, but in the next moment, it shattered little by little like glass.

Before the ten Red Eyebrows could even let out a scream, they were engulfed by the flames, leaving not even a trace of ashes behind.

"Su Yan, you have ruthless methods!"

Seeing his clansmen slaughtered by Su Yan, Wu Zheng was so enraged that he lost his mind.

With these ten people dead, even if there are still Danqiao Realm martial artists scattered outside Zhurong Cave...

However, those who had the chance to break through to the Dharma Aspect Realm were no longer there. Kill!

Kill this damn guy.

Wu Zheng unleashed his full power, and Yan Jun controlled the flames to transform them into countless fire swords that hurtled towards Su Yan like falling meteorites.

Bang

The giant scorpion didn't dodge at all, swallowing the sky full of fire swords in one gulp. Then, with a snap of its pincers, it sent the Wu Zheng flying, its bones and tendons broken.

No matter how strong Wu Zheng was, he was only at the seventh level of the Dharma Aspect realm. Although his fire manipulation technique was extremely exquisite, it was nothing more than showing off his skills in front of the Lava Mountain Giant Scorpion.

The Flame Armor Fire God Moth wanted to attack Su Yan as a diversionary tactic to rescue Wu Zheng.

However, Su Yan simply raised his hand and released the Ten Thousand Insect Prison Tower. Hundreds of ferocious insect chains shot out and pierced through the fire seal barrier of the Flame Armor Fire God Moth.

The Flame Armor Fire God Moth struggled fiercely, but in the next moment, its own power was continuously suppressed, and the continuous stream of demonic energy in its body was extracted by Su Yan and integrated into the Ten Thousand Insects Suppressing Prison Tower.

Wu Zheng was defeated and killed. The giant scorpion of the lava mountain did not give him a second chance, and its sharp pincers cut him in two.

At this point, the high-ranking officials of Zhurong Cave had been completely wiped out, and the entire Zhurong Cave was in complete chaos.

The Zhurong Cave people scattered and fled, in a chaotic frenzy like ants on a hot pan.

Some were fleeing, while others, in a desperate attempt to challenge Su Yan, organized their tribe's warriors to launch an attack.

Su Yan sneered, and the Divine Fiend Locust was released. Countless fiend bees buzzed in the sky, transforming into hundreds of bloody mists that attacked the entire Crimson Cloud Mountain Range.

At the same time, the Soul-Devouring Insects, along with the swarm of bees, attacked the warriors of Zhurong Cave.

Inside the Nine Dragons Imprisoning Demon Cover, not a single one can escape.

At this moment, the entire Crimson Cloud Mountain Range was churning with fiery energy, and the underground magma was also stirred up by the Lava Giant Scorpion. The original location of the Zhu Rong Cave was a cluster of seven or eight extinct volcanoes where spiritual energy gathered.

However, now that the giant lava scorpion has stirred up the earth's veins, it has turned into an active volcano.

The mountain collapsed, and lava kept gushing out, turning the Crimson Cloud Mountains into the veritable Crimson Cloud Marsh.

Su Yan took out the pair of Saint-grade hammers forged from the Xuanshan Star Core and threw them directly to the Molten Mountain Giant Scorpion.

The giant lava scorpion swallowed it whole, its red markings lighting up as it actually devoured the materials inside.

Su Yan's face lit up with joy: "It's done! Now all that's missing is the Heavenly Divine Fire."

At this moment, the giant scorpion merged with the earth's veins, with countless magma gathering on its body. The power of the earth's veins, the fire spirit veins... the second molten material was also being continuously absorbed by it.

Su Yan waited patiently, watching the aura of the Lava Giant Scorpion grow more and more terrifying, while the crimson patterns, like magma, became brighter and more domineering.

Within an hour, the Divine Fiend Locusts had slaughtered everyone in the entire Zhurong Cave.

Su Yan flew into the Zhu Rong Cave and found its treasure trove.

All the treasures were taken into their possession, leaving nothing for future generations.

Time is passing little by little, and the process of absorbing the volcanic energy is clearly not so simple.

One day, two days, three days...

In just three days, seven or eight lava volcanoes have already been swallowed up.

They have completely lost their vital energy and high temperatures; the magma has dried up, and the mountains are pitch black, as if they have lost their life.

"At this rate, I'm afraid the entire Crimson Cloud Mountain Range might not be enough for it to devour."

Thinking this, Su Yan released the Spirit Realm Ancient Insect and the Giant Mountain Insect.

When the giant mountain worm appeared, it was already a hundred feet tall, like a small mountain.

Su Yan controlled the giant mountain worm and ordered it to devour excess mountain material to increase its strength.

The massive Black Mountain was quickly breached by its erosion.

The giant mountain worm devours mountains, but it doesn't swallow them up bit by bit with its mouth. Instead, it's like a black hole; its gaping maw opens wide and pulls in a large number of rocks.

With each bite it takes, the mountain on the giant mountain worm's back expands, and the mountain's strength increases significantly.

Su Yan dealt with the mountain, while the ancient spirit insects were also exploring and discovered the entrance to the Crimson Cloud Marsh.

It was in an unnamed valley, where blazing flames almost engulfed the entire valley.

Su Yan stepped inside, and thanks to the bloodline connection with the ancient insect of the spirit world, he immediately sensed the spatial fluctuations.

"Break it open"

Su Yan immediately gave the order, and the ancient spirit insect shot out a beam of silver-white light, attacking an empty spot in the valley.

In an instant, space tore open, and a terrifying blue flame burst forth.

Su Yan raised his hand and extinguished the attacking flames, but his expression suddenly changed: "Heavenly Fire?!"

What a surprise! What a huge surprise!

Su Yan flew directly inside, where endless fire spirits floated in mid-air. The fire spirits varied in size, and some even transformed into the shape of wild beasts.

Each burst of fire essence that enters the body not only enhances the perception of fire power but also strengthens the physique, making it an absolute holy land for body tempering and cultivation.

However, Su Yan had no attachment to the sacred cultivation ground of Zhu Rong Cave. He directly spread his divine sense outwards, attempting to sweep across the entire secret realm.

The wind and thunder worms led him deeper into the secret realm. The closer they got, the hotter it became. When they reached the depths of the Crimson Cloud Marsh Secret Realm, there was a high platform on the lava.

A flame, like a blue sprite, was beating like a heart.

A tremendous power emanated from the flames, and when Su Yan saw them, he was already unable to move.

With his insect-bone armor attached to him, he reached out and grabbed, but the Heavenly Fire seemed to have gained some divine consciousness and actually tried to avoid him.

Unexpectedly, Su Yan was even faster, grabbing the Heavenly Flame in his palm with a single grab.

done!
Without stopping, Su Yan immediately channeled the Heavenly Flame of Zhu Rong Cave into the body of the Lava Mountain Giant Scorpion upon exiting the secret realm. Instantly, crimson and blue flames intertwined, and the Lava Mountain Giant Scorpion's body rapidly strengthened.

With all three metamorphic items complete, and the Lava Mountain Giant Scorpion having devoured two more, only the Lava Mountain Range remained to be fully devoured.

Three more days passed, and Su Yan had already refined the tough Flame Armor Fire God Moth, gaining 34000 experience points as the Insect Lord.

It's a pity that it's a ferocious insect with a lifespan that's neither too long nor too short, whose bloodline has come to an end; otherwise, it could have produced even more.

By the seventh day, the Crimson Cloud Marsh Secret Realm had been largely devoured by the Molten Giant Scorpion.

The giant scorpion finally transformed into a massive cocoon, which shattered three days later.

[The Molten Giant Scorpion has completed devouring its molted remains and has advanced to become the Giant Flame God Scorpion.]

(End of this chapter)