In Alanda, beneath the pristine blue sky with drifting white clouds, melodious bell tolls echoed through the air. Temples and pavilions dotted the Sacred Mountain, where Buddhist monks either sat in meditation listening to sutras or strolled through the temple grounds—peaceful and serene as always.

However, on the distant plains, no Western Region commoners remained to gaze upon the Sacred Mountain. Apart from those cultivating Buddhist dharma, the Western Region had truly become devoid of human presence.

Losing the support of ordinary followers would normally be fatal—not every Buddhist cultivator could achieve bigu (abstaining from grains). Necessities would become an enormous problem.

But Buddha had blessed them, modifying the rules of heaven and earth to grant Buddhist followers abundant vitality. As long as they remained in the Western Region, Buddhist cultivators could enjoy long lives and survive on wind and dew alone, no longer depending on food.

Once Buddha completely replaced the Heavenly Dao and became the will of the Nine Provinces world, gaining greater authority, He could grant practitioners of the Buddhist system eternal, undying life.

Outside the main hall in the square, a young monk wearing a red kasaya with yellow patterns turned to the female Bodhisattva who suddenly appeared beside him and said:

“Salun Agu has hidden with all the wizards inside the Wizard God’s body. The three kingdoms of Yan, Jing, and Kang will soon be taken over by Great Dao.”

Bodhisattva Guangxian sighed: “This was inevitable. Without Transcendent experts emerging, who could resist a Semi-Martial God? The three kingdoms’ fortune has already been claimed by the Wizard God. Without fortune, their fate is sealed—being absorbed by Great Dao is heaven’s decree.”

Without the Wizard Religion’s help, the Buddhist Sect simply couldn’t suppress Great Dao. Two Semi-Martial Gods were enough to contain Buddha, and although they had three First-Rank Bodhisattvas, Great Dao had two First-Rank experts of their own.

There was also Asura Jinlian at peak Second-Rank, along with numerous Third-Rank small fry.

These transcendent experts united were a force that couldn’t be ignored—enough to resist or even kill their three Bodhisattvas.

For now, they could only wait for the Wizard God and Insect God to break free of their imprisonment and join forces to carve up the Central Plains.

Bodhisattva Liuli’s delicate brows furrowed slightly: “The three kingdoms’ vast population only adds to Great Dao’s fortune—truly concerning.”

Bodhisattva Guangxian suddenly asked: “Do you know the method to ascend to Martial God?”

Bodhisattva Liuli glanced at him: “Even Buddha doesn’t know how to ascend to Martial God. Otherwise, Shen Shu would have become one long ago.”

Bodhisattva Guangxian murmured: “Indeed if even Buddha doesn’t know, who in the world would?”

He pondered for a moment, then looked toward the devastatingly beautiful female Bodhisattva: “Liuli, go to the Southern Borders.”

…

Celestial Observatory.

The white-robed mage thought for a moment and said: “Go find the Observatory Chief in the kitchen. I’m just a humble geomancer—telling me such important matters is useless. I need to help someone pick a grave site soon; my time is quite precious.”

Though he claimed to be just a humble geomancer, his attitude suggested otherwise… Chunyan scrutinized the white-robed mage, suspecting he might be someone important in the Observatory.

After all, this bearing and tone weren’t fitting for a Seventh-Rank geomancer.

“Isn’t the Observatory Chief sealed…?”

She didn’t waste time and quickly headed downstairs following the mage’s directions, asking several other white-robed mages about the kitchen’s location along the way.

During this process, she realized that the first white-robed mage truly was just a Seventh-Rank geomancer, as even a mere Ninth-Rank pharmacist treated her, a transcendent expert, with dismissive indifference.

Though utterly ordinary, they were inexplicably confident.

Arriving at the kitchen, she looked around and saw only a yellow-dressed young girl sitting imposingly at a table, with roast chicken on her left and pork trotters on her right, the table full of enticing aromas.

On two sides of the square table sat Lina, with her slightly curled hair, light blue eyes, and fair skin—Dragon Chart’s daughter.

And the round-faced, innocent-looking precious girl of the Force Insect Tribe, Xu Lingyin.

“The tangerines at my home are almost ripe, Sister Caiwei, I’ll treat you to them,” said Xu Lingyin.

Her tone was like a child making verbal promises after taking advantage of someone.

“Are your tangerines tasty?” Chu Caiwei showed great interest.

“They’re delicious!” The little bean nodded vigorously, though she had never tasted them.

But except for green tangerines, she thought all food in the world was delicious.

Chu Caiwei seized the opportunity to negotiate: “Then I’ll treat you both to dinner, and you each give me one.”

There were two tangerine trees in the hall, one belonging to Lina and one to Xu Lingyin—they had allocated them early on.

Hearing this, Lina said solemnly: “Lingyin, you haven’t paid this year’s tuition yet. You’re responsible for Master’s tangerines.”

Hearing this, Xu Lingyin wrinkled her slight brows, falling into unprecedented distress.

Seeing this, Lina stuffed the pig head meat from her bowl into Xu Lingyin’s: “I’ll give you my meat in exchange for your tangerine.”

Xu Lingyin thought about it and felt she was getting a good deal, cheerfully saying: “Okay!”

Is it right to trick a child like this…? Chunyan coughed and said: “Lina.”

Lina turned her head, a smile spreading across her face: “Leader Chunyan, why are you at the Celestial Observatory?”

Chunyan had no time to explain and asked: “Where is the Observatory Chief?”

Chu Caiwei turned her head—her cute round face and large round eyes made her look like a lively, adorable girl next door.

“That’s me!” the girl next door said.

…Chunyan’s mouth opened and closed, her expression frozen as she stared at her.

…

“Beast Insects have been born?” In the study of the Xu residence, Xu Qi’an frowned as he looked at the Heart Insect Tribe leader sitting across the table.

The Extreme Abyss was vast with complex terrain, and insect arts were unpredictably mysterious. The powerful Beast Insects must all be masters of concealment. Although the Insect Tribe leaders regularly ventured into the Extreme Abyss to clear out powerful Beast Insects, some might have slipped through the net.

“What’s the situation?” he asked.

“The two newly born Beast Insects are of the Heaven Insect and Force Insect types. The former showed exceptional intelligence and, after being wounded in our encounter, retreated into the Extreme Abyss with the Force Beast Insect,” Chunyan briefly described the situation:

“The Insect God’s power in the Extreme Abyss has become very concentrated. Even transcendent experts can’t stay long without risking corruption, possibly causing their primary insects to mutate.

“Moreover, that Heaven Insect possesses star-moving powers. Combined with the Force Insect’s strength, if they attack in the Extreme Abyss, everyone except Baji, Long Tu, and You Shi would be in mortal danger.”

The Insect God has further broken free of its seal… Xu Qi’an’s heart sank as he said: “The Force Beast Insect’s intelligence should be low. Is it cooperating with the Heaven Beast Insect?”

If he remembered correctly, Beast Insects were all frenzied and lacking in reason.

Chunyan said helplessly: “Xu Yinluo should know that among the seven tribes of the Insect Clan, the other six follow the Heaven Insect Tribe’s lead. And the Seven Fatal Insects in your body are also based on the Heaven Insect.”

“Do you know why this is?”

Xu Qi’an interlaced his fingers and rested them on his chest, leaning back in his chair, saying: “Please explain.”

His courtesy toward the Heart Insect Tribe leader wasn’t due to her beauty and intelligence, but because when he had borrowed troops, the Heart Insect Tribe had sent out their regular flying beast army, showing great sincerity.

Xu Qi’an remembered this favor well.

Chunyan explained: “If we compare Force Insects to the Insect God’s blood essence and physical form, and other insect arts to spells, then Heaven Insects would be the Insect God’s primordial spirit.”

Hearing this, Xu Qi’an understood.

“Heaven Insects naturally command the submission of the other six types.” He nodded, bringing the topic back on track: “Leave the two Beast Insects in the Extreme Abyss to me. Afterward, I hope the Insect Tribe can relocate to the Central Plains.”

Hearing this request, Chunyan didn’t hesitate at all. Instead, she breathed a sigh of relief, her heart somewhat settled, and smiled: “Thank you for your protection, Xu Yinluo!”

As her words fell, she saw Xu Qi’an raise his wrist. The large eyeball he wore instantly lit up, and then he vanished from the study.

Combining spatial transmission with supersonic flight, Xu Qi’an quickly reached the Southern Borders.

Just as he neared the Insect Tribe settlement, he felt his Seven Fatal Insects twinge slightly, transmitting thoughts of “hunger.”

They wanted to feed!

“The Insect God’s power permeating the air has become much more concentrated. People can no longer live near the Extreme Abyss.”

After his figure flickered several times in succession, he arrived at the primordial forest outside the Extreme Abyss. He saw the six leaders blocking the Abyss’s entrance, and the increasingly twisted, completely deformed trees.

“Xu Yinluo.”

Seeing his arrival, Long Tu was greatly excited, and the other leaders also gathered around to welcome him.

“Chunyan has told me the situation.” After nodding in greeting, Xu Qi’an briefly made arrangements: “Everyone help me seal off the various positions around the Extreme Abyss. I’ll go drag them out.”

Poison Insect Tribe leader Baji said solemnly: “The Heaven Insect’s star-moving ability is very troublesome. Finding them will take tremendous effort.”

A thick fog shrouded the sky above the Extreme Abyss, a mix of seven colors representing the Insect God’s seven powers.

The overly concentrated divine insect power would not only corrode the primary insects within insect masters’ bodies but also interfere with their judgment of the surrounding environment.

They dared not enter the Extreme Abyss deeply, while the Beast Insects inside dared not come out, resulting in a stalemate.

This was why they had no choice but to seek Xu Qi’an’s help.

In Baji and the other leaders’ view, while Xu Qi’an naturally wouldn’t fear the Insect God’s power and transcendent Beast Insects, it would still take considerable effort to drag them out.

“No need for such trouble!”

Xu Qi’an looked down at the vast Extreme Abyss. “In half a quarter hour, I’ll make them come out obediently. Everyone step back!”

The leaders didn’t know his plan but complied, retreating to the edge of the Abyss.

Xu Qi’an clenched his fists, letting his muscles bulge and ripple block by block. As he gathered power, the Semi-Martial God’s strength surged frantically, transforming into gusts of downward-rushing wind that pressed the primordial forest’s trees below into collapsing in swathes.

Thunder crashed and lightning flashed in the sky as dark clouds gathered overhead.

Gales formed by spiritual pressure enveloped the Extreme Abyss. Where they passed, trees snapped and Beast Insects perished, either from the terrible spiritual pressure or from the Semi-Martial God’s emanating presence.

At the Semi-Martial God realm, one no longer needed any spells to easily release a killing domain covering an extremely wide area.

There was no need to personally enter the Extreme Abyss to hunt transcendent Beast Insects.

The clear sky instantly became overcast with dark clouds, gloomy as if it were deep night.

Destructive hurricanes raged, lifting broken branches and leaves, and sending sand and stones flying.

It appeared as if disaster had descended.

Leaders like Long Tu and Baji were like ordinary people in a disaster, faces pale as they continuously retreated.

They weren’t afraid of this scene—though the “natural disaster” created an extremely exaggerated visual effect, it was just a byproduct of the Semi-Martial God releasing his power.

What truly terrified them was the Semi-Martial God’s pressure, making their hearts palpitate involuntarily as if they might stop beating at any moment.

As transcendent realm insect masters, they felt as weak as mortals before the young man in the sky.

At the same time, they understood Xu Qi’an’s plan. This warrior standing at the peak intended to kill all Beast Insects in the Extreme Abyss in one go. Those that remained alive would be the transcendent Beast Insects.

Beast Insects below the transcendent realm couldn’t possibly survive under his pressure.

Simple and brutal—worthy of a warrior.

In less than half a quarter-hour, two black shadows burst out. They were enormous—one was a black-furred giant ape two zhang tall, with fur as hard as steel and two heads on its shoulders, each head having four blood-red eyes gleaming with ferocious light.

Explosively muscled limbs were its most obvious characteristic.

The other was slightly smaller, over one zhang tall, resembling a moth—a brilliantly colored moth with a pair of eyes full of wisdom.

The moth fluttered its wings, swaying east and west in the gale, sending thoughts of submission toward Xu Qi’an.

The fierce giant ape bared its teeth, like a beast terrified to the extreme that could only pretend to be fierce to bolster its courage.

Submission… Xu Qi’an thought for a moment, then extended his palm toward the two Beast Insects and squeezed forcefully.

Bang! Bang!

The two Beast Insects exploded without any resistance, their fragments and blood spraying like rain, their primordial spirits dissipating into nothingness.

Xu Qi’an appropriately withdrew his aura, letting the gales subside.

This scene deeply shocked the watching leaders. Both Beast Insects were in the transcendent realm—in one-on-one combat, they probably weren’t much inferior to the leaders themselves.

Yet before a Semi-Martial God, they were truly just insects to be crushed at will.

After dealing with the two Beast Insects, Xu Qi’an didn’t return to the ground but instead plunged into the Extreme Abyss, arriving before the statue of the Confucian Saint.

His pupils contracted slightly.

The Confucian Saint’s head was shattered, and cracks covered its body.

“The Insect God is stronger than the Wizard God. It won’t even need three months to completely break free of the seal.”

Xu Qi’an looked down, staring at the deep crevice below, and said in a deep voice: “Insect God!”

The Extreme Abyss was completely silent, with no response.

After a while, a vast, ethereal voice entered Xu Qi’an’s ears: “Semi-Martial God.”

Xu Qi’an asked: “Do you know how to ascend to Martial God?”

“I do!”

The vast, ethereal voice rang out, the Insect God’s answer surprising Xu Qi’an.

“Please instruct me, Insect God.” Xu Qi’an’s tone immediately improved by several degrees.

“Cut off your head, then go offer it to Buddha in the Western Regions,” the Insect God said.

…Xu Qi’an’s tone immediately worsened several degrees: “You’re mocking me?”

The Insect God calmly replied: “You mocked me first.”

Xu Qi’an was speechless. Seeing he couldn’t get anything useful from the Insect God, he had no choice but to return to the surface. He gathered the leaders and instructed: “Everyone immediately gather your people and head to the Central Plains. Temporarily settle in the border town near the trading post.”

Huaiqing had established border trading posts, which now proved useful.

The alluring Luanyu strode over on her long legs and said in a sweet voice: “Xu Yinluo, have you come to marry me?”

The other leaders silently looked on.

Xu Qi’an said seriously: “Leader Luanyu, please maintain your dignity.”

Privately, he transmitted: “Little vixen, I’ll deal with you tonight.”

Long Tu’s face was full of excitement: “Our Force Insect Tribe can migrate today!”

Good thing it’s harvest season with plenty of grain, otherwise it would be painful to think about… Watching the two-meter-tall strong man’s eager expression, Xu Qi’an’s mouth twitched.

In the future, Great Dao’s teahouses and restaurants would have to post a notice at their doors:

Force Insect Tribe members are not allowed entry!

After everyone left and the Extreme Abyss returned to calm, another half hour passed. A white figure flashed by the Confucian Saint statue—a heavenly beautiful female Bodhisattva with floating black hair stood at the cliff edge beside the statue.

She pressed her palms together, bowing slightly toward the Extreme Abyss. Her voice was ethereal: “Greetings, Insect God!

“This junior comes by Buddha’s decree to ask several questions.”

She paused, not waiting for the Insect God’s response, and asked on her own: “How does one ascend to Martial God?”