Chapter 85: All Things Are Like Insects

Witnessing the horrifying scene before him, Li Fan felt a stir within his heart.

This is the uncanny! They exist between life and death, lucidity and confusion, bound by obsession, doomed to an eternal cycle of repetition according to predetermined rules. Unable to break free. Qin Tang was like this, and so was this Insect Daoist.

Seeing Li Fan's lack of reaction, the Insect Daoist held up two golden pills and waved them in front of him: "Senior Brother, the pills." He looked at Li Fan, his face full of hope.

Li Fan, however, shook his head regretfully: "My aptitude is too poor. Even if I took this pill, my cultivation wouldn't increase much. So I definitely can't take this pill; it would be of greater use to future Senior Brothers with better aptitude."

The Insect Daoist was a little disappointed and was about to try persuading him again.

Li Fan then quickly added, "However, I would like to ask Junior Brother for a favor. I wonder if Junior Brother would be willing to agree."

The Insect Daoist brightened up again: "Yes, yes, I'll agree! Senior Brother, just tell me whatever you need."

"I want to learn from Junior Brother how to catch insects," Li Fan slowly said.

The uncanny has its own rules. If one does not follow the rules of the uncanny, they will surely perish by it. But if one understands the rules, they can not only remain safe within the uncanny but also gain various benefits from it.

For example, the previous Qin Tang stone statue. In Qin Tang's trials, if one performed reasonably well in all three tests, they could ask Qin Tang for guidance with a pot of fine wine before leaving. Qin Tang would then either help improve their cultivation or impart a cultivation technique, based on their specific performance in the trials.

Here with the Insect Daoist, if one chose to swallow the golden pills, they would obtain the Insect Daoist's pill refining method.

However...

This pill refining method was not normal alchemy. Instead, it was the Way of Insect Pills. Not only were most of the refining ingredients sourced from various uncanny flying insects, but the pills produced also resembled flying insects. What's more, the more insect pills one refined, the more the refiner would gradually become like the Insect Daoist himself, becoming something that was neither truly human nor truly ghostly.

Therefore, Li Fan did not choose the golden pills as a reward but opted for something else, an item whose value was completely comparable to the Way of Insect Pills.

Upon hearing Li Fan's words, the Insect Daoist scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed: "Senior Brother, that insect-binding net is just something I use for fun. Why would you want to learn that..."

Li Fan explained earnestly: "While the Senior Brothers are fighting on the front lines, it's inevitable that some troublesome insects will harass them. Although my strength is low and I cannot personally join the battle, if I learn your insect-binding technique, I can also stand by, providing support and helping the Senior Brothers clear away these bothersome insects."

The Insect Daoist suddenly realized: "I never thought the insect-binding net could be used for that! Senior Brother, you are truly clever!"

Li Fan sincerely replied, "I'll trouble Junior Brother to teach me then."

The Insect Daoist's face flushed with excitement: "Alright, Senior Brother, I'll teach you the weaving method right now."

As he spoke, a buzzing sound came from behind the Insect Daoist, and four pairs of transparent wings appeared. He reached behind him and tore off one of the wings. The wing, still stained with blood, was handed to Li Fan by the Insect Daoist.

Li Fan gently touched it, and the transparent wing transformed into bursts of light, which were absorbed into his body. At the same time, before Li Fan's eyes, countless intersecting horizontal and vertical threads seemed to appear between heaven and earth. He felt as if he could freely manipulate these threads, weaving them into a giant net capable of capturing any living being within his sight.

"This is it, the innate divine ability: Insect Binding."

The illusory giant net before his eyes gradually vanished, but Li Fan knew he had acquired this extremely powerful divine ability. As long as the opponent's cultivation realm was lower than his own, activating the Insect Binding divine ability would instantly restrain them. A cultivator bound by Insect Binding would be unable to unleash any divine abilities or spells, no matter what they possessed. They would be like an insect caught in a net, completely at the mercy of others.

At first glance, this Insect Binding divine ability, only usable against cultivators whose cultivation was lower than one's own, might seem quite limited in use. However, that's not the case. One must understand that cultivation realm does not necessarily represent actual combat power. Among cultivators roaming the outside world, who doesn't have one or two trump cards? If caught off guard by a sudden burst of power, even a cultivator with a higher cultivation might not be able to escape unscathed. But with this Insect Binding divine ability, such concerns vanished. As long as one's realm was higher than the opponent's, one could completely overpower them, directly capturing them alive. It was most suitable for dealing with those whose cultivation realm was not high enough but who seemed to possess many secrets...

The figures of Sikong Yi and Baili Chen flashed through Li Fan's mind.

Having gained the divine ability, Li Fan did not wish to delay any further. "Junior Brother Chong, I have already learned this net-weaving technique. I will now go to the front lines to find the Senior Brothers. Take care!"

The Insect Daoist was a little reluctant to part: "Then Senior Brother, you must be careful. Make sure to come back safely!"

And as Li Fan departed, the expression of concern on his face slowly faded. After an unknown period, the Insect Daoist's mumbling once again echoed in the silent Demon Refining Pagoda.

"...Without pill refining ingredients, what am I going to do..."

After leaving the Demon Refining Pagoda, Li Fan sensed the location of Sikong Yi and Baili Chen. They were already very close to the central core area of the Cloudwater Heavenly Palace: the Grand Unity Hall. Information about the Grand Unity Hall immediately appeared in Li Fan's mind. It was rumored that the Grand Unity Hall was where the Cloudwater Heavenly Palace received distinguished guests and held sectarian meetings. While there wasn't much risk involved, the specific situation was rather unique.

Looking at Sikong Yi and Baili Chen again, they seemed to have stopped for some reason, only proceeding towards the central area at a snail's pace. Li Fan immediately knew what was going on. With a cold laugh, he hastened towards their location.

In front of the Grand Unity Hall, countless broken swords were stuck in the ground. Their blades intertwined, forming a forest of swords that blocked the way to the Grand Unity Hall. Sikong Yi and Baili Chen were currently stepping on the sword hilts, making their way towards the Grand Unity Hall. With every step forward, a phantom sword, corresponding to the broken sword beneath their feet, would appear above them. Then it would pierce through their hearts. No blood splattered; after piercing, the phantom immediately vanished. It caused no actual harm, only pain. The intense pain made their bodies tremble uncontrollably, and sweat dripped from their foreheads like raindrops. It took a long time for them to recover from this inexpressible pain.

Both of them took a deep breath and continued to step on the sword hilts, moving forward. Another sword phantom pierced through. This was why their progress was so slow. Despite the extreme pain, there was no hint of retreat in their eyes. What they had strived so hard for was right ahead, within reach. How could they possibly give up now? With unwavering resolve, they gritted their teeth and continued forward.

Just then, they sensed someone approaching from behind. They looked back, and the shock in their hearts was immediately uncontrollable; they couldn't help but exclaim.

"It's you?! How is that possible?"