Chapter 1334: Chapter 501: East Market Street Gathering
Zhou Xuan noticed that the Eternal Life Sect Leader stopped talking again, so he immediately criticized him, saying: "Leader, your speech is oddly fragmented, you speak three sentences and pause two."
"It’s not on purpose, this insect involves the Heavenly Fire Clan. While it’s not exactly a secret, when anything touches upon the Heavenly Fire Clan, I have to consider it for a while to decide whether it can be spoken of."
Hearing the hesitation in the Eternal Life Sect Leader’s voice, Zhou Xuan remained silent and raised two fingers clearly indicating that the kickback would rise from five percent to seven percent.
The Eternal Life Sect Leader feared he might misunderstand the gesture, so he deliberately asked: "Master Zhou, if you refine a hundred elixirs, would you spare seven for me?"
"It’s not a matter of reluctance; I’m newly appointed as a Dan Officer, and there’s much about the Heavenly Dome I’m clueless about. If I could find an Ancient God to guide me, my path as a Dan Officer would be much smoother."
Zhou Xuan lightly placed his hands on his knees and said: "Of course, leading comes with a price; I can’t let the leader guide in vain."
"Ah, Master Zhou, people like you who understand the way of things are quite rare."
The Eternal Life Sect Leader cast a sideways glance and lowered his voice: "You are a Dan Officer of Bai Yujing, you will surely need to know about the Heavenly Fire Clan. Thus, explaining some matters regarding that clan to you is no issue."
He pinched the cricket between his fingers and told Zhou Xuan, "The Heavenly Fire Clan is not born from the womb; they are all born from eggs."
"Humans come from their mother’s womb, naturally, but the Heavenly Fire Clan themselves are one insect after another, emerging from insect eggs."
"Are the people of the Heavenly Fire Clan not human? They’re insects?"
Zhou Xuan was somewhat astonished upon hearing this.
The Eternal Life Sect Leader explained: "In the Heaven and Earth, everything is inverted,
the Hall Disciples on the ground are born from the womb, slowly grow, and after comprehending the divine skills of Heaven and Earth through Taoist techniques, incense is condensed in the Secret Realm, marking the beginning of cultivation."
"However, it’s different for the Heavenly Fire Clan people."
The Eternal Life Sect Leader said: "In Jing Country, those insects will parasitize the corpses of deceased cultivators, borrowing the corpse to reincarnate, they become incense."
"Once a cultivator’s corpse is parasitized by the insects, it transforms into the form of spirit monsters, but as the insect’s Taoist techniques grow stronger, the corpse insect increasingly resembles a human."
Hearing this, Zhou Xuan thought of a type of person—Daoists!
The Daoists on the Heavenly Dome are high incense cultivators from the human world. After they die, divine silk descends from the heavens, pulling the corpse into the Heavenly Dome.
"Master Zhou, the vast majority of corpses pulled into the Heavenly Dome are for the Heavenly Fire Clan’s parasitism, only the remaining ones become Daoists of our Gods."
The Eternal Life Sect Leader also pointed at the cricket in his hand, saying: "Of course, not all Heavenly Fire Clan insects parasitize corpses. This White Autumn Insect, for instance, parasitizes Ning Bukong’s body."
"Is such parasitism beneficial or harmful?" Zhou Xuan asked.
"These types of insects generally grow very slowly; by the time they open the spiritual aperture, decades may pass while waiting."
The Eternal Life Sect Leader sighed, saying: "Therefore, before the White Cricket opens the spiritual aperture, Ning Bukong can enjoy a bit of fame, capable of performing the divine skills of an Alchemist, and because of this cricket in the Secret Realm, he can control part of the incense.
But, once those decades pass and the White Cricket develops intelligence, Ning Bukong will become a lifeless shell,
his body and soul serving as the nuptial garment for the White Cricket."
Zhou Xuan listened with hidden shock, realizing that the reproduction of the Heavenly Fire Clan occurs in such a way.
The Eternal Life Sect Leader handed the White Cricket back to Zhou Xuan, saying: "Master Zhou, since you have acquired this insect, then don’t let it leave alive, or else our secret discussion amongst you, Mountain Ancestor, and Mr. Yun today will be paper that can’t wrap fire."
"Rest assured, this insect is quite intriguing, and I am reluctant to let it go."
Zhou Xuan had already confirmed that this Qiu Chong’er is a "descendant" of the Heavenly Fire Clan, indicating its great research value.
"In a friend’s Secret Realm, there are two great scientists residing."
By "scientists," Zhou Xuan referred to Miss Qiang and the Engineer—they both hail from the Blood Flesh Divine Dynasty.
That is a nation where "Blood and Flesh Technology" flourishes.
After throwing the White Cricket into the Secret Realm, Zhou Xuan planned to inquire further, but King Xishan hurriedly stepped into the room, shouting: "Mr., Hua Zi has returned, Hua Zi has returned."
In his excitement, all he could think of was reporting the good news to Zhou Xuan. Only after shouting did he realize the Eternal Life Sect Leader was also present, promptly reverting to his usual cold demeanor.
The Eternal Life Sect Leader did not hold a grudge and cheerfully said: "Lao Xi, one day apart seems like three years."
Zhou Xuan, Yun Ziliang, Li Changxun: "..."
The Eternal Life Sect Leader was a bit of a vagabond; whenever he greeted people, it was always "one day" here and "one day" there, never coming up with a new phrase.
"King Xishan, greetings to the leader."
"We are all colleagues, no need for formality, no need for formality, you and I are both people of Master Zhou."
The Eternal Life Sect Leader, showing tact, greeted everyone before bidding farewell, saying to Zhou Xuan: "Master Zhou, you have private matters to discuss. Staying here makes me stand out, I’ll go stroll in Mingjiang Prefecture. If you need me, use your vocal techniques to mobilize perception, replicating my rattle sound."
After speaking, he pulled out his rattle, shook it a few times, creating a "dung-dung" drum sound.
