Daoist Competition-Chapter 1039 - 259: Strange Language Insect (Part 2)

Zhang Yan initially did not recognize what it was, pondered for a while, and then suddenly remembered, asking, "Strange Language Insect?"

The demon creature trembled upon hearing Zhang Yan correctly identify its origins, continuously bowing and saying, "Sir, what remarkable eye power, this little demon indeed has a name, my humble name is Jing You."

Zhang Yan was indeed amazed, not expecting such a creature to exist in this world.

Before ascending the mountain for cultivation, he had seen the demon’s figure in a strange book about spirits and deities, and upon closer thought, he realized it should be this very creature.

This demon creature has an unusual feature; if it enters a human corpse, it only needs to consume the internal organs to move with the corpse, mimicking the appearance of the host in life, including sitting, lying, walking, and speech habits, perfectly.

Thus, in ancient times, it was common for ancestors to catch this insect to appease grief for deceased relatives.

However, according to ancient records, the Strange Language Insect is usually only the size of a grain of sand, and can enter the human body with water, rarely growing this large.

Zhang Yan knew it posed no harm, so he slightly withdrew the sword light and glanced at the Daoist figure, knowing it was merely a corpse, asking, "How long have you occupied this predecessor’s body?"

Without thinking, Jing You answered swiftly, "Reporting to Sir, it has been over fifteen hundred years."

Zhang Yan asked with surprise, "More than a thousand years, you’ve hidden here without being discovered?"

Jing You drooped its head, sullenly saying, "In the past, there were cultivators who came here, but they were sent away by me with a few words, even instructed not to disturb the peace again. This trick worked every time, but it failed with the Daoist."

Zhang Yan shook his head, not expecting it was a Strange Language Insect hiding here deceiving people, even he nearly fell for it.

Luckily, he observed meticulously and timely noticed the discrepancies.

In all other aspects, this demon showed no flaws, except for one—no breath through its mouth and nose, seven orifices failing, life long ended.

Any cultivator paying slight attention could discover it, but the previous cultivators who came here knew it was a site where a Cave Heaven True Master once secluded themselves. Upon entering and seeing someone inside, they assumed it was the True Master who hadn’t left, scared enough to flee as far as possible.

When Zhang Yan heard Xu Daoist mention this in the past, he found it strange. A Cave Heaven True Master closing off for decades or centuries without disturbance might be plausible, but over a thousand years of desolation seemed unreasonable, revealing the demon’s mischief.

Yet the Strange Language Insect has such patience, hiding here for a millennium; without reason, he didn’t believe it, so he raised a brow, asking, "Jing You, tell me, why are you hiding here?"

Jing You’s eyes darted about, hesitating, seemingly unwilling to answer.

Zhang Yan chuckled lightly, lazily saying, "Actually, if I eliminate you, this demon, and carefully search this Cave Mansion, I would surely gain something." Saying this, he spread the sword light, making it surge as if about to slaughter.

Jing You was startled, hurriedly kneeling and begging for mercy, "Sir, do not act, do not act, this little demon is here because of a strange treasure, allow me to fetch it for Sir."

Turning around, it picked up the dead Daoist’s hand, prying open the fingers, revealing a pigeon-egg-sized, warm Elixir Jade in the palm, emitting a glowing warmth.

Even standing ten feet away, Zhang Yan could feel its gentle warmth, and as Jing You was about to take it down, he stepped forward, reached out to stop it, saying, "Do not touch."

He observed it carefully, sighed, "So it indeed is a Warm and Gentle Pill Jade; no wonder the predecessor’s body hasn’t decayed over millennia with it here."

This Elixir Jade prevents decay, prematurely removing it would instantly destroy the Daoist’s corpse.

Jing You admired, "Sir, what keen eye power, it indeed is this item. In our cultivation, we don’t absorb Spiritual Energy, but eat ancient jade, this little demon is without divine skills, only good at trickery. With no external enemies in the Mingcang Sect’s Mountain Gate, and with this pill jade to consume, I didn’t want to leave, passing the thousand years here, eating and sleeping peacefully."

Saying this, it sneaked a glance at Zhang Yan, adding, "This was permitted by my master; otherwise, the little demon wouldn’t dare move the master’s remnant."

Zhang Yan smiled faintly, knowing that if the demon hadn’t recognized the Daoist as its master, it would never have entered here, true to the fact.

Moreover, this demon answered fluently, acting modestly unlike ordinary demons that are foolish and ignorant of etiquette, evidently accustomed to serving humans.

But as for the Daoist allowing the demon to manipulate his corpse, that was unlikely, nonetheless, he intended not to investigate further, only asking, "If that’s the case, are you aware of this True Master’s name?"

Jing You suddenly grew spirited, saying, "My master’s name, of course, the little demon knows it; his surname is He, named Jingchen."

"He Jingchen?"

Zhang Yan displayed surprise, walking to the Daoist’s front, releasing a gentle Gang Wind to set the corpse straight, scrutinizing it for a while, then performing a Daoist bow.

Mingcang Sect has been established for ten thousand years, those ancient Cave Heaven True Masters he knew few, but this one he happened to have heard of.

Because this person was an equal of the former Sect Leader Qin Qinggang, one of twelve Cave Heaven True Masters who once invaded Beiming Continent, initially widely renowned, he didn’t expect him to have transcended here.

Taking a few steps back, Zhang Yan felt a thread of doubt, saying, "This True Master He is also extraordinarily powerful, the Deer Clan Leader of the Demon Race’s Eight Divisions died at his hand, within the Mountain Gate, he had his own Cave Heaven Blessed Land, why would he pass silently within this Earth Fire Sky Furnace?"

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)