The black-armored insects that had flown into the cave smelled the presence of mother insects and buzzed chaotically. Some landed on the talismans covering the walls. This was exactly what Jian Dan had been waiting for. She conjured a fireball spell and ignited the talismans surrounding the dark pool entrance.
Boom, boom, boom
Explosions erupted in rapid succession. Most of the insects had entered the cave before Jian Dan sealed the entrance with seals. She then ignited her fuse, unleashing the explosive and burning talismans to ensure the insects had no escape.
With the entrance sealed in fire and rock, Jian Dan sprinted through the underground tunnel to catch up with Mo Su Zhēnjūn and his group. She knew the cave would collapse under the combined pressure of explosions and thousands of talismans. Her footsteps were swift and precise, and soon she reached them.
"Zhēnjūn, please hurry. This place won't hold much longer!"
The Golden Core cultivators heard her warning and doubled their speed, racing to keep up with Mo Su Zhēnjūn.
After only a few heartbeats, the tunnel began to collapse behind Jian Dan, plumes of dust and smoke following. She gritted her teeth:
"Faster!"
With every step, the pressure rose. Even these Golden Core masters winced at the lingering shockwaves and falling debris. None dared hesitate while Jian Dan pressed on, determined to trap the insects in a deadly trap.
Finally, Mo Su Zhēnjūn swept seven cultivators out of the tunnel with a gesture, and Jian Dan followed through the swirling smoke.
Crash, crash
The collapse continued relentlessly behind them. The passage they emerged from was buried under rubble, and nearby tunnels began shedding stones.
They had reached a hollowed chamber, the same space once occupied by the black mother insect. Numerous tunnels branched outward—only one had collapsed.
The group gathered and erected protective shields. Stones continued dropping from the ceiling for several terrified minutes before the tremors ceased.
Jian Dan took a moment to compose herself, then bowed sincerely to the group.
"My apologies. This is my first time eliminating black-armored insects. I misjudged the power of the talismans and caused unnecessary alarm."
"A decisive solution. Your actions ended the insect threat and freed us." one Golden Core demoness said quietly.
Another Golden Core demoness muttered with a slight huff, "Using talismans to kill insects… what kind of skills are those?"
She straightened her posture, looking disdainful.
Jian Dan flicked her eyes in amusement. "Dear Daoist sister, I know you envy both my beauty and resources. Don't feel inferior. Perhaps after this mission, you'll surpass me."
"Sharp tongue!"
The demoness was about to reply when Jian Dan's Mó Yuè Zhǎn zipped past her ear and embedded a pea-sized insect into the ground.
"Ah, how dare you attack me!"
"Be silent. You never noticed these insects were infesting you? Are you practicing your voice?"
Jian Dan teased mercilessly. Everyone noticed the small insect pinned there.
The demoness' bravado collapsed as she went silent.
The group tensed. Jian Dan spread her divine sense—this chamber was twice the size of the water pool cavern. Its walls were polished smooth, and dozens of tunnels led out from the inner walls.
At the center stood a smooth stone platform scattered with weeds. In one corner lay white bones stained with blood—some human, some animal. Dust and a coppery scent filled the air.
Jian Dan's silver-armored insect had detected this underground chamber. She had drawn Mo Su Zhēnjūn here to force the black worm out.
She frowned. The mother insect was foolish. Instead of fleeing through an unblocked tunnel, it had returned to the water pool chamber after being attacked.
Mo Su Zhēnjūn retracted his divine sense. His pale face carried a trace of gloom.
These tunnels, like an ant's nest, were infested with mother insects in various stages—from nail-size to fist-size. The recent collapse had alerted them all. Wings buzzed, and the insects began converging toward the central chamber. This was very dangerous.
"Zhēnjūn, what do we do?" everyone looked to him, hoping for guidance.
Mo Su Zhēnjūn looked at the uninfested tunnel opposite the collapsed one and replied,
"All the tunnels except that one are now riddled with insects. That path leads deeper into Devil Abyss. If we go through it, we avoid the swarms—but it also leads to the unknown."
Everyone exchanged glances. Only Jian Dan grasped his real meaning.
"Zhēnjūn means that tunnel was carved by insects, but they do not dare venture further. If we enter, we can bypass them—but it may take us somewhere unexpected."
"Exactly. We cannot stay here forever."
Jian Dan smiled, red lips curving. "If that is so, Zhēnjūn, let us make this fun. We won't let those insects have an easy time."
She turned to the demoness who had mocked her.
"My Daoist sisters, now is our moment to showcase our skills. Provide me with your talismans and attack devices. I will arrange a formation."
Jian Dan knew this was not a time for solo glory—or heavy resource dumps. Even she felt the sting of how many talismans she had used.
Mo Su Zhēnjūn tossed her a black storage bag. Jian Dan scanned it mentally and found spirit stones, a stack of mid-grade fire talismans, and two precious thunder orbs—artifacts refined during a Tribulation. She suspected they had been crafted from Mo Su Zhēnjūn's own lightning tribulation.
Other Golden Core cultivators followed suit. Even the earlier critic produced talismans and a one-use attack weapon.
Jian Dan nodded in approval. They had enough to build a simplified annihilation array. At that moment, insects started to swarm into the central hollow, issuing frantic chirps as they spotted the cultivators.
"Everyone, fight while retreating toward the uninfested tunnel. I will complete the formation; Zhēnjūn will guard us from behind."