Serpent Ancestor
Chapter 510: Raising insects, forging swords

At this moment, besides Wu Yuan, there were many others proficient in formations within the mine, each possessing formidable strength. The aura of two among them could even rival Jiang Nine Phoenix.

Xue Yang, ranked among the top ten in the eastern wasteland, was not considered the most elite here.

Xu Hei pondered for a moment but decided against entering the pit. He took out a thousand spirit stones and handed them to the rogue cultivator from earlier, saying, "This is your reward."

The latter accepted them with trepidation, cupping his fists, "Thank you, senior."

Xu Hei retreated to a distance and sat down cross-legged.

Most people, like him, kept their distance due to the visible dangers of the ancient formation. Even someone as sensitive to danger as Xu Hei, let alone ordinary people, could sense the peril here.

The rogue cultivator cupped his fists, "Senior, my name is Ji Xiong. I've lived in Chaos Star City for a hundred years. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I will tell you everything I know."

As a rogue cultivator surviving in Chaos Star City, Ji Xiong had a keen eye for people. A lifetime of struggle often couldn't compare to the casual generosity of a powerful figure.

"If I have questions, I'll find you," Xu Hei said.

Ji Xiong cupped his fists and sat cross-legged on a nearby hillock.

A hundred miles away, two disciples from Medicine King Valley, Gu Yunxi and Ye Li, were sitting on a suspended flying sword, watching Xu Hei's location.

"Sister Gu, who exactly is he?" Ye Li asked.

"I don't know either, but from his actions, he doesn't seem like a demonic path cultivator," Gu Yunxi replied.

...

At this moment, inside Xu Hei's Spirit Beast Ring.

He took out five million spirit stones from ten million and tossed them in, then threw a half-Supreme Spirit Stone in front of Bai Zhi.

"These are for you. How many insects can you create?" Xu Hei asked.

He had a premonition that a great battle might occur soon, and he needed to be well-prepared to seize the opportunity.

Bai Zhi glanced at the mountain of spirit stones and then at the half-Supreme Spirit Stone, her eyes lighting up before quickly concealing it, maintaining a facade of impatience, "Just this much, I can only make about a thousand."

"Only a thousand..." Xu Hei was speechless, "Can't you make more?"

"Hmph! In the last battle, many of my children died. You didn't even compensate me, and now you dare to haggle?" Bai Zhi retorted angrily.

Xu Hei gritted his teeth, "I even gave you Supreme Spirit Stones!"

"Take it or leave it, I don't care!" Bai Zhi crossed her eight legs, showing a disinterested expression.

Xu Hei's face darkened, and in a fit of anger, he was about to take back the half-Supreme Spirit Stone.

Unexpectedly, Ji Ying, quick as lightning, darted over and snatched the crystal-like half-Supreme Spirit Stone, laughing, "If you don't want it, I do. Xu Hei, give me this spirit stone, and I'll do anything for you!"

Bai Zhi's face immediately turned dark, shouting, "Hey! What are you doing?"

Without a word, Ji Ying bit into the half-Supreme Spirit Stone, taking a chunk out, and let out a satisfied cry as spiritual qi surged from his body, growing at a terrifying speed.

"Dare to steal from me, that's mine!" Bai Zhi commanded, and countless Spirit-Eating Ants swarmed to snatch the half-Supreme Spirit Stone.

Ji Ying wasn't slow either, circling around inside the Spirit Beast Ring, with a massive cloud of Spirit-Eating Ants chasing him, densely packed, trying to corner him.

Xu Hei was dumbfounded.

Weren't they supposed to not care? Why are they fighting over it now?

Seeing Bai Zhi's furious expression, as if someone had stolen her money, Xu Hei was utterly speechless.

"Sigh, you guys take your time fighting. I want to see results in a while."

Xu Hei's divine sense left the Spirit Beast Ring and returned to the outside world.

This ancient formation, who knows when it will be cracked. Xu Hei took stock of his assets.

Including what he gained from killing, Xu Hei had seven million spirit stones left. Some miscellaneous junk could also be sold for some money, totaling less than ten million.

He planned to refine several sets of flying swords as backups and reforge his True Dragon Sword.

Xu Hei left an external incarnation to guard the area, then his true self moved to the commercial district of Chaos Star City.

...

The commercial district was quite bustling, with many vendors sitting on both sides of the street. Buildings were everywhere, and the noise of people filled the air. Powerful figures were everywhere, making it more lively than any place Xu Hei had seen.

The most prosperous business here was stone gambling.

However, Xu Hei had no time for gambling. He decided to directly purchase finished materials.

Recently, a lot of good items had been unearthed, and rare materials that were hard to find in the past had flowed into the market, causing prices to drop slightly, which was very favorable for Xu Hei.

He quickly found a piece of Scarlet Refined Gold, the size of a fist, displayed at a stall.

Coincidentally, the stall owner was old man Yuan, whom he had met once in Liefeng City.

"How much for this?" Xu Hei pointed at the Scarlet Refined Gold.

Old man Yuan did not recognize Xu Hei and said indifferently, "One and a half million!"

Usually, a piece this size would be worth two million, but now it was directly discounted by 30%. Xu Hei bought it without hesitation.

Then, Xu Hei found a piece of Thunder Tribulation Wood, wood that had been baptized by a thunder tribulation, containing extremely strong wood attribute essence, valued at three million, which Xu Hei bought.

Next, he bought water attribute material Taiyi Water, spending all his remaining spirit stones. With no other choice, Xu Hei had to sell some of his loot to continue purchasing.

In half a day, Xu Hei collected enough materials.

He didn't rent a cave dwelling but instead dug a hole, delving deep underground to create a ten-square-meter space.

Mainly because he was out of money, and he didn't want his whereabouts to be discovered.

"Scarlet Refined Gold, Thunder Tribulation Wood, Taiyi Water, Nine Phoenix Demon Fire, and Breath Soil, the Five Elements are complete. I can try the Five Elemental Forging Method," Xu Hei thought.

The Five Elemental Forging Method was an extremely advanced forging technique inherited from Huangfu Duanlong, requiring the Five Elements of Heaven and Earth as the main materials. When the Five Elements unite, there is a chance to forge a quasi-fifth-grade magical treasure.

Xu Hei admitted he wasn't at that level yet, but reinforcing his True Dragon Sword was more than enough.

If successful, he could let the formation spirit September reside in it, living in the form of a sword spirit, and the True Dragon Sword would evolve into an intelligent flying sword.

Xu Hei first buried the flying swords nearby, setting up the Star Sword Formation.

Then, he took out the artifact refining furnace, placing the True Dragon Sword and the five types of attribute materials inside, beginning the refining process.

"Hopefully, it won't cause too much commotion," Xu Hei thought.

...

As time slowly passed, three more days went by.

Near the new mine, a large number of experts from all over the world gathered, all studying the ancient formation.

The effect of this formation was unknown, but it was certain that if anyone dared to continue digging, it would trigger the formation, causing irreparable consequences.

"This formation originates from ancient times, enduring millions of years, yet still possessing such power. I've only studied it for a few days and have already benefited greatly. I can't imagine how powerful the person who set it up must have been!" Wu Yuan sighed, as the foremost expert in formations on the outer battlefield, even he felt inferior.

Other formation masters admired it deeply, treating this ancient formation like a beautiful piece of art left by the ancients.

Though they were obsessed with formations and could study endlessly, some forces grew dissatisfied.

"These old folks have been researching for so long without any results. Are they trying to fool us?"

"In my opinion, we should just keep digging. I don't believe there will be any serious consequences."

Some whispered.

Ignorance is fearless! Whenever such voices appeared, they were suppressed by major sects, unable to stir up trouble.

But as time went on, such voices would grow more frequent.

Xu Hei's true self was refining artifacts, while his external incarnation remained near the mine, observing the changes over these days.

The patience of the masses was limited. According to his estimation, it wouldn't be long before a major upheaval occurred here.

By then, his insect swarm would hatch, and his flying sword would be completed!