The Lord of Void and Real
Chapter 1174

Chapter 1174: Chapter 1171: Preparations Chapter 1174: Chapter 1171: Preparations The Nine-Headed Insect wore a sullen expression as he sat in silence for moments, then resumed his seated position with legs crossed.

Although his external injuries appeared to have healed, his meridians had taken a heavy blow when he intruded into the West Sea Dragon Palace, and his vital essence had also suffered severe depletion. All of this required a long period of quiet recuperation to heal completely; otherwise, many hidden problems would remain.

“Little White Dragon, once my injuries have fully recovered, I will challenge you to another battle! We shall see who amongst us truly holds the upper hand,” murmured the Nine-Headed Insect to himself before closing his eyes and beginning to absorb the blood mist from within the Blood Pool.

Half a day later, a swarm of Demon Race members burst forth from the Palace of the Nine-Headed Insect, scattering in all directions.

Accompanying these members of the Demon Race were large flocks of green birds, so many that their number was impossible to determine.

These birds were small, only about half a foot in length, and covered in a green hue all over. Only their eyes had a slight reddish tinge. They lacked demonic aura and looked no different from the common birds found in Yunmeng Marsh.

In a secret chamber of the palace, the blue-robed female Demon, Lian Shan, and Gui Cang were all sitting upright, each holding a green mirror. The mirrors displayed densely packed blood-colored specks; only upon closer inspection could one discern that these were blood-red pupils, identical to the eyes of those green-winged birds.

The green-winged birds were spirit birds secretly raised by the Nine-Headed Insect through a secret technique, and they were extremely sensitive to breaths, particularly adept at detecting prohibitions. Moreover, the eyes of the green-winged birds were connected to these Green-Eye Mirrors, allowing the bearers to share the birds' vision no matter how far they flew.

Since the green-winged birds lacked demonic aura, even if a monk spotted them, they wouldn't pay any attention without knowing what lay beneath the surface.

It was precisely because of these green-winged birds that the Nine-Headed Insect was able to control every movement within Yunmeng Marsh.

The blue-robed female Demon was confident that as long as those people were still in Yunmeng Marsh, their traces would surely be found.

Before long, green-winged birds had spread across all corners of Yunmeng Marsh. Several of them also flew over the low mountain where Shen Luo and the others were located, swiftly searching for any suspicious locations throughout the mountain range.

However, the formation Shen Luo had set up outside the Cave Mansion was the Liangyi Micro-dust Array. After multiple uses, his understanding of this Array had deepened significantly, and the Array's prohibition energy was now completely concealed. Even a True Immortal Cultivator might not detect it.

Despite the green-winged birds' prowess in detection, they found nothing.

Time passed day by day, and soon, more than half a month had gone by.

Despite no responses from either the dispatched Demon Soldiers or the green-winged birds, the anxiety of the blue-robed female Demon and the other two grew more intense.

“We've searched for more than ten days, turned Yunmeng Marsh upside down several times. How can they still not be found?” Lian Shan asked urgently.

“Could they have already left this place?” Gui Cang suggested.

“Their goal is the Ginkgo Spirit Fruit, which is about to ripen. They shouldn't leave at this time. I suspect they are hiding somewhere, using a prohibition to conceal their tracks,” said Lian Shan.

“Impossible. The green-winged birds have an exceptional sensitivity to prohibitions. What kind of prohibition could possibly elude them?” Gui Cang immediately objected.

“While the green-winged birds are indeed sensitive, there are countless miraculous prohibitions in the vast world; there might indeed exist some that can block the birds' perception,” the blue-robed female Demon stated.

“So, Bashe, you believe that they are using a prohibition to hide?” Lian Shan looked towards the blue-robed female Demon.

“That is very likely,” Bashe stated slowly, a flicker of light in her eyes.

“Even if we hypothetically figure that out, we're still unable to find them. What should we do next?” asked Lian Shan impatiently.

“Regardless, we must report this matter to our Master,” said Bashe.

Lian Shan and Gui Cang shuddered at the words, knowing the Nine-Headed Insect ruled with an iron fist. This time they had even received the Green-Eye Mirror and yet failed to find their target. They had no idea what punishment awaited them.

“There's no need for both of you to report; I'll go alone. You wait here for the outcome,” Bashe glanced at the two of them before rising to his feet.

“Then we shall trouble you, Bashe,” Lian Shan and Gui Cang sighed with relief.

Having left the secret chamber, Bashe soon arrived at the Blood Pool where the Nine-Headed Insect resided and reported the situation.

“Idiots! I gave you the Green-Winged Bird and the Green-Eye Mirror, yet you can't even find a few people!” The Nine-Headed Insect flew into a furious rage.

“Your subordinate has not dared to slacken in the slightest these days but truly cannot locate those people. Perhaps they realized the Master's fearsomeness and have already left Yunmeng Marsh?” Bashe suggested.

Upon hearing this, the Nine-Headed Insect's brow raised slightly.

The Little White Dragon and he shared a deep-seated hatred. As long as he was not dead, it was certain he would not back down. However, considering the severe injury imposed on him by the Nine-Headed Insect's cunning plan, if he were incapacitated, it was possible that he could have been taken out of Yunmeng Marsh by the two Humans.

“Since the individuals cannot be found, let's put this matter aside for now. The Silver Ginkgo Spirit Fruit is about to mature; let's deal with that first,” proclaimed the Nine-Headed Insect.

“Yes, your subordinate, along with Gui Cang and Lian Shan, have fortified the Ancient Array near the Divine Tree, which will surely intercept all of the spirit fruit without letting a single one escape,” Bashe declared promptly.

“Having only the Qian Yuan Returning Spirit Array isn't enough. The maturation of the Ginkgo Spirit Fruit will surely attract thieves. Set up this set of Kun Yuan One Breath Array around the fruit tree. Combined with the Qian Yuan Returning Spirit Array, it will form the Ancient Heaven and Earth Mysterious Prohibition Array, capable of fending off any outsiders. The injuries I've sustained should heal in about half a month. Until then, the defense is in your hands. If you can hold out, each of you will be rewarded with a Ginkgo Spirit Fruit,” the Nine-Headed Insect produced a set of yellow array flags and handed them to Bashe.

“Thank you, Master. I will get to it at once!” Bashe expressed great joy, taking the formation flags before leaving.

The Nine-Headed Insect watched Bashe depart, a trace of coldness flitting through his eyes. He then closed his eyes and continued to cultivate.

Bashe quickly left the Blood Pool and returned to the previously mentioned secret chamber.

“What did the Master say?” Lian Shan and Gui Cang hurried forward as the female demon entered.

“The Master is magnanimous and has forgiven us for our failure in the search. He told us to put the matter aside for now and concentrate on protecting the Ginkgo Divine Tree…” Bashe relayed what the Nine-Headed Insect had said back in the Blood Pool.

“The Master is willing to bestow upon us Ginkgo Spirit Fruit? That's wonderful. With those fruit, our cultivation levels will surely advance further. Breaking through the True Immortal Stage is also highly probable!” Lian Shan and Gui Cang exclaimed with delight upon hearing the news.

Having served under the Nine-Headed Insect for many years, guarding the Ginkgo Divine Tree, they were well aware of the miraculous powers of the Ginkgo Spirit Fruit.

Seeing the two demons excited, Bashe sneered inwardly. Knowing how treacherous and cruel the Nine-Headed Insect was, the reward of the Ginkgo Spirit Fruit was surely not so easy to enjoy. However, she said nothing.

“This is the Kun Earth One Qi Array bestowed by the Master. It requires the three of us to set it up. Let's get started immediately,” she said, taking out the set of yellow-colored arrays.

“Alright,” Lian Shan and Gui Cang agreed in unison.

The three immediately flew towards the Ginkgo Divine Tree, where numerous white stone pillars lit up with swathes of white light, forming a cloud-like Ban on Light Curtain around the Divine Tree.

“How should this formation be laid out? Outside the Qian Yuan Returning Spirit Array?” Lian Shan inquired.

“No need. These two arrays are originally one. Combined, they are the Ancient Heaven and Earth Mysterious Prohibition Array. Just set it up within the Qian Yuan Returning Spirit Array,” Bashe instructed while activating the formation flags with hand seals.

The formation flags transformed into streaks of yellow light, merging into the Qian Yuan Returning Spirit Array.