Li Feiyu, on a whim, went to the insect chamber to check.
The number of Gold Devouring Bugs reached 150,000, of which about 50,000 were noticeably larger and more ferocious than the others.
The shells of these Gold Devouring Bugs had few silver spots and many golden markings, indicating they were developing towards mature Gold Devouring Bugs.
Standing apart from these Spiritual Insects was a Devouring Gold Bug two or three times larger than those with numerous golden spots, emanating a terrifying aura.
This was precisely the Soul Devouring Gold Insect King that Li Feiyu had focused on cultivating, feeding it longevity liquid at regular intervals to accelerate its evolution.
On its back, there were only sporadic silver spots; the rest was entirely golden.
Perhaps due to the longevity liquid, this Devouring Gold Bug could restrain its violent aura and had developed considerable intelligence.
Upon seeing Li Feiyu approach, it immediately flapped its wings, buzzing, and flew before him.
Li Feiyu smiled and rewarded it with a drop of century-old longevity liquid, allowing it to slowly refine it.
Then, he used his Divine Sense to thoroughly examine the Insect King; its body was as hard as a high-grade defensive Magic Treasure, and it was likely that a single one could contend with a late stage Core Formation Cultivator, and even resist a Nascent Soul Cultivator for a period.
Subsequently, Li Feiyu went to check on the other Spiritual Insects; the number of Golden-backed Demonic Mantises was kept at one thousand, and the original one had recently advanced to a sixth-level Peak Demon Beast.
The Spirit Devouring Golden Cicada colony, however, was thriving, reaching three thousand, with all their Insect Kings also at the sixth-level Peak Realm.
The number of Black Hidden Spiders was around one hundred, with the strongest one in the sixth-level Middle Stage to Late Stage, steadily progressing towards the seventh-level Demon Beast Realm.
Li Feiyu had originally cultivated these Spiritual Insects to add another means of power, but his Cultivation speed was too fast, and they could no longer keep up.
The Gold Devouring Bugs still held some hope; with their hard bodies, they could be refined into insect armor and other defenses against enemy attacks.
As for the Spirit Devouring Golden Cicada, Li Feiyu felt they would be useful in the future and would consider keeping them by his side. Regarding the other two types of Spiritual Insects, he might bring a few in the future, while the rest might be exchanged for resources or left here as a foundation for the Blazing Zenith Sect.
After Li Feiyu completed the fourth layer of the Great Development Art, his Divine Sense had reached the stage of materialization, fully comparable to any Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator.
With his greatly increased Divine Sense, he controlled the Great Five Elements Sword Formation with even greater ease, and its power was enhanced.
However, the Great Development Art's Cultivation had reached its limit here; the subsequent Cultivation Technique would require a trip back to Heavenly South, to the Thousand Bamboo Sect in the Far West.
Over the past eight years, Li Feiyu would still spend one or two hours Cultivating daily, but with his Heavenly Spiritual Root Aptitude, his Cultivation speed was still very slow.
Even without considering the Bottleneck, it would likely take him seventy to eighty years to advance to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.
He was unwilling to do so!
Li Feiyu possessed seventy to eighty percent of the Spirit Medicine listed on the Pill Formula for advancing Nascent Soul Cultivation provided by Star Palace, but two types he had yet to collect.
These past years, despite being listed in the transaction pavilion, no one had come to trade for them.
"It seems I must bring out some significant treasures."
Li Feiyu had news spread that in two years, he would establish a Great Sect and, for this purpose, host the grandest auction in history.
At that time, ten-thousand-year-old Spiritual Plants, rare Divine Sense Medicinal Pills, Cultivation-advancing Medicinal Pills, exquisite Magical Artifacts, Magic Treasures, and Medicinal Pills to increase the success rate of forming a Nascent Soul would be auctioned.
As soon as this news spread, it reached the entire Inner Star Sea within two months, also alarming the Inverse Star Alliance and Star Palace.
Li Feiyu had numerous Materials from materialized Demon Beasts alone, enough to refine top-grade Magic Treasures.
Other sixth and seventh-level Demon Beasts could also be refined into lesser Magic Treasures or special exquisite Magical Artifacts.
In addition, when he refined Medicinal Pills, the lowest level was Foundation Establishment Pill, with various types of Medicinal Pills constantly emerging. However, to avoid being too ostentatious, the quantities were calculated by the piece, with higher-grade ones being fewer in number.
Li Feiyu's actions were actually somewhat dangerous, easily attracting the covetousness of the two major forces, but he was a lone Cultivator and completely fearless.
Even if he lost all of these, he could refine them a second time if he refined them once.
And if anyone was foolish enough to cause trouble, he wouldn't mind letting them witness his terror.
Aside from forces with a Nascent Soul Cultivator in the Late Stage, he could even wipe out the others.
Ten-thousand-year-old Spiritual Plants, Divine Sense Medicinal Pills, top-grade Magic Treasures, etc., would only be exchanged for top-grade Materials and special Spiritual Plants. Based on this alone, many late stage Core Formation Cultivators would be out of luck.
This was specifically aimed by Li Feiyu at the major forces with Nascent Soul Cultivators.
"I'm taking such a great risk; don't disappoint me!"
...
Heavenly Star City, Star Palace.
All the Nascent Soul Cultivator Elders gathered to discuss the matter announced by Li Feiyu.
The meeting was still presided over by the Grand Elder.
"Everyone, please speak. What is Li Feiyu trying to do with this action?"
Fire Cloud, who had met Li Feiyu once, said: "He never acts without purpose; he definitely has his own goals. From the fact that ten-thousand-year-old Spirit Medicine and other items require exchange for top-grade Materials and rare Spiritual Plants, it seems he wants to collect Materials to refine something, possibly Medicinal Pills or Magic Treasures."
"It could also be for Cultivation Technique needs; if assisted by specific Materials, the Cultivation of Cultivation Techniques and Divine Abilities would be much faster."
"I have a question. The things Li Feiyu mentioned, besides the low-grade ones, even our Star Palace would struggle to produce some of the others. I suspect this might be a conspiracy."
...
The Elders discussed animatedly, with differing opinions.
The Grand Elder suddenly said: "I, however, think it should be true. If he didn't have special Medicinal Pills to assist him, it would be almost impossible for him to form a Nascent Soul within two hundred years."
"Perhaps he holds the entrance to an ancient Medicinal Plant Garden."
"The Grand Elder's words are reasonable. Medicinal Pill refinement requires Spiritual Plant support. It is said that his Sangxing Island trades a batch of Medicinal Pills every month, including Divine Sense Medicinal Pills and Cultivation-advancing Medicinal Pills. Without a rich Medicinal Plant Garden, even if our Star Palace gathered all its strength, it would be very difficult to achieve, as some Spiritual Plants are very hard to find, and there are also age restrictions."
"Then should we go all out to capture Li Feiyu and force him to reveal the whereabouts of the Medicinal Plant Garden?"
Someone suddenly spoke, and many Elders involuntarily looked over.
An old man with a face like jade and slightly grey temples sneered: "Fire Cloud already said that Li Feiyu's strength and means are comparable to a top-tier Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator. Don't you know the terror of a lone Nascent Soul Middle Stage Cultivator?"
"Moreover, our current situation with the Inverse Star Alliance maintains a delicate balance for now. Once this balance is broken, our Star Palace might face destruction."
"Elder Yun is right. Li Feiyu advanced to Nascent Soul before two hundred years old, with boundless potential. If we fail to capture him and make him a mortal enemy, and he later becomes a Nascent Soul Late Stage Great Cultivator, while our Star Palace faces a talent shortage, our vast Star Palace might be destroyed by him alone."
The speaker was Ancestor Xing, whom Li Feiyu had met before. His Xing Family had a good relationship with Li Feiyu, and he did not want to offend him.
Everyone fell silent, including the Grand Elder, who also sank into contemplation.
Ancestor Xing continued: "Observing Li Feiyu's actions on Sangxing Island these years, he seems only to be seeking wealth. Whenever we have needs, we can always trade with him; it's better than becoming mortal enemies."
"One of my descendants has a deep friendship with him. According to him, Li Feiyu is clear about grievances and will not hesitate to help those he is friendly with, but if he has an enemy, he will definitely seek revenge, no matter how many years it takes, and he will accomplish it."
The Grand Elder said: "Since that is the case, then we shall prioritize forming a good relationship. Xing Feng, since someone from your Xing Family is friendly with him, then you shall represent us in two years and try your best to improve his impression of our Star Palace."
"Fire Cloud, you go with him too."
"Yes, Grand Elder!"
...
At the Inverse Star Alliance headquarters, Wen Tianren emerged from seclusion upon hearing of this matter, preparing to depart. By his side followed a purple-clad young woman of unparalleled beauty.
"Zi Ling, I heard this Li Feiyu was once an Elder of your Exquisite Sound Sect. Is that true?"