Chapter 78: The Art of Wooden Threads

The moment they arrived, they were confronted with such a thing that everyone was utterly shocked. “This place is exceedingly perilous. That’s why the elders say we must not proceed. If flight is forbidden here, then anyone who comes will find it hard to escape.”

Li Mu slowly stepped down from the flying shuttle. Even though he knew what Akemu meant by ‘dark tides,’ he pondered for a moment, “Demon Ants—they’re said to appear only in the Demon Realm. How is it that they’re here as well?”

Shen Bingxue’s expression carried a rare gentleness. “Even in the cultivator-controlled world, such things exist, though they are rare. Perhaps it’s because this place is closer to the Demon Realm…”

“No matter, this may yet be a blessing.”

Li Mu glanced at Shen Bingxue, his smile plain and sincere. “Now that the Demon Ants have left, this place is a little safer.”

“You think you’ve figured it all out. How do you know they’re all gone? And who’s to say there isn’t something even more terrifying here?” Shen Bingxue gritted her teeth but, upon careful thought, her expression eased. Without the Demon Ants, the rocky mountain truly seemed less dangerous than before.

“Let’s go, into the mountain.”

At the entrance of the leading mountain, everyone halted.

There was an overwhelming amount of miasma, resembling flowers or layers of cloud, clustered in patches drifting above the entrance. From afar, it looked like a unique barrier, encircling the rocky mountain, shielding it from defilement. It was clear at a glance that most of these miasmas were poisonous and could not be touched.

“It really is dangerous—Demon Ants outside and miasma inside. One wonders what else lies within the mountain.”

Li Mu shook his head and looked at Shen Bingxue. “Alchemist Shen, do you have any good ideas?”

Shen Bingxue frowned, helplessly replying, “With such dense miasma, it’s unlikely to disperse easily. It’s best to enter with a protective barrier, but who knows how far we’ll need to go—can we sustain it?”

Li Mu thought for a moment and took out the Ancient Spirit Lantern. “This is bad—it consumes a huge amount of true power, and there’s sure to be battles ahead, so I must conserve my strength. Still, this is the best option. But it costs thirty medium-grade spirit crystals each time—truly painful.”

“Stingy,” Shen Bingxue’s brows relaxed with a hint of amusement. “You got plenty at the Flower Forest Gate—you shouldn’t mind this amount.”

Li Mu was earnest. “We never know when we’ll get more spirit crystals, so we should save them.”

Li Mu activated the Ancient Spirit Lantern. A shimmering circle gradually unfolded, enveloping the group in a protective blue-green light.

Li Mu led the way into the miasma. The poisonous fumes bounced off the protective circle, unable to penetrate at all. Shen Bingxue couldn’t help but praise him, marveling at where he’d managed to obtain such a treasure. Li Mu merely replied that, lacking the face to become a true artifact refiner, he could only make do.

After a short distance, a strange buzzing sound arose ahead, carrying with it a foul stench and a dark mass. The group tensed as they saw hundreds of large fierce bees, forming a black cloud that surged toward them.

These fierce bees were each as large as a human fist, their wings whirring as they shot forward at astonishing speed.

“Black Demon Bees. Seeing all this miasma, it was clear they’d be here.” Li Mu handed the Ancient Spirit Lantern to Sun Qi, his face turning grim as he readied his flame gourd.

Black Demon Bees were first-rank spirit beasts, adept at hiding in poisonous miasma to ambush their prey. Their stingers, if they pierced a cultivator, would render them unable to use their true power for several seconds—a truly fearsome threat.

“Leave this to me. They’re quick, and flame might not work.”

But before she finished speaking, Sun Sanjiu behind her had already unleashed a jet of flame.

The flame shot out with great speed toward the swarm. It seemed it should at least kill one, but to Sun Sanjiu’s shock, the struck bee flicked its wings and dodged with a speed too fast to see, easily evading the fire.

Seeing this, Sun Sanjiu’s confidence faltered.

Shen Bingxue fixed her gaze on the bees, placing her hands before her chest and drawing in a breath. Her fingers began to weave intricate signs, channeling pale green spiritual power that radiated a faint, mesmerizing glow.

Li Mu couldn’t help but nod. The complexity of this technique was extraordinary; its effect was surely remarkable. He felt a fresh sense of admiration for Shen Bingxue.

For an alchemist, hand-seals were necessary for all specialized techniques—controlling flame, refining medicine, and so on. Yet Shen Bingxue’s mastery of wood techniques made her seals even more profound.

“Alchemist Shen is truly skilled. I wish I could learn this as well,” murmured Li Ying, watching in awe.

“Gather!”

Numerous deep green threads rose from within the mountain, as though summoned, converging into Shen Bingxue’s hands.

In moments, a jade-green sphere materialized in her palm.

“Go!”

With a low command, the sphere shot forth and struck the nearest cluster of bees.

With a bang, the green sphere exploded, and countless fine threads shot out at blinding speed, ensnaring the bees with uncanny precision. The threads, like tiny vines, wrapped tightly around the bees, rendering them immobile.

In an instant, swaths of bees were slain.

“What technique is this?”

“Alchemist Shen, your skill is truly admirable. I, Li Ying, am in awe.”

“Wooden Thread Art. Want to learn it?” Amused by their admiration, Shen Bingxue waved her hand. “But, Shopkeeper Li, you don’t have a wood affinity. Even if I taught you, you couldn’t use it.”

Li Mu paid her no mind, his gaze fixed on the dwindling swarm. Suddenly, his heart tightened.

Only a few dozen bees remained, among them a particularly large leader. Its body was several times the size of the others, its belly swollen, and its stinger swaying like a deadly, cold blade. Though two green threads were wrapped around it, it stubbornly refused to fall.

A sudden cacophony erupted as all the Demon Bees spun around, firing their stingers like flying needles in a deadly volley.

This was the Black Demon Bee’s signature spell—the Tail Needle. All at once, the bees unleashed their attack with overwhelming force.

Li Mu had anticipated this. In an instant, a cloak of earthen armor rose to shield the group. He knew well that the spirit barrier alone could not withstand such a sharp and powerful assault.

The tail needles pierced into the earthen armor, burying themselves deep within. Only the leader’s needle managed to drive halfway in.

Shen Bingxue froze, her cheeks flushing. She’d been so focused on her own technique she hadn’t noticed the bees’ attack. If not for Li Mu’s earthen armor, she would surely have been struck. Fortunately, the darkness inside the armor hid her embarrassment from view.

Before she could speak, Li Mu withdrew the armor, letting the needles clatter to the ground. He knew that with their needles spent, the bees were finished; there was no further danger.

Collecting all the stingers, Li Mu extracted a pale blue beast core from the leader’s body, then turned to Shen Bingxue.

She lowered her head, her cheeks tinged pink, not meeting his gaze. “What is it?”

“My earthen armor technique is on cooldown. If danger arises again, you’ll have to use your Wood Armor to protect everyone.” He smiled, then continued forward.

“Understood,” Shen Bingxue replied softly, obediently following.

Li Mu didn’t bother saying more. Some lessons must be understood through experience. Shen Bingxue, having faced her first real battle, was already doing admirably.