Inside his chest, the ancient bronze casket had melted into a final stream of warm liquid, completely merging with his heart. Countless profound insect-runes flowed through his surging blood to every corner of his body. The jet-black chitin and pale human skin no longer tore apart in jagged borders; they melded together in a perfect, symbiotic state.
His three limp arms snapped back into place, their bones realigning with a series of crisp, rhythmic pops. He looked down at his renewed frame.
The wounds were gone. The horrific gash that had stretched from his shoulder to his waist was now reduced to a faint, tattoo-like trace. His six arms were flawless, brimming with explosive power. With a light heave, the vines binding him snapped like dry twigs.
Gensheng landed silently on the parched earth, six hands pressing against the ground as he felt the surge of energy within. His spiritual power was galloping. His meridians had widened several times over, becoming incredibly resilient. His Dantian sea had vanished, replaced by a fist-sized, singular space that was a world unto itself.
He opened his mouth and summoned the eight Corpse-Barrier Wasps. The small creatures circled his head with a faint buzz, seemingly inquiring after their master's intent.
"Go in and try it," Gensheng thought. With a flick of his will, he guided one wasp toward the internal space.
Buzz!
The moment the wasp touched the spatial barrier, the entire internal world erupted in light! The insect-runes flashed frantically, and a profound ripple of power blanketed the tiny wasp. Immediately, a stream of information poured directly into Gensheng’s mind:
[Species: Corpse-Barrier Wasp] [Grade: Grade-2, Low-Tier] [Attributes: Death Qi, Corrosion] [Bloodline: Corpse King Wasp Lineage] [Innate Abilities: Death Qi Erosion, Flesh Sculpting, Swarm Intelligence] [Evolution Paths: Soul-Devouring Corpse Wasp → Ghost-Face Wasp → Corpse Emperor Wasp] [Nurturing Advice: Consume more carrion, absorb Death Qi to accelerate evolution] [Breeding Conditions: A swarm of sufficient scale can produce a Wasp Queen] [Quantity: 8]
The detail was staggering! It didn't just list basic attributes; it laid bare their bloodline heritage, evolution paths, and even specific training methods.
"So this is the true power of the Myriad Ghoul Casket?"
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
As the runes flickered, the Death Qi emanating from the wasps grew denser, and their bodies swelled slightly. In Gensheng’s perception, the data became even more granular.
I see.
Gensheng finally understood. The Myriad Ghoul Casket was essentially an empty vessel. Its true value didn't lie in the insects it currently held, but in its ability to perfectly analyze, nurture, and evolve any spirit insect! Most of Jiang Guixian’s rare collection had likely been exhausted during the desperate battle at Maple Red Valley.
"Not a bad trade," Gensheng stood up and stretched. From a distance, he looked like nothing more than a handsome, ordinary youth. "First, I need to find a place to settle down."
This desolate wilderness didn't even have a ghost, let alone a village. He picked a random direction and started walking. After half a day, he finally spotted signs of life in a mountain hollow—a dilapidated little village with low huts and thin trails of cooking smoke. It looked dirt-poor.
At the village entrance, a few ragged villagers were tilling a barren patch of land. As Gensheng approached, an older villager looked up and froze.
"Young Master, you...?" The villager’s words trailed off.
Gensheng looked down at himself. His robes had been shredded into ribbons during the battle; only a few scraps remained hanging off him, barely covering the essentials. It was, admittedly, a bit indecent.
"I was passing through and encountered bandits. All my belongings were lost," Gensheng improvised a reason. "May I ask where this is?"
The villager scrutinized him. Though disheveled, Gensheng carried an extraordinary air. "Replying to the Young Master, this is the border of Qingzhou, a place called Stone Village."
"Qingzhou?" Gensheng frowned. He had never heard the name.
Seeing his confusion, the villager explained, "Is the Young Master perhaps from another province? Qingzhou is remote, separated from the Linglan Country by thousands of miles. We rarely see outsiders."
"How far is Linglan Country from here?"
"Oh, heavens, that's a world away!" The villager waved his hand. "I’ve heard it takes crossing a dozen mountains and three great rivers—a half-year journey at least. We simple folk couldn't dream of reaching such a place where Immortals live."
Gensheng nodded. It seemed Jiang Guixian’s Blood-Escape had indeed carried him incredibly far.
The villager hesitated, then spoke again. "Young Master, you look healthy enough, but these wilds are dangerous at night. Beasts roam. For a man alone..."
The implication was clear. Gensheng scanned the village; it was a ruin, lacking even a single decent house. But he had no other options.
"Is there a place I could stay for the night? I am willing to pay in silver."
At the mention of silver, the villager’s eyes lit up. "Yes, yes! My house is humble, but with a bit of tidying, it’s habitable!" He rubbed his hands together, a smile breaking across his face. "But Young Master, your clothes..."
Gensheng reached into his rags, produced a small piece of broken silver, and handed it over. "Please find me some clothes. Keep the rest as a lodging fee."
The villager weighed the silver in his palm and beamed. "Right away! Young Master, wait here, I’ll go arrange everything!" He turned to leave, then paused. "By the way, what is your honorable surname?"
"Chen."
"Master Chen, you can just call me Shitou (Stone). It's a small village; that’s what everyone calls me."
Shitou led Gensheng toward his home, chattering incessantly about the village. "We’ve lived in this hollow for generations, scraping by on these thin fields. It’s quiet here, but..."
He leaned in, lowering his voice. "But lately, things haven't been peaceful."
"Oh? How so?"