Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 286

The three cultivators, including the old man, once again focused their senses, trying to discern the young man’s cultivation level. However, no matter how hard they tried, they could only perceive him as a Core Formation Initial Stage cultivator.

While the three of them could certainly defeat a sixth-level Glass Beast together, killing it so quickly was beyond their capabilities.

‘Did he use some special technique to conceal his true cultivation?’ they wondered, their minds growing uneasy.

Jang Han, with his fierce demeanor, was also visibly tense.

“Elder Chu, he appears to be alone. Should we make our move?”

“…….”

The old man observed the situation with a suspicious gaze, not answering immediately. However, when he saw the young man in navy blue take out a black bowl and collect the Glass Beast’s soul, his expression drastically changed.

Cultivator Min spoke, his face stiff.

“Something feels off. Let’s withdraw. We shouldn’t invite trouble.”

They were attempting to retreat, sensing the unusual circumstances. The old man’s eyes flickered, and he gave a wry smile, muttering something incomprehensible.

“Retreat… The issue now isn’t whether we can retreat, but whether we can survive.”

At these words, Cultivator Min and Cultivator Seon were shocked, their eyes widening in disbelief.

Those who knew the old man’s character knew he wouldn’t say such things without a valid reason. The old man’s face was grim as he spoke.

“Didn’t you notice that his appearance is similar to that of the infamous Demonic Cultivator who’s been causing trouble recently?”

“Demonic Cultivator… Could it be!”

“Huh? Then that person is…”

The two cultivators were initially bewildered but soon their expressions hardened. They were all greatly surprised. The old man, maintaining a calm facade, shared his thoughts.

“It’s likely him. At such a young age, he wields numerous flying swords, and the sword light isn’t blue, is it? Everything matches the rumors.”

Jang Han, his face pale, retorted with a slightly trembling voice.

“But that Demonic Cultivator is said to control flying insects, isn’t he? He hasn’t used any insects so far, so isn’t it just a coincidence?”

Cultivator Min sent a telepathic message, carefully supporting the old man’s theory.

“Elder Chu’s assessment seems correct. The Demonic Cultivator also disguises his cultivation as Core Formation Initial Stage to collect the souls of demonic beasts! The reason he hasn’t released any insect demonic beasts is probably because he doesn’t need to.”

“Are you saying that person is the rumored Insect Demon? Then why aren’t we running away right now? If we get caught by such a Demonic Cultivator, we’re as good as dead.”

The old man calmed Cultivator Seon with a steady voice.

“Don’t panic for now. If it’s really that Demonic Cultivator, we might not have noticed when we arrived because we were focused on the Glass Beast, but we’ll definitely be discovered if we try to run away. We shouldn’t act rashly and expose our presence.”

At these words, the other two cultivators also refrained from reckless movements. Cultivator Seon suddenly thought of something and asked.

“Four years ago, there was a clash between the Demonic Cultivator and others over a seventh-level demonic beast. Is it true that all seven or eight Core Formation cultivators died, and only one Core Formation Late Stage cultivator survived?”

Cultivator Min answered in a low voice.

“It’s likely true. The surviving cultivator was a master from the Azure Cloud Sect, and all those who were killed were his fellow disciples. Because of that incident, the sect, which was one of the five major powers in the Qi Origin Island, suffered a great loss of power.

It’s said that the Azure Cloud Sect’s Grand Elder, Miao Xue Zhenren, was also furious about that incident and went to the sea area several times to find the Insect Demon, but to no avail. Even if Miao Xue Zhenren had caught the Demonic Cultivator, we don’t know what the result would have been. Based on the rumors about his abilities and actions, there are also rumors that he is a newly emerged Nascent Soul Stage master. Various forces in Qi Origin Island are also trying to recruit the Insect Demon.”

The old man slowly shook his head and refuted Cultivator Min’s words.

“He can’t be a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator. According to what I’ve heard, the Insect Demon’s own cultivation is nothing special, but he’s powerful because of the strange insects he controls. In that battle, he didn’t even use any magic treasures and just released countless swarms of insects, devouring several Core Formation cultivators alive. That’s why he’s called the Insect Demon, because he controls insect demonic beasts.”

Cultivator Min still insisted on his opinion.

“However, as Elder Chu saw, he defeated the Glass Beast in one go without any swarms of insects. This is difficult even for a Core Formation Late Stage cultivator. He is definitely a Nascent Soul Stage old monster hiding his identity.”

The old man was about to say something when Cultivator Seon spoke first.

“Whether the Insect Demon is a Nascent Soul Stage old monster or not, it doesn’t matter to us. What’s important is that the opponent has the power to kill us all. What worries me is the opponent’s infamy. Once you encounter the Insect Demon, you become food for insects, and the number of victims is already over a hundred. In the past two years, many people have become terrified at the mere mention of the Insect Demon’s name.”

As everyone’s faces darkened, Cultivator Min looked at the young man and sighed.

“It’s true that the Insect Demon is a cruel murderer. For the past few years, he’s been the main culprit in murders for treasures, and most people point to the Insect Demon. But we’ve come to find the Demonic Cultivator ourselves, so what can we do?”

The Insect Demon’s infamy made everyone tremble with fear. After that, they silently watched the young man, desperately hoping that he would leave quietly.

At this time, the young man, having extracted the Glass Beast’s soul, searched the demonic beast’s body and put the white core into his storage pouch.

The young man suddenly raised his head and scanned his surroundings. The three cultivators tried their best to conceal their presence and used stealth techniques, but it was useless. The young man’s gaze stopped exactly where they were hiding.

“If you’ve been watching for so long, it seems like it’s time to reveal your identities.”

At those words, the three cultivators felt chills run down their spines.

“Let’s run away.”

As if they had agreed beforehand, they shot out in different directions as soon as someone shouted. The young man slightly narrowed his brows and muttered.

“You’re leaving so hastily without even hearing everything I have to say. Do you think I’m going to eat you?”

After that, his expression hardened, and three storage pouches floated into the air. Swarms of three-colored beetles poured out, covering the sky.

Buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz…

The young man in navy blue was Han Li, who was returning from hunting in the deep sea. The old man and the others glanced back and were horrified by the flying insects, increasing their speed even more.

The young man in navy blue began to chant something.

The three-colored beetles that covered the sky gathered at the sound and formed three giant spear shapes. The flying speed of the spears, which shot out with sharp piercing sounds, was astonishing.

After the spears disappeared, chasing after the old man and the others, Han Li focused on peeling off the transparent skin attached to the Glass Beast. It was a perfect material for making armor. He burned the remaining debris and retrieved the formation flags and the Anticipation Grass. As soon as he finished everything, three streaks of light flew from the void.

Shortly after, the three cultivators appeared, surprisingly wearing three-colored necklaces around their necks, looking dejected. Han Li smiled at the cultivators and asked gently.

“Why were you three so panicked and ran away when you saw me? Do you know me?”

Han Li’s question puzzled the three cultivators.

What was the Insect Demon saying? Was he trying to toy with them before killing them? The fierce Jang Han hardened his heart and shouted harshly.

“If you’re going to kill us, just kill us. What are you trying to do?”

Han Li’s face hardened and suddenly turned cold.

“Is there a problem with my question just now?”

Cultivator Min, seeing a glimmer of hope in Han Li’s reaction, pleaded desperately, his face having barely regained its color.

“If we had known that Senior Insect Demon was hunting, we would never have bothered you. We were just passing by this place by chance and had no ill intentions, so please spare us!”

“Are you referring to me when you say Insect Demon?”

The old man, who was resigned to death, was stunned by those words and revealed his doubts.

“Then you’re not Senior Insect Demon?”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding.”

Han Li hesitated for a moment, then reached out and sent a blue light to the necks of the three people.

At the same time, the necklaces around their bodies vibrated and turned back into countless beetles, returning to his storage pouch. The cultivators, who had narrowly escaped death, were bewildered. Although they were still somewhat doubtful, it could indeed be a misunderstanding.

Otherwise, why would the Insect Demon do this!

However, the cultivators, who had already experienced Han Li’s power, still maintained a respectful attitude. The old man smiled broadly and responded.

“Haha, it seems there was really some misunderstanding. According to the known nature of the Insect Demon, how could he have spared us? May I know your esteemed name?”

Whether the opponent was really a Demonic Cultivator or not, they knew that his strength was no less than one, so they had to avoid getting on his bad side if they wanted to survive.

Han Li smiled, looked up at the sky silently, and then quietly opened his mouth.

“It seems you have companions, and they seem to have just arrived.”

The old man flinched and looked up at the sky, but he couldn’t sense any presence, revealing his embarrassment. However, there was no other way but to answer the opponent’s question honestly.

“My brothers and I brought our sect disciples, and it seems they’ve arrived.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared in the distant sky. Because their flying speed was much slower, they had only just arrived.

Han Li, narrowing his eyes, smiled meaningfully at the three people.

“I dislike commotion, so I’ll wait on the other side of the island. Please arrange your disciples and come to me. I have something to ask you, and I’ll be disappointed if you leave without saying goodbye.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned into a blue light and disappeared behind the island. Only then did the old man and the others feel the blood flowing through their bodies.

Whether the opponent was the Insect Demon or not, he had not shown any intention to kill them, so the possibility of survival had increased. The old man moved his lips with a cautious face, and Cultivator Min nodded and flew up.

After that, Cultivator Min, with a pale face, appeared in front of the disciples and gave some orders. All the Foundation Establishment cultivators landed on a nearby island and waited.

Cultivator Min, having finished his work, returned to the old man with a complicated expression. The fierce-looking Cultivator Seon immediately confirmed the old man’s opinion through telepathy.

“Are you really going to meet him?”

“Don’t think useless thoughts. Have you forgotten how the opponent caught us just now? If we just answer his questions honestly and don’t offend him, we’ll be fine. If we treat him as if he were a Nascent Soul Stage old monster, would he really kill us?”

“Elder Chu is right. He doesn’t seem to have a violent nature, so it’s important not to give him a reason to attack us first.”

In the end, the three cultivators obediently headed to the back of the island. Han Li was sitting on a flat rock, leisurely watching them approach.

“Let’s all sit down and talk. Can you explain what has been happening in the Qi Origin Island sea area recently? This is a very remote place, but I’ve encountered groups of cultivators one after another in this vicinity. Usually, you don’t hunt in the abyss, do you? And please tell me in detail about the Insect Demon.”

His expression was calm, but the three cultivators only got the impression that he was an unfathomable person. They became even more cautious and nodded respectfully.

The old man slowly began to speak.

“It seems you haven’t visited Qi Origin Island for the past two or three years. The abyss sea area has long been a forbidden zone. Not only is hunting impossible, but everyone’s faces change at the mere mention of the abyss.”

“Is that so? Please tell me more.”

“Two years ago, suddenly the demonic beasts…”

Seeing Han Li showing interest in the story, the old man, feeling more at ease, explained what had happened in the abyss at that time and how even the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators had retreated without being able to do anything.

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