"By the way, how did you find me?" Zong Ziqi asked, a little curious.

"It’s that Seeking Technique Brother Ding used back then. I learned it from him, and it came in handy for finding you."

After speaking, Jiang Xu mysteriously took something out of his Storage Bag.

"Look! What’s this?"

Zong Ziqi didn’t know what Jiang Xu was getting at, and curiously looked toward his hand.

At first glance, Zong Ziqi didn’t have much of a reaction; he was just a little curious.

But when he got a clear look at the object in Jiang Xu’s hand, he snatched it away like a bolt of lightning and examined it closely.

"This... isn’t this one of those things I ran into back then..."

Jiang Xu nodded.

"This insect is the main culprit that caused you to lose all your Cultivation. But this is just a Sub-Insect. The Mother Insect’s whereabouts are currently unknown."

Zong Ziqi calmed down from his shock.

"Brother Jiang, why are you showing me this out of the blue? I’m not interested in a regular Sub-Insect."

"You’re definitely not interested in a regular Sub-Insect, but what if I told you I can find the Mother Insect through this one?"

Zong Ziqi grew excited once more, grabbing Jiang Xu’s shoulders tightly.

"Are you telling the truth?!"

Jiang Xu was startled by his slightly ferocious expression.

Usually, Zong Ziqi didn’t seem to be nursing some deep-seated hatred. He never talked about revenge, so Jiang Xu had assumed he wasn’t too concerned about the matter.

’But now it seems he’s just been hiding it deep in his heart, not letting it show. The moment there’s news of the Mother Insect, he immediately loses his composure.’

"That’s right. Didn’t I learn the Seeking Technique? I can use this Sub-Insect to find the Mother Insect’s location. All you have to do is follow it."

"Then what are we waiting for? Hurry up and cast the Seeking Technique!"

Zong Ziqi’s gaze was fervent as he urged Jiang Xu on.

"Come on, Brother Zong. You don’t actually want me to take you to find the Mother-Child Spirit-Devouring Insect right now, do you?"

"Hm? Is there a problem?" Zong Ziqi was very confused.

"Have you forgotten how your Qi Sea was shattered last time? Wasn’t it because you were being too reckless on your own?! It’s one thing for you to be reckless by yourself, but don’t drag me into it!" Jiang Xu retorted irritably.

"Ahahaha, I forgot about that. My bad, my bad. In that case, let’s wait until I break through to the Body Refining Late Stage before we look for the Mother Insect. With my current strength, I’m probably still a ways off from being able to kill it. It would be bad if I let it get away."

Hm?

’From Zong Ziqi’s tone, he sounds very confident. Before he lost his Cultivation, he was nearly killed by that Mother Insect. So how is it that now, after his Cultivation is gone, he’s claiming the insect would be the one running from him? Is the Ancient Strengthening Method really that powerful, or has this Zong Ziqi had some other fortuitous encounter?’

But Jiang Xu still threw cold water on his enthusiasm.

"Don’t be so overconfident. You’re not the only one who can grow. That Mother Insect has countless Sub-Insects providing it with nutrients, so its growth rate might be much faster than yours. For all we know, it might have already reached Tier Two by now!

What I’m trying to say is, you should find your master and have him go look for the Mother Insect. That way, even if it has reached Tier Two, you won’t have to worry about your life being in danger."

At this, Zong Ziqi hesitated.

"That’s not a good idea. What if my master is no match for it? His life could be in danger..."

"You’re worried about the safety of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, yet you, a mere Body Refining Cultivator, are acting so fearless. You’ve got your priorities completely backward!"

Zong Ziqi gave an embarrassed smile and was about to say something more when his expression suddenly changed and he looked into the distance.

Jiang Xu followed his gaze and looked up at the sky.

A small dot appeared in the distant sky, followed by a muffled, explosive sound that echoed through the air like a thunderclap on a clear day.

A short while later, Jiang Xu saw a long, narrow Flying Sword approaching from the distance. The body of the sword was covered in etchings of Ancient Evil Beasts, and as it flew, faint phantoms of these beasts could be seen roaring and howling around it. The sight was terrifyingly majestic!

Atop the Flying Sword, an old man in flowing white robes with white hair and a youthful face stood with his toes lightly touching the blade. In the blink of an eye, he arrived before the two of them.

The old man’s expression was serene, like an Immortal who had transcended the mortal world. The illusory Ancient Evil Beasts at his side only added to his extraordinary aura.

Upon seeing the old man, Zong Ziqi immediately bowed respectfully.

"Disciple greets Master!"

’Master? A Foundation Establishment Elder?’

Jiang Xu hastily bowed as well. "Greetings, Elder!"

Qin Muxian said to Zong Ziqi,

"I’ve told you before, the bond between us as master and disciple is over. Until I have found a Treasure Medicine to repair your Qi Sea, do not call me ’Master’ again. This is a punishment I have set for myself."

"No, Master, that incident was not your fault. It was all caused by me alone."

Qin Muxian looked at Zong Ziqi and shook his head, not saying anything more.

It was obvious they had had this conversation many times, but Zong Ziqi had never changed his mind.

He turned to Jiang Xu, a kind smile on his face.

"You must be the young friend, Jiang Xu, correct? Ziqi often mentions you to me. He says you’ve helped him a great deal. In fact, I should be the one thanking you."

Flustered, Jiang Xu bowed again.

"This junior is unworthy of a senior’s thanks. In truth, it has always been Brother Zong who has taken care of me. I was merely basking in his light!"

Zong Ziqi, who was standing to the side, started heaping praise on Jiang Xu.

"Brother Jiang, don’t be so modest... Oh, right! Master, Brother Jiang also knows the extremely rare Seeking Technique! He can lead us to the Mother-Child Spirit-Devouring Insect!"

Hearing Zong Ziqi’s words, Qin Muxian’s expression changed instantly, and a boundless killing intent flashed in his eyes.

"Is this true?"

"It is!"

Seeing the master and disciple singing the same tune, Jiang Xu suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Young friend, I didn’t expect you to possess such a skill! Please, cast the Magic quickly!" Qin Muxian said to Jiang Xu, his tone urgent.

"Er, Elder, are you two just going to go like this? Without any preparations?" Jiang Xu asked tentatively.

"Preparations? What preparations? As long as we Sword Cultivators have our swords in hand, we are always in peak condition. We don’t need any other preparations! And don’t you worry, young friend. With me here, I guarantee you a safe journey!" Qin Muxian said, full of confidence.

"Huh? I have to go too?" Jiang Xu suddenly felt like he’d been tricked onto a pirate ship.

’This shouldn’t be happening!

My initial plan was just to use the Seeking Technique. Everything after that was supposed to be their job!’

Qin Muxian saw what Jiang Xu was worried about and said with a smile,

"After you cast the Seeking Technique, if the Mother Insect is too far away, your Magic’s Magical Power might be depleted before we find it. We would still be unable to locate it, and we would just have to find you again.

Rest assured, I won’t let you run into any danger. You only need to find the Mother Insect’s location; you don’t need to enter its nest. The two of us will go in and take care of it!"