The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World-Chapter 287: The Disciple Becomes the Master

After Shi Juntian's departure, Wei Ji and Liu Ruoshui returned to their respective bases at Gold Thunder Mountain and Flying Thunder Valley. Chu Xuan, alongside Wan Hun, headed back to the Yin Soul Mountain Range.

Chu Xuan chose not to take a Hidden Bee on Shi Juntian, mindful of not antagonizing the Heaven Shaking Divine Sect, especially since he had already complicated relations with the Reincarnation Divine Church. Adding another powerful enemy to his list would make his path forward significantly more difficult.

Upon returning to Heisha Peak, Chu Xuan immediately secluded himself in his cultivation chamber. He connected his mind with the Mirror, casting a thread of his consciousness into the cave world to check on the young man he had not monitored for some time. Now that he had a moment to spare, he was curious about his progress.

Calculating the time, Chu Xuan figured that with the time dilation between Mystic Azure and the cave world, a considerable amount of time must have passed there. When he last left, Xiao Huo was just fifteen and had just opened his Insect Orifice. With forty-two years having passed in the cave world, Xiao Huo would now be in his late fifties. Normally, he should have already advanced to at least a Silver Insect Master.

Curious about Xiao Huo's progress and whether he had access to better cultivation methods, Chu Xuan decided to observe him directly.

...

In the Fire Ant Tribe's spacious and comfortably appointed learning hall, the youths sat neatly on their seats covered with soft furs, designed to facilitate their learning in the most comfortable manner. Embedded pearls in the ceiling emitted a soft glow, illuminating the red-bricked room.

Among the group of teenagers was a notably younger child, around seven or eight years old, whose presence was particularly striking due to his age. At the front of the room, a robust middle-aged man with flecks of gray in his hair was lecturing on the specifics of cultivating fire ants.

"...Fire ants thrive in warm, humid environments, so we must also be mindful of our diets, ensuring our Insect Orifices maintain similar conditions," the instructor explained, outlining how such care could accelerate the ants' growth.

Chu Xuan couldn't help but chuckle as he recognized the instructor. It was Xiao Huo, now grown and teaching the next generation. Over forty years had transformed the once young listener into a knowledgeable teacher, passing on his learning and experiences.

A moment later, he suddenly inquired, "Who can tell me, what is the Fire Ant's favorite food?"

The youths looked at each other, uncertain.

A young man, bearing a resemblance to Xiao Huo, eagerly raised his hand and exclaimed, "I know, it's mealworms!"

"Black mealworms, yellow mealworms, gray mealworms... in short, they adore all kinds of mealworms. They also favor the Gray Ground Worm, though not as passionately as they do mealworms."

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Xiao Huo nodded with a smile, "Indeed, it seems Xiao Yan has absorbed everything I've taught. You should all strive to learn from Xiao Yan, have you heard?"

"We have!" the youths responded loudly.

However, Chu Xuan noticed that some youths were rather reluctant as they spoke. Especially a few among them, whose gazes towards Xiao Yan were filled with envy.

Outside the window, the elderly patriarch, Lie Xiu, sighed lightly upon witnessing this scene. His face bore both joy and concern.

Xiao Huo's grandson, Xiao Yan, now seven, possessed a talent even more profound than Xiao Huo's. At three, he had independently awakened an Insect Orifice. By fifteen, he would surely open even more Insect Orifices.

Xiao Huo often called on Xiao Yan to answer questions, yet seldom did he ask Lie Yong's grandson, Lie Ting. The reason was the deepening rift between Xiao Huo and Lie Yong.

Since Xiao Huo's son, in the prime of his life, had died under mysterious circumstances, the discord had grown irreconcilable. Both Xiao Huo and Lie Yong were now Silver Insect Masters, pillars of the Fire Ant Tribe.

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Lie Xiu had exhausted every effort to reconcile the two Silver Insect Masters. He strived to prevent their conflict from escalating further.

Yet, he always felt that Xiao Yan might also face ostracism from other youths in the tribe. Just like Xiao Huo had, over forty years ago. Ultimately, it led to an uncontrollable disaster.

This was not a good omen.

At that moment, a figure approached Lie Xiu.

"Patriarch, the Fifth Elder has left the tribe again, heading east."

Lie Xiu's gaze darkened.

The Fifth Elder, Lie Hei, had been leaving the tribe frequently. Reports had reached him that Lie Hei was secretly meeting with an Insect Master from the Rock Ant Tribe.

The Rock Ant Tribe and the Fire Ant Tribe were located in adjacent caves. The Rock Ant Tribe coveted the fertile cave occupied by the Fire Ant Tribe, often harassing them and stealing resources.

Over the years, the two tribes had accrued many disputes and grievances. Even Silver Insect Masters had perished. Efforts by the Thunder Ant Tribe to mediate had been futile.

If Lie Hei was indeed in contact with an Insect Master from the Rock Ant Tribe, it would suggest a betrayal. This was something Lie Xiu could not tolerate.

In his heart, the Fire Ant Tribe was paramount. Lie Xiu wanted proof, yet it eluded him. Because Lie Hei's son was Lie Yong, a Silver Insect Master of the Fire Ant Tribe.

Without evidence, even as Patriarch, Lie Xiu could not easily move against Lie Hei. This time, Lie Xiu planned to take some of his confidants and personally investigate.

If Lie Hei was wronged, he would clear his name. If Lie Hei truly conspired with the enemy, he would capture him and bring him before the tribe for trial!

The lesson concluded.

Xiao Huo took a sip of water, and his grandson rushed to his side.

"Grandfather, I answered all your questions. Am I not very smart?" Xiao Yan asked, his large eyes twinkling.

Xiao Huo laughed heartily, "Clever! My grandson is certainly clever! Come, let's go home for dinner."

He took his grandson's hand and strode out of the classroom.

Xiao Huo always carried a fragment of the Mirror, allowing Chu Xuan to see the current state of the Fire Ant Tribe through him.

"It's been over forty years, and it seems there's been little change."

Chu Xuan shook his head. The tribal structure in this cave world was overly rigid. Among the surrounding smaller tribes, the Fire Ant Tribe was considered the elite.

It was unlikely to be easily overthrown by other tribes. No change was more normal than this.

"However... the tribe does seem to have its fair share of people missing arms and legs."

Chu Xuan pondered.

Looking around, he saw many disabilities. They all appeared to be the result of yao insect bites.

Thump.

A ball rolled from a distance, gently hitting Xiao Yan's foot. Two timid children stood in place, daring only to watch from afar, not approaching.

Chu Xuan glanced at them and noticed they too bore injuries. Likely victims of yao insect attacks. A flash of anger crossed Xiao Yan's eyes, swiftly masked.

However, Chu Xuan saw it all very clearly.