TL: Etude 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“Dao Ancestor Black Desolation, you stay here and continue to guard this place. I will return to the Heavenly Emperor Palace and consult with the three Palace Masters!” Imperial Monarch Dark River said.

“Understood!” Dao Ancestor Black Desolation responded.

…

At the Heavenly Emperor Palace.

After returning, Imperial Monarch Dark River immediately sought out Palace Master Azure Dragon, Palace Master White Tiger, and Palace Master Zhenwu.

Within the Heavenly Emperor Hall of the palace, Imperial Monarch Dark River addressed the three Palace Masters, “I just investigated the situation on the other side of the Dark Forbidden Domain and discovered the presence of the Forbidden Insect Race!”

“Are you certain it is the Forbidden Insect Race?” Palace Master Azure Dragon frowned.

“Absolutely!” Imperial Monarch Dark River affirmed, “I saw numerous forbidden insects, including one at the commander-level! However, I didn’t dare search for the lair of the Forbidden Insect Race.”

“Not venturing into their lair was the correct decision. If you had encountered a lord-level forbidden insect, you might not have made it back alive,” Palace Master Azure Dragon remarked.

“What should we do now? Should the Heavenly Emperor Palace launch an assault on the Forbidden Insect Nest?” Imperial Monarch Dark River asked.

“Of course not!” Palace Master Zhenwu shook his head. “If the Heavenly Emperor Palace were to attack the Forbidden Insect Race’s lair, we’d likely suffer devastating losses. Worse still, if we exhaust ourselves, it will only benefit other forces.

Moreover, the threat posed by the Forbidden Insect Race concerns the entire Dao Mountain Domain. Why should the Heavenly Emperor Palace bear the burden alone? We established that small heavenly world for the future projection of the Forbidden Realm’s coordinates, not to defend against the Forbidden Insect Race.

Here’s what we’ll do: we will gather other forces for discussion. Every power must dispatch a contingent to wage war against the Forbidden Insect Race at the edges of the Dark Forbidden Domain. This way, any losses will be shared by all.”

Breaking his silence, Palace Master White Tiger suddenly interjected, “Actually, the appearance of the Forbidden Insect Race is a good thing for the Profound Void Archaic Realm!”

“A good thing? How could this possibly be a good thing?” Palace Master Zhenwu asked in confusion.

Palace Master White Tiger elaborated, “Don’t forget, the Forbidden Insect Race qualifies as pseudo-Forbidden Lifeforms. Such creatures are highly beneficial to the formation of the Forbidden Realm. If we were to sacrifice a large number of forbidden insects, it would undoubtedly accelerate the creation of the Forbidden Realm and significantly boost its success rate.

This is far more efficient than slaying Dao Ancestors. Killing Dao Ancestors would provoke resistance from other forces, leading to disastrous consequences. However, eliminating forbidden insects, with the assistance of other forces in doing so, is truly a win-win scenario!”

Palace Master Azure Dragon and Palace Master Zhenwu, upon hearing this suggestion, found it to be an excellent plan.

The Heavenly Emperor Palace’s ultimate goal was to transform the Profound Void Archaic Realm into a Forbidden Realm. While the current success rate was already high, the process was unbearably lengthy. Sacrificing a large number of forbidden insects would enhance the success rate while also shortening the required time.

Furthermore, offering forbidden insects as sacrifices to the Profound Void Archaic Realm’s origin could yield numerous benefits. For instance, they could acquire a portion of the Profound Void Origin Power to enhance their strength, amplify their cultivation, and more.

In short, the advantages were manifold!

“If we are to sacrifice forbidden insects, then the Heavenly Emperor Palace must contribute wholeheartedly this time!” Palace Master Azure Dragon said with a smile.

Both Palace Master White Tiger and Palace Master Zhenwu nodded in agreement.

Naturally, involving other forces in combating the insect race was essential. Otherwise, the Heavenly Emperor Palace alone could not withstand the losses or bear such a burden.

Subsequently, the Heavenly Emperor Palace reached out to the Limitless Sky Sect, the Heavenly Sea Sect, and the Myriad Domains Divine Hall, even contacting Blackwind Mountain.

As for other forces, the Heavenly Emperor Palace made no effort to engage with them.

They disdained communicating with such insignificant forces, figuring that the three Ninth Heaven forces could handle liaising with the others later. It was unnecessary for the Heavenly Emperor Palace to do so themselves.

The three Ninth Heaven forces, intrigued by the Heavenly Emperor Palace’s initiative to contact them, still responded and came to discuss the matter.

Within the Profound Void Archaic Realm, a patch of void unfolded.

One by one, incarnations of Half-Step Domain Ancestors descended.

The three Palace Masters of the Heavenly Emperor Palace arrived together. Three Half-Step Domain Ancestors from the Ninth Heaven forces also appeared, alongside Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins from Blackwind Mountain.

Eight Half-Step Domain Ancestors gathered to deliberate. Such a gathering signified the utmost importance of the matter at hand.

When everyone was present, Dao Ancestor Limitless Antiquity of the Limitless Sky Sect broke the silence. “Palace Master Azure Dragon, for what reason has your Heavenly Emperor Palace summoned us?”

At this moment, Palace Master Azure Dragon conjured an image. It was none other than the scene observed by Imperial Monarch Dark River and Dao Ancestor Dark Desolation.

The image displayed a group of forbidden insects, including a commander-level forbidden insect engaged in combat across the void with Imperial Monarch Dark River.

“Forbidden Insect Race!” the Time King exclaimed in astonishment.

“Indeed, it is the Forbidden Insect Race!” Palace Master Azure Dragon confirmed.

“Palace Master Azure Dragon, are you saying that forbidden insects have appeared near the Dao Mountain Domain?” Dao Ancestor Domain Suppressor inquired gravely.

“That is correct, and more precisely, they have emerged within the nearby Dark Forbidden Domain. As Half-Step Domain Ancestors, you must all have some understanding of certain ancient secrets. I need not elaborate on the Forbidden Insect Race. If allowed to grow unchecked, they could invade the Dao Mountain Domain, creating a catastrophe! According to the Domain Ancestors’ findings, countless domains within the Dark Forbidden Domain have already been destroyed by the Forbidden Insect Race,” Palace Master Azure Dragon warned.

“What, then, is the intention of your Heavenly Emperor Palace?” Dao Ancestor Heavenly Brahman asked.

“All forces should unite to establish a series of teleportation formations reaching the borders of the Dark Forbidden Domain. Together, we will hunt down and exterminate the Forbidden Insect Race. If possible, we should even eradicate their nest entirely!” Palace Master Azure Dragon proposed.

“I second this!”

“I second this!”

“I second this!”

The other Half-Step Domain Ancestors echoed their agreement.

The threat of the Forbidden Insect Race was indeed immense. If they were allowed to continue proliferating without restraint, they could eventually annihilate Domain Ancestors. None of them dared to let this menace grow unchecked.

They could not let the Dao Mountain Domain fall, as they lacked the means to traverse the Dark Forbidden Domain and continue surviving.

Following this, the Ninth Heaven forces as well as Blackwind Mountain, dispatched Dao Ancestors to investigate the Dark Forbidden Domain. They confirmed the existence of the Forbidden Insect Race, leaving no room for doubt.

Subsequently, they contacted forces from the Upper Three Heavens, who in turn informed the Middle and Lower Three Heavens. The danger posed by the Forbidden Insect Race and the details of the situation were thoroughly explained.

Instantly, all the forces within the Profound Void Archaic Realm were thrown into panic. They scrambled to prepare their contingents to intercept the Forbidden Insect Race.

…

The Human Race.

Ye Tian, having learned of the Forbidden Insect Race, ended his closed-door cultivation.

“The Forbidden Insect Race—who would have thought such a terrifying race existed near the Dao Mountain Domain!” Ye Tian couldn’t help but exclaim.

Based on the intelligence, the Forbidden Insect Race was unimaginably powerful, with a terrifyingly rapid rate of reproduction.

By strength classification, the Forbidden Insect Race was divided into ordinary insects, elite insects, commander-level insects, and lord-level insects.

Ordinary insects possessed strength comparable to Dao Ancestors from the Third to the Seventh Heaven. Elite insects were equivalent to Pinnacle Dao Ancestors, while commander-level insects rivaled Invincible Dao Ancestors. Lord-level insects were on par with Half-Step Domain Ancestors.

Rumor had it that the Forbidden Insect Race had yet another class—the Insect King. If an Insect King were born, it would possess strength equivalent to a Domain Ancestor. If the nest of this race managed to nurture an Insect King, the Dao Mountain Domain would face total annihilation.

Ye Tian then relayed a message to the Human Race, calling upon those with cultivation and strength above the Third Heaven Dao Ancestor realm to participate in intercepting the Forbidden Insect Race. However, participation was voluntary.

As for Ye Tian himself, he was determined to join the battle!