TL: Etude

The Forbidden Insect Nest was the foundation of their existence. No matter how many Forbidden Insect Race members were slain, it barely impacted their overall strength; at best, it only hindered their development.

However, once their nest was destroyed, the Forbidden Insect Race could no longer produce new members. At that point, their extinction would be inevitable.

After all, the Forbidden Insect Race could only rely on their nest for reproduction; they were incapable of procreating through other means.

“Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity, is it truly impossible to destroy the Forbidden Insect Nest?” the Wind King asked.

“It is impossible!” Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity sighed. “Among the Heavenly Emperor Palace forces, Palace Master Azure Dragon possesses the strongest offensive power. He broke through their defenses and launched a direct assault on the Forbidden Insect Nest. The result? It didn’t even leave a trace, not a single scratch. I fear only a Domain Ancestor could hope to destroy the nest. Furthermore, entering the Forbidden Insect Nest is equally perilous. Even a Half-Step Domain Ancestor would undoubtedly fall inside!”

“Then we’re left with no choice but to engage in a war of attrition,” the Fire King frowned.

Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity added, “The only feasible strategy right now is to eliminate the Forbidden Insect Race outside their nest and then seal the nest itself. If we succeed, the nest will stagnate without development. Lacking resource supplies, it will be unable to produce powerful Forbidden Insect Race members and unable to break the seal. In that way, we can consider the issue resolved.”

“It seems that’s the only option!” the Dao Ancestor Flowing Fire nodded.

Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins spoke next. “All Dao Ancestors under Blackwind Mountain’s command may participate in this battle. However, I strongly advise against Dao Ancestors below the Third Heaven from joining. It’s not just about their lives. Should they fall, their corpses would fuel the Forbidden Insect Race’s resurgence. The Forbidden Insect Race, while capable of gradually growing stronger through the Dark Forbidden Power, develops very slowly in that manner. But if they absorb life energy from fallen warriors, they can grow at an alarming rate! For this reason, I discourage weaker Dao Ancestors from fighting in this battlefield!”

The assembled Heavenly Kings all nodded in agreement.

The meeting concluded quickly.

However, Ye Tian was asked to stay behind because Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity had something to discuss with him.

“Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity!” Ye Tian stood respectfully before him.

“Heavenly King Nine Limits, I have a matter I need your help with!” Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity said courteously.

“Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity, please instruct me!” Ye Tian replied immediately.

Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity said, “Heavenly King Nine Limits, I am aware that you possess a kind of clone, one that is virtually indistinguishable from your main body. This clone can even wield dao techniques and display talents—utterly unlike the typical incarnation techniques we’ve seen.

Previously, we Half-Step Domain Ancestors attempted to send incarnations into the Forbidden Insect Nest. Yet, every single one disintegrated, collapsing the moment they entered.

Therefore, Blackwind Mountain hopes that you might use your clone to venture into the Forbidden Insect Nest and investigate its interior. If you can share even a portion of the information with your main body, it would at least give us some preparation.”

“Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity, is my ability to produce such a clone known to other forces?” Ye Tian asked cautiously.

“I have no idea!” Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity said, “Even I cannot discern any difference between your clone and your true body, so naturally, the other forces would remain in the dark as well.

Moreover, this operation is a secret mission of our Blackwind Mountain. No other forces are informed of it.

When the war begins, Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins and I will personally escort your clone into the Forbidden Insect Nest.”

“I agree,” Ye Tian nodded.

Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity explained a few matters before letting Ye Tian leave.

Upon returning to the Human Race, Ye Tian began his preparations. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

First and foremost, he needed to ensure that the affairs of the Human Race were properly arranged. After all, once he ventured into the Dark Forbidden Domain to battle the Forbidden Insect Race, there was no telling when he would return. Should he be gone for an extended period, what would happen if a significant crisis arose within the Human Race?

Thus, Ye Tian brought a group of Dao Ancestors out of the Forbidden Void Realm. These Dao Ancestors had all sworn lifebound oaths, ensuring that they would not divulge the secrets of the Forbidden Void Realm. This eliminated concerns about its exposure.

Furthermore, the large number of Dao Ancestors, coupled with the focus of all other forces on the Forbidden Insect Race, ensured that the small Human Race would remain unnoticed.

Ye Tian stationed these Dao Ancestors across the territories of the Human Race. If any major incidents arose, they were prepared to handle them.

Meanwhile, the major forces began establishing bases along the edge of the Dark Forbidden Domain. Since Dao Ancestors would be engaging the forbidden insects in combat, they required stations for communication and rest. As the Dark Forbidden Domain had virtually no suitable resting spots, these bases served as temporary hubs for the Dao Ancestors.

In a mere ten years, numerous bases were constructed along the edge of the Dark Forbidden Domain. Additionally, countless large-scale formations were set up in the void outside the Dao Mountain Domain to prevent any forbidden insects from breaking through the encirclement and entering the Dao Mountain Domain.

At the same time,

In the Profound Void Archaic Realm, large-scale teleportation arrays were built across various territories, connecting directly to the Ancient Giant City near the Dark Forbidden Domain.

This Ancient Giant City served as a temporary teleportation hub. Dao Ancestors from the Profound Void Archaic Realm could teleport here directly and, from there, quickly proceed to the Dark Forbidden Domain and the bases, minimizing delays.

As time passed, Dao Ancestors arrived at the bases one after another. Most joined the bases associated with their respective forces, though there were also integrated bases for mixed forces and some for rogue cultivators.

The Dao Ancestors of Blackwind Mountain entered the Blackwind Mountain Base, while the Dao Ancestors from the Human Race and the Void Sky Legion could also join the Blackwind Mountain Base if they wished to participate in the battle.

On this particular day.

Ye Tian, along with his wife Xiao Yue, his sister Ye Yu, his son Ye Xingchen, and his daughter Ye Xingyue, used the large teleportation array closest to the Human Race’s territory to arrive at the Ancient Giant City. From there, they departed for the Dark Forbidden Domain.

Upon entering the Dark Forbidden Domain, Ye Tian cautioned his family, “If you hear illusions or whispers, do not pay them any attention, and absolutely do not provoke them. Otherwise, you will encounter great terror. Understood?”

“We understand!” they all responded promptly.

However, since it was their first time entering the Dark Forbidden Domain, they were filled with curiosity.

Before long, they arrived at the Blackwind Mountain Base.

The Blackwind Mountain Base resembled a massive mountain. Numerous cities were built upon its peaks, with countless Dao Ancestors residing within the base.

Ye Tian noticed that there were far more Dao Ancestors here than the last time he had seen the Heavenly Kings, indicating that some of them belonged to the subordinates of various Heavenly Kings or Ten Kings.

As a Great Heavenly King, Ye Tian was granted a residence in the Blackwind Mountain Base, where his family also settled.