TL: Etude

A year had passed.

The Dao Ancestors from the Profound Void Archaic Realm who were willing to participate in the battle had mostly arrived at the various bases. The three Half-Step Domain Ancestors from the Three Ninth Heaven forces, along with Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins from Blackwind Mountain, had all joined the war effort.

As for the Heavenly Emperor Palace, only Palace Master Azure Dragon and Palace Master Zhenwu were dispatched. Palace Master White Tiger remained stationed at the Heavenly Emperor Palace and did not participate.

On this day,

The major bases announced the operation against the Forbidden Insect Race. One by one, the Dao Ancestors prepared for battle, some moving individually, others forming alliances or leading legions into action.

Before departing, Ye Tian gave final instructions to Ye Xingchen, Ye Xingyue, and Ye Yu.

“You three must act together. Do not split up under any circumstances. Understand? If you encounter danger, call for help immediately. If Blackwind Mountain’s Pinnacle Dao Ancestor or Invincible Dao Ancestor are nearby, they will assist you. Remember, do not be reckless!” Ye Tian instructed firmly.

“Yes, Father!” Ye Xingchen and Ye Xingyue nodded repeatedly.

“Brother, I understand!” Ye Yu followed up with her response.

The trio—Ye Xingchen, Ye Xingyue, and Ye Yu—teamed up to hunt forbidden insects. Meanwhile, Ye Tian personally led his wife, Xiao Yue, to hunt as well.

As for the clone body of Heavenly King Nine Limits, he was already accompanying Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins, heading directly to the Forbidden Insect Nest.

Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins acted independently, without notifying Palace Master Azure Dragon or the other Half-Step Domain Ancestors. Though there were only two Half-Step Domain Ancestors, making it difficult to contend against six lord-level forbidden insects, the six lord-level forbidden insects did not constantly guard the nest’s entrance. Normally, only two of them remained stationed there, while the other four scouted other regions for resources.

After all, even lord-level forbidden insects needed to improve their strength, and they relied not on cultivation but on devouring resources to enhance themselves.

Moreover, the lord-level forbidden insects were also tasked with gathering vast amounts of resources to supply the Forbidden Insect Nest, nurturing more forbidden insects. Thus, their responsibilities were heavy.

Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins had a straightforward goal: to draw away the two guarding lord-level forbidden insects, creating an opportunity for Heavenly King Nine Limits to infiltrate the Forbidden Insect Nest.

Given Heavenly King Nine Limits’ strength, even if he encountered elite-level forbidden insects, he would not be killed instantly. Only when faced with commander-level forbidden insects could he be slain within a few moves.

Even so, Heavenly King Nine Limits was capable of gathering some intelligence.

Along the way,

Ye Tian observed many forbidden insects. It seemed that the Forbidden Insect Race was also aware that the Dao Ancestors from the Dao Mountain Domain were advancing, prompting them to rally their armies in preparation for battle.

Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins, though capable of easily slaughtering these forbidden insects, refrained from taking action. If they drew the attention of the lord-level creatures, the entire plan would be compromised.

The two Half-Step Domain Ancestors moved at an extraordinary speed, with Ye Tian being carried by them as they traversed the void.

After about an hour, they finally arrived at the Forbidden Insect Nest.

“What a massive nest!” Ye Tian marveled silently.

This was a spherical nest, with numerous passageways connecting its interior. At this moment, countless forbidden insects were entering and exiting these passageways, which served as both entrances and exits.

Based on Ye Tian’s estimation, the nest was at least as vast as the Human Race’s domain. One could imagine the sheer scale—it was comparable in size to an entire Dao Realm! Outside the nest, two forbidden insects with golden luster sprawled on the ground. The aura emanating from them far surpassed that of other forbidden insects, exerting an immense pressure on Ye Tian even from afar.

Forbidden insects never concealed their aura, and these two lord-level forbidden insects, comparable to Half-Step Domain Ancestors, were fully unleashing their oppressive might. It was terrifying to imagine! If Ye Tian approached them, he would likely be paralyzed by their overwhelming aura before even getting close.

“Heavenly King Nine Limits, we’ll draw away those two lord-level forbidden insects. You take the chance to charge into the forbidden insect nest through one of the passageways. Remember, we’ll only buy you ten minutes. Whether or not you survive, we’ll leave after ten minutes!” Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity commanded.

“Understood!”

Ye Tian was well aware that Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins were only Half-Step Domain Ancestors. The forbidden insects, however, had at least six lord-level entities. The disparity in power was evident. If the other four lord-level creatures returned—or if even more appeared—Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins would face the genuine risk of perishing if they did not retreat in time.

Boom!!! Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins made their move, launching two devastating attacks directly at the two lord-level forbidden insects.

Roar!!! The lord-level forbidden insects were enraged by the attack. Their golden eyes pierced through layers of void, locking onto Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins. They recognized them as the Half-Step Domain Ancestors who had attacked them previously.

Immediately, the two lord-level forbidden insects became even more furious and charged at them.

As for Ye Tian? They paid him no attention whatsoever. In their eyes, he was nothing more than an ant.

Dao Ancestor Eternal Perpetuity and Dao Ancestor Divine Ruins unleashed forbidden techniques, revealing their terrifying Forbidden Bodies as they battled the lord-level forbidden insects. The clash was unimaginably destructive—each shockwave of their combat could easily annihilate six or seven First Heaven Dao Ancestors.

Even the void in this area of the Dark Forbidden Domain showed signs of cracking, a testament to the terrifying power of their attacks.

Ye Tian stayed far away from their battle, preparing to infiltrate the forbidden insect nest from another direction.

“This passageway will do!”

Ye Tian set his sights on one of the passageways and used the Heavenly Illusory Divine Steps, a grand Middle Thousand Dao Technique, to dash forward at maximum speed.

Before long, he entered the passageway and continued advancing inside.

He hadn’t flown far when Ye Tian’s Copy Talent detected the presence of a forbidden insect. It was about to exit through the same passageway.

Fortunately, this was only an ordinary forbidden insect, with a strength roughly equivalent to that of a Fourth Heaven Dao Ancestor—a relatively weak opponent.

As Ye Tian approached, he struck instantly, using the Primeval Slashing Technique to kill it in a single blow.

After slaying the forbidden insect, Ye Tian stored its corpse. After all, forbidden insect corpses could be sacrificed to the origin of the Profound Void Archaic Realm in exchange for immense benefits, making each one incredibly valuable.

For the moment, Ye Tian’s luck held. No other forbidden insects appeared in this passageway. However, Ye Tian was fully aware that once he entered the core of the forbidden insect nest, he would inevitably be exposed.