Chapter 296 – 「Princess」VS「Queen」

“An innate Upper-Rank Professional?”

Chi Qian’s explanation left Su Ming utterly stunned, nearly causing him to exclaim “holy cow” in amazement.

He truly hadn’t known that such a cheat-like existence could exist in this world.

Being born with the ability to awaken Vision Marks meant that the barrier between upper and lower ranks simply didn’t exist for these Spirit Bearers.

They didn’t need to undergo the heavenly chasm of breaking through from lower to upper rank like others. They only needed to naturally accumulate Spirit Power to smoothly become Upper-Rank Professionals, reaching the realm countless lower-rank professionals dreamed of attaining.

“Isn’t this the protagonist of the world?”

As a mere extra, Su Ming should have been worshipping such a cheat-like existence, even standing by to cheer “666.”

Yet he completely forgot that he, possessing the Golden Finger Shop, was in some sense the most cheat-like person of all.

It was just somewhat unfortunate that such beings seemed to exist only in legends, with none having appeared yet.

“That makes sense. Ordinary Spirit Bearers are already so rare – only one among millions of professionals in the entire Tianfeng City – let alone this kind of high-level Spirit Bearer with over ten generations of legacy.”

Su Ming nodded in understanding while giving Chi Qian a rather peculiar look.

“But you actually managed to snatch such a Spirit Bearer from the grasp of so many families and factions in Tianfeng City. Not bad at all.”

One could easily imagine that the appearance of such a natural Sorcerer would inevitably make various major factions covetous.

Being born with a Spirit Constitution meant that Spirit Bearers could develop their spiritual physique from childhood, increasing Spirit Power, enhancing strength, and using more time than others to train and grow stronger. Getting a head start meant staying ahead, ultimately surpassing all geniuses of the same generation.

And Spirit Bearers who naturally inherited the spirituality of their ancestors two generations back would certainly have talent inferior to none. With sufficient effort, there was no possibility of “the slow need to start early” for them.

As Chi Qian herself had said, such existences almost certainly could advance to become Upper-Rank Professionals, making them essentially reserves for the upper ranks.

Such a reserve Upper-Rank Professional, who obtained an official license at age ten and became a Three-Star Sorcerer at thirteen – the achievements they could attain in the future were completely predictable.

Moreover, this Spirit Bearer might even break the world record for fastest breakthrough to Upper-Rank Professional, becoming one before turning twenty-three.

Add to this that Spirit Bearers’ descendants had a high probability of inheriting their ancestors’ spirituality, being born with Spirit Constitution to become more excellent, more spiritual Spirit Bearers, and possibly even giving birth one day to high-level Spirit Bearers naturally awakening with Vision Marks. The existence of this single Spirit Bearer pointed toward the birth of a super Sorcerer Family.

If one could control such a Spirit Bearer, they might very well control a super Sorcerer Family in the future.

How could this not make the various major factions in Tianfeng City covetous?

This was absolutely a coveted prize worth breaking all pretenses to obtain!

Of course, Su Ming thinking this didn’t know that it actually wasn’t that simple.”The trait of a Spirit Bearer can only be passed down to a single successor. In each generation, only one person can become a Spirit Bearer, and sometimes there might not even be one, leading to the Legacy of the Spirit Bearer being severed.”

Chi Qian explained.

“Although this alone is enough to make this child a talent sought after by all major powers, it’s not enough to drive them to madness. Moreover, the Sorcerer Guild was also alerted at the time and personally ensured her safety, preventing the various Family factions from using extreme measures to recruit her. In the end, the child followed her own wishes and joined the Sorcerer Guild, after which I recruited her into my team. She became the youngest, most Genius, and most promising Professional in the team.”

At this point, Chi Qian let out a self-mocking laugh.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t have done that back then. If I hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been affected by my decisions and ended up in her current state.”

Chi Qian’s spirits inevitably sank.

Seeing this, Su Ming thoughtfully changed the subject.

“Let’s not talk about that anymore. You’re sure these are the three people you want to save, right?”

Su Ming confirmed with Chi Qian.

“Yes.”

Chi Qian nodded emphatically and looked at Little Hai’er, her eyes unconsciously filling with anticipation.

At this point, she no longer cared whether Little Hai’er was a Phantom Demon or not.

As long as she could help her rescue her former companions, Chi Qian wouldn’t hesitate to seek help from anyone—even if they were a Phantom Demon or a demon.

“Then it’s up to you.” Su Ming instructed Little Hai’er, “Be careful. If you encounter real danger, retreat immediately.”

“Mi-ling!”

Little Hai’er nodded seriously, no longer arguing with Su Ming. With a flick of her fishtail, she transformed into a ripple of water and darted toward the Venomous Insect Cave.

The moment Little Hai’er entered the Venomous Insect Cave, the venomous insects and insect-type Phantom Demons inside showed signs of disturbance.

The appearance of a noble being of a higher life level than themselves inevitably threw them into panic.

Just as Su Ming had predicted, the Phantom Demons and venomous insects, feeling the pressure of Bloodline suppression, chose not to approach Little Hai’er, allowing her to enter the Venomous Insect Cave unhindered.

Su Ming and Chi Qian watched Little Hai’er depart in silence, not speaking for a long time.

……

Deep within the Venomous Insect Cave.

Here, there was a massive insect nest.

The nest was about the size of a building, suspended from a towering ancient tree far larger than itself. At first glance, it resembled an ordinary beehive, seemingly unremarkable.

However, around this insect nest, venomous insects of various sizes continuously moved in and out of its numerous holes, like ants carrying food back to their nest or bees returning with nectar, diligently working away.

Naturally, whether ants or bees, they were all working for their Queen.

An ant nest has an Ant Queen.

A bee nest has a Bee Queen.

Inside this insect nest, there was also an Insect Queen, quietly slumbering.

This was the Poisonous Insect Queen, the ruler of the Venomous Insect Cave, a high-level Phantom Demon of the Nightmare Species, a true overlord-level existence within the Spirit Demon Abyss.

Surprisingly, this Poisonous Insect Queen was not as ugly and repulsive as her name might suggest, like a venomous insect, but was instead quite beautiful.Her streamlined figure resembled that of a seductive woman’s delicate form—fair-skinned and full of elasticity, with exceptionally distinct curves that could be described as curvaceous in all the right places, a true devilish figure. Though her features appeared somewhat too perfectly sculpted, making her seem less human and more like a statue, her exquisite facial features still formed a unique beauty, exuding an extraordinary charm.

The most striking feature was what grew on the Poisonous Insect Queen’s back.

There, she actually had a pair of butterfly-like wings, transparent and crystalline, as if woven from the finest insect silk like a gauzy garment, draped over the Poisonous Insect Queen’s back. This transformed her directly into an elven queen, adding an immeasurable sense of fantasy and beauty.

Such a beautiful insect queen had been slumbering in this insect nest for who knows how long, never once awakening.

Since this S-class wonderland appeared, the Poisonous Insect Queen had settled here like this, sleeping deeply in her own insect nest, only sending her poisonous insects to collect blood for her, while she herself had not awakened even once this past year.

The reason was simple: the Poisonous Insect Queen, who occupied this wonderland and transformed it into her own kingdom with her poisonous insects, faced very few threats as long as she remained within this poisonous insect kingdom.

Without any threats, the Poisonous Insect Queen naturally had no reason to awaken, only thinking of slowly accumulating power to charge towards that supreme level.

This was an instinct engraved in the bloodline of every Phantom Demon.

Unless evolution failed, turning them into mutants unable to reach the highest Realm, no Phantom Demon would ever stop, inevitably advancing towards that Realm.

But this peace was shattered today.

Suddenly, the Poisonous Insect Queen opened her eyes.

In that instant, the Queen sensed it.

An existence of the same level as herself had intruded into her territory.

This was an invasion!

A cold glint flashed in the Poisonous Insect Queen’s eyes.

“Buzz buzz buzz—”

“Buzz buzz buzz—”

Around the colossal tree and near the insect nest, countless poisonous insects erupted into turmoil, emitting a spine-chilling buzzing sound.

Immediately after, the insect nest hanging on the tree floated up, actually lifting into the air and darting off in a certain direction.

The poisonous insects throughout the Venomous Insect Cave also seemed to receive some signal, growing increasingly restless.

Today, the Venomous Insect Cave would undoubtedly not remain peaceful.

……

Venomous Insect Cave, swamp area.

This was a relatively rare area within the Venomous Insect Cave.

Because poisonous insects and insect-type Phantom Demons generally disliked water, there were fewer poisonous insects and insect-type Phantom Demons in this area, making it appear somewhat desolate and quiet.

At a certain moment, a ripple of water swept from the distance, like a shooting star, arriving above a lake.

This lake was possibly the cleanest and clearest water source in the entire Venomous Insect Cave, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding swamp areas.

“Mi-ling?”

Little Hai’er emerged from the water ripple, looking down at the lake below. After confirming repeatedly, she determined that this lake was the one indicated on the map Chi Qian had produced.

In other words, this was her target, her destination.

Since that was the case, there was no need for hesitation.

“Mi-ling!”Little Hai’er flicked her fishtail once more, causing ripples to surge like waves that enveloped her entire body.

Then, she plunged headfirst into the lake, as naturally and fluidly as a fish returning to the sea.

As a mermaid, Little Hai’er was undoubtedly highly adept in water—she was even a water-attributed Phantom Demon that lived in aquatic environments.

Entering the water was as natural to Little Hai’er as breathing air was to humans; there was no hesitation whatsoever.

Especially since Little Hai’er was not only a water-aligned Phantom Demon but also a being capable of controlling the harsh cold.

Thus, the moment she dove into the lake, she immediately detected a faint trace of low temperature and chill emanating from the lakebed. She blinked her large, water-blue eyes, her graceful form swiftly navigating through the water as she rapidly approached the bottom of the lake.

Soon, Little Hai’er reached the lakebed.

Then, the mermaid girl effortlessly made a discovery.

She discovered three massive ice blocks resting at the bottom of the lake, resembling Ice Coffins.

“Miling!”

Little Hai’er’s eyes lit up as she swiftly swam over, even circling the three Ice Coffins a few times before beginning to inspect their contents.

Unsurprisingly, the interiors of the Ice Coffins contained three girls of varying sizes.

The girls matched the individuals in the photo provided by Chi Qian perfectly, but they no longer exhibited any vitality—not even a trace of breath—as if they had completely perished. Their bodies were covered in wounds, with bloodstains dyeing their entire forms crimson.

The sight of three bloodstained, beautiful girls frozen within the cold, dark lakebed was, without a doubt, somewhat eerie.

Fortunately, Little Hai’er was not frightened in the slightest. Instead, she observed them with great curiosity.

Hmm, not as cute as me.

The little girl thought quite smugly to herself.

Her master had said they were all beauties, but they were just so-so—nothing compared to her.

Still, if she brought them back, her master would surely praise her and stop knocking her on the head or bullying her, right?

The mermaid girl thought happily and naively.

Of course, she didn’t waste too much time. After confirming her targets, she immediately waved her slender hand, summoning currents of water to coil around the Ice Coffins and secure them.

Before long, the three Ice Coffins, propelled by the water currents, lifted from the sandy lakebed.

“Miling!”

Little Hai’er manipulated the water currents, carrying the three Ice Coffins as she began to ascend.

The three Ice Coffins, driven by the water, followed closely behind Little Hai’er.

In no time, the mermaid girl emerged from the lakebed, accompanied by the Ice Coffins entangled in water currents, appearing in the open space above.

The girl intended to take the three Ice Coffins and leave the Venomous Insect Cave directly.

However, before she could act, a sudden assault quietly arrived.

“Bzzz—”

Countless venomous insects swarmed like a bursting flood, forming a multicolored curtain that surged toward Little Hai’er.

“Miling!”

Little Hai’er had already sensed a sharp warning in her heart moments before, prompting her to halt her escape and turn to face the insect swarm. She exhaled a breath of snow carrying sub-zero cold.

As the snow breath advanced toward the multicolored insect swarm, it rapidly expanded in scale, transforming in an instant into a snowstorm comparable to a blizzard.The blizzard and the oncoming insect tide collided violently, causing white and multicolored brilliance to clash against each other, stirring up countless plumes of white mist that froze swarms of poisonous insects into ice blocks, sending them plummeting toward the ground.

“Whoosh!”

At the same time, a massive insect nest shot over from the distance like a streak of light, appearing before Little Hai’er.

From within, an exquisitely beautiful figure fluttered a pair of butterfly wings as she slowly emerged.

Little Hai’er blinked her large eyes.

The stunning figure wore an expression of frosty coldness.

Above the lake, the Mermaid Princess and the Poisonous Insect Queen stood facing each other in confrontation.

The scene was both ethereally beautiful and filled with a dangerous atmosphere.

(End of Chapter)