Before long, Xu Changqing and the others arrived at the second hidden danger.
This was not a Spirit Vein, but an exceptionally deep underground cavern. Rhombus-shaped crystals lay everywhere, containing violent lightning-aspected energy.
The atmosphere was rather oppressive, enough to make one's scalp crawl.
Yang Zhenyue said, "I investigated this second hidden danger before. This place is filled with Thunder-Ringing Stones, and at the deepest point is a massive Thunder-Ringing Stone with a spirit insect attached to it.
"Compared to that Dung Gold Beetle just now, this one feels much more formidable."
Under his lead, the two of them soon reached the deepest part of the cavern.
Sure enough, they saw an enormous Thunder-Ringing Stone, more than three zhang tall.
Attached to its middle was a larva half a chi long, silver-white and translucent all over, its body layered like overlapping armor plates and its horn as thin as a needle.
Its six legs were slender, with suction cups at their tips.
It appeared to be treating the lightning-aspected energy within the Thunder-Ringing Stone as food.
Xu Changqing recognized it at once. "This is a variant among Rhinoceros Beetles, called the Thunder-Gold Kui!"
Yang Zhenyue nodded lightly. "It really is a mutant insect."
Spirit insects also had ranks.
Starting from Common-Grade, they went on to Spirit-Grade, Treasure-Grade, Immortal-Grade, and Divine-Grade.
Variants, also known as mutant insects, started at Treasure-Grade and were extremely valuable.
It was like how sword cultivators needed an unparalleled divine sword, or a supreme-grade Sword Pellet.
For many Insect Cultivators, this was something they pursued their entire lives.
Now, it had appeared right before Xu Changqing, practically within arm's reach. Yet he was in no hurry. Instead, he cupped his hands toward the man beside him. "Thank you, Steward Yang!"
Yang Zhenyue waved a hand. "We're all