This insect chirping was definitely not made by an ordinary bug. It had to be one of the Lifeless Insect Mother's methods.
Previously, the Lifeless Insect Mother had given Xu Changqing three days to consider. Now that the time was up, she had evidently sent this insect specifically for him.
He did not panic. A green radiance glimmered across the surface of his Azure Emperor Spirit Robe as the Withered-Prosperity Dao Rhythm quietly circulated.
He then rose and stepped out of the main hall, looking in the direction of the chirping. Not far away, he saw a rather peculiar insect lying on the ground.
The sound was coming from it.
The insect was not large, only about the size of a thumb.
Its body resembled that of a cricket, but it had a pair of sharp forelimbs like those of a praying mantis.
Its shell was pitch-black and covered in dark-red patterns, like Spirit Runes.
On its head were a pair of crimson compound eyes that exuded an icy chill.
Its abdomen twitched faintly, and with every twitch came a rustling "sizzle-sizzle" chirp. The sound was sharp and irritating, stirring restlessness in anyone who heard it.
Xu Changqing slowly stepped forward, calmly staring at the strange insect.
The chirping paused slightly. The insect curled up, then a hoarse female voice came from its mouth. "Three days have passed. Have you made your decision?"
That voice belonged to the Lifeless Insect Mother.
Clearly, this strange insect was her avatar, or perhaps her messenger.
Xu Changqing remained calm and said steadily, "Cooperation is a matter of great importance. It is not something that can be decided in a short while.
The time you gave me was too brief. I still need to consider it further."
"Consider?"
The Lifeless Insect Mother's voice carried