Dance of the Butterfly Demon

The sight of precious spirit materials covering the valley's slopes filled Heavenly Insect with excitement.

"Tsk, tsk, Golden Cicada, you really didn't disappoint me. If I gather all these treasures of heaven and earth, I could even trade them for some Supreme Spirit Liquid once I reach a big city..."

"Of course. Treasure hunting is child's play for me. But something seems off about this valley. Be careful." Golden Cicada's smug voice rang out, though he made a point of warning Heavenly Insect at the end.

"Got it!"

Heavenly Insect was not at all surprised that something suspicious lurked in this valley...

After all, a spirit valley like this would count as an important site even within a mid-sized faction. How could it possibly have been left wide open without any defenses?

Although he still did not know whether the Insect Prison Site had been left behind by a powerful Spirit Insect Master or an entire sect, one thing was certain: they would have secretly placed countless Spirit Array traps, terrifying guardian spirit insects, or similar defenses to keep anyone from stealing what lay within the valley.

"I'd better send a spirit insect to scout ahead first..."

After a moment's consideration, Heavenly Insect promptly made his choice.

Although he had already lost some spirit insects since entering the Insect Prison Site, the ten high-grade spirit insects he currently possessed should still hold out for a while.

He raised his hand and released his Frost Demon Spider, then unhesitatingly ordered it to charge into the valley...

Yet barely any time had passed after the Frost Demon Spider entered the valley, before it could even venture deeper, when it suddenly went mad. It grew violent and began launching savage biting attacks against everything around it.

"Has it... gone out of control?"

Heavenly Insect could not help frowning. He did everything he could to influence the Frost Demon Spider's consciousness through the Insect-Control Spirit Talisman, even playing a tune meant to soothe spirit insects, but nothing could restore its sanity.

After more than ten minutes, the Frost Demon Spider exhausted its spiritual energy, and its movements finally began to slow. But its rampage had already reduced everything within a hundred-meter radius to ruins, destroying quite a few spirit materials. The sight made Heavenly Insect's heart ache.

Just as Heavenly Insect was thinking he could wait for it to quiet down, then see whether he could seize the chance to get it out, something suddenly changed...

The Frost Demon Spider, already on its last legs, abruptly sprang up and sank its jaws into one of its own leg joints...

The two massive jaws formed by its chelicerae snapped shut, severing one of its own legs outright!

Green acidic fluid sprayed out. The Frost Demon Spider's enormous body lost its balance and crashed heavily to the ground.

But it did not stop there. Having lost all reason, the Frost Demon Spider bit off several more of its legs in the same way. In the end, it even twisted its hard head through an impossible three hundred and sixty degrees and bit its own head off...

Heavenly Insect watched dumbstruck as the Frost Demon Spider dismembered itself alive. A chill ran through his entire body.

"What on earth... is going on?!"

Heavenly Insect could not help taking two steps back. When he looked at the silent spirit valley again, its earlier peaceful tranquility was long gone.

"That's because a very unusual kind of spirit insect is hiding in this valley..."

While Heavenly Insect was pondering, a soft laugh suddenly sounded behind him.

Heavenly Insect's pupils contracted slightly. He slowly turned around and saw a slender, graceful figure standing not far behind him. It was none other than Demon Butterfly, who had only recently parted ways with the group.

To think I really would run into this woman!

Heavenly Insect's expression remained calm, but spiritual energy was already circulating within him. Although he and Demon Butterfly were still allies, he would never truly regard this woman as his friend.

Demon Butterfly's gaze flickered.

Noticing Heavenly Insect's wariness, she said with a bright smile, "Don't be so nervous, Heavenly Insect. I'm not here to fight you for anything. It's just that, given the situation, I think we might be better off working together." "Working together..." Heavenly Insect narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You've set your sights on the treasures of heaven and earth in this spirit valley, haven't you? Hehe, I must say, you really are greedy...

"A spirit valley where so many treasures grow is clearly a treasure trove left behind by whoever once ruled this world. How could it be so easy to enter?"

Demon Butterfly fixed Heavenly Insect with an alluring, meaningful gaze.

Heavenly Insect glanced at her and said solemnly, "You're right. This spirit valley is dangerous, which is why I sent the Frost Demon Spider ahead to scout. As for the result, I'm sure you saw it..."

After glancing at the thoroughly dead Frost Demon Spider inside the valley, Heavenly Insect turned back to Demon Butterfly. "You mentioned working together. Does that mean you've discovered something?"

Demon Butterfly did not conceal anything. She said candidly, "I didn't notice anything unusual about this spirit valley at first either. But the way your Frost Demon Spider behaved reminded me of something..."

"As far as I know, there's a spirit insect called the Soul-Bewitching Butterfly that loves living where treasures of heaven and earth grow. It gives off a hallucinogenic gas that has no color or scent. If that gas gets into your body, you'll go mad on the spot, unable to distinguish friend from foe, and attack everything within reach. In the end, you won't even spare yourself, until you die!"

"Judging by the environment here and how your Frost Demon Spider behaved, I'm ninety percent certain there are Soul-Bewitching Butterflies living in this valley-and more than one!"

Hearing this, Heavenly Insect's brow furrowed. He now understood Demon Butterfly's intentions...

"You want me to help you subdue these Soul-Bewitching Butterflies?"

Demon Butterfly smiled alluringly and approached Heavenly Insect with a sway of her hips. A delicate floral fragrance wafted into his face.

"How can you call it 'helping' me? You'll be able to safely pocket all those treasures of heaven and earth too, won't you? We're simply each getting what we need..."

Heavenly Insect sniffed lightly and frowned. Without making a sound, he shifted his feet and put some distance between himself and the woman.

"Then what do you want me to do?"

"It's simple. Use your spirit insects to force them out!" Demon Butterfly's violet-black lips curved into a smile.

Heavenly Insect's expression tightened. So this woman wanted to use his spirit insects as cannon fodder!

"You saw what happened to the Frost Demon Spider. I don't think sending a few more spirit insects inside will make any difference..." Heavenly Insect said gravely. "Unless you have a way to resist that hallucinogenic gas?"

Demon Butterfly nodded lightly. "More or less. I can give you some medicine that can resist the hallucinogenic gas, but it will only last ten minutes at most. You'd better force the Soul-Bewitching Butterflies out within that time. Otherwise, there'll be nothing I can do..."

Heavenly Insect fell into thought. He did not doubt Demon Butterfly's words; he was considering whether she would keep her promise after she actually subdued the Soul-Bewitching Butterflies!

To be honest, the only thing Heavenly Insect could rely on right now was the number of high-grade spirit insects in his possession. If he lost too many of them, he might genuinely be no match for Demon Butterfly once she had subdued the Soul-Bewitching Butterflies...

"Little Insect, Little Insect, agree to it!"

Golden Cicada's voice suddenly rang out in Heavenly Insect's mind again.

His words puzzled Heavenly Insect so much that he even forgot to correct the way Golden Cicada addressed him. He hurriedly asked, "Do you have a way to deal with her if she goes back on her word?"

"Hehe, if she dares go back on her word, kill her!"

Heavenly Insect rolled his eyes, speechless. If he had that kind of strength, would he need to worry so much now?

The Golden Origin Heavenly Silkworm, who knew Heavenly Insect's capabilities inside out, chuckled again. Then a large bulge abruptly swelled within the Light Cocoon, as though something were taking shape inside...

The bulge darted back and forth inside the Light Cocoon for quite a while before the cocoon spat it out. Heavenly Insect's spiritual sense then detected a black mosquito buzzing back and forth above his Qi Sea.

"The Nine Revolutions Black-Whiskered Mosquito?! You successfully unsealed it?" Heavenly Insect exclaimed in delight.

"Hehe, how's that? Perfect timing, right?"

"What about the energy?"

"?"

Golden Cicada, who had been about to show off, was struck speechless by that single question. After a long pause, he said irritably, "I'm keeping that spiritual energy with me for now. Do you expect me to transfer it to you right this instant?!"

Somewhat sheepish, Heavenly Insect hurriedly said, "Right, right. You did exactly the right thing, Golden Cicada. Then keep that fifty percent of the spiritual energy with you for now and give it to me when I have time. That'll be the perfect chance for me to enter seclusion and attempt to reach the late Heaven Fusion Realm..."

The Golden Origin Heavenly Silkworm cut off the conversation, leaving him with an expression that said, "I don't want to talk to you," before going off to absorb his own half of the spiritual energy.

Heavenly Insect, meanwhile, came back to himself and raised his eyes, meeting Demon Butterfly's gaze as she waited for his answer...

Their gazes met, and for a moment, even the air seemed to freeze. After a long pause, Heavenly Insect finally smiled faintly and nodded. "All right. I agree to your proposal."

"Then here's to a pleasant partnership." Demon Butterfly smiled, clearly never having worried that Heavenly Insect would refuse.

What followed was much simpler. Demon Butterfly took out her medicine, while Heavenly Insect sent out all his high-grade spirit insects except the Blade Mantis.

Of his original ten high-grade spirit insects, only seven remained. He could not send out the Blade Mantis, which he intended to make one of his main fighting forces in the future. Even so, the sight of Heavenly Insect dispatching six high-grade spirit insects at once startled Demon Butterfly.

For Heaven Fusion Realm cultivators like them, raising even one high-grade spirit insect was difficult. The fact that Heavenly Insect could bring out six at once to serve as cannon fodder meant he either had more high-grade spirit insects in reserve or possessed an even stronger spirit insect as his trump card...

Neither possibility was good news for Demon Butterfly.

It looks like I'll have to be more careful in my dealings with Heavenly Insect from now on. At the very least, I'd better not make an enemy of someone like him.

Under Heavenly Insect's command, the six high-grade spirit insects charged fiercely into the spirit valley, looking ready to avenge their "brother."

Thanks to the medicine Demon Butterfly had provided, they were immune to the valley's terrifying hallucinogenic gas for the allotted time.

According to Demon Butterfly, the Soul-Bewitching Butterflies were most likely hiding in the deepest part of the valley, so Heavenly Insect ordered the six spirit insects to charge straight into its depths.

Rumble!

As the six enormous spirit insects rampaged together, the once-quiet little valley immediately began to shake. Soon, Heavenly Insect saw rainbow-colored butterflies flying up from the valley below, dancing like fluttering sprites in the sunlight.

"Soul-Bewitching Butterflies..."

Gazing at the beautiful scene in the sky, Demon Butterfly's eyes grew dreamy, and she involuntarily began walking deeper into the valley, step by step.

"You..." Heavenly Insect was startled. Just as he was about to warn her, the woman recklessly charged straight inside.

"Damn! Is this woman trying to get herself killed?" Heavenly Insect recoiled in shock, staring incredulously at that figure rushing onward without hesitation.

In his mind, he could almost already see that beautiful figure being torn apart.

Yet, to Heavenly Insect's surprise, the tragic end he had imagined did not befall Demon Butterfly. Instead, she transformed into a colorful butterfly and danced alongside the fluttering swarm in the sky...

The sight left Heavenly Insect dumbstruck. He even rubbed his eyes, wondering whether he had seen it wrong.

But everything before him told him it was real...

The largest butterfly at the center of the dancing swarm, also the most beautiful giant rainbow butterfly, really was the woman who had been standing beside him just moments ago!

"She can actually do that?" Heavenly Insect was astonished. Could this woman be a spirit butterfly that took human form? But if that were the case, there's no way I wouldn't have noticed before.

He repeatedly recalled the aura he had sensed during his earlier interactions with her. She was unquestionably human, which only made Heavenly Insect more curious.

No wonder this woman is so obsessed with butterfly-type spirit insects. She can turn into a spirit butterfly herself... Does that make her a butterfly demon?

At that thought, Heavenly Insect suddenly smiled, then tossed those jumbled ideas to the back of his mind. He raised his gaze and focused on the sprites dancing in the sunlight above.

There was no denying that spirit butterflies were the most beautiful of all spirit insect species. Any Spirit Insect Master would find it hard to resist the allure of a sprite-like spirit butterfly, let alone an entire swarm...

"What a dance of the butterfly demon..."

Taking a deep breath, Heavenly Insect forced himself to look away.

He had been wondering what method Demon Butterfly would use to subdue the Soul-Bewitching Butterflies. He had never expected a scene like this.

Still, this was good too. At least his six high-grade spirit insects, which he had already assumed would become cannon fodder, had been saved, hadn't they?

But when he finally shifted his gaze to his six spirit insects, the entranced expression on Heavenly Insect's face instantly turned thunderous!