Swallowed Star 2: Origin Continent: Volume 8: Chapter 8 (313): [The Insect Nest Arrives]

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Swallowed Star 2: Origin Continent
Volume 8: [The Battle of Yulan City]
Chapter (313): [The Insect Nest Arrives]
(8th of Volume 8)
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Luo Feng had spent a considerable amount of time in Yulan City. Though he had heard rumors about low-level Hunyuan lifeforms infiltrating the city to launch attacks, he had yet to encounter any himself.

His focus remained entirely on cultivation, and he hadn't even applied for the 'Elder Assessment.' Becoming an Elder would require him to divert his attention, but right now, his priority was advancing his cultivation.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Outside the main building of Dan Tower, several figures descended, completely blocking the entrance. The sudden presence unsettled the visitors who had come to purchase elixirs.

"It's Insect Nest!"

"The Insect Nest Practitioners... Looks like a major conflict is about to erupt between the Insect Nest and the Dan Tower. We should stay out of this!" Many guests hastily fled from the scene.

There was commotion inside the main building of the Dan Tower. Servants and high-ranking officials exchanged uneasy glances, their gazes fixed on the practitioners outside.

"How did so many from the Insect Nest appear all at once?"

"Ever since God Emperor Luo Feng joined us, the Dan Tower has flourished for 1,500 epochs without interference from the Insect Nest. But now, it seems they've finally decided to act." Dan Tower members grew increasingly anxious and immediately reported the situation.

The news soon reached the Changqing Tower Master and Luo Feng!

"Brother Luo Feng, a large number of Insect Nest members have surrounded the Dan Tower's main building," Chang Qing Tower Master transmitted. "However, they are still restricted by the laws of Yulan City. So they would not dare to go too far!"

"Let's not jump to conclusions. They're likely here to negotiate- let's hear what they have to say," Luo Feng responded, somewhat curious. The Insect Nest had remained patient for so long- had they finally lost their restraint?

Inside main building of the Dan Tower!

A towering figure clad in dark scales led a group of practitioners into the main hall. His gaze was piercingly cold, and a thick, powerful tail swayed behind him. As he stepped inside, the very space of the Dan building seemed to distort under his presence.

The aura he exuded sent shivers through the Dan Tower's members.

"Elder Saluo~~ why do you have to bully the youngsters?" A calm voice rang out as the Changqing Tower Master appeared.

The formation protecting the Dan Tower activated, suppressing the terrifying aura radiating from the scaled elder.

This was Elder Saluo~ one of the seven high-ranking figures of the Insect Nest, an Elder-level existence!

"Chang Qing Tower Master!" Elder Saluo's icy gaze fixed on him. "I'm not here for you."

"Oh?" Master Chang Qing raised an eyebrow. The Insect Nest's intentions are different from what he had initially assumed.

"Bring out Alchemist Gu Qingyuan from your Dan Tower," Elder Saluo demanded coldly.

"Gu Qingyan?" Changqing Tower Master frowned slightly, but still gave an order~ "Go and ask Gu Qingyuan to come here!"

"Yes!" A servant swiftly departed.

"Elder Saluo, Alchemist Gu Qingyuan is one of the seven senior alchemists of our Dan Tower, a man I hold in high regard!" Chang Qing Tower Master smiled faintly. "I wonder how he offended you?"

Elder Saluo gave him a sidelong glance.

The owner of Chang Qing Tower relies on alchemy to acquire resources, whereas Saluo, a warrior and hunter, had little regard for the alchemist.

"You'll find out soon enough, Master Chang Qing," Elder Saluo said coolly.

The air grew tense as both sides fell silent. No one dared to make a sound.

Soon, Alchemist Gu Qingyuan showed up!

Dressed in simple robes, the middle-aged man possessed the strength of a Mid-stage Enlightened God Emperor Realm, and he is also highly skilled in alchemy.

Without Chang Qing Tower Master, Gu Qingyuan and the other six senior alchemists will have highest authorities in Dan Tower when it comes to alchemy.

"So, you've come." Gu Qingyuan looked calmly at the elder Saluo and others.

"Hiding within the Dan Tower- did you really think that would protect you?" Elder Saluo's eyes burned with killing intent!

"You've got some nerve!" Elder Saluo's voice was cold and piercing. "You dared to attack and kill two mid-stage God Emperor disciples of my Mo faction within Yulan City! According to the city's laws- you will be punished by death for killing practitioners within city!"

"Do you have any evidence?" Gu Qingyuan looked at them.

A strange glimmer flickered in Elder Saluo's insect-like eyes.

Evidence? Of course there is no evidence.

But the Insect Nest had spared no effort in their investigation, and everything pointed toward Gu Qingyuan as the murderer.

"Two mid-stage Enlightened God Emperors?" Master Chang Qing raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"To kill two such powerful figures within Yulan City, without alerting the city's defense mechanisms... Even an Elder-level existence would struggle to do that silently."

"He used poison," Elder Saluo said darkly.

"I asked two experts to trace the remnants of space and time, following the cause and effect of their deaths. Only after careful deduction did we confirm- it was Gu Qingyuan who used poison to kill them!"

"Why would I poison two Insect Nest practitioners for no reason?" Gu Qingyuan frowned.

Elder Saluo's voice turned icy. "Because your only disciple was killed in a robbery."

Elder Saluo looked at Gu Qingyuan: "And you suspected that those two Insect Nest members were responsible for the robbery and killed him?"

"Yes." Gu Qingyuan nodded and sighed.

"My disciple wasn't a warrior- he focused on forging, cautiously cultivating within the city and accumulating resources. But he became a target. Just because he purchased a rare treasure, he was ambushed on his way back to his cave. Before he died, he managed to send me a message revealing the identities of his killers- those two members of your Insect Nest!"

"A message before death?" Elder Saluo shook his head. "It's entirely possible that could've easily been a deception by the real culprits. In Yulan City, disguises and false trails are everywhere! If you want to accuse someone, you need sufficient evidence to identify the murderer."

Gu Qingyuan's expression remained calm. "My disciple was weak, and I am also merely an alchemist. How could I possibly poison two mid-stage Enlightened God Emperors at the same time? Elder Saluo, if you're going to accuse me, you'll need sufficient evidence!"

Elder Saluo looked at the alchemist.

The tension between them grew more intense.

Elder Saluo clenched his fists. He was certain that Gu Qingyuan was murderer.

"Is this what it has come to?" Elder Saluo's voice turned grim. "Gu Qingyuan, you will come with me for questioning- to prove your innocence."

"Take Gu Qingyuan away!"

Gu Qingyuan's eyes narrowed. "On what grounds? With no evidence, you have no right to take me!"

Several alchemists from the Dan Tower erupted in anger.

"Elder Saluo!" Master Chang Qing's voice rang out. "You cannot just take Gu Qingyuan without evidence!"

" You shouldn't forget that I am also an Elder!"

Elder Saluo' s expression darkened as He waved his hand, summoning a time and space projection.

"From these traces of past time and space, Gu Qingyuan had close contact with the deceased. Based on this, I suspect he's the murderer. Furthermore, I have obtained an official order from Elder De You!"

Elder Saluo's patience was running thin. Two of his key subordinates had been poisoned to death within the city. If he let this go, how could he maintain control over his forces?

"Do you even have the authority to investigate him?" Elder Saluo's frustration was evident.

The alchemists stood firm.

"We won't let them take Brother Gu away!"

"If they take Brother Gu away, he's as good as dead!"

"Just because they've taken him doesn't mean he's guilty! We can't let them decide everything!" The alchemists voiced their outrage, standing behind Gu Qingyuan, whose reputation in the Dan Tower was well-established.

Elder Salo narrowed his eyes. "Are you trying to stop me? I have valid suspicions and Elder Deyou's direct order- he's in charge of punishments. I am authorized to take him in. Are you really going to stand in my way?" Elder Saluo turned his gaze toward the Changqing Tower Master.

The Changqing Tower Master hesitated. He knew that stopping Elder Saluo outright would be unwise.

When there are reasonable reasons, the city's rules allowed elders like Saluo to detain suspects for questioning.

"And you!" Elder Saluo swept his gaze across the agitated alchemists. "How can you interrupt me when I am talking to the owner of the Chang Qing? Note down every single one of them!"

"Yes!" His subordinate immediately obeyed, scrutinizing each alchemist.

The alchemists were startled, some visibly uneasy.

"Gu Qingyuan, don't worry. I will personally meet with Elder Deyou to ensure you receive a fair investigation," assured the Changqing Tower Master.

"Thank you, Tower Master. I'm sorry for causing you trouble!" Gu Qingyuan bowed respectfully.

Despite the situation, he remained unnervingly calm. He had already prepared for the worst before making his move.

"You're giving him too much face!"

A deep voice cut through the tension as a man in black robes with long, dark hair stepped forward.

The room fell silent.

Both sides- Dan Tower and Insect Nest practitioners- turned to look. Elder Saluo's expression shifted slightly. He hadn't been too concerned about the Changqing Tower Master, but this man was different.

Luo Feng.

A God Emperor, whose status as a God Emperor was build upon the formidable legacy of Elder Tianhe!

"Boom!"

As Luo Feng arrived, an invisible force burst forth like a tidal wave. Elder Saluo braced himself, his shimmering scales resisting the pressure. But the Insect Nest practitioners under his command weren't as fortunate. They were swept away like leaves in a storm, flung back helplessly!

"You scum of the Insect Nest sure has guts, acting this brazenly in my territory?" Luo Feng's voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight. He locked eyes with Elder Saluo. "Are you Elder Saluo?"

Elder Saluo clenched his fists. "Luo Feng! I have evidence of suspicion, and I have Elder Deyou's order!"

"Evidence? A bunch scums of Insects have the nerve to cry foul over a killing? Luo Feng chuckled coldly. "Do you people even hear yourselves?"

Elder Saluo's face darkened.

Power struggles among elders rarely escalated to open conflict within the city, but even among powerhouses, rules had to be followed.

"You're crossing the line," Elder Saluo warned.

Luo Feng's gaze sharpened. "Listen well, Elder Saluo. My Dan Tower operates by the rules. Without undeniable evidence, no one- no one- has the right to step in here and take my people!"

His voice carried far beyond the building, reaching the Insect Nest forces waiting outside.

"Neither you nor the one pulling your strings has the authority!"

"You dare defy the Lord of the Insect Nest?" Elder Saluo sneered.

The Insect Nest Lord was far more powerful than a regular elder- almost on par with the Three Palace Masters themselves.

Luo Feng smirked. "Yes. And you can tell her this, word for word- I, Luo Feng, am always waiting for her."

Gasps echoed throughout the hall.

Even the Changqing Tower Master was stunned.

Too bold... Too arrogant... He had spent centuries maintaining friendly relations in Yulan City- how could he ever dare to be so brash?

The other practitioners were equally shocked.

"God Emperor Luo Feng?" Gu Qingyuan himself was momentarily dazed. He had taken all necessary precautions, even acquiring a life-saving treasure... But Luo Feng's intervention had turned everything on its head.

Luo Feng's words weren't just defiance; they were a direct slap to the face of the Insect Nest Lord!

Elder Saluo's expression twisted. "Very well. I will deliver your message to the Lord of the Insect Nest!" He turned to leave, his tone seething with fury.

But just as he moved-

Buzz!

The grand formation around the Dan Tower activated, locking down the space.

A terrifying force pressed down on Elder Saluo. His movement halted. His breath grew heavy. He felt his very life force being drained, slipping away faster than he could recover!

His face went pale.

"What... What are you doing?! Are you actually planning to attack me in the city?!" Elder Saluo demanded, his voice tinged with shock and rage.

Luo Feng's eyes remained cold. "You storm into my Dan Tower and think you can just leave after making a mess?"

His lips curled into a smirk.

"Leave behind one hundred million Hunyuan Crystals as compensation. Otherwise..." His voice dropped.

"You'll be staying in my Dan Tower a while longer."

Silence.

These words shocked the practitioners from the both sides present.

Not a single practitioner dared to speak.

Elder Saluo, furious yet helpless, clenched his teeth. Without hesitation, he sent a desperate message to the Lord of the Insect Nest- pleading for immediate reinforcements!

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END OF CHAPTER

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