Speculation on the Origin of Chapter 18

"Nine have died, and the remaining twenty-one are all severely depleted of qi and blood. I'll give them some spirit rice in the hope that it will replenish their damaged qi and blood."

Seventh Sister Xu Yuanmiao returned from outside, carrying a lantern. She was tall and had a spirited air about her.

He tiptoed over a wooden stool and sat down, casually unfastening the long sword from his waist and resting it on his lap with his other hand.

After doing all this, the lantern transformed into a stream of light and entered her body. Xu Yuanlang, seeing this, raised his eyebrows in surprise. The lantern was actually a magical artifact.

"They are not important."

Xu Zhentian straightened up and slowly began to speak.

"I originally thought I could catch them all little by little by relying on mortals, but now it seems that's not going to work."

Who knew these golden beetles would be so ruthless, parasitizing bodies and devouring flesh? If they were allowed to continue, they might even be able to parasitize the bodies of cultivators.

Xu Yuanmiao frowned slightly after hearing his words, and was about to speak when he heard Xu Zhentian speak to Xu Yuanlang from the side.

"Yuan Lang, what exactly are these golden beetles? As a plant cultivator, you should know something about them, right?"

Xu Yuanlang took out the jade bottle and shook it. Immediately, he heard a cracking sound coming from inside, as if the golden beetle was struggling desperately.

"I'm not entirely sure!"

After he finished speaking, Xu Zhenfeng, who was next to him, suddenly chuckled, picked up his teacup, and leaned back in his chair.

"Who knows? Yuan Lang, you are a spiritual plant master. You can't say 'who knows' from your mouth. Or we can transfer another spiritual plant master from the family."

"You're still too young, so it's understandable that you might not be able to judge things accurately."

Xu Zhenfeng was not very old, but he had a handsome appearance with clear features. Wearing a gorgeous white robe, he looked even more like a refined gentleman.

But at this moment, he had a faint smile on his face, and his sudden sarcastic remarks left him somewhat confused. He didn't seem to have offended him at all.

"Masakaze, what are you saying?!"

Upon hearing his words, Xu Zhentian slammed his hand on the table and glared at him with displeasure.

"Yes, yes, I should have been more subtle in my wording!"

"Yuan Lang, Uncle Zhenfeng has always been known for his extensive knowledge. Some time ago, Uncle Sanada asked him to investigate the types of golden beetles and how to deal with them."

As a result, he didn't understand anything and was scolded by Uncle Sanada. It was also Uncle Zhenfeng who suggested using mortals to catch insects.

He's petty and jealous. If you're not confident, don't speak to him or pay him any attention.

Seventh Sister pulled him over and whispered in his ear.

Xu Yuanmiao's breath was fragrant and cool, probably due to his cultivation technique. Xu Yuanmiao felt goosebumps rising on his skin.

"What are you two whispering about?"

Seeing their actions, Xu Zhentian asked with dissatisfaction.

"Uncle Sanada, and Seventh Sister, the reason I can't say for sure is because this golden beetle has the characteristics of several spirit insects."

Unless specifically cultivated, this situation simply cannot occur in the wild.

Perhaps my knowledge is not as extensive as Uncle Zhenfeng's. After all, there are thousands of spiritual insects in the cultivation world, and it is indeed normal that this kind of spiritual insect is not known to others.

By the way, Uncle Zhenfeng is very knowledgeable; do you know what kind of spirit insect this is?

Xu Zhenfeng, who had been sitting leisurely to the side, suddenly turned grim. He seemed not to have expected Xu Yuanlang to launch a direct counterattack.

"Specially cultivated? Nonsense, this insect is definitely a mutation, or a spirit insect unknown to anyone in the past."

He was about to continue speaking when Xu Zhentian reached out and interrupted him.

"Yuan Lang, what are the characteristics of different kinds of spirit insects? Tell me about them."

"The appearance of this golden beetle and its characteristic of gnawing on the roots and stems of the spirit rice are very similar to a spirit insect called the golden-nosed rice beetle."

According to the insect illustrations collected by the family, this insect generally only reproduces when the spirit rice matures.

Moreover, they are not very interested in the flesh and blood of mortals, and their size is only half that of a mustard seed.

Furthermore, I observed that these golden beetles grow larger as they gnaw on flesh and blood, resembling a type of pest called the six-legged flesh beetle.

Have you seen their claws? They have five special barbs, which look a lot like a kind of insect called the five-hooked aphid.

As for its strong vitality, wings on its back, and special mouthparts, it looks like a spirit insect of the multi-life beetle.

Considering that this kind of golden beetle has never appeared before, and that our area has been developed for a century, I think it is impossible that this insect has never been discovered before.

On the contrary, it is possible that someone deliberately cultivated it and then placed it on Qinglong Mountain.

"Uncle Sanada, I suggest you inform the family of my theory, and warn everyone to be careful. Also, investigate whether these golden beetles exist in other spirit fields."

As he spoke, Xu Zhenfeng's expression changed from disdain to embarrassment, and a hint of resentment appeared in his eyes.

Xu Zhentian, standing to the side, grew increasingly serious. Although it was just speculation, if it were true, it would mean that someone was deliberately targeting the Xu family.

Who is it?

By the way, the Li family is not far from them; it must be those bastards.

"The so-called 'specially cultivated' theory is unfounded and I don't think it can be believed."

Xu Zhenfeng sat up straight, his arm instinctively pressing against his thigh, and spoke softly.

"That's not right, Yuanlang. If it's intentionally cultivated, how should we respond?"

Xu Zhenfeng, who had just spoken, looked embarrassed. He hadn't expected his cousin to undermine him on the spot for the sake of a junior.

"Generally speaking, a spirit plant master can perform insect-repelling spells, but those are only effective against ordinary spirit insects. I don't know if they will work on specially cultivated golden beetles."

In addition, send those insects up the mountain to see if the chieftain and the others can use them to refine an insect repellent specifically for these golden beetles.

Also, if anyone in the family raises a spirit beast specifically designed to target spirit insects, whether it's a bird or a beast, bring it along and see if it can be used against the Golden Beetle.

Xu Yuanlang made some arrangements, and Xu Zhentian nodded subconsciously, looking at Xu Yuanlang with a smile.

"You've considered things even more thoroughly than I have. That's good."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Zhenfeng, who was standing next to him with a defiant expression, and after thinking for a moment, he spoke up.

"Zhenfeng, take this message back to Wuliang Mountain. I will prepare a letter for you and tell the family that they must be careful this time."

A flash of anger crossed Xu Zhenfeng's face. He wasn't stupid; the other party's goal was to get rid of him.

This way, if they fail, they will have plenty of time to cover it up.

"Hmph, I'll see how long you can be so smug."

Xu Zhenfeng did not believe that Xu Yuanlang could solve the problem of these golden beetles.