"Young Master Chu Feng, I hear you've already found the method to reach the Burial Spirit Pool. Would you be willing to lead the way for us?" A man from the Starfall Saint Ground said to Chu Feng.
Chu Feng had seen this person before, though they had never actually spoken. In fact, when Xia Yun'er had been chatting intimately with Chu Feng earlier, he had even sensed an unkind glare coming from this very individual.
Yet now, the man wore a face full of goodwill, requesting that Chu Feng lead the way for them, as if he and Chu Feng were the closest of friends.
But this scene was something Chu Feng had long anticipated. Throughout his journey, he had already politely declined any number of such requests.
Someone must have spread the news that Chu Feng had found the method to reach the Burial Spirit Pool, and that word had reached the ears of these people from the Starfall Saint Ground. They had taken it as gospel.
"I don't even know that I've found the method to reach the Burial Spirit Pool," Chu Feng said.
"Chu Feng, don't be ungrateful."
"That our people from the Starfall Saint Ground are asking you to guide us is an honor."
When they saw that Chu Feng was actually going to refuse them, the man who had spoken earlier immediately changed his expression.
"You will be discourteous no more." However, no sooner had the man spoken than he was reprimanded by Xia Yun'er.
"Young Master Chu Feng, I hear that you've been collecting not only the gems within those purple trees, but also the flying insects that guard them."
"I believe you must have discovered the secret. Could it be... the secret to reaching the Burial Spirit Pool lies in the flying insects?" Xia Yun'er asked Chu Feng.
"That's what I'm thinking, but whether it's correct, I can't say for certain, because I haven't collected enough of the insects yet." Chu Feng made no effort to hide this.
He understood clearly that Xia Yun'er was a clever woman. The fact that she had said this meant she, too, had noticed that the flying insects were the key.
After all, the clues Xia Yun'er had obtained should have been the same as his.
"I wonder, Young Master Chu Feng, how many more insects do you need?" Xia Yun'er asked.
"Thirteen thousand four hundred and thirty-one more."
"Coincidentally, I've collected some as well. Young Master Chu Feng, why not try it now?"
As Xia Yun'er spoke, she produced a formation from her Universe Bag. It resembled Chu Feng's own, containing a sealed portion of the flying insects as well.
Though far fewer than the number Chu Feng had collected, there were still over a hundred thousand — more than enough for him to reach the required count.
From this, it was evident that Xia Yun'er had also been collecting these flying insects for quite some time.
She had indeed noticed that the flying insects were the key to reaching the Burial Spirit Pool.
"That won't be necessary. I can collect them on my own." Chu Feng shook his head.
"What exactly do you mean? Are you afraid that if you use our Holy Maiden's insects, we'll try to leech off you?" a disciple from the Starfall Saint Ground said.
"Isn't that exactly what would happen?" Chu Feng countered.
In truth, Chu Feng understood perfectly well. If he used Xia Yun'er's insects, then every last one of these people from the Starfall Saint Ground would follow along with him — and what's more, he would lose control over the insects entirely.
The people from the Starfall Saint Ground were exactly that sort — completely unreasonable.
Besides, Chu Feng didn't need that many more insects. Rather than use theirs, he could simply collect them himself, which meant the control would remain in his hands.
There was no way Chu Feng was going to use their insects.
"By saying that, you mean that even if you successfully obtain the method to enter the Burial Spirit Pool, you have no intention of bringing us along — is that right?" another male disciple from the Starfall Saint Ground said.
"That's right. I have no intention of bringing you along," Chu Feng said.
"You're outrageous!" The male disciple from the Starfall Saint Ground was furious.
"Outrageous? How am I outrageous? Not bringing you along is outrageous? Who do you think you are? Do you think you're the Chu Heavenly Clan? Do you think you're the rulers of this vast world?" Chu Feng asked.