"You could say it's useful, and you could say it's useless. That all depends on the intentions of the spirit insect's master!" Xu Ling's expression shifted completely from its earlier coldness, and he spoke with a face full of smiles.
"Intentions?" Han Li's eyes flickered, and he felt a stirring of confusion.
"That's right. If you merely wish to nurture your spirit insects to their mature form, then this Styx Spirit Milk naturally holds no further use for them. However, if you wish to advance them one step further, then this Styx Spirit Milk is an indispensable item," the elder said meaningfully.
"Advance them further?" Han Li seemed to recall something, and a look of astonishment crossed his face.
"Indeed. I'll explain the details to you shortly. I never expected that you would actually possess mature Gold Devouring Beetles as well. In that case, the ownership of this Styx Spirit Milk becomes a secondary matter entirely. I have another transaction to discuss with you, young friend. However, this matter is rather confidential and requires a private discussion. Golden Flame, Qing Yuanzi — you two don't object, do you?" The elder Xu Ling first spoke to Han Li in an amiable manner, but his final remark was directed at Qing Yuanzi and the other with an indifferent expression.
Although his expression appeared calm, his words carried an unmistakable tone that left no room for refusal.
"As long as fellow Daoist isn't forcing a deal upon anyone, I naturally have no objections." Qing Yuanzi caught the glint of cold light in the elder's eyes and felt a chill run through him.
"Nor do I! Brother Xu Ling, please do as you wish." The Golden Flame Marquis smiled in agreement as well.
"Good. Then forgive my breach of etiquette!" The elder Xu Ling was clearly satisfied with their replies. He nodded, then suddenly opened his mouth. A flash of black light flickered forth, and a miniature pavilion barely half a foot tall was spat out.
The pavilion was entirely jet-black, its surface covered with densely inscribed runes of various colors, and it was shrouded in a thin layer of black mist.
It appeared utterly mysterious!
"Young friend Han Li, bring your Gold Devouring Beetles and come to my Black Wind Pavilion for a chat." With a single-handed incantation gesture, the elder expanded the pavilion to roughly ten feet in height, then turned his head and spoke.
Without waiting for Han Li's answer, he swept both sleeves to collect his own Gold Devouring Beetles, then rapidly shrank his body to a tiny figure barely an inch tall before vanishing into the pavilion in a flash.
"Seniors, please forgive this junior for taking his leave as well." Despite his considerable unease, Han Li knew that refusing to follow was simply not an option. He could only offer a bitter smile to Qing Yuanzi and the Golden Flame Marquis before speaking.
"Mm, go ahead with peace of mind, young friend Han. Since Brother Xu Ling has made a promise, he naturally won't do anything beneath his standing. However, if the conditions aren't too excessive, it would be best for you to agree," Qing Yuanzi said after a brief word of counsel, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Jiang. This junior knows what to do." Han Li replied solemnly. He collected the dozen or so golden beetles before him, then transformed into a streak of azure light and shot into the pavilion.
The moment Han Li entered, the entire pavilion was enveloped in churning black mist, severing all connection with the outside world.
"Brother Jiang, aren't you truly worried? That old monster may be eccentric at times, but his formidable powers are no illusion. If he were to make a move against young friend Han inside, we wouldn't be able to intervene in time." The Golden Flame Marquis suddenly transmitted his voice to Qing Yuanzi through a secret technique.
"Brother Golden Flame, you worry too much. The old monster may be overbearing, but in all our dealings he has never once broken his word. This much can be assured. Besides, I owe young friend Han Li a considerable favor. While I'd like to look out for him, I can only do so within my means — I don't truly want to offend that old monster. Otherwise, I fear I would no longer have a place in this land of the Styx." Qing Yuanzi replied calmly without a change in expression.
"That's true enough. The old monster's powers are such that he could likely hold his own even against a True Spirit. We're far inferior by comparison. But those Gold Devouring Beetles, while certainly rare in the world, surely don't warrant such a strong reaction upon seeing them. Besides, doesn't he have the same spirit insects himself? Could you perhaps guess at something behind all this, Brother Jiang?" The Golden Flame Marquis nodded, then suddenly asked.
"How would I have the ability to divine even the old monster's thoughts? More likely, young friend Han's Gold Devouring Beetles simply have some particular use for him." Qing Yuanzi's eyes flickered, but he offered an evasive, noncommittal reply with a yawn.
"Is that so?" The Golden Flame Marquis's lips twitched, and he let a half-smile cross his face.
Qing Yuanzi merely smiled faintly and said nothing more.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the black pavilion, the shrunken Han Li and the elder were engaged in conversation.