226: Chapter 226 This is the Kang Jin Body!

Lu Shiyin's heart tightened.

Although she was also a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she knew very well that the gap between a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and a Core Formation True Person was like a vast chasm.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator could fly on a magical tool, reaching a height of a few hundred zhang at most, and had to constantly avoid the high-altitude astral winds. The slightest carelessness could send them tumbling.

But a Core Formation True Person could soar freely within the astral wind layer high in the Nine Heavens.

Those astral winds were fierce enough to shred the protective spiritual light of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, yet to a Core Formation True Person, they were merely a gentle breeze against the face.

This was the disparity between Realms.

The other party had just descended from the sky like a flying rainbow, clearly having dropped straight down from the high-altitude astral wind layer.

This was definitely not something a Foundation Establishment Cultivator could accomplish.

It was a Core Formation True Person!

Lu Shiyin quickly made her judgment and instinctively moved to shield the children behind her. She gave a slight curtsy, her voice gentle yet tinged with wariness:

"This Junior, Lu Shiyin of the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain, greets Senior. May I ask the reason for Senior's esteemed arrival?"

Upon hearing her, the group of Ye Family disciples behind her also came to their senses and hurriedly cupped their hands in salute:

"Greetings, Senior!"

The red-haired woman—Perfected Hongluan—waved her hand dismissively upon hearing this, speaking with nonchalance:

"No need for such formalities."

Her voice was lazy and casual, as if she had merely done something trivial.

"I was simply flying through the air when I sensed the aura of an Opportunity."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the group, finally settling on the bulging Storage Pouch at Ye Chen's waist.

"I followed the aura here to see what it was."

She paused, the corner of her mouth curving slightly in a faint, ambiguous smile:

"But it seems the Opportunity already has an owner."

Her gaze lingered on Ye Chen for a moment before shifting away to look at Lu Shiyin.

"No need to be nervous. This seat harbors no ill will towards you."

Hearing this, Lu Shiyin felt a slight relief in her heart, but her vigilance did not completely subside.

She curtsied again and said softly:

"For Senior to take a fancy to an item of our Ye Family is a blessing for our family."

Her words were impeccably polite, neither discourteous nor yielding in offering the item.

Upon hearing this, Perfected Hongluan gave her another look, a flicker of appreciation in her eyes.

This young lady was quite eloquent.

She did not respond but instead looked back at Ye Chen.

Her gaze penetrated the Restriction on the Storage Pouch, landing on the amber piece within.

The tiny golden insect inside the amber was clearly visible to her eyes.

"As expected..."

A look of confirmation flashed in Perfected Hongluan's eyes as she murmured softly,

"It's the 'Mystic Astral Molting Gu'."

Upon hearing this, Lu Shiyin's brow twitched slightly.

Mystic Astral Molting Gu?

She had never heard of that name.

Perfected Hongluan seemed to notice her confusion and explained offhandedly:

"This Gu is an ancient exotic insect that feeds on the essence of metals. When it molts, it releases an extremely pure Geng Metal Qi. For Cultivators who practice Metal-attributed Cultivation Techniques, it is a rare treasure for comprehending the Dao."

She paused, her gaze returning to the amber, her tone carrying a hint of regret:

"But it seems this Gu insect failed its molt."

"If it had succeeded, it could have broken free from its shell and transformed into a true Mystic Astral Gu, its value beyond estimation."

"But then again..."

She shook her head, her tone tinged with understanding,

"If it had succeeded, how could this little child have found it?"

Hearing this, Lu Shiyin's heart sank slightly.

Although she didn't know the exact value of this "Mystic Astral Molting Gu," she could tell from the Core Formation True Person's tone that it was no ordinary item.

Even a failed molt had drawn a Core Formation True Person to seek it out personally.

If it had succeeded...

She didn't dare to think about it.

Perfected Hongluan withdrew her gaze and looked at Lu Shiyin, her tone casual:

"Even though this Gu insect is already dead, its remains are still quite valuable."

"The Geng Metal Qi contained within can help Cultivators who practice Metal-attributed techniques comprehend the Great Dao and Breakthrough Bottlenecks."

She paused, a flicker of contemplation in her eyes:

"What reason should I find to take this Gu insect?"

Moreover...

Perfected Hongluan gave a soft, disdainful hum.

She, a dignified Core Formation True Person, an Elder of the Golden Sun Sect, what did she lack?

She wasn't so low as to snatch something from a child's hands.

That would be too shameful.

Beside them, Ye Chen held the amber, his dark, bright eyes darting around.

Though young, he was very clever.

This Senior had descended from the sky, immediately mentioned an "Opportunity," and had been staring at the amber in his hand. Clearly, she was here for this thing.

And... wasn't this how it always went in the storybooks?

The protagonist obtains a treasure, a powerful expert takes notice and wants it. The protagonist generously offers it, then the expert feels indebted and either exchanges it for a better treasure or directly takes the protagonist as a disciple!

Thinking of this, Ye Chen's heart grew fervent.

He took a deep breath, puffed out his little chest, and imitating the protagonists from the storybooks, spoke forthrightly:

"Senior, do you want this Gu insect?"

He extended the amber forward, his voice clear and crisp,

"This youngster offers this Gu insect to Senior!"

Hearing this, a glimmer of approval flashed in Perfected Hongluan's beautiful eyes.

This child was quite sharp.

She reached out and took the amber, her fingertips lightly rubbing its smooth surface, sensing the trace of mysterious aura still lingering within.

Her red lips parted slightly, just as she was about to say something—

Hm?

Her movements suddenly halted.

The moment her fingertip touched the amber, an extremely faint wisp of aura escaped from it and seeped into her body through her finger.

That wasn't the Gu insect's aura.

But rather... a human aura.

To be precise, it was the child's aura.

Perfected Hongluan's brow lifted slightly, her gaze returning to Ye Chen.

She swept her Divine Sense over him, meticulously examining the child inside and out.

A moment later, a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Oh?"

She murmured softly, her tone carrying a hint of astonishment,

"This child... actually possesses the Robust Metal Physique?"

She carefully perceived for a few more moments, gradually understanding.

"It seems the aura from that Golden Cicada Dao-Comprehending Gu just now stimulated this Physique."

She nodded inwardly.

The Robust Metal Physique was a type of Metal-attributed spiritual Physique. Though not the top-tier kind, it was still extremely rare.

People with this Physique had a natural affinity for Metal-attributed Spiritual Qi, achieving twice the result with half the effort when Cultivating Metal-attributed techniques. Their Physical Bodies were also exceptionally strong, making them especially suited for practicing the sword Dao.

Perfected Hongluan looked at Ye Chen, contemplation gradually growing in her eyes.

She recalled her own Revered Master.

Her Revered Master's mastery of the "Robust Metal Sword Art" had been peerless. With his Late Stage Core Formation cultivation, he had once fought evenly against an Early Stage Nascent Soul demonic Cultivator, earning great fame throughout the entire Yue Kingdom.

Unfortunately, after her Revered Master's Ascension, this sword art's Legacy was cut off in her generation.

It wasn't that she didn't want to learn it, but she simply didn't possess the Robust Metal Physique. Forcing herself to Cultivate it would only yield half the result for twice the effort, potentially even harming her Foundation.