16: Enslave the Scorpion Tail Bee Swarm, Hostility Attacks

The attached beings, in addition to searching for Heaven And Earth Treasure, also had to possess the ability to monitor and fight enemies.

After some thought, Gu Changsheng's gaze fell upon the Scorpion-tailed Bee.

This is a native bee species.

Its body is less than half a finger long, it contains potent venom, and it is named for its scorpion-like tail.

“It would be best if I could catch a queen bee. That way, by enslaving just one queen, I can command the entire colony to be my eyes and ears.”

“Monitoring would be secretive, and searching efficiency would be high.”

“As for the queen bee herself, she would remain in the hive, ensuring her safety.”

Without further ado, Gu Changsheng went to the back mountain and began searching for traces of the Scorpion-tailed Bee.

The Scorpion-tailed Bee is not a rare bee species.

Before long, Gu Changsheng discovered a hive hanging upside down on a cliff face above a cold pond.

Several Scorpion-tailed Bees were flying in and out.

It was late autumn, and available nectar was scarce, so many Scorpion-tailed Bees were already hibernating in the hive.

Gu Changsheng raised his hand, and black Qi billowed, engulfing the entire hive like a dark cloud obscuring the sun.

The black Qi transformed into wisps of tentacles, constantly searching for the queen bee.

The next moment, black threads coiled, extracting a Scorpion-tailed Bee about a finger long.

Its abdomen was large, and its body was more than twice the size of an ordinary Scorpion-tailed Bee.

It was indeed the queen bee.

“Very good, this queen bee is still very young, perfect for refining and attaching to.”

A flicker of spiritual light spread along the black Qi, transforming into a wisp of mycelium that drilled into the queen bee's mind.

For some reason, Gu Changsheng felt a strange sensation in his heart.

Even though they couldn't communicate verbally, he could perceive the queen bee's thoughts.

He could also command the queen bee, even making her commit suicide by crashing into a wall if he wished.

“The effect is too strong.”

“It's almost like enslavement.”

“Moreover, enslaving a queen bee only consumes a trace of mental energy.”

“Even if the queen bee dies, it won't harm my main body in the slightest.”

Through the queen bee, Gu Changsheng quickly ascertained the number of bees in the hive.

“One thousand three hundred sixty-four.”

“Only one hundred thirty-seven Scorpion-tailed Bees are capable of reproduction.”

“Too few.”

“This number isn't enough to cover the entire county.”

“The first step is to reproduce, then filter them generation by generation to select superior offspring.”

“This way, the combat power of the bee colony can also increase.”

All of this would take time, and as an immortal, Gu Changsheng had an abundance of it.

Late autumn had passed, and in a blink of an eye, light snow began to fall.

Forbidden Guard Hall.

Several large chests overflowing with gold and silver were casually placed, as lowly as dust.

In the center, three exquisite trays were arranged.

The first tray held fine white sand, dense and subtly shimmering with white light.

This was the Heaven River Sand, hidden among the mud at the bottom of the Tongtian River.

It is a rare earth-element cultivation resource.

To retrieve these two taels of Heaven River Sand on the tray, countless lives must have been lost.

The second tray held a skinned, bloody foot.

Veins bulged, and the sole was large; it was indeed a human foot.

If Gu Changsheng were here, he would surely recognize this bloody foot as belonging to the Lame Foot Technique.

However, the third tray was empty.

In previous years, this tray would have held a blood essence pearl.

Sha Tongtian, the leader of the Heaven River Gang, and Chen Qiao, the leader of the Beggar Clan, were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to breathe loudly.

From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the towering black-armored man on the main seat.

It was Guo Ju, the Dragon Guard Forbidden Guard.

Outside, the two were among the three major powers of Chenping County, holding high positions and authority.

Here, a single word from Guo Ju could decide their life or death.

Thump, thump.

Guo Ju's face was grim, his fingers tapping the table, his voice sharp: “The Wild Dog Gang has been annihilated, and Chen Huanzhi is dead.”

“The crucial thing is that half a year has passed, and you only reported it at the year-end tribute time.”

“You… have quite some guts.”

Guo Ju's eyes blazed with killing intent.

He saw through their intentions at a glance.

It was nothing more than their usual struggle for territory and power.

He couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Cultivators from small places were always so short-sighted.

Normally, he would have to give them a good beating to loosen their bones.

But with the Dragon Guard promotion assessment approaching, he still relied on them to collect some cultivation resources.

At Guo Ju's words, the two fell to the ground in terror, prostrating themselves.

“Your Excellency, spare our lives.”

“We searched repeatedly, but truly could not find a single trace of the murderer.”

“And it's difficult to contact Your Excellency normally, so we had no choice but to delay the news.”

“Oh, so you're blaming me for not leaving you a means of communication, are you?”

Guo Ju said casually, his face dark.

But killing intent permeated the entire Forbidden Guard Hall.

“This subordinate wouldn't dare.”

“Please, Your Excellency, give us a chance to atone for our sins.”

Saying this, Chen Qiao pulled out a torn piece of clothing.

It was bright red, the groom's attire Chen Huanzhi had worn before his death.

“Your Excellency, it retains a trace of the aura of the person who killed Chen Huanzhi. Your Excellency only needs to have the divine dog track the aura, and the murderer will surely be found.”

“You are quite clever.”

Guo Ju didn't expose Chen Qiao's cowardly intentions, snapped his fingers, and a black dog ran in from the back hall.

“Sniff the scent.”

The black dog came closer, sniffed the half-piece of clothing, its ears suddenly perked up, and it barked twice.

“Haha, they're still in Chenping County.”

“Truly audacious.”

Guo Ju suddenly stood up, black Qi billowing around him, his killing intent surging.

The aura of the Foundation Building Realm was fully displayed!

He picked up the bloody foot from the tray and tore at it with large bites. Fresh blood mixed with meat juices gave off a sweet, rich aroma, dripping onto the ground from the corners of his mouth.

At night, Gu Changsheng staggered out of the Hundred Flowers Brothel.

As an immortal, it's reasonable to relax occasionally, isn't it?

Speaking of which, those two fox spirits, their taste was really good.

In bed, they certainly had some skills.

Of course, Gu Changsheng would never admit this.

He was merely inspecting the demons enjoying themselves with the common folk, making sure not to mistakenly kill a good demon.

Buzz, buzz—

A Scorpion-tailed Bee flew to Gu Changsheng's ear. His eyes sharpened, then immediately returned to a blurry, drunken state.

His steps, seemingly slow, were actually quick as he walked through the streets and alleys.

Finally, he stopped in a secluded dead-end alley.

Gu Changsheng looked into the darkness and coldly shouted, “Your Excellency, how long will you hide? Come out.”

Shadows writhed in the darkness, and several figures appeared.

It was Guo Ju and his group.

Guo Ju looked around, sneering, “Your perception is quite keen.”

“Very well, this place is sparsely populated, perfectly suited to be your burial ground.”

Gu Changsheng looked at the few people in front of him, adopting a retreating posture: “Have you misunderstood something, gentlemen?”

“I'm just a poor painter; I don't believe I've ever made enemies with you.”

“How about we each take a step back and let Gu leave?”

“You killed my blood slave, Chen Huanzhi, what do you say?”

After speaking, the three separated, forming a triangle to surround Gu Changsheng.

In the center, Guo Ju, a giant of a man, blocked the alley entrance like an iron tower.

Gu Changsheng sighed softly, a hint of killing intent flashing in his eyes.

“Alas, I just want to live freely. Why must you force me?”

Bang—

Gu Changsheng slammed his palm against the green stone wall. Stone flakes fluttered down, revealing a painting of thunder in a rainy night on the wall.

Several lightning bolts, thick as pillars, shot out from the wall, striking the three.

“Not good, an ambush!”

“Retreat quickly!”

Boom, boom, boom—

Thunder rumbled, and the dust settled.

Sha Tongtian, the leader of the Heaven River Gang, had turned into a charred corpse, deader than dead.

Chen Qiao, the leader of the Beggar Clan, had his bloody foot pierced, his aura plummeted, leaving him with only half a breath, wailing while clutching his mangled foot.

Gu Changsheng showed no joy or sorrow, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

In the white dust, a golden light rose.

The golden light spread, transforming into a three-meter-tall evil spirit Dharma Idol.