The system is the proficiency panel - 263. Gold-eating Ant King
The system is the proficiency panel
263. Gold-eating Ant KingThree days later, deep in the Yunluo Mountains, in front of an abandoned spiritual mine.
Xiao Ningxue, dressed in white clothes that were whiter than snow, stood at the front of the team, staring coldly at the portal in front of her. Luo Youran stood beside her, wearing a light purple dress that fluttered in the wind, with a bit of laziness and calmness between her eyebrows. Behind the two of them, dozens of cultivators stood solemnly, waiting for the return of their compatriots from Tianyuan Star.
The portal slowly moved, and as the runes circulated, ripples appeared in the space. With a dazzling light flashing, Pu Jianxing stepped out first. He carried a long sword on his back, his expression was calm, his eyes were like torches, and he nodded slightly after scanning the crowd.
Immediately afterwards, the monks of Tianyuan Star walked out of the portal one after another, some holding storage bags, and some pushing hearses loaded with supplies. The silver ore glowed with a cold metallic luster in the sun, and there were also various spiritual objects unique to Tianyuan Star, emitting a rich spiritual energy.
After the last person walked out, Xiao Ningxue lightly tapped her fingertips, the formation runes flowed, the portal slowly closed, and the spatial fluctuations gradually subsided.
"All the supplies have been received and the personnel have been replaced."
Luo Youran spoke softly, her voice flowing like a clear spring.
Xiao Ningxue nodded lightly, raised her hand and waved, the surrounding defensive formations were reactivated, and with a flash of light, the area was completely blocked.
"Back to the city."
……
Xuantian City, inside the City Lord’s Mansion.
Luo Youran sat at the table, tapping the jade card with her fingertips, checking the whereabouts of each resource. Her eyes suddenly paused, and her brows slightly furrowed.
"Where are the two masters Hou Guan and Zi Tong? Don't they want to take turns with you?"
She looked up at Pu Jianxing with a hint of doubt in her eyes.
Pu Jianxing looked calm, but a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, and then he took out a heavily sealed silver ball from his sleeve. The surface of the ball was covered with runes, and it faintly exuded a palpitating aura.
Luo Youran's attention was immediately attracted. She could clearly feel the powerful force contained in the sphere, as if it would swallow her up if she was not careful.
"Master Pu, what is this?"
Her voice unconsciously lowered a few notes.
"The ant king of the gold-eating ants."
Pu Jianxing answered briefly and then added.
"I wanted to kill it, but its power was so rare that it took the three of us to seal it."
"Can it produce higher-grade silver essence?"
There was a gleam of light in Luo Youran's eyes, and there was a hint of anticipation in his tone.
Pu Jianxing frowned slightly, gently stroked the seal pattern on the ball with his fingers, and said in a deep voice.
"The ant king can indeed produce higher-grade metals, but he is stubborn and would rather die than cooperate. We have tried various methods, but have not been able to make him surrender. We can only seal him temporarily."
He looked up at Luo Youran with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
"If the True Lord takes action, he may be able to subdue it by force, but..."
Luo Youran sighed softly, her fingertips unconsciously twirling around a strand of hair, and whispered.
"I will ask City Lord Xiao to contact the True Lord and ask him to make the decision."
Pu Jianxing was stunned when he heard this, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Can't Daozi contact the True Lord directly? Why do you have to go through City Lord Xiao?"
The hall fell silent for a moment. Luo Youran's eyes drifted to the window. The sunlight shone through the window lattice onto her face, casting mottled shadows. After a moment of silence, she slowly spoke.
"My husband secretly left Kaiyang Star two years ago and went to other planets."
Pu Jianxing's pupils shrank slightly, and the sealing ball in his hand almost slipped out of his hand.
"Michiko left? When did it happen?"
"Two years ago."
Luo Youran turned around, her skirt flowing like water.
“It is expected to return next year.”
Pu Jianxing's face was solemn and his knuckles tightened unconsciously.
"Such an important matter, why..."
"The True Lord knows."
Luo Youran interrupted him, his tone calm but unquestionable.
"My husband has arranged everything before he left. Ningxue and I will be in charge of Xuantian Empire for the time being. Important matters will be decided by the True Lord."
She walked slowly towards the sand table in the center of the hall, tapped with her fingertips, and the full image of Kaiyang Star emerged in the spiritual light.
"So regarding the matter of the Ant King, I will ask Ningxue to consult Yu Shui Zhenjun."
Pu Jianxing stared at the sand table for a long time and finally let out a long sigh.
"I understand."
He carefully placed the sealing ball on the table.
"This seal can only last for half a year. I hope we can find a solution before then."
Luo Youran nodded slightly, his eyes fell on the silver sphere, and whispered.
"By the way, how is the situation on Tianyuan Star?"
"all the best."
Pu Jianxing's expression eased a little.
"We have controlled all the gold-eating ants except the ant king, and the silver essence production has almost doubled. Although the two masters, Hou Guan and Zi Tong, have unruly personalities, they manage the place in an orderly manner."
As he spoke, he took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Luo Youran.
“Here is the detailed report.”
Luo Youran took the jade slip, scanned it with his spiritual sense, and the corners of his lips raised slightly.
"Thank you for your hard work, Master. Go and have a rest first. I will deal with the matter of the Ant King as soon as possible."
Pu Jianxing bowed and left. When his figure disappeared outside the palace gate, the smile on Luo Youran's face gradually faded. She stood alone in the empty hall, her fingers gently stroking the cold surface of the silver ball, whispering softly.
"You must come back on time, husband..."
……
The top of Xuantian Peak is shrouded in clouds and mist.
Xiao Ningxue stood on the top of the mountain, holding the silver ball in her hand. The sharp mountain wind blew up her white hair, and her clothes fluttered. Her eyes were as calm as water as she looked at the ancient stone palace covered with runes - the residence of Yu Shui Zhenjun.
She stepped forward, her toes tapping the stone steps, and she glided up as lightly as a swallow. After a moment, she stopped in front of a stone door with water patterns carved on it and bowed respectfully.
"Disciple Xiao Ningxue, begging to see the True Lord."
The stone door opened silently, and a cool breath blew in. The light in the hall was dim, with only a clear spring in the center emitting a faint glow. Sitting cross-legged beside the spring was a man in a green shirt, none other than Yu Shui Zhen Jun. His eyes were slightly closed, his face was peaceful, and his aura merged with the spring water, as if it had never moved.
"What's the matter?"
The voice of Yu Shui Zhenjun is like the sound of a spring, clear and distant.
Xiao Ningxue took a few steps forward and presented the silver ball with both hands.
"This is the ant king of the gold-eating ant clan of Tianyuan Star. Master Pu and his two men sealed it and brought it back. The ant king can produce higher-level silver essence, but it would rather die than surrender. The disciples are helpless, so we come to ask Master Zhenjun to make a decision."
Yu Shui Zhenjun slowly opened his eyes and his gaze fell on the sphere. He did not take it, but just flicked his sleeves lightly, and the sphere floated above the spring water, with the seal pattern clearly visible under the reflection of the spring water.
"Gold-eating ant king..."
He whispered, and lightly touched the spring water with his fingertips. A drop of water flew up and landed on the seal. In an instant, the seal pattern melted like ice and snow, fine cracks appeared on the surface of the sphere, and a violent aura suddenly erupted!
Xiao Ningxue's pupils shrank, and she subconsciously took a half step back, her spiritual power surging around her, ready to deal with any unexpected events at any time. However, as soon as the aura dissipated, it was silently swallowed by the spring water, as if it had never existed.
The sphere completely shattered, and a palm-sized silver ant fell into the spring. Its entire body seemed to be made of mithril, and it flapped its wings and tried to fly as soon as it was free, but it was firmly imprisoned by the spring water and could not move.