Some spectatorsâ legs were trembling from the sheer number of beetles.
âDamn, Iâve never seen so many before.â A pale one murmured.
This was the first time for Shi Wawa as well. He hid behind Li Qiye right away.
âCrack! Crack! Crack!â The beetles then used their horns to widen the hole that they were peeking out of.
It didnât take long before the entire valley was filled with larger holes, no longer looking like before.
âWhat are they doing?â A first-timer asked.
âStuffing in the source stone.â An older cultivator didnât find this surprising.
âThey can really find or pull the source stones out?â The first-timer asked again because the beetles looked so tiny.
After all, these stones were heavy. Even a fist-sized one had some weight to it, more than enough to crush these beetles.
âThrow one and see.â Someone nearby instigated.
The first-timer actually took out a source stone from his pouch, one the size of a bowl without any carving and uncut.
He briefly estimated the throw before actually tossing it towards the beetles.
âBuzz.â One of them flew up right away.
People realized that they actually had wings. Itâs just that the wings were hidden beneath their carapace.
The beetle easily caught the heavy stone despite being one-tenth the size. The stone felt as light as a flower.
âCrack!â It cut the source stone into something smaller with a thin outer layer. One could faintly see a jade light within. Next, the beetle rolled this stone towards its hole.
âMy stone!â This cultivator shouted, moved forward, and reached for it.
âBuzz.â Unfortunately for him, the beetle used its wings. After a flash, blood started splattering everywhere.
âAhh!â His hand was severed by the little creature.
âRun already!â An expert warned.
The shocked cultivator started running but the beetle didnât let him go. He couldnât scream this time because it decapitated him. His eyes were still wide open, not expecting to meet his end here.
Once people calmed down, the beetle was already back near its hole, not stained by a single drop of blood.
The newcomers couldnât believe it. These beetles were far stronger than expected.
âHow are we going to get the source stones?â A young one turned pale and said.
âNot all of them are so aggressive. Be lucky and pick the right one. Plus, theyâre not that fast either. You just need to be quick enough to take the stone and run.â An elder imparted some experience to his juniors.
Nonetheless, some started giving up. They only wanted to watch now since they didnât have a death wish.
âClick. Click. Click.â The beetle finally rolled the stone into its hole. Suddenly, the gap became filled perfectly without a single crack left behind.
âWhat is it doing, hiding the stone?â A youth wondered.
âThey eat the treasures inside the stones, whether it be refined jade or something else. Itâs enough to fill them for a long time.â An older cultivator answered.
The young ones finally understood why the beetles would come out for stones.
More sound waves still came from the deep cave in the valley. It sounded like a flowing river of stones.
âItâs about to start.â The veterans stared at the cave after hearing this.
âZzzâ¦â Fog came out from the cave, still with a petrification power. The walls of the cave had another layer added.
âIsnât this the dangerous fog?!â Some became startled and retreated.
Fortunately, the fog only covered the cave and didnât spread any further. The crowd heaved a sigh of relief.
They also realized why there was a belief stating the power of petrification came from this cave. There seemed to be more mysteries down there.
Since the beetles could get stones out of the cave, there might be a rich mine beneath. Alas, the presence of the fog stopped anyone from trying. This was the reason why the cave remained untouched for millions of years.
âCrack!â A hole appeared on the side of a cliff. The beetle coming out was special - it had a blinding golden radiance.
âThe king!â Some spectators shouted.
This one was double the size of a regular Stoneshell Beetle, also seemingly cast from gold.
âThatâs the beetle king?â Shi Wawa became excited.
âSuch a powerful insect.â A veteran knew the value of this powerful creature.
âWouldnât it be nice to capture it?â Another said.
âStop dreaming, even a Heavenly Sovereign might have trouble doing so.â An expert immediately chastised.
Those nearby immediately gave up right away and kept their mouth shut.
By this point, the beetles in the valley turned towards their king. This looked like a great army greeting their ruler.
The king looked so tiny. Others felt as if they could easily crush it. However, it exuded a regal aura as if all existences here should be bowing towards it. This wondrous aura was an obvious testament to its power.
Some experts became serious. The more powerful the king, the better the stone it could get out of the cave. This made the risk worth it.
âItâs definitely mine.â Prince Wuâs eyes became bright.
âZi-â The king gave the order.
All the beetles started crawling towards the cave. Their sheer number made it look like a rising tide moving towards the cave.