Xiao Fei drove a group of Iron Fire Ants through the mountains, letting them graze on whatever they found.
Soon, he had summarized some tips for commanding the Iron Fire Ants in battle.
He could freely direct the ant swarm in various tactics such as advancing and attacking in coordination, flanking maneuvers, and focused breakthroughs.
As Xiao Fei was immersed in the sense of accomplishment from commanding an army, a figure in black robes was quietly approaching him.
Xiao Lan, hidden within the Soul Nurturing Pearl, was the first to react. Her body dispersed into black mist.
Then, countless blood threads swept out, centering on Xiao Fei and enveloping an area of dozens of zhang, protecting him within.
"Jie jie jie..."
The approaching figure was clad in black robes, his face hideous and twisted, with many festering pustules. His laughter was even more terrifying than Xiao Lan's.
"You little brat are quite clever!"
Xiao Fei's expression was tense at the moment. He gathered all the Iron Fire Ants in front of him, ready to act at any moment.
The aura emanating from the black-robed figure was already at the Golden Core stage. Judging by his laughter and appearance, he looked nothing like a good person.
Just then, the black-robed monster suddenly attacked. A withered claw extended, instantly forming a spiritual energy chain in the air, sweeping towards Xiao Fei.
Before the chain arrived, the surrounding spiritual energy had already solidified, and gusts of fierce winds made one's face sting.
This was where the difference between having intelligence and not was apparent.
Xiao Fei was almost scared to pee. The swarm of Iron Fire Ants in front of him actually looked eager to test the spiritual energy chain in the air, wanting to pounce on it and taste it.
Immediately, Xiao Fei split off a thousand Iron Fire Ants, forming them into an arrowhead formation, and charged towards the spiritual energy chain against the fierce winds.
"Devour him!"
As these Iron Fire Ants approached the spiritual energy chain, the ants at the arrowhead position were instantly pulverized into powder by the immense power.
But they also consumed the power of the spiritual energy chain.
The Iron Fire Ants that managed to survive later were actually able to pounce on the chain and take a bite or two.
The Iron Fire Ants could now even bite through Profound Iron Essence, so gnawing on the spiritual energy chain was naturally possible.
The magical abilities and divine powers unleashed by a Golden Core expert were actually temporarily blocked by these thousand Iron Fire Ants.
However, in the brief moment of contact, half of the Iron Fire Ants were already killed by the shock.
"There's hope!"
It was truly worth the immense price he paid for this batch of Iron Fire Ants.
Xiao Fei then split off another group of Iron Fire Ants to block the chain.
At the same time, the remaining three thousand Iron Fire Ants formed three arrowhead-shaped squads and charged towards the black-robed monster.
"Second Sister, run quickly!"
After releasing all the Iron Fire Ants, Xiao Fei, quite ungratefully, fled with Xiao Lan.
Fortunately, these Iron Fire Ants were stubborn. Even though their commander had fled, they didn't care and resolutely carried out their commander's orders.
They pounced in front of the black-robed monster and were about to launch a suicidal attack.
For a moment, the black-robed monster was surrounded by Iron Fire Ants, buzzing around him like flies, making him extremely annoyed.
Moreover, after Xiao Fei fed them a large piece of Profound Iron Essence, these Iron Fire Ants had become exceptionally sturdy.
Even a Golden Core expert couldn't kill them without using powerful means.
Many times, when he struck out with his palm, the Iron Fire Ants would tumble a few times in the palm wind, and then pounce on him again.
Xiao Fei, taking advantage of the Iron Fire Ants distracting the black-robed monster, used all his might to escape the scene.
This was the territory of the Danxin Sect. The black-robed monster dared not cause too much commotion. After spending some effort to eliminate the swarm of Iron Fire Ants, he did not pursue further.
If he had fully unleashed his Golden Core stage divine abilities, although he could have captured Xiao Fei, it would have attracted the Golden Core cultivators of the Danxin Sect, making it not worth the trouble.
The person escaped, and he could catch him next time. After all, he couldn't escape his grasp.
Xiao Fei raced away at lightning speed. Only when he reached the foot of the main peak of the sect did he breathe a sigh of relief. It had been too dangerous just now.
Fortunately, those five thousand Iron Fire Ants were loyal and sacrificed themselves to protect their master, allowing him to escape with his life.
Having successfully escaped from the hands of a Golden Core expert, he could brag about it in the future.
It was a pity about his five thousand Iron Fire Ants, which had taken him two years and a large piece of Profound Iron ore. They had been wiped out as soon as they made their debut.
Fortunately, during these two years, the queen ant he had been raising in the space had been quite capable, giving birth to over twenty thousand more offspring for Xiao Fei.
Due to the rich spiritual energy within the space, combined with Xiao Fei's careful feeding with various spiritual medicines, these newly hatched twenty thousand Iron Fire Ants had better physiques and were more robust.
He landed in a place with many people and then slowly walked up the mountain.
The appearance of a Golden Core stage evil cultivator within the sect's mountain range was no small matter. He intended to report it to True Person Guangling.
Such matters required the intervention of the sect's Golden Core elders.
As he was walking, he saw an old man with white hair and a long beard, exuding an immortal aura, approaching him. It was the Sect Master of the Danxin Sect.
"Disciple Xiao Fei, greetings Sect Master!"
"Hahaha! Nephew Xiao, there's no need for such formality. I heard you are now a second-tier alchemist?"
The Sect Master of the Danxin Sect was a kind person, always smiling, and deeply loved by the disciples.
Xiao Fei also had a good impression of this amiable old man and replied respectfully.
"Disciple recently managed to pass the second-tier alchemist test at the Alchemy Hall."
"Nephew Xiao is too modest. Your alchemy talent far surpasses ordinary people, and you have such a calm and steady disposition.
Good! Good!
Nephew, you will surely become a pillar of the sect in the future. The future of the Danxin Sect will ultimately belong to you young people."
The Sect Master had always valued Xiao Fei highly and never failed to praise him lavishly during their meetings.
"By the way, Nephew, you seemed to be in a hurry just now. Do you have something important?"
Xiao Fei pondered for a moment. In fact, this matter should be reported to the Sect Master.
Even if he reported it to his master, his master would eventually inform the Sect Master, as the Sect Master was responsible for the sect's daily management.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, disciple encountered a Golden Core stage evil cultivator in the Cuihua Mountain Range just now."
"Is that so! How dare such a mere evil cultivator be so bold!"
The Sect Master was furious upon hearing this.
"Let's go! You lead the way for this old man, and I will surely tear this thief to pieces."
Immediately, the Sect Master rolled up his sleeves, and his powerful magical energy swept Xiao Fei up, taking him flying into the distance.
At this moment, many Danxin Sect disciples were on the road. Seeing Xiao Fei being personally carried away by the Sect Master, they all cast envious glances.
It was like riding in someone's car with a big shot, something worth bragging about for years.
"It seems Senior Brother Xiao is highly valued by the Sect Master!"
"Of course. He's an alchemy prodigy and a direct disciple of True Person Guangling. How can we ordinary disciples compare?"
Amidst the envious gazes of the disciples, Xiao Fei flew far away with the Sect Master.
Xiao Fei's mind was racing with thoughts. He felt that the Sect Master's appearance was a bit too coincidental.
Furthermore, taking him away directly without allowing him to object, wasn't that a bit too hasty?
"Sect Master, perhaps disciple should go back and inform my master, and have master join in the encirclement of the evil cultivator to prevent him from escaping."
As Xiao Fei spoke, he intended to leave on his own, but he found that the Sect Master had no intention of letting him go.
"Nephew, you don't need to worry. No one can escape from this old man's grasp!"
As the Sect Master said this, the gentle smile on his face gradually turned sinister.