Chapter 7: Hunting Me Down?

After all, the Clan Leader had already sensed Yun Yi’s aura and cultivation level through that mysterious blood bead. It knew that although Yun Yi was also a demonic cultivator, his cultivation was only at the second level of demonic energy, far inferior to its own. Therefore, it was brimming with confidence, believing that with its own strength, taking down Yun Yi would be as easy as flipping its palm. It had secretly made up its mind to slay Yun Yi beneath its wings, thereby demonstrating its majesty and power as the Clan Leader. After all, in this world of cultivation, how could any demonic cultivator not harbor some coveted opportunities and treasures?

With this thought, the Clan Leader flapped its wings violently, stirring up a gust of wind. Like an arrow released from a bow, it surged forward with even greater speed toward the direction where Yun Yi was located.

"Little mosquito, the opportunities you possess and your destiny shall all belong to me! With these, I will surely break through to the fourth level of demonic energy and stand proud above all others!"

The Clan Leader calculated in its heart. Due to a long-standing scarcity of cultivation resources, it had been hovering at the third level of demonic energy for far too long. The fact that that brat Yun Yi could so easily slay the powerful Daoist Swallowing-Heaven—how could that not tempt it? It felt that Yun Yi’s strength must be backed by significant opportunities, and perhaps those very opportunities were the key to breaking through its bottleneck.

Meanwhile, Yun Yi and his companion, Xiao Li, remained completely unaware of the looming danger, drifting aimlessly through the air.

"Xiao Li, you look a bit tired from flying. Why don't we find a quiet place to rest for a while?"

"Alright," Xiao Li responded softly.

They descended together and chose a vibrant patch of flowers as their resting place. Sheltered by the blossoms, Yun Yi and Xiao Li nestled close to each other, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility. However, this peace was soon broken by a sudden, rumbling sound. Yun Yi’s stomach began to protest, as if complaining about the hunger caused by his long period without food.

"I'm hungry. I'll go find some nectar nearby to fill my belly." Yun Yi patted his small stomach lightly and was just about to take flight when he froze as if struck by something. A critical piece of information flashed through his mind: Xiao Li, being a female mosquito, had dietary habits completely different from his own. He could sustain his life by consuming nectar, but Xiao Li required a more direct source of nutrition—blood.

This thought hit Yun Yi like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, stirring up ripples. He looked around; a cluster of brilliant flowers swayed gently in the breeze, overflowing with fragrance, but to Xiao Li, these flowers offered no sustenance. Xiao Li noticed Yun Yi’s strange behavior. Its translucent wings fluttered gently, and its gaze turned toward Yun Yi with tenderness. Seeing Yun Yi looking troubled, it looked around as well and understood.

It gave a gentle smile, its voice filled with understanding and warmth. "Yun Yi, don't worry about me. I'm not hungry yet. You go find something to eat first; don't let yourself go hungry."

How could Yun Yi not understand that behind Xiao Li’s consideration lay a desire not to trouble him? However, he knew well that in this gorgeous field of flowers, which was so barren for Xiao Li, it would be impossible to find what she needed. After a brief moment of thought, Yun Yi had a plan. He decided to prioritize the big picture: he would feed himself first, restore his strength, and then find a way to secure suitable food for Xiao Li.

"Xiao Li, I'll go find some food first, and then I'll figure out how to solve your dietary needs." Yun Yi’s words held unwavering determination and deep concern for Xiao Li.

"Alright." Xiao Li nodded gently, its eyes sparkling with total trust and peace of mind. It believed that Yun Yi would always find a way, just as they had faced every challenge together in the past. Xiao Li’s heart was full of faith in Yun Yi, and without a hint of hesitation, it happily agreed to his proposal. It knew that Yun Yi’s departure was only temporary and that he would soon return with a solution.

Seeing Xiao Li nod in agreement, a warm current flowed through Yun Yi’s heart. He flapped his wings gently, preparing for takeoff. Then, he soared into the air, cutting through the sky like a black streak of lightning, heading toward the vibrant flower patch not far away. In the field, multicolored flowers bloomed in competition, resembling a magnificent painting spread across the earth. Each flower emitted an alluring scent, weaving together into an intoxicating fragrance.

Yun Yi wove through them, his antennae trembling slightly as he captured the subtle differences in each flower’s scent. He knew that hidden within this ocean of flowers lay the treasure capable of rapidly restoring his strength—nectar. Soon, a particularly lush wildflower appeared before him; its petals were layered and colorful, like the brightest stars in the night sky. Without hesitation, he flew toward the flower and landed lightly upon its petals. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the petals, casting a faint, golden glow upon him.

Yun Yi carefully extended his thin, sharp proboscis—his only tool for gathering nectar. He gently inserted it deep into the heart of the flower, where the sweetest and purest nectar was hidden. As his proboscis delved deeper, a flow of sweet nectar slowly entered his body, bringing with it a sense of warmth and vitality. Yun Yi closed his eyes, immersing himself completely in this rare tranquility and satisfaction. He could feel his strength rapidly returning; every drop of nectar transformed into surging life force within him.

However, this satisfaction did not last long. Yun Yi knew that as his cultivation progressed, his body’s demand for energy was also growing. The nectar of a single flower, though sweet and delicious, was far from enough to satisfy his current consumption. Thus, he flapped his wings and took off again, weaving between the flowers to search for the next bloom that could provide nourishment.

The second flower, the third... Yun Yi worked tirelessly, moving back and forth among the various blossoms. Each stop was an accumulation of power. His figure appeared and disappeared within the flowers like a diligent harvester, constantly drawing the essence of life from nature. Finally, after consuming the nectar of over a dozen flowers, Yun Yi stopped his busy work. He hovered in mid-air, flapping his wings gently, a satisfied smile on his face.

At this moment, his stomach was no longer empty, and a solid, powerful energy surged within him.

"It seems that the higher one's cultivation, the more immense the energy required to maintain it," Yun Yi mused to himself. This realization was as clear and profound as dew in the morning light.