As Tian Meng Ice Silkworm was struggling to integrate itself into Huo Yuer's body, it suddenly jolted in alarm.
Its two golden little eyes rolled upward, and its gaze toward the sky revealed both shock and confusion. Clearly, the oppressive atmosphere descending from above had nothing to do with it—and it was far beyond its comprehension.
At this moment, a gray current, as if drawn by an immense suction force, descended from the heavens. In an instant, it landed on the back of Huo Yuer's head and quietly seeped inside.
"What dares to compete with me for a host!?"
Tian Meng Ice Silkworm erupted in fury, unleashing a massive wave of spiritual energy in an attempt to drive the gray current out of Huo Yuer's body.
A faint, indistinct figure emerged behind Huo Yuer.
An aged voice, carrying an indescribable sense of authority, spoke a line brimming with grandeur:
"With the sun and moon in my grasp, I pluck the stars from the sky. There is no one in this world like me. I never expected that a fragment of my soul could still remain."
Despite Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's mental assault, the blurry, ethereal figure seemed completely unaffected. With a swift motion, it dove straight into Huo Yuer's mind.
Tian Meng Ice Silkworm stared at this scene in disbelief. Though it had no hands, it flailed helplessly, confused by the situation. What was going on?
From the shadows, Ye Wen calmly observed the unfolding events. Once the sacrificial process began, it could not be stopped. Tian Meng Ice Silkworm had no choice but to resign itself to fully merging into Huo Yuer's body.
"My disciple has now received her two cheat codes," Ye Wen muttered. "But having one perverted old man and one creepy grandpa in a young girl's mind feels a bit off, doesn't it?"
As both entities fully integrated into Huo Yuer's body, the terrifying celestial phenomena in the sky began to dissipate.
Looking at the unconscious Huo Yuer, Ye Wen didn't rush to take her away. Instead, he collected the discarded husk left behind by Tian Meng Ice Silkworm after its fusion.
Even though it was a million-year-old soul beast, the spirit bones it produced—especially those of the head, which were tied to spiritual attributes—were far beyond what ordinary soul masters could withstand.
If the original timeline's Huo Yuhao had possessed Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's head spirit bone from the start, he wouldn't have had to endure so much humiliation later on.
"Useless," Ye Wen remarked, his evaluation of Tian Meng Ice Silkworm clear and concise.
Ye Wen was somewhat interested in the otherworldly abilities possessed by Electrolux. As for Tian Meng Ice Silkworm—the perverted worm—it would be best to erase it entirely. Keeping it around would only waste space.
If this timeline's Tian Meng Ice Silkworm had truly acted in Huo Yuer's best interests, Ye Wen might have spared it. Unfortunately, its selfish motives mirrored those from the original timeline—it sought to use Huo Yuer as a tool for ascension while also bringing along its beloved Bing'er.
Ye Wen admitted that Bing'er's true form was indeed beautiful, like a work of art. But how could mere prey fall in love with its predator? What kind of twisted logic was that?
At this moment, Huo Yuer finally regained consciousness, dazedly shaking her small head.
Seeing the familiar figure before her, Huo Yuer froze momentarily before being filled with a deep sense of security. She quickly rose and bowed to Ye Wen.
"Master."
"Mm," Ye Wen responded, then carefully examined Huo Yuer's current condition.
Huo Yuer, who had previously been merely passably pretty, had undergone significant changes after being nourished by Tian Meng Ice Silkworm. She had grown significantly taller, reaching about 1.6 meters, and her previously frail, wind-blown loli appearance had transformed into a healthier, more robust physique.
However, precisely because of this, Tian Meng Ice Silkworm had to be dealt with. Even if it was just a bug, it was still a male bug.
What nonsense was this—to reside inside a young girl's body! This disgusting worm.
"Little Yuer, come here," Ye Wen said gently.
Though she didn't know what Ye Wen intended, the days they had spent together made Huo Yuer obediently step forward.
As if out of habit, Ye Wen ruffled Huo Yuer's soft, delightful little head.
Thinking this was praise for her performance, Huo Yuer's face lit up with joy.
Meanwhile, within Huo Yuer's mind, Tian Meng Ice Silkworm was smugly observing the essence it had sealed away.
"As expected of me—I—"
Suddenly, a powerful suction force tore through, and Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's soul form was violently ripped out of Huo Yuer's spiritual space.
Huo Yuer watched in astonishment as a radiant white energy form appeared in Ye Wen's hand. She couldn't understand how a simple touch to her head had caused this thing to appear in her master's hand.
"W-who… who are you?"
Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's panicked mental transmission echoed in both their minds.
Ye Wen's expression turned cold. Even in its severely weakened state, Tian Meng Ice Silkworm was still far beyond what a newly minted level-10 soul master like Huo Yuer could handle.
"Silence, worm!" Ye Wen snapped coldly.
If Ye Wen hadn't reacted quickly, Huo Yuer's mind would have been shattered by Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's spiritual attack, leaving her a vegetable.
Huo Yuer, still recovering from the mental assault, blinked groggily and asked,
"Master… what just happened?"
After some thought, Ye Wen explained the nature of the object in his hand and laid out Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's intentions in full detail.
Though Huo Yuer was still weak, she had already endured the harsh realities of society and deeply understood the treachery of human nature. Her large, lively eyes widened as she exclaimed,
"This big worm is so despicable! How dare it scheme against me like that!"
Tian Meng Ice Silkworm protested weakly, "What do you mean, 'scheme'? Haven't you benefited from me? Don't humans often say that effort brings reward? What's wrong with asking for your help?!"
Huo Yuer, whose values had been instilled by Huo Yun'er, fell silent. She had indeed heard such words before.
Just as Huo Yuer felt that Tian Meng Ice Silkworm's words were wrong but didn't know how to counter them, Ye Wen coldly interjected,
"You're truly a foolish worm. In this world, there's no such thing as guaranteed reward for effort.
Your million years of cultivation were nothing more than a stroke of luck. What effort did you put in? You've only ever slept and eaten repeatedly. Now that my disciple has inherited everything you gained through sheer luck, why are you still whining?"
Already under Ye Wen's control, Tian Meng Ice Silkworm couldn't comprehend how this human had completely exposed its secrets.
Huo Yuer's eyes, however, lit up with understanding.
So effort didn't always bring reward. This worm had only gained its cultivation through luck. Then why shouldn't I inherit its power? It made perfect sense!
But Huo Yuer blinked again. Her cultivation still seemed to be at level 10.
Where was the promised million years of cultivation?
After resolving Huo Yuer's confusion, Ye Wen permanently silenced Tian Meng Ice Silkworm—a useless creature beyond its cultivation.
------------------------------------------------------
Thank you to our new Patrons: HADES, Diogo Frazão, Unknown, Jared Toussaint, zFuriaMz and bwuooq! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to 'Chapter 825: Evil Eye - Zhu Zhuqing - Part 3' on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed.