Upon hearing Han Li's words, the three elderly figures with crooked faces exchanged puzzled glances. What was the intent behind this question? Did he intend to play them off before finally eliminating them? "Master, if you wish to take our lives, go ahead and act. What need is there for such formalities?" The fierce man straightened his spine and spoke firmly, disregarding everything else. "That's rather strange. Did I perhaps misstate something earlier?" Han Li's expression darkened, and his tone grew colder. "We truly did not know you were hunting these beasts. Otherwise, we would never have disturbed you, Master. We merely happened to arrive by accident, with no ill will at all. We kindly beg you to show some mercy." The scholar named Min, sensing a glimmer of hope in Han Li's demeanor, regained a touch of color and pleaded earnestly. "Bug Demon! Is that what you're saying?" Han Li slightly furrowed his brow, a trace of doubt appearing on his face. "Are you not the Bug Demon Master?" The elder with the crooked face, who had previously been resigned to his fate, could only stare in astonishment, his expression filled with surprise and doubt. "It seems we have misunderstood something," smiled Han Li lightly. After a moment's hesitation, he raised his hand, and three silvery hand seals shot toward the neck bands of the three visitors. Instantly, the three bands emitted a low hum and dissolved into countless beetle-like creatures, which surged back into the spiritual beast pouch at Han Li's waist. Witnessing this sight, the three survivors, who had just escaped certain death, were both amazed and delighted. Though still deeply puzzled, they now largely believed that perhaps they had indeed mistaken him for someone else. Otherwise, how could the renowned insect demon have gone through such elaborate pretenses? Nevertheless, having just witnessed Han Li's astonishing abilities, they remained respectful and motionless, unwilling to make any sudden movements. "Ah, I see now—we truly have misunderstood you, Master. Given the insect demon's nature, he would never have been so generous as to let us go so easily. May I ask your esteemed name?" The elderly man with a crooked face managed to force a smile and quickly bowed, asking with polite inquiry. He was well aware that even if the person before him wasn't the true insect demon, his abilities were no less impressive—equally capable of taking their lives at will. Thus, he could not afford any negligence. Upon hearing this, Han Li smiled slightly, then, as he opened his mouth to speak, he suddenly murmured, "Hm," and glanced upward. "There must be companions with you, right? They seem to have arrived already," Han Li said slowly, looking into the sky. The elderly man was momentarily startled, then, as if remembering something, raised his head in the same direction. But what met his gaze was empty—no figures in sight—leaving him once again puzzled. "Indeed, our companions and disciples have also come with us. I should think they've arrived by now," he replied honestly, though somewhat uncertain. Just as he had finished speaking, a series of faint light spots appeared from beyond the sky—precisely the group of foundation-stage cultivators who had fallen behind. They were indeed far slower than the three elderly figures with bird-like faces, having only just now arrived at this location. Upon seeing this, the elderly figures' expressions subtly changed. This clearly indicated that the opponents' awareness surpassed his own, reinforcing his sense of awe and fear toward Han Li by an additional three parts. "Han Li is naturally not fond of bustling scenes," Han Li said, gazing thoughtfully at the three elders. "The disciples you have arranged have been sent here, so I shall wait for you at the other end of this island. I still have several questions I would like to discuss with each of you. I hope you won't suddenly depart without further notice." With these words, he smiled slightly and transformed into a streak of jade-green light, swiftly heading toward the opposite side of the small island. The three elderly figures finally exhaled in relief. Though it's still uncertain whether the young people are truly insect demons, their current demeanor shows no signs of hostility toward these three—thus, their lives are temporarily secure. Under the solemn murmurs of the elderly man with a hawk-like face, the scholar of the Min surname nodded slightly and immediately took flight toward the sky, heading toward the group of foundation-stage cultivators. Upon reaching the group of disciples, he said something cold and composed. The cultivators promptly descended slowly to the edge of the small island, choosing not to gather with the elderly man and his companions. Only then did the scholar of the Min surname return to the elderly man, visibly troubled. "Chu brother, shall we really proceed?" The sturdy man, upon seeing the scholar arrive, whispered hesitantly. "Xuan, don't think of any complicated plans. You've already witnessed their tactics. Do you really think we can still escape? Simply answer honestly when they ask questions. Just don't provoke them!" Treat him as a senior cultivator at the Yuan Ying stage, and he should surely not care to kill us," the man with the prominent facial features said, his expression shifting with serious emphasis. "You're absolutely right, Brother Qiu. I don't think he's someone particularly hostile. Better not act too hastily," agreed the scholar named Min, nodding vigorously in agreement. Though the stout man internally remained somewhat hesitant, he found himself compelled to set aside his reservations upon hearing both of their assessments. Thereafter, the three of them quietly flew toward the other end of the coral island. Han Li sat cross-legged on a flat patch of coral, calmly awaiting their arrival. "My esteemed friends, let us sit together and engage in conversation. Please enlighten me about what has recently transpired in the waters surrounding Qi Yuan Island. On my way back from the deep sea, I've encountered several groups of cultivators in succession. I recall that in the past, this region was rarely visited by cultivators—after all, didn't they mostly hunt and slaughter monsters within the sea depths? Of course, I would also like to learn more in detail about the matter involving the insect demon." "Han Li gestured casually to the three companions, maintaining his composed demeanor and said calmly. Faced with Han Li's steady expression, the three elderly figures with a crooked face grew increasingly uneasy, bowed respectfully, and then sat down carefully nearby. "Have you visited Qi Yuan Island for two or three years now, friend? The Deep Sea Region has long been our practitioners' sanctuary. Nowadays, not only do we rarely venture there to hunt beasts, but even mentioning the Deep Sea makes people pale with apprehension," the elder with the crooked face smiled gently and said slowly. "Ah? Could you elaborate on that, please," Han Li replied, his face showing no surprise, speaking softly. "This story is quite lengthy. It all began with the outbreak of the beasts' frenzy two years ago..." Seeing Han Li listening intently, the elder felt a sense of reassurance, paused to reflect, and then recounted the original Deep Sea crisis and the subsequent situation in which all the Yuan Ying stage practitioners returned empty-handed. Han Li sat there quietly listening, and only after hearing the full account did his brows subtly furrow as he murmured, "So it seems that during the previous incident of the deep-sea sea beast's violent outburst, many high-level cultivators perished, with even Yuan-Stage cultivators unable to hold their ground. That explains why cultivators from other sea regions have suddenly increased in number!" "Well, how to put it... At first glance, your companion indeed bears a strong resemblance to the legendary Insect Demon as described. He too wields multiple jade-blue flying swords, has a youthful appearance, seems to be only at the Ji Dan stage of cultivation, and commands thousands of flying insects..." Ming-named cultivator cleared his throat and added, stepping in. Yet with each sentence he spoke, his voice grew softer and more hesitant. After all, the young man before him seemed to match the description of the Insect Demon remarkably well. The Ming-named cultivator felt increasingly uneasy. "Ah! That sounds quite like me! Could you elaborate a bit more, Master? What exactly did this Insect Demon accomplish? It seems he has quite a reputation." Han Li's face briefly showed a subtle expression of surprise, and he asked calmly. "There are many stories involving the Insect Demon. But the most renowned one is his feat four years ago, when he single-handedly led a vast army of insects to defeat and eliminate seven or eight Ji Dan cultivators. That battle marked his rise to fame." The Ming-named cultivator spoke carefully. Han Li heard this and showed no outward change on his face, yet a sudden jolt went through his mind. "It was expected that after this battle, the insect demon would vanish without a trace. Yet, over a year later, in the waters near Qi Yuan Island, there have been frequent incidents of cultivators being wiped out and their treasures taken. Survivors have testified that it was precisely this insect demon responsible. He again commands vast swarms of insects, effortlessly devouring his opponents. Such events have occurred almost every one or two months. According to reports, cultivators who have fallen to this demon's hands now number well over a hundred. His reputation has truly become fearsome." After finishing his account, the man with the surname Min looked slightly tense, his expression showing a touch of unease.