# Chapter 21: Bad Bug
Zhang Ruochen's eyes flickered as he stared at the strange creature in front of him.
This thing was about the size of a palm, with a pitch-black body covered in dense, tiny scales. Its head was triangular, with two blood-red eyes emitting a sinister glow. Most peculiar of all, it had a pair of transparent wings on its back that vibrated at high speed, producing a faint buzzing sound.
"What is this?" Zhang Ruochen asked cautiously.
The little creature tilted its head, seemingly sizing him up. Then, it suddenly opened its mouth and let out a sharp, ear-piercing screech.
The sound waves spread out, causing the surrounding space to distort slightly. Zhang Ruochen's expression changed as he quickly circulated his sacred Qi to protect his eardrums.
"Don't be nervous, kid." The voice of the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription rang out. "This is a Void Devouring Insect, a rare species that feeds on space power."
"Void Devouring Insect?" Zhang Ruochen was taken aback.
"That's right." The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription continued, "This thing is extremely rare. It lives in the gaps of space and is almost impossible to encounter under normal circumstances. It seems you've stumbled upon a treasure."
"A treasure?" Zhang Ruochen looked at the ugly little bug with some doubt.
"Don't underestimate it." The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription said, "The Void Devouring Insect can devour space and even tear apart space barriers. If you can tame it, it will be a great help to you."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ruochen's eyes lit up. He carefully observed the Void Devouring Insect, only to find that the creature was also staring at him, its blood-red eyes flickering with a hint of curiosity.
"Can it be tamed?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"Of course, but it won't be easy." The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription said, "Void Devouring Insects are proud by nature and won't easily submit to anyone. You need to show enough strength to make it acknowledge you as its master."
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment, then slowly extended his hand toward the Void Devouring Insect.
The little bug immediately became alert, its wings vibrating faster, emitting a sharp warning sound.
"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you." Zhang Ruochen said softly, trying to convey his goodwill.
But the Void Devouring Insect didn't buy it. It suddenly opened its mouth and spat out a black beam of light, shooting straight at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen's pupils contracted. He quickly sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the attack. The black beam of light hit the ground behind him, instantly melting a large hole.
"What a powerful attack!" Zhang Ruochen was secretly shocked.
"Be careful, this little thing isn't easy to deal with." The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription reminded.
Zhang Ruochen nodded, his expression turning serious. He circulated the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm, and golden light bloomed in his palm, forming a huge golden palm print that pressed down toward the Void Devouring Insect.
The Void Devouring Insect let out a sharp cry, its body suddenly becoming illusory, directly passing through the golden palm print and appearing behind Zhang Ruochen.
"So fast!" Zhang Ruochen was startled. He didn't expect this little bug to be so agile.
The Void Devouring Insect took the opportunity to attack, opening its mouth and biting toward Zhang Ruochen's neck.
Zhang Ruochen reacted quickly, his body leaning forward, narrowly dodging the attack. At the same time, he turned around and struck out with a palm, hitting the Void Devouring Insect squarely.
With a "bang," the Void Devouring Insect was sent flying, crashing heavily into the wall.
But the next moment, it got up as if nothing had happened, shaking its head, seemingly unharmed.
"What a tough defense!" Zhang Ruochen was secretly surprised. His palm strike just now was enough to shatter a mountain, yet it didn't even hurt this little bug.
"Hehe, the Void Devouring Insect's body is comparable to a sacred artifact. Ordinary attacks can't hurt it at all." The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription said with a laugh.
Zhang Ruochen frowned. If even his palm strike couldn't injure it, how was he supposed to tame it?
Just as he was pondering, the Void Devouring Insect suddenly let out an excited cry, its wings vibrating as it flew toward a corner of the secret chamber.
Zhang Ruochen looked over and saw that there was a fist-sized spatial crystal lying there, emitting a faint spatial fluctuation.
The Void Devouring Insect pounced on the spatial crystal, opening its mouth and biting down. With a "crack," the spatial crystal was bitten in half, and the rich spatial power inside was continuously devoured by the Void Devouring Insect.
Seeing this scene, Zhang Ruochen's eyes lit up. He suddenly had an idea.
He took out a spatial crystal from his space ring and gently tossed it in front of the Void Devouring Insect.
The Void Devouring Insect immediately stopped what it was doing, its blood-red eyes fixed on the spatial crystal in Zhang Ruochen's hand, revealing a look of intense desire.
"Want it?" Zhang Ruochen shook the spatial crystal in his hand.
The Void Devouring Insect nodded repeatedly, letting out a pleading cry.
"If you want it, then follow me." Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
The Void Devouring Insect hesitated for a moment, then finally flew toward Zhang Ruochen, landing on his shoulder, rubbing its head against his neck, showing affection.
Zhang Ruochen was overjoyed. He handed the spatial crystal to the Void Devouring Insect, who immediately took it and began to devour it with relish.
"Kid, you're pretty clever, using spatial crystals to lure it." The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription praised.
Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly. He looked at the Void Devouring Insect on his shoulder, feeling a sense of satisfaction.
This trip to the secret chamber was truly a great harvest. Not only did he obtain the Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription, but he also tamed a Void Devouring Insect. It was simply a double blessing.
"Alright, it's time to leave." Zhang Ruochen said, turning around and walking out of the secret chamber.
But just as he reached the entrance, a powerful aura suddenly came from outside, causing his expression to change.
"Someone's coming!" Zhang Ruochen's heart tightened. He quickly hid in the shadows, quietly observing the situation outside.
Soon, a figure appeared at the entrance of the secret chamber. It was a middle-aged man in black robes, with a cold face and sharp eyes that swept around.
"Hmph, I didn't expect someone to get here before me." The middle-aged man in black said coldly, his gaze falling on the open secret chamber.
Zhang Ruochen's heart sank. He recognized this person—it was an elder of the Black Market First Class Hall, a powerful figure at the Saint King realm.
"Come out, I know you're in there." The middle-aged man in black said coldly.
Zhang Ruochen knew he couldn't hide any longer, so he simply walked out openly, staring at the middle-aged man in black without fear.
"Who are you? How dare you trespass into the Black Market First Class Hall's secret chamber?" The middle-aged man in black asked coldly.
"I'm just a passerby who accidentally stumbled in here." Zhang Ruochen said calmly.
"Accidentally stumbled in?" The middle-aged man in black sneered, "Do you think I'd believe that? Hand over the things you took, and I might spare your life."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Zhang Ruochen said lightly.
"Looking for death!" The middle-aged man in black's eyes turned cold. He stretched out his hand and grabbed at Zhang Ruochen.
A huge handprint formed in the air, pressing down toward Zhang Ruochen with a terrifying pressure.
Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious. He circulated the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Palm to its limit, and a golden palm print met it head-on.
With a loud "boom," the two palm prints collided, sending out a powerful shockwave that shattered the surrounding walls.
Zhang Ruochen took several steps back, a trace of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth. The middle-aged man in black only swayed slightly, his expression unchanged.
"There's quite a gap in strength." Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
"Not bad, kid, you can actually block my palm." The middle-aged man in black showed a hint of surprise, then his eyes turned even colder, "But that's all you've got."
As he spoke, he was about to strike again.
At that moment, the Void Devouring Insect on Zhang Ruochen's shoulder suddenly let out a sharp cry, its wings vibrating as it shot toward the middle-aged man in black like a black lightning bolt.
"What is that?" The middle-aged man in black was startled. He quickly struck out with a palm, trying to swat the Void Devouring Insect away.
But the Void Devouring Insect was incredibly fast. It dodged his palm and bit down on his arm.
"Ah!" The middle-aged man in black let out a miserable scream, watching in horror as his arm rapidly withered, the flesh and blood being devoured by the Void Devouring Insect.
"Get lost!" The middle-aged man in black roared, shaking his arm violently, trying to shake off the Void Devouring Insect.
But the Void Devouring Insect clung tightly, continuously devouring his arm.
Zhang Ruochen saw this and knew it was a good opportunity. He immediately activated the Wind-Riding Flying Dragon Shadow, turning into a streak of light and rushing out of the secret chamber.
"Stop right there!" The middle-aged man in black wanted to give chase, but the Void Devouring Insect on his arm was a constant threat, forcing him to deal with it first.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhang Ruochen fled the Black Market First Class Hall at top speed, disappearing into the night.
After running for a long time, Zhang Ruochen finally stopped, panting heavily.
"That was close." Zhang Ruochen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling a lingering fear.
If it weren't for the Void Devouring Insect holding back that middle-aged man in black, he might not have escaped so easily.
"Kid, you've caused big trouble this time." The Heavenly Demon Stone Inscription's voice rang out, "The Black Market First Class Hall won't let this go easily."
"I know." Zhang Ruochen nodded, his expression turning serious, "But since I've already done it, there's no use regretting it now. I'll just have to take it one step at a time."
As he spoke, he looked at the Void Devouring Insect on his shoulder, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
"Thank you for helping me out this time." Zhang Ruochen said softly.
The Void Devouring Insect seemed to understand his words, letting out a cheerful cry, then rubbing its head against his neck.
Zhang Ruochen smiled, gently stroking the Void Devouring Insect's head, feeling a sense of closeness.
From now on, this little bug would be his companion.
"Let's go, we need to find a safe place to lie low for a while." Zhang Ruochen said, turning around and disappearing into the night.