135: Level 4 demonic beast essence blood! Used to refine a substitute Gu!

Chapter 135: Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood! Refining the Substitute Body

When he returned to the rented courtyard in the Tianque Fortress Market Town, Zhao Wen had already come back.

"Master, these are some intelligence reports regarding the Tianque Fortress Market Town that your subordinate has gathered, along with a map of the nearby region."

Zhao Wen respectfully reported, presenting two Jade Slips: "The largest and most well-connected shop within the market is undoubtedly the 'Tian Que Tower'. It is said to have several Cultivators from the Tianque Fortress itself as shareholders. Their stock is abundant, and occasionally, even Core Formation Stage-level Materials or treasures appear."

Lu Qiu took the Jade Slips and briefly examined them, gaining a clear understanding.

After a moment's thought, he took out a Storage Pouch containing Spirit Stones and handed it to Zhao Wen, instructing, "Go to the Tian Que Tower again and purchase two things for me."

"First, the Essence Blood of a Fourth-level Monster Beast. The type or attribute doesn't matter, but it must be rich in qi and blood, preferably freshly obtained."

"Second, purchase according to this list." Lu Qiu handed over another Jade Slip recording several types of Materials, "including live specimens or eggs of 'Soul-entrusting Insects', 'corrosive heart fluid', 'silver leaf silk'..."

These Materials were precisely the primary and auxiliary ingredients needed to refine the "substitute gu" recorded in the *Myriad Poisons Gu Scripture*!

The former was to attempt using the blood devouring pearl to condense a higher-grade blood bead, to see if it could help the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis break through its fifth-level Bottleneck.

The latter was to begin refining the life-saving wondrous Gu — the substitute gu!

Zhao Wen noted the requirements, took the Spirit Stones, and immediately departed to carry out the order.

His efficiency was high. In just over an hour, he returned and presented two Storage Pouches bearing the Tian Que Tower's insignia.

"Master, there was only one type of Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood available, taken from a Fourth-level Early Stage 'Earth-Splitting Savage Ox'. It is said to have been hunted less than ten days ago, and the qi and blood are still well-preserved. The other Materials on your list have all been purchased. However, regarding the 'Soul-entrusting Insect' eggs, the Tian Que Tower's stock was limited; I could only buy three." Zhao Wen reported.

Lu Qiu nodded and took the Storage Pouches. Being able to purchase these Materials was already quite good, as many were related to poison and Gu, and weren't common in Righteous Path market towns.

He first took out the jade vial containing the Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood.

Pulling out the stopper, a rich, scorching, wild, and powerful bloody scent immediately filled the air. The Essence Blood was deep red, thick as syrup.

Lu Qiu took out the blood devouring pearl and immersed it in the jade vial.

As if encountering a feast, the blood devouring pearl's surface erupted with bloody light. The Earth-Splitting Savage Ox Essence Blood in the vial visibly decreased and paled.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, more than half the vial of Essence Blood had been devoured.

The blood devouring pearl became crystal clear, with red light swirling inside. The dense, misty bloody glow within seemed so concentrated it was about to drip.

A moment later, a drop seeped from the bead's surface, rapidly congealing in the air into a small bead about the size of a soybean, dark red nearly black in color, emitting a pure and domineering bloody qi!

The aura of this blood bead was far stronger, at least ten times more potent, than the ones previously condensed from First-level Monster Beast blood!

Lu Qiu immediately summoned the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis.

The moment it appeared, the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis's compound eyes fixed intently on the dark red blood bead in Lu Qiu's hand. It emitted urgent "clicking" sounds, showing extreme desire.

Lu Qiu flicked the blood bead to it.

The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis swallowed it in one gulp, then its entire body shuddered violently!

"Hum—!"

A dense layer of bloody halo emanated from beneath its dark golden carapace, enveloping it completely.

The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis let out a low hiss. Its aura began to fluctuate intensely. The already ferocious barbs on its carapace seemed to become even sharper. The overall ferocious aura it exuded suddenly increased by a noticeable margin!

However, it did not immediately advance in rank. Clearly, a blood bead condensed from Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood was still insufficient for it to directly break through the fifth-level barrier.

Lu Qiu could sense the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis's internal qi and blood churning. Its true essence was rapidly growing and condensing, currently in a stage of quick digestion, absorption, and accumulation of power.

"It works! But it's not enough." Lu Qiu understood clearly. He recalled the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis, whose aura was still unstable, into the gray spatial bead to let it digest quietly.

Next, he began preparing to refine the "substitute gu".

Inside the Quiet Room, Lu Qiu took out a specially crafted set of jade utensils inscribed with poison-resistant Restrictions.

First, he processed the "Soul-entrusting Insect" eggs. These three eggs were only the size of rice grains, grayish-white, with fine spiral patterns on the surface, emitting faint Soul fluctuations.

Using his magic power, he carefully placed the eggs into a small jade bowl containing a nurturing liquid. He slowly infused gentle spiritual energy to activate the eggs' vitality.

Next, he processed the "corrosive heart fluid".

This was a dark green, viscous liquid emitting a pungent, sour, and rotten odor. It possessed strong corrosive properties and a certain ability to erode the Divine Soul.

Lu Qiu put on special gloves, used a jade spoon to take a small drop, and blended it into a prepared auxiliary medicinal liquid that could neutralize some of its toxicity and stimulate its "substitution" spiritual nature.

"silver leaf silk" was a bright silver, hair-thin, incredibly tough plant fiber. It required slow scorching with Yin fire to remove Impurities, leaving behind the purest thread body. Then it was soaked in a specially prepared Gu insect bodily fluid to give it the property of containing Soul Power and blood qi.

The other auxiliary Materials also had their own processing methods: some were ground, some smelted, some extracted.

The entire process required immense patience, precise control of magic power, and a deep understanding of the properties of poisonous substances.

The slightest mistake could not only ruin all the Materials but also risk a backlash from the poison.

Lu Qiu focused his entire being, meticulously following the steps in the *Myriad Poisons Gu Scripture*. At times, he channeled his magic power into fine threads for carving; at other times, he formed hand seals to guide the Fusion of medicinal properties; and at others, he used his Divine Sense to carefully perceive changes in the Materials.

Time passed quietly within the Quiet Room.

For three full days and nights, Lu Qiu worked without sleep or rest, finally completing the preliminary refinement.

On a palm-sized black jade plate inscribed with intricate Gu patterns, three processed "silver leaf silks" were interwoven to form a miniature triangular three-dimensional framework.

Suspended at the center of the framework was a dark green liquid droplet, a Fusion of the essence of "corrosive heart fluid" and other auxiliary Materials.

The three "Soul-entrusting Insect" eggs, whose vitality had been activated and were now faintly trembling, were positioned at the three vertices of the triangular framework. They were connected to the central liquid droplet by extremely fine, processed "silver leaf silks".

The entire structure emitted an eerie, cold, yet faintly life-giving fluctuation.

"The Substitute Body Gu Prototype has been successfully refined." A look of fatigue but satisfaction appeared on Lu Qiu's face.

Next would be the lengthy six-month "Gu Nurturing" process.

Each month, he needed to drip a drop of his own Essence Blood into the central liquid droplet. Using the aura of his Essence Blood and Soul Power, he would nourish the three eggs, causing them to gradually connect with his own life force during their incubation and growth, eventually merging into his body to become a true "substitute gu".

He carefully placed the black jade plate into a specially prepared jade box and sealed it with a Restriction Talisman.

From then on, he would only need to feed it regularly each month.

After finishing this, Lu Qiu finally felt a wave of deep exhaustion wash over him.

He hurriedly sat in meditation to regulate his breathing, recovering his depleted mental energy and magic power.

After finishing his meditation, he inspected the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis within the gray spatial bead again.

He found that its aura had already stabilized, becoming roughly ten percent stronger than before. The color of its carapace had deepened and darkened further. Clearly, the benefits of that blood bead were gradually being absorbed.

"It seems blood beads condensed from Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood indeed have a significant promoting effect on the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis. If I can provide a continuous supply, perhaps it truly can help it break through the Bottleneck!" Lu Qiu felt invigorated.

He immediately summoned Zhao Wen: "Go to the Tian Que Tower again and inquire if they can obtain more Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood. Price is not an issue."

Zhao Wen quickly returned with news: "Master, the people at the Tian Que Tower said they have fixed collaborations with several hunting teams, but Fourth-level Monster Beasts are difficult to hunt, and their Essence Blood is even more sought-after. The next batch of Essence Blood might have to wait until half a month from now before they can confirm if any arrives."

"Half a month..." Lu Qiu pondered briefly, "Then we'll wait."

It was just as well; he needed time for the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis to digest, and also to feed the substitute gu monthly, study the *Myriad Poisons Gu Scripture*, and Cultivate the "Spirit Explosion Seal" secret art... Half a month passed quickly amidst Cultivation and research.

During this period, Lu Qiu checked the Opportunity intelligence daily and found that almost all the newly compiled information was low-value white information. Occasionally, a silver information would appear, pointing to nothing more than some ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage Medicinal Pills or Materials.

"It seems the Opportunities around the Tianque Fortress Market Town have been pretty much 'swept clean' by me." Lu Qiu understood clearly.

This was the pattern of the Golden Finger: after staying and exploring a region to a certain extent, the probability of high-value intelligence appearing would drop significantly.

The day agreed upon with the Tian Que Tower arrived. Zhao Wen went again and successfully bought back a new batch of Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood. This time, it was said to be taken from a Fourth-level Middle Stage "Wind-Shadow Leopard".

Lu Qiu followed the same method, using the blood devouring pearl to devour it, condensing a dark cyan blood bead with an even sharper aura and a wind-attribute fluctuation.

However, he did not immediately feed it to the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis.

The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis was still digesting the previous blood bead. Moreover, within the market town, if it were to consume it and cause intense aura fluctuations, or even trigger signs of a rank advancement, it could easily attract unwanted attention and trouble.

"It's time to leave this place." Lu Qiu made a decision.

The Opportunities around the Tianque Fortress were exhausted. He had obtained two batches of Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood. The substitute gu had entered the long-term nurturing phase. There wasn't much point in staying here any longer.

He ordered Zhao Wen and his Incarnation, Black Fiend, to pack up simply and prepare to leave the Tianque Fortress Market Town.

Half an hour later, the three of them discreetly left the rented courtyard, blended into the crowd leaving the city, and walked out of the market.

Lu Qiu summoned the green wind boat and swiftly departed.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed. His powerful Divine Sense keenly detected two concealed yet swift auras from the direction of the market behind them, chasing towards the direction they had left!

One was at the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, the other at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage!

"Being tracked?" Lu Qiu's heart tightened.

He had kept a low profile for the past half month, rarely appearing outside except for sending Zhao Wen to the Tian Que Tower to purchase Materials. He was certain he hadn't left any traces or made enemies.

His Divine Sense instantly swept over Zhao Wen and Black Fiend beside him.

Soon, his gaze fixed on Zhao Wen.

On the inside of Zhao Wen's robe at the small of his back, attached was an extremely subtle, faint gray Divine Sense mark that almost blended with the color of the fabric!

If not for his Divine Sense far surpassing his peers and his deliberate, careful inspection, it would have been nearly impossible to detect!

"It seems Zhao Wen's frequent trips to the Tian Que Tower to purchase Fourth-level Monster Beast Essence Blood and those obscure poisonous Gu Materials during this period drew someone's attention, and they secretly planted a tracking mark on him." Lu Qiu's eyes turned cold.

Given the Tian Que Tower's complex background, seeing Zhao Wen, an Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, purchasing these relatively rare Materials on a large scale, they might have developed greed or suspicion, secretly tracking him to ascertain his background, or even planning a robbery. This wasn't impossible.

He just hadn't expected the other party to be so patient, only revealing themselves and giving chase after they left the market, and sending out two Cultivators at the Middle and Late Foundation Establishment Stages right from the start!

Lu Qiu sneered inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged. He piloted the green wind boat at an unhurried pace towards a forested area ahead, as if completely unaware of the tail behind him.