Chapter 219 – Refining Gu into Pills, Entering Great Ying, Plundering the Demon Suppression Division…

Lu Chen didn’t dwell too long on matters concerning the Samadhi True Fire.

After all, he hadn’t even reached the Golden Core Stage yet, let alone obtained the so-called ‘Earthfire’ and ‘Human Fire’.

As for the Earthfire, Lu Chen felt it shouldn’t be difficult since Danyang Peak of the Azure Cloud Sect possessed an innate extraordinary fire called ‘Yangming Earthfire’.

He figured if he could absorb this ‘Yangming Earthfire’, it should satisfy the Earthfire requirement for cultivating the Samadhi True Fire.

As for the final ‘Human Fire’, Lu Chen wasn’t yet sure how to proceed.

However, none of these matters were important to him at the moment.

Because his current top priority was figuring out how to seamlessly integrate their group into the Great Ying Dynasty without being easily discovered.

“Junior Brother Lu, these are the Gu insects you requested.”

“Some of these Gu insects were obtained from those Gu cultivators, while others were found in the Gu bells they carried with them.”

“Oh, and these are the Gu cultivation manuals you asked us to collect. See if they can be of use.”

After Meow King and the others returned, they handed over all the acquired items to Lu Chen in one go.

Lu Chen had already left the previous battle site with Cui Chengyun and arrived at the small thatched hut where they first encountered Gu Yue True Immortal.

With Cui Chengyun’s death, the ‘Decree’ that had enveloped the bamboo forest had long since dissipated.

Of the over two hundred people who had followed Cui Chengyun into the bamboo forest, aside from a few lucky individuals, all had remained here permanently, becoming dried bones within the bamboo forest.

Lu Chen took a small Gu bell from Meow King’s hand.

The Gu bell wasn’t large, about the size of Lu Chen’s palm.

It was entirely emerald green, seemingly crafted from some special type of jade.

Inside this Gu bell was stored a single Gu insect.

[Name: Savage Bull Strength Gu (Dormant)]

[Grade: Mystic-Grade Low Grade]

[Effect: After taming through secret methods, obtain special divine ability – Savage Bull Strength]

[Side Effect: Certain probability of Gu insect backlash]

After reading this Gu insect’s information, Lu Chen turned his attention to the other Gu insects.

Among them was the ‘Three Lifetimes Gu’ that Lu Chen had ultimately obtained from Cui Chengyun.

[Name: Three Lifetimes Gu (Near Death)]

[Grade: Heaven-Grade High Grade]

[Effect: After taming through secret methods, greatly enhance one’s essence, Qi, and spirit, and obtain special talent… Three Lives Divine Light]

[Side Effect: Certain probability of Gu insect backlash]

Looking at these Gu insects, Lu Chen seemed to have thought of something.

After pondering for a moment, he first set aside the Gu insects and began studying the Gu cultivators’ secret methods.

Throughout this process, no one dared to disturb him.

Even though many felt that with such commotion happening here, the Great Ying Dynasty would likely send people soon.

If they stayed here too long, accidents were likely to occur.

But since Lu Chen showed no intention of moving, naturally no one would act on their own.

Because those who had acted without authorization before had already paid a painful price for it.

By this point, everyone had gained a clear understanding of the current True Immortal Trial.There was just one point others couldn’t figure out: why hadn’t the cultivators in their sect who had previously participated in the True Immortal Trial ever mentioned the actual circumstances within the trial?

It was as if they were all abiding by some unspoken agreement, unable to disclose the specific details of the True Immortal Trial to outsiders.

While those around him were lost in thought, Lu Chen finally finished reading the basic Gu Cultivator manuals in his hands and understood the principles of Gu cultivation.

As he had previously speculated, the essence of Gu cultivation lay in “refining Gu insects.”

Depending on the type of Gu insect within their bodies, Gu Cultivators would pair them with different cultivation manuals.

These manuals not only helped cultivators control the Gu insects within them but also allowed them to maximize the potential of these Gu insects.

Therefore, for Gu Cultivators, cultivation manuals were secondary; the primary focus was obtaining powerful Gu insects.

Take the Cui Family as an example: only a few of their descendants were born with the “Righteous Qi Gu.”

These disciples were considered the core members of the Cui Family.

Those who did not awaken the “Righteous Qi Gu” could only become peripheral members of the family.

Without the “Righteous Qi Gu,” they could not cultivate the Cui Family’s “Righteous Qi Art.”

Additionally, through these manuals and the Gu insects he had acquired, Lu Chen understood how Gu Cultivators distinguished themselves from other cultivators.

It was simple: the unique “vital Qi” of Gu Cultivators.

This vital Qi was unconsciously emitted by the Gu insects within a Gu Cultivator’s body.

Cultivators like Lu Chen and his companions lacked such “vital Qi.”

It was like a gap suddenly appearing in a vibrant, colorful world—the sense of incongruity was unmistakably obvious.

Of course, this wasn’t the only method Gu Cultivators used to distinguish outsiders.

Thus, the best way to disguise oneself as a Gu Cultivator was undoubtedly to implant a Gu insect into one’s own body.

However, Lu Chen couldn’t yet determine the risks involved in a cultivator implanting a Gu insect.

After some thought, Lu Chen summoned Sui Shaobao of the East Sea Gate—the one who had first entered Jade Bamboo Town and was severely injured by the Gu Cultivator family there.

At this moment, Sui Shaobao was pale, his eyes bloodshot, and his spirits exceedingly low.

Although he had survived, he gave off the impression of a walking corpse.

Looking at him, Lu Chen said calmly, “I have a method here that could help you restore your cultivation, but it may carry certain risks. Are you willing to give it a try?”

Sui Shaobao was taken aback, and a glimmer of life finally returned to his vacant eyes.

Like a drowning person clutching at the last lifeline, he replied without hesitation, “I am willing to try.”

Lu Chen nodded, then placed the Gu insects collected by everyone in front of Sui Shaobao and said, “Choose one.”

Seeing this, Sui Shaobao and the others understood what Lu Chen intended to do: have Sui Shaobao select a Gu insect and become a Gu Cultivator.

Upon reflection, this might indeed be a highly suitable cultivation method for Sui Shaobao’s current situation.

After all, Sui Shaobao’s Spirit Root had been destroyed in the previous battle with the Luo Family’s Gu Cultivators, rendering him practically useless.

Even though he had survived, his cultivation had plummeted, and he would never be able to achieve a Golden Core Breakthrough in this lifetime.

Moreover, such damage was almost irreversible.For a Direct Lineage Disciple of the East Sea Gate, this was undoubtedly unacceptable.

Thus, becoming a Gu Cultivator might be his only choice now.

After all, given his current condition, whether he could even survive the True Immortal Trial was uncertain.

He had to try every possible remedy, no matter how desperate.

Following his intuition, Sui Shaobao ultimately selected a Gu Insect called the Green Scale Snake Gu.

“Are you sure this is the one?”

“Yes.”

“Alright.”

Lu Chen instructed Sui Shaobao to step forward and then released the Green Scale Snake Gu.

Soon, a small green snake awoke from hibernation and raised its head to survey its surroundings.

Upon spotting Lu Chen, it seemed to perceive something terrifying and immediately trembled incessantly inside the Gu Bell.

Ignoring this, Lu Chen enveloped the Gu Insect with his Spiritual Power and guided it into Sui Shaobao’s mouth.

Once inside Sui Shaobao’s body, the Gu Insect instinctively burrowed toward the area with the densest concentration of Spiritual Power—the location of Sui Shaobao’s Spirit Root.

After confirming there was no danger, the Green Scale Snake Gu began devouring Sui Shaobao’s Spirit Root.

Instantly, Sui Shaobao’s face turned even paler.

“Focus your mind. I will help you subdue this Gu Insect.”

Sui Shaobao, who had been about to react, immediately calmed down upon hearing these words and allowed the Gu Insect to consume his damaged Spirit Root.

Before long, Sui Shaobao’s Spirit Root was completely devoured.

Yet, even then, the Gu Insect remained unsatisfied and sought more.

But just as it attempted to advance further, a surge of Dragon’s majesty descended.

The previously restless Green Scale Snake Gu immediately settled down.

Lu Chen picked up a Cultivation Manual nearby and transmitted its contents into Sui Shaobao’s ears.

Guided by this manual, Sui Shaobao began to cultivate unconsciously.

Soon, the cultivation base within his body started to transform.

The previously active Snake Gu became completely docile.

Its Divine Soul intertwined with Sui Shaobao’s and eventually merged entirely.

At this point, Sui Shaobao had fully subdued the Green Scale Snake Gu.

Moreover, because the East Sea Gate practiced the Overturning Sea Transforming Dragon Art, his body inherently contained a trace of True Dragon Bloodline.

This caused the Green Scale Snake Gu to exhibit signs of evolving into a Flood Dragon.

In the end, Sui Shaobao’s cultivation base not only did not diminish but actually increased.

However, without the original Overturning Sea Transforming Dragon Art, he could no longer utilize the East Sea Gate’s unique Divine Abilities.

Nevertheless, for him, this was nothing short of a rebirth.

Sui Shaobao’s transformation was observed by everyone present.

Watching the meditating Sui Shaobao, Meow King spoke up: “Junior Brother, do we have to do the same to evade those Gu Cultivators?”

“I don’t want a worm inside my body.”

Shangguan Yunmeng immediately nodded: “Neither do I.”

In response, Lu Chen smiled and said, “There’s no need for such trouble. I’ve already learned what I needed to know.”

With that, Lu Chen took out an Alchemy Furnace in front of everyone.

He then casually selected a Gu Insect, tossed it inside, and added some herbs from his Storage Bag.

Soon, Lu Chen had refined an entirely new Elixir.

[Name: Gu Transformation Pill][Quality: Perfect]

[Effect: After consumption, allows the user to emit the aura of Gu Insects, disguising themselves as a Gu Cultivator. Undetectable by those below the Fourth Realm.]

“Taking this pill once a month is sufficient.”

With that, Lu Chen tossed the pill in his hand to Meow King.

Hearing this, Meow King swallowed one without hesitation.

Soon, Meow King felt a unique medicinal potency integrate into his body.

Subsequently, this potency transformed into a special type of Qi, radiating from his form.

Sensing this, Meow King asked uncertainly: “Junior Brother, is it really this simple?”

Lu Chen nodded: “It really is this simple.”

At this point, everyone understood what Lu Chen had been doing earlier.

Whether collecting Gu Insects or examining Gu Cultivation Manuals, he had actually been analyzing the principles of Gu cultivation.

All in preparation for later refining the ‘Gu Transformation Pill’.

But merely being able to disguise themselves as Gu Cultivators wasn’t enough.

They still lacked a legitimate identity.

As the saying goes, wherever you go, you leave traces.

If they wanted to move freely within the Great Ying Dynasty, they needed a plausible identity.

After examining Cui Chengyun’s personal effects, Lu Chen had devised a solution.

Didn’t the Great Ying Dynasty call them followers of the Evil Path?

Well, this time they would truly become practitioners of the Evil Path.

Or more precisely, they would seize the identities originally belonging to Evil Path practitioners!

Lu Chen’s plan was straightforward: raid a Demon Suppression Division and release the evil cultivators imprisoned within.

Generally speaking, what made these cultivators “evil” was that their actions defied orthodox teachings and weren’t accepted by the majority.

Therefore, most evil cultivators imprisoned in Demon Suppression Divisions were isolated individuals with no affiliations.

This presented Lu Chen’s group with the opportunity to assume these identities.

While such identities weren’t ideal—they would still be wanted by the Great Ying Dynasty—the world was never short of ambitious schemers.

With these evil cultivators’ identities, Lu Chen’s group could connect with forces operating in the shadows of the Great Ying Dynasty.

Once they reached that stage, they would be fully integrated into the fabric of the Great Ying Dynasty.

This would also allow them to freely search for the so-called ‘Wine Worm’.

This was… their scheme of celestial substitution.

Great Ying Dynasty, Huaiyang Prefecture, Demon Suppression Division.

The atmosphere in the Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division was particularly tense, as they had received news of Patrol Envoy Cui Chengyun’s death.

They had also received new imperial edicts ordering them to search their entire territory for individuals without proper identification or travel permits.

These targets even included ordinary people without cultivation bases.

Under this special decree, Huaiyang Prefecture had recently undergone a major purge.

Many were using this opportunity to eliminate rivals.

This included internal purges within the Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division itself, creating an environment where everyone feared for their position.

Within just a few days, the entire Demon Suppression Division prison had become overcrowded.

Among these newly imprisoned individuals were many of their former colleagues.

Including even a former Golden Edict Celestial Master of the Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division.

It was worth noting that the Golden Edict represented the Third Realm.

Essentially half-step to becoming a Patrol Envoy.

Yet even he had been imprisoned, demonstrating the extent of chaos within the Huaiyang Prefecture Demon Suppression Division.

“Cell B-Fifteen, get inside.”In the underground prison of Huaiyang Prefecture, a jailer shoved a shackled man directly into Cell Fifteen of the Second Tier.

The ranking system—First, Second, Third, Fourth Tier—indicated that the higher the tier, the more dangerous the prisoner.

Being confined to the Second Tier proved this man was no ordinary individual.

After locking him up, the jailer promptly left the area.

After all, he had many more prisoners to process during this period and no time to waste on this one.

In the jailer’s eyes, this heretic wouldn’t last long anyway.

Once the jailer was gone, the heretic, who had kept his head lowered, immediately looked up.

He scanned his surroundings, a sinister smile curling on his lips.

Then, a shadowy figure emerged from his body and quickly coalesced into human form.

Freed from the control of this shadow, the man instantly turned into an empty shell.

The one who stepped out of the shadow was none other than Lu Chen—or rather, his Heretical Avatar.

Using his Heretical Avatar to manipulate a Gu Cultivator and employing a minor trick to have him imprisoned in the Demon Suppression Division was no challenge for Lu Chen.

Lu Chen glanced around, immediately preparing to investigate the environment and gather information on the heretics imprisoned here.

To seamlessly replace them, understanding their personalities, Dao traditions, and other details was a crucial step.

When putting on a show, one must go all the way.

(End of Chapter)