CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: REFINING SUCCESS

The potion’s power quickly infiltrated the box, and the insects inside began to stir restlessly, sparking a new round of fighting.

In the past, each Gu insect was evenly matched, and none could really overpower the others.

But this time, something seemed different; one of the ’Hundred Flowers Gu Insects’ appeared to be playing it smart.

It kept skirting the edge of the battlefield, making a great effort to avoid direct confrontation with other ’Hundred Flowers Gu Insects.’

"This insect is quite interesting," Xu Ping observed with keen interest.

He couldn’t help but feel a shred of anticipation in his heart; this insect was so unique that perhaps it could become the Gu King.

As time passed, Xu Ping noticed something even cleverer. If a Polar Insect on the battlefield was near death, it would immediately rush over to take a share.

And it was very decisive, leaving as soon as it gained any advantage, never lingering to fight.

As the conflict grew increasingly fierce inside the box, the other ’Hundred Flowers Gu Insects’ began to fall one after another.

Only that nimble insect continued to roam at the edge, occasionally attacking and retreating, like a shrewd hunter.

"Has this ’Hundred Flowers Gu Insect’ perhaps studied military strategy?" Xu Ping’s expression turned strange.

As the battle progressed, that ’Hundred Flowers Gu Insect’ gradually revealed its strong survival ability. Finally, amidst a pile of corpses, it stood alone in the center of the box, appearing exceptionally proud.

"Successfully achieved it!" Xu Ping’s heart surged with wild joy.

This was truly like an old man wearing a cassock hat—so hard to come by.

Thinking about the Spirit Stones spent, even with his current net worth, it made him feel the sting of loss.

After a brief respite, this Polar Insect started slowly approaching its companions’ corpses, devouring them without hesitation.

With each corpse it consumed, its body became more plump, and as it continued to devour, it was gradually enveloped by a viscous liquid.

When it had finished devouring all the corpses, its entire body was covered in the mucus.

The mucus soon hardened, eventually forming a white cocoon.

"In three days, it will be the true King of the Hundred Flowers Gu Insects," Xu Ping gave one last glance, and with a heart full of anticipation, carefully placed the box and the white cocoon on a corner shelf.

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

This morning, a faint cracking sound came from inside the box.

Xu Ping hurriedly leaned in, and saw that the layer of mucus was beginning to peel away, revealing the King of the Hundred Flowers Gu Insect inside.

Its body was much larger than before, and its colors had become more vibrant, seeming to shimmer with dazzling brilliance under the sunlight.

"It worked!" Xu Ping’s heart raced wildly, the metamorphosis was successfully completed.

According to the book, even this final step of metamorphosis carried the possibility of failure.

Luckily, it didn’t fail, or else the frustration would have been unbearable for him.

Xu Ping gently took out the Gu King and placed it into a brewing jar.

After sealing the lid, he buried the wine jar underground.

In twenty days, he would know if the ’Hundred Flowers Brew’ he had made using so many Spirit Stones and so much effort was worth it.

...

...

After brewing the new ’Hundred Flowers Brew,’ Xu Ping’s life returned to peace, every day consumed with honing various skills.

But the progress with the Flowing Cloud Sword became slower and slower, almost to a standstill.

This made Xu Ping increasingly irritable, the accumulated frustration building in his heart.

In the blink of an eye, ten days passed.

Knock, knock, knock.

The door of the room was knocked!

"Who is it? Coming, coming!" said Xu Ping, who was drawing a talisman, standing up and opening the door.

Standing outside was a middle-aged cultivator with a honest face. He bowed with clenched fists, "I am Ma Hui, your new neighbor, and have come to pay my respects, Fellow Daoist, I apologize if I’m disturbing you."

Xu Ping did not coldly turn him away, returning the gesture with clasped hands.

"I am Xu Ping."

"Fellow Daoist Xu, as this is our first meeting, I didn’t bring anything, just a piece of Demon Beast Flesh. I hope you won’t find it objectionable," Ma Hui said with a simple smile, handing over the Demon Beast Flesh to Xu Ping.

"Fellow Daoist Ma, you are too kind," Xu Ping smiled, accepting the Demon Beast Flesh.

After exchanging a few words, Ma Hui made his farewell, "There are a few other neighbors I haven’t visited yet, so I won’t impose on you any longer, Fellow Daoist Xu."

"Take care." After seeing Ma Hui off, Xu Ping returned indoors and closed the door.

...

After leaving Xu Ping’s house, Ma Hui’s naive expression quickly vanished, replaced by a fawning smile. "Ancestor, is this man at Qi Cultivation level five suitable?"

"Not suitable now!"

A pitch-black snake as thick as a finger, about a foot long, with eyes red as blood, slithered out from his sleeve.

"Although that man’s cultivation is only at Qi Cultivation level five, his movements are smooth and seem to carry a peculiar charm. Obviously, he has practiced a notable Body Refining technique."

"More importantly, he exudes an astonishingly sharp aura, which is similar to some of the sword-obsessed enthusiasts I’ve met. Although his strength is certainly far inferior to those sword fanatics, his achievement in swordsmanship is definitely profound."

If Xu Ping had heard this, he would likely be stunned.

This black snake not only spoke human language but also had such astute insight, able to discern so much from mere brief contact.

What kind of character was this?

"If it were earlier, I could crush him with one finger, but now, we must avoid causing trouble. We need to bide our time through this period... understand?" The black snake’s icy gaze fixed on Ma Hui.

The black snake’s cold voice etched into Ma Hui’s mind, causing him to involuntarily shudder, "Under... understood."

"I will keep the rules set by Ancestor firmly in mind." He lowered his head, doing his best to appear obedient.

...

...

Five days later.

The dense forest was covered in snow.

"Damn it, this damned swordsmanship, I’m done with it!!" Xu Ping shouted angrily, throwing the Qinghe Sword to the ground.

The Qinghe Sword stuck deep into the snow, leaving only the hilt visible.

Xu Ping’s chest heaved continuously, clearly not lightly agitated.

After the Flowing Cloud Sword’s experience points broke thirteen hundred, it suddenly wouldn’t increase anymore.

No matter how he practiced, it was the same result.

For a long while.

Xu Ping’s mood gradually calmed down.

"Sigh, guess I should practice some more. Maybe after a few days, it’ll work again." He pulled out the Qinghe Sword, looking resigned.

...

On the way home.

"Since the Flowing Cloud Sword’s proficiency isn’t increasing, I might reduce the time I spend on sword practice and learn a new magic technique," Xu Ping mused to himself.

"What kind of magic should I learn?"

As he was deep in thought, the sound of fighting and cries of pain came from the front left.

Turning his head, he saw three burly men surrounding and attacking a man.

Xu Ping quickly lost interest, recognizing it merely as a common robbery, and he had no desire to meddle.

Just as he was about to walk away.

The man’s cries of anguish constantly rang in his ears, and the scent of blood wafted into his nostrils.

Xu Ping’s eyes turned crimson, his fists clenched tight, the veins on his forehead throbbing as if about to burst.

"Pant, pant..."

Xu Ping gasped heavily, consumed by an overwhelming urge to tear those men to pieces.