CHAPTER 253: CHAPTER 175: 4TH ERA: PARASITIC TRUTH - NATURAL DISASTER OR MAN-MADE CALAMITY?_2

This parasitic insect is of a higher life level, capable of granting cultivators various powerful abilities and techniques, such as shattering stones and moving mountains with ease.

But if their cultivation speed fails to keep up with the growth of the parasite, they will be mercilessly devoured in return.

In essence, once cultivators begin their cultivation, it’s akin to embarking on a path of no return, with no option but to journey into the abyss.

Another method of life extension is to reduce the number of Blood Silk Worms within Landlord Zhou.

The host dies because the parasites reproduce too quickly.

However, if the number of parasites is maintained within a certain range, the risk of being devoured can be temporarily avoided.

"Perhaps there’s a third way."

As Lu Yuan stared at the repulsive tumor inside Landlord Zhou, a new idea suddenly occurred to him.

The Parasite Insect Race is terrifying because they reproduce infinitely, plundering the vitality of hosts uncontrollably.

But humans are the spirit of all things, and Gu is the essence of heaven and earth.

If he used Gu insects to replace these parasites, could he achieve the goal of extending the life of mortals?

"No, if it were that simple, why did those Ancient Times Gu Cultivators suddenly disappear?"

Lu Yuan shook his head slightly, dismissing this idea.

This world’s waters are too deep, there must be some unknown secret behind it all.

Simultaneously, Lu Yuan thought of another point.

All things are born of heaven and die of the earth.

When those parasitic cultivators and biological beings die, where do the insects inside them go?

"Could it be..."

Lu Yuan’s hair stood on end as a chilling, bold hypothesis surged through his mind!

"Immortal Master..."

Seeing Lu Yuan deep in thought, silent for a long time, Landlord Zhou couldn’t help but cautiously call out.

"I’ve already found a way to extend your life, but it requires time to prepare. Go back for now, and return in two months."

Eager to test his hypothesis, Lu Yuan waved his hand, dismissing Landlord Zhou.

Hearing that Lu Yuan could indeed help extend his life, Landlord Zhou’s face lit up with joy, though he lingered around, hesitant to leave.

Noticing his reluctance, Lu Yuan sighed with impatience.

"Rest assured, you still have a few years of life left, you won’t die anytime soon."

"But remember, once you’re back, you must abstain from indulging in wine and women, or not even I can save you!"

"Your Excellency, Immortal Master, you are busy. I shall visit you again in a while."

Hearing this, Landlord Zhou, rejuvenated, waddled away.

However, he only half took Lu Yuan’s words to heart.

After all, wine and women are good things.

A man with money should indulge, or else life would be exceedingly dull.

But the Immortal Master’s advice must never be disobeyed.

After pondering for some time, Landlord Zhou finally mustered the resolve to quit drinking today!

Seeing off Landlord Zhou.

Lu Yuan casually grabbed a rooster, which liked to crow before dawn, from the courtyard, then shut the doors and windows and took out that Blood Ginseng.

On the surface.

This Blood Ginseng exuded an intoxicating fragrance, priceless in value.

Yet in Lu Yuan’s eyes, it was a rigid, twisted wriggling worm, full of long tendrils, seemingly holding some kind of life.

Lu Yuan didn’t know the specific names of these parasites.

Anything that could enhance vital energy was simply called a Blood Worm.

Those enhancing spiritual energy were called Spiritual Insects by him.

From the surface of that Blood Worm, Lu Yuan cut off a small piece and fed it to the rooster.

He then activated the Eye of Truth, closely watching the transformations occurring within it, missing no detail.

Once the Blood Worm’s tissue entered its body, it immediately decomposed and proliferated into countless larvae.

The larvae then burrowed deep into the flesh, swiftly growing numerous blood fibers and tendrils, rooting in the flesh and bones, voraciously absorbing nutrients.

Before long.

The rooster’s internal organs, as well as all its blood vessels and meridians, were replaced by these Blood Worms.

Its strength suddenly increased by more than tenfold, and Lu Yuan was nearly caught off guard and let the rooster escape!

Several days later.

Under Lu Yuan’s deliberate catalysis, the rooster’s body had severely deformed, overtaken by millions of Blood Worms.

Ultimately, its vitality was exhausted, and it was eaten from the inside out by the worms!

Not even a feather was left!

Through his observations, Lu Yuan discovered two patterns.

First, these parasitic insects cannot be killed!

Upon the host’s death, they do not perish; instead, they decompose into some form of tiny larvae, returning to the earth, mingling with the air, enriching this world’s polluted Spiritual Qi!

And when a suitable host emerges.

They invade the host’s body again, voraciously plundering nutrients and vitality, rapidly proliferating once more, perpetually repeating this cycle.

Second.

Due to the aberration of this world’s Heavenly Dao.

No biological being can kill these parasites, only parasites can fight parasites!

The parasitic insect race has a strict hierarchy, resembling the relationship of big fish eating small fish and small fish eating krill.

The most common Blood Worm and Spiritual Insect are the lowest in the food chain as food and consumables.

Yet, given enough nutrients and time, they can infinitely grow and evolve into some very terrifying higher-level insect race being!

Upon summarizing these two points, Lu Yuan felt a coldness rising from his heart, as if his blood had frozen in his veins.

Because it’s too similar!

The relationship between these parasitic insect races, devouring each other, is almost identical to the Gu cultivation method he devised!

Especially the internecine scene among parasitic cultivators, how is it different from the Gu insects in a jar?

"Could it be this world is a giant Gu cultivation field?"

Lu Yuan’s heart was chilled, struggling to accept this truth.

If this hypothesis were to be confirmed, it would mean that all the calamities and disasters in this world are not natural, but intentional!

Using the world as a nursery, the myriad beings as Gu insects.

Cultivating an unprecedented, legendary Immortal Gu?

This kind of audacity and mindset is truly shocking!

The thought terrified Lu Yuan.

If this is indeed the truth of this world, it could explain why Ancient Times Gu Cultivators vanished suddenly.

Because Gu insects are the natural nemeses and antagonists of all parasitic insect races!

Even according to Lu Yuan’s speculation.

This entire world’s parasitic insect races, all living beings, and the twisted and aberrant Heavenly Dao are prepared as food for some yet unborn Immortal Gu!

If other Gu Cultivators exist, it would just mean doing all this for others to benefit.

Comprehending all this.

A strong sense of unprecedented crisis surged in Lu Yuan’s heart.

Although he didn’t know who was scheming behind all this.

Lu Yuan was certain that once his identity was exposed, the other party would unhesitatingly erase him.

Without a shred of hesitation or mercy.

After all, the other party was an ultimate demon who treated a world as a Gu cultivation field.

To such a person, calling him utterly evil and inhuman is an understatement and a compliment!

Too terrifying!

Even though Lu Yuan had gone through two Apocalypse Level simulations, he still felt a chill deep in his soul.

In the previous simulations, whether it was the Undead Amon or the Undying Demon Emperor of the Ten Thousand Demon Realm, they seemed relatively normal.

But looking at this Parasitic Cultivation World, that entity for personal gain.

Distorted the Heavenly Dao, warped all things, and caused countless beings to suffer the torment of the Insect Race’s parasitism—how could this be something carbon-based life forms can accomplish?

To call him the nascent Dongxi would be a compliment!

Yet, since the opponent had done such heinous acts, they probably wouldn’t care about reputation or disgrace.

Facing such an unprecedented demon who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Lu Yuan sighed deeply, with only one thought left in his mind.

Get stronger!

Only by making himself stronger can he change all this!

Simultaneously, he conducted himself more cautiously, always keeping the Qi and Blood Gu and Spirit Absorption Gu dormant in his dantian, not daring to let them appear externally.

Otherwise, if their existence were known, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Subsequently.

Driven by a heightened sense of crisis.

Lu Yuan didn’t dare waste a moment, immediately beginning his cultivation.

The Gu cultivation system differs from the parasitic cultivation system.

Ordinary Qi Cultivation Cultivators, when encountering a bottleneck, need to consume a Foundation Establishment Pill to successfully enter the Foundation Establishment Realm.

But a Gu Cultivator’s entire cultivation resides in their self-refined Lifebound Gu.

This means.

Lu Yuan only needs to elevate the Spirit Absorption Gu to a Second Transformation to possess Foundation Establishment-level combat power!