Chu Xuan's spiritual sense swept over the three Platinum-tier Demon Insect Cultivation Methods, quickly absorbing them into his mind. These cultivation methods were a treasure trove for him—no matter whether they had an immediate direct effect or not, their value lay in the potential for indirect insights. The more such methods he collected, the better.

However, his mood soured somewhat at Xiao Renjie's attitude. Who's the real boss here?! Could this be the way to talk to someone who had been as kind as a grandfather? The nerve of it!

Chu Xuan made up his mind. Leave it a few days. He set aside his frustration and turned his attention back to the Insect Cultivation Methods. These, after all, were still valuable. So he began to delve into them seriously, seeking out points of crossover with other techniques.

The Platinum-tier Insect Cultivation Methods were equivalent to Nascent Soul-level insect-controlling techniques, so he knew there was bound to be something useful in them. After several days of contemplation, Chu Xuan had an epiphany. He immediately took out a spiritual sense jade slip and recorded his insights in it. It wasn't long before a smile of excitement spread across his face.

"This Giant Centipede Cultivation Method is naturally suited to be combined with corpse puppet techniques. It could be transformed into a Gu Corpse Technique! All I need to do is find a centipede-type Gu insect, implant it into the corpse puppet, and create a symbiotic environment for them. This will cause the Gu insect to gradually influence the corpse puppet, strengthening its physical body, enhancing its healing abilities, and allowing it to regenerate limbs, even survive decapitation. The corpse puppet can also feed on blood and flesh, speeding up the growth of the Gu insect. It's a win-win!"

Chu Xuan rubbed his chin, images of centipede-type Gu insects flashing through his mind, before his focus finally locked onto one massive, jet-black figure.

"If I'm not mistaken, the most suitable Gu insect for this corpse technique would be the True Steel Centipede, with a body harder than steel and a regeneration ability far superior to most others. I'll call this technique the True Steel Gu Corpse Technique."

His expression was one of satisfaction. Previously, he had successfully used the Heavenly Yin Gu Corpse Technique to refine Long, a powerful corpse puppet. It had been a huge success. The puppet had immediately been able to go toe-to-toe with Hu, another corpse puppet forged using the Diamond Refining Corpse Technique. The parasitic Blue Tuft Silk within Long had also provided unexpected benefits during combat.

Now, Chu Xuan planned to apply this True Steel Gu Corpse Technique to Hu. Hu was his most valued corpse puppet, having always held the highest rank among them. However, due to the relatively low-tier corpse refining technique used previously, Hu had begun to lag behind the other puppets in terms of power.

Now, the time had come to revitalize and strengthen Hu with a new method.

"Xiao Renjie should be fully obedient by now," Chu Xuan mused, once again using his spiritual sense to connect to the Myriad Realm Mirror. The scene before him shifted to the Worm King's Palace.

As expected, Xiao Renjie had completely lost his temper.

"Magic Mirror, Magic Mirror... Please... no, I beg you. Please, grant me the recipe for the Longevity Elixir!"

Xiao Renjie was now disheveled, his clothes in tatters, and his eye sockets deeply sunken. It was clear that his situation had taken a sharp downturn. Gone was the once lofty and commanding figure; now, he resembled a withered old man, clinging desperately to his last shred of hope, waiting for the "Magic Mirror" to grant its favor.

Chu Xuan smiled faintly. This was exactly how it should be. He wasn't some obedient old grandfather who would grant every wish. Nor was he a system that coddled its host as if it were a parent. He was Chu Xuan, the mighty Nascent Soul cultivator. If the host refused to listen, then a little discipline was in order. If that didn't work, well, next time, perhaps he'd choose a new host for the next life.

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With that thought, Chu Xuan focused his spiritual sense and imprinted the recipe for the Longevity Elixir onto the surface of the mirror.

Upon seeing the words, Xiao Renjie's demeanor shifted dramatically. His eyes, once dim and defeated, now sparkled with a gleam of ecstatic joy. He quickly fetched a pen and paper to jot it all down.

"Good, good, good!" he exclaimed. "With this Longevity Elixir, I'll be able to extend my life by another five years. That's five more years to reach a higher level of power!"

Xiao Renjie was beside himself with glee. He placed the mirror fragment down and immediately began to prepare for alchemy. However, as soon as the mirror fragment was placed down, more lines of text began to appear.

"Orifice Opening Scripture, not acquired. Requires one Diamond-tier Demon Insect Cultivation Method."

"Great Orifice Opening Scripture, not acquired. Requires two Diamond-tier Demon Insect Cultivation Methods."

Xiao Renjie raised an eyebrow, noticing the new words appearing.

"Orifice Opening Scripture, Great Orifice Opening Scripture... What are these?" he wondered aloud.

It was as though the mirror responded to his voice. In the blink of an eye, the mirror displayed the functions of the Orifice Opening Scripture and Great Orifice Opening Scripture.

"Orifice Opening Scripture can open the first Insect Orifice."

"Great Orifice Opening Scripture can open the second Insect Orifice?!"

Xiao Renjie was utterly stunned.

The Insect Orifice was a natural gift, predetermined and unchangeable. One Insect Orifice meant being a Bronze Insect Master for life, and two meant being a Silver Insect Master—there was no way to break this limitation unless one was born with an additional half Insect Orifice, which could then be developed into a complete one through effort.

Xiao Renjie was naturally born with five Insect Orifices and thus had the potential to become a Diamond-tier Insect Master. But that was where it ended. Without a sixth Insect Orifice, there was no further path for him to progress.

In the entire Cave World—across the three great countries and countless tribes—there had never been an Insect Master with six Insect Orifices. This was the very reason Xiao Renjie had been desperately trying to extend his life. He had hoped that if his lifespan could be prolonged, he might find a way to break through to a higher level.

But now, a path to the heavens had opened before him! This mysterious Magic Mirror could allow him to open two additional Insect Orifices!

"Good, good, good! This is no mere magic mirror; it is a treasure mirror! A divine mirror! Truly a heaven-sent opportunity!" Xiao Renjie beamed with joy, as though he were holding the greatest of treasures.

"With two additional Insect Orifices and the extended lifespan, I will surely be able to break through to a higher realm!"

He murmured to himself, his eyes now filled with determination. "At that point, perhaps I can finally escape its influence..."

His voice grew softer as he spoke, a clear reverence and fear in his tone. The mention of "its" influence was not casual—it was a deep, unmistakable awe directed at a higher power.

Chu Xuan furrowed his brows in thought. Its influence? He was certain that Xiao Renjie was not referring to any of the usual pronouns like "he," "she," or "it," but a specific and ominous entity. The way he spoke had been laden with both awe and fear—a fear towards someone far above him, someone far more powerful.

Who was "it"?

A Diamond-tier Insect Master, along with a Diamond-tier Demon Insect, had already reached the limits of what this world could offer. As for the title of Enshrined Insect Master, only those exceptional Diamond-tier Insect Masters could ever hope to obtain it, for they had already reached the pinnacle of the hierarchy.

Xiao Renjie had already attained the rank of Diamond-tier Insect Master, and now he was aiming for even greater heights? That was something no one in this world had ever achieved.

And, from the way Xiao Renjie spoke, his desire to surpass the Diamond-tier seemed to be in the hope of escaping the grasp of "it."

Just how terrifying was the entity Xiao Renjie referred to as "it"?

Chu Xuan's curiosity was piqued. There were certainly more secrets hidden in this cave world than he had anticipated—secrets that were waiting for him to unravel.

"Let's give him some time. Hopefully, he can surprise me," Chu Xuan mused.

As for Lie Xiao and Lie Chen, he felt no pity for them—only a mild sense of regret. After all, the ancient adage was true: the victors are kings, and the vanquished are criminals.

The intellect of Lie Xiao and Lie Chen had simply been no match for Xiao Renjie. Not only had they lost their lives, but the most precious thing—their golden opportunities—had been snatched away as well. Who could they blame for that? Certainly not him, the kind and compassionate "old grandfather."

With that thought, Chu Xuan withdrew his spiritual sense, turning his focus inward once more.