134: The Myriad Poisons Gu Scripture! Nie Xiaoqian with the Heavenly Spiritual Root! Another magical treasure!

Returning to the Quiet Room of the small courtyard he had rented, Lu Qiu finally took out the deep yellow, ancient-looking Jade Slip he had obtained from Hu Yong.

He immersed his Divine Sense into it.

Four characters filled with a primal, ancient aura appeared in his Sea of Consciousness — 'Myriad Poisons Gu Scripture'!

Lu Qiu's mind trembled, and he immediately became engrossed.

This 'Myriad Poisons Gu Scripture' was actually a complete Legacy left behind by an ancient Cultivator who had specialized in the Dao of poison and Gu arts!

It was all-encompassing, detailing the properties, collection, refinement, and synthesis methods of various rare and potent poisons, capable of concocting strange toxins that could corrode spiritual power, erode the soul and bones, and even contaminate Magic Treasures.

There were also hundreds of secret techniques for breeding, domesticating, and controlling poisonous insects and Gu insects.

It covered everything from common first and second-grade poisonous insects to rare Gu that were terrifyingly powerful and required decades or even centuries of specialized cultivation to form.

It included numerous bizarre and insidious Gu applications: the 'Curse Gu' that could curse enemies from thousands of miles away, the 'Heart-Devouring Gu' that could lurk within an enemy's body to consume their Essence Blood, the 'god-controlling gu' that could control a Cultivator's mind and refine them into a poison puppet, and even the 'Body-Forging Gu' that assisted cultivation and tempered the Physical Body... Among these, Lu Qiu's gaze was firmly captured by a Gu technique called 'substitute gu'!

According to the scripture, this Gu required the 'Soul-entrusting Insect' as the main material, supplemented by several special poisons like 'corrosive heart fluid' and 'silver leaf silk', and refined using a unique method.

The refinement process was complex, and it required feeding the Gu insect a drop of one's own Essence Blood every month for half a year before it would fully connect with the host's life force and take preliminary form.

Once refined, by planting the substitute gu within the body or carrying it on one's person, it would automatically activate when the host suffered a fatal attack, taking the damage on behalf of the host!

Of course, this Gu was not a universal 'resurrection armor'. Its capacity had an upper limit. The scripture clearly stated that a newly formed substitute gu could, at most, withstand a full-force strike from a Cultivator one major Realm higher than the host (e.g., a Foundation Establishment Stage Gu could block an Early Core Formation Stage strike).

Moreover, once activated, the Gu insect would die and needed to be refined anew.

If one could obtain higher-grade main Materials and employ more profound methods, one could refine a 'Life-Substitute Gu', which would have almost no Realm limitations and truly be equivalent to an extra life!

However, the difficulty of refinement and the material requirements would also increase exponentially.

"What a 'Myriad Poisons Gu Scripture'! What a substitute gu!" Lu Qiu felt his mind surging with excitement, his eyes shining with unusual brilliance.

The value of this Legacy, in certain aspects, was not inferior to a Soul Transformation Cultivation Technique!

Especially the substitute gu. Although refining it was not easy and it had usage limitations, it was absolutely a life-saving Divine Artifact at a critical moment!

He became completely immersed in the profound mysteries of the scripture, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes nodding in sudden understanding, forgetting the passage of time.

It wasn't until the faint light of the next morning filtered through the window lattice, and the habitual sensation of checking the Opportunity information jolted him awake, that he suddenly came back to his senses.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart and the countless thoughts about refining Gu, Lu Qiu focused his spirit and looked at today's reorganized information:

[white information]: At the third Loose Cultivator stall at the north gate entrance of the market town, stall owner Old Liu mistakenly sold a piece of 'Heavy Silver' as 'Black Iron' today, priced at only five Spirit Stones.

[silver information]: Qi Refining Stage Loose Cultivator Nie Xiaoqian, possessing a Heavenly Spiritual Root, will be ambushed and killed by two Qi Refining Perfection Bandit Cultivators today at the hour of the monkey in the Flowing Cloud Hills fifteen miles northwest of the Tianque Fortress Market Town.

[silver information]: Twenty miles outside the Tianque Fortress Market Town, in the western part of the Cloud Mist Plain, buried thirty zhang deep underground, lies a complete earth-attribute Magic Treasure, left behind after a Cultivator battle. Its spiritual power is withdrawn, and it remains undiscovered.

Lu Qiu's gaze sharpened.

"A Loose Cultivator with a Heavenly Spiritual Root? Is this also an Opportunity report?" He frowned slightly. It was the first time he had seen information that directly pointed to a specific Cultivator's Aptitude.

"Is it hinting that I should go and take her as a disciple?" Lu Qiu shook his head. His own cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage, the road ahead was perilous, and he still needed to properly arrange for Xin Ruyin, Xiao Mei, and others. Where would he find the mind and energy to take in and teach a disciple?

Moreover, taking a disciple meant responsibility and attachment, which was not his wish.

He looked at the other silver information.

"A complete Magic Treasure... and an earth-attribute shuttle-shaped treasure at that, perhaps possessing earth-escape or defensive capabilities. Not bad." Lu Qiu's eyes gleamed slightly. Although he already possessed several Magic Treasures, who would complain about having more of such high-level treasures?

Especially a well-preserved treasure with a suitable attribute.

After a brief consideration, he had a plan in mind... The beginning of the hour of the monkey, Flowing Cloud Hills.

This place was an area of gently rolling hills, with sparse vegetation. Large swathes of flowing clouds often skimmed low over the hills, hence the name.

A small, trodden path wound through it, leading to the distant Tianque Fortress Market Town.

A girl of about fifteen or sixteen, wearing a faded light blue dress, was walking hurriedly along the path, her expression alert.

Her features were delicate and pretty. Although she still bore a hint of childish innocence, a touch of determination was already visible between her brows. Her cultivation was around the sixth layer of Qi Refining.

This was Nie Xiaoqian.

One of her hands was pressed tightly against a rather worn-looking Storage Pouch at her waist.

Inside were several dozen decent-quality Elementary and low-to-mid grade Talismans she had drawn by staying up late these past few months. They were her hope to take to the market town to exchange for Spirit Stones and buy Medicinal Pills for cultivation.

Ever since her father was ambushed and killed by enemies, their originally somewhat comfortable Cultivator family had instantly collapsed.

Relying on the meager inheritance her father left behind and the astonishing cultivation speed she accidentally discovered she possessed, she had stumbled her way to the sixth layer of Qi Refining.

The enemy family, the Mo Family, was a local Cultivator clan with considerable influence, having close ties with certain Cultivators within Tianque Fortress.

She dared not reveal her identity to join Tianque Fortress, fearing she would be walking into the lion's den.

She could only conceal her identity, barely sustaining her cultivation by making Talismans. Her mind held only one thought: accumulate resources, leave the Tianque Fortress territory, and head to the Yanyue Sect to seek an Opportunity to become a disciple.

One day, when her cultivation had achieved something, she would definitely return to personally slay her enemies and avenge her father!

"Father, Xiaoqian will definitely do it." The girl whispered to herself, clenching her fists, her eyes stubborn.

At that moment, two figures suddenly leaped out from around a bend in the path ahead, blocking her way!

These were two male Cultivators with fierce faces and greedy eyes, their cultivation shockingly both at Qi Refining Perfection!

They had clearly been lying in ambush here for some time.

"Little girl, hand over the Storage Pouch on you! And, have some fun with us brothers. We might spare your life!" One of them, a Cultivator with a scarred face, leered, his gaze brazenly sweeping over Nie Xiaoqian's delicate face and budding figure.

The other, a short and stout Cultivator, directly summoned a black-qi shrouded Flying Fork Magical Artifact, radiating Killing Intent.

Nie Xiaoqian's face instantly turned deathly pale. Alarm bells rang loudly in her heart. Without hesitation, she turned and fled, while frantically grabbing several 'Fireball Talismans' and 'ice cone talismans' from her Storage Pouch and activating them behind her!

"Boom! Boom!"

"Sizzle! Sizzle!"

Fireballs and ice cones assaulted the two Bandit Cultivators, but they were easily blocked by their protective spiritual light or Magical Artifacts.

"Petty tricks! Grab her!" The scarred-face Cultivator sneered ferociously. He and the short, stout Cultivator closed in from left and right, their speed far surpassing Nie Xiaoqian's.

Nie Xiaoqian ran desperately, her internal spiritual power depleting rapidly, her heart filled with despair and unwillingness.

Was she going to die here?

Her father's vengeance was not yet avenged!

Heavens, why are you treating me like this?!

Just as the two Bandit Cultivators were about to catch up, and the short Cultivator's Flying Fork, carrying a foul wind, was about to pierce her back—

A scarlet gold sword light, like a startling swan from beyond the heavens, suddenly flashed past from the woods to the side!

The sword light swept past the necks of the two Bandit Cultivators.

"Thud!" "Thud!"

Two heads soared into the air, their faces still frozen in ferocity and lewd smiles.

The two headless bodies charged forward a few more steps by inertia before thudding to the ground, blood spurting.

Nie Xiaoqian only felt the foul wind behind her suddenly vanish. Turning back in shock, she witnessed that horrifying scene and a figure in a cyan robe who had appeared not far away at some unknown time.

It was a young man who appeared to be in his twenties. His features were not exceptionally handsome, but there was an air of steadiness between his brows. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, as if slaying two Qi Refining Perfection Cultivators had been a trivial matter.

His aura was deeply restrained, but Nie Xiaoqian could sense the vast, oppressive pressure far surpassing her father's—this was a Senior expert at the Foundation Establishment Stage!

The immense joy of surviving a disaster and reverence for the strong surged in her heart simultaneously. Nie Xiaoqian hastily knelt on the ground, her voice trembling and choked: "Junior Nie Xiaoqian thanks Senior for saving my life! Senior's great kindness, this Junior will never forget it!"

Lu Qiu's gaze swept calmly over the girl.

With his Divine Sense, he could naturally perceive that this girl's Spiritual Root Aptitude was indeed extraordinary, with an extremely high affinity for spiritual energy. She was undoubtedly a Heavenly Spiritual Root.

With such Aptitude, if she were in one of the Seven Great Sects, she would have long been nurtured as a Core Disciple. How could she have fallen to this state, even being driven to the brink by two ant-like Bandit Cultivators?

Seeing Lu Qiu remain silent, thoughts raced through Nie Xiaoqian's mind.

This Senior's cultivation was profound. He had saved her with a casual move. Perhaps this was her chance to change her destiny!

Summoning her courage, she kowtowed and said, "Senior! This Junior is willing to follow you, to serve as your slave or maid, to repay your life-saving grace! I beg Senior to take me in!"

She knew clearly that if she missed this Opportunity, she might never escape this precarious existence of struggling for survival.

Hearing this, Lu Qiu shook his head slightly, his tone flat: "I am used to coming and going alone. I have no need for followers. Besides, your cultivation is too low."

Upon hearing his words, the light of hope in Nie Xiaoqian's eyes instantly dimmed, replaced by endless disappointment and bitterness.

Indeed, what qualifications did a mere sixth-layer Qi Refining Cultivator like her have to follow a Foundation Establishment Senior?

It was nothing but wishful thinking.

Seeing the girl's instantly ashen expression and the tears she was fighting back, Lu Qiu's heart stirred slightly.

This girl possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root and a resilient Heart-Nature. It would truly be a pity for her to perish like this.

Although he would not take a disciple, forming a favorable connection and gifting her a future was merely a trivial effort for him.

He pondered for a moment before speaking: "Meeting is fate. Very well, I shall give you a meeting gift. I hope you will conduct yourself well in the future and achieve something."

With that, Lu Qiu took out a prepared ordinary Storage Pouch from his own pouch and casually tossed it to Nie Xiaoqian.

Nie Xiaoqian instinctively caught it. Before she could even inspect it, she saw Lu Qiu had already summoned a cyan flying boat. With a flash, he stepped onto it.

"Senior! Benefactor! I don't even know your name! Where should I go to find you in the future to repay you?" Nie Xiaoqian cried out anxiously towards the flying boat.

Lu Qiu stood at the bow, his back to her. His voice came with the wind: "If fate wills it, we shall meet again someday."

Before his words faded, the green wind boat had transformed into a streak of light, speeding towards the direction of Cloud Mist Plain, vanishing beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Nie Xiaoqian stared blankly in the direction the flying boat had disappeared. After a long while, she finally clenched the Storage Pouch in her hand tightly, slowly knelt down, and kowtowed solemnly three times in that direction.

"Benefactor, whoever you are, if Xiaoqian does not die, I will definitely repay your great kindness in this lifetime!" she swore in a low voice. Though soft, it carried immense resolve.

Only then did she lower her head and probe the Storage Pouch with her Divine Sense.

The next moment, she covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief, shock, and ecstasy!

Inside the pouch, neatly stacked, were over a hundred sparkling Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

A high-grade Flying Sword Magical Artifact, glowing with spiritual light, clearly of excellent quality!

And a jade vial with a small label. On the label were three words that nearly stopped her heart—foundation establishment pill!

With these resources, she could not only solve the urgent needs of her cultivation but also have a sliver of hope for Foundation Establishment!

Her plan to join the Yanyue Sect would become countless times smoother!

Tears finally couldn't be held back and streamed from her eyes, but this time they were tears filled with hope and gratitude.

She hugged the Storage Pouch tightly to her chest as if holding the most precious treasure. Once again, she looked towards the direction Lu Qiu had left and bowed deeply...

"Although I won't take a disciple, leaving a favorable connection is harmless." On the flying boat, Lu Qiu's expression was calm.

A Heavenly Spiritual Root, if she didn't die prematurely, would inevitably achieve no small accomplishments in the future.

Dying at the hands of those two trash Bandit Cultivators would be an utter waste.

A few Spirit Stones, a Magical Artifact, and a foundation establishment pill that was no longer rare to him—if it could be exchanged for a favorable connection and gratitude from a future powerhouse, this deal was not a loss.

A short while later, Lu Qiu arrived at Cloud Mist Plain.

The area was open and expansive, with lush green grass. In the distance, cattle and sheep were scattered, and Mortal villages were faintly visible. The spiritual energy here was relatively sparse.

Lu Qiu hovered in mid-air. His powerful Divine Sense, comparable to that of an Early Core Formation Stage Cultivator, spread out like an invisible net, covering a large area below. Simultaneously, his Xuanji Pupil—the Delusion-Breaking Golden Light—quietly activated, his vision penetrating the ground's surface and delving deep underground.

He scanned the land inch by inch.

Approximately the time it takes an incense stick to burn later, Lu Qiu's gaze sharpened, locking onto a seemingly ordinary patch of grassland in the western part of the plain.

In the vision of his Xuanji Pupil, about thirty zhang deep underground, an earth-yellow Magic Treasure, about a foot long, pointed at both ends and bulging in the middle, shaped like a weaving shuttle, lay quietly within the hard rock layer.

Its surface was covered with thick dust and rock crystals, its spiritual power completely withdrawn. Unless one specifically probed deeply with Divine Sense and spiritual eye abilities, it would be extremely difficult to discover.

"Found it."

Lu Qiu lowered the flying boat, arriving above that patch of grass. He pointed his fingers like a sword, and a concentrated scarlet gold sword aura shot from his fingertips. He gently pointed downward.

"Sizzle!"

The sword aura easily pierced through the soil and rock, drilling downward silently. It precisely avoided the shuttle-shaped treasure, cutting out a cylindrical channel several feet in diameter around it.

Then, with a swirl of his magic power, the dust-covered earth-yellow shuttle-shaped treasure flew up along the channel and landed in Lu Qiu's hand.

Brushing off the surface dust, the treasure revealed its true form. It was entirely carved from a warm, earth-yellow jade-like material, with smooth lines. It felt slightly heavy in the hand and emitted a pure and thick earth-attribute spiritual power fluctuation. Although dormant for many years, its spirituality was not lost. It was indeed a well-preserved Magic Treasure.

"A good harvest." Lu Qiu nodded in satisfaction and stored it away.

In the future, he could use it himself, bestow it upon a subordinate, or exchange it for other resources...