196: Chapter 196 Elder Gu's Fury! Damn Extreme Yin Island! Soul-Devouring Worms Acquired!

Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Six: Elder Gu's Rage! Damn that Jiyin Island! Soul Devouring Insect Obtained!

One day later.

Tianmen Peak, deep within the Immortal Cave.

Lu Qiu brought Xin Ruyin and Black Fiend back to the Immortal Cave without making a sound.

This trip had been completely undetected; no one on the entire Kuixing Island knew they had ever left.

The moment he stepped into the Immortal Cave, Lu Qiu finally breathed a true sigh of relief.

He turned to look at Xin Ruyin; seeing her expression was normal, though her eyes held a hint of exhaustion, a wave of pity rose in his heart.

“Ruyin, it's been hard on you,” he said softly.

Xin Ruyin shook her head and smiled slightly. “It wasn't hard. I'm very happy to be able to help Husband Lu.”

Lu Qiu squeezed her hand and said nothing more.

Some feelings required no words.

The three of them entered the depths of the Immortal Cave, arriving at the area specifically designated for housing spirit pets.

With a thought, Lu Qiu released the Infant Carp Beast from the gray spatial bead.

“Wu wa...”

A weak baby-like cry rang out as the Infant Carp Beast lay prone on the ground, its infant-like eyes filled with exhaustion and lethargy.

It was covered in wounds; its dark blue scales were riddled with cracks, and in some places, faint traces of blood seeped out, staining the stone floor beneath it red.

Its four pale human hands, resembling segments of a lotus root, hung limply, no longer possessing the ferocity it showed when chasing the Bloodline Flood Dragon.

Seeing this, a flicker of pity flashed in Xin Ruyin's eyes, and she whispered, “It's so badly injured.”

Lu Qiu crouched down and carefully examined its injuries.

The wounds on its beastly body were merely superficial. Some were burns left by the Bloodline Flood Dragon's breath, some were slashes from the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis's forelimbs, and others were marks from the water-patterned chains of the Canglan Flood Dragon Locking Formation during its struggle.

These wounds looked frightening, but with the powerful recovery capabilities of a Level Six Yao Beast combined with the nourishment of the spirit eye spring, it wouldn't take long for them to heal.

The real trouble was the Divine Sense trauma.

To subdue this beast, he had first used the Spirit Shocking Thorn to heavily damage its Primordial Spirit; five Divine Sense spikes had pierced it simultaneously, nearly turning its Sea of Consciousness upside down.

Then he had used the Dragon Imprisonment Seal to forcibly enslave it, branding that profound rune deep within its Primordial Spirit. Although he ultimately succeeded, it made the already fragile Primordial Spirit's condition even worse.

At this moment, the Infant Carp Beast's Primordial Spirit was riddled with holes, its aura withered to the extreme.

If left alone, even if it could recover, it would be left with permanent damage that would affect its future growth, potentially even trapping it at Level Six forever, unable to advance any further.

“It seems I'll need to refine some more soul replenishing pills,” Lu Qiu murmured, his brow furrowing slightly.

The soul replenishing pill was an ancient medicine recorded in the Qing Yang Pill Scripture that had miraculous effects on repairing Divine Soul damage.

Years ago, when the Bloodline Flood Dragon's Primordial Spirit was damaged, it was this pill that allowed it to recover.

However, this pill was not easy to refine, and the Materials required were quite rare.

The last time he refined it, he had searched for a long time before gathering enough Materials for a single batch.

Now that the Infant Carp Beast's Primordial Spirit was also injured, the soul replenishing pill was the perfect remedy; it looked like he would have to put in some effort again.

“Wu wa...” The Infant Carp Beast let out a low cry, its baby-like eyes looking pitifully at Lu Qiu as if pleading for mercy, or perhaps begging for help.

Looking into its eyes, Lu Qiu actually felt a strange sensation.

This Yao Beast's infant face, paired with such a gaze, was truly... too deceptive.

If he hadn't personally witnessed its fierce appearance while hunting the Bloodline Flood Dragon, he might have truly been fooled by its exterior.

“Don't worry, since I've taken you in, I won't ignore you.” He reached out and stroked the Infant Carp Beast's head; it felt cold and slippery, completely different from a real baby's skin.

The Infant Carp Beast seemed to understand his words, narrowing its eyes and letting out a satisfied low hum.

Lu Qiu ordered Black Fiend to take the Infant Carp Beast to the spirit eye spring and place it in the spring water for nourishment.

The Spiritual Qi of the spirit eye spring was pure and gentle, providing great benefit for nourishing the Primordial Spirit and recovering from injuries.

The moment the Infant Carp Beast entered the spring water, it immediately shuddered with comfort.

It soaked in the spring water, exposing only its infant face, its four human hands gently paddling the water as it let out “wu wu” low hums, sounding like a baby acting spoiled.

Xin Ruyin couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. “The way it looks now, it really does seem like a child.”

Lu Qiu also smiled. “Once it recovers, you'll know just how fierce it is. A Level Six Infant Carp Beast has combat power comparable to a Late Stage Core Formation Cultivator; it's no laughing matter.”

Having settled the Infant Carp Beast, Lu Qiu finally took out the four treasures he had seized from it and lined them up on the stone table.

A Giant Pincer Crab Claw, red as fire and as large as a millstone—this item contained pure fire spiritual power, with faint flickers of fire light flowing within; with a little refining, it would make a decent fire-attribute Magic Treasure.

Lu Qiu weighed it in his hand; it was extremely heavy, clearly the remains of some deep-sea fire-type Yao Beast.

A Thousand-Year Blue Coral, entirely blue with crystal-clear branches—this item emitted a gentle water-attribute Spiritual Qi and could be used in medicine or Formations, making it quite valuable.

Lu Qiu probed it with his Divine Sense, sensing the surging water spiritual power within, and nodded in satisfaction.

An egg-sized, perfectly round and flawless Sea-Settling Bead—this item was milky white and warm, its light restrained, yet the sound of a Dragon's roar faintly echoed from it.

Holding it in his palm, Lu Qiu could clearly sense the suppressive power contained within.

This item could suppress waves and stabilize waters; it was a top-grade material for refining water-type Magic Treasures, and if used in a Formation, it could also greatly enhance the Formation's stability.

A giant clam shell, silver-glimmering and shaped like a shield.

The surface of this item had naturally formed cloud patterns and emitted a faint silver glow; its defensive power was extremely strong. When Lu Qiu struck it lightly with his yinming sword, it only left a shallow white mark.

With a bit of refining, it would be an excellent Magic Treasure.

“A good harvest,” Lu Qiu noted with a satisfied nod, carefully putting away the four treasures.

It would be best if he could use these treasures himself.

If not, he could take them to the Liulian Hall to exchange for other needed items or use them as bargaining chips for building connections in the future.

Over the next few days, Lu Qiu remained in seclusion within Tianmen Peak.

Every day, he brewed decoctions with Spirit Medicine and used them alongside the nourishment of the spirit eye spring to treat the Infant Carp Beast's injuries.

Those decoctions were based on recipes he had found in the Qing Yang Pill Scripture specifically for healing Yao Beasts, and the effects were remarkable.

The Infant Carp Beast was quite well-behaved; soaking in the spring every day, it ate whatever Lu Qiu fed it without ever resisting.

Occasionally, it would let out “wu wu” cries, as if expressing its gratitude.

Sometimes Lu Qiu would sit by the spring, quietly watching it.

This Yao Beast was the third Level Six combatant in his hands, following the Bloodline Flood Dragon and the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis.

Once it recovered, with three Level Six Yao Beasts out together, he would have the power to fight even against a Nascent Soul Early Stage Cultivator.

At the same time, he began preparing the Materials needed to refine the soul replenishing pill.

The main ingredient for the soul replenishing pill was “Soul-Nurturing Grass,” and he still had some of that in stock.

However, he needed more than ten auxiliary herbs, several of which were quite rare and required someone to help collect them.

“Perfect, I can ask Third Mother Feng for help,” Lu Qiu calculated in his mind.

The entire Tianmen Peak was a picture of calm, as if the matter of the Infant Carp Beast had never happened.

...

Several days later.

A Sound Transmission Talisman streaked through the air and landed in Lu Qiu's hand.

“Elder Lu, something terrible has happened! Please come to the White Water Tower immediately for a discussion!”

Third Mother Feng's voice carried obvious panic and urgency, a far cry from her usual composed and calm demeanor.

Lu Qiu gripped the Sound Transmission Talisman, his brow arching slightly, though he understood everything perfectly.

What was bound to come had finally arrived.

He stood up, adjusted his robes, and left Tianmen Peak at an unhurried pace.

Along the way, thoughts churned in his mind.

Gu Yuan must be fuming with rage right now.

The beast-hunting plan that the Liulian Hall had painstakingly prepared for so long was just about to be implemented, only for the target to be snatched away a step ahead of them, and for two Foundation Establishment Cultivators to be killed as well.

Anyone would be driven half to death with anger.

And the “culprit” they had identified was Jiyin Island.

The corner of Lu Qiu's mouth curled into a faint arc.

The name of Jiyin Island was indeed useful.

Those Foundation Establishment Cultivators who were scared off by Black Fiend should have already spread the news of “Jiyin Island business” throughout the surrounding waters.

The “evidence” Gu Yuan found would inevitably match this.

As for the real culprit...

Lu Qiu's smile deepened.

Who could have imagined that the Jiyin Island expert who “snatched the Infant Carp Beast a step ahead” was actually him, this Liulian Hall Elder?

...

Kuixing City, Tiandu Street, White Water Tower.

In the first-floor hall, Third Mother Feng had already been waiting at the door.

Seeing Lu Qiu arrive, she hurried forward to meet him, her face etched with obvious anxiety, even forgetting her usual pleasantries.

“Elder Lu, something terrible has happened!”

Lu Qiu's brow furrowed as he feigned ignorance, asking, “What happened? Why such panic?”

Third Mother Feng looked around and lowered her voice. “The Infant Carp Beast... is gone!”

“What?!”

Lu Qiu's voice rose a few notches, his face full of shock. “What exactly happened? How could that beast be gone?”

Third Mother Feng said with a bitter face, “Elder Gu is upstairs; he will explain the details to you. This matter... this matter is quite thorny, and I don't know what to do either.”

Lu Qiu nodded and patted her shoulder, comforting her. “Don't worry, I'll go up and have a look.”

In the third-floor VIP room, Gu Yuan was standing with his hands behind his back, staring out the window lost in thought.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around and forced out a smile, but it looked worse than a crying face.

“Elder Lu is here.”

Lu Qiu saw that his face was so dark it looked like it could drip water, and his eyes were bloodshot; clearly, he hadn't slept well these past few days.

He laughed inwardly, but on the surface, he maintained a solemn expression, cupping his hands.

“Elder Gu, what exactly is going on with the Infant Carp Beast? Third Mother Feng was vague and unclear, and it's worrying me to death.”

Gu Yuan took a deep breath, his expression extremely gloomy.

He slammed a fist onto the table, causing the teacups to jump and tea to splash everywhere, as he said hatefully,

"Damn that Jiyin Island!"

Lu Qiu's heart stirred, but his face showed a look of shock. "Jiyin Island? What does this matter have to do with Jiyin Island?"

Gu Yuan gritted his teeth and said, "I sent people to investigate, and it turns out the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators my Liulian Hall stationed near Xiaoyuan Island have been killed! Their bodies were burned to ash, with not even a speck remaining! And that Infant Carp Beast is nowhere to be found!"

He paused, his eyes full of rage and resentment, his voice trembling slightly with anger. "What's more hateful is that passing Cultivators saw it with their own eyes—on the day of the incident, someone claimed to be 'conducting business for Jiyin Island' and forcibly drove away everyone near those waters! If it wasn't Jiyin Island, who else could it be?!"

Hearing this, a look of indignation appeared on Lu Qiu's face as he said angrily, "Such behavior is no different from bandits! The Infant Carp Beast was clearly discovered by our Liulian Hall first. On what grounds does Jiyin Island interfere and kill people to snatch the beast?!"

His anger wasn't entirely feigned.

Jiyin Island really was nothing good; he had a vivid memory of Young Master Wu Chou's actions in the original story.

Although making them take the blame this time was intentional, cursing them a few times was no loss.

Gu Yuan gave a bitter smile and shook his head helplessly. "On what grounds? On the grounds of those four words: Extreme Yin Ancestor!"

He sat back dejectedly in his chair, his voice full of exhaustion and helplessness. "Elder Lu, you haven't been in the Chaotic Star Sea for long, so you might not be aware of Jiyin Island's might. That Extreme Yin Ancestor is a Nascent Soul Stage powerhouse who became famous centuries ago. His Demonic Technique is unfathomable; rumors say he once decapitated a Cultivator of the same rank! He has numerous Disciples under his command, with over ten Core Formation Cultivators and countless Foundation Establishment Disciples! Although our Liulian Hall is powerful, in terms of strength, we are far from being Jiyin Island's match."

He let out a long sigh, his eyes filled with frustration. "We can only swallow this grievance."

Lu Qiu remained silent for a moment. Looking at Gu Yuan's dejected state, he didn't know what to say.

This Elder Gu, though harboring ill intentions toward him, was genuinely angry and helpless at this moment.

After laboriously preparing a plan for so long, it was on the verge of success when someone suddenly snatched it away; anyone would be frustrated to death.

He pondered for a moment before suddenly speaking, "Elder Gu, it's true that Jiyin Island is using its power to bully others, but there's one thing I don't understand—the location of the Infant Carp Beast was a top secret. How did Jiyin Island find out?"

Hearing this, Gu Yuan's pupils constricted slightly.

Lu Qiu continued, "The waters of Xiaoyuan Island are extremely remote. If not for our Liulian Hall's exploration team happening upon it by chance, the Infant Carp Beast's tracks would never have been discovered. How could the people from Jiyin Island coincidentally appear there? And with such precise timing—striking just before our Liulian Hall was ready to act?"

He looked directly at Gu Yuan and said word by word, "In my opinion, there is likely a mole from Jiyin Island hidden within our Liulian Hall!"

These words were spoken with clear logic and sound reasoning.

Moreover, in the original story, Young Master Wu Chou happened to appear right when the Infant Carp Beast was killed.

It was clearly premeditated.

Liulian Hall definitely had an inside agent planted by Jiyin Island.

Perhaps one was even hidden on his own Kuixing Island.

Gu Yuan's expression changed several times, from anger to surprise, and from surprise to deep thought, before he finally nodded slowly and said deeply, "What Elder Lu says is absolutely right. I also have such suspicions. This matter... must be thoroughly investigated!"

A cold light flashed in his eyes, his voice carrying a bone-chilling killing intent. "If I find out who is the traitor, I will make them wish they were dead!"

Lu Qiu nodded. With Elder Gu taking action, it saved him the trouble of worrying about it.

He discussed a few more things with Gu Yuan, which were nothing more than polite platitudes like "strengthening internal management" and "staying vigilant."

Gu Yuan agreed to everything, and his emotions gradually calmed down.

After venting his frustrations, Gu Yuan took out an ancient-looking clay jar from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Lu Qiu, a forced smile appearing on his face.

"Elder Lu, these are the Soul Devouring Insects you asked me to help collect last time. I spent quite a bit of effort and used several connections to finally get a few."

Lu Qiu took the clay jar, feeling a slight joy in his heart.

He lifted the lid and saw seven or eight strange little insects the size of a fingernail, completely pitch-black, lying inside the jar.

Those little insects had fine silver patterns on their backs, mouthparts as sharp as needles, and an icy aura emanating from their bodies, as if they could even swallow light.

Soul Devouring Insects!

Ranked fifty-sixth on the list of strange insects, these demon insects loved to devour Divine Souls!

Lu Qiu was delighted inwardly, but his face remained impassive as he cupped his hands. "Thank you, Elder Gu. I will remember this favor."

These words weren't entirely polite formalities.

Soul Devouring Insects were indeed rare, and for Gu Yuan to get seven or eight of them, he must have put in quite some effort.

Although this man had ill intentions toward him, he should still be thanked when thanks were due.

Gu Yuan waved his hand, then suddenly changed the subject, staring at Lu Qiu with burning eyes as he probed,

"Elder Lu, you see that I've brought the Soul Devouring Insects to you. I wonder... when it would be convenient for you to accompany me to meet Hall Master Nangong?"

Here it comes.

Lu Qiu sneered inwardly, but his face showed a look of difficulty as he sighed, "Elder Gu, it's not that I'm making excuses. It's just that the fifteen-year term hasn't arrived yet, and my Dao Companion is currently in seclusion preparing for Core Formation; I really can't leave her side."

He paused, his tone sincere and even somewhat earnest. "Elder Gu probably doesn't know, but my Dao Companion and I met when we were insignificant. We've gone through life and death together, never leaving each other's side. For such a major event as her Core Formation, how could I not be there to look after her? If anything went wrong, I would never forgive myself for the rest of my life. I hope Elder Gu understands."

He believed he had spoken these words with genuine emotion and without any flaws.

Using Xin Ruyin as an excuse was both reasonable and left no room for fault-finding.

A sharp light flashed in Gu Yuan's eyes as he took a deep look at Lu Qiu and said with a fake smile, "Elder Lu and his Dao Companion really have a deep affection for each other."

This tone was clearly testing him.

Lu Qiu accepted it calmly and cupped his hands. "Elder Gu overpraises us. Once Ruyin successfully forms her core, I will definitely accompany Elder Gu to the headquarters to visit Hall Master Nangong."

He spoke these words with great resolve, as if it were truly just a matter of time.

Gu Yuan gave him a deep look, as if trying to see right through him.

A moment later, he nodded slowly. "In that case, I will wait a bit longer."

He rose to take his leave, and when he reached the door, he suddenly turned back and said meaningfully,

"Elder Lu, I truly hope we can work together soon. Farewell."

Lu Qiu cupped his hands to see him off, the smile on his face unchanging as he watched the other's streak of light disappear from sight.

Once the light had completely vanished, the smile on Lu Qiu's face gradually faded, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Old thing, you really harbor no good intentions."

He whispered to himself, his voice carrying undisguised mockery.

What "truly hope we can work together soon"? He clearly wanted his life!

The fifteen-year term was nothing more than a stalling tactic.

The old guy knew perfectly well that he was delaying.

But what could he do?

Forcing him?

He didn't dare.

After all, he was now at the Middle Core Formation Stage, and with Hei Sha, his 'Junior Martial Uncle,' present, the old man wouldn't gain anything from using force.

So he could only wait.

Wait for the day he "voluntarily" went to the headquarters.

Lu Qiu sneered and turned to leave.

...

Returning to his Immortal Cave, Lu Qiu carefully put away the jar of Soul Devouring Insects.

This insect was one of the key Materials for refining the "god-controlling gu."

Once the other Materials were collected, he could begin refining that vicious Gu insect capable of forcibly controlling a Cultivator's Primordial Spirit.

When that time came, he would have another trump card in his hand.

He went to the spirit eye spring to check on the Infant Carp Beast's condition.

After soaking in the spring water for several days, the Infant Carp Beast's complexion had clearly improved.

The wounds on its body had begun to heal, and several shallower scars had completely disappeared, leaving only faint marks.

Its scales also had a luster to them, no longer looking as dull and gray as when it was first captured.

However, its eyes were still somewhat listless, those infant-like eyes carrying a hint of fatigue; clearly, the damage to its Primordial Spirit had not yet recovered.

"Wu wa..." Seeing him, the Infant Carp Beast let out an affectionate cry, its four human hands waving gently as if saying hello.

Lu Qiu reached out and stroked its head. The touch was still cold and slippery, but this time, he felt a bit more closeness in his heart.

"Recover well," he said softly. "Once I refine the soul replenishing pill, you will be able to fully recover."

The Infant Carp Beast nodded as if it understood, squinted its eyes comfortably, and continued to soak in the spring water.

Occasionally, it would rub its head against Lu Qiu's hand, as if expressing gratitude.

Looking at it like this, Lu Qiu couldn't help but find it a bit amusing.

Who would have thought that this fierce Level Six Yao Beast would have such a docile side.

He stood up, his gaze piercing through the rock walls of the Immortal Cave, as if wanting to penetrate through layers of obstacles to look at the world outside.

Jiyin Island, Nixing Alliance, Liulian Hall...

These forces were like whirlpools, drawing him into their center.

He needed time.

He needed more time to increase his cultivation, nurture his spirit pets, and accumulate trump cards.

When the time was ripe...

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Those who wanted to play with him in the palm of their hands would eventually pay the price.