All-class Gu Immortal

Chapter 159 Ice Silkworm Gu! The Pinnacle of Silkworm Breeding Techniques! (4200-word long chapter)
"Oh? Is what Brother Shangguan said true?" Zhou Qing's gaze sharpened. He had never heard of an ancient elixir formula that combined nourishing the spirit and refining the body.

"Of course I wouldn't dare to speak presumptuously," Shangguan Hong said solemnly.

Zhou Qing nodded, but did not rush to confirm. Instead, he looked around at everyone present and asked, "I wonder if anyone else possesses such a formula?"

Seeing that no one answered, Zhou Qing stepped down from the stage, came to Shangguan Hong's side, and bowed to him.

"Then I will make the deal with Brother Shangguan."

Compared to the Shangguan family's "Divine Ape Technique," Zhou Qing was actually more interested in the pill formulas.

Because he possessed the Yuan Condensation Secret Technique left behind by Venerable Xuanzhu, the Shangguan family's 'Divine Ape Technique' was merely icing on the cake for him, not a lifeline.

These ancient elixir formulas are different.

The ancient elixir formula, which combines nourishing the spirit and refining the body, may not be useful to Zhou Qing now, but he will definitely be able to use it in the future.

Such precious items are generally impossible to buy.

Just like a first-tier elixir, even the most valuable one is only effective against martial artists in the Bone Refining Realm.

For the major powers in the county, it wasn't something extremely precious, but these powers wouldn't easily reveal the pill formula.

Because this is a monopoly.

This prevents families without a strong foundation from cultivating alchemists.

Although training alchemists requires a lot of resources, it is not something that ordinary families can do.

However, there are always exceptions. If someone is a genius alchemist, born for alchemy, they can become a formal first-level alchemist with only one-tenth or even one-twentieth of the resources of others. This is not impossible.

However, even the most talented person cannot create a prescription out of thin air at the beginning.

Therefore, the monopoly of elixir formulas was one of the keys to attracting alchemy talents.

Shangguan Hong's willingness to offer the ancient elixir formula likely stems from his desire to befriend Zhou Qing.

However, Zhou Qing dared to guess that this ancient pill formula must have many restrictions, either because it was extremely difficult to refine, or because the medicinal materials were hard to find, or even extinct.

Whether such a formula is used for trade or as a favor, it is always a win-win situation for major powers.

"Brother, you are indeed decisive." Shangguan Hong smiled and looked Zhou Qing up and down.

"In that case, when would you have time to visit my home for a chat?"

Generally, a trade fair involves both parties agreeing on the terms and items to be exchanged; they don't carry the items on their person directly.

Even if you carry them with you, it's not appropriate to exchange them directly at the banquet, since this isn't a trading hall.

"How about we go to the Han family to make the deal? I'll be the middleman, and I guarantee no one will lose out," Han Qingqing said, standing up before Zhou Qing could reply.

"..." Shangguan Hong was taken aback and hesitated.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing quickly said, "How about we make the transaction at my residence?"

"How could this be?" Han Qingqing was a little agitated, but Zhou Qing raised his hand to stop her from continuing.

"That's fine then, I'll have to trouble you, brother." After a moment's thought, Shangguan Hong agreed to this compromise.

"I eagerly await Brother Shangguan's arrival," Zhou Qing said with a smile, then nodded to Han Qingqing beside him, thanking her for her sudden interruption.

Even if he went to the Shangguan family, Shangguan Hong probably wouldn't do anything outrageous, but since he is heterosexual, if he has too close a personal relationship with Shangguan Hong, it's easy for rumors to spread.

He wasn't afraid of gossip, but as Wei Sheng's disciple, he still had to be mindful of the impact.

Lu Yan's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't.

Zhou Qing sat down next to Lu Yan, and soon other people went up on stage.

The exchange event featured quite a few rare items.

Medicinal herbs, martial arts techniques, and secret arts are all available.

Some people even sell information about secret realms in the Qilian Mountains, such as where strange beasts and monsters gather.

However, no one was as generous as Zhou Qing, who directly offered his divine weapon in exchange.

It seems that the scions of wealthy families are not as rich and powerful as he imagined.

The exchange meeting quickly came to an end.

After the banquet, Han Qingqing and Lu Yan invited Zhou Qing to go to the night market, but he politely declined.

Shangguan Hong simply nodded to him without asking anything, and then followed his companions ahead.

Zhou Qing boarded the carriage and returned with Lanlan to the small courtyard located in the outer city.

For Zhou Qing, the banquet was just a small episode in his ascetic life.

Because he revealed that he possessed a divine weapon at the exchange meeting, in the following days, some scions of noble families came to visit him, wanting to exchange for the divine weapon in his possession.

However, Zhou Qing rejected them all.

These people offered a hefty price, but none of them seemed to be truly sincere.

Even those who brought pill formulas were not valuable first-tier formulas, and most of them were of no use to Zhou Qing's current cultivation, so Zhou Qing refused them without hesitation.

Because of the Han family's connections, none of these people showed any dissatisfaction even after being rejected.

However, since their parting at the last banquet, Shangguan Hong has not visited again.

Although the Shangguan family is not a top family in the county, it has three Great Martial Masters at the Blood Exchange Realm, making it a first-class force in the county.

There is no situation where his address cannot be found.

I don't know if they were delayed by something or if they were waiting for a higher price.

Anyway, Zhou Qing wasn't in a hurry at all.

Half a month passed quickly, and Zhou Qing's new batch of Fire Toad Wine, brewed with Fire Cloud Mushroom, was almost ready to be opened.

Half a month later, instead of waiting for Shangguan Hong, he waited for the mutated golden silkworm worm that had been frozen to thaw.

A month and a half ago, the mutated golden silkworm worm devoured a large number of blue and white spiders in the cave of the Xuanzhu Venerable. These blue and white spiders were eggs laid by the Ice Soul Xuanzhu many years ago. After hatching, these eggs devoured each other and reproduced generation after generation.

Although these blue and white spiders have degenerated significantly due to a lack of suitable growing environment and food, they are still a rare and precious source of blood for the mutated golden silkworm worms.

Most of the other golden silkworm worms were frozen to death after they devoured the blue and white spiders.

Now Zhou Qing has less than thirty Golden Silkworm Gu worms left.

However, these golden silkworm worms have all evolved and are much stronger than before.

"Buzz!"

Zhou Qing released the mutated Golden Silkworm Gu worm from the Wooden King Cauldron. The mutated Golden Silkworm Gu worm changed its appearance drastically, from its original golden yellow to a crystal clear ice blue, with a metallic luster.

Moreover, the size of the mutated golden silkworm worm has also changed significantly.

The mutated golden silkworm worm, which was originally only the size of a fist, is now as big as a human head. Its six pairs of sharp claws are covered with dense hairs that glow with a ghostly blue light.

As soon as the mutated golden silkworm worm appeared in the room, the temperature of the entire room dropped instantly.

You have obtained a new Gu worm—the mutated Golden Silkworm Gu (Double-Winged Ice Silkworm Gu)

[Rank: Tier 1 Top Grade (Cannot be evolved, can be combined for refinement)]

[Progress: Limit Break (35/800)]

【Double-Winged Ice Silkworm Gu: Evolved from a mutated Golden Silkworm Gu that absorbed the mystic ice power contained within the bloodline of the Ice Soul Mystic Spider, breaking its limits. Extremely fast, agile, and swift, it possesses a near-indestructible body. It consumes nothing.】【Effect: Ice Soul Cold Qi】

[Icy Chill: The Ice Silkworm Gu consumes its own source power to release the extremely yin and cold icy chill, which can cause the enemy's blood and true energy to stagnate. Once exposed to the chill, the body's moisture will rapidly drain and freeze, and the enemy can only resist the chill by consuming blood and true energy. It can ignore the defense of any external martial arts techniques.]

"This is..." Zhou Qing stared wide-eyed at the information about the evolved mutated golden silkworm worm.

"A magical attack that ignores the defensive techniques of body-strengthening cultivation methods?!"

The Ice Silkworm Gu's ability to ignore the defense of external martial arts techniques is similar to ignoring physical defense, much like a magical attack.

Your skill in 'silkworm rearing and mulberry picking' has been improved!

At this moment, with the appearance of the Ice Silkworm Gu, the jade tablet in Zhou Qing's soul changed, emitting bursts of divine light.

Occupation: Silkworm farmer

[Craftsmanship: Silkworm rearing and mulberry harvesting]

[Progress: Pinnacle (1/800)]

As the art of silkworm rearing and mulberry picking reached its pinnacle, the two professions depicted on the jade tablet began to show signs of overlap.

Currently, the "Gu Master" and "Silkworm Raiser" professions overlap. Should a profession fusion be implemented?

"This is."

Zhou Qing's eyes widened immediately; it was another case of professional integration.

"Yes!"

There was no need for hesitation; Zhou Qing made his choice immediately.

hum! !

The jade tablet shone with divine light.

The next moment, a line of text appeared in Zhou Qing's field of vision.

[Gu Master (Tier 1)] + [Silkworm Raiser (Tier 1)] = [Silkworm Gu Master (Tier 2)]

[Silkworm Gu Master: A special profession resulting from the fusion of the 'Gu Master' and 'Silkworm Raiser' professions. Although you lack Gu Master aptitude, you possess unparalleled silkworm raising skills. You have incredibly skillful hands, with dexterity reaching the limits of any craftsman. Your success rate increases by 20% in any matter involving the raising and refining of silkworm-type Gu worms. Due to this increased dexterity, your skills in related areas will also be enhanced.]

【Occupation: Silkworm Gu Master (Tier 2)】

[Rank: First Rank Perfection]

[Skill: Silkworm breeding and Gu poison preparation]

[Progress: Pinnacle (1/800)]

[Effect: Refines Gu worms, grants absolute control, and is a technique for combined refinement]

"A second-tier profession!" Zhou Qing was both surprised and delighted. He hadn't expected such an unexpected surprise after the Ice Silkworm Gu broke through its limits.

"I never expected you to have such good fortune! An ordinary Gu worm was able to absorb the power of the Ice Soul Mystic Spider bloodline descendant. In this way, the best Gu worm for refining into the Wood Spirit Corpse is now available."

At this moment, Xuan Zhu's voice echoed in Zhou Qing's mind.

This was the first time it had spoken on its own initiative in the month and a half since it seized the Soul Corpse Insect King. Before, it wouldn't say a word unless Zhou Qing approached it.

"You mean that using Ice Silkworm Gu to refine the Wood Spirit Corpse will greatly increase the success rate?!" Zhou Qing suppressed his excitement as he looked at the effects brought by the Silkworm Gu Master.

The success rate of combining silkworm-type Gu worms increases by 20%, plus the 10% success rate bonus from the combining technique, resulting in an additional 30% success rate.

If the Ice Silkworm Gu is suitable for combined refining with the Supreme Wood Spirit Corpse, then his success rate in refining a second-tier Gu worm is at least 60%.

As Xuanzhu mentioned before, water nourishes wood, and the mutual generation of these attributes can increase the success rate by 30%.

Ice-attribute Gu worms can also achieve the effect of attribute synergy.

Because the ice attribute itself is a mutation of the water and wood attributes under special circumstances.

“Not bad! Your failure rate in refining second-tier Gu worms was 80% before, but now if you can do as I say, the success rate should be 80%,” Xuanzhu said in a deep voice.

"Oh?" Zhou Qing's eyes lit up. A 60% success rate was still a bit low, but an 80% success rate would be more than enough.

"The Gu worms you had before, apart from that second-tier Supreme Wood Spirit Corpse, were unable to absorb the violent ice attribute power within the Ice Soul Mystic Spider's body."

However, the Ice Silkworm Gu worm in your hand now possesses a portion of the sparse ice attribute power within the Ice Soul Mystic Spider.

If one can refine the Ice Soul Spider's bloodline power with gentle force and then use it to feed the Ice Silkworm Gu, there is a high probability that the Ice Soul Spider's power can be digested.

Once the ice attribute power within the Ice Silkworm Gu Worm reaches the upper limit of a first-tier Gu Worm, your success rate in refining a second-tier Gu Worm will increase significantly.

Even a newly formed second-tier ice-attribute Gu worm is not something an ordinary Blood Exchange Realm cultivator can contend with.

Although your current Wood Spirit Corpse is powerful, it cannot be completely refined. If you want to control it, you still need to rely on the power of the Corpse Worm Gu King, so there is always a layer between you and it.

If it were refined into a second-tier Ice Fiend Gu, it would truly be as easy to control as one's own arm.

Xuanzhu analyzed.

"It's rare for you to take the initiative like this." Zhou Qing nodded. Xuan Zhu's thoughts were roughly the same as Zhou Qing's, but he didn't know the specific refining method. Now that Xuan Zhu had taken the initiative to speak, it was obviously to show goodwill.

Xuanzhu frankly said, "I have a premonition that you are a person with great fortune."

Moreover, in order to save people, you chose to hold the rear alone and deal with the second-level Gu Master, which shows that you are a grateful and trustworthy person.

I'll assist you in refining a second-tier Gu worm. Could we please forgive and forget my previous offense?

"That's the best thing that you think that way," Zhou Qing said with a smile.

For him now, he lacks systematic knowledge of Gu Masters, so reconciling with Xuan Zhu would be a win-win situation.

"If one day I can become a fourth-tier Gu Master, or break through the Five Qi Gathering Realm, I will give you your freedom and rebuild your physical body."

After saying that, Zhou Qing added another sentence.

Although it's just empty promises and grand gestures, if Xuanzhu truly wants to assist him, he will do his best without being bound by oaths.

"Thank you," Xuanzhu's voice became somewhat low.

"To increase your success rate in becoming a second-tier Gu Master, you must first try to refine some common poisonous insects together to increase your experience."

The alchemy skills of martial artists have developed over many years and have become quite sophisticated, bearing a striking resemblance to the Gu master's Gu-making techniques.

Although the alchemy techniques left behind by that Taoist priest were rudimentary, they are just right for you to learn now.

Since you want to strengthen the ice attribute power within the Ice Silkworm Gu, you'd better find some pill formulas that can assist in body tempering.

Although I don't know how to refine pills, Venerable Xuanzhu has a lot of relevant knowledge in his memories, so maybe I can help you improve the pill formula.

Afterwards, the essence blood of the Ice Soul Mystic Spider will be diluted and used for alchemy, which will then be given to the Ice Silkworm Gu. This should speed up the preparations before the combined alchemy."

Xuanzhu changed the subject and immediately offered Zhou Qing some advice.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing pondered for a moment: "So, the formula for body-refining pills is something we'll have to rely on Shangguan Hong for."

Since Shangguan Hong possesses an ancient pill formula that nourishes both the soul and the body, it would be perfect to have Xuanzhu improve the formula. It should be more effective than a typical first-tier pill formula.

Anyway, the Ice Soul Spider has plenty of essence blood, and it's diluted essence blood.

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing walked out of the courtyard, summoned Lanlan, and asked her to deliver the invitation to the Shangguan family.

(End of this chapter)