After merging with the Yin Law, the Devouring Yin Insects began frantically consuming it, reproducing rapidly through its power, and then outputting more Yin Law through their reproduction. This created a perfect cycle. However, the Yin Law processed by these insects was no longer the same as before. Previously, when Wen Jiu released his Yin Law, it was sinister yet still a form of magical energy. But now, under his divine sense, it appeared like a writhing, viscous sludge from a swamp filled with decaying corpses.
Just a single glance sent chills down his spine. A closer inspection with divine sense made his skin crawl even more. Because within the Yin Law, countless Devouring Soul Insects were squirming and surging endlessly. Even with Wen Jiu's extensive experience in demonic cultivation, he still felt uneasy at the sight. So, instead of immediately absorbing it into his body, he turned his attention to the description of the Devouring Yin Insects on his daily settlement panel.
[Gu Insect: Mutated Devouring Yin Insect (Rank 1 - Lower Tier) (0/3000)]
Capable of invading the human body through the air, rapidly corroding the meridians and dantian, ultimately reducing the infected to mere mortals. However, once outside the host, the Devouring Yin Insect can only survive for fifteen minutes. Additionally, the stronger the invaded individual, the greater their magical resistance against the mutated Devouring Yin Insects.
Wen Jiu wasn't surprised that the Devouring Yin Insects could level up, as this was another one of the terrifying aspects of the daily settlement panel. If he lacked a way to improve something, the panel would automatically provide him with the simplest path to growth.
Take talisman crafting, for example. Even without a teacher or formal training, he could still improve simply by grinding experience. In other words, he didn't need to practice any Gu cultivation techniques—he could still nurture these insects to Rank 1 Mid-Tier, Rank 1 High-Tier, or even grind his way to a Rank 2 existence.
Rank 2—equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Regaining his focus, Wen Jiu turned his gaze back to the settlement panel. What truly caught him off guard was that after their mutation, the Devouring Yin Insects had gained the ability to spread through the air.
Even though they would die within fifteen minutes outside a host, this ability was still terrifying—after all, cultivators needed to breathe. Even if someone used breath control techniques, a single open wound was enough for the Devouring Yin Insects to invade. There was no real way to avoid them.
But the most dangerous aspect wasn't just their airborne transmission. It was the potential for large-scale warfare. If Wen Jiu had enough Yin Law stored in his dantian, he could unleash the insects upon an opposing army. The devastation would be catastrophic.
In the cultivation world, the fall of low-level cultivators alone might not determine the outcome of a great battle, but it could shift the balance. For sects, this ability alone was enough to be considered a trump card.
If news of this spread to Death Valley, Wen Jiu would undoubtedly become a secret priority for Dead Peak's elite training program—he might not even have to undergo any assessments. But if this power became widely known, he would also attract the attention of hostile forces. Those who couldn't obtain it would inevitably try to destroy it.
"This mutated Devouring Yin Insect is a double-edged sword. Used correctly, it could become my ultimate trump card. Used carelessly, it could bring disaster upon me… Fortunately, besides Brother Liu, no one knows I possess them. As long as I use them wisely, I can always shift the blame onto the Gu Daoist."
With that thought, Wen Jiu made a firm decision. He would not use them recklessly unless absolutely necessary.
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In the next moment, he absorbed all the Devouring Yin Insects from the Black Ghoul into his body, feeling them merge with his Yin Law under his divine sense's control. They circulated endlessly through his meridians.
To be honest, the thought of countless parasitic insects residing within his body left him with an indescribable feeling. Just by cultivating them within himself, he was already more sinister than ninety-nine percent of demonic cultivators and evil practitioners.
An hour later, the fusion between his Yin Law and the Devouring Yin Insects was complete. To his surprise, his dantian's Yin Law had doubled as a result. Breaking through from Qi Refinement Level 2 to Level 3 wasn't much different from this.
If he advanced to Qi Refinement Level 3 now, his Yin Law reserves would surpass all other cultivators at that stage—perhaps even rivaling those at Level 4.
However, Wen Jiu chose not to break through just yet. He was waiting for an opportunity. And that opportunity was coming soon.
—
Early the next morning, Wen Jiu prepared for his final push: cultivating five Qi Refinement Level 2 Yin Souls at once to help his Black Ghoul advance to the Three-Fiend Corpse stage.
Once the Black Ghoul evolved, awakening its innate Corpse Dao divine ability, Wen Jiu would finally have some real standing in Feixian Peak.
Gong Chi was not someone to be taken lightly.
But before anything could be finalized, Gong Chi summoned him over. It was clear—Gong Chi had run out of patience.
However, the place Gong Chi wanted him to go was not the Night Patrol Division's main hall but rather Liu Xiao's recovery quarters.
When Wen Jiu arrived, Gong Chi was inquiring about Liu Xiao's injuries. He took out a bottle of mid-grade first-tier Blood Replenishing Pills, which could help fully restore internal wounds. While they couldn't regenerate a severed limb, they could minimize the long-term impact of the injury.
Beyond that, Gong Chi was also arranging Liu Xiao's future. Even if Liu Xiao had become a cripple, he could still manage part of Fei Xian Peak's business, and his children would be directly accepted as apprentice disciples of the sect.
But what Wen Jiu hadn't expected was that his sister, Wen Ya, was also there. After learning about her identity, Gong Chi began inquiring about her well-being, even discussing the possibility of promoting her to a disciple.
To Wen Jiu, however, all of this felt less like kindness and more like a threat.
Because if he refused today, this so-called kindness could easily turn into a killing intent.
Steadying himself, Wen Jiu walked in and respectfully greeted them one by one, "Elder Gong, Steward Liu, Sis."
Elder Gong nodded, then asked, "Well? Have you considered becoming my disciple?"
At these words, Liu Xiao, who had just been deeply grateful to Elder Gong, suddenly tensed.
Although Wen Ya didn't know what was going on, she could read the change in Liu Xiao's expression and immediately sensed that something was wrong.
Without hesitation, Wen Jiu bowed and said, "Master!"
He understood—Gong Chi's polite inquiry was not a request.
It was an ultimatum.
Becoming his disciple was the only acceptable answer.
But since Gong Chi wanted this outcome, then he would give it to him.
Besides, as a rogue cultivator of the Left Path, going back on his word later wouldn't be unreasonable, would it?
"Good!"
Gong Chi smiled in satisfaction.
But in that moment, everyone in the room felt a chill run down their spine.
...
After Gong Chi left, Liu Xiao remained silent for a long while before finally speaking.
"How did this happen? Why would Elder Gong suddenly want to take you as a disciple?"
On any other day, this would be an incredible opportunity.
But with the entrance assessment approaching, Wen Jiu was certain to be admitted to the main peak for training.
Now that he had been taken in as a disciple, his path to the main peak was effectively cut off.
Wen Jiu smiled and said, "It's fine, Brother Liu. Honestly, someone like me, a Left Path cultivator, might not be well-received at the main peak anyway. Following Elder Gong's guidance might actually be better… With his mentorship, I could gain more than I would at the main peak."
"This…"
Liu Xiao was momentarily at a loss for words.
He couldn't tell if Wen Jiu's smile and words were sincere or not.
At that moment, high above Fei Xian Peak, Gong Chi looked down in Wen Jiu's direction, stroking his beard with a satisfied smile.
The boy knew how to adapt.
And he understood his own position.
Had Wen Jiu refused today or shown any signs of disloyalty, Gong Chi would have had no choice but to eliminate him.
A Left Path genius like him could not be allowed to go to the main peak—after all, there were certainly some old figures there who appreciated Left Path techniques.