Chu Xuan was no rash man.
With a little thought, one would realize that at least four cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage were needed for a successful rescue.
Moreover, Wu Teng was injured and had not yet awakened.
Liu Zhenxiong stated solemnly, "There is another, the direct disciple of the First Ancestor, at the third level of Foundation Establishment."
Chu Xuan's eyes flickered, "Could it be..."
"Indeed, among all the Foundation Establishment disciples, he is the one with the finest aptitude and the most hopeful to advance to the Golden Core period—Li Xuanming, Senior Brother Li."
Chu Xuan was astonished, "He is still alive?"
Before he had even begun Qi cultivation, Chu Xuan had heard of Li Xuanming's renown.
Back then, Li Xuanming's cultivation advanced rapidly, unmatched in prominence. All ten Golden Core elders were convinced that Li Xuanming would be the next to ascend to the Golden Core period!
After the fall of the Infinite Sect, Li Xuanming disappeared without a trace, and many believed him to be dead.
Unexpectedly, Li Xuanming had managed to escape from death. Truly deserving of being the foremost among the Foundation Establishment stage in the Infinite Sect.
Liu Zhenxiong nodded, "Wu Teng has made contact with him. He has concealed his identity and joined a mid-sized sect. However, to rescue his master, he is willing to act. But on the condition that the master accepts him as his principal disciple."
Chu Xuan chuckled.
There were conditions, of course. But this was to be expected.
The Infinite Sect's teachings were lost, and Li Xuanming's desire to become the principal disciple of Wan Wuying and receive the true transmission was nothing out of the ordinary.
Liu Zhenxiong declared solemnly, "Strength in numbers, I hope Junior Brother Chu will join us. I, Liu Zhenxiong, am asking for your help!"
After speaking, he knelt on both knees and bowed deeply to Chu Xuan.
Chu Xuan quickly helped him up, "Senior Brother Liu, I agree."
Liu Zhenxiong was overjoyed, "Very good! With this, the probability of a successful rescue increases significantly!"
Chu Xuan asked, "When do we act? Several Foundation Establishment stage cultivators from the Divine Star Sect have died. They might send more people. Our time is limited."
Liu Zhenxiong replied gravely, "As soon as Wu Teng's injuries improve, we'll make our move, within three days at most."
"Agreed," Chu Xuan nodded. He paused, then added, "Senior Brother Liu, do you have the Soul Refining Technique and the Tome of Blood Worms?"
The Soul Refining Technique, a Foundation Establishment stage cultivation method, strengthens the spirit, enabling control over more corpse puppets.
The Blood Worms Tome, also a Foundation Establishment stage technique, allows for the creation of an organ known as the "Blood Worm Sac" within the body to house Gu insects. The Blood Worm Sac functions similarly to the Corpse Nurturing Tower.
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However, while the Corpse Nurturing Tower is specifically for nurturing corpses, the Blood Worm Sac is dedicated to cultivating Gu insects.
Moreover, once the Blood Worm Sac is cultivated, it enables the nurturing of a life-bound Gu and increases the limit of Gu insects one can control.
After advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage, the might of the Blood Steel Wire had fallen behind.
Chu Xuan had long planned to cultivate his life-bound Gu. But without the Tome of Blood Worms, he didn't know how to proceed.
Liu Zhenxiong nodded, "I possess both techniques. I've heard that Junior Brother Chu is proficient with Gu insects. Are you planning to manage both Gu insects and corpse puppets?"
Chu Xuan nodded, "I will use every means to enhance my strength."
Liu Zhenxiong pulled out two tomes from his storage bag and handed them over, "I have transcribed these myself; they are without any errors."
Chu Xuan nodded and handed over a storage bag.
"What's this?" Liu Zhenxiong asked, puzzled.
Upon opening it, his expression turned to delighted surprise, "So many blood beads! And several large blood beads too!"
Chu Xuan smiled, "I have nothing else but these to exchange for the Soul Refining Technique and the Tome of Blood Worms; I hope Senior Brother Liu does not mind."
Liu Zhenxiong's smile was broad, "Not at all, these are quite sufficient!"
Blood beads, which could be used by Xu Ming and the other three for cultivation.
Large blood beads, which he could use for his own cultivation. This bag of blood beads and large blood beads perfectly addressed his urgent need for cultivation resources.
In desperate times, blood beads could also serve as healing pills, although not as effective as genuine healing medicines.
Upon hearing the words 'blood beads', Xu Ming and the others also showed a glint of thrilled surprise in their eyes. Their respect for Chu Xuan deepened.
Chu Xuan pondered for a moment, "I won't stay here. I will find another cave."
After saying this, he left a communication jade, "Senior Brother Liu, use this to contact me."
"Alright," Liu Zhenxiong watched as Chu Xuan departed, filled with deep emotions.
"If the Infinite Sect still existed, given time, Chu Xuan would certainly be a genius comparable to Li Xuanming, alas..."
Elsewhere.
Chu Xuan, after a short search, found a cave occupied by a python. The original inhabitant was courteously invited into Long's stomach. He casually swept away the foul smell of the place. Then he sat down to meditate, contemplating his next steps.
Rescuing the Golden Core elder was inherently risky. Even the most meticulous plans could fail. Therefore, he was preparing for the possibility of failure now.
"Beyond the Misty Mountains lies Wu Province, a place long considered the wild hinterlands, abundant in poisons and specters, previously the backyard of the Infinite Sect. Now that the Infinite Sect is no more, few sects are interested in taking over Wu Province. If there are any issues with the rescue plan, I must immediately head south, straight to Wu Province. Once within the boundaries of Wu Province, the sky is the limit, and the sea is boundless."
Chu Xuan nodded slightly. He retrieved the Tome of Blood Worms.
After a thorough examination, he quickly understood the method for crafting the Blood Worm Sac. The sac could be formed anywhere in the body, but beside the heart was optimal. Since Gu insects crave blood, the blood near the heart is of the highest quality, and convenient for feeding.
Moreover, located near the heart, the Gu insects could also quickly reach every part of the body via the blood vessels, making it the fastest route.
The side effects, however, were also quite apparent. Should there be a lack of blood food, the Gu insects would first attack their master's heart.
But for Chu Xuan, this was no issue. Having killed so many zombies, he had prepared a large number of blood beads.
The bag he had given Liu Zhenxiong was just one of many; he still had plenty. Additionally, the enthusiastic and hospitable cultivators of the Divine Star Sect had also been meticulously collected into the Corpse Nurturing Tower. There was enough to feed the Gu insects and corpse puppets on a daily basis.
Thus, without hesitation, Chu Xuan decided to create the Blood Worm Sac near his heart. The process of forming the Blood Worm Sac was somewhat painful.
After all, it involved manipulating one's own flesh to form an organ near the heart that did not previously exist. To say it was painless would be a lie.
It took Chu Xuan three full hours to form a rudimentary Blood Worm Sac. Now, it only needed to be reinforced.
Reinforcement did not require Chu Xuan to expend any mental energy, so while he worked on this, he also took out a storage bag he had previously captured to inventory.
At that moment, the Blood Steel Wire suddenly emerged from his palm, its head pointing toward one of the storage bags.
This was Sun Shi's storage bag.
"Hmm? What have you sensed?"
Chu Xuan was puzzled and immediately began to remove the items from the storage bag.
The Blood Steel Wire hovered for a moment, finally stopping in front of a piece of amber.
At first glance, the amber seemed ordinary. But upon closer inspection by Chu Xuan, it actually encapsulated a drop of blood.
He asked, "You want it?"