Blood Steel Wire nodded its tiny head eagerly.

Chu Xuan looked surprised. He suddenly recalled the content from the Tome of Blood Worms.

Blood Steel Wire was a descendant of the ancient exotic insect "Swallowing Gold Blood Mother."

If it consumed such blood, there was a chance it could revert to its ancestral form. Even if it didn't fully revert, its strength would increase substantially.

"Could the blood within this amber be that of the Swallowing Gold Blood Mother? No, that can't be right. Sun Shi is merely a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator; how could he obtain the blood of an ancient exotic insect?

This must be the blood of another powerful Gu insect, yet somehow related to the Swallowing Gold Blood Mother. It's likely from another descendant, such as the Flying Blood Locust or the Mountain Steel Beetle... However, since Blood Steel Wire desires it, let's allow it to consume and see. There's certainly no harm in trying."

Chu Xuan sliced open the amber. Before he could even command it, Blood Steel Wire pounced forward, swiftly devouring the dark red blood.

After the feast, Blood Steel Wire immediately became sluggish. It leisurely returned to Chu Xuan's body, burrowed into the Blood Worm Sac, and curled up. Then, to Chu Xuan's astonishment, it began to spin a cocoon! He could distinctly feel the aura of Blood Steel Wire strengthening rapidly!

"Is it beginning its second transformation?!"

Chu Xuan was amazed. He calmed his excited emotions and began to cultivate the Soul Refining Technique.

The Soul Refining Technique was divided into three levels, and although it did not involve spells, it could enhance the soul by up to thirty percent.

An enhancement of thirty percent was still significant, better than nothing. If he found a better technique in the future, he would certainly switch.

Three days later.

Chu Xuan suddenly sensed something unusual in the Blood Worm Sac. He quickly looked within and saw the cocoon of Blood Steel Wire cracking, its aura suddenly breaking through a bottleneck.

Chu Xuan was delighted; when he looked at Blood Steel Wire again, its appearance had not changed much, but its length, hardness, and thickness had all increased significantly.

Although it had not reverted to its ancestral form, its strength had increased dramatically.

"It's now at the early stages of the second transformation, comparable to a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator! If it becomes a life-bound Gu, its power would increase even further, but there's no time left."

Chu Xuan was greatly pleased. With Blood Steel Wire advancing to the second transformation of a Gu, he had gained another method to fend off enemies.

"I've never given you a name before, now I'll give you a splendid one! From now on, you shall be known as Gangsi!"

Chu Xuan was very pleased with the name he had chosen.

It was incredibly creative!

Blood Steel Wire nodded obediently. It didn't understand, nor dared to comment. Gangsi it is, then. Could it even ask for a change?

"What about your innate spell?"

Chu Xuan carefully sensed around.

Gangsi, understanding his intention, immediately moved near Chu Xuan's heart. It opened its mouth and gently bit on the surface of the heart. It seemed as though something had been injected into the heart.

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Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. He immediately noticed that the blood flow within his body had quickened. In the blink of an eye, it felt as though his blood was about to boil!

Moved by a thought, Chu Xuan swiftly made a cut on the palm of his hand. The wound barely appeared before it began healing rapidly. Within a few breaths, the blood scab fell off, and the skin was as good as new.

Chu Xuan was mildly surprised.

Boiling Blood Technique! This was certainly a top-tier spell! This technique could increase the host's blood flow speed and accelerate wound healing.

The physical quality of the flesh would significantly improve.

"Good, good, good!"

Chu Xuan repeated the word 'good' thrice, delighted in his heart. With this, he had gained another method.

Just then, his storage bag suddenly vibrated.

Chu Xuan took out the communication jade; Liu Zhenxiong's voice immediately came through.

"Junior Brother Chu, Wu Teng is no longer in serious danger. Senior Brother Li is waiting for us at the foot of the mountain; it's time to depart."

Chu Xuan responded promptly, "Good, I'm on my way."

He returned to the cave they had used before. He found only Liu Zhenxiong and Wu Teng present. As for Xu Ming and the other Qi Refining stage disciples, they had all disappeared.

Liu Zhenxiong noticed his confusion and smiled, "With Senior Brother Li's help, I've already moved Xu Ming and the others to a safe location."

Chu Xuan nodded in understanding.

Wu Teng looked at Chu Xuan, remarking with emotion, "I never imagined you would become a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator so quickly."

Liu Zhenxiong laughed heartily, "Not just you, I didn't expect it either. Let's go, both of you. We're setting off."

The three left the cave and hurried down the mountain. Before long, they saw a figure at the foot of the mountain.

The figure, dressed in flowing white robes with an aura of immortality, had his back to them—a perfect embodiment of a disciple from a righteous sect.

"Here you come."

The person sensed their approach and turned around.

Chu Xuan got a clear view of the man's face. With eyebrows shaped like swords and a remarkably handsome appearance, he looked every bit a disciple of a leading righteous sect like the Divine Star Sect, rather than a sinister disciple from the Infinite Sect.

In fact, Li Xuanming had indeed been contested between the Divine Star Sect and the Infinite Sect in the past.

It was only after the Infinite Sect paid a tremendous price that they were able to include Li Xuanming in their ranks.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Li."

Chu Xuan, Liu Zhenxiong, and Wu Teng all bowed their hands in salute. In the path of cultivation, strength was respected.

Li Xuanming's level was higher than theirs, rightfully earning him the title of "Senior Brother."

Li Xuanming's gaze swept over Liu Zhenxiong and Wu Teng, finally resting on Chu Xuan.

He nodded slightly, "Not bad, managing to advance to Foundation Establishment under such circumstances is no small feat. If it were in the past, I would have recommended my master to take Junior Brother Chu as a disciple."

The master he referred to was the first ancestor of the Infinite Sect, the strongest among them. However, he had perished long ago.

Li Xuanming continued, "Junior Brother Chu, being newly initiated into Foundation Establishment, your strength is insufficient. You shall stay on the periphery and keep watch."

Chu Xuan chuckled lightly and nodded in agreement. Since someone capable was willing to handle the rescue operation, and they preferred him to keep watch outside, it was more than suitable. He did not wish to reveal his strength unnecessarily either.

"The news of Sun Shi and the others' demise must have already reached the Divine Star Sect; we should not delay any longer. Let us depart now and head straight for Misty Manor."

With a light kick off the ground, Li Xuanming's body shot out like white lightning, quickly leading the way. Chu Xuan and the others followed closely behind Li Xuanming.

An hour later, the four arrived at the northern part of the Misty Mountains.

The terrain here was relatively flat. Nestled among green mountains and clear waters was a manor, Misty Manor.

At first glance, Misty Manor appeared to be just an ordinary manor. However, it was enveloped by a protective array, concealing deadly traps. Anyone daring to intrude would provoke a lethal response from the cultivators of the Divine Star Sect!

Liu Zhenxiong and Wu Teng both looked toward Li Xuanming, "Senior Brother Li, what should we do?"

Li Xuanming spoke calmly, "I have already investigated the four Foundation Establishment stage cultivators stationed here. The strongest is at the third level of Foundation Establishment, and the weakest has only recently achieved Foundation Establishment. Two of them will be handled by me; the other two are yours. Junior Brother Chu, your task is to quickly locate the focal points of the array and destroy them, and assist us when the opportunity arises."

Li Xuanming tossed an object to him—it was a mirror.

"This treasure is called the Array Breaking Mirror. It doesn't have much offensive or defensive capability, but it can identify many of the focal points of arrays."

Chu Xuan nodded and accepted it. Li Xuanming had everything planned out. It seemed there wasn't much left for him to do.