The cracks on the surface of the black Gu egg spread like a spiderweb. Under Chu Xuan's watchful eyes, it suddenly split open. A soft black larva lay within the egg, its body covered with a shell so delicate that it seemed to tear like soft paper at the slightest touch.

Its limbs were exceedingly fragile, seemingly ready to break upon contact. Born feeble, the vitality of the larva dwindled away like unraveling threads.

This larva, a product of the mating between the Iron Armor Shell and the Blood Steel Wire, was a deformed creation. It died a pitiful death without even needing Chu Xuan's intervention.

He shook his head; it appeared this mating attempt had failed. The failure of Gu mating was a common occurrence. Even if other Gu breeders had successfully mated the Iron Armor Shell and Blood Steel Wire, success was not guaranteed in Chu Xuan's case. After all, each Gu had its unique dietary and developmental requirements.

Even highly skilled Gu breeders could only document which Gu pairings had a higher chance of success; they could never guarantee a perfect outcome. Undeterred, Chu Xuan calmed his mind and continued his cultivation, waiting for the next two eggs to hatch.

A month later, both of the remaining eggs developed cracks. Under Chu Xuan's gaze, two slightly transparent larvae emerged sequentially.

The offspring of the Thought Nurturer and the Blood Steel Wire was a translucent white larva, while that from the Qi Sea Seed and the Blood Steel Wire was a sky-blue larva.

To Chu Xuan's surprise, both larvae appeared normal and were quite lively. Immediately after birth, they devoured their eggshells completely. Their bellies were swollen, and they curiously surveyed their surroundings.

Chu Xuan collected them into his blood pouch and began feeding them with blood pearls while using an identification technique to examine their potential.

After this examination, Chu Xuan was even more astonished. Both larvae possessed the potential to reach the third transformation!

This meant that given sufficient nourishment, they could smoothly advance to become third-transformation Gu, comparable to Golden Core great powers. Moreover, each larva exhibited traits from both of its parent strains, embodying a blend of characteristics that could prove exceptionally advantageous.

Chu Xuan's face lit up with satisfaction. Clearly, the good karma surrounding him had once again played its part, subtly influencing the outcome. Such blessings were invaluable; they could turn the tides of probability in his favor.

However, the two larvae were not yet ready to provide combat support. They would need at least a month or two of nurturing to advance to the first transformation Gu and become truly functional.

"The Thought Nurturer larva will enhance my mental strength, allowing me to control more magical tools simultaneously," Chu Xuan mused. "And the Qi Sea Seed larva is like a mini Qi Sea, which will boost the total amount of my Spiritual Qi!"

After a brief moment of joy, Chu Xuan resumed his meditation, seated within the circle of his cultivation practice.

In the blink of an eye, two months of Blue Star time had passed.

With a thought, Chu Xuan summoned three Gu worms into his palm. The first was Gangsi, the second was Bai, and the third was Lan.

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Chu Xuan, not particularly inclined to spend time naming them, simply chose names based on their colors.

As for the Listening Insect that had resided in his ear, it had become somewhat redundant since Chu Xuan's advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage. Chu Xuan decided to grant it freedom and let it go.

Once Bai and Lan had settled into his brain and Qi Sea, respectively, Chu Xuan could distinctly feel an increase in both his mental strength and Spiritual Qi. He gestured with his hand, and the Evil Soul Chain, like a black python, coiled around him.

With another gesture, the Myriad Souls Banner appeared. Previously, operating these two magical tools simultaneously would strain him, causing slight dizziness and pressure. But now, he was not yet at his limit, indicating he could activate a third magical tool.

Chu Xuan swiped over his storage bag, and the Merit Bell appeared, floating above his head and enveloping him in its presence. Intense golden light surged out, seemingly capable of expelling all evil and malevolent forces. The golden light was so dense it almost formed a tangible golden bell, impervious to all attacks.

A smile of pleasure spread across Chu Xuan's face. Operating three magical tools at once was a significant enhancement from before.

Many mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators struggled to use three magical tools simultaneously.

Yet, thanks to the Gu, Chu Xuan had once again surpassed many of his peers within the same cultivation level.

...

At the Water Curtain Cave, Chu Xuan habitually returned to his abode to check the messages. Currently, tensions were rising between the Heavenly Seal Sect cultivators and the native sects of Wu Province.

Chu Xuan had previously instructed Chen Ge to keep him informed with regular updates. Moreover, the three senior brothers from the Extreme Yin Cave might also leave messages, making it prudent to frequently check for any updates.

Upon activating the message-recording array of the cave, the first voice Chu Xuan heard was indeed from Chen Ge.

"Uncle Master Chu, the first group of cultivators suffered heavy losses. Even two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators have perished, with even more casualties among the Qi Refining stage cultivators."

"Uncle Master Chu, we at the Extreme Yin Cave have started to establish a second mortal city and have recruited several spiritual seedlings, all under the guidance of Uncle Master Wu Teng."

"Uncle Master Chu, Extreme Yin Cave has gained a new Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, an external wandering cultivator who joined voluntarily."

"Uncle Master Chu, the second group of cultivators sent by the main hall of Heavenly Seal Sect has arrived."

"Uncle Master Chu..."

Chu Xuan listened patiently to all of Chen Ge's messages. This Qi Refining stage disciple was meticulous in his duties, covering every detail. Through his descriptions, Chu Xuan gained a comprehensive understanding of the conflict between the Heavenly Seal Sect and the native Wu Province sects.

The first batch of Heavenly Seal Sect cultivators sent to Wu Province were mostly those ostracized within their own ranks, lacking strong backgrounds, and therefore not very powerful.

The native Wu Province sects, contrary to what many believed, were not so weak. They had organized numerous counterattacks, one of which had nearly reached Extreme Yin Cave's territory.

Suddenly, Chu Xuan heard a new voice, which surprised him.

"Junior Brother Chu! The second batch of cultivators from the main hall has arrived, including two disciples of Senior Zhao Wuya. If you're available, come to my cave, and I'll introduce you to them."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. Zhao Wuya was the Golden Core stage cultivator who facilitated Extreme Yin Cave's incorporation into the Heavenly Seal Sect. He was known for his dislike of the Divine Star Sect's practices. Wan Wuying and Zhao Wuya appeared to be old acquaintances, and clearly, Zhao Wuya's disciples were considered allies by Liu Zhenxiong.

However, these two cultivators being part of the second batch sent to Wu Province suggested that Zhao Wuya's faction might be under pressure from other factions.

"In that case, it would indeed be good to meet them," Chu Xuan thought. "Even if not as friends, at least I might trade some items with them."

Pondering this, Chu Xuan mounted his flying sword and left the Water Curtain Cave, heading for Liu Zhenxiong's abode located on the north side of Extreme Yin Cave.

Circling a few times, Chu Xuan found the cave, his first visit there. Upon arriving, he used a transmission jade to contact Liu Zhenxiong. Surprisingly, the mist quickly dissipated, revealing a pathway. Liu Zhenxiong and another cultivator came out to greet him.

"Junior Brother, we were just talking about you! What a coincidence that you should arrive now!" Liu Zhenxiong greeted him with a broad smile.