Hundred-Host Soul Gu

Lan Chang'an took the two Second-Order High-Grade Spirit Bamboo, examined them briefly, and was delighted.

The products from the Green Bamboo Sect are indeed extraordinary.

The two sections of Spirit Bamboo that Chen Fuhai brought were more spiritually potent than the ones Lan Chang'an had bought before.

Um?

While observing the Spirit Bamboo, Lan Chang'an felt a vague sense of being spied upon, and his heart stirred.

This feeling is the second time I've experienced it in this world.

The last time was in the Black Mist Mountain Range, when I killed the White Jade Python. Not long after that, I encountered the mysterious Heavenly Moon Wolf.

"The quality is good. I, Lu, will purchase it at the auction price. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Chen?"

Lan Chang'an remained expressionless and looked at Chen Fuhai.

At this point, the feeling of being spied on had disappeared.

"No need, Daoist Lu, just give me a normal market price," Chen Fuhai said with a smile.

Lan Chang'an spent 1,900 Spirit Stone to buy two Second-Order High-Grade Spirit Bamboo.

Going forward, his focus will be on third-tier Spirit Bamboo, and he won't need to deliberately seek out Second-Order High-Grade.

After the transaction, their relationship improved, and they talked about more things.

Because of the feeling of being spied on earlier, Lan Chang'an became wary of Chen Fuhai.

If Chen Fuhai were to use his Divine Sense to investigate, it would be impolite at most, and he would definitely be able to detect it.

But Chen Fuhai didn't use his Divine Sense, so the subtle sense of being spied on was strange.

Either Chen Fuhai has a problem, or a cultivator above the False Core has been secretly monitoring Lan Chang'an.

A cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage could pose a threat to Lan Chang'an.

Lan Chang'an dared not openly enter the Nine Imprint Tablet with his mind to merge with his Second Life and explore it.

"Daoist Lu, your appearance is so youthful, and you maintain such good health. I wonder what kind of Cultivation Method you practice?"

During their casual conversation, Chen Fuhai seemed envious and asked curiously.

Lan Chang'an became wary again.

There are countless methods for maintaining health and youthful appearance, and Chen Fuhai was the first to explore his Cultivation Method.

"It's just a Lower Vehicle Wood-Type Technique, with average power, good for health and longevity. Besides, I, Lu, usually cultivate my health and have taken some youth-preserving pills."

Lan Chang'an's answer was watertight.

Longevity Cultivation Art, combined with anti-aging elixirs, have resulted in good health over the past century due to a lack of conflict and competition; this is perfectly reasonable.

Realizing that Chen Fuhai had a problem, Lan Chang'an abandoned the idea of befriending a Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"I still have some purchases to make in Yellow Dragon Immortal City, so I won't bother you any longer."

Lan Chang'an made an excuse and took his leave.

"This child is quite alert."

Chen Fuhai watched Lan Chang'an leave, and deep within his eyes, faint green light appeared.

"If it involves the legendary cultivator Yan Donglai, we must be even more cautious."

Lan Chang'an left the Green Bamboo Sect's residence and found a teahouse a couple of miles away to sit down.

At this distance, Chen Fuhai's Divine Sense was far from sufficient.

He closed his eyes and focused his mind on the Nine Imprint Tablet.

With the blessing of the Second Life Soul Imprint, his Divine Sense spread to the Green Bamboo Sect's headquarters to check on Chen Fuhai's situation.

This amplification of Divine Sense senses requires focused consciousness and fusion with the Nine Imprint Tablet, which consumes the energy of the First Life or Second Life.

It is limited to sensory enhancement and cannot be used in combat.

Unless Second Life is allowed to descend upon the body, consuming the once-every-ten-year opportunity.

The sect's territories are all headed by Pseudo-Core True Person.

His amplified Divine Sense was stronger than that of an ordinary early-stage Golden Core Realm, and his use of Divine Sense was more skillful, ready to be withdrawn at any time.

Inside that pavilion, Lan Chang'an found Chen Fuhai.

He carefully probed with his Divine Sense, approaching the other party's Sea of Consciousness.

Chen Fuhai's senses were completely unaware of Lan Chang'an's amplified True Person -level Divine Sense at this moment.

"This is?"

Lan Chang'an observed the other party's Sea of Consciousness, his heart pounding.

A translucent, emerald-green worm floated on the surface of Chen Fuhai's Sea of Consciousness.

The insect's body was slowly sinking into the Sea of Consciousness, about to disappear from sight.

"Who?"

The transparent insect opened one compound eye, its countless pupils shimmering with an eerie light that made one's scalp tingle.

Before the insects could explore, Lan Chang'an decisively withdrew his Divine Sense.

The insect's soul fluctuations were not as strong as Lan Chang'an's amplified Divine Sense.

He left the teahouse and went to an inn near the Golden Cloud Valley headquarters, where he stayed temporarily.

"Could that insect be the legendary ' Hundred-Host Soul Gu, ' a wondrous insect of heaven and earth?"

Inside the guest room, Lan Chang'an pondered for a long time, finding a potentially suitable target from his vast memories of his Previous Life.

The Hundred-Host Soul Gu is a rare and mysterious insect belonging to the Soul Dao, possessing at least Heaven Grade Bloodline.

Lan Chang'an knew little about this insect, only some rumors and records in ancient books.

It is said that the Hundred-Host Soul Gu can reside in and control multiple living beings.

This kind of sojourn does not affect the independence of the goal, including memory, wisdom, and spiritual practice.

This Gu worm is not good at fighting itself; it mainly relies on the target it inhabits.

The higher the host's strength and potential, the better.

The two are complementary.

"When I probed with my Divine Sense, the Soul Gu was just about to lie dormant deep within Chen Fuhai's Sea of Consciousness. If it weren't for this opportune moment, an ordinary Core Formation True Person wouldn't have noticed Chen Fuhai's abnormality."

Lan Chang'an pondered.

In retrospect, that Heavenly Moon Wolf was also a target of the "Hundred-Host Soul Gu".

Perhaps because she had only recently started living there, and the integration wasn't yet complete, he sensed something was amiss.

Back then, Chen Fuhai "escaped death" without even saying hello to Yellow Dragon Immortal City, perhaps to avoid giving away any clues.

Should we expose Chen Fuhai?

"No, this insect is mysterious and unpredictable; it can inhabit multiple targets. We can't afford to offend it."

Lan Chang'an quickly shook his head.

Even if it's exposed, it lacks credibility.

According to legend, a fully formed Hundred-Host Soul Gu can possess and control hundreds of living beings.

The one Lan Chang'an came into contact with might not be the main Gu; it was probably far from being a complete Gu.

Otherwise, the goal of the host would not be the Foundation Establishment Realm stage.

The original Heavenly Moon Wolf came from the Black Mist Mountain Range.

The Black Mist Mountain Range stretch across a large part of Great Qing.

The targets of the "Hundred-Host Soul Gu" may not be limited to the Liang Kingdom; they may also be found in neighboring cultivation countries.

Lan Chang'an's final conclusion was:

Be wary of Chen Fuhai, just pretend you don't know anything about him.

This strange insect coexists with its host and is not a world-destroying True Spirit, so it is unlikely to bring great disaster to the Cultivation World.

A few days later, a large-scale auction was held in Yellow Dragon Immortal City.

Lan Chang'an went over to join the fun, hoping to find the items he needed.

Besides spiritual bamboo and wood, Lan Chang'an also needs Second-Order Longevity Pill.

In addition, the Earth Rock Rat has been stuck at the peak of the early stage of the second tier for more than ten years. He is looking to see if he can buy some pills and precious materials that can help him break through.

A few years ago.

Lan Chang'an had communicated with the Zhou Family's Foundation Establishment, wanting to purchase Second-Order Middle-Grade Earth Spirit Pill, or corresponding breakthrough resources.

The Zhou Family politely declined, saying that Zhou Family themselves didn't have enough resources to help the Demon Beast advance to the mid-stage of the second tier.

No breakthrough items were found at this auction.

However, there is another substance that is helpful to the Earth Rock Rat.

"Black Blood Lotus Seed can promote the improvement of bloodline Cultivation Method. These lotus seeds are not suitable for most human cultivators, but some flesh-and-blood Demon Beast can slightly improve their bloodline by consuming them, but only those with high-grade or lower bloodlines."

Starting bid: 1,200 Spirit Stone.

"One thousand three hundred... one thousand five hundred..."

The bidders included Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Beast Taming Zhou Family.

Black Blood Lotus Seed are not popular auction items, so their appeal is limited and their potential for appreciation is minimal.

Two thousand three hundred.

In the end, Lan Chang'an offered a price and won the item.

His competitor, Foundation Establishment cultivator, was none other than Zhou Qingxuan, Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Zhou Family.

However, Lan Chang'an concealed his identity.

Zhou Qingxuan didn't recognize him, only giving him a cold and displeased glance.

Over the years, this woman still looks like the same young girl she once was; perhaps she has taken Youth Preservation Pill.

Lan Chang'an had heard that decades ago, two or three of the Seven Great Cultivation Families wanted to marry Zhou Qingxuan.

The Zhou Family naturally disagreed. How could they give away their Foundation Establishment Realm beast-taming genius to outsiders?

Besides Zhou Qingxuan, Lan Chang'an also saw other acquaintances at the auction, such as Lin Lu and Fairy Shi.

After the auction ended, Lan Chang'an returned to the inn and restored it to its original state.

He took out the Black Blood Lotus Seed he had won in the auction.

Squeak!

The Earth Rock Rat eagerly crawled out of the Spirit Pet Bag, wagging its tail and showing a longing expression.

Lan Chang'an flicked the lotus seed out, Earth Rock Rat accurately leaped into the air and swallowed it whole.

After the Earth Rock Rat consumed the Black Blood Lotus Seed.

Lan Chang'an observed for a moment but did not sense any obvious changes.

The rat's internal Qi and Blood have indeed increased slightly.

Having bought two Spirit Bamboo and Black Blood Lotus Seed, Lan Chang'an's Spirit Stone reserves were running low.

He also expended considerable effort in the art of Puppet.

The several second-tier Puppet that have been crafted are not easy to sell for the time being.

Lan Chang'an left the inn, intending to sell some low-grade second-tier Talisman.

"Uncle Lu!"

A middle-aged man with White Mask, who was at the Foundation Establishment Realm, flew to the Golden Cloud Valley base and saw Lan Chang'an, calling out in surprise.

"Little Lu."

Lan Chang'an smiled. He had seen Lin Lu at the auction, but he had concealed his identity and hadn't greeted him then.

Lin Lu warmly invited Lan Chang'an to stay at his residence in Golden Cloud Valley.

In an elegant room, the two enjoyed tea and conversation.

"In three or four years, the Azure Underworld Secret Realm will open. Uncle Zhao and Uncle Zhang both plan to participate, but my cultivation is too shallow for me to be qualified."

Lin Lu mentioned the situations of Zhao Siyao and Zhang Tieshan.

Lan Chang'an was actually keeping a close eye on the Azure Underworld Secret Realm.

The longevity items and opportunities for the Golden Core Realm fortuitous opportunity that he needed, including third-tier Spirit Bamboo, had all appeared in the Azure Underworld Secret Realm.

Most of the spots in the Azure Underworld Secret Realm are controlled by the sects.

Zhao Siyao and Zhang Tieshan also won their spots through competition and at a considerable cost.

The elders generally do not recommend that top-tier geniuses in the sect, such as those with Earth Spiritual Root, go on adventures unless they insist on going in.

Those cultivators with powerful backgrounds and good aptitude don't need to take risks.

"Uncle Lu, have you visited the Mu Family in all these years?"

Lin Lu recently visited Jade Moon Lake, and it was a complicated experience.

I've never been there, but I've heard a little about it.

Lan Chang'an hadn't been to Jade Moon Lake for almost ten years.

In recent years, the Mu Family has declined considerably, compared to the two great Foundation Establishment eras.

Li Erqing's descendants have become a powerful new lineage, creating overt or covert conflicts with the Mu Family's old lineage.

The Mu Family's main lineage originates from the descendants of Mu Renlong and Mu Maode, such as Mu Chengji, Mu Xiuyun, and Mu Yunfei.

The point of contention is nothing more than Lineage resources and power.

Li Erqing may remain detached, but his descendants, including the female cultivators he married, will inevitably vie for power.

Poor relations between the two branches inevitably lead to internal strife, hindering the Lineage's development.

Huang Tankong's dying scheme has already begun to unfold.

"I heard that several of Uncle Li's granddaughters-in-law changed the surname of their children to 'Li' in order to curry favor with the Foundation Establishment Ancestor."

"Change your surname to Li?"

Lan Chang'an frowned slightly but made no comment.

He is now completely detached from the Mu Family and has no say in other people's family affairs.

The last letter Li Erqing sent him was a year ago.

His cultivation level only reached the second level of Foundation Establishment a few years ago, taking more than twenty years.

"It's just an isolated incident."

Lin Lu added, "Uncle Li was initially against it too. But later, perhaps considering the need to preserve some of the Li family's bloodline and immortal destiny, he only granted a few special exceptions."

After chatting for an hour or two, Lan Chang'an left the Golden Cloud Valley camp.

He didn't want to get involved in the Mu Family's affairs.

From Li Erqing's personal perspective, there was actually no major wrongdoing.

That day, he went to Yellow Dragon Immortal City to sell some of his second-tier Talisman to earn Spirit Stone and to purchase some supplies.

A few days later.

Guan Qiaozhi and Mu Bingyun arrived to meet them, and the three of them boarded Flying Boat and left Yellow Dragon Immortal City.

(End of this chapter)