Traveling through time to cultivate immortality: a life and death test

Liu Xing found a quiet valley, ensuring that no Level 2 monsters or higher could be found within a hundred miles. He then carved out a large cave within the valley and set up four or five formations of various types, ensuring it was impenetrable. Finally, he constructed a sea of ​​fog formation. Streams of white mist spread, engulfing the entire valley, obstructing both spiritual awareness and vision.

After completing all these defensive measures, he placed the pre-made stone altar in the center of the cave and placed the twelve poisonous insects inside. Due to the sealed spiritual power, the insects were in a deep sleep. He then placed a dense array of restrictions outside the altar to prevent the insects from breaking through the stone altar and escaping during a fight.

The "Ge Lai Gu Cultivation Technique" mentions that to successfully encourage poisonous insects to devour each other, a medicinal herb called ephedra pill is required. This elixir is primarily used to stimulate the insects' fighting spirit and ferocity. The auxiliary ingredients for ephedra pill are relatively easy to collect and can generally be purchased at the market. However, the main ingredient has higher requirements. A five-hundred-year-old herb is sufficient to stimulate a first-level demon beast, while a thousand-year-old herb is required to stimulate a second-level demon beast. This is the second reason why Ge Lai Gang is not optimistic about Liu Xing. A thousand-year-old herb is a medicinal ingredient fought over by those at the Jindan and Yuanying stages, not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator could possibly possess. This is normal, but Liu Xing happened to possess a Shark Companion Grass, which he had found in the cave of the Silver Shark leader. It was over a thousand years old, and this was the basis for his plan to cultivate the Gu King.

Ephedra pills were relatively easy to refine, and Liu Xing succeeded in one go. Twelve thumb-sized black pills appeared before him, emitting a faint fishy smell. Who would have thought that these unassuming pills were actually made from a thousand-year-old spiritual herb? Liu Xing then gave the pills to each of the twelve poisonous insects, using his spiritual energy to help them refine the medicinal properties. The insects were still dormant, but a violent aura was slowly stirring within them.

Liu Xing released Duoduo and Jiaojiao, commanding them to help suppress the venomous insects. Liu Xing's power alone wasn't enough; the assistance of his two demon pets was more than sufficient. Then, with a wave of his hand, Liu Xing simultaneously released the restraints on twelve venomous insects. Instantly, demonic energy surged into the air, and a bloody battle was about to begin. Since the venomous insects were all roughly equal in strength, they all woke up almost simultaneously. Upon awakening, the venomous insects sensed the presence of the others, causing them to instantly retreat to the walls of the altar, wary of each other. At the same time, sensing they were trapped in a closed space, their anxiety intensified. Their first thought was how to escape.

Shocking waves of demonic energy crashed into the barrier. Twelve Level 2 demonic beasts attacked simultaneously, their force immense. The barrier's formation shook, but Liu Xing wasn't afraid of the barrier being breached; he'd made thorough preparations. He wouldn't let the venomous insects waste their energy attacking the barrier; he wanted to let them devour each other. So, he instructed Jiao Jiao and Duo Duo. Jiao Jiao unleashed the might of a Level 3 demonic beast and dragon bloodline, Duo Duo unleashed the might of a Level 4 demonic beast, and Liu Xing unleashed a might close to that of a Level 5 demonic beast. Instantly, three even more powerful auras pressed down upon the insects within the altar. The twelve venomous insects instantly grew timid. The overwhelming pressure from the outside force was overwhelming, and they knew escaping would be fatal. They ceased their attacks on the barrier and focused their attention on the other venomous insects. The ephedra pills fueled their blood and their fighting spirit. Poison was their ultimate tonic, and the sight of poison around them evoked an involuntary urge to devour it.

After a standoff of about a quarter of an hour, the battle erupted. A coral snake clung tightly to a black widow spider, which, in turn, spun a swath of silk around its body, restricting its movements. The two engaged in a tangle of bites, each unable to succumb. A golden frog unleashed its long tongue, latching onto a glassy-eyed tick. The tick pierced the frog's tongue with its sharp mouthparts, while its six legs gripped the ground, preventing the frog from dragging it away. The scorpion, with its massive pincers, clamped its stinger down on a flower leech, but its thick skin prevented it from piercing. A red-headed centipede, with dozens of legs firmly grasping a green earthworm, bit down on its neck. The earthworm, possessing immense strength, rolled and twisted its body, sending the centipede flying. A hornet and a leaf moth both soared into the air, swooping down upon each other. The bullet ants and rove beetles are about the same size, and their forelimbs are entangled and they bite each other.

Twelve venomous insects engaged each other in a fierce duel, watched with rapt interest by the man and two demons. All three communicated with each other through their minds, commenting on the fight and pointing fingers, looking like they were enjoying the spectacle. This battle lasted for three days and three nights, with no clear division of tasks. All their secret techniques and tricks had been exhausted, and now it was a matter of who could hold out the longest. Liu Xing, the master, and his servant grew weary of watching, so they stopped communicating and watching. Instead, they gathered around the altar, meditating and practicing. If they spotted a venomous insect attacking a forbidden area, they would unleash their powerful aura to scare it away.

As time passed, life-and-death struggles unfolded daily within the altar, with the weaker being slain and devoured by the stronger. Poisonous insects all advanced by consuming other poisons, resulting in uneven progress and a gradual widening of the gap. A year later, peace finally returned to the altar, especially after the final battle, which lasted three months. Both sides were battered and bruised beyond recognition before the ultimate victor was determined! Because each devoured the other, their bodies undergo drastic changes in size, and their blood and auras are drastically different from their original forms. The ultimate victor now formed a cocoon, its aura fluctuating between strength and weakness. Liu Xing was both excited and nervous, fearing something might go wrong.

Next, Liu Xing dripped a drop of his blood essence into the cocoon every three days, constantly soothing the Gu seedling with his spiritual consciousness, like a mother comforting her baby. This crucial step strengthened the blood connection between him and the Gu insect, fostering intimacy and rapport. Simultaneously, he continuously employed forbidden techniques, implanting the mark of his spiritual consciousness within the Gu seedling's sea of ​​consciousness, quietly strengthening his control over it. This subtle influence would cause the Gu insect to believe it was one with its master, refusing any resistance or disloyalty. In short, raising a Gu insect is fundamentally different from raising a pet: a Gu insect is a biological child, while a pet is an adopted child. Liu Xing meticulously and relentlessly executed these three steps.

A year later, the Gu worm within the cocoon told Liu Xing its excitement about breaking free, and Liu Xing was overjoyed. Immediately, the cocoon shattered, revealing a plump silkworm within the stone altar, emitting the powerful aura of a Level 4 demonic beast. At that moment, a sudden, unpredictable bolt of lightning, ignoring the cave's formations and restrictions, struck the silkworm squarely.