Chapter 587

Chapter 587

I Can See Through Everything

Seeing that Daoist Wubao had already begun refining the bloodline, Lu Qing smiled slightly.

He then summoned the Li Huo Cauldron and placed the remaining Blackscale Venomrats inside.

However, he didn’t activate the artifact’s full might. He simply used the Nanming Bright Fire within to refine the bloodline essence of the Blackscale Venomrats.

Both of them were focused on the task. Although Lu Qing had to refine several times more Blackscale Venomrats than Daoist Wubao, his cultivation far surpassed the latter’s, and he was using a mid-grade Spiritual Artifact like the Li Huo Cauldron.

As a result, he still managed to finish extracting the bloodline essence before Daoist Wubao.

Another half an hour passed before Daoist Wubao finally finished refining all the Blackscale Venomrats in his red gourd and extracted over a dozen strands of bloodline essence.

"This is…"

Staring at the bloodline essence in front of him—each thread like a blood-red diamond—and the intense desire rising from within him, Daoist Wubao was stunned.

Even without Lu Qing saying anything, he understood. These bloodline essences were an incredible opportunity.

"This is the strange bloodline contained within those black creatures. Refining them can greatly enhance our physical bodies.

However, you must be cautious. There’s a powerful baleful aura hidden in these bloodlines.

If you refine too many, the baleful aura will invade your Divine Soul and erode your mind.

So, when refining them, do so within your limits. Do not be greedy.

Otherwise, the consequences may be too much to bear."

Although Lu Qing didn’t find the baleful aura in the Blackscale Venomrats’ extracted Witch Bloodline Essence to be particularly strong or threatening to him, he wouldn’t use his own experience as the benchmark.

For an average Golden Core cultivator, it might not be easy to dispel.

"I see."

Daoist Wubao suddenly understood.

He had known all along that there was no such thing as a free opportunity—there was always some risk involved.

"Xiaoli, Daoist, each of you try refining one strand first. I’ll stand guard for you," Lu Qing said.

"That wouldn’t be right. Those black creatures were captured and killed by you and Xiaoli working together. I didn’t contribute much," Daoist Wubao said hesitantly.

"It’s fine. We caught plenty of those black creatures this time. There’s more than enough to go around. If need be, we’ll just sweep through the forest again."

Lu Qing wasn’t bothered at all.

Besides, he had a hunch that the Witch Bloodline Essence from these Foundation Establishment-level Blackscale Venomrats had a limit to their effectiveness.

After a certain amount was absorbed and refined, their effect would likely plateau.

Of course, just how much that was would only become clear during the actual refining process.

"If that’s the case, I’ll shamelessly accept, then."

Unable to resist the intense desire he felt for the bloodline essence gleaming like red gems, Daoist Wubao finally gave in, somewhat sheepishly.

He opened his mouth and inhaled one strand of Witch Bloodline Essence.

As for Xiaoli, she had already snatched up a strand and stuffed it in her mouth.

Seeing that both beast and man had begun refining the bloodline essence, Lu Qing kept a close eye on their condition.

Before long, he noticed that Xiaoli looked completely normal.

But Daoist Wubao’s expression revealed a hint of struggle.

“Xiaoli’s fine, but the Daoist seems to be having a hard time. As expected, the baleful aura in the Witch Bloodline Essence is not to be underestimated. Even a Flawless Superior Golden Core cultivator who has endured seven rounds of lightning tribulation can’t ignore it.”

Lu Qing came to a realization.

Indeed, even though Daoist Wubao had hidden his true cultivation with a strange treasure, he couldn’t fool someone like Lu Qing who possessed a special ability.

Lu Qing had known all along that Wubao had formed a Flawless Superior Golden Core after weathering seven tribulations.

Moreover, his true cultivation wasn’t the Second Transformation of the Golden Core Realm as he claimed—it was already at the Fourth Transformation.

Yet now, even with such strength, the baleful aura in the Witch Bloodline Essence still caused him trouble.

Still, although Daoist Wubao’s expression wavered, he didn’t seem to be in pain, so it looked like he could handle it.

After watching for a while and confirming there would be no problems, Lu Qing turned his attention to the Heaven and Earth One Qi Bag.

Inside, Wuxing was still fast asleep.

Ever since it had devoured the corpses of several Golden Core-level spirit beasts from Xiaoli, Wuxing had remained in slumber.

Judging by its current state, it would continue to sleep for quite some time.

Lu Qing had originally intended for Wuxing to also refine some Witch Bloodline Essence, but now that plan would have to wait. He would just set aside some of the essence for it.

Some time later, Xiaoli was the first to open her eyes, her expression brimming with joy.

"Ah Qing! This bloodline really is amazing! Just one strand, and my physical strength has improved a lot!"

"What about the baleful aura within? How does it feel?"

Xiaoli tilted her head. "Not much. It doesn’t affect me very much."

Lu Qing understood. After enduring the Ninefold Lightning Tribulation and forming a Flawless Superior Golden Core, Xiaoli’s Divine Soul had grown incredibly powerful.

The baleful aura in the Witch Bloodline Essence couldn’t trouble her at all.

"In that case, you can refine more of them."

With a wave of his hand, Lu Qing sent several more strands of Witch Bloodline Essence before Xiaoli.

"Aren’t you going to refine any, Ah Qing?" Xiaoli asked.

"I’m not in a hurry," Lu Qing replied. "This bloodline may be extraordinary, but it doesn’t make much of a difference to my physical body. You go ahead first and see how much you can absorb."

A single strand of Witch Bloodline Essence only slightly improved Lu Qing’s body.

Even if he refined all the bloodline essence here, the increase wouldn’t be very significant.

Instead, he was more interested in seeing just how much bloodline essence someone like Xiaoli—who had a Flawless Superior Golden Core—could absorb.

"Then I’ll refine a few more."

Seeing Lu Qing’s lack of interest, Xiaoli didn’t hesitate and quickly swallowed another strand.

By the time Xiaoli was nearly done refining her second strand, Daoist Wubao finally finished absorbing the one he had taken earlier. Eyes wide with joy, he opened them.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, this bloodline truly is miraculous! I feel like my physical strength has increased by nearly ten percent! No wonder those black creatures had such fearsome bodies."

Now he understood why the bodies of those black creatures were so strong.

They were only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, yet their physical strength surpassed even most early-stage Golden Core cultivators.

With such mystical bloodline coursing through them, how could their bodies not be formidable?

"Looks like you’ve gained a lot, Daoist," Lu Qing said with a smile.

"Indeed. My cultivation method isn’t particularly focused on tempering the body, but with this mystical bloodline, I can finally compensate for that shortcoming."

Daoist Wubao was filled with joy.

"In that case, why not refine a few more strands? Maybe you can completely make up for that shortcoming."

"I would love to." Daoist Wubao’s joy faded a bit as he shook his head. "But as you said, there truly is a potent baleful aura hidden in this bloodline.

While refining earlier, I nearly had my Divine Soul invaded by it.

Even now, I can still feel traces of that aura within me.

I estimate that I can refine maybe two more strands at most before hitting my limit.

Unless I completely expel the baleful aura first, I can’t refine any more in the near future."

"Only three strands, at most, huh?"

Hearing this, Lu Qing was a little surprised.

The baleful aura within the Witch Bloodline Essence was even more potent than he had anticipated.

Even someone like Daoist Wubao, who had endured seven rounds of lightning tribulation and formed a Flawless Superior Golden Core, and had already reached the Fourth Transformation, could only refine three strands at most in one go.

If even he had such a limit, wouldn’t those with only inferior or mid-grade Golden Cores be limited to refining just one strand?

“It seems this kind of opportunity isn’t so easily obtained,” Lu Qing thought to himself.

Not to mention whether other cultivators in the secret realm could even identify the Witch Bloodline Essence within these native creatures...

Even if they could, very few would be able to refine and absorb it to significantly enhance their physical bodies.

“In any case, it’s best for the Daoist to focus on strengthening himself for now. This secret realm is clearly no ordinary place—what happens next may be far beyond our expectations. A bit more strength means a bit more confidence.”

Although Lu Qing had many thoughts in his heart, he didn’t reveal them. Instead, he spoke calmly to Daoist Wubao.

These words sobered Daoist Wubao. He had initially wanted to decline, but his expression turned serious at once.

“You’re right, Fellow Daoist Chen. I was being short-sighted.”

With that, Daoist Wubao swallowed another strand of Witch Bloodline Essence and resumed refining.

At the same time, Xiaoli had already finished refining her second strand.

Without hesitation, she opened her mouth and swallowed another.

So it went—under Lu Qing’s protection, both Daoist Wubao and Xiaoli continued refining the Witch Bloodline Essence.

Among the two, Xiaoli’s refining speed was far superior.

For every three or four strands she refined, Daoist Wubao could only manage one.

By the time Daoist Wubao completed his third strand, Xiaoli had already begun refining her twelfth.

“Daoist, how do you feel?” Lu Qing asked as he saw Daoist Wubao open his eyes.

Earlier, he had noticed the look of pain on the man’s face while refining his third strand.

“Just as I suspected,” Daoist Wubao sighed. “Refining three bloodlines in succession is my absolute limit.

Any further, and my Divine Soul won’t be able to withstand it. The baleful aura would corrupt it, and the harm would outweigh the benefit.”

There was a trace of unwillingness on Daoist Wubao’s face.

To come across such a rare bloodline that could rapidly enhance his physical body and shore up his greatest weakness—yet be unable to continue refining it—was a bitter pill to swallow.

“There’s no need to dwell on it, Daoist. Once you’ve fully purged the baleful aura from your body, you can continue refining. It’s only a matter of time. Obsessing over it will only harm your Dao Heart,” Lu Qing comforted him.

“You’re right, Fellow Daoist Chen. I was being too impatient.”

Daoist Wubao shivered slightly as if waking from a daze. He quickly calmed down and activated his technique to steady his emotions.

After a while, once he had settled his inner turmoil, he bowed to Lu Qing.

“Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist. I nearly lost my way again.”

“I only gave a simple warning. It’s nothing worth mentioning.”

“Fellow Daoist Chen, since I’ve reached my limit, why don’t I stand guard while you refine the bloodline?”

“No rush. Let’s wait for Xiaoli to finish first,” Lu Qing said without urgency.

“Xiaoli isn’t done yet?”

Only then did Daoist Wubao notice the spirit beast still immersed in refining the bloodline essence.

“She should be just about done.”

As Lu Qing finished speaking, Xiaoli opened her eyes.

However, her gaze was filled with confusion.

“Ah Qing, I think I’ve reached my limit too.”

“Oh? You can’t refine any more of the bloodline either?” Lu Qing was surprised.

Judging from Xiaoli’s performance so far, she shouldn’t have trouble handling the baleful aura in the bloodline.

Moreover, her expression had shown no signs of discomfort.

“It’s not that,” Xiaoli shook her head. “It’s just that this last strand I refined didn’t seem to have any effect. My physical strength barely increased.”

“So that’s the limit?”

Lu Qing was momentarily stunned, then his expression cleared.

As expected, his earlier hunch was correct—the Witch Bloodline Essence within the Blackscale Venomrats had its limits.

That wasn’t surprising. After all, these Blackscale Venomrats were only at the peak of Foundation Establishment.

If their bloodline could infinitely enhance one’s physical body, that would be unnatural.

“How much did your body strengthen in total?” Lu Qing asked.

“About ten percent,” Xiaoli replied.

“Ten percent, huh? That’s already very impressive,” Lu Qing nodded.

Ten percent might not sound like much, but it depended on who it applied to.

Xiaoli had endured the Ninefold Lightning Tribulation and formed a Flawless Superior Golden Core. Her physical strength already far exceeded cultivators of the same realm.

For a dozen strands of bloodline essence to boost her body another ten percent...

The power of the Witch Bloodline Essence was nothing short of astonishing.

“It seems the bloodline within these Foundation Establishment-level black beasts has reached its peak potential. If we want to continue strengthening our bodies, we’ll need bloodlines from even stronger beasts.”

Lu Qing hadn’t forgotten the information revealed by his special ability earlier.

It had indicated that the creatures in this secret realm all carried mysterious bloodlines.

That meant the more powerful ones would also possess Witch Bloodline Essence.

“Ah Qing, once you finish refining the rest of these bloodlines, should we go hunt for stronger beasts?”

Xiaoli’s eyes lit up at the thought.

“Alright. I’ll see how many of these strange bloodlines I can refine first.”

While Lu Qing and Xiaoli exchanged thoughts through Divine Soul Transmission, Daoist Wubao observed silently from the side.

He didn’t interrupt them.

During their time together, he had come to understand that Xiaoli was incredibly intelligent.

Not only could she understand humans, but she could also communicate via Divine Soul Transmission.

However, her pride was sky-high—she had never spoken to him.

He wondered when he might finally earn her recognition.

As these idle thoughts swirled in Daoist Wubao’s mind...

He suddenly saw Lu Qing sit down, open his mouth, and swallow a full ten strands of bloodline essence in one go.