Jia Ren stepped out of the Water Curtain Cave, stretching his stiff body.

Seeing daylight once again gave him a feeling as if he had been away for ages.

A year of arduous cultivation had brought astonishing progress.

His cultivation level was advancing steadily. Another three to five years of seclusion would suffice to reach the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

The speed of his cultivation was astounding, thanks to consuming a large quantity of high-quality Consolidating Yuan Pills (Modified).

Not even the scion of the Pill Cauldron Sect Ancestor could afford such luxury.

As his cultivation progressed rapidly, so did other aspects.

The proficiency levels of the Ancestral Worm Pill, Insect External Incarnation, and various Elixirs all made significant progress.

Half a year ago, the Ancestral Worm Pill had already met the breakthrough requirement, officially reaching the Extraordinary Saint Level.

After breaking its limit twice, the Ancestral Worm Pill was renamed the Worm Saint Pill.

The effects of the Worm Saint Pill were no less than the Fish Saint Pill, similarly producing miraculous effects on Spirit Insects.

Jia Ren created the Worm Saint Pill and fed it to the Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings of his Insect External Incarnation without delay, spurring them to advance.

Sparing no expense in feeding them yielded satisfying results.

All one hundred Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings reached a state ready for advancement. Thanks to the unstinting feeding, the success rate barely exceeded sixty percent, resulting in the birth of sixty-three Second Order Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings.

The reassembled Insect External Incarnation had alarming combat power, even surpassing an average Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Moreover, the proficiency level of the Insect External Incarnation had reached the Grandmaster Level, undergoing great transformations.

When in the state of Insect External Incarnation, Spiritual Power formed pseudo-meridians within the body, which could absorb Spiritual Power from heaven and earth for self-recovery.

It had, to some extent, transcended its insectoid nature, evolving toward a form nearly equivalent to a cultivator's incarnation.

According to legend, a Great Divine Power like the External Incarnation allowed the incarnation to cultivate; at the Golden Core Stage, it could even have its own Life-bound Magic Treasure, possessing astounding potential.

Should both the original body and the incarnation reach the Golden Core Stage, it implied that the original body possessed two Life-bound Magic Treasures.

The Insect External Incarnation continued to evolve, inching closer to the legendary External Incarnation.

After conducting experiments, Jia Ren wore a strange expression.

The body of the Insect External Incarnation, composed of sixty-three Second Order Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings, resonated at its Spiritual Power nodes and absorbed Spiritual Power; its cultivation speed wasn't slow.

The only pity was that the Spiritual Power could only be retained, and its upper limit could not be increased.

The Insect External Incarnation, journeying far from home, no longer needed to worry about recovering Spiritual Power after depletion or having to rely on his original body.

Let's see how far the control distance limit is now?

The Insect External Incarnation left the Water Curtain Cave, flying into the distance using the Sword Control Technique.

Having reached the Foundation Establishment Stage and possessing more Spiritual Power within, it could afford to expend it for longer periods. With Grandmaster-level Sword Control Technique, its flying speed was not slow and was suitable for long journeys.

In less than half an hour, it had already traveled sixty-five li from his original body.

This was the previous operational limit of the Insect External Incarnation.

But now, this was not the limit.

Eighty li!

One hundred li!

One hundred and fifty li!

Having distanced itself by more than one hundred and fifty li from his original body, the connection between them became vague, as if hanging by a thread.

In the past, once the control range was exceeded, a chaotic consciousness would emerge from the Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings and would quickly develop and strengthen.

If left beyond the optimal range for too long, it would eventually regain dominance.

The Grandmaster-level Insect External Incarnation had become more stable and secure, less prone to backlashes.

The return journey was uneventful.

As it passed a region suspected to be a Demon Cultivator's territory, it hesitated for a moment before using the Turtle Breath Technique to conceal its aura and approached quickly.

By the riverbank spanning several hundred meters, a Demon Cultivator remotely controlled a Skeleton Head Giant Club Artefact, repeatedly striking at Magical Beasts far away.

The adversary was a Green-headed Crocodile living in shallow waters, a First Order mid-grade creature with considerable strength.

However, against two Late Stage Qi-Refining Demon Cultivators, it simply wasn't enough.

Each blow from the club caused the Green-headed Crocodile's flesh to be sent flying and its head to become misshapen.

"What a waste!"

"Next time we hunt Magical Beasts, be more careful and don't waste precious materials."

The other cultivator assisted with a restraining Magic Artifact; thin yet strong Black Demon Threads bound the Green-headed Crocodile in place, powerless to break free.

After several strikes from the Skeleton Head Giant Club Artefact, the skull's eye sockets glowed red. With the final blow, it took the crocodile's life and devoured its soul.

The other Demon Cultivator hastily retracted the Black Demon Threads and stepped forward to collect the Demonic Beast Materials.

Ordinary cultivators disregarded Demon Beast Blood, but it was especially precious to him; he carefully collected it without spilling a drop, filling dozens of bottles to the brim.

While indifferent to the division of Monster Beast Meat, a dispute arose over the allocation of Demon Beast Blood.

It seemed Demon Beast Blood was the main target of the Demon Cultivators.

"We have enough shares of Demon Beast Flesh and Blood for today. Time to head back."

One after the other, the two flew swiftly towards their base.

Further afar, crude structures were scattered about, resembling hastily erected shacks. Hundreds of auras lurked hidden, surrounded by numerous scattered Magical Beast skeletons, and the scene was thick with the stench of blood – quite a peculiar sight.

The Insect External Incarnation intended to get closer but, sensing several obscure auras hidden within, abandoned the idea of delving deeper into the Demon Cultivator territory.

There were at least five Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators, with even more at the Qi Refinement stage.

No sense of a Golden Core Demon Cultivator was detected.

Having gathered intelligence, the Insect External Incarnation was about to leave.

Eh? What's he doing here?

He stiffened upon spotting a figure in a blood-patterned robe, his face a picture of disbelief.

The man had disheveled hair and wore a bushy beard, exuding the Spiritual Power Fluctuation of the Ninth Level of Qi Refinement.

The burly man matched the image in his mind, but gone was his heartiness, replaced by gloom.

"Who's there?"

Sensing someone's gaze, the man in the blood robe swiftly pursued in the direction where the Insect External Incarnation was.

Within the encampment, several figures that seemed like Foundation Establishment Cultivators took flight and arrived at the scene.

Unfortunately, they didn't detect any suspicious presence.

With no results from the pursuit, the man in the blood robe approached a Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator and saluted.

"Yang Shengwu, did you see who that person was?"

Yang Shengwu lowered his head, his voice icy, "Elder, I was mistaken."

"Humph, don't make a fuss over nothing."

"This place is rarely visited by anyone; few cultivators venture deep into it."

"The Great Sects have suffered heavy casualties and have no time to deal with us."

Yang Shengwu lowered his head and did not respond until the Elders had left, and then he finally looked up.

In his palm lay an impressively bright Demon-Spotting Talisman.

Jia Ren, is it you?

Impossible. You died in the Great Wilderness Market.

Five Elements Sect! Jia Ren, Yun Niang, Xiao Wen, I will avenge you!

He clenched the Demon-Spotting Talisman in his hand until it was engulfed in thick, blood-colored Spiritual Power.

At some point, his hair had taken on an ominous blood hue and fluttered in the wind.

Several miles away from the Demon Cultivator's encampment, dozens of Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings gathered, reverted to the form of their Insect External Incarnation, and quickly returned towards the Water Curtain Cave.

Over a hundred li away in the Water Curtain Cave, Jia Ren, who had been in secluded meditation, opened his eyes in disbelief.

Through his Insect External Incarnation, he had learned of Yang Shengwu but was still filled with extreme doubt.

Impossible!

How could Yang Shengwu have become a Demon Cultivator?

Jia Ren recalled the time he had agreed to meet with Yang Shengwu at the Jade Cauldron Market, only to find him absent after a long search, and had assumed something untoward had happened to him.

As it turned out, something had indeed gone wrong.

Should he meet him or not?

After so many years, their respective circumstances had changed drastically.

Would there be danger in a rash encounter?

Uncertainty appeared on Jia Ren's face, but he decided to meet him.

However, it would be the Insect External Incarnation that would meet him, not his true self.

In the Water Curtain Cave, after waiting one hour, the Insect External Incarnation returned, now holding a Sound Transmission Talisman.

This was the Sound Transmission Talisman they had used to contact each other, and it also served as the best proof of identity.

Times had changed. Yang Shengwu was now a Demon Cultivator, so Jia Ren couldn't view him as he once did. Additional precautions were necessary.

Several Yellow Springs Ghostly Poison Pills were carefully prepared, life-saving Talismans were readied on his person, and the Soul-Seizing Scheming Device was kept close at hand.

"Xiao Ying, follow from a distance," he ordered.

The Fathead Fish Demon sank into the river, trailing far behind.

The Insect External Incarnation, comprised of sixty-three Second Order Spirit Insects, had consumed a massive amount of resources and was truly precious to him, with great potential yet to be exploited.

Unless absolutely necessary, Jia Ren did not wish for the Insect External Incarnation to encounter any mishaps.

Dispatching the Fathead Fish Demon, comparably powerful to a False Core practitioner, was also a backup measure.

My true self... I won't go.

Safety first.

Jia Ren's consciousness was linked with the Insect External Incarnation, enabling him to receive information at any moment.

The Insect External Incarnation was in the open, the Fathead Fish Demon in the shadows, and Jia Ren himself over a hundred li away, providing support from a safe distance.

One hour later, the Insect External Incarnation approached the Demon Cultivator's encampment again.

At this time, the sky was dark, making it hard to see even a hand in front of one's face.

A Sound Transmission Talisman, trailing a fiery glow, flew into the Demon Cultivator's encampment.

The fact that the Sound Transmission Talisman worked shattered his last shred of denial.

The Demon Cultivator, bearing a strong resemblance to an old friend, was undoubtedly Yang Shengwu.

What had he experienced since they parted ways?

Why had he fallen to this state?!

Jia Ren was eager for answers.

Meanwhile, the Insect External Incarnation dispersed into over sixty Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings who swiftly infiltrated the area to scout ahead and confirm the situation.

This was to prevent Yang Shengwu, after falling into Demon Cultivation, from reporting his presence and attracting a large group of Demon Cultivators to surround him.

Due to their impressive night-time vision, the Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings spotted the Sound Transmission Talisman flying into the encampment from a distance.

"Old friend reunited, Brother Yang, care to meet? Five li along the riverbank. Jia Ren."

Before long, Yang Shengwu emerged from the Demon Cultivator's encampment, his expression rushed.

Despite his effort to control his face, one could still see the joy in his expression.

"Brother Yang, where do you plan to go in the dead of night?"

A fellow Demon Cultivator in a blood robe approached with a teasing smile, jesting.

"Do I need to report my actions to you?!"

"Scram, or don't blame me for turning you into a blood servant."

The blood-robed Demon Cultivator, having been snubbed, smiled awkwardly and quickly withdrew.

Yang Shengwu double-checked to ensure no one was following before quickly heading toward the Yun Jiang outside the encampment.

The night was deep, and the waters of the Yun Jiang surged.

Looking around, he sought a familiar figure.

"Brother Yang, it's been a long time."

Flashes of light twinkled in the distance as the sixty or so Sonic-Thief Mosquito Kings reformed into the figure of the Insect External Incarnation.

The appearance was not a disguise, but his rarely seen true face.

Before arriving, he had already confirmed there were no Demon Cultivators around.

Otherwise, he would have had to consider seriously whether it was worth meeting at all.

The incarnation emerged from the darkness, still vigilant in his gaze.

"Jia Ren, is it really you?"

"You're still alive! That's great!"

The coldness on Yang Shengwu's face melted away like ice in the sun, and he excitedly approached Jia Ren. He looked Jia Ren up and down with incredulity, still doubting his own eyes.

The catastrophe at the Great Wilderness Market had yielded the verdict that no Loose Cultivator survived.

He had thought he would never see Jia Ren in this lifetime...

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