As the Blood Pill was refined.

The aged appearance of True Man Chunyuan swiftly rejuvenated at a pace visible to the naked eye.

The wrinkles smoothed out, the dark spots vanished, and the complexion gradually became rosy, full of youthful vitality.

In just a short time, the ancient elder was replaced by a handsome young gentleman.

Li Ji'an could sense the transformation from inside out, not a simple disguise but a true rejuvenation!

"Congratulations, Elder, on your rejuvenation!"

"Hahaha~" True Man Chunyuan laughed heartily, his voice becoming youthful and vibrant.

"Pfft~" However, before the laughter ceased, a mist of blood suddenly spurted out.

"Elder!" Li Ji'an exclaimed instantly.

True Man Chunyuan's face changed abruptly; he hurriedly held his breath and concentrated spirit. Simultaneously, a Three-legged Square Tripod Cauldron appeared around him, emitting circles of earth-yellow halos to protect him.

Li Ji'an's brief sensing revealed that its aura was not far off from the power of the two Magic Swords he had acquired, immediately dampening any improper thoughts he had and only hoping for the counterattack of the Human Pill.

Observing the entire process, with his experience in Alchemy Dao spanning over a hundred years across two lifetimes, Li Ji'an now had a general idea of the Pill Formula and essential techniques of the Human Pill.

He was also analyzing the efficacy of this Human Pill.

This type of Human Pill should be a major medicine that can reverse vitality, truly achieving rejuvenation, yet Li Ji'an believed it was akin to draining the pond for fish. Although the pill uses the essence of Child Boys and Girl to refine innate True Qi, it ultimately only serves as a guide; the root still lies in one's own vitality.

Each time the Human Pill is consumed, the depletion of vitality intensifies, and the intervals between necessary uses become shorter.

"Pfft~"

"How could this happen?"

"Which ingredient has gone wrong?" After a moment, True Man Chunyuan spat out another mouthful of black blood, his eyes turning violent as he mumbled in his mouth.

"Elder!" Li Ji'an showed an expression of fear and concern.

"It's nothing, do your job." True Man Chunyuan glanced at Li Ji'an sidelong but didn't suspect him of tampering.

A mere Qi Cultivating ant couldn't have any means, especially since it had already ingested the Heart-Eroding Pill he refined, certainly making betrayal impossible.

"Humph, those few youngsters couldn't hold back any longer? You'll end up disappointed, hahaha..." True Man Chunyuan gazed toward Holy Palace Pill Peak, where his disciples and descendants gathered, and which supplied some medicinal materials for this alchemy session.

"Take this, should you need it, I will send you a Communication Talisman." Then he tossed a Communication Talisman to Li Ji'an and began meditating alone.

Li Ji'an took the Communication Talisman, feeling secretly disappointed; at this moment, True Man Chunyuan was only afflicted internally, requiring but a few days of rest for recovery, essentially unharmed.

After all, he only added two ingredients, slight in quantity to avoid detection. Adding too much, or causing a significant backlash, would easily be noticed by the Pill King, who besides possessing Late Period Core Formation Pill Fire, certainly earned his name in expertise and pharmacology.

Li Ji'an stored the Communication Talisman and took his leave.

Before descending the mountain, a sudden movement occurred in the Sea of Consciousness.

Gugu gave a warning.

"Not good!" Instantly, linking with Gugu, he felt numerous extremely subtle auras hastily approaching from above.

These auras were certainly not human cultivators.

Buzz~

Before Li Ji'an could react, Gugu's vision was filled with a dense swarm of small insects.

Each insect was the size of a grain of rice, entirely black except for three faintly glowing red eyes on its head, abdomen, and tail.

"Spirit Insects!" Li Ji'an was startled.

Regarding Spirit Insects, besides sealing souls with Soul-Holding Ants in his prior life, he deeply researched little more, considering the Insect Control Dao too arcane. Ancient texts unearthed recorded that Insect Masters eventually met tragic ends, becoming nourishment and nests for Spirit Insects, hence few dared becoming Insect Masters unless compelled.

"Zizi..." Before Gugu moved, the dense swarm of small insects began attacking Gugu.

"Gugu~" Gugu, who had been underground for over four months in grievance, now revealed a savage nature, opening its mouth and curling its tongue to catch a group of Spirit Insects.

But before swallowing, Gugu let out a cry of pain, hurriedly flailing its tongue.

Through Gugu's vision, Li Ji'an could clearly see the group of Spirit Insects already pierced through Gugu's tongue, leaving countless small holes on the previously pink tongue.

"Humph, does this little beast dare to swallow my Gold-devouring Insects?" At this moment, an authoritative voice appeared, while a Mid-Stage Core Formation pressure already locked onto Gugu.

"Run!" Li Ji'an's heart tightened.

Gugu immediately used Earth Escape Technique to flee.

Boom~

As its shape moved, a muffled explosion ignited where it originally was.

Fortunately, this Insect Master's proficiency in Earth Escape Technique wasn't high, allowing Gugu to quickly escape beyond the locked range.

Yet, a swarm of Gold-devouring Insects behind showed no slack, penetrating soil and stone alike and biting into Gugu.

Soon, the dense swarm of Gold-devouring Insects again blocked Gugu's path ahead.

Meanwhile, the True Man in the rear was about to catch up.

"Attack!" In this urgent moment, Li Ji'an had no choice but to let the Little Fire Spirit intervene; otherwise, not only True Man Chunyuan but even this Insect Master ahead would be an insurmountable obstacle.

"Boom~" As Gugu opened its mouth, a fire cloud shot out.

The swarm of Gold-devouring Insects issued rapid buzzes and immediately fell in droves; the underground space filled with a scorched odor.

Taking advantage, Gugu fled far away, escaping once more from the rear Insect Master's lock.

"Swoosh~" Just as Li Ji'an watched Gugu narrowly escape, violent aura from True Man Chunyuan on Fly Immortal Peak erupted, a Divine Rainbow streaking toward Gugu swiftly, far faster than Li Ji'an could react.