Ji Yuan first glanced at the panel, seeing those familiar words "Upgradeable," he felt relieved in his heart.

The Ant King was already obtained long ago.

Thinking of this, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but admire the inheritance he received.

During this period, while Ji Yuan was in seclusion, he also read many records and documents left behind by him.

Even though he didn’t obtain the originals, just by looking at these transcribed materials, Ji Yuan learned a great deal about the magic techniques for cultivating mystical insects.

"That so-called immortal medicine, the Winter Bug, must have been obtained together with this inheritance."

Ji Yuan speculated in his heart and took out the corpse of an Iron Thread Ant from the Storage Bag.

Hu Li handled matters thoughtfully, Ji Yuan didn’t say how many he needed, but Hu Li prepared two.

Besides, it costs 50 Low-grade Spirit Stones.

This was nothing to be concerned about.

Ji Yuan placed these items on the ground, and with a thought, chose to upgrade.

The panel refreshed, and the [Ant Nest] before him... just didn’t change much. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

After all, it was merely upgrading a Level 2 building.

After examining the Level 1 [Ant Nest], Ji Yuan again looked at the panel to see what effects the Level 2 [Ant Nest] possessed.

[Ant Nest: Level 2 (Not Upgradeable)]

[Spirit Effect 1: Ant Swarm breeding speed +40%; Ant Swarm recovery speed +30%; Ant Swarm advancement probability +10%.]

[Spirit Effect 2 (Ten Thousand Ants in Formation): When the Ant Swarm attacks, it can be controlled by the Ant King, transforming into a giant ant tribe warrior to attack, with power far exceeding the same rank ant swarm.]

[Upgrade Conditions: 100 Mid-grade Spirit Stones; Ant King Cultivation reaching Tier Two; Ant Swarm count reaching 10,000; 2 Mid-stage Tier Two Demon Pills; 1 Cracked Stone Golden Ant corpse. (Not Met)]

"Oh?"

Spirit Effect 1 and the upgrade conditions were nothing noteworthy, not much different from the Level 2 [Bee Hive].

It even seemed as if taken from the same mold.

But this Spirit Effect 2 was quite novel.

Looking at the text description, it seems to allow the ant swarm to transform into a massive ant man?

Power far surpassing the same rank.

Ji Yuan gauged that when this [Ant Nest] reached Level 2, the ant man released should have the power of Late Stage Second Rank or Peak of Tier Two?

Once [Ant Nest] reaches Level 3, it would be Late-stage Tier Three, which means Late-stage Core Formation power... it seems this [Ant Nest] is worth upgrading.

However, Ji Yuan’s enthusiasm was quickly extinguished by reality.

For [Ant Nest] to reach Level 3, the Ant King must advance to Tier Three.

How long would that take?

Haven’t seen this [Bee Hive] for so long, it hasn’t reached Level 3.

Thus Ji Yuan planned to feed this last portion of "Demon Seizing Powder" to the Peak of Tier Two "Bee King" to aid it in advancing to Tier Three.

Together with the Demon Spirit Bee corpse, Ji Yuan also found it in Hundred Insects Old Immortal’s Storage Bag.

Ji Yuan also prepared the 3 Tier Three Demon Pills required for the upgrade.

Spirit Stones were even less of a problem.

Though the bee swarm suffered losses during previous encounters, it has now recovered.

Moreover, Ji Yuan found the Demon Seizing Powder formula in Hundred Insects Old Immortal’s inheritance.

With this, it implies he can have an inexhaustible supply of Demon Seizing Powder, making cultivating any spirit pet much more convenient.

With these thoughts, Ji Yuan put away the panel and exited the [Ant Nest], moving instead into the cave’s depths to the [Bee Hive].

The cave wasn’t made very large since most Spirit-Devouring Bees were stored in the Spirit Beast Bag by Ji Yuan.

Only the Bee King and numerous hatching bee pupae remained here.

As soon as Ji Yuan arrived, numerous Spirit-Devouring Bees buzzed out.

Especially the Bee King, standing half a person high, whose wing flaps stirred a strong gust within the cave.

Ji Yuan took out the last portion of Demon Seizing Powder from the Storage Bag.

In an instant, the Bee King stopped flying, landed on the ground, and gently rubbed its head against Ji Yuan’s leg.

Yet its gaze remained fixed on the Demon Seizing Powder in Ji Yuan’s hand.

"Alright, it’s meant for you anyway, no need to keep staring."

Ji Yuan said, tossing the Demon Seizing Powder out.

The Bee King opened its mouth, swallowed it, and returned to the back of the bee hive, its entire body entering a cultivation refining state.

Ji Yuan took a look around, confirming nothing was amiss with the [Bee Hive].

Only then did he summon the Flying Sword, cut down a massive stone to serve as a stone door, before withdrawing.

Leaving the place to the Bee King to focus on its breakthrough.

Subsequently, Ji Yuan returned to the [Scripture Pavilion] where he had previously gone into seclusion.

After wandering about, his initially gloomy mood improved considerably.

Of course, mainly because he saw his own power growing.

Especially after killing the Hundred Insects Old Immortal... if he were to brag a bit.

His power was said to have made a qualitative leap.

The greatest opportunity, the Winter Bug, need not be mentioned further.

The visible enhancement was attributed to the three portions of Demon Seizing Powder.

He gained two Tier Three Serpents, and now the Bee King is about to advance to Tier Three; once it breaks through, the [Bee Hive] can reach Level 3 too.

At that time, strength could further elevate.

Aside from those Immortal Materials, and the strange insect inheritance, although these cannot directly enhance strength.

They bring long-term impacts, able to slowly and steadily strengthen his power.

Just like the corpse of Hundred Insects Old Immortal buried by Ji Yuan in the [Chaotic Burial Mound].

If it mutates into a Corpse Puppet, it would be a great aid.

And this is precisely why Ji Yuan has been urgently seeking to elevate his cultivation to the Fake Pill Realm.

Because of what was mentioned before, enhancing power is indeed useful, but they are external objects; ultimately, personal cultivation strength matters most.

"Well, since there’s nothing particular at the moment, why not browse these cultivation techniques and see if there’s any inspiration."

Ji Yuan thought and casually picked a Jade Scroll from the nearby shelf, injecting a wisp of Spiritual Qi into it.

Memory flowed forth.

Wood Element Technique "Eternal Green Wood Technique," a common name, it can only be cultivated to the Peak of Foundation Establishment.

To attain Core Formation, one must switch to other cultivation techniques, so be it.

However, Ji Yuan still studied it earnestly; regardless, it is the painstaking effort of predecessors.

At least, to create a Water Element Technique reaching the Peak of Foundation Establishment... he’s not capable of devising it.

Thus, study while cultivating.

After reviewing over a dozen techniques in succession, a flash of spiritual light suddenly appeared in his mind.

The breakthrough opportunity... finally arrived!

...

Shang Dong, the old site of Corpse Transporting Mountain.

The original Corpse Transporting Mountain has been transformed into a blood-colored Divine Mountain, and now inside this Divine Mountain, on a throne, sits a sinister young man.

He has one woman in a blood-red gown in each arm.

And below the great hall, a bald-headed man kneels.

"Reporting to the Young Master, the trace of Qiu Qianhai has been found."

"Oh?"

Jiang Hong pushes the women aside, leaning forward slightly, looking down, "Where... is he?!"

——

(Turn further, there’s a map of Jiyuan Continent I’ve drawn, available for reference, also in the comments section.)

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