Cultivation Starts with Rejuvenation

”Chameleon Frog?”

”A breakthrough to the Second Tier’s bloodline mutation talent divine abilities?” Li Ji’an observed closely, quite surprised.

If true, Gugu’s concealment ability has significantly improved.

Originally, due to consuming too many Soul-Holding Ants, it gained the ability to block Divine Soul probing. Now, with the chameleon talent, it becomes increasingly difficult to detect.

Li Ji’an was very satisfied with the unexpected delight, fitting his philosophy of safety first.

However, after carefully sensing for a moment, he couldn’t perceive any significant change in Gugu’s demon power, seemingly just in the early period of impact, without a complete transformation.

”Gua~”

Suddenly, a phenomenon occurred.

The originally calm Gugu suddenly burst forth with two different attribute bloodline auras on its body.

Gugu was instantly torn between the two forces, rolling and struggling in the pond.

Li Ji’an’s Divine Sense swept over, confirming an earth attribute aura and a water attribute aura.

”Is that Blood Pill beginning to take effect?” He didn’t understand but dared not intervene forcefully, continuing to observe the changes in its vitality.

Luckily, though it appeared in pain, its vitality was growing stronger, still climbing.

Until an hour passed, Li Ji’an keenly sensed the two forces beginning to weaken.

”The Blood Pill’s efficacy is gone?” As the two auras weakened, Li Ji’an noticed Gugu’s demon power also rapidly declined from its peak.

At the same time, he was worried as Gugu’s qi and blood were continuously draining.

”Gua~” With one more wail, Gugu’s grindstone-sized mouth suddenly opened wide, spewing a large patch of dark, murky blood.

”Not good!” Li Ji’an’s expression changed drastically, quickly throwing the Protective Vein Pill and Blood Replenishing Pill into Gugu’s mouth.

”Hold on, refine the pill medicine, do not force breakthroughs, just survive!”

Just now, Li Ji’an felt as the Blood Pill’s auras were insufficient, Gugu forcibly burned its essence blood, trying to push through but ultimately failed narrowly.

Gugu opened its weary eyes a crack, looking deeply at Li Ji’an with a hint of reluctance and regret.

”The Blood Pill is flawed!” Seeing Gugu’s eye expression, Li Ji’an’s face turned gloomy for the first time.

Although he had little research into Beast Taming, witnessing Gugu’s impact process firsthand brought him some understanding. Clearly, the Blood Pill lacked the necessary bloodline force, preventing Gugu from breaking through the Tier One barrier!

Gugu probably didn’t want to let him down, so it forcibly burned its essence blood.

”Pfft~” Next moment, Gugu spat out another mouthful of grimy blood, and its entire body began bleeding, akin to a blood-soaked frog.

Its qi and blood plunged once more.

”Heal the dead frog as if it were alive!” Li Ji’an dispelled negative thoughts, took a deep breath, and dumped all his Qi Blood Pills from the Storage Pouch into Gugu’s mouth.

Theoretically, due to differences between demon beasts and human cultivators, pills aren’t generally interchangeable; however, pills regarding qi and blood and meridians have some applicability. The Life-Saving Pills Li Ji’an refined specifically for Gugu these days are intended to protect meridians and preserve qi and blood when human cultivators fail in realm breakthroughs, proving somewhat useful.

But now Gugu’s breakthrough paused, the Blood Pill’s bloodline force insufficient, and the essence blood burned forcibly, causing heavy bleeding. Those two Blood Replenishing Pills alone weren’t enough.

Fortunately, for rapid advancement on the Body Cultivator path after Rejuvenation, he maintained a habit of storing Qi Blood Pills.

Now, over a hundred Qi Blood Pills that are useless to him remained in the Storage Pouch.

Swallowing so many Qi Blood Pills, Gugu’s lost qi and blood began to rise slowly.

”Effective!” Li Ji’an calmly sensed and concentrated.

”Uncle Li, Gugu…” Xiaoqiao and the Little Fire Spirit had been watching Gugu by the pond, now tears flowed, choked with emotion.

The Fire Spirit stared at Gugu, its flames trembling incessantly.

Li Ji’an’s face was grave, shaking his head, unable to promise them anything temporarily.

Xiaoqiao grew even more anxious, her body crouched on the ground trembling slightly.

The three small merry companions shared four years together—a pure affection.

”Gua~” Suddenly, Gugu let out a long cry, qi and blood churning in its mouth.

A nearly tangible blood mist formed from the hundreds of Qi Blood Pills.

The large quantity of qi and blood immediately steadied Gugu’s declining state but faced another crisis.

Qi Blood Pills contain qi and blood but require body refinement to absorb; too many Qi Blood Pills exploding at once made Gugu unable to refine quickly.

If Gugu couldn’t quickly convert them for use, they might dissipate into the heavens and earth, ultimately unable to replenish lost qi and blood, revealing helpless futility.

”Whoosh~” Just as Li Ji’an considered aiding Gugu’s qi and blood refinement swiftly, the Little Fire Spirit suddenly shot toward Gugu’s mouth.

”Fire Spirit?”

The Little Fire Spirit dashed into Gugu’s mouth, unfurling its fiery power, refining the rolling qi and blood eager to spill beyond to diminish their intensity.

”Great!” Li Ji’an was thrilled.

Born as a Spirit Flame, the Little Fire Spirit holds a miraculous ability to refine. In this crucial moment, entering the fray proved the best solution.

Sure enough, in mere moments, much of the exuberant qi and blood was refined, swiftly replenishing Gugu’s body.

After another half hour, Gugu’s qi and blood nearly restored.

Blood-soaked Gugu opened its eyes again, showing gratitude, excitement, and…discontent!

Suddenly, Gugu’s qi and blood surged anew.

This creature intended to burn essence blood and forcefully press on again.

”Don’t be reckless!” Li Ji’an’s face changed instantly, urging restraint.

However, this stubborn creature remained resolute, disregarding his advice, igniting once more.

Instantly, demon qi engulfed again, Gugu raised its head, fighting passionately.

Once.

Twice.

...

With the Fire Spirit continually refining qi and blood for Gugu, this time the ascension stabilized and accelerated even further.

However,

Though each attempt was stronger than the last, it was always its inherently weak bloodline preventing it from reaching the second tier threshold.

Li Ji’an distinctly sensed its life essence blood continually attempting to compress into a demon core but always narrowly missed the mark.

”Gua~” As those hundred Qi Blood Pills neared total refinement, Gugu had lost count of attempts.

This was its final push.

If failing, either abandonment or imminent death.

Li Ji’an’s magical power swelled, prepared for action, should this final attempt falter, ready to forcibly seize control.

”Boom~” During the last attempt, Gugu’s qi and blood reached an absolute peak.

A demon core prototype faintly took shape.

Once successful, bloodlines would expand vastly, demon qi soaring, stepping into the second tier demon beast ranks.

”Gua~”

With the final frog’s call, the near-critical demon core prototype ultimately didn’t form, deflating like a punctured balloon.

Gugu opened its eyes, tears of blood trailing, despairing and helpless.

”Gugu! Don’t give up! I’ll assist you.” As Li Ji’an prepared to intervene, preventing Gugu’s despairing strike, Xiaoqiao abruptly pressed her hands on the ground, her energy flowing into the earth.

”...” Li Ji’an paused, observing Xiaoqiao in disbelief.

At the next moment, Li Ji’an keenly felt a vast force rapidly gathering beneath, beginning to merge with Gugu.

”This is...” Ultimately unfamiliar with this Cultivation Realm, Li Ji’an couldn’t fathom Xiaoqiao’s actions or the sudden earth power’s purpose.

However, he visibly sensed that this earth force entering Gugu restored the diminishing demon core prototype, accelerating and solidifying beyond earlier peak attempts.

Mere moments later, a demonic red core formed within Gugu.

With its formation, a powerful demon power erupted instantly.

Li Ji’an was overjoyed; this explosive moment of demon power surpassed even the Foundation Establishment veracity sensed in Yan Qingwan.

”Gua~” Instantly, the demon power condensed swiftly, entirely encapsulated within Gugu’s demon core, erasing traces.

”Thunk.” Simultaneously, Xiaoqiao, seemingly exhausted, collapsed on the ground.

Immediately following, Gugu opened its mouth, the Little Fire Spirit’s aura weakened, shakingly flew from Gugu’s mouth, eagerly retreating into Li Ji’an’s Dantian for restoration.