Eternal Life Begins with Bug-Refining

Wuyou Mountain, Cold Wave Cave.

The long-haired youth sitting on the cushion let out a breath, "I've finally reached the Third Transformation of Qi Refinement."

After a year since traversing to this world, Chen Qing finally made a breakthrough from the Second Transformation of Qi Refinement to the Third Transformation.

"Now that I have reached the Third Transformation of Qi Refinement, I can finally receive a Bug from the sect."

In this realm, every Cultivator practices Qi Refinement.

In this world, there are Bugs.

Qi circulates throughout the body, with Bugs as the medium, to wield Divine Powers.

Disciples of Wuyou Mountain, upon reaching the Third Transformation of Qi Refinement, can receive a Bug from the sect for free, to aid in their cultivation or battle.

Carrying a bundle of fine Bug Spirit Grass, Chen Qing made his way to visit Elder Chen with practiced ease.

Elder Chen greeted Chen Qing with a smile and invited him in, "Ah, it's little Chen, why come with a gift?"

Chen Qing respectfully replied, "Disciple owes much to Elder's guidance upon coming to Wuyou Mountain, this is just a small token of my gratitude."

Elder Chen let the child begin to add tea, "Looking at you now, your body is full of Spiritual Energy, you must have reached the Third Transformation of Qi Refinement, the sect will give you a Bug as a foundation for survival."

Chen Qing said, "That's right, it's just that the disciple has only just begun his cultivation and does not know the differences between Bugs, would Elder please enlighten me."

Elder Chen explained, "For disciples like you who are new to cultivation, choosing your first Bug is crucial."

"In general, there are two choices: the first is to choose a Bug that focuses on fighting techniques."

"However, if choosing such a Bug as your first one, you often have to rely on going out to hunt, searching for medicinal herbs, which can be quite dangerous."

"Sometimes you can make a fortune, other times there's nothing to gain."

Chen Qing asked, "And the other?"

Elder Chen smiled, "The second type is a production-oriented Bug, which can promote the growth of medicinal herbs or control spirit beasts."

"Though it's slower, it's more stable."

Chen Qing bowed with his hands clasped, "As I am unfamiliar with these matters, I wish to ask Elder Chen to accompany me to choose my first Bug."

Elder Chen glanced at the Bug Spirit Grass, "Very well, I happen to be free, I will accompany you on this trip."

Following Elder Chen up the mountain, greeting all fellow disciples along the way, they entered the Bug Altar, where the Guardian Elder said, "Old Chen, you're here to help Chen Qing choose a Bug?"

Elder Chen pulled the Guardian Elder aside for a private word, and then the Guardian Elder came over to lead Chen Qing into the Bug Altar.

The Bug Altar is the place where the sect stores Bugs, like an upside-down large bowl, with some stone caves inside, and within the stone caves are jade altars.

In those jade altars are the Bugs.

Just as Chen Qing was about to follow the Guardian Elder to select a Bug, he suddenly realized he was seeing some special things.

Floating above those jade altars were some strange pieces of information.

[Mortal Sword Bug]

Quality: Third Transformation

Life Span: 18/54

Effect: Can transform Spiritual Energy into Sword Qi, this Sword Bug can turn ten strands of Spiritual Energy into one strand of Sword Qi

Growth Requirements: Illusion Spirit Grass, Bug Spirit Grass

Growth Progress: 52/100

Promotion Requirements: Ninth Transformation, one Sword Bug, three Sword Coffin Ganoderma, one plant of Illusion Spirit Grass

[Mortal Sword Bug]

Quality: Fourth Transformation

Life Span: 38/56

Effect: Can transform Spiritual Energy into Sword Qi, this Sword Bug can turn nine strands of Spiritual Energy into one strand of Sword Qi

Growth Requirements: Mystic Iron, Bug Spirit Grass

Growth Progress: 17/100

Promotion Requirements: Ninth Transformation, one Sword Bug, four Sword Coffin Ganoderma, ten jin of Bibo Cold Iron

[Mortal Power Bug]

Quality: Third Transformation

Life Span: 12/80

Effect: Three Oxen Power

Growth Requirements: Cow Gallstone, Bug Spirit Grass

Growth Progress: 5/100

Promotion Requirements: Ninth Transformation, a pair of Demon Tiger Bones, a pair of Demon Bull Bones, one Strengthening Bone Spirit Ginseng

....

Is this a late-coming cheat?

Although it's late, at least I have a cheat now.

Are these Bugs so complicated?

Even Sword Bugs have different cultivation methods?

Quite peculiar indeed.

Looking over the Bugs, Chen Qing didn't find any whose Quality exceeded the Fifth Transformation.

At this moment, the Guardian Elder whispered to Chen Qing, "Follow me, there are a few Bugs of good quality over here."

Chen Qing nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, Elder."

The Guardian Elder cautioned, "Don't say anything once you're out, understand?"

Chen Qing bowed, then took out ten low-grade Spirit Stones from his sleeve and handed them near the elder's sleeve.

The Guardian Elder discreetly accepted them and led Chen Qing to the front of three altars.

[Mortal Iron Skin Bug]

Quality: Fifth Transformation

Life Span: 48/54

Effect: Iron Skin, tenacity

Growth Requirements: Tough skin, demon bull hide, Bug Spirit Grass

Growth Progress: 78/100

Promotion Requirements: Ninth Transformation, three pairs of demon bull horns, ten catties of iron essence

[Mortal Grass Spirit Bug]

Quality: Seventh Transformation

Life Span: 42/65

Effect: Manages a range of five acres of Bug Spirit Grass and enhances growth speed and Quality

Growth Requirements: Earth Spirit Crystal, ochre earth yellow, Spirit Shed

Growth Progress: 10/100

Promotion Requirements: Ninth Transformation, ten drops of Earth Mother Spirit Liquid, one Soul Stealing Flower

[Mortal Sword Bug]

Quality: Fifth Transformation

Life Span: 19/52

Effect: Transforms Spiritual Energy into Sword Qi, can currently convert eight strands of Spiritual Energy into one strand of Sword Qi

Growth Requirements: Blazing Fire Feather, Bug Spirit Grass

Growth Progress: 15/100

Promotion Requirements: Ninth Transformation, one Vermilion Bird feather, ten catties of fire copper ore.

Looking at these three Bugs, the Guardian Elder explained, "The quality of these three Bugs is very good. The Iron Skin Bug has a high defense, which is most suitable for adventuring outside. It's just that the Life Span is short, who knows how many years it has left."

"That Grass Spirit Bug does a great job of increasing the yield of Bug Spirit Grass. Its Life Span is probably about ten years or so."

"This Sword Bug is the best among them, estimated to have a Life Span of twenty to thirty years, and its effect is also good."

"These three all have the potential for Butterfly Transformation. As for which one to choose, it's up to you."

Sword Bugs are good, but after just coming to this world, going out to fight and kill seems to overestimate my capabilities.

As for the Iron Skin Bug, although it's tempting, it pales in comparison to the Grass Spirit Bug.

Even though Earth Mother Spirit Liquid and Soul Stealing Flowers are expensive, with this Grass Spirit Bug, I could go manage the Bug Spirit Grass Spiritual Fields to make money.

I could earn one Spirit Stone per acre, which means I could earn five low-grade Spirit Stones a day.

After earning for a year and a half, this little guy could be promoted; I don't know what the benefits are after Promotion, but it should be good.

"Elder, I'll choose this Grass Spirit Bug."

The Guardian Elder revealed an admiring gaze and smiled, "Good choice, it's slow, but surefire. You are prudent."

"Not like those reckless ones who run out to fight and kill, only to needlessly lose their Bugs and their precious lives."

Yes, the most important thing is stability, without any danger.

Chen Qing has a clear understanding of himself.