I offered sacrifices to the gods

Upon seeing the notification that the worship was successful, Lin Mo breathed a sigh of relief and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

"Just as I expected, by using this polluted water as an offering, we can worship the statue of the god once."

"I just don't know what offerings will be needed for the next sacrifice, and the worship ceremony will only get more and more difficult."

Soon, the method for refining the Water-Drawing Inner Elixir appeared out of thin air in his mind.

After reviewing the document, Lin Mo's eyes showed a hint of emotion.

This Water-Drawing Inner Core was not the kind of pill he had expected, but rather an alternative cultivation method. Once mastered, it could refine something similar to the inner core of a demon beast within the body.

This Water-Drawing Inner Core not only contains pure water-attribute spiritual power, but can even be inscribed with several water-attribute spells.

In the future, if we were to fight against an enemy, the spells inscribed in the inner core could be activated instantly without needing to perform hand seals.

Most importantly, this Water-Drawing Inner Elixir contains the vitality of water, and once refined, it can nourish the physical body year-round.

If you are injured, you can use this power to recover.

"The highest good is like water, which benefits all things without striving to be first, but only strives to flow endlessly."

If one can successfully refine the inner elixir of water, it is tantamount to having a second dantian (energy center).

The value of this method is absolutely no less than that of the "Spirit Wood Meridian Refining Technique".

"It's just that it's a bit difficult to cultivate. This method requires drawing on all kinds of rare and spiritual waters from around the world, as well as spiritual objects from the waterways."

Soon, Lin Mo set his sights on the water mist that was constantly emanating from around him.

There was once a wondrous spring of water in the Evil Water Cave, but it was taken away by Taoist Jin Yang.

The strange mist remaining in the cave is the residue left over from that strange water, and even so, it torments these disciples to no end.

These natural, wondrous water forces can be used to cultivate the Water-Drawing Inner Elixir; this secret method accepts any wondrous water force without reservation.

And so, Lin Mo sat down cross-legged, attempting to use the water vapor surrounding him to refine a water-absorbing inner elixir.

Sizzle!

The water mist began to erode his body, but this time he did the opposite. Instead of resisting it with his internal energy, he actively began to guide the water mist into his body.

Somewhat unexpectedly, the foul water no longer caused severe pain after entering the body, but instead slowly accumulated above the dantian (lower abdomen).

Lin Mo could clearly sense that droplets of water mist were gathering in his dantian, gradually condensing into a bead the size of a peanut.

In just a short while, the Water-Drawing Inner Elixir was initially refined.

"As expected of a secret technique bestowed by the gods, it's not too difficult to cultivate."

Lin Mo was pleasantly surprised by this, as he had originally thought it would be very difficult and involve many twists and turns.

Unexpectedly, after being drawn into the body, the water mist smoothly condensed into an inner core within the body.

Next, Lin Mo tried again to guide the water mist into his dantian, but he soon became less happy.

After absorbing the water mist, the inner core did not continue to grow, but instead became more solid.

"It seems that the residual power of the strange water in the cave can only go this far. To make it continue to grow stronger, we must collect other water spirits or strange water and integrate them into the inner core."

Lin Mo pondered for a while, then examined and observed the Water-Drawing Inner Core he had just condensed for a while longer.

According to the secret method, his Water-Drawing Inner Elixir should not even be considered a first-grade one.

The water-attribute spiritual power contained in the inner core is very weak. It can't even be used to nourish the physical body, let alone inscribe a low-level spell.

Currently, the function of this Water-Drawing Inner Elixir is to repair some minor wounds and ensure that he is protected from the corrosive effects in the Evil Water Cave.

"In this way, I can focus all my attention on cultivation, and someone will bring me food every day, so I won't have to worry about any other chores."

"The spiritual energy is thin, and the environment is too dark and damp."

"Besides that, we also need to be wary of Chen Guan and Guo Sheng."

Thinking of this, Lin Mo frowned again. He was still unsure how the two of them would treat him next.

He originally intended to finish off Guo Sheng directly, but as Chen Guan said, doing so would be tantamount to completely pushing the Hall of Punishments to the opposite side.

"Well, we can only take it one step at a time for now. The most important thing right now is to improve our ability to protect ourselves."

And so, Lin Mo began his cultivation in the cave.

No matter how thin the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is here, that is not a reason to give up cultivation.

He wasn't worried that Guo Sheng would sneak over and ambush him. The fog in the cave was thick, and Guo Sheng was seriously injured. Once he stepped out of that pool, he would suffer excruciating pain.

There is absolutely no possibility of getting close to him silently!

In the following period, Lin Mo divided his cultivation time into two parts.

Half of it was used to cultivate the "Blood Transporting Scripture" to strengthen one's physical body and make one's blood and qi extremely abundant.

The other half of the time was spent practicing the "Dragon Breathing Technique," inhaling and exhaling the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to increase one's cultivation.

...

On the other side of the pool, Guo Sheng, whose chest had collapsed from a punch, lay limp on the ground, barely alive.

"Senior Brother Chen... what should we do next? That's all the things the Punishment Hall has told me. I don't know what to do after that."

Guo Sheng's eyes still held a deep sense of fear. When Lin Mo approached him step by step earlier, he even thought he was going to die.

Chen Guan, nailed to the stone wall, was gnawing on a steamed bun and mumbled indistinctly:

"There's nothing we can do. That kid is just too shrewd; he saw right through you."

"If he brings the steamed bun to me in person, then everything will be fine."

"It's a pity. Now that he's on his guard, we have to drop this matter and will have to cooperate with him from now on."

Guo Sheng said worriedly, "But what he just said didn't sound like he would agree to cooperate."

"Heh, this kid's smart enough, he can't possibly refuse."

"Give him something in return, pass on your skill in controlling spirit insects to him." Chen Guan swallowed the last bite of his steamed bun, looking as if he was savoring the taste.

Upon hearing that he would have to give up his insect-controlling heritage, Guo Sheng showed a reluctant expression.

However, Chen Guan said dismissively, "You should think carefully. I don't need to remind you of the consequences of failing to implant the Soul Gu in him and not reaching a cooperation agreement with him, do I?"

"Besides, this insect-controlling technique of yours, which you obtained from who-knows-where, has probably already been coveted by other direct disciples, hasn't it?"

"You've messed all this up, do you think the Hall of Punishments will let you off the hook?"

After thinking for a while, Guo Sheng finally made a decision to hand over his insect-controlling inheritance.

This was presented as a gesture of sincerity in exchange for Lin Mo's cooperation.

"Then...should I go out and call him in now?" Guo Sheng asked hesitantly.

To this, Chen Guan shook his head and chuckled, "No rush, no rush."

"Apart from the area we are in, the rest of the Evil Water Cave is eroded by the Yin Flow Bone-Eroding Water."

"How many days can he endure that excruciating pain? When he can't take it anymore, he'll have to slink back home."

"At that time, you can show your sincerity, say a few nice words to give him a way out, and the matter can be accomplished naturally."

Upon hearing this, Guo Sheng nodded in agreement. He had personally experienced how unbearable the pain was in the cave.

It seems Lin Mo won't last more than a few days, since coming to this pool will allow him to avoid that kind of pain.

And so, the two waited quietly in the pool, waiting for Lin Mo to take the initiative to avoid the pain of the toxic water corroding his body.

One day, two days, three days...

For six days in a row, they couldn't even catch a glimpse of Lin Mo.

Chen Guan was getting restless, his eyes fixed on the location of the cave, but he still couldn't see anyone.

"Isn't this kid... a little too patient?"

"But if the residual Yin-flowing bone-corroding water is eroded for more than ten days, even the spiritual power in the dantian will be worn away, and the cultivation level will regress."

"Could he be planning to cripple his own cultivation in order to thwart the Abbot's scheme?"

Actually, that's not the worst part. What makes Chen Guan most uneasy is that when the one-month period is up, Lin Mo will be temporarily sent away once.

Then the abbot will lead him to water the Dragon Blood Tree, which will introduce many variables.

Given the abbot's methods, it's hard to say whether the person sent back will still be Lin Mo.

Finally, Chen Guan decided to have Guo Sheng invite Lin Mo over.

...

After immersing himself in cultivation for six days, Lin Mo's cultivation level increased slightly.

However, he is still in the middle stage of the Spirit Guiding Realm, and it will take quite some time before he can break through to the late stage of the Spirit Guiding Realm.

"When I first went up the mountain, I was worried that the inferior pills contained too much poison and impurities, so I simply gave away both bottles of Qi Transformation Pills."

"Looking back now, I was really too generous. Now that I've practiced the Blood Transporting Scripture, my blood and energy are incredibly abundant."

"The erysipelas that has accumulated in the internal organs should be able to be washed away."

It's too late to regret it now.

Just then, footsteps and low moans of pain came from deep within the cave.

Upon hearing this commotion, Lin Mo immediately ended his cultivation and gathered all his energy and blood back into his body.

Guo Sheng arrived, dragging his heavy steps and enduring the pain of the water mist corroding his body as he walked towards Lin Mo.

"Senior Brother Guo, stop! If you come any closer, don't blame me for being ruthless." Lin Mo pressed down with his hand, gripping a hard bluestone, ready to throw it at any moment.

The area was shrouded in mist, and Guo Sheng was still injured. He was confident that he could easily kill his opponent.

Soon, Guo Sheng stopped in his tracks.

"Wait... Junior Brother Lin, listen to me. I've come to invite you back to discuss cooperation."

"I know you have reservations about me, but there's nothing I can do about it. The Hall of Punishments has given me instructions, and if I don't comply, I'll face certain death."

"To survive, I have no choice but to..."

Hearing this, Lin Mo interrupted him coldly, saying, "I don't trust you and that Senior Brother Chen. Who knows what you two are plotting behind the scenes?"

Lin Mo's intuition told him that Chen Guan was dangerous, and the consequences would have been unimaginable if he had personally delivered the steamed buns to him that day.

On his spiritual path, there are still many things he doesn't understand.

For example, Guo Sheng's method of controlling insects is to feed insects with his own body, which is simply unheard of.

Other beast tamers or insect masters would keep their tamed spirit insects or spirit beasts in spirit pet bags and release them when they were about to fight.

Guo Sheng only needed to make a few cuts in his body, and a large number of spirit insects would fly out, making him practically a walking insect nest.

"Junior Brother Lin, you are a smart man. You must understand that without the help of the Punishment Hall, it would be impossible to deal with the Abbot on your own."

"I am willing to give you the Insect Master inheritance I have obtained, I only ask that you give me a chance and listen to the suggestion of that Senior Brother Chen."

The opponent's Mushishi lineage?

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo had to admit that he was indeed somewhat tempted.

If he could acquire more skills to control spirit insects, he would have more power to protect himself.

Moreover, to survive the abbot's clutches, the help of that punishment elder was indeed indispensable.

"Alright, but you have to give me that Insect Master inheritance first, and then I'll consider what you've said," Lin Mo said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Guo Sheng gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, no problem!"

He was forced into this situation; otherwise, he would never have been willing to hand over his insect master inheritance so easily.

He could still distinguish between what was important and what was not.

Soon, Guo Sheng sat down with a thud, then took off his shoes and took out a metal piece two fingers wide and one finger long from the lining of the sole.

"The Mushishi's legacy is right here. You just need to use your spiritual power to activate the contents engraved inside."

So it was a method similar to a jade slip. Lin Mo didn't rush to reach out, but instead chuckled:

"Senior Brother Guo, I am a fool and have never seen the world. Please demonstrate for me."

Who knows if this might be some kind of hidden weapon? Out of caution, Lin Mo decided to let the other party try it.

Guo Sheng was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "Junior Brother Lin is really too cautious."

After saying that, he immediately used his spiritual power to activate the metal piece.

A faint glimmer of light appeared, and soon, a torrent of fine characters flooded into Guo Sheng's mind.

After a long while, Guo Sheng finally opened his eyes again and asked, "How is it, Junior Brother Lin, is everything alright?"

"Well then, thank you very much for the gift, Senior Brother Guo."

With that, Lin Mo smiled and accepted the metal piece handed to him. A rare insect master's inheritance had thus fallen into his hands.

"So... what's your decision?" Guo Sheng was a little unaccustomed to Lin Mo's sudden enthusiasm. He clearly remembered how chilling and menacing the killing intent on Lin Mo's face had been just a few days ago.

Thinking back on it now, I still can't help but shudder.

"No problem, Senior Brother Guo, please lead the way. I'll go and meet Senior Brother Chen Guan now."

...