Wild Dogs

Yang Fan immediately examined the severed arm bone to see if there was anything else hidden inside.

After looking around, he found that there was nothing hidden inside the arm bone.

Just as Yang Fan was feeling disappointed, he was shocked to discover that his arm bone was engraved with lines of tiny characters.

Seeing this, Yang Fan immediately became interested.

He hurriedly looked at the tiny characters, trying to decipher what was written on them.

It took him a while to see clearly.

These tiny characters clearly record a method for making a type of Gu worm.

"Interesting. So there's a method for making Gu worms here."

Yang Fan was overjoyed.

He had already obtained the insect eggs, and if he could hatch these Gu worms, it would indeed be a great thing.

Thinking of this, Yang Fan carefully opened the porcelain bottle, glanced at the insect eggs inside, and became even more excited.

The insect eggs were left in the small cauldron for a while and were not damaged; on the contrary, they showed signs of hatching.

Upon seeing this, Yang Fan was overjoyed.

He put the golden arm bone and the porcelain bottle containing the insect eggs back into the small cauldron and hurried back to his cave.

He needed to find a safe place to store it as soon as possible.

Halfway there, he suddenly stopped, and his excitement gradually faded.

He frowned and paced back and forth.

No, we can't put it in the cave.

The cave seemed safer than other places, but Yang Fan knew that Xue Ming had a way to enter his cave.

If Xue Ming discovers the items left in the cave, he'll be in deep trouble.

After pondering for a while, Yang Fan clenched his fist slightly.

It seems I need to find another place to store it.

Yang Fan circled around Corpse Puppet Peak several times, trying to find a safe place.

After searching around, he found an abandoned cave on a nearby mountain peak.

Seeing the overgrown weeds outside the cave, Yang Fan knew that there probably weren't many people here.

He cautiously entered the cave.

The cave was much larger than he had imagined, and there were several branching paths inside.

Yang Fan walked around a fork in the road and chased away all the snakes, insects, and rodents inside.

He carefully dug a deep pit there.

Then they carefully buried the insect eggs from the porcelain bottle here.

It's not safe to carry these insect eggs around, so let's hide them here first.

If you have the chance, come here to hatch the Gu worm eggs.

After doing all this, Yang Fan carefully withdrew from the cave.

After looking around and finding no one, Yang Fan headed towards Corpse Puppet Peak.

Back in his cave, looking at the corpse puppet, Yang Fan couldn't help but sigh.

He handed over all the human skin and other valuable items he had obtained to the Corpse Puppet.

The corpse puppet took the item and, without Yang Fan's instructions, left the cave to find Xue Ming.

Having such a puppet around is indeed very troublesome.

While the puppet went to deliver something to Xue Ming, Yang Fan hurriedly opened the small cauldron.

He wanted to see what the writing inside the golden arm bone actually contained.

When he took out the golden arm bone, he was overjoyed.

The text that was previously engraved in the arm bone is now all visible on the outside of the arm bone, and the content is more detailed.

Seeing this, Yang Fan smiled with satisfaction.

This little cauldron is indeed useful; even the characters engraved on the golden bones can be revealed.

Yang Fan happily picked up the arm bone and examined it carefully.

The Gu Scripture.

Upon seeing these two words, Yang Fan's heart stirred.

When he received this item from the old woman, he felt that it was something special.

Now it seems that what is engraved on the golden arm bone is indeed the method for refining Gu worms.

No wonder the old woman hid the insect eggs in her body; she was preparing to refine Gu worms.

However, due to various reasons, he died and his plans fell through, which benefited Yang Fan.

This is a valuable item; it absolutely must not be discovered by anyone else.

Yang Fan happily stroked the golden arm bone and immediately began to study it.

Half an hour later, he hurriedly put away the golden arm bone.

He then recalled the contents of the Gu Jing (a classic text on poisonous insects).

This Gu scripture records the methods for refining hundreds of types of Gu worms, including Gu worms that can control people's minds.

There are also poisonous Gu that kill invisibly.

However, these Gu worms are not what Yang Fan wants most right now.

Yang Fan was most looking forward to a type of Gu worm called the Mind-Capturing Gu.

Once successfully crafted, this Gu worm can control cultivators, turning them into living dead.

Besides controlling cultivators, this thing can also be used to control puppets.

It is far more powerful than ordinary puppet manipulation techniques.

This made Yang Fan's heart flutter. If he could master the Mind-Capturing Gu, he could turn the tables and take control.

Thinking of this, Yang Fan paced back and forth.

This puppet was a spy left by Xue Ming to monitor his every move.

If one can master the Mind-Controlling Gu, one can use the Gu worm to control this puppet.

This puppet is at the Foundation Establishment stage, but he hasn't reached that stage yet.

With a Foundation Establishment stage bodyguard like this, even escaping the Blood Fiend Sect would be safer.

After thinking for a long time, Yang Fan clenched his fist slightly. No matter what, he had to refine the Mind-Capturing Gu.

However, a lot of materials are needed to refine the Mind-Capturing Gu, and the previous Gu worms may not be useful.

After pacing back and forth a few times, Yang Fan made up his mind.

No matter what, we must find a way to go down the mountain and refine this Mind-Capturing Gu.

Fortunately, this Gu scripture details all the materials needed to refine the Mind-Capturing Gu.

There's no need for him to make wild guesses anymore.

After thinking it over, Yang Fan took a deep breath.

He pondered what excuse he could come up with to go down the mountain.

To be honest, he couldn't have come down the mountain without a valid reason.

Not to mention entering the nearby market town.

This left Yang Fan somewhat conflicted, unsure of what reason to give.

After a while, Yang Fan suddenly had an idea.

It might be difficult to approach Xue Ming from his side, but if we could persuade Xue Wang...

He would then have the opportunity to descend the mountain.

After much deliberation, Yang Fan decided to seize this opportunity.

Over the next few days, Yang Fan dutifully continued peeling skin in the skinning cave.

At the same time, he handed over all the good things he had obtained to Xue Ming.

Because Yang Fan behaved very honestly, Xue Ming was very satisfied with him and praised him several times.

Yang Fan could only nod obsequiously at Xue Ming's praise, not daring to say anything more.

Yang Fan knew that if he was too eager to go down the mountain, his intentions would definitely be noticed.

Therefore, he patiently waited for the right opportunity.

A few days later, the time he had been waiting for finally arrived.

Early that morning, Xue Wang summoned him and several of his disciples.

"I have a few tasks for you to do. You can choose whichever you like."

As he spoke, Xue Wang took a sip of tea and began to give them instructions.

"For my first task, I need some medicinal herbs. Can any of you go into the mountains and gather some for me?"

The skinning task for the next few days can be cancelled, but you must gather the medicinal herbs I need within three days.

"The second task is to go to the Pill Hall to help me refine medicinal herbs, but you have to be careful."

"Never let yourself be turned into an elixir."

"The third task is to go down the mountain and help me purchase supplies. I will give you spirit stones in return."

"But be careful after you come down the mountain, and don't let anything go wrong."

"If anyone brings in something that is short in weight or of inferior quality, don't blame me for being impolite."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fan's eyes lit up; he knew this was a good opportunity to go down the mountain.

Seeing this, Yang Fan stepped forward.

"This disciple is willing to go down the mountain to purchase things for the elder."

Upon hearing this, Xue Wang glanced at him and nodded.

"You're suitable, but since you're a member of Xue Ming's group, you'll need his permission to leave the mountain."

"Here's what we'll do. I'll give you the task first. Go ask Xue Ming. If he agrees to let you go down the mountain, then go and come back as soon as possible."

"We must finish shopping today and get back to the mountain."

After speaking, Xue Wang waved his hand and handed Yang Fan some spirit stones and a purchasing list.

He was then allowed to leave.

Yang Fan nodded hurriedly, but with the spirit stones and the list in his heart, he dared not go down the mountain directly.

Instead, they went to find Xue Ming first.

After Yang Fan explained his purpose, Xue Ming glanced at him and looked at him with a half-smile.

"Oh, so Xue Wang wants you to go down the mountain?"

"Yes, this disciple has no choice but to do things for Elder Xuewang."

Yang Fan said, forcing himself to speak.

Upon hearing this, Xue Ming nodded.

"That's true, you can't fight city hall. Xue Wang made you come down the mountain, and you couldn't refuse."

"Alright, then you can go down the mountain obediently."

"Yes, Master."

Yang Fan hurriedly bowed and carefully took a few steps back outside.

However, seeing that Yang Fan was really about to leave, Xue Ming waved his hand.

"Wait a minute."

Yang Fan's heart skipped a beat, but he dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction.

He immediately stepped forward respectfully.

"What are your instructions, Master?"

"It's nothing, it's just that it's too dangerous for you to go down the mountain alone, so I brought the puppet with me to protect you."

"With the puppet around, no one will dare to lay a hand on you."

As Xue Ming spoke, a hint of mockery appeared in his eyes.

"We are close to the Blood Path Sect, and most of the sects in the vicinity have illegitimate origins."

"If you go to the market, be careful not to get caught and turned into a corpse puppet; that would be terrible."

Yang Fan cursed inwardly, thinking that the old man didn't care about his safety at all, he was just afraid that he would run away.

He already had the idea of ​​escaping, and if Xue Ming didn't have a backup plan, he would definitely find a way to leave.

"Yes, Master, this disciple will definitely bring the corpse puppet."

Yang Fan hurriedly said, and Xue Ming nodded.

When Yang Fan reached the exit of the Blood Nether Cave, Blood Nether suddenly spoke to him in a low voice.

"Kid, don't try any tricks. Let me tell you, even if you try to escape, I'll find you."

Don't think I can't do anything to you.

Xue Ming's voice came over in a low voice, and Yang Fan's heart started pounding.

What exactly does this old guy mean?

Yang Fan dared not think too much about it, and just smiled bitterly, bowing his head and bowing to Xue Ming again.

"Master, you flatter me. How could I dare disobey your orders?"

"You'd better not dare."

After Xue Ming finished speaking, he waved his hand, signaling Yang Fan to step down.

Yang Fan didn't dare to hesitate and hurriedly left Xue Ming's cave.

A cold wind blew, and Yang Fan felt a cold sweat on his back.

Although he hadn't been in the Blood Nether Cave for long, he was indeed quite nervous.

More importantly, Xue Ming's last few words greatly annoyed him.

What did Xue Ming mean by that?

Even if he escapes, he can still find him.

Could it be that Xue Ming tampered with him?

Yang Fan was startled and hurriedly searched himself thoroughly.

But after searching high and low, he found nothing and could only hurriedly wake Zhou Peng up.

He then recounted the entire incident.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Peng's expression became noticeably serious.

"So? Do you think there's something fishy going on?"

Zhou Peng nodded.

"There is something strange about this. Since he said that, there's a high chance he left some kind of mark on you."

"Once you get too far away from the Blood Fiend Sect, he can find you using the marker."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fan felt an urge to rush in and beat Xue Ming up.

He was then somewhat discouraged, having exhausted all his strength to find the Blood Spirit Technique.

Just when he was about to get rid of the bloodstains on his body, Xue Ming left a mark on him.

That's absolutely outrageous.

Thinking of this, Yang Fan clenched his fists. Could it be that he was really going to fall victim to Xue Ming's poisonous hand?

Just then, Zhou Peng lowered his voice and said to Yang Fan.

"This old guy is so interested in you, it seems you're hiding a big secret that's really intriguing him."

"A big secret?"

Yang Fan scratched his head.

"How come I didn't know? What did you figure out?"

Zhou Peng shook his head.

"I don't know either, but as I see it, he's probably very interested in your body."

What?

Upon hearing this, Yang Fan felt a wave of disgust and took a few steps back.

Seeing this, Zhou Peng smiled.

"Kid, you don't need to worry so much. He's not after that kind of thing."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fan breathed a slight sigh of relief, but then he became nervous again.

If Xue Ming wasn't planning something like that, then things could be much more serious.

"In my opinion, there's a high chance that there's something strange about your physique, and he might want to use it to his advantage."

Zhou Peng looked Yang Fan up and down, then spoke again.

"By the way, if I remember correctly, there's something wrong with your spiritual root, isn't there? It seems to appear and disappear intermittently."

"Yes, my spiritual root does appear and disappear intermittently, and it is even worse than a useless spiritual root with five spiritual roots."

Yang Fan lowered his voice and said to Zhou Peng, "Only he knows the truth. If it weren't for that small cauldron..."

Under normal circumstances, he couldn't possibly cultivate this fast.

"That makes sense. It's most likely related to your spiritual roots and physique."

"Anyway, the Blood Path Sect likes to do these kinds of things, so you have to be careful."

"Who knows, he might use you to refine pills and medicines one day."

Hearing Zhou Peng's words, Yang Fan grinned.

"Surely not? I know the Pill Hall uses people to refine pills, but this old guy is from Corpse King Peak."

"I should be more skilled at crafting corpse puppets."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Peng raised an eyebrow.

"That means we'll use you to create a corpse puppet. Perhaps your physique is more suited to creating powerful puppets."

"I don't know, but you still have to be careful."

Upon hearing this, Yang Fan clenched his fist and then relaxed it. After a long while, he sighed helplessly.

He then headed towards his cave dwelling.

Until he figured out what Xue Ming was after, Yang Fan could only lie low for the time being.

However, this trip down the mountain would allow him to take the opportunity to purchase the materials needed to refine the Mind-Capturing Gu.

That's a good thing. If one can refine the Mind-Controlling Gu, perhaps one can control the puppets for one's own use.

"Oh, right, kid, go down there and buy some more medicinal herbs."

"Although the medicinal herbs you gathered in the Blood Cave are enough to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, just to be on the safe side, prepare a few more types."

"I'll tell you what to buy then, once you reach the tenth level of the Qi Refining stage."

"I will help you refine pills to help you break through to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Upon hearing that he might be able to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, Yang Fan instantly became excited, clenched his fists, and nodded repeatedly.

If he could advance to the Foundation Establishment stage, he would no longer be helpless.

"Now that you've secured the opportunity to descend the mountain, you should prepare as soon as possible and head down now."

"However, purchasing those materials requires quite a few spirit stones; I wonder if we'll have enough..."

Yang Fan nodded.

During his time in the skinning den, he secretly hoarded many good things.

If we go to the market down the mountain and resell those items, we should be able to get quite a few spirit stones.