I am in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have a demonic beast clone!

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Two months later.

Deep within Jinji Ridge, in that hidden cave.

The soft light from the luminous pearl illuminated the simple stone chamber.

Traces of the excavation remain on the cave walls, the ground is uneven, and some debris is piled up in the corners.

But for Zhou Ding, who has hardly left his house for the past two months, this place is everything to him.

A figure sat cross-legged, his breathing steady and his complexion rosy.

After taking a large amount of pills, his condition has recovered.

The relentless refinement day and night for two months, the countless depletions of essence and blood, the countless exhaustion of magical power, and the countless times of excruciating pain in one's consciousness, finally came to an end at this moment.

Zhou Ding opened his eyes, a hint of fatigue flashing across them, but more so, excitement.

The exhaustion was deep in his bones; two months of torment had pushed his body and mind to their limits.

But that excitement burned like a flame in his heart, dispelling all his fatigue.

He stood up and stretched his stiff body.

The bones made a slight "crackling" sound, and the muscles were extremely sore.

I haven't moved much in two months, and my body is starting to rust.

Then, he looked across at the other side.

Qu Hun stood there quietly, his eyes slightly lowered, like a statue.

His body was covered in dust, and his hair was a mess, but his eyes already shone with light.

His aura was completely different from two months ago. Although it was still at the fifth level of Qi Refining, the aura was weak but real, proving that the body had "come back to life".

Successful.

Zhou Ding's face showed satisfaction.

The creation of this avatar went very smoothly.

Although the process was painful and extremely costly, the result was satisfactory.

The separated divine consciousness has completely merged with this physical body, forming a complete meridian circulation, simulating a structure similar to a spiritual root, and the divine soul imprint has been deeply imprinted.

From this moment on, this body is his other self.

He could sense everything within Zhou Jin's body—the direction of his meridians, the flow of his magical power, the rhythm of his heartbeat, and the frequency of his breathing.

The feeling was like having a completely new body, yet being in perfect harmony with and inseparable from the original body.

He could sense the faint but real life force within Zhou Jin's body, the slow operation of that divine consciousness source, and the gradual adaptation of that body to the new "soul".

Every heartbeat, every breath, was clearly transmitted to his mind.

As soon as he had a thought, Zhou Jin opened his eyes and looked at him.

Those eyes, which originally belonged to Qu Hun, were empty and lifeless.

That was the blank space left after the primordial spirit was extracted, like a walking corpse.

But now, there was a light in those eyes, a light that belonged to Zhou Ding.

Although the light was faint, it was real, proving that the body was no longer an empty shell, but had a "self".

Zhou Ding smiled slightly.

From now on, your name will be Zhou Jin.

He gave this avatar this name.

Xiao Jin is his spirit pet and also his alter ego, having accompanied him for many years.

This incarnation was also a part of him, so he chose this name as a way of commemorating him and also as a way of expressing his hopes.

Zhou Jin nodded.

Zhou Ding took out a pill and handed it to Zhou Jin.

It was a elixir for strengthening the body and nourishing the vital energy; it was crystal clear and emitted a rich medicinal fragrance.

Zhou Jin took it and put it in his mouth.

The pill entered his stomach and transformed into a warm medicinal power, nourishing his body.

The medicinal power spread throughout his body, permeating his meridians, flesh, and bones, making his newly "alive" body even more stable.

Zhou Ding nodded in satisfaction.

With his current resources, it won't be long before he can help Zhou Jin establish his foundation.

Once Zhou Jin reaches the late Foundation Establishment stage, he will use the Fiend Pill Technique to forcibly condense the Fiend Pill, achieving the strength of the early Core Formation stage.

An external avatar of a Core Formation stage cultivator...

A look of anticipation flashed in Zhou Ding's eyes.

An incarnation at the Core Formation stage can do so many things.

You can have your avatar stay in the cave while you go out to explore; you can have your avatar do dangerous things while you stay behind; you can have your avatar fight someone while you secretly intervene...

However, that's a matter for later.

Now, there is one more thing to do.

"Next, we should go find that golden-backed mantis."

Zhou Ding muttered to himself, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

In the original story, the golden-backed mantis was not far from Qu Hun's location.

When that Core Formation cultivator from the Spirit Control Sect perished, his primordial spirit hurriedly left with his natal magic treasure, hiding his spirit pet Black and his storage bag in a nearby cave.

Now that the Core Formation cultivator from the Spirit Control Sect is dead, the Golden-backed Demon Mantis, as his natal spirit beast, will inevitably be affected to some extent.

The breaking of the life contract will cause the spirit beast to suffer a backlash, which may result in damage to its cultivation or even injury to its soul.

Given that it has been neglected for so many years, its condition must be very poor.

This is a perfect opportunity to subdue it.

Zhou Ding's goal was naturally to subdue Xiao Jin using his Soul-Capturing Eyes.

If they can be subdued, they will be a great asset in the future.

Whether exploring hidden realms or facing powerful enemies, it can be of great use.

Moreover, the Golden-backed Demon Mantis is ranked 73rd on the list of extraordinary insects, and has great potential.

The List of Extraordinary Insects compiles extraordinary insects from all over the world; those that make it onto the list are no ordinary creatures.

The Golden-backed Mantis ranks seventy-third, which, while not top-tier, is still extremely rare.

Once mature, it can fight against Core Formation cultivators. If properly nurtured, it might become a powerful assistant like Little Gold.

Little Gold evolved from an ordinary treasure-hunting mouse, and has great potential.

The Golden-backed Demon Mantis is an extraordinary insect, and its potential is beyond question.

A look of anticipation flashed in Zhou Ding's eyes.

He released Xiao Jin, a thought forming in his mind.

Xiao Jin emerged from the corner, instantly disappearing underground and activating his Earth Listening Technique at full power.

An invisible wave emanated from Xiao Jin, spreading in all directions, penetrating rocks, soil, and all obstacles.

Every blade of grass, every tree, every insect, and every beast in the entire Golden Rooster Ridge was clearly presented in Zhou Ding's perception.

He could "see" the mountain stream, crystal clear, with fish swimming around.

You can "see" the squirrels inside the tree hole, munching on pine cones.

It can "see" the wild rabbits in the grass and prick up its ears to listen alertly to the sounds around it.

You can "see" the underground mineral veins, a thin spiritual vein winding through them.

You can "see" the texture of the rock, layer by layer, recording the traces of time.

Half a day later.

The Earth Listening Technique provided feedback.

Zhou Ding's eyes lit up.

found it!

……

After a while.

Deep in Jinji Ridge, above a dense forest.

Zhou Ding piloted the Divine Wind Boat, hovering in mid-air.

Below is a dense primeval forest, with ancient trees reaching for the sky and blocking out the sun.

Sunlight could only filter through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The air is filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, mixed with the aroma of earth, which is refreshing and invigorating.

Zhou Ding looked into the depths of the dense forest, his gaze piercing through layers of branches and leaves, landing on the entrance of a hidden cave.

The cave was located on a steep mountain wall, several tens of feet above the ground, and was completely hidden by dense vines.

You wouldn't notice it at all if you didn't look closely.

Inside the cave, a faint golden light shimmered—the light reflected from the carapace of the Golden-backed Demon Mantis.

Zhou Ding released his divine sense and silently probed into the cave.

A moment later, he withdrew his divine sense, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

The golden-backed mantis is inside.

His divine sense clearly "saw" its appearance.

It was a strange creature that inspired fear.

Its size is larger than usual