Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Cultivating Gu with Life

“Tsss…!”

The Moonlight Gu, which had been sleeping, reacted slightly when the essence blood dripped onto it.

Its essence blood was being absorbed at a speed visible to the naked eye and then merged into its body.

This drop of essence blood contained Zheng Yi’s life, aura, inner strength, and the secret techniques recorded in the “Dongyun Spirit Insect Blood Sacrifice Technique,” all of which were absorbed by the Moonlight Gu.

Under Zheng Yi’s surprised gaze, the Moonlight Gu suddenly began to squirm, its tiny head slightly raised, as if sniffing Zheng Yi.

A faint thread slowly appeared on the Moonlight Gu, like a ribbon tied around it, looking very cute.

“What is going on here?”

“According to the Baiyue Race High Priest’s secret technique for refining Gu insects, the Moonlight Gu should be as white as jade once successfully refined. Why does mine have a red thread?”

“Is this the reason for the Immortal Secret Technique?”

“Essence blood?”

Zheng Yi guessed something and mentally contacted the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.

[Life Master: Zheng Yi]

[Talent: Yin and Yang]

[Lifespan: 24/132]

[Cultivation Technique: “White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill” First Layer (100/100)]

[“Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber” Third Layer (10000/10000)]

[Overall Strength: First Grade]

It decreased!

Lifespan, decreased by one year!

Previously, his lifespan was 133 years.

And after using this drop of essence blood to cultivate the Moonlight Gu, his lifespan decreased by 1 point, becoming 132 years!

“In other words, every time I consume a drop of essence blood to cultivate the Moonlight Gu, I lose one year of lifespan.”

“This blood sacrifice method is too cruel, even for a cultivator, there’s not that much lifespan to waste.”

Zheng Yi took a cold breath and said, “But I’m different, as long as there are enough virgins, I can perform unlimited blood sacrifices on the Gu insects!”

With a thought, he forced another drop of essence blood.

This time, the Moonlight Gu was even more excited, actually rolling in the blood and quickly absorbing the essence blood.

On its originally white body, another blood-red thread appeared.

“Two threads… its body is so small, it feels like… about twenty drops of blood could stain its entire body red?”

“I wonder what effect will occur once its entire body turns red?”

Zheng Yi’s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he dropped another drop of essence blood onto the Moonlight Gu.

This time was different; after absorbing most of the drop, the Moonlight Gu actually stopped.

Its small head suddenly drooped down, falling into slumber.

“Did it… eat its fill?”

Zheng Yi speculated, glancing at his lifespan, now at 130, and slowly shook his head.

“To cultivate a single Moonlight Gu, I have to spend more than twenty years of lifespan. I wonder what kind of result it will yield?”

“But I have plenty of lifespan to expend as I please!”

“Seems like I need to increase my lifespan further to continue the blood sacrifice on the Moonlight Gu.”

After thinking it over, Zheng Yi immediately said, “Cheng’en, go to Xianfu Palace.”

“Your Majesty is going to Xianfu Palace~!”

Soon, Zheng Yi arrived at Xianfu Palace.

The visibly pregnant Xu Qingluan hurried to greet him.

“Your Concubine welcomes Your Majesty!”

“Rise, my beloved consort!”

Zheng Yi helped Xu Qingluan up, holding her little hand as they walked into the palace.

“Your Majesty~”

Xu Qingluan said softly, “My… my body is unwell and not suitable for serving Your Majesty. Why not let Noble Lady Zhen from Cuiping Hall attend to you?”

“No need.”

Zheng Yi pinched her small chin and said, “I came here to rest today, and besides, Chuxiu Palace is not nearby, so let’s not disturb others.”

“Understood~”

Cuiping Hall is located within Chuxiu Palace.

Bi He, as Consort Bi, is the master of a palace.

And Li Lizhen resides within Cuiping Hall.

According to ancestral rules, only concubines, consorts, or higher rank concubines can be masters of a palace.

The rest of the harem, including Noble Ladies, Ladies, Beauties, Concubine Candidates, etc., can only live together.

After chatting for a while, Zheng Yi embraced Xu Qingluan onto the bed.

After a while, Xu Qingluan blushed and said, “Your Majesty, why not let Jian Yu in, she also…”

Zheng Yi’s mind conjured the image of Jian Yu, Xu Qingluan’s personal maid, equally valiant and with an equally sharp gaze.

Her ten plus years of sword training brought a unique aura that was completely different from ordinary palace maids.

“No, I can hold on,”

Zheng Yi embraced her and said, “I just want to hold you.”

“Well, let me help Your Majesty.”

“Mmm~”

After a long while, Zheng Yi exhaled a long breath and said, “Luan’er, how do you feel about managing the six palaces?”

Xu Qingluan, after washing up again, blushingly said, “Your Majesty’s harem doesn’t have many consorts. Though managing it is tedious, it’s still manageable.”

“Good, well done.”

Zheng Yi nodded and said, “You are heavily pregnant, in another three to four months, you will give birth. Major decisions should be made by you, but let Jian Yu and the others handle the minor affairs.”

“Understood~”

Xu Qingluan said gracefully, “By the way, Your Majesty, the current priority after taking over harem affairs is selecting a consort for Your Majesty~”

“Is there anyone Your Majesty fancies?”

Zheng Yi moved his large hand and directly said, “I think Jian Yu is quite good.”

“Your Majesty~”

Xu Qingluan eyed him with a side glance and said, “Jian Yu is my personal maid. If you take Jian Yu away, how will I manage?”

“I just mentioned having Jian Yu to accompany you, and you refused.”

Zheng Yi smiled and said, “Today, I belong to Luan’er, how could I touch another woman?”

“Even if it’s Jian Yu, I won’t!”

Xu Qingluan’s beautiful eyes moved: “Your Majesty, Jian Yu and I grew up together, we’re like sisters. If you’re really going to take her into the harem, I hope you don’t disappoint her.”

“Rest assured, Luan’er, I believe any woman you train will be just as smart and understanding as you.”

Zheng Yi said, “In that case, I’ll ennoble her as a Noble Lady and have her enter the palace with the others during the selection period!”

Xu Qingluan said with surprise and joy: “I thank Your Majesty on behalf of Jian Yu!”

In the Great Yu Palace System, the master of the harem is the Empress, followed by the Imperial Noble Consort, four Consorts (Noble Consort, Consort Shuu, Consort De, Virtuous Consort), ordinary consorts, concubines, noble ladies, beauties, ladies, and concubine candidates of various ranks.

Ordinary concubine candidates entering the palace are just that: ordinary candidates. Only through the Emperor’s favor or achieving great merit can they advance in rank.

Jian Yu, as a palace maid, being promoted directly to Noble Lady, just below the rank of a concubine, can be considered a meteoric rise.

Over the following days, Zheng Yi kept a close eye on the blood sacrifice progress of the Moonlight Gu.

Five days later, it finally awoke.

Zheng Yi continued the blood sacrifice, during which it absorbed a total of five drops of essence blood before falling back to sleep.

Almost four-fifths of its body had turned blood-red, with only a spot on its head remaining moon white.

It seems that with each sleep period and the varying amounts of essence blood absorbed, the Moonlight Gu is growing rapidly.

After the next round of sacrifice, its entire body might turn red.

On this day, Shen Xing bid farewell to Zheng Yi, taking with him the elite of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and several Gold and Silver Medal Tributors from the Sacrificial Institute, heading to Nanyue County to search for the mysterious individual.

And a few days later, Zhan Ming, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Industry, unexpectedly brought him a pleasant surprise!

Research on gunpowder and bombs had made a breakthrough!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep