The process of Gu Refining is quite straightforward. First, gather all the required spirit insects for the Gu recipe and place them into the Gu pot. Starve them for a period, forcing them to consume each other. After some time, they will transform into Gu.
If the insect species are non-combative, additional methods are needed to stimulate aggression, though these methods are currently beyond his comprehension.
The time required for spirit insects to consume each other varies. Some require 49 days, others 81 days, and more potent Gu species may even need up to three years. There is no fixed duration.
The challenge in Gu Refining lies not in its duration but in its failure rate. Some Gu recipes succeed only once in ten attempts, while others succeed once in a thousand. Unlucky practitioners may fail to create Gu even after ten thousand attempts.
A failed Gu Refining means all materials are lost, and all invested resources go to waste.
Long Xuan had no knowledge of the success rate for his Gu recipe. He prepared ten sets of materials and ten Gu pots, intending to refine Gu simultaneously.
Many Gu cultivators adopt this approach, casting a wide net to save time and potentially catch a valuable Gu.
Even if the Gu is too plentiful, it's not a concern. Extra Gu worms can be sold for profit, ensuring no financial loss.
It's worth noting that Gu worms cannibalize each other, limiting each cultivator to only one of each kind. If too many are refined, they must be traded quickly.
However, Long Xuan soon found his preparations redundant as he discovered another function of his "golden finger."
During Gu Refining, the Gu pot displays progress. When it reaches 100%, the Gu is successfully created.
This raised a question: if a spirit worm in a Gu pot is destined not to become Gu, will it still show progress?
Does a Gu pot showing progress always lead to success, and does one showing no progress inevitably fail?
Could he open a Gu pot with no progress immediately and attempt Gu Refining again until progress is visible?
Long Xuan's head was spinning with these thoughts.
Could his Gu Refining success rate be 100%, eliminating the gamble faced by other cultivators and removing concerns about wasting materials?
He felt emboldened to attempt even the most challenging Gu recipes, with success rates as low as one in ten thousand.
Long Xuan's breathing quickened; the power of this "golden finger" was truly extraordinary.
Time flew, and after 49 days, Long Xuan's ten Gu pots finally showed signs of progress.
As expected, once a number appeared on the Gu pot, success was assured, culminating in the Gu worm breaking out on reaching 100%.
Long Xuan widened his eyes in excitement, witnessing the emergence of ten red cockroaches from the Gu pots.
Indeed, all ten Gu pots yielded Gu without any material wastage, achieving a 100% success rate.
This was beyond anyone's imagination.
Excitedly, Long Xuan approached, carefully retrieved the Gu jars, and separated the ten worms.
Mindful of the taboo against Gu worm cannibalism, he ensured immediate separation.
Afterward, Long Xuan had time to inspect them closely.
He had already named this new Gu species Xiaoqiang Gu, which debuted in the world.
Long Xuan pricked his finger, completing a blood contract with Xiaoqiang Gu.
From that moment, while unable to communicate verbally, Long Xuan quickly grasped its abilities through their soul connection.
As expected, the Gu worm, composed of hundreds of cockroaches, possessed Xiaoqiang's resilience.
Of course, it wasn't invincible; using basic materials meant it still had vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, it could withstand conventional attacks from peers.
True immortality might require the finest spiritual insects.
Low-grade Xiaoqiang Gu made from common materials remained susceptible despite its resilience. Yet, among independent cultivators, resilience was highly valued.
Long Xuan was satisfied; he hadn't expected to create an indestructible body with the cheapest materials.
Pleased, he cradled Xiaoqiang Gu in his palm, admiring his debut creation.
In this world, Xiaoqiang Gu would be classified as a low-grade Gu worm, with categories ranging from low to top quality.
The top-quality Gu worm, the king of Gu, was every practitioner's dream, possessing unmatched allure.
However, refining a top-quality Gu worm was exceedingly difficult, achievable by only a few.
Long Xuan aspired to create a top-quality Gu recipe, though it wouldn't happen overnight.
The Gu worm's quality was determined by the main material in its recipe, the last insect standing after all others had battled.
The main material must be the strongest, ensuring successful Gu Refining.
Creating a top-quality Gu worm on the first attempt was unrealistic; success required practice and the finest materials.
Xiaoqiang Gu, though the weakest of low-grade Gu worms, offered practical resilience, more useful than many medium-grade counterparts.
Yet, Long Xuan faced an unexpected outcome: nine extra Xiaoqiang Gu due to a mishap during Gu Refining.
Deciding their fate posed a dilemma; discarding them wasn't an option.
Long Xuan opted to sell the surplus, as did other casual cultivators.
The market for unique Gu worms was substantial, with many cultivators crafting their recipes.
Due to their simplicity, low-grade Gu recipes required minimal materials, often two or fewer.
Casual cultivators used trial and error, creating numerous unique Gu recipes.
While generally weaker due to material constraints, crafting a top-grade Gu recipe was beyond most.
Long Xuan could reveal his ability to create unique Gu worms but concealed his potential for top-grade Gu recipes.
Selling Xiaoqiang Gu at markets posed no risk, despite concerns over their use against him.
Their temporary nature as low-grade Gu worms didn't trouble him; his true choice was the water bear, renowned for immortality.
Compared to cockroaches, water bears were vastly superior, surviving extreme conditions and even space.
Long Xuan's ambition grew as he planned a Gu recipe for water bears, anticipating vast microorganism resources.
Microorganisms remained undiscovered in this world, a treasure trove awaiting exploration.
Gu insects were categorized into internal and external, further divided into natural, strengthening, animal, plant, pupil, dark, magic, special, and production systems.
Long Xuan envisioned founding a new microorganism school, advancing Gu cultivation.
Filled with ambition, he prepared for the future.