In the blink of an eye, half a year passed.

During this half-year, apart from daily bouts of love with Tan Qingxue and cultivating Yin Yang Demonic Qi, Li An also frequently visited the Spirit Pharmacy to purchase some Stimulating Essence Pills and took them regularly.

As Gu Hong had said, the pill poison contained in the Stimulating Essence Pills was indeed more potent than in regular pills. Over six months, it had accumulated quite a bit.

However, with the enhancement from the Yin Yang Demon Furnace Skill and the Stimulating Essence Pills, Li An's cultivation swiftly reached Qi Refining Fourth Layer Perfection, almost ready to break through to Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

This is the benefit of drug use and the furnace!

A thousand miles in a day.

But this state could not last because after a period, the Stimulating Essence Pills would lose their effectiveness.

In the initial significant boost, the subsequent effects of the furnace would gradually decrease, maintaining a slower growth rate.

That night, taking advantage of her period, Tan Qingxue finally got a chance to catch her breath. After dinner, she hurriedly pushed Li An out of the room.

There was no helping it. Li An, after cultivating Iron Tree Skill, was already far stronger than ordinary people, and unknown skills in the bedroom arts, of varying methods and sizes, were quite overwhelming to her…

Returning to his room, in the quiet of the night, Li An began running the Yin Yang Furnace and Cauldron Skill.

Now the Yin Yang Demonic Qi within him had accumulated quite a bit, though not enough to transform his entire body's appearance, it was sufficient to change his face and some features.

The most important thing was, with this part of the Yin Yang Demonic Qi, he could control Gu Hong's life and death—

Gu Hong's body also contained Yin Yang Demonic Qi. If encountered by a cultivator who had adeptly mastered the Yin Yang Demon Furnace Skill, she could directly be turned into a furnace.

But Li An was not interested in this.

From his past life, he saw women or furnaces indifferently, neither actively pursuing nor rejecting, going with the flow without forcing anything.

Because when feelings stir, they would jeopardize the Strong Will of the Great Dao!

Opening the spatial ring, Li An entered it.

"Li Daoist, long time no see."

Gu Hong was quite happy to see Li An enter.

Though she had been confined in the spatial ring this half year, she didn't feel bored. Apart from cultivation day and night, Li An often came in to talk with her and periodically brought her some roses, roses, and other plants.

She became more acquainted with Li An.

"Gu Daoist, today I bring you good news."

Li An smiled, took out a box, opened it, and said, "Ten Clearing Qi Pills."

Seeing this, Gu Hong was instantly overjoyed, her heart bursting with delight!

"Thank you, Daoist, thank you!"

Gu Hong quickly got up, took the Clearing Qi Pills, her hands trembling slightly.

Over this half-year, her cultivation had been gradually recovering and had reached Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

But the Yin Yang Demonic Qi within her, she had no means to address, it remained.

Now obtaining ten Clearing Qi Pills, she saw hope for cleansing.

To clear the Yin Yang Demonic Qi meant true liberation.

"Daoist, please take the pills, and I will protect you."

Li An spoke.

Upon hearing this, Gu Hong nodded immediately. She sat cross-legged on the jade bed, swallowed a Clearing Qi Pill, and began to meditate.

Time flew by, and three hours later, Gu Hong finally opened her eyes.

"How is it?"

Li An asked expectantly.

Gu Hong nodded: "The effect is excellent, I estimate in just one month, the demonic qi within me can be completely cleansed."

"Thank you, Li Daoist!"

Her eyes were full of gratitude.

"No need to thank me!"

Li An smiled, "Gu Daoist, I should also try to reach Qi Refining Fifth Layer now."

Saying this, he took out a Spirit Awakening Pill.

"Li Daoist, you're still using Stimulating Essence Pills?"

Gu Hong frowned slightly.

Li An's cultivation couldn't have improved so quickly.

Stimulating Essence Pills were the only possibility.

"Yes, now that I'm under the scrutiny of the Demon Dao, to improve cultivation, I have no other choice…"

Li An spoke helplessly. With that, he sat down and took a Spirit Awakening Pill, starting to break through!

Gu Hong watched over him beside.

Half an hour later.

"Poof—"

Li An's body trembled, suddenly spitting out a mouthful of dark blood, his face as pale as paper, he fell back, fainting.

"Li Daoist!"

Gu Hong was shocked, hurriedly went up and helped Li An, taking a look, she was alarmed to the core.

"The accumulation of pill poison, triggered during breakthrough, not only failed the breakthrough but endangered his life…"

Her face changed three times.

She was a First Grade Alchemist, well-acquainted with pills, understanding deeply that Li An was now on the brink of death. If not timely rescued, he would die on the spot.

But now, without a pill furnace or materials nearby, even if she wanted to refine a Poison Transformation Pill for Li An, it was impossible.

"To save him, only…"

Gu Hong's face was full of hesitation.

Only she herself could act as a catalyst to share part of the poison for Li An.

Li An could then turn danger into safety.

Thinking back over the past six months and all the interactions with Li An, they flooded through her heart…

"Forget it, Li An Daoist has treated me sincerely, if it weren't for him, how could I see the light of day again? Now, just a withered flower and faded willow, why worry about this remnant body? I'll first draw out the poison for him, then look for ways to find Poison Transformation Pills later for both to cleanse."

As soon as this thought arose, she placed her delicate jade hand on Li An's lower abdomen, pushing her spiritual power, and kissed him gently on the lips.

To draw poison via the body didn't require dual cultivation; this would suffice.

...

Some time later.

Li An slowly woke, his face pale, eyes somewhat bewildered, "I… what happened to me?"

Gu Hong sat calmly at the side, as if nothing had happened, saying, "Li Daoist, just now the pill poison acted up, causing a failed breakthrough."

Li An's eyes were filled with terror, "It actually… happened!"

"For now, you cannot attempt another breakthrough. You must first find a Poison Transformation Pill to dissolve the toxins within, otherwise, it is perilous."

Gu Hong advised.

Li An nodded, suddenly looking puzzled, "Gu Daoist, when the pill poison acted up within me, I was surely dead, you..."

"No need to say more."

Gu Hong was very composed and smiled, "Rest assured, Li Daoist, I did nothing to you, you are still intact."

She was quite carefree.

Li An gratefully got up, "Thank you, Gu Daoist. Great kindness need not be spoken. Li An remembers it in his heart."

"Tomorrow, I will go search for a Poison Transformation Pill and bring it to you."

...

Returning to his room.

Li An's heart was at ease.

In truth, he had deliberately taken the Stimulating Essence Pill, allowing the accumulation of pill poison, waiting for this day.

He was testing.

From two lifetimes of experience, Li An deeply understood that people's hearts are unfathomable. So even after six months together, he was still uneasy, making this move.

If when the pill poison acted up, the other party had malicious intent, or ignored it…

Then Li An would never let her leave alive!

Although Gu Hong's cultivation was now slightly higher than Li An's, Li An had practiced the Yin Yang Demon Furnace Skill for half a year, and could at any time control the Yin Yang Demonic Qi in her body, turning her into a demonic slave.

But Gu Hong's actions were enough to prove that he had not misjudged her.

"Once the Yin Yang Demonic Qi in Gu Hong's body is cleared, it's time to let her go…"

Li An whispered.

Keeping Gu Hong in the spatial ring long-term was not ideal, as the other party would inevitably become suspicious.

Moreover, a spatial spiritual artifact of this type, like a spatial ring, had a very short lifespan.

A spatial ring would cease to function after at most three years.

"Looks like I need to speed up the cultivation of the Yin Yang Demon Furnace Skill, to accumulate some more demonic qi, to truly master the Shifting Skill!"

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but wish for Tan Qingxue's period to end soon…

This thought flickered by, as he calmed his mind, pulling out talisman paper and pen.

Currently, his success rate for Upper Grade Level One Talismans had increased significantly, reaching about five percent.

There was still some way to go to the ten percent passing mark.

This was mainly due to his low realm; in fact, producing Upper Grade Level One Talismans at Qi Refining Fourth Layer was a pipe dream for other Talisman Masters.

...

Two months later.

On this day, Li An set out in plain clothes.

Running the Super Sensing Skill to its fullest, ensuring no one followed, he found a secluded place, activated the Shifting Skill, quickly altering his face from youthful and delicate to a coarse-skinned, plump-faced butcher-like man.

His belly also bulged, giving the appearance of being pot-bellied.

He changed clothes, and with the Life Seed altered his life aura, now even facing Tan Qingxue, who he met night after night, she certainly wouldn't recognize him.

Then, he went to a black-market trading area, much like before, where small groups of four or five people transacted privately. Li An casually sold two Recovery Pills, trying to not draw attention from others.

After the trade dispersed, Li An turned and headed out of the market.

He intended to leave the market!

...

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