10. Middle Stage
The modest drizzle fails to affect Lo Jik’s concentration as he focuses his vision on his heart. He admits he was wrong. He believed that nurturing on his first aperture was the way to go. Yet, a more careful consideration in the past few days made him decide otherwise. The most significant advantage of promoting the aperture in his heart is its ability to hide. No aura leaks to alert others. Once he successfully breaks through into the Middle Stage, he will use the primeval essence from his heart to quicken his public breakthrough.
*Crash*
*Crash*
*Crash*
Massive jade-green tides crash into the light wall, letting wisps of his essence fuse with its surface. One might notice there’s no addition in his aperture. The Hope Gu continues to illuminate the Aperture, consuming the aura of rejection whenever Lo Jik absorbs essence from the stone, the glossy Black Boar Gu flies around aimlessly, and the Green Copper Relic Gu remains submerged.
The bronze-ranked achievement was no Gu worm. It was a scout’s diary.
*Crash*
*Crash*
The rewards are based on the other party. Mo Yan is Gu Yue Clan’s Gu Master and is the leader and the team’s scout, one of the best in the clan. She possesses several Gu Worms that enhance her senses and lets her scope out the situation. What he got this time was based on her specialization as a scout.
*Crash*
*Crash*
The diary penned the experience of a lone Gu Master who survived various tribulations in the wild, learning from his mistakes and jotting down different techniques for others’ benefit. It was insightful. Still, Lo Jik plans to destroy it after memorizing the contents since he doesn’t want any issues in his life. The journal also details several nuances of Gu Master’s vileness. For instance, there are Gu worms capable of marking other Gu to locate them. Large clans and families do that as insurance for their members’ lives and discover the offending party once they harm said Gu Master, looting the Gu from their corpse.
The information shocked Lo Jik. It was a remarkable section of the journal since it allowed Lo Jik to understand that lusting after another’s wealth may get him killed in peculiar circumstances.
*Crash*
*Crash*
Feeling something, Lo Jik slowly settles his Primeval sea and opens his eyes.
*Pitter*
*Pitter*
Lo Jik didn’t know when the gentle drizzle turned into rageful rain. As if waiting for him to open his eyes, his roof decides to fly away—
*Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter* *Pitter* *Patter*
Cold rain instantly drenches him and his house as he looks at the dark sky.
It’s night, and it has been raining for four days straight!
‘Fuck.’
Lo Jik sighs, accepting his fate.
<<<>>>
“—and the Yellow Poison Lily also is favorable to feed Stinky Eye Gu, Yellow Feet Gu, and Moist Mould Gu,” The Elder continues with a gloomy expression. One would assume the constantly yawning Lo Jik is an annoyance in the classroom, but it’s something else entirely.
While Lo Jik barely slept last night, forcing himself to attend the Academy and cultivate again after repairing his roof once the rain stopped, it took a toll on him today. He feels his eyes almost shut, and his short, dizzy spells since the Elder’s lecture are similar to a sweet lullaby for the current Jik.
“Hehe, Fang Yuan screwed up!” Lo Jik hears others snicker.
“Yeah. To think Fang Yuan would miss Elder’s class!”
“Even Lo Jik is here. Look at him. He’s clearly tired but knows what’s good for him and didn’t break the rules.”
Lo Jik yawns without bothering to cover his mouth as the Elder slaps his desk, shouting, “No more chattering!” Annoyed yet secretly delighted, the Elder commands, “Guards! Bring Fang Yuan this instant!”
‘You shouldn’t break the rules, Elder Brother,’ Fang Zheng sighs.
“Hmph,” The Elder snorts and continues the lecture while gleefully planning inside.
‘Fang Yuan and Lo Jik’s influence is too terrifying for other students. They didn’t even dare battle Fang Yuan in the combat exercise yesterday until he stepped down voluntarily. He insulted the combat instructor and ridiculed the prize for winning the sparring matches. Hmph, he’s a slimy one. But I have him now.’
The Elder thinks quietly.
‘How should I punish him? Hmm. I’ll make him stand outside for the next three hours. Other students will come and go, watching him stand there. Seeing Fang Yuan get punished will reduce his terror.’
Academy Elder’s gaze glints. ‘As for that scoundrel Lo Jik… no, I’ll let him be. He always has questions when I’m trying to guide the children to become productive in the clan. Hmph. I should take this chance and teach something useful now.’
Elder is correct in his deductions since Lo Jik doesn’t bother with the questions today. However, the Elder cannot get far on the topic when a soft knock interrupts the lecture.
“Hehe,” a boy snickers. “It must be Fang Yuan. I’ll open the door.”
He jogs to the exit, opening the door with a grin before he stares ahead in shock. His face pales, and a loud shriek escapes his throat!
“AAAAAAAAAGHHHHHH!” The boy falls on his butt as he whimpers and points towards the door. His shriek is loud enough to make Lo Jik snap out of his dream-like state as he cleans his eyes, too.
A pale hand drenched in blood reaches from the dim hallway, making others suck in a breath of cold air. The Elder’s frown tightens as a stony, quiet boy slowly steps in. There is weight in his steps, black locks hiding most of his blood-drenched face. His clothes stick to his thin frame, and his other hand pulls a bleeding guard through his hair.
The students yell in terror as Fang Yuan lets go of the bleeding guard without an arm.
Appalled, the Elder points at Fang Yuan, roaring, “What is the meaning of this, you deviant?! Answer me right now before I punish and expel you!”
Fang Yuan quietly looks at the classroom. His gloomy gaze strikes terror in everyone’s heart, including Lo Jik’s, who decides against viewing Fang Yuan as a teenager. The boy bathed in the guards’ blood cups his fist, speaking with rousing emotion.
“Please deliver justice, Elder! I was cultivating when these two traitors tried harming me. Cultivation is delicate, and interruptions can permanently injure the Gu Master. These two wanted to break my door and drag me out! They desired to disrupt my cultivation right when I was about to make a breakthrough. Fortunately, I managed to reach the middle stage. I suspect these guards are traitors from other villages and have malicious schemes against Gu Yue Clan’s future! You must do something, Elder!”
The entire class’ expression changes. Their heart shivers in fright, yet their brains jolt.
“Did I hear that right? He advanced?”
“How can that be?!”
“He must be lying!”
“Fang Yuan!” Academy Elder hisses. “Stop lying. I might go lenient if you admit your mistakes now.”
“Please confirm,” Fang Yuan straightens his back.
The Elder’s frown deepens further as he steps forward and puts a hand on Fang Yuan’s shoulder, sending his snow-white essence and inspecting Fang Yuan’s aperture.
“It’s true,” The Elder’s soft confirmation shocks the entire classroom as Lo Jik frowns. He quietly glances at the younger twin.
‘Fang Yuan advanced, but you couldn’t? Dude, work hard and focus on Shen Cui later. Aren’t I doing the same?’ Lo Jik feels speechless. How does an A-grade student lose out to a C-grade scrub in cultivation speed? Granted, Lo Jik is technically A-grade, too. But he only recently found the benefits of two Apertures.’
‘What?’ Fang Zheng’s eyes remain wide open. ‘How can that be possible? If only I could freely use the compensation from the Mo Family. No! Are you unfilial, Fang Zheng? Your Dad and Mom needed the resources to run the house. Didn’t they raise me until now?’
It’s true. Fang Zheng barely saw any of the Primeval stones from the compensation. His aunt-mother came to him and explained how they needed to use the sum for his father’s business.
He grits his teeth, feeling indignant.
Yet everyone has a similar question—How did Fang Yuan do that?
The Elder sighs.
He cannot fault Fang Yuan because he’s here with results. However, the Elder could not imagine a child having such a ruthless nature! Fang Yuan cut off one guard’s arm and another one’s leg!
The next few days see other students advance to the Middle Stage. First is Mo Bei, then Fang Zheng, and finally Chi Cheng. However, the Academy Elder focuses on Fang Yuan instead, sending his men to investigate Fang Yuan to understand how the youth surpassed Fang Zheng.
<<<>>>
“Gu Yue Fang Yuan!” The Elder calls Fang Yuan forward, presenting two pouches to the youth under every student’s envious gaze except Lo Jik. If Fang Yuan becomes the Class President, Lo Jik will have to think of a way to tackle him since he isn’t going to give up extorting the kids.
“This is the reward for being the earliest to advance in this batch,” The Elder smiles thinly, offering the hefty pouch. Fang Yuan quietly opens the cloth bag to inspect and count the money before nodding. However, he doesn’t reach out for the other bag.
“I’m afraid this student does not have the aptitude to be the Class President, Elder. I cannot accept that position.”
Fang Yuan steps down.
“You’re rejecting the title of Class President?” The Elder frowns. “You deserve this, Fang Yuan. The title is a great honor. It’s not something you should reject.’
“Is it mandatory to accept the role?” Fang Yuan calmly questions.
“Well,” Elder cannot use such words since it’s not a rule.
“I reject the position, Elder. I would like my usual stipend and the rewards from Gu Yue Lo Jik’s share.”
The Elder thins his lips and offers the noted amount before staring at the stunned classroom.
“Gu Yue Mo Bei,” The Elder calls, snapping the dazed Mo Bei from his thoughts as the boy quickly steps out. He straightens his back and pushes his chest out in pride once the Elder deposits the bag of ten stones into his hands. “Congratulations,” The Elder smiles. “You are this batch’s President.”
“Gu Yue Fang Zheng. Come forward. You are this batch’s Vice-President.”
“Gu Yue Chi Cheng. Step forward. You are this batch’s Vice-President.”
Since Lo Jik isn’t going to get his stipend, he quietly leaves the classroom. However, his new ‘Superiors’ notice it and follow him. Other quick-witted students eager to see some drama quickly leave the classroom, too.
Fang Zheng feels relieved. He worried for days about how he would have to lower his head and greet his Elder Brother. The thought frustrated him to no end. Yet Fate smiles at the sincere ones since his Elder Brother is so arrogant he won’t accept such honor! It’s no secret that Fang Yuan was only hours behind Mo Bei, so he tolerated the new result. Despite being his rival, Fang Zheng respects Mo Bei. The slightly short and muscular youth is determined and hard-working. He continuously challenged Lo Jik, fearless to injuries and willing to end the two demons’ rule of terror.
However, he keeps pace like Chi Cheng, refusing to step past Mo Bei since he doesn’t want to lower his head and greet the President.
The trio has a tacit understanding since they do not walk toward the exit but the ration house. Lo Jik always stops by the building to collect his free rations.
“There he is,” one of the students whispers. Anticipation flashes in their gazes as the trio of authoritative figures blocks Lo Jik’s path, who’s busy unraveling the package of his rations to eat while making his way towards the exit. He glances at them with an indifferent gaze yet a practiced and polite smile before walking past them.
The children gape as Mo Bei snaps, “Gu Yue Lo Jik! What do you think you’re doing— wait! I’m talking with you!”
Mo Bei quickly follows Lo Jik, hurling insults and demanding he stop! More students quickly follow the commotion, yet their steps falter when they reach the exit. Lo Jik continues forward with ease. His gaze falls on the quiet Fang Yuan blocking the way before he stands beside his dangerous partner.
“I never congratulated you on your advancement, Classmate Fang,” Lo Jik breaks the silence for one, offering a biscuit to the boy. Staring at his hand, Fang Yuan coolly accepts the offer before biting it whole, quietly munching while gloomily staring at the students.
“What are you doing, Elder Brother?” Fang Zheng’s lips quiver.
“One Primeval stone,” Fang Yuan replies calmly.
“Are you kicked in the head?” Mo Bei snarls. “Not only do you fail to show respect to your Superior, you openly extort us?”
“Mo Bei is right, Elder Brother!” Fang Zheng declares. “We are this batch’s President and Vice-Presidents!”
“Hmph! Step aside before you do something you regret!” Chi Cheng glares.
Fang Yuan narrows his eyes, “You’re right, Little Brother. You are Vice-President. Everyone else will pay one stone, the Vice-President will pay three, and the President will pay eight Primeval stones.”
The trio gapes as Mo Bei snarls, frustrated beyond belief!
Why did he cultivate and work hard? To see such a result? He refuses to fall under their thumb again!
“Prepare yourself!” He charges at Lo Jik. However, Fang Zheng and Chi Cheng hesitate to rush Fang Yuan. The sight of the youth dragging an unconscious guard covered in blood is still fresh. The other students’ ugly reactions signal they remember Fang Yuan’s stunt.
“Sigh,” a girl bitterly sighs when Lo Jik makes a quick work of Mo Bei. “Nothing changed.”
“I see,” one of the boys gasps. “Why would Fang Yuan want to become the President? He earns more by extorting us. They previously earned 55 Primeval stones. Now they will earn 66 stones!”
Fang Zheng and Chi Cheng stay rooted on the spot as the remaining students offer their share. One of the boys forced to search the unconscious students also volunteers to pick eight primeval stones out of Mo Bei’s pouch before helping him to the guards so they can take him to the healer.
<<<>>>
The Academy Elder watches everything with a gloomy expression.
‘I wanted Fang Yuan to become the President. It would have separated Fang Yuan from Lo Jik. Why would the Academy bother handing different rewards to different roles in the class if all of them return to their homes with two primeval stones?’ He thinks with disgust rising in his heart. He blinks. Why did he feel that way? How long has he been teaching other students?
He’s faced many students with a knack for delinquency! Yet none of them made the Elder feel this way. He treated them patiently and accepted their vices. After all, can’t the Academy Elder understand that students take longer to process their emotions? They can be angry at one thing and vent it on another. However, all the students respected the Clan’s and Academy’s rules.
There has never been a case in the Academy’s history where the student rejected the Presidency. What did that mean?
Fang Yuan refuses to fall under the Clan’s rules and regulations! He spat at the Clan’s and Academy’s dignity by refusing the role and responsibility of the President!
His thoughts turn darker as he recalls everything Fang Yuan did. Thinking about it—if Fang Yuan hadn’t started extorting others, Lo Jik would have never joined in!
A knock disrupts the Academy Elder’s thoughts as he scoffs, “What is it?”
“Clan Leader asked you to report in the Clan Pavilion, Lord Elder.”
‘Clan Leader?’ he blinks.
What happened?
<<<>>>
*Crash*
*Crash*
*Crash*
Jade-Green Primeval Tides crash against Lo Jik’s aperture wall. It’s a strange sensation. It’s difficult to describe in words, but Lo Jik feels oddly intuitive about his Aperture. A wave of confidence from unknown origin fills his heart, assuring him that today is the day he will advance if he pushes on. Like many things he experiences in the Gu world, this sensation is new, too.
The light wall flashes continuously as waves of Primeval sea crash and relentlessly nurture his Aperture. The more he commits to cultivation, the more intense that sensation and confidence grows.
It’s almost done.
Right there.
Lo Jik’s focus refuses to waver in such a delicate moment as one final wave causes his Aperture to react. The intense, flashing lights of the Aperture’s wall connect and fuse together. The previous thin surface of the wall slowly thickens. The flowing lights flow within the water, revealing a pale, milky glow.
A Water Wall!
The Initial Stage possesses a light wall, and the Middle Stage’s defining characteristic is the Water Wall!
Lo Jik controls and calms the turbulent sea as he notices almost 8% of his entire essence from both the Aperture remains. However, focusing on the empty space allows Lo Jik to detect a slightly darker variation of Primeval Essence regenerating.
A Gu Master begins their path with light walls and jade-green essence. However, advancing to the Middle Stage allows the Gu Master to utilize pale-green Primeval Essence. The difference is not just in the color! One portion of the pale-green sea is worth two portions of the hade-green Primeval Essence. This is the most significant reason a more advanced Gu Master will usually win against a weaker one.
While their aptitude remains the same, a Gu Master can now use the same Gu twice as many times. A Moonlight Gu consumes 10% of an Initial Stage Gu Master’s essence. However, the same Rank 1 Moonlight Gu will only require 5% of a Middle Stage Gu Master’s Primeval Essence! One step forward, the same Gu Worm will only need 2.5% of an Upper Stage Gu Master’s Essence!
Lo Jik slowly opens his eyes, releasing a stuffy breath he’s held for a while.
‘It’s my first advancement,’ he thinks. ‘It’s barely been two months, and so many things happened already.’ He recollects and thinks about the future. ‘I was slower than Fang Zheng and others by a few days because of my ignorance. However, it’s acceptable. I have a C-grade aptitude, after all. Now, I can use Middle Stage’s essence to nurture my first Aperture. It also means my second Aperture will use two stones instead of one to recover completely, increasing the cost of cultivation.’
His expression turns solemn.
‘I have several benefits already. Although I don’t need to compete with children, I should remain competent. I haven’t trained my use of Moonlight Gu for a few days. It was raining for four days before, but I got lazy today. I can’t let it become a habit.’
Lo Jik notices another few flaws in his routine, quietly correcting his errors while ensuring he keeps his mask of reckless arrogance.
***
Alternate Title: The Classroom’s Growth; Lo Jik’s Roof: I Believe I Can Fly!; Drenched; Lo Jik Vows To Make The Heaven Pour As Much One Day; The Relentless Rain; Caravan’s Departure; The Sleepy Lo Jik Does Not Care For Propaganda; Fang Yuan Fucked Up?; Fang Yuan’s Entry; First Advancement; Middle Stage; Lo Jik Must Make Fang Zheng Hate MORE!; The Supposed President; I Refuse; Fang Yuan Is Jojo Reference!; Fang Yuan’s Stand Will Be: Sacrificial Little Brother; Prideful Flock; A Bloody Reminder; Fang Yuan’s No Kid; Rightly Intimidated; Fang Yuan’s Secret; A Tired Academy Elder; Disgust; A Solid Partnership; More Income; Breaking Through; Benefits of Cultivation; Cost of Cultivation; Double It and Give It To The Next Person; Acclimating To The New World