62. In The World of Pure Imagination♫(2)
A gentle light blooms as Lo Jik stares at the Determined Fist Gu gleefully. He carefully opens it before revealing a confused expression. He observes a Gu he knows nothing about. It’s not the first time this happened.
Didn’t he get a Soul’s Blood Gu? But the Gu in Lo Jik’s hand doesn’t seem like an information storage Gu.
It’s a crystal clone with a transparent surface. Within the crystal cone is a transparent sapphire sphere. And inside the sapphire sphere is a pitch-black cube. But the most shocking thing about this Gu isn’t its shape.
Its Aura.
A Rank 5 Gu.
It’s ungodly!
An actual Rank 5 Gu? It doesn’t seem weak, too. It’s a healthy Rank 5 Gu Worm. Although Lo Jik doesn’t use it, not knowing its purpose, he swiftly hides it inside his Aperture.
Bronze Rewards provides Rare Gu, complementing his cultivation and several materials. There is a chance to get a recipe or two.
Silver Rewards summons weakened Gu of the next rank, rare materials, Relic Gu, Inheritance/Journals/Recipes, and scarce Gu that can only be found using luck.
Now, Lo Jik can’t help but understand that the Golden Rewards’ scope is getting wider!
Immortal Information and Recipe, Aptitude Changing Gu, Extinct Gu, Higher-Ranked Gu including two steps higher!
‘But what does it do?’
Lo Jik ponders deeply.
First, he cannot use the Rank 5 Gu since it needs Rank 5 Essence. Second, what if this Gu is an AOE attack Gu? How will he explain himself if he destroys this rental property?
He shakes his head and continues.
A gentle glow blooms again. Lo Jik’s smile turns slightly brighter.
Another Determined Fist Gu.
Lo Jik opens its finger before accepting another unnamed Gu Worm. This Gu is quite ugly and shriveled. It’s like a squished box-
His body shudders.
A Rank 4 All-Out Effort Gu! He takes a deep breath to calm his emotions.
Borrow Strength Gu represents the core of Atmospheric Heaven and Earth Branch.
Meanwhile, the All-Out Effort Gu represents the core of the Beast Phantom Strength Branch.
The Strength Path flourished due to these two branches. However, can Lo Jik recover that ancient glory with these two Gu?
No. These two are Support Gu. He needs a lot more to expose the potential of these two Gu.
Lo Jik carefully keeps the All-Out Effort Gu in his aperture. His decision to follow this path is undeniable. However, he has two apertures. Technically, Lo Jik will only reveal 50% of his potential by creating a combat set around All-Out Effort and Borrow Strength Gu. Heck! Even if Lo Jik knows combining the two branches is possible, how many can achieve that?
The first person to achieve it was a mighty Venerable!
He sighs and continues.
There are three rewards left.
The light blooms. It’s not a Determined Fist Gu. Instead, Lo Jik stares at the strange booklet. It’s palm-sized and has a deep brown leather cover. It’s not a Gu Worm. Lo Jik picks it. However, the second his skin touches the cover, it transforms into a stream of light!
Blood Jade Change!
Lo Jik instinctively uses the Gu to cover his face.
However, his instincts aren’t lightning-fast.
His body is silent, still stuck in the gesture to pick up the booklet. There’s a red helmet around his head. However, a deep voice blooms in his mind.
“Imagine, inheritor. Imagine a world of vehicles moving by steam. Imagine a world where electricity mimics the body’s nervous system to send information across the Gu World. Imagine a world where a panel computes hundreds and thousands of things, surpassing the limits of one’s thoughts. Hehe. You can’t imagine. You’re not from my world. However, you’ve proven yourself creative enough to reach this point. Very well. My Immortal Aperture is yours to manage. Others call me the Lunatic Immortal of Jin Zhi Island. However, I’m the Imaginative Strength Immortal.”
“Hehe. You want it, right? Everything I created. My death may have destroyed my Immortal Gu. But I leave everything here. I rest my hope to unravel the world for you. I may be a Strength Path Immortal. But it’s my Particle Viewing Gu that defines me. It’s only a Rank 5 Gu. However, it’s the most amazing Investigation Gu. Hahaha! It investigates and compares the components of a Gu Worm! Sigh. If only you were from my world. We could have talked about how Gu Masters rail physics and other sciences daily. We could have discussed how massive the discovery of Equations related to Gu Worms would be. Could you imagine it?”
Lo Jik’s body trembles as the voice claims.
“Refinement Path and Equations resemble each other. With enough data, we can revitalize the Extinct Gu. After all, Dao doesn’t disappear. It just reforms and takes another shape. Sigh, you probably can’t understand. I used the Rank 7 Past Is In The Past Gu to leave all the knowledge I inherited, discovered, and imagined. Thank you for listening to my rant and discovering my legacy. If my ideas interest you, open the red book in the right cabinet. It has a special gift.”
Blood starts leaking from Lo Jik’s nose as his head buzzes. The pain and dizziness only last for a moment before he feels refreshed. The voice in his head whispers weakly before disappearing.
“I’m not a monster, Junior. How can mortals without Immortal Strenghtening accept all that information? It’s like trying to fit a petabyte into a kilobyte. That’s my last gift. I hope your head doesn’t explode. But between you and me. That would be funny, too.”
Blood Jade Change slithers into his skin as Lo Jik opens his eyes. His eyes are bloodshot as he seems to have understood every information branded into his mind.
‘I’m getting all these Gu from the inheritance of the Imaginative Strength Immortal.’
His expression turns complex.
‘So, there are more like me. Drifters from another world. And not just one. Imaginative Strength Immortal doesn’t seem to possess a Trait. Otherworldly Demon. That’s what we’re called, huh.’
He exhales.
Lo Jik glances inside his aperture. He looks at the conic-spheroid-cubic Particle Viewing Gu. This Gu can change society—like the Bone Flesh Unity Gu.
Like the All-Out Effort and Borrow Strength Gu during their period.
The advancement of Gu Cultivation using other’s Essence.
The revitalization of Extinct Gu.
Such grand aspirations.
Lo Jik can’t help but feel humbled. However, he doesn’t feel small. Everyone has their opportunities. Such aspirations open his eyes instead!
‘You’re right. Imagine, Imagine, and Imagine! The Gu World has the prospect of turning Imagination into Reality! He was a Strength Gu Immortal. I want to walk the same path. He created a massive platform for me to stand on. How can I not accept the Refinement Path? Hehe! Two apertures, two paths. But why stop here? Imagine, huh? Imagine someone with ten apertures. Imagine someone with a Gu that steals life. The possibilities are many! Who says the Strength Path can only be about a Strong Body? Strong Soul, Mind, Emotions—Everything can be strengthened!’
Lo Jik carves these aspirations deep in his soul before moving on.
This is a true inheritance of a Rank 7 Gu Immortal! Unlike the Blood Sea Ancestor’s inheritance, where he left some of his recipes, Lo Jik got it all.
He didn’t get Immortal Hints.
He got an Immortal’s Path!
‘And Imaginative Strength did revive some of the Ancient Strength Gu. But he didn’t stop there. He didn’t need these Gu. So, he kept trying several other recipes. He even planned to refine the Relic Gu. But he died before he could try that.’
But Lo Jik doesn’t get why Bai Lin has such a connection with Refinement Path. Does the Bai Clan also have a sleeping ancestor waiting to refine them?
He shakes his head. Wiping the blood from his nose, Lo Jik continues.
If digesting Mo Chen’s gains took him weeks, Lo Jik will need years, if not decades, to digest Imaginative Strength’s inheritance.
The light blooms and Lo Jik opens another Determined Fist Gu.
The communion with Bai Lin created the perfect resonance between Lo Jik and the late Otherworldly Demon, Imaginative Strength Immortal. Since these are all Golden Rewards, Lo Jik only got the cream of the crop considered extinct in the current era.
Rank 4 Refinement Qi Gu.
Lo Jik uses the last Golden Achievement. He doesn’t get a Determined Fist Gu. Instead, he observes the strange Gu. Another Rank 5 Gu!
It feels so much better than getting laid. However, Lo Jik’s shock changes into unadulterated horror. He’s not the one in fear. He feels… bad—bad for how much he will abuse this Gu.
If one considers the Particle Viewing Gu the pinnacle of Imaginative Strength Immortal’s skill. The Rank 5 Fickle Heart Strength Gu is his first achievement. It pushed him to focus more on Refinement Path.
‘Such skills,’ Lo Jik sighs in admiration again.
His gains are beyond imagination.
But he also recognizes something after understanding the Imaginative Strength Immortal’s path.
‘The only way to achieve a Platinum Reward is by sleeping with an Immortal as a Mortal. Or, sleeping with someone like Bai Ning Bing after she’s two realms greater than me. Who knew the Extreme Physique is so bonkers that its benefits only stack after becoming an Immortal.’
The world is filled with horrible talents.
‘Let’s cultivate.’
He can’t waste opportunities like this to cultivate. Lo Jik also desires sightseeing at the Super Clan. However, all of it can wait. The Shang Clan won’t run away in a few years. He will have the time for the sights once he maximizes his growth by developing a combat strength around the new rewards.
‘It also means I must let go of most of the Gu expensive to nurture. My costs will rise. I have to sell the Rank 4 Seven-Lights Lance and Rainbow Mist Gu. Not only that, the Self-Reliance Gu makes the Flesh Bone Gu obsolete. No need to keep it. I also have their recipes. The only one worth keeping is the Twilight Spider Gu Worm. It doesn’t have any cost to raise it. If anything, I can find its relevant recipes and see if it’s worth advancing.’
He leaves the courtyard the next day, trying his luck at another store. Lo Jik knows the Young Master behind the shops is trying to force an inheritance out.
‘A sane man would realize that we don’t have the inheritance. So, the Young Master is insane, or he has some information about me and Ning Bing.’
However, he doesn’t fret.
Lo Jik needs Shang Clan’s network to raise and feed the Rare Gu in his aperture. How can he fall out before collecting years’ worth of food? Lo Jik is a lone force. And if the way of cultivation didn’t change in recent years, he knows that relying on clan is temporary.
‘Gu Immortal. Only by transcending as a Gu Immortal will I have the capacity to be self-sufficient. The Gu World is too vast.’
He enters a random shop.
Surprisingly, he’s received warmly.
But why?
A change of heart?
That’s impossible. The Shop Owner readily accepts Lo Jik’s request to sell and purchase.
To Lo Jik’s suspicions, the Shop Owner accepts the price of 280000 for the Seven-Lights Lance. Although surprised, the Shop Owner enthusiastically negotiates for the Rainbow Mist and Flesh Bone Gu. The Rainbow Mist’s Price is settled at 310000, and Flesh Bone’s price locks in for 9100 Stones.
Something is going on. However, Lo Jik takes this momentary cordiality to purchase several materials to feed his Gu. He also buys a few Rank 3 Gu and Rank 2 Gu.
All of the Gu Worms are useful to a Strength Path Gu Master. He also buys two expendable Rank 2 Gu related to removing a Beast’s Strength from his body alongside a hundred Black Coiling Snake Hearts and a hundred Stone-Skinned Underwater Hippopotamus Hearts!
But the shopkeeper accepts these orders calmly, executing everything professionally.
Already noticing something strange, Lo Jik discreetly uses the Heaven Piercing Eye to look through the wooden interiors.
He finally discovers the arrival of a group past the wooden door.
‘Ah,’ Lo Jik sighs. ‘That’s it?’
‘No.’ He secretly frowns. ‘The Shang Young Master doesn’t believe he can scare me using the Tie Clan, right? We’re in the Shang Clan. He must know that. Does that Young Master have something else planned? After all, Demonic Gu Master and Lone forces trust the Shang Clan’s security measures more than they ever trusted their parents or lovers.’
With everything complete, Lo Jik accepts the balance of 535000 Primeval Stones. Lo Jik won’t have to worry about Primeval Stones for a while now. But he also took a risk. Who knows what Shang Ya Zi is planning.
As Lo Jik exits the shop, a group of Tie Clansmen suddenly shout.
“Stop, Scoundrel!” The leading Rank 4 Gu Master’s loud voice disrupts the peaceful setting of the Third Inner City. The few Rank 3 Gu Masters curiously peek. Meanwhile, the shop owner walks out with a barely concealed joy.
However…
Lo Jik keeps walking with a peaceful expression.
“I said stop!” Tie No Ting hisses.
Lo Jik digs his pinky into his ear as he walks before blowing at the slight wax residue.
Such nonchalance shocks everyone.
“Isn’t this the Tie Clansmen? Why are they creating such a din?”
“Hehe. These men are stupid. Did they forget this is the Shang Clan?”
“No. Others would still give them some face and stop. Who is that young man? I don’t sense anything from him. Some form of Concealment Gu Worm?”
“Follow him!” Tie No Ting’s expression turns ugly as other Tie Gu Masters glare at Lo Jik.
“Murderer! You cannot escape!”
“Your schemes killed three Gu Masters from Bai Clan!”
“You almost caused a Caravan to be wiped out!”
‘Oh. These people already know about Brother Monkey?’ Lo Jik muses. But it doesn’t matter. Brother Monkey existed to let Lo Jik enter the Shang Clan. Brother Monkey served his glorious purpose. Lo Jik didn’t need it and sold it. There’s nothing to regret. After all, Tie Clan would have found him either way.
“There is still time to amend. Let’s talk.”
“We seek Justice, Lo Jik. You should understand that. Tell us who caused that destruction. We will avenge the Divine Investigator and Gu Yue Village.”
The Tie Clansmen try a softer approach. However, Lo Jik soon walks to the door boy of his rented courtyard. He whispers something into the youth’s ear before stuffing a money bag into the boy’s robe.
Although the boy looks fearful, he plucks his courage and walks to Tie No Ting.
“Esteemed Guests, only those two beautiful sisters are invited into the courtyard. My employer says he will tell you everything you want to know.”
The gazes of the two girls in the group brighten. Even Tie No Ting’s gaze gleams.
So, his weakness is women.
They all think this.
However, the boy adds after hesitating.
“However, my employer says no woman in his courtyard can wear clothes. These two sisters must undress outside the gates.”
Saying so, the boy hurriedly enters the courtyard’s premises so the Gu Masters don’t kill him out of anger.
He worried too much.
The Tie Clansmen were in a daze for a full minute before loudly hurling insults at Lo Jik and his nine ancestors.
Good for them.
After all, Lo Jik’s ancestry is the cause of this mess.
<<<>>>
“What?” Shang Ya Zi’s expression turns gloomy. The shopkeeper remains in a kowtow, explaining the situation. Truly daring!
Did Lo Jik not fear the Tie Clan? How can he openly disrespect them, even if inside the Shang Clan?
Higher-ups in an organization and others loitering around have different worries. To maintain the Clan’s image, Ya Zi will never run from a confrontation with another clan, especially when there are witnesses. However, Ya Zi also doesn’t have to think much about the food for his Gu.
In comparison, Lo Jik cannot give two shits about the Tie Clan. His worries are more immediate. As for the Tie Clan…
What can they do once he advances? He’s already at the cusp of Rank 4. Won’t his battle strength grow by leaps and bounds once he refines and purchases all the necessary Gu Worms?
Does he have time for the Tie Clan and the Blood Tide when he has a more immediate threat waiting to explode—Bai Ning Bing.
‘The evaluation is impending. My profits are the least among other Young Masters. Shit. I need to buy that inheritance. Not only that. I need to buy it at a low price! How else will I profit?’
“I will meet them myself. Hmph!” Shang Ya Zi snorts. ‘To think those bastards wouldn’t cave.’
Shang Ya Zi brings his people over to the courtyard. However, he was rejected.
“Have you gone blind?!” Shang Ya Zi screams at the door guard. However, the door guard kneels on the ground.
“Young Master Ya Zi, I don’t wish to block your path. However, one of the owners left the courtyard. And the other owner expressly told me to reject all visitors. He entered the secret room for cultivation.”
Shang Ya Zi’s expression changes.
Being in a higher position in an organization means more eyes on you. Instead, it’s lower and middle levels where corruption runs rampant. The Clan’s rules strictly forbid the disruption of one’s Cultivation.
Things would be different if it were the fourth or fifth inner city. However, the Third Inner City is accommodations for various prolific individuals. This section of the Inner City directly represents the interest of the ‘external’ forces propelling the Shang Clan’s economy.
Shang Ya Zi cannot enter forcefully.
Of course, he knows about Bai Ning Bing and her auctions. Although she sold several things and bit the bullet to purchase slightly more expensive Ice Gu, Bai Ning Bing focused her wealth outside the shops. The Shang Clan holds a small auction daily, a mid-scale auction every two weeks, and a large auction monthly. She’s bound to make some gains.
Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing did not have time for schemes. As for the Inheritance?
They hold it. They will decide when to sell it. Why should they care about Shang Ya Zi and his predicament? Of course, Lo Jik can smell an opportunity to extort Shang Ya Zi. But the gains of an additional 200000-300000 Stones don’t interest him.
Currently, Time is more valuable. Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing will have enough time to loiter once they set themselves up to their desired combat prowess.
Unknown to Shang Ya Zi, Lo Jik’s and Bai Ning Bing’s busy schedule is also a pain to the External Clan Elder Wei Yang.
<<<>>>
“There,” Lo Jik smiles as he ties the last ‘balloon.’
There are nine brown, inflated objects floating in midair. The surface of these objects is uneven but soft. Tied around them is a deep-red string that keeps these objects from flying further and touching the ceiling. A close observation will reveal a layer of ground materials filling half the interior.
These nine floating objects are the Rank 2 Sky Bubble Gu. Inside this Gu is a paste of mushed eyes and several kinds of soil.
This is the necessary preparation for the Earth Piercing Eye Gu! The main issue for Lo Jik to refine the Gu was finding a quarter of a cup of Underground Diamond Soil. Now he can refine the Rank 2 Gu. Unlike the Heaven Piercing Eye Gu, this one has lower restrictions to use and refine. It will only take about three months to pop these balloons and see if he succeeded. The chance of success should be high. After all, he plucked the petals of Filthy Powder Rose Gu and mixed them within the paste.
‘I also have the Refinement Qi Gu. I will use it monthly. I still can’t easily use Rank 4 Gu.’
Although Lo Jik has the plan to use the Blue Blood Gu. He doesn’t impatiently rush into it. Instead, he quietly sits down and takes out several materials, including the Divine Yuan Xuan Pheasant’s Heart.
‘Tsk. I could have used this heart. Sigh, I’ll have to purchase another one later.’
The thought of using the Fickle Heart Strength Gu excites Lo Jik. However, he starts refining the Yang Rotation Gu after adjusting his mental state.
Although it should be hard to refine a Rank 4 Gu, the existence of the Yin Rotation Gu eases Lo Jik’s headache.
Why?
Refining the Yang out of Yin Rotation Gu is as simple as feeding it a series of materials and Gu Worms in noted intervals.
That’s all!
‘But it will take me a week to refine it.’
Lo Jik clicks his tongue. This is a wasted time. However, the quicker he has a Yang Rotation Gu, the safer he will feel.
Of course, he doesn’t plan to give it to Bai Ning Bing right away.
How can he be sure she isn’t lying?
Although they developed a layer of trust, adequate caution isn’t ill-advised. After all, Lo Jik doesn’t plan to kill Ning Bing. And she only needs this Gu after she recovers the Extreme Physique. There are still a few months left for that to occur.
***
Alternate Title: Immortal Inheritance; Rank 5; Golden Rewards Go Above and Beyond; The Otherworldly Inheritance; Fulfillment; Imagine; Dao Marks Do Fuck Physics in the Ass; Imagine Bringing Integrals in a Gu Fight; Killer Move: Parabolic Rage; Rational Numbers and Irrational People; The Particle Viewing Gu; Refinement’s Essence; Cream of the Crop; Another Rank 5; Gaining the Meat of an Inheritance; The Difficulty of Platinum Achievement; Ya Zi’s Plan; Trade; Shang Ya Zi Can’t Possibly Be That Stupid; Ignoring; Lo Jik’s Ancestors Do Be Frisky; The Tie Clansmen; Using the Opportunity; Start Refinement; Earth Piercing Eye Gu; Unbothered By Schemes; Wei Yang’s Frustration
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