68. Green Mountain Remains
The Zi Xian Auction House enters a climactic peak. It’s one of the Large Auction Houses that hosts an auction monthly. Several desirable Gu, including White Silver Relic Gu, appear in the Large Auctions, where even the holders of Purple Thorn Token cannot pay for the listed items in advance.
Two voices are locked in a fierce competition over the Final Item.
“170000 Primeval Stones!”
“The Refinement Masters are too rich!”
“Murong Wu Lian has been in the Shang Clan for two years now. He has some fame in refining Rank 3 and 4 Gu. Of course, he is rich!”
“All Refinement Masters have specialized recipes after decades of research. Senior Murong explored the wilderness for 30 years before settling in the Shang Clan. This Rank 4 Gu is crucial for him.”
“But he’s a Rank 3 Gu Master.”
“This Gu is special. Almost all the Refinement Masters in the Shang Clan possess a Gu like this.”
“200000.”
A leisurely voice emerges from the private room of the Auction House as the host excitedly flushes.
“Who is he? He’s in a competition with Senior Murong. Is he another Refinement Master?”
“Maybe one of the Refinement Masters doesn’t want Senior Murong to get this Gu.”
“210000!” The aged Murong grits his teeth. This Gu is rare, only appearing in the Shang Clan every few years. He must have—
“240000.”
The crowd goes silent.
250000 is already the price for the ordinary Rank 5 Gu!
Senior Murong leans on his seat with a helpless expression.
<<<>>>
“So, this is the Rank 4 Green Mountain Remains.”
Lo Jik stares at the Rank 4 Refinement Gu. It’s a light green dragonfly with dark green wings. This Gu can protect one material during a Gu Fusion/Refinement. Of course, this limit is for Rank 4 Gu. Lo Jik can choose this Gu to secure two Rank 3 Gu, three Rank 2 Gu, and four Rank 1 Gu.
Lo Jik needs this Gu once the Earth Piercing Eye Gu successfully refines. He intends to refine Eye Gu to Rank 4 due to their low Essence consumption requirement.
Lo Jik always held the Heaven Piercing Eye Gu in high regard. It saved his life on several occasions. The True Inheritance of the Ruined Brothers involves combining the two Eye Gu into a Rank 5 Gu. It may be the least challenging Rank 5 Gu recipe. However, refining the Eye Gu to rank 4 is difficult.
Since Lo Jik doesn’t have a spare Heaven Piercing Eye, he needs the Rank 4 Green Mountain Remains Gu to protect it during the refinement phase. He cannot outsource this task to the few Refinement Masters of the Shang Clan and must rely on himself.
Also, Lo Jik is already leaning toward developing Refinement Path methods using his Second Aperture due to rewards like the Particle Viewing Gu, Refinement Qi, and Filthy Powder Rose Gu.
‘It’s good that this and the Rank 4 Refinement Qi eat Brown Qi Beetles.’ Lo Jik stows the Gu inside his Second Aperture. ‘I will also have to refine One’s Closed Fist Gu to fulfill my storage needs before I leave the Shang Clan. Earth Hole and the Eight-Sectioned Gourd aren’t enough, given the amount of Gu in my possession. Refining Earth Well and other variants of Earth Hole is unfeasible, too. I don’t have any recipes for the Eight-Sectioned Gourd, so that’s a dead end. One’s Closed Fist will be a costly refinement project. Even though the Imaginative Strength Immortal renewed the recipe, the materials are still rare.’
The more one has, the more he worries.
Lo Jik knows his situation will only ‘worsen.’ After all, he’s only got around to compiling the initial set.
He momentarily wonders if joining a force like the Shang Clan is wise.
Every decision has its own issues. Being a lone force allows him the freedom to act. Joining a force will restrict his movements. Of course, that would be the case ordinarily. But his trait will allow him to interact with several brilliant women if he reaches a respectable status in the Clan.
Conversely, he will have to act his ass off and hope that the stars align for another situation like Bai Lin should he decide to become a Lone Force.
‘Of course, all this will end once I reach Rank 5. I would barely get an achievement from others. I have to focus on Immortals for Platinum.’
However, would he try his luck so recklessly?
No.
Immortals are Heaven-Defying Existences. They are all talents of their generation and will only converse with others of their kind.
He rests and momentarily calms his mind. Lo Jik is getting ahead of himself.
‘My aim is to become an Immortal. But I also need to be mindful of the process. Neither a Clan nor being free will allow me to reach that step. Even Imaginative Strength relied on the Blessed Land he inherited. Of course, one of the ways to become self-sufficient is by having a Rank 6 Battle Strength.’
‘That is unlikely. Among Billions of geniuses, only a handful of Gu Masters revealed such talent. The other two options are to travel to the Central Continent and join a Sect or find a blessed land.’
‘I need the Rank 5 Heaven and Earth Before My Eyes Gu for the latter. As for entering the Central Continent…’
Lo Jik narrows his eyes. ‘It’s doable.’
He snaps out of his thoughts once he sees a familiar figure entering the courtyard. Lo Jik quickly welcomes Wei Yang.
Wei Yang is feeling slightly troubled these days. Being meticulous, Wei Yang already understands how much Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing will benefit the Shang Clan. Lo Jik’s gifting a Liquor Worm to Shang Xin Ci and resolving the distance between them made Wei Yang appreciate the former more. So, Wei Yang is slowly trying to align the duo’s hearts with the Clan’s interests. However, Bai Ning Bing rarely converses with others, displaying an aloof demeanor. She spends days searching for what she wants, roaming the Shang Clan’s Inner City, or tasting soups on different menus.
When Bai Ning Bing does accept an invitation to a banquet with Lo Jik, she remains in her world, unbothered by others.
Compared to Bai Ning Bing, Wei Yang finds Gu Masters like Lo Jik more pleasing.
But Wei Yang cannot push the duo to join the clan.
Although these two came from Righteous backgrounds, the wilderness instilled innate caution in Lo Jik and Ning Bing. Yet Wei Yang is confident in his chances.
Why?
The answer lies in the fundamentals of Gu Cultivation!
Resources!
How can Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing continue growing without a steady stream of sources? There may come a day when fighting for daily bread might refine their spirits into stable personalities more than willing to join the Shang Clan.
For that, Wei Yang must set the base now.
Wei Yang is already close with Lo Jik. The former believes Lo Jik’s and Bai Ning Bing’s bond is strong. After all, Lo Jik is the only person she lives with.
Of course, part of the reason must be the cost of living.
Shang Clan is an expensive Clan to reside in for outsiders.
The other part of the plan is to set the two for failure. Wei Yang has no malicious intent. He’s stopped nagging Lo Jik about his wish to walk the Strength Path. Wei Yang also noticed Lo Jik hesitating when defending his ambition for the Strength Path. There must be a story.
Wei Yang doesn’t wish to pry secrets. But he doesn’t want Lo Jik to waste his youth on false promises. If Lo Jik has some ace up his sleeves, good. If not, Wei Yang will offer timely suggestions after some failures. For that—
“The Battle Stage?”
Lo Jik blinks as he pours wine for Wei Yang.
“Indeed,” Wei Yang smiles. “You and Sister Ning Bing have been in the Shang Clan for some time. One of the best ways to grow in Shang Clan is through the Battle Stages. There are three reasons I’m suggesting this. First, Finance. The Battle Stage is one of the most lucrative opportunities in the Shang Clan. The earlier you join the Battle Stage and gain a reputation, the better. The last thing you should fall into is the pits of debt.”
Wei Yang sips the wine.
“Second,” he reveals, “Gu. There is a rule in the Battle Stages for the winner to snatch one of the loser’s Gu. This provides another source of revenue if you can deal with established experts since they have better quality Gu Worms. And third, experience. You and Sister Ning Bing want to develop a Gu Set. However, it cannot be accomplished without trials and errors unless you have the guidance of a senior or an Inheritance. The Battle Stage is the best way to experience combat in a controlled environment and prepare for the future.”
Wei Yang smiles. “You revealed your intention for staying, Brother. But must possess an income source, or you will have to turn to the wilderness and risk your life daily.”
‘Finally.’ Lo Jik sighs. He’s glad Wei Yang approached him.
‘I left so many clues about some connection with the Strength Path. As things are, Wei Yang and Xin Ci are the best sources to reveal hints. First, Wei Yang and Xin Ci have Yan Fei’s ear. Second, Tian Lan or Xiao Lan also reports to Yan Fei daily. I can steadily reveal my ‘fortuitous’ encounter by actions as I fight in the Battle Stage. The Battle Stage is a breeding ground for experts. Fighting there will benefit me. But choosing Battle Stage myself without Wei Yang’s prompt would have defeated the purpose of ‘hesitating’ to reveal the truth.’
Lo Jik thinks for a while before nodding.
Wei Yang’s gaze brightens. “Good,” he nods. “We used a Battle Stage in the Third Inner City last time. However, you’ll go through the proper channel this time to sign up. Come. The process will be simpler with me beside you.”
“Heh, thanks, Brother Wei. I’ll have to treat you again after winning my first match.”
<<<>>>
Wei Yang and Lo Jik enter the Fifth Inner City before descending the spiral stairs and entering a large stone circular structure from a side door available for Elders and Purple Thorn Token holders like Lo Jik. The process of signing up is simple. Lo Jik pays 500 Primeval Stones before receiving the Rank 1 Vine Information Gu. This Gu is lent to Lo Jik by the Shang Clan and will be used to record his information.
The disguised Wei Yang explains the rules to Lo Jik.
“The Battle Stages are classified into three Zones—Low, Medium, and High. You are currently part of Fifth Inner City’s Low Battle Zone. You must have 30 net victories to advance to Fourth Inner City’s Medium Battle Zone.”
Net victories are the sum of victories and losses. A Gu Master with 10 victories and three losses will have 7 net victories.
“80 net victories will allow you to advance to Third Inner City’s High-Class Battle Zone. Of course, the rules regarding matches are little. You can fight as you please. However, there are some rules regarding how matches are set.”
“You can challenge another Gu Master from your Zone once a day. It depends on the opponent if they wish to accept it. Also, you can issue a forceful challenge once a month. The opponent cannot reject this challenge. To refuse this challenge will be counted as a loss, and you may select one Gu from them. Also, remember to participate once every ten days. Long absences will turn into a loss, deducting from your net victories. 5 net losses will revoke your membership.”
Wei Yang pats Lo Jik’s shoulder.
“You have zero victory and loss and must start from the Fifth Inner City. Don’t feel discouraged. As things are, you will reach the Third Inner City in a year or two. Do you want to engage in a battle while we’re here?”
Lo Jik smiles and nods.
“Of course. We’re already here.”
The reception swiftly sets a match. It’s in 13 minutes as Wei Yang leaves after a few words, claiming he will be spectating from the seats.
“Oh?”
“A newcomer?”
“I haven’t seen him before. Hehe. Lin Lin will have an easy match.”
“Ah! She’s so cute!”
“I can’t sense his cultivation. Is he an expert?”
“Relax! Look at him. He’s a young kid.”
Lo Jik blinks in surprise as he stares at the quarter-filled arena seats. A dense grassland covers the battle stage as Lo Jik glances at his opponent.
Lin Lin is a Rank 2 Peak Stage Gu Master with some reputation. She’s a seasoned character with a modest following, allowing her to earn a steady stream of Primeval Stones. The green-haired girl’s eyes twinkle with delight as she observes her opponent.
‘An easy prey!’ She internally squeaks.
‘So, this is the effect of reputation,’ Lo Jik looks around. ‘A pity. I’ll have to build a demonic one to protect and discourage cheeky fuckers from bothering me.’ He glances at the girl. Lin Lin is cute and attractive. However, Lo Jik doesn’t feel a thing for her.
Everyone has a preference when it comes to initial attraction.
Most men are attracted to beauty.
However, only benefits attract the Treasure Junky. But Lo Jik’s not heartless. Just because the possible treasures get his motor going doesn’t mean he is cruel to others for the sake of it.
Like his kindness, possible cruel acts are also mere convenience for Lo Jik meant to achieve a higher objective.
The hosting Gu Master begins the match as Lin Lin brightly grins.
“I’m Lin Lin, Junior Brother. Who are you—”
Her eyes pop open as Lo Jik’s legs bend before he leaps at her. Dirt and grass fly from his point of propulsion as if he’s got jet engines on his soles. His figure appears on the petite Lin Lin in mere breaths as the spectating Wei Yang nods. Lo Jik did the same when fighting against Wei Yang.
‘He must have several Beast Strengths on his body,’ Wei Yang assesses.
Purple Moth Wings!
Lin Lin’s refined instincts act as thin, paper-like green wings with pink dots sprout from her back, taking her to the sky.
“A Strength Path Gu Master?”
“Too despicable! He attacked while Miss Lin Lin was introducing herself!”
Angry boos fill the stadium as cold sweat streams down Lin Lin’s forehead. Fury soon replaces fear as she glares at Lo Jik.
“Despicable Junior! Face my wrath!”
She uses her ace!
Purple spores emerge with every flap of her wings as the crowd gasps.
“It appeared! Purple Moth Poison! Lin Lin used this Gu to defeat Man Dan Zhing. Tsk, tsk, Purple Moth Wings, and Purple Moth Poison are all Zhun Dan’s gifts. Lin Lin and Zhun Dan must have a secret relationship.”
“This newcomer doesn’t even understand basic courtesy. Hmph. He deserves this.”
Lo Jik looks at the floating girl as the poison cloud descends on him. He doesn’t even activate the Fight Poison Gu.
Did he refine his organs for nothing?
‘Things would be different if it was the Love Life Separation Gu. I would need to use Fight Poison. But that alone wouldn’t have sufficed if my organs weren’t refined. But this?’
He narrows his eyes. Lo Jik is observing her wings.
‘As expected. Lin Lin isn’t trained to use them. I look almost as awkward.’
His legs tense up as Lo Jik jumps!
Wings sprout from his heels as others gasp. Others may be unable to sense his cultivation, but they can notice the Feathered Boots’ aura!
Rank 3?
Lin-Lin hurriedly creates a dull green defensive light around her body as Lo Jik finds a footing on the same ‘level’ as the winged woman. Her expression eases when she sees Lo Jik attack without a Gu.
This complacency is an honest mistake.
Even Wei Yang couldn’t imagine Lo Jik’s body containing the strength of ten Rank 3 Beast Strengths!
‘We have no enmity,’ Lo Jik’s hand passes through the defensive light as if it’s made of paper before grabbing the shocked woman’s head and tearing it off her body.
‘But I need to kill others to protect myself.’
Lin-Lin’s body walls on the grassland with a resounding thump in the silent arena as Lo Jik glances at the woman’s head before falling to the ground. Surprisingly, he doesn’t casually throw the head away.
Lo Jik gently places it near her neck.
“Murder!”
“He killed Lin-Lin?!”
“Too strong! Who is this newcomer?”
“Another Demonic Gu Master! Damnit! I loved Lin-Lin!”
The hosting Gu Master announces Lo Jik’s victory as he glances at the referee.
“I own everything she possesses on her body according to the rules.”
The referee reveals a slightly cold expression as he barks, “Everything except the Vine Information Gu. Hmph! You are too cruel, young man! How can you kill a woman like that?”
“Is she your mother?” Lo Jik blinks.
“What? No!”
“Then stop bitching as if I fucked and killed your mother on the same day,” Lo Jik stares at the referee before tossing his Vine Information Gu at the man. “Do your job and record the victory.”
Meanwhile, he crouches over Lin-Lin’s corpse, taking her Gu—Purple Moth Wings, Purple Moth Poison, Flowerbud, Venom Shield, and Poison-Tipped Thorn.
All these are Rank 2 Gu.
‘Worth about 6800 Primeval Stones. There are also the items inside her Flowerbud. Also, I won. So, I get the share of Primeval Stones from the viewer’s fees.’
Lin-Lin was slightly established in the Battle Zones. After everything’s said and done, Lo Jik earned a sum of 7900 stones, including the sold Gu.
“You were too determined to kill her, Brother Lo Jik. Everyone interacts inside the Shang Clan and is here to make a living. They are all like you.” Wei Yang sighs on the way back as Lo Jik frowns.
“You disapprove, Brother Wei? But I think it was the right action. What if Lin-Lin held a grudge against me?” Lo Jik questions. “Not everyone returns kindness with kindness. However, I don’t like killing unnecessarily. I did what I had to in the wilderness. But here… sigh. I feel things aren’t that different.”
He sighs deeply as Wei Yang recalls the sight of Lo Jik putting Lin-Lin’s head near her corpse instead of disrespecting the dead.
Wei Yang rose from nothing. So, he can’t help but empathize with Lo Jik. Like Lo Jik, Wei Yang had to kill his way through to prominence. How can a Demonic Gu Master readily trust another? Didn’t it take Wei Yang considerable time to accept Shang Yan Fei’s offer?
“I won’t say much,” Wei Yang smiles. “But remember, actions have consequences. If you kill others, there might be someone with a grudge waiting to challenge you. The only way through is by winning!”
Lo Jik nods before he chuckles bitterly.
“Let’s drink, Brother Wei. I need something strong to drown my thoughts with.”
<<<>>>
Familiar pain fills Lo Jik’s senses as he feels as if lava is flowing through his bone marrow, seeping to the surface and layering his bones. Cold sweat drenches Lo Jik’s body as he grits his teeth.
Shang Clan is too good for the rich as Lo Jik discovered another one of the Gu on his wishlist—Rank 4 Cold Hard Bones! Steel-blue bones steadily forge and toughen under his flesh as his frame grows more pronounced.
The benefit of Body Refinement Gu, especially the consumable ones, is that Lo Jik doesn’t need to worry about Primeval Essence consumption. Lo Jik will have to wait until reaching Rank 4 when it comes to other Rank 4 Gu—Elite Muscles, Thicker Skin Gu. But he could not give up on the chance of getting Cold Hard Bones, even if it meant forking out 120000 stones!
The cultivation session lasts 5 hours before Lo Jik opens his eyes and loudly exhales. He still isn’t used to the phantom pain of using such Gu.
‘I can’t use other methods even though there are ways to block pain using some Rare Gu.’
Although Lo Jik isn’t a masochist, he understands the value of the grit to endure pain. This pain is like a training exercise for his mind and spirit.
A Gu Master’s focus is always divided during a fight between the opponent and the controlling one’s Gu. The more Lo Jik endures, the better his future accomplishments can become. In essence, there is no easy path to power.
‘My body can bear more Beast Strength. I can advance the White Elephant Phantom to a Dragon Elephant. The heart I chose is from a Lightning Dragon Elephant. The Lightning Dragon Elephants possess higher destructive power than their peers, and their speed is nothing to scoff at.’
‘My Beast Phantoms need to be of certain elemental quality to involve using the Borrow Strength in the future. At most, I can support four elements.’
Lo Jik calculates before feeling exhaustion rattle his being.
‘I need to sleep.’
So, Lo Jik does what’s the common sense of this world.
He closes his eyes and nurtures his First Aperture.
How will he cultivate during sleep? It’s not like he possesses an Extreme Aperture.
***
Alternate Title: Duking It Out in the Auction; Preparing for the Eye Gu; The MVP Eye Gu; MVG?; Steady Decline Of Money; Wei Yang’s Honest Plan; A Suggestion; Battle Stage; The Lowest of the Low; Meeting a Celebrity; Killing; To Build Reputation; The Strength Path Newbie; A Demonic Nature; For Goals and Aspirations; The Moth Lady; Fickle Poison; Strength Path Tank; Jumping Speed; Cold Hard Bones; The Norms of the World; Pain is Training; The Goggins Path; Bold Moves; To Kill And Remain Gentle; The Righteous Way; A Tired Lo Jik
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