72. The Clash
Li Ran became the talk of the Shang Clan for days after his debut. There are several reasons for this. First, his strength shook plenty of people! The ability to use the Beast Phantoms allowed Li Ran to breeze through his enemies. His fighting style became straightforward as his strength multiplied through experience. Li Ran became the ultimate reformed dark horse in the spectator's eyes. After all, he was fierce and humble. Didn’t Li Ran beg his wife to return? Such a story tugged on many heartstrings.
Second, Li Ran was cooperative and kind. When he won, Li Ran did not act vindictively. Even though he selected the most crucial Gu from the losers, he would offer to sell it back to them. This made many Gu Masters feel ashamed of their thoughts of snatching Li Ran’s All-Out Effort Gu. Also, news about Li Ran forming a contract with one of the Refinement Masters spread. Li Ran obtained abundant Primeval Stones to let one of the Refinement experts closely inspect the extinct Gu. Of course, there would be other secret restrictions that the two parties did not reveal. However, this allowed Li Ran to pay his debts off. He used the remainder to purchase other Beast Strength Gu and focus on cultivating rapidly.
Third, the other Gu Masters had a vivid contrast play out. Many eyes converged on the Gu Masters—Li Ran and Lo Jik. They couldn’t help but resent Lo Jik for his brutal means. Lo Jik killed whoever challenged him and viciously snatched the most crucial Gu from his survivors.
‘Yet, results speak for themselves.’ Li Ran sighs as he thinks about the situation. Others keep forcefully challenging him despite him revealing benevolence. However, Lo Jik moves around only to collect Primeval Stones.
‘The only way to temporarily suppress this threat is by challenging Gu Yue Lo Jik and taking his Little Giant Gu,’ Li Ran’s gaze sharpens. Others would think ten times before challenging someone who has those two Gu.
Li Ran’s steps slow down as he enters a high-grade restaurant before being led to a private room. He enters the room and greets the man.
“You called for me, Young Master? How can this Li Ran help you?”
Shang Ya Zi stares at Li Ran before returning the greeting and asking him to sit.
<<<>>>
“Failure again…”
Blood trickles down Lo Jik’s nose as he stares at the shriveled eyeball with whitish scars on its surface.
‘It’s weird.’ He narrows his eyes. ‘Too weird.’
‘First, my body has a superior growth. It’s nothing comparable to a Gu Worm’s effect. But the speed of my hair’s regeneration is plenty of evidence for that. The other two pieces of evidence are my body’s capacity and adaptability.’
‘Unlike individuals born with Divine Strength, my body has Divine ‘Capacity.’ Also, my body adapts and learns things at a heightened pace. What are trick shots? A person commits to the same movement until he luckily achieves one shot. However, it boosts confidence and creates this bubble of ‘can-do’ attitude that often translates to reality.’
‘Now, I possess two Immortal Inheritances in the form of information. The Blood Sea Ancestor’s true inheritance went in-depth about the Blood Path, its benefits, and the thought process one must have when assembling Gu Sets and Killer Moves. It also has one Immortal Recipe among other hundreds of Blood Path recipes. There are Immortal Hints, too. But it does not go deeply into other paths.’
‘Conversely, the information from the Imaginative Strength Immortal is even more complete. Blood Sea Ancestor and Imaginative Strength were both Rank 7 Immortals. The duo also had high attainments in researching their paths. The former founded the Blood Path, and the latter aspired to connect the past with the present. But I also got to learn a lot. It’s as if I lived Imaginative Strength Immortal’s life. Although he did not reveal the information of his past world, Imaginative Strength only kept little things private.’
‘If it wasn’t due to this, I would have never recognized how weird my body is. It’s not just the Hope Gu. Although Hope Gu absorbed the Polished Steel Gu to raise the aptitudes of both the apertures, it cannot do everything. It can’t be responsible for my capacity and adaptability.’
‘After all, it’s not just my physical capacity and adaptability that’s more pronounced.’
Lo Jik wipes the blood from his nose.
That’s right.
The more he refines, the more he gets used to it! He only noticed this a few days ago when he instinctively prevented the crucial step of the Recipe from failing.
As for why does he claim that his capacity extends beyond the physical limits?
‘Mind, Body, and Soul. To have more strength, one must have a stronger capacity—the body. The same is true for Mind and the Soul. I would not have understood this if it wasn’t for the guidance from Imaginative Strength Immortal. My base body can also contain a firmer spirit—the mind and a more solid soul.’
‘Refinement, subsequent injuries, and gradual healing all steadily train these two aspects. However, my adaptability extends to these two concepts. My mind and soul train quicker than others.’
Others would grow indecisive after understanding this.
Be it Refinement, Wisdom, or Soul Path—all of them have wholistic values that might surpass the Strength Path. However, knowing all this makes Lo Jik’s will to walk this path firmer.
‘A path only founds once it covers all aspects of Gu Cultivation. Doesn’t Blood Path have the Soul’s Blood Gu? It’s like a Bookworm that uses the ingenuity of soul path. Similarly, there are methods like the Beating Gu for refinement, the Strong Soul Gu for the soul, and the Headstrong Thoughts Gu for the mind. Hehe. Would their rarity stop me?’
He picks a gourd and drinks the Bronze Wine within.
‘Failing in refinement is nothing. I want to fail more! How else will I grow? I won’t intentionally sideline my focus from the Strength Path and achieve everything I can to develop the Gu Set in the first Aperture. Failing now and learning is better than waiting until later once I’m free to focus on the Refinement Path.’
Lo Jik tidies the room before sitting on his cultivation mat.
The injuries this time are shallow, so he focuses on nurturing his first aperture.
Under Lo Jik’s control, a wave of essence rises before dispersing into small streams that impact the solid light wall. This is one of the tricks to boost cultivation speed by 5%. Every time the essence crashes into the wall, the Aperture absorbs a tiny portion.
This portion does not increase based on the Essence used. However, nurturing the aperture from different points increases the speed of absorption, barely boosting the cultivation pace. Lo Jik used to play around with the control of his Essence, so this isn’t a challenging task.
‘I’m still some distance away from advancing to the Peak Stage,’ Lo Jik exhales and rests after four hours.
Only the next day does he receive the notification from the Battle Zone.
“Eh? Li Ran wants to challenge me?”
Lo Jik blinks. He already has 27 net victories and would advance to the Fourth Inner City’s Battle Stage. There, Lo Jik will have to carve a bloody path again to experience the workings of his Gu Set and earn money. The percentage income from the viewership grows as one advances to the higher Battle Zone.
‘I kept tabs on Li Ran. He’s fought and won 13 matches already. He exposed five Beast Phantoms. There is a Rank 1 Black Boar, a Rank 2 Brown Bear, a Rank 2 Stone Turtle, a Rank 2 Wolf, and a Rank 3 Charging Green Bull. He must have refined two of the Body Refinement sets. His skin must be his weakness since he often uses the Golden Shield Gu when attacking. But I don’t know what Gu he used to refine his flesh and bones. It’s probably the steel tendons and iron bones. He must have abused Time Path Gu like the Instant Success Gu to achieve all of it.’
Lo Jik is aware of Li Ran’s circumstances. Although he lived the life of a wastrel, he has years of combat experience in the Battle Zone. His battle records are also favorable. But Li Ran doesn’t live in the Third Inner City and can encounter ‘accidents.’ He understood the allure of an extinct and Legendary Gu. So, Li Ran took hefty loans using his experience and wisdom to assemble a Gu Set. This way, he could earn from the matches and relocate his family to the Third Inner City.
Lo Jik cannot look down on such grit. Carving the body with the dao marks carried by the Gu Worms is painful. Although Li Ran lived a pitiful life as an addict, this fortune opened his eyes and made him work hard!
However, even if Li Ran’s accomplishment can be compared to months of Lo Jik’s hardship, the latter would refrain from using Gu like the Instant Success Gu.
Instant Success Gu is an expendable Gu that can quicken a process. If Lo Jik purchased the Instant Success Gu, he could cut the time of Earth Piercing Eye Gu worm’s formation from 3 months to mere breaths. Conversely, using it on oneself to quicken the pace of achieving a Beast’s strength will age the Gu Master!
Losing lifespan!
Why would Lo Jik want that?
He’s more willing to use Rank 4 Gu, like the Seamless Transformation Gu, to produce similar results instead of losing months of lifespan.
Given his wealth, Lo Jik can achieve much in a few months.
‘Aside from all that, Li Ran revealed Galloping Feet Gu as his movement Gu and Self-Reliance for healing. A Strength Path Gu Master like Li Ran doesn’t need much since the Beast Phantoms are very threatening. But he made several connections and earned enough to have a trump card up his sleeves.’
Lo Jik's eyes narrow as he reclines on the wooden chair while drinking soup left for him.
‘He must have a few tricks. Why else would he suddenly challenge me? I kept my distance since I’ve been busy with the pair of Eye Gu.’
The youth eases his mind.
‘All-Out Effort Gu,’ Lo Jik glances at his Rank 4 All-Out Effort Gu. He knows his strength outclasses Li Ran. His battle power entered the realms of Rank 4 Gu Masters since he used the Rank 4 Cold Hard Bones and advanced the Elephant Strength to Dragon Elephant (Lightning). But he won’t expose it. His pace of growth is simply divine inside the Shang Clan. He can grow unchecked and unbothered! Lo Jik would not be in his right mind if he flaunted it.
‘It’s not like I’m in the Gu Yue Clan. If I had this strength in Qing Mao Mountain, I would have overthrown Gu Yue Bo’s regime to make Gu Yue Clan and its resources mine. But the Shang Clan doesn’t only have Rank 5 Gu Masters.’
‘Even if I ignore the Rank 6 experts hidden and busy with their cultivation, Shang Yan Fei isn’t the only Rank 5 Gu Master. The patriarch before Shang Yan Fei is still alive. There are other hidden elders close to Rank 5 cultivation and more. The Shang Clan’s depths are terrifying. Flaunting my growth here will instead put a target on my back.’
‘Heck! If I were in Gu Yue Clan, I would have already charged into Rank 4! Speaking of Rank 4…’
Lo Jik observes the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus. ‘This Gu is too beneficial. I must advance it. Although I have the recipe now, the materials are too much. How will I find seven spirit springs?’
He frowns.
‘I could find a named mountain not held by a clan. But even using the pair of Eye Gu won’t make the search any less challenging.’
‘The spirit springs can be replaced by the Spring Egg Gu.’ He smiles bitterly. ‘But is it easy to find it? Shang Clan won’t sell any. Killing an Eggman Emperor or refining thousands of Eggmen would get me a Spring Egg Gu. But that’s also inconceivable for the current me. So, it’s not the One’s Closed Fist, Strength Qi, or the Self-Strength Gu that might be the most expensive project. No. It would be the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus.’
His thoughts stir.
‘Of course, I can also trade the Blood Skull Gu. Shang Yan Fei is looking for different means to increase Shang Xin Ci’s aptitude. But all of these are too rare! Blood Skull Gu will be more resourceful for a Clan Leader and Blood Path Gu Master like Shang Yan Fei.’
Lo Jik spends his afternoon thinking of various ways to earn rare materials. He doesn’t use the Lightning Thoughts Gu due to his current injuries.
As for Li Ran?
Although Lo Jik doesn’t look down on him, he isn’t worried either. Li Ran must want the Little Giant Gu. And Lo Jik can use Li Ran to reveal a few other things.
<<<>>>
The comparatively smaller arena of the Fifth Inner City sees a packed audience despite the seats being twice as expensive for the current match. Many well-known figures appear in the arena, revealing the attention this match attracts. Hundreds of Gu Masters from the Fourth City’s Battle Zone and tens from the Third Inner City’s Battle Zone clump in several areas.
Li Ran VS Lo Jik!
Whoever wins this match may roam the Fourth and Third Battle Zones as if it's their backyard! Others don’t need a demonstration to understand how powerful a Strength Path Gu Master will be with Little Giant and All-Out Effort Gu. The former allows Lo Jik to step on others, while the latter lets Li Ran rise through the ranks despite a slightly shaky strength path foundation.
Bai Ning Bing doesn’t sit alone in the arena. Instead, she’s in the private viewing box alongside Wei Yang, Shang Xin Ci, Xiao Die, and Xiao Lan. An awkward mood lingers around them as Xin Ci glances at Bai Ning Bing to apologize for her recent behavior. However, Bai Ning Bing didn’t even know she was on the receiving side of Shang Xin Ci’s cold shoulder.
In Bai Ning Bing’s words—“Why would I care what you think about us killing others?”
It’s incisive because it’s true. Bai Ning Bing isn’t Lo Jik, and she doesn’t find the need to play nice with others unless she respects them enough or owes them a debt of gratitude.
“Ehm,” Wei Yang coughs and smiles. “You stay with Brother Lo Jik, Sister Bai. What do you think his chances are?”
“Forget about that,” Bai Ning Bing narrows her eyes. “I’m almost done with my Gu Set. You better be ready to receive my challenge.”
“Hahaha!” Wei Yang laughs. “Of course,” he replies. “I want to see how others counter the Rainbow Light Gu. It will be an enriching experience for me, too.”
“Wouldn’t the beast phantoms from Rank 3 Gu, like the Charging Green Bull, be able to hurt Brother Monkey?” Xin Ci casts a worried glance as the arena erupts into loud cheers. Li Ran’s arrival is met with a resounding noise. However, Lo Jik has been waiting for a few minutes already. His reputation only earned him sneers and boos once he stepped in. But she can’t focus on Li Ran. Instead, Xin Ci forgets about her earlier reservations about Lo Jik’s actions and her conflicted emotions. Her attention rests on the youth standing with a peaceful expression. His loose clothing and slightly short hair make him look like an avid visitor of pleasure houses. The lack of his Cultivation’s aura makes him appear a mortal compared to the form-fittingly dressed Li Ran.
‘Brother Monkey,’ Xin Ci chews her lips. She’s seen Li Ran’s matches. That man has rich combat experience and grit to see things through.
‘Please be safe.’ Although others might ridicule Xin Ci and say her prayers are better suited for his victories, Xin Ci’s priority will remain Lo Jik’s safety. Others’ urges and mockery could never hope to change who Xin Ci is and the path she wants to follow. ‘I just wish I had been quicker in realizing that your actions didn’t make you any less of a person who saved and taught me.’
How is this any different?
The Shang Clan is no worse than the wilderness. The danger lies at every corner for those who excel. For Xin Ci, her blood siblings may be the ones who attempt to end her life. For Lo Jik, it’s the other demonic and lone Gu Masters who will do anything to snatch his Gu and gain fortunes.
It’s similar to how beasts roam and prey on the weaker animal to survive.
“I apologize,” Li Ran smiles. His words cause others to grow silent as they observe the match. “I usually sell the Gu Worm I take back to the owner. However, the Little Giant Gu is useful for me. I hope you won’t hold a grudge.”
“Hah!” Lo Jik cups his fists, surprising others. This might be the first time he’s shown someone respect in the Battle Stage. However, his words dash the spectators’ hopes. “I heard how you went crawling to your wife, Li Ran. Did you know what else she sold aside from tofu?”
Li Ran’s expression freezes as Lo Jik continues with a crooked smirk. “I hope you don’t hold a grudge against me, Li Ran. Ah. Isn’t that your lovely wife?” He waves at a peculiar woman sitting in the arena.
“Bastard!” Li Ran suddenly roars. “You will pay for that insult!”
His wife is virtuous. She never took another man after his folly and wholeheartedly nurtured his son. How can Li Ran stand still after all that? Li Ran charges at Lo Jik.
“Hahaha! What insult?” Lo Jik jogs slowly as his body balloons to fill his loose robes and pants. His hair turns black, his eyes green, and his expression grows fierce. “I know why you want the Little Giant Gu! Hahaha! All you have right now is the ‘Little’ Gu!”
If it works, why not use it.
Lo Jik rarely taunts in a battle. He knows it won’t work on experts like Wei Yang. However, Li Ran is known for having a changed attitude. It doesn’t matter if it’s true. Li Ran must be angry if it’s true or acting furious to maintain his reputation as a loving husband. Both tasks will drain his mental fortitude.
Li Ran appears small and weak compared to Lo Jik. The latter’s steps thud and shake the simple flagstone stage.
A furious boar’s phantom appears behind Li Ran as a shroud of gold covers him.
Two fists clash as the arena erupts with an uproar. Barely a few breaths passed from Lo Jik’s insults to the clash as the spectators reel with shock. Almost everyone can see Lo Jik’s earlier words were an attempt to rile Li Ran. Several gazes glitter once they realize Li Ran’s weakness might be his wife.
Or rather, Li Ran is ashamed of his past!
They can use it.
Meanwhile, Lo Jik and Li Ran are pushed one and five steps, respectively. The former smirks and charges at Li Ran without letting the latter experience any breather.
Despite being bigger, Lo Jik retains his mobility. No. Since he’s bigger, he is also relatively faster and has greater reach than Li Ran! Lo Jik’s fists and kicks smash against Li Ran’s Golden Shield Gu as the latter tries to learn Lo Jik’s pattern. When Li Ran feels suppressed, he uses the All-Out Strength Gu!
*Roar*
Phantom of a Bandit Monkey appears behind Li Ran as his fist suddenly sends Lo Jik flying!
“Another Rank 3 Beast Phantom!”
“This Li Ran hid his capabilities!”
Bai Ning Bing leans forward. She recalls how Lo Jik tried finding the Bandit Strength Gu when living on the Fei Hou Mountain. Bandit Monkeys have superb upper body and arm strength. The attack from Li Ran’s punches using the Bandit Monkey phantom is nothing to scoff at. Even Bai Ning Bing’s Frost Demon Body will suffer some cracks.
Lo Jik lands on his feet despite the impossible angle. Wei Yang’s eyes briefly widen before he smiles, answering the questions of others present.
“The Wise Cat Steps Gu. This Gu allows the Gu Master to mimic the Wise Cat’s movements, including always landing on one’s feet. Of course, Lo Jik doesn’t have a cat’s body. But he must have refined his body enough to not feel strained from such movements.”
‘Gosh!’ Xiao Die’s cheeks turn red. ‘Lord Monkey is so flexible.’ She can’t help but think things.
Barely scuffed, Lo Jik instantly attacks Li Ran again.
Although others usually find the Strength Path Gu Master’s close-quarter combat tedious, they have never seen someone attack with such force aside from the top experts of the path.
Li Ran isn’t outdone by Lo Jik. Although the former has the benefit of reach, the latter displays bestial might!
But good things don’t last.
Li Ran’s Golden Shield Gu dims and fluctuates under the constant assault as he grits his teeth and revokes it!
“What?”
“Is Li Ran crazy—”
*Booom*
A massive explosion sends Lo Jik flying again. Burns cover his right arm as the explosion shreds half his robes. His figure smashes into two Flagstones consecutively before he falls on his back.
“Ah!” Xiao Die gasps. Xin Ci worriedly clenches her fists. However, Bai Ning Bing, Wei Yang, and Xiao Lan momentarily ignore the duo.
The match is finally becoming exciting.
“Huff!”
Burns covers Li Ran’s left fist. He lets out a weary grunt and activates the Self-Reliance Gu. His skin heals at a pace visible to the naked eye. Spectating Gu Masters instantly realizes the source of this attack.
‘Explosive Strength Gu, huh.’ Lo Jik sits up and glances at his burnt arm. Pain assaults his senses. However, Li Ran charges at Lo Jik with the phantom of a galloping horse!
Another Rank 3 Phantom!
Li Ran’s injuries are nothing compared to Lo Ji. So, he healed early and stopped Lo Jik from healing. Instead of meeting Li Ran’s attacks, Lo Jik evades with cat-like steps and uses the tall flagposts. However, Li Ran crushes these hindrances with one attack!
“This Li Ran…”
“When did he get the Explosive Strength Gu?”
“Too amazing! Explosive Strength Gu converts the Gu Master’s strength into an explosive. Although it hurts the enemy, it also injures the users. Li Ran didn’t use the Gu to its full extent, or his arm would have been torn apart! After all, it doesn’t look like he used the Bronze Skin Gu yet.”
“All-Out Effort Gu as the core and the Explosive Strength Gu to support his offense. How can others deal with him?”
“Heh,” Bai Ning Bing snickers. “It needs physical contact.” She sees through the weakness. “Li Ran is also defenseless when using this Gu. But combining it with the Little Giant Gu will reveal an amazing result!”
“Sister Bai is correct,” Wei Yang nods as Bai Ning Bing continues. “So, Lo Jik must kill Li Ran in a surprise to get both the All-Out Effort and the Explosive Strength Gu.”
Wei Yang’s lips twitch. But he somehow agrees with Bai Ning Bing’s words. Devouring the opponent's benefits will multiply the winner’s ability.
“Why are you running?” Li Ran barks and taunts. “Didn’t you have much to say, Little Giant?”
Lo Jik smirks and continues dodging. How can Li Ran compare to Lo Jik in martial arts and brawling? Although Li Ran refined his bones and flesh, could he have advanced his skin, internal organs, and circulatory and nervous systems?
Lo Jik heals calmly, letting the blistering flesh regrow into rough olive-tinted hide as Li Ran grits his teeth.
“This is the first time I’ve seen Lo Jik display such skills!”
“Amazing!”
“Fool! Could any of you force him to perform like this?”
Others grow silent.
‘Slow!’
Lo Jik evades an attack and thrusts his fist forward. Killing intent brews in his gaze. However, Li Ran suddenly uses the All-Out Strength to charge into Lo Jik with a Boar’s explosive speed!
*Bang*
*BOOOOOM*
An even more intense explosion sends Lo Jik cutting an arc through the air with tattered robes and burns at several regions. His body smashes into the ground before rolling until he quickly jumps and lands on his feet. Indifferent to his injuries, his massive legs sprint at Li Ran!
“Ugh!” Li Ran instantly uses a Golden Shield Gu. The light isn’t dim—a second Rank 3 Golden Shield Gu!
Li Ran did not expect Lo Jik to bear the pain and come crashing in. However, Lo Jik doesn’t let Li Ran heal this time. Surprisingly, Lo Jik still heals!
Controlling two things at once!
Others gasp at Lo Jik’s display of fierce combat and simultaneous healing. Although many can perform two things, like killer moves, others often find a more peaceful and stable timing.
However, Lo Jik’s actions are the opposite!
Wei Yang’s eyes brighten. He cannot help but feel excited at such talent. His desire to recruit Lo Jik only intensifies!
*Houuuu*
A white ape’s phantom suddenly materializes behind Lo Jik as its fists rise and mimic Lo Jik’s actions of hammering his fists down!
“A beast phantom!”
“He actually managed to conjure one!”
Li Ran’s expression changes as he evades the attack by jumping using the Wolf’s Beast Strength Phantom.
*Bang*
A mushroom cloud of dust rises as Lo Jik’s figure tears through it, causing the cloud to disperse.
“Come back here!” Lo Jik grins, fully healed.
“I would already be dead by now,” one of the Gu Masters mutters as he stares at the 4-meter-tall Lo Jik chasing after the escaping Li Ran.
Lo Jik’s widened steps due to the increased size and Li Ran’s Galloping Horse phantom create an equilibrium as the game of chase continues for a while.
“The Strength Path is too fierce,” one of the Gu Masters sighs. “My Lightning Path Gu consumes large portions of my Essence. I could not have survived long without the Lightning Source Gu.”
“Most paths are like that. Less Primeval Essence consumption is one of the benefits of the Strength Path. But the Little Giant Gu is more than that. Lo Jik must have a profound depth in body refinement to stay in his transformation.”
“Hehe! But the Iron Bones and Steel Tendons carry the Bone and Metal Dao. Although they don’t conflict with this transformation, it must consume more Primeval Essence!” One of the voices takes joy at Lo Jik’s expense.
However, the situation is the opposite for Lo Jik. The strength path dao carvings from his Body Refinement Gu resonates with the Little Giant Gu! Lo Jik’s Essence consumption is negligible compared to other paths!
“Run! Keep running! Let’s see who exhausts early!” Lo Jik laughs, chasing Li Ran like a mad cow.
That’s what Li Ran is hoping for.
Lo Jik’s ability to heal while fighting frightened Li Ran to opt for the tactic of making Lo Jik run out of steam.
“This is boring.”
Lo Jik stops after three minutes.
“See? What did I tell you—” The Gu Master choked on his words as a bow’s phantom emerged from Lo Jik’s wrist before turning into a fur-tipped wooden bow.
Lo Jik pulls the light string as a fletched arrow materializes.
‘What?’
Li Ran is inwardly surprised. He instantly stops after putting some distance. Hundreds of Flagstone debris cover the plain stage as Lo Jik aims at Li Ran.
Surprisingly, Lo Jik still didn’t remove his transformation!
*Fwip*
The arrow zooms at Li Ran. He momentarily hesitates before deciding to test the attack.
Li Ran punches with a Bear’s Phantom erupting from behind.
*Bang*
The arrow disintegrates with a crisp crackle. However, Li Ran frowns. The arrow’s piercing directly counters the Golden Shield’s armor. After all, Golden Shield Gu is suitable for Strength Path masters due to its shock absorption. But it lacks a certain hardness against piercing and slashing abilities.
“What Gu is that?”
“Rank 3 Phantom Bow. To think I will see it on a Strength Path Gu Master.”
“I’ve seen it before. It was sold once in the Super Auction.”
The Phantom Bow’s ability spreads to other Gu Masters as Lo Jik begins showering Li Ran with arrows.
Instead of shooting from a straight path, Lo Jik aims at the sky and attacks from an arc. Next, Lo Jik directly aims at Li Ran, forcing him on the path of the oncoming arrows from above.
‘A master archer?’ Wei Yang blinks. Although archery is mostly a mortal profession, a rare few rise from the Gu Master’s rank and distinguish themselves with the art.
“Wow…” Xin Ci whispers.
“Brother Lo Jik used to say he learned from mortal hunters before becoming a Gu Master,” Wei Yang muses. “To think he practiced the art for so long.”
Bai Ning Bing doesn’t converse. She always knew about Lo Jik’s archery. However, the introduction of the Phantom Bow Gu surprised her.
‘What else does Lo Jik have?’ She grows curious since her intent to fight him turns firmer.
‘Tch! This is troublesome.’
Li Ran moves around, trying to dodge and sometimes attack. However, the continuous consumption of Primeval Essence for the Golden Shield Gu will get to him.
He is a decisive person.
Once he notices how Lo Jik doesn’t seem to be getting exhausted, Li Ran decides to forgo defense for offense.
‘Oh? Finally coming?’
Lo Jik smiles as the Bow turns into a phantom and enters his wrist. Lo Jik had to use slightly more essence to mirror the bow’s size for his Giant Body. But he isn’t about to lose Primeval Essence. He has two apertures and a Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus!
An intense combat ensues again.
This match grips everyone’s attention. Several Gu Masters feel excited as they see two men duke it out. Lo Jik is an excellent combatant. Meanwhile, Li Ran’s rich experience allows him to survive and weave through the blows.
*Roar*
Li Ran suddenly removes the Golden Shield Gu as the Bandit Monkey’s Phantom erupts from behind.
*BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM*
A massive explosion emerges from the point of contact as Li Ran goes all out!
A giant mushroom cloud curtains the duo as Lo Jik’s figure flies out a second later. Li Ran isn’t any better. His comparatively small body staggers back until he gets control and runs away. Others can see Li Ran’s torn hand. He grits his teeth and covers his left stump. Light burns cover his body while his clothes are tattered.
However, Lo Jik suffered the brunt of it.
“Aaaghhhh!”
A few Gu Masters scream in shock.
Xin Ci feels her vision swimming as Xiao Die bites her bottom lip with tears streaming down. Meanwhile, the cold Bai Ning Bing's blood boils with excitement!
*Rip*
A dangerously disfigured Giant rips the clothes around his legs and ties them to his burnt waist.
Burnt!
Severe burns cover Lo Jik from head to toe. His left side is thoroughly mangled. Blistering and charred flesh makes him look horrifying.
Pain!
Pain threatens to fuck Lo Jik’s consciousness as he quietly rests his blurred vision on the distant figure. Self-Reliance Gu works overtime. However, regenerating his eye will take hours!
Lo Jik’s left side, including his eye, is fucked.
‘Good,’ Lo Jik grits his teeth. He pants and coughs blood as he slowly straightens his back. ‘Good!’ His heart thumps. This is only the work of a Rank 3 Gu. What about later stages? Will this pain take him out?
Why did he go through all that pain before?
“GOOD!” Lo Jik’s chuckling bark stuns the crowd as he charges into the cloud of dust!
‘What?’
Li Ran’s expression changes as he watches Lo Jik emerge from the other side of the cloud. ‘Is this man crazy?!’
Li Ran might be onto something.
“That’s a good explosive strength!” Lo Jik lets loose a maddened laugh. “But you only have two arms, Li Ran!”
Lo Jik quietly uses the Three Tasks at Once Gu to ease the mental pressure of doing anything in such pain. He creates Lightning Thoughts to further reduce mental stress.
Nobody has ever seen Lo Jik in such a pitiful state. Even getting burnt when fighting Bhu Jin was done on his accord. Now? They see a half-cooked madman with barely anything covering his privates force Li Ran into a corner.
Li Ran tries attacking Lo Jik’s prominent member. However, Lo Jik always dodges or protects himself appropriately.
‘Damn it!’ Li Ran clenches his jaw, feeling the pain of a torn wrist slowing him.
“Give up! Is the Little Giant Gu worth your life?!”
Lo Jik’s attacks only become more fierce!
“Open your eyes, Lo Jik! Don’t let ego consume you!” Li Ran urges.
“Shut the fuck up!” Lo Jik laughs. He feels something brewing in his chest.
Lo Jik feels connected with the transformation for the first time. Such severe injuries induce the giant’s savagery within the Little Giant Gu! But this chaotic savagery is under Lo Jik’s firm control.
His remaining black hair flies wildly as Lo Jik smashes his fist on Li Ran again.
‘Shit!’
Li Ran removes the hurt Golden Shield Gu and counters.
*Boom*
A small explosion sends Lo Jik back. But his condition is already better than before. He has been using the Self-Reliant Gu all this time.
However, Li Ran’s condition worsens as Lo Jik’s relentless attacks do not let him heal.
“There are no invincible Gu,” Wei Yang whispers. His expression is moved as he stares at Lo Jik. “Only outstanding Gu Masters.”
“Li Ran isn’t bad,” Bai Ning Bing sits on the edge of her seat. “But the winner will be decided soon.”
Xin Ci stares tightly despite reddened eyes.
‘This is Brother Monkey. I can’t look away. I refuse to look away. He must be hurting so much more than me. Just the sight of his injuries makes me sad. But this is his path. I could never stand in his way. I can also never look away.’
‘Damn it! Damn it!’ Cold sweat covers Li Ran’s body as he tries to attack Lo Jik.
“Die!”
Li Ran removes his flickering defenses. One of his Golden Shield Gu is already dead.
However, Lo Jik avoids for the first time. His body twists as Li Ran exclaims in surprise. This is the first time Lo Jik dodged the Explosive Strength Gu. With Li Ran’s experience, how can he not tell he fell for Lo Jik’s scheme of getting Li Ran complacent.
Lo Jik accepted all the explosions from the Explosive Strength Gu for this instance!
It’s too late. Li Ran’s gaze stiffens as he unconsciously glances at his horrified wife—
*Splat*
Lo Jik’s backhanded smack instantly crushes Li Ran’s head as the latter’s body collapses on the ground.
“Nooooo!”
Li Ran’s wife’s voice shrieks loudly. However, her cries are drowned by a wave of booming laughter from Lo Jik’s stomach.
For some reason…
He feels good.
No wonder Gu Masters like busting smashing lyrics and poems during their fights. However, Lo Jik holds this urge. He isn’t a poet. What can he recite?
Instead, laughter expresses his joy, relief, excitement, and pride,
“He won!” Xiao Die squeals joyfully before losing consciousness as Xin Ci feels a heavy burden lifting from her shoulders.
‘Amazing,’ praise flickers in Xiao Lan’s eyes for the first time.
Wei Yang leans back on his chair with a soft smile.
Bai Ning Bing leaves the viewing room. She can’t sit still.
However, one person isn’t happy.
“Damn it!”
Shang Ya Zi smashes his wine cup. This is the third time!
He supported three Gu Masters to deal with Lo Jik.
Zhun Man and Bhu Jin died miserably. However, Li Ran gave Shang Ya Zi some hope. Shang Ya Zi had used the last of his funds to find the Explosive Strength Gu for Li Ran!
‘I just hope that useless bastard destroyed all the Gu before his death! Hmph!’
Shang Ya Zi feels worse. However, he will have to temporarily postpone his vengeance against Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing.
***
Alternative Title: Freaky Body; Beyond Hope’s Perspective; A Quick Learner; It’s all about the Dao; More than Willing to Fail; Li Ran’s Meeting; Difference Between Kindness and Brutality; No Kindness Goes Unpunished; Knowing the Enemy and Oneself; Outclassed; Hidden Depths; Expensive Projects; Packed Arena; Double Price; All Eyes on Him; Cheerful Introduction; Insulting a Man’s Wife; If it Works, It Works; Difference In Foundation; Li Ran Never Stood a Chance; EXPLOSION; Mighty Strength Path; The Master Archer; Trick Shots for Life; Beast Phantoms VS Giant; The Heaven Wills Lo Jik to Get Naked and Burned; Toasted Balls; Hot Sausage; Raw Pain; Worthwhile Experiences; Lost Eye?; A Moment’s Love and Hesitation; Doing Two Things at Once in a Fierce Combat; Healing and Fighting; Inexhaustive Beast; The Power to Roam Free; To Grow, One Must Devour; The Eternal Law of Jungle
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