75. No Inbetween
Third Inner City Battle Zone, the Icy Hell Battle Stage.
Only three people are present in the massive arena besides Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing—Wei Yang, Xin Ci, and Xiao Die. Not even Xin Ci’s usual guards, Xiao and Tian Lan, are allowed inside. As the two girls sit in the front seats, Wei Yang stands on the battle stage with a weird expression.
Wei Yang initially believed the duo wanted to challenge him. However, their invitation stated otherwise. However, he gets serious once he focuses on the sharp battle intent brewing in Lo Jik’s and Bai Ning Bing’s gazes.
He announces calmly.
“The rules will be slightly different from the usual matches. The two parties will have the option to surrender. However, instead of selecting a Gu, the winner will perform the predetermined service known only to them. Killing… is allowed.”
Xin Ci’s and Xiao Die’s hearts tremble.
What?
Brother and Sister Monkey want to kill each other.
“You may begin. The formations in the arena are active, and only the three of us are in the audience, as you requested, Brother Lo Jik. There will be no recordings. Both of you, good luck.”
He steps away as Bai Ning Bing and Lo Jik stand in the frozen wasteland. Jagged ice layers the ground with small, icy hills jutting out from several spots. Unlike the breezily smirking Lo Jik, Bai Ning Bing looks annoyed.
“Why are those two here?” Bai Ning Bing snarls. She can understand why Wei Yang is here. Shang Yan Fei is bound to get intrigued if they battle alone. However, having Wei Yang allows them to control how they wish to reveal their abilities. But Xin Ci and Xiao Die? An ominous feeling grips her chest.
“You still don’t get it?” Lo Jik cocks his head and smirks. “I figured Xiao Die would be thrilled with what you would be doing for the next six hours after you lose.”
“Bastard!” Killing intent brews in Bai Ning Bing’s heart. Their interaction surprises the trio as she snarls with conviction. “I will kill you.” A frosty air develops around her. She has already recovered her aptitude.
Lo Jik doesn’t doubt the validity of those words. Bai Ning Bing isn’t some damsel in distress. He may have saved her, but she understands her value and won’t feel remorse for killing him for pushing his luck.
But push his luck, Lo Jik does.
How else would Lo Jik have developed the immaculate asshole qi around him without pushing his luck and getting beaten for it on several occasions?
“You know?” Lo Jik’s body slowly balloons into a four-meter giant. His voice turns deep and slightly hoarse. “It was either you killing me or fucking me. There was never a compromise.”
Bai Ning Bing’s gaze turns sharp. They stop speaking entirely as Bai Ning Bing transforms, too.
‘So quickly? They really want to kill each other?’ Wei Yang’s gaze twitches. He won’t let that happen. Even if one party doesn’t give up, he will use his Elder’s token to control the Battle Stage’s formation and stop them.
Frost and ice swirl and whip around Bing. Her skin turns into crystal-clear ice as her body reveals her bones. Instead of usual bones, Bai Ning Bing’s skeletal structure has a jade-green tint. As the frost reaches her head, the ice exposes a ghastly skull with bright blue flames flickering between them. Her long white hair clumps in thick strands and freezes to form a dagger-like carpet of icy hair!
Frost Demon Gu!
Little Giant and the Frost Demon momentarily gaze at each other before they grin. While Lo Jik is bald, he would grow black hair during his transformation. He looks savage and battle-ready. Meanwhile, ice splits to form a sharp smile on Bai Ning Bing’s skeletal features.
The two figures charge at each other!
Frost condenses around Bai Ning Bing as she shoots thick icicles at Lo Jik. He narrows his eyes and decides to run into them. An Iron-Headed Boar’s phantom erupts from his back as his huge fists smash into Bai Ning Bing’s tiny figure! Ice blades grow out of her palms instead of usually clapping her hands together. She weaves past the attack as the impact sends crushed ice flying everywhere. Instead, she stabs on Lo Jik’s fist and jumps on his arm.
“Die!” She coldly cackles as she releases a cloud of frost from her icy mouth.
Rank 3 Frost Breath Gu!
Lo Jik grins. He headbutts into the mist. The Iron-Headed Boar’s phantom appears again. Boars are masters in charging and headbutting. So, Lo Jik’s attack is dangerous as Bai Ning Bing’s figure rockets back with cracks covering her body. She smashes into the wall before standing straight as if uninjured.
She glances at the collected frost on Lo Jik’s body before charging again. Two short ice daggers surge from her palms. The cracks on her body heal as she forms the icicles around her.
Knowing how much of a bullshit her essence recovery is, Lo Jik resolves to end the battle early.
The stabs into his skin heal. However, he will need time to deal with the frost collected around his hands. After all, the Ice Edge Gu has the Rank 4 combat strength under the boost of the Extreme Physique! Her frost breath is no different. Lo Jik’s right side and top of the head are covered in a thin layer of ice. And despite his strength, the Frost Demon Gu Worm’s defense is similar to a Rank 4 Gu!
So, Lo Jik unhesitatingly incorporates the Beast Phantoms when attacking her. Of course, Bai Ning Bing must have some ace up her sleeve. But it’s upto Lo Jik to ensure she can’t use them!
*Boom*
Lo Jik suddenly punches Bai Ning Bing’s body as a massive explosion sends her flying—
*Boom*
Another massive explosion suddenly erupts around Lo Jik’s hands and right side of his face. Pain rushes into his veins as ice burns cover his body.
“Ah!” The two girls gasped, unable to make any sense of it. However, Wei Yan narrows his eyes. “It’s the Rank 3 Ice Explosion Gu. However, its strength seems stronger. Bai Ning Bing must have used a Gu like the Ice Heart Gu to multiply her output.”
“Did you enjoy that?” Bai Ning Bing heals considerably quicker than Lo Jik as she rushes at him. Lo Jik instantly understands her plan. She intends to bury him using the frost and cold of her Gu Set before triggering the Ice Explosion Gu. She could have even used the surrounding ice if she had the Rank 4 Variant.
“Hehe,” Lo Jik uses the Golden Shield Gu. He purchased it to protect his left eye. “Persistent little bitch.” He chuckles and takes on the close-quarter combat. So what if she has a Rank 4 Gu Master’s Battle Strength?
So does he!
Beast Phantoms flash around him.
The bear smacks Bai Ning Bing away. Lo Jik uses the boar to close the distance before smashing Bai Ning Bing into the ground with the White Ape Phantom. Her body crackles apart, maintaining its regeneration under the intense pounding session as the Panda tosses and slams down again! The Black Coiling Snack hisses as Lo Jik takes Bai Ning Bing’s tiny body into his hands before wringing and—
*Boom*
A massive explosion cuts the Beast Phantom combo as Bai Ning Bing uses the Ice Explosion on her left arm.
The golden shield around Lo Jik’s body briefly flickers before abruptly destroying it as an icy mist and cold condense around them, making it challenging for the trio to see what’s happening.
“Hahahaha!” Bai Ning Bing’s maniacal laugh blooms. “You’re the fucking best!”
“I know!” Lo Jik matches her energy, feeling the innate savagery of the giant trigger. He barely protected his left side instinctively. Their body shot out from the frosty cloud. Bai Ning Bing’s arm is healed while Lo Jik’s Self-Reliance Gu overworks to take care of the severe ice burns on Lo Jik’s body.
‘Are they still Rank 3 Gu Masters?’ Wei Yang secretly gulps. He can temporarily match Rank 4 Battle Strenght and kite Rank 4 Gu Masters due to his Rainbow Light Gu. But this?
Xin Ci and Xiao Die watch in a daze. They momentarily forget about the battle and the horrifying injuries on Lo Jik’s body.
They watch the combatants’ smiles.
Xin Ci and Xiao Die have never seen Lo Jik or Bai Ning Bing smile so heartily. It says a lot because Bai Ning Bing is in her Frost Demon Transformation. But they can notice it all the same!
‘Amazing…’
The trio simultaneously thinks.
Lo Jik understands Bai Ning Bing won’t give up. Be it regeneration or essence recovery—the odds are on her side. But Lo Jik holds her weakness, too.
He did it before.
And he isn’t ashamed to repeat it once he notices how their battle fell into repetition.
“Is that all?”
Lo Jik stops at a distance. They have fought each other for almost 17 minutes. Lo Jik’s injuries recovered from one spot before working on another. However, he’s spirited. His question stops Bai Ning Bing midway.
“What?”
“Is that all you did since we settled in Shang Clan?” Lo Jik repeats. “You haven’t changed much from Qing Mao Mountain. You’re kind of boring me now.”
Bai Ning Bing’s frozen features freeze.
“What did you say?” Deja vu grips Bai Ning Bing’s senses as Lo Jik revokes his transformation before replying, “I said, you’re boring me.”
She inhales loudly to calm her aggravated nerves.
“I’m going to kill you!” She clenches her fists. It took her some time to settle on her set. Frozen Breath and Ice Explosion are the most considerable changes since they replaced the Blue Bird Ice Coffin. Did she rack her brain to hear this?
“Whatever. I think I will just surrender. No point in fighting you any further,” Lo Jik yawns and rubs his left eye. “I—”
“I surrender!” Bai Ning Bing seethes. She won’t let him back out—
As she revokes her transformation, Bai Ning Bing watches a smirk form on Lo Jik’s lips.
“How kind. On your knees, Ning Bing.”
She’s been played.
<<<>>>
Xiao Die doesn’t know what to think of it. She’s thrilled? But she is also scared for her life. Wei Yang didn’t stick around. He already trusts Lo Jik with Xin Ci and Xiao Die despite the… circumstances.
“Ah,” Lo Jik sighs. “What a wonderful view, isn’t that right, Xin Ci, Xiao Die?”
They are in Lo Jik’s courtyard. They glance at each other before inadvertently glancing down at the gritting Bai Ning Bing on her fours. The icy woman spews flames from her gaze. That bone-chilling hateful glare rests on Lo Jik, who crosses his legs on a chair and sips tea. The ‘view’ he is talking about is the mirror placed in the courtyard for Ning Bing to see her reflection.
Hatred and killing intent pump in her veins as she shudders.
*Gulp*
Xin Ci and Xiao Die believe this might be their last night.
It’s been good while it lasted.
Lo Jik glances at the woman and speaks fondly. “Do you want some water, Ning Bing? Perhaps A collar around your neck? A tail plug?”
“You!” Bai Ning Bing shudders with rage as Lo Jik laughs. “Hehehe. It’s only been two hours. Sigh. What a wonderful time it is to be alive.”
“Ah, look at the time. Thank you for humoring me tonight, Xin Ci and Xiao Die. I hope you enjoyed this surprise.” Lo Jik smilingly winks at them. “But I’m afraid Ning Bing would kill you if I keep you around longer.”
Bai Ning Bing’s icy gaze lands on the two girls.
Xin Ci forces a smile before whispering, “Um. I know it’s not my position to say anything, Brother Monkey. But you shouldn’t—”
“I’ll cut your tongue and then stuff the slit I dug in your throat with your tongue if you speak something stupid,” Bai Ning Bing’s gaze sharpens as Xin Ci wisely shuts up. She nods at Bai Ning Bing before offering her farewell to an unbothered Lo Jik. While leaving, Xiao Die took several peeks at the kneeling Bing. The girl’s heart feels satisfied the more she watches.
“Are you happy?” Bai Ning Bing hisses.
“We don’t have a poison vow. You can get up anytime you like,” Lo Jik smirks and sips his tea.
The woman turns silent.
“I’m thirsty.”
“Do you want me to put water in a bowl—”
Bai Ning Bing suddenly snatches the chair from under Lo Jik as he slumps on the ground.
“Heh. Look at that. You’re on the same level,” Bai Ning Bing smirks.
“I don’t think winners and losers are on the same level,” Lo Jik goads. “I’ve won twice.”
“What?” Bai Ning Bing snarls. “You didn’t defeat me before! Those Xiong Elders interrupted, or I would have killed you.”
“Nah, I won. I won today, too.”
“You tricked me!”
“Oh? It’s called a tactic—playing the opponent.”
Bai Ning Bing’s gaze turns cold. “Don’t think I will play your games just because you saved me once when I got sick.”
“I saved you twice,” Lo Jik frowns. “You would have been dead if I didn’t tell you about the Crane Tide.”
“That doesn’t count. I saved your life by bringing the Gu House, too.”
Lo Jik shrugs. He sees an opportunity and latches on it.
“Who cares? And there aren’t any games. You didn’t kill me. Your words are just empty threats—”
Bai Ning Bing pounces atop Lo Jik with an icy dagger to his throat. Her white hair falls to his sides, framing his face and curtaining them away from their surroundings. Her calm and stony eyes meet his unimpressed brown hues.
“My words aren’t empty threats,” Bai Ning Bing narrows her eyes.
Lo Jik smiles. He raises his chin to let Bai Ning Bing get a better angle for his throat. Even if she DOES slice his throat…
He will just use the Yin Rotation Gu.
Bai Ning Bing presses the cold edge of her Ice Gu against his throat as frost condenses on the skin. Her grip briefly tightens before she leans down. The tips of their nose almost brush against each other as Bai Ning Bing glares pointedly.
“This is purely curiosity.”
“A loser doesn’t get any rewards,” Lo Jik smirks as he tries moving away when she presses her lips on his.
Her lips are soft and cold. As she kisses Lo Jik with pressed lips, Bai Ning Bing’s grip loosens only to tighten abruptly and almost behead Lo Jik when he leaves the inch and grips the mile by sliding his tongue into her mouth and coiling his thick arms around her waist.
Her body shudders at the new sensations blooming in different regions of her body. She is someone who chases excitement.
Tonight was exciting.
And the end?
Her thighs press together as she lays on him while enjoying the dao of kissing, their marks mingling together and forming new realms of pleasant sensations.
‘Eh?’ Bai Ning Bing draws a sharp gasp despite their kiss. Her body uncontrollably trembles as she feels something brewing near her crotch. It’s at the edge, persuading her to return to the act, which she does.
It’s close.
Something…
Something is coming.
<<<>>>
‘I underestimated the Ten Extreme Physique. Had I known this, I would have worked on Bai Ning Bing WAY before. I only expected a Silver Reward. But this?’
Lo Jik muses and stares at the list of achievements—
[Going North (Golden): Kissed Bai Ning Bing For The First Time. Parties Involved—Host and Bai Ning Bing. Rewards Stored.]
[Southern Spring (Golden): Made Bai Ning Bing Orgasm For The First Time. Parties Involved—Host and Bai Ning Bing. Rewards Stored.]
[The Suicidal Game (Silver/Repeatable): Made out with Bai Ning Bing. Parties Involved—Host and Bai Ning Bing. Rewards Stored.]
Lo Jik whistles in amazement. He could have never expected that an Extreme Physique would invoke rewards of such scale. Doesn’t this mean the status of Extreme Physique is at the peak of the mortal realm just by existing? Could Lo Jik get a Platinum Reward if Bai Ning Bing’s cultivation is higher than Lo Jik by a rank or two?
He curbs such thoughts and focuses on the rewards.
A gentle light blooms as Lo Jik summons the Silver Reward. He can’t help but allow his expectations to rise. This is a reward for an Extreme Physique! These must be rare—
A Silver Relic Gu descends on his lap.
‘Well,’ Lo Jik sighs. ‘I do need it.’
He can reach the peak stage in one go and further nurture the crystal walls to arrive at the absolute peak of Rank 3 Cultivation.
Storing the Relic Gu away, Lo Jik summons one of the two Golden Rewards. His hope simmers down this time. The silhouette of a Gu Forms, and soon Lo Jik sees a twirling silhouette swimming in the light as a sizeable white figure ‘descend’ and overturns Lo Jik’s blanket! The aura of Rank 5 Gu is on full display as the 10-meter-long White Snake coils around. Unlike the Blood Torrent Python’s fierce appearance, this snake looks elegant. Its snow-white scales gently glow. Meanwhile, its piercing blue eyes rest on Lo Jik. On the two sides of its mouth are thick and long ‘fleshy’ whiskers that flow without air, like celestial ribbons.
‘A Rank 5 White Form Immortal Snake Gu?’
Lo Jik blinks. It’s like the Rank 5 Blood River Python. However, it’s several times rarer! A White Form Immortal Snake is a steed Gu that may be smaller than other Rank 5 Steeds. However, it only needs to drink the fresh waters of the Spirit Springs and has peak speed in water, land, AND air! It’s a one pit stop for a Gu Master’s steed requirements. This Gu’s actual ability is to spit a ball of cloud. This cloud covers the enemy for some time and confuses their sense of direction, limiting their visions!
It’s not strange.
All ‘Steed’ Gu have their abilities. The Blood River Python series possesses immense Regeneration when inside Blood Water. The Thousand Li Earthwolf can have a great defense among other Rank 5 Gu. The Rank 5 Essence Cloud Elephant Emperor has a sound-based ability to detect other creatures from kilometers away.
‘But why am I getting a rare Steed Gu from Bai Ning Bing?’ Lo Jik sighs and retrieves the Gu. The White Form Immortal Snake turns into a white light and enters Lo Jik’s second aperture. It quickly smacks the Blood Torrent Python away and coils around the Hope Gu.
Lo Jik calmly summons the next reward.
Just the White Form Immortal Snake allows Lo Jik to expand his escaping means. He is more than satisfied with the reward. After all, he has to work and refine the Gu with inheritances. But this? It’s not bad at all.
Lo Jik covers himself with the blanket again. Although he checked the courtyard for hidden Gu, he cannot be 100% certain. The Imaginative Strength’s inheritance broadened his horizons significantly. There are several Gu whose effect can remain for years after their consumption.
So, Lo Jik waits for the reward to form with an anticipative heart.
It is said that the Extreme Physiques are linked to the human ancestor—Ren Zu. Ren Zu’s ten children died before the Human Ancestor threw himself and his children’s corpses into Derivation’s stomach, creating the human race! The individuals with Extreme Physique are ‘Perfect.’ So, Heaven targets them for their perfection. Men and Women with these physiques die early due to constant essence consumption.
There is so much about Bai Ning Bing that can become an outstanding reward!
However, what lands on Lo Jik is a Rank 1 Gu.
No, it’s not a Storage Gu like the Determined Fist Gu. The second Golden Reward is a true-blue Rank 1 Gu!
However, Lo Jik isn’t surprised or angry. Instead, he picks the Gu and inspects it.
Lo Jik’s vast mental library cannot identify this Gu. It’s a thumb-sized fleshy doll with vague features. Since it’s a Rank 1 Gu, Lo Jik sends a stream of Primeval Essence to test it without worrying about possible destruction.
“Oh?” He lets out a curious noise. The strange Rank 1 Gu floats from his palm before turning into a life-sized clone! This clone lands a few centimeters from Lo Jik. They share the same features and baldness as it quietly takes the blanket from Lo Jik, lies down…
And Sleep?
Lo Jik blinks. He doesn’t exert any control on the Gu.
‘So, this Gu can sleep? Wait. WAIT! A clone with pre-programmed action?’ Lo Jik’s mind buzzes. He has never heard of such a Gu Worm! Does it eat the same food as him? Does it shit? These may sound like weird questions, but such things reveal a grand foundation behind this Gu Worm.
What are its capabilities?
How does it advance?
Lo Jik watches the sleeping clone. The clone’s skin is tender, and his body is thin. Lo Jik would have had this body had he not used the Body Refinement Gu.
‘I have an intimate connection with the Gu. So I can ‘feel’ that I’m using the Gu. It is still consuming bits of my essence even if sleeping.’
Lo Jik closes his eyes and ignores the Rank 1 Gu for now.
Instead, Lo Jik uses the Rank 3 Silver Relic Gu to nurture his First Aperture to the peak. The White Silver Gu lets out a brilliant glow that taints the solid wall, hardening and refining it further into the Crystal Wall. The light continues nurturing the Crystal Wall. After all, Lo Jik was already near the Peak Stage.
Now, the Silver Relic uses its remaining effect to nurture and allow Lo Jik to cover more distance.
The situation lasts for six hours.
Lo Jik slowly opens his eyes. He stares at the sleeping clone.
‘Still sleeping.’
He frowns but doesn’t leave the Clone’s side. Instead, Lo Jik observes it for another two hours!
The clone opens its eyes. Profound exhaustion reflects in those brown eyes as Lo Jik’s frown deepens.
Memories enter Lo Jik’s mind. These are the clone’s memories—dreams.
The Clone dreamt of…
‘Is that Amelia?’ Lo Jik blinks. Amelia is the first girl he kissed on his birthday. It was a Bronze Reward of an expensive pencil box. However, Lo Jik notices some peculiarities. It’s as if the dream was a maze!
‘How strange,’ Lo Jik closes his eyes, digesting the information. Usually, a person doesn’t remember the dream after waking up. But here he is, watching the clone dream of his previous life.
‘Is that all?’ Lo Jik sighs. The clone turns into a thumb-sized doll. But Lo Jik’s expression changes!
Rank 2?
How did this Gu advance—
‘By sleeping?’ Lo Jik grows speechless before shaking his head. He isn’t the kind to look away from the answer right at his face.
‘Not by sleeping but by dreaming.’ Lo Jik raises an eyebrow. The doll looks thinner and weaker. It’s injured.
‘So, this Gu Worm’s use is for it to dream. Like the Fickle Heart Strength Gu, which combines two aspects of Gu Cultivation, this Rank 2 Gu combines use and refinement.’ He’s already deduced this much after one use.
What he cannot understand is why a Gu exists to Dream?
‘It’s weak. Using this Gu exhausts it? So? What does it eat? No… the Gu is not tired. As I thought, it’s injured. Why does it feel more content?’
Only now does Lo Jik feel TRULY speechless.
‘Using, refinement, and nurturing combined into one? Holy… fuck.’
‘What should I call it? I don’t know the name. Can I use it enough to get an Immortal Gu? Hmm. These are hopeless dreams. Heh. I know. Let’s just call it the Dreamer—Rank 2 Dreamer Gu.’
This name just ‘came’ to him.
***
Alternate Title: Lo Jik VS Bai Ning Bing; The Audience; Bai Ning Bing’s Worst Fear; Maso Tendencies Run High; Leveraging a Weakness; Shocked Wei Yang; Killing Intent; Lo Jik is a Great-Grandmaster in Gaslighting Path; Xiao Die’s Hidden Joy; Threatening Bai Ning Bing; Bai Ning Bing Would LOVE a Collar And a Buttplug; A Knife To The Throat; Alas, No Titty Lo Jik; Shocking Achievements; A Quivering Moment; Excited Bai Ning Bing’s Fountain; The Northern Entrance’s Love; The South Squirts; No Compromises—Fuck or Kill; Maybe Marry?; For Benefits; Outstanding Rewards; The Complementary Relic Gu; The Top-Tier Steed Gu; The Snake That Has It All; Ancestor’s Rewards; There’s a New Snek In the Town; Poor Blood Torrent Python; Hope Gu’s New Coiling Resident; Lo Jik Collecting Steed Gu Like Pokemons; The Rank 1 Gu; Aight, Imma Sleep; Bronze-Ranked Pencil Box Goes Crazy; The Amazing Dreamer Gu; All Three Aspects Combined; Stumbling Into One of the Most Perfect Gu; Mortals: Eh, It Dreams For You? How Boring; Meanwhile Immortals: Eh? It Dreams For You? Holy FUCK!
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