85. Ice Punch
Lo Jik must know Xin Ci and her aspirations to use her. He doesn’t know what Su Shou’s planned, but he won’t feel safe without one. The best case scenario is the Shang Clan never finding the truth. But that’s a tall order. So, Lo Jik must make himself the least suspicious. Xin Ci is a great way to achieve that. Lo Jik also already has some scapegoats in mind.
But he has to include several other things before leaving.
First, he must leave with a reason.
Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing came here to refine themselves. Thus, one of the motives for their departures must emerge from the Shang Clan City—the success of their growth.
What do Geniuses do best?
They seek trouble.
One of the best reasons for Lo Jik’s departure from the clan would be lacking growth. How would one achieve that? By removing all other challengers.
Only one realistic challenge remains in Lo Jik’s path—Ju Kai Bei. Ju Kai Bei is a successful Rank 4 Strength Path Gu Master. None would be Lo Jik’s match once he defeats Ju Kai Bei. So? Would the talented Lo Jik remain in Shang Clan, where none challenges him?
Competition promotes growth.
Stagnation breeds staleness.
The second reason must be external.
Even if nothing’s left in Lo Jik’s path, would he recklessly charge into the wilderness without knowing what’s to come?
He planned to enter the Bai Clan and rule it. But that plan changed due to Su Shou. So? The internal and external reasons must overlap. He can create the internal reason and await the opportune external one.
This is merely the front for his escape.
Next, he needs a scapegoat. Su Shou’s eight servants are the best for that work. They are loyal to Su Shou. It wouldn’t be weird if she used her Enchantment Path Gu to manipulate them.
After the scapegoat is Su Shou herself.
Her body needs to die. That’s non-negotiable. Leaving her body would be a massive clue for Shang Yan Fei and others.
It’s time to knock these issues out one at a time.
First is Ju Kai Bei.
‘Bai Ning Bing might get restless once he realizes my motives for challenging Ju Kai Bei. However, that’s good. We have been moving together since we left Qing Mao Mountain. It will add another layer of concealment.’ Lo Jik smirks. ‘She’s also raring to go.’
“Challenge Ju Kai Bei?” Bai Ning Bing blinks in surprise. He scrutinizes Lo Jik while letting his legs wave inside the pond. “Hmm? Ju Kai Bei is a good Strength Path opponent for you. Meanwhile, the Fire Path expert Yan Tu poses a challenge to me. There won’t be any experts left to deal with us. Are you planning to leave?”
“Yeah,” Lo Jik sighs. “I can’t stay here forever. Of course, after beating Ju Kai Bei and verifying my strength, I will plan a trip to the Central Continent. I barely had a plan when the Blood Tide attacked Qing Mao Mountain. But things are different.”
“What about the Yin Rotation Gu?”
“I will hand it over after refining the Yang Rotation Gu.”
“I ought to charge interest for keeping my wealth for so long,” Bai Ning Bing snorts. “But all that’s just a temporary measure.”
He’s referring to his Extreme Physique.
“You could become a Zombie,” Lo Jik chuckles.
“That’s not facing my problem but running from it,” Bai Ning Bing scoffs. “But it’s not a bad backup plan.”
As long as he lives, who cares if it’s a Zombie’s body? But things haven’t reached that point yet.
“Or you could join the Shang Clan through Xin Ci and hope the Gu Immortals help you.”
Bai Ning Bing tosses Lo Jik a cold sneer.
“It’s just an idea,” he remains unperturbed. The duo briefly discuss other things before sending out their forceful challenges. Since Bai Ning Bing couldn’t advance to Rank 4 yet, so he didn’t mind seeing the difference between himself and Yan Tu. Meanwhile, possessing better Gu and cultivation than Ju Kai Bei, Lo Jik didn’t worry either.
As ‘promised,’ Lo Jik invited Xin Ci and Wei Yang to another banquet. He intended to stuff them for seven days and nights.
“Ju Kai Bei?!” Xiao Die is more expressive without Bai Ning Bing’s presence as she stammers. “He’s a Rank 4 Gu Master, Lord Monkey?”
“So?” Lo Jik smirks. “I’m already feeling impatient. Advancing to Rank 4 cultivation will be hard for someone with my aptitude. I may as well progress my battle strength itself and move further.”
“Impatient?” Xin Ci blinks as Lo Jik smiles.
“I’m grateful, Xin Ci,” Lo Jik replies. “I unknowingly started feeling coddled inside the Shang Clan. Others don’t pose a challenge. They cannot sharpen me further.”
He sips his wine.
“Are you preparing to leave?” Xiao Die gasps.
“What?” Lo Jik laughs. “And where would I go? No, girl. I’m planning to ask for Brother Wei’s help.”
“My help?” Wei Yang sighs in relief. He almost spilled wine after hearing about Lo Jik’s intention to leave. Wei Yang understood how Lo Jik wanted to progress. Would he stay if the Shang Clan no longer served a purpose? However, recruiting Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing for Xin Ci depends on the latter’s ability. Xin Ci must possess strength to move the duo’s heart.
“I don’t know what to do if I win against Ju Kai Bei,” Lo Jik smirks. “Brother Wei must find good challenges for me. Sigh. I had some intentions of rebuilding my clan. However, the world is too harsh for that. I have my sights set on making a bigger boat.”
He glances at Xin Ci. “I don’t want to resist the tides. I want to embrace and enjoy them.”
Xin Ci’s beautiful gaze glitters as she smiles softly.
Her apprehensions of Lo Jik leaving the Shang Clan fade.
<<<>>>
“Oh? Good work,” Shang Yan Fei dismisses Wei Yang and falls into a thought.
What he feared happened.
Geniuses are like hungry beasts. They seek flesh and blood. These geniuses like preying on the strong for their growth. The Shang Clan once proved opportune to Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing, but safety and a source of materials alone would turn the Clan into a ‘checkpoint’ for the duo. For them to stay, they must have a reason.
What reasons can the Shang Clan provide them?
‘Geniuses don’t lower their heads. The primary source of the Clan’s recruitment is the Battle Stage. The demonic Gu Masters fight each other. Losses humble and refine their spirit, and victories bolster their confidence. It’s like a human smith that hammers away the individual notions of the Demonic Gu Master’s identity, steadily incorporating them to become the external population of the Clan.’
How can Shang Yan Fei not understand that the core of Demonic Gu Masters is not criminal thought processes but an incredible sense of individualism?
The thought behind the Battle Stage is profound. It assisted the Clan for centuries!
‘But Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing never lost any match,’ Shang Yan Fei sighs. He wants them for Xin Ci. But their growth makes the Clan Leader sigh.
‘Lo Jik has a good relationship with Xin Ci. Although she does not compare to him in power, Wei Yang revealed that Lo Jik appreciates Xin Ci’s aspiration. But this is not good for a subordinate. How can Xin Ci control them?’
Yan Fei narrows his eyes before adjusting his thoughts. ‘Wrong. Everyone is different. I cannot compare my thoughts with Xin Ci. Chances are she never thought of controlling Lo Jik and Ning Bing. But I’m aware she doesn’t want to lose those two. Her emotions are purer. But Xin Ci also doesn’t let her emotions guide them.’
‘But they can be closer. It’s acceptable if Ci’er likes him. Lo Jik will eventually advance to Rank 4. However, he is feeling impatient. He revealed how he almost lost his edge. Continuously winning isn’t good either.’
Yan Fei nods.
‘Good. Those two challenged Ju Kai Bei and Yan Tu. Let it be their first loss. Even if they win, they have nowhere else to go.’
There are several ‘unorthodox’ means to establish subordinates. But Xin Ci’s closest confidante should ‘belong’ to her, not Yan Fei.
<<<>>>
The Three Inner Cities buzz excitedly after hearing about the forceful challenges sent by the younger generation to the older one.
Bai Ning Bing VS Yan Tu!
Gu Yue Lo Jik VS Ju Kai Bei!
Bai Ning Bing and Lo Jik haven’t lost a single match. Their might is unquestionable. Similarly, Yan Tu and Ju Kai Bei are the only rank 4 Gu Masters in the Battle Zone who only fight against each other!
The former wants to push the previous generation aside.
The latter wants to defeat their rivals and dominate the Battle Zone!
Only Wei Yang and a few individuals knew how Bai Ning Bing lost to Lo Jik. So, these two resembled Yan Tu and Ju Kai Bei even more!
Seven days flew by as Lo Jik hosted Xin Ci for seven days and nights, showing his resolve and indirectly hinting at how crucial the gains from his Gu Refinement were. Bai Ning Bing only joined twice. On the third day, he asked for Yan Tu’s information from Wei Yang, and on the fourth day, he returned to collect it.
It’s the time of battle!
The grassland arena is packed with viewers as a disguised Wei Yang and Xin Ci flank a disguised Lo Jik. The trio watches Bai Ning Bing step to the stage. His long white hair cascades to his waist. White robes cover Ning Bing’s lean body. Many women on the stage swoon for the man.
“Tch,” Lo Jik clicks his tongue. “He isn’t that handsome.”
“He is, Brother,” Wei Yang shrugs.
“It’s tough comparing oneself to others,” Lo Jik sighs. “I only receive half as many responses. What happened to women liking muscular physiques?”
Xin Ci gives the youth a flat stare.
“Sigh, you won’t understand Xin Ci,” Lo Jik shakes his head. “You two were just as beautiful when he was a chick.”
She quickly glances away while Wei Yang gives the youth a mental thumbs-up. Lo Jik’s scheme of ‘accidentally’ complimenting a woman is worth studying. He started with himself and ended things with praise.
Of course, it works because Lo Jik knows Xin Ci likes him.
She changes the topic and speaks with mild concern. “Battling beyond one’s rank is difficult. Sister Monkey showed enough battle power. But that also hurt her. She uses the Yang Rotation Gu because of that. If she does something similar again…”
Since Xin Ci has a low aptitude, she understands its limitations.
“Sigh, you are right, Lady. But Bai Ning Bing isn’t the kind to step down,” Wei Yang sighs. He feels complicated. If Bai Ning Bing does something similar again, it would force him to rely on the Shang Clan. But it would also waste his talent.”
“Don’t worry,” Lo Jik smirks as he rests his face on the railing. “Victories and losses are part of life. The Shang Clan will become exciting for us if we lose.”
Yan Tu slowly walks upto the stage. He’s old and wrinkled with a thin frame and shaggy appearance. His looks directly contrast with Bai Ning Bing as he reveals his yellow teeth, smiling. “Hehe. Youngsters are impatient these days. To think you would challenge a senior with a weaker foundation.”
Bai Ning Bing tilts his head, smirking. “Is that what you want me to carve on your tombstone?”
Cold fury flickers in Yan Tu’s muddy gaze at the apparent threat as he laughs coldly.
“Junior lacks respect, too.”
Bai Ning Bing doesn’t engage in these banters as the match begins after the bell sounds.
*Ding*
Icicle Gu.
Fire Pellet Gu.
Four icicles and three Fire Pellets condense and fly at each other. The Rank 3 Fire Pellets melt the Rank 2 Icicles as Bai Ning Bing dodges with a cold expression.
‘I can use the Ice Explosion Gu. But it would rapidly consume my essence even with the Ice Source Gu. I need to save my essence as much as possible.’
This battle is stacked against Bai Ning Bing. Fire Path holds a natural advantage over the Ice and Snow Path. It’s similar to the elemental advantage Ice holds on the Water Path. Yan Tu also has a superior-ranked Gu Set. But Bai Ning Bing darts like a rabbit in the expansive grassland stage.
Yan Tu also reveals his shocking agility by dodging the Icicle piercing at him.
The two combatants dart into the grassland, attacking from several angles and spots.
It’s only the beginning of the match. Yet it's a fierce competition for long-range methods where the Gu Masters reveal their foundations. Gu and Body unite! Yan Tu and Bai Ning Bing are momentarily matched.
The former has deep combat experience, while the latter has the talent of an Extreme Physique.
Knowing about Bai Ning Bing’s Ice Explosion Gu, Yan Tu rarely let the Icicles get near him.
“Too fierce!”
“Bai Ning Bing can match Lord Yan Tu for so many moves?”
“Gu Battles are the coordination between Gu and the Gu Masters. Bai Ning Bing executes his moves perfectly.”
But some, like Wei Yang, shake his head.
“Both Bai Ning Bing and Yan Tu have their Elemental Source Gu. It’s a standard tactic for Elemental Gu Masters. Yan Tu’s Fire Source Gu shouldn’t be Ranked 4 yet. However, the advantage of fire over ice is hard to beat.”
Xin Ci observes Bai Ning Bing’s movements. It’s her first time witnessing such an intense match. She realizes how much experience she lacks to even comment about it.
“Fortunately,” Lo Jik shrugs. “It’s a match between Ning Bing and Yan Tu. His Fire Gu will fail despite their advantage once he’s defeated.”
“Hehe! You like running around too much, young one,” Yan Tu chuckles as the situation sharply turns. He waves his hand from dozens of steps as the tattoo in his palm becomes life-like. Flames brew and fly out in the shape of a fiery claw. The orange-red fire has three claws. It attacks Bai Ning Bing under Yan Tu’s manipulation.
The Rank 3 Fiery Claw Gu!
Bai Ning Bing feels the intense heat against his face. However, he suddenly dashes against it.
“Ah!”
“No! My Ning Bing!”
A few women wail as five icicles fly into the Fiery Claw Gu’s attack range in a linear path. The first icicle suddenly explodes, dampening the heat. The second icicle moves further and explodes again!
Frost momentarily condenses around the Fiery Claw as Yan Tu’s eyes twitch. He pushes even more essence, surging the claw with hotter flames as the five icy explosions fail to reduce his ice power.
However, Bai Ning Bing’s moved through!
Yan Tu’s Rank 4 Movement Gu is superior to Bai Ning Bing’s Movement Gu. The former pulls apart as the Fiery Claw agilely turns around and threatens to slam into Bai Ning Bing!
Bai Ning Bing’s gaze flashes as he suddenly turns and throws another icicle.
*Boom*
“Eh?”
The explosion is more intense!
‘No, it’s from the Ice Edge Gu!’ Yan Tu looks at the pitiful state of the flaming claw. Bai Ning Bing used the Ice Edge Gu to secretly form an Icicle while rushing past the Fiery Claw.
‘No!’
Intense danger flickers in Yan Tu’s heart.
‘Bai Ning Bing wanted to harm the Fiery Claw Gu from the beginning!’
‘But is it so easy?’ Yan Tu snorts as Fire Pellets fly at Bai Ning Bing.
The youth laughs.
An icy katana forms in his hand as he dodges the Fire Pellets that slam into the grassland and create another fiery region. Meanwhile, Bai Ning Bing charges at the retreating Fiery Claw Gu.
Several Fire Pellets stop his path as Bai Ning Bing clicks his tongue. He breathes a layer of frost from the Frost Breath Gu on the blade before cutting the Fire Pellets, extinguishing them.
Keeping the Fiery Claw Gu, Yan Tu stares at Bai Ning Bing. He snorts as two wicks of flames bloom from his nostrils before expanding into two fiery snakes several meters long with the width of a bucket!
“It appeared! Lord Yan Tu’s Twin Fire Snake Attack!”
“Lord Yan Tu exquisitely controls the Rank 4 Fire Snake Gu. It combines defense and offense.”
“I remember losing to that move.”
But Yan Tu doesn’t stop here. He reveals his expertise in controlling three things at once by forcing Bai Ning Bing into the corner using the Fire Pellet Gu.
Bai Ning Bing cannot contest the flames of the Rank 4 Gu as he rolls around and dodges, appearing miserable. A small portion of the giant grassland erupts as two flame serpents slither and coil, attacking Bai Ning Bing viciously.
Soot and ashes cover his peerless features as the smoke from the fire causes his eyes to turn slightly red.
“Yan Tu is limiting Bai Ning Bing’s options,” Wei Yang worries. “Why isn’t Bai Ning Bing doing something?”
“Hehe, give up!” Yan Tu laughs as Bai Ning Bing merely squints.
‘He has several options,’ Lo Jik frowns. ‘The Frost Demon, Frost Arrow, and others. But he’s only dodging.’
This continues for minutes until Yan Tu cuts Bai Ning Bing’s path. The massive fire serpents create a Fire Wall, feeding through the grassland as Yan Tu snickers.
‘So, that’s the limit of my movement ability,’ Bai Ning Bing remains calm. He was using Yan Tu to test his limits! ‘As expected. I would have had a better time using the Ice Skate Gu. But that bitch Ya Zi keeps creating problems.’
Bai Ning Bing exhales as his breath condenses into cold frost.
The change is swift as ice wraps his body, revealing his Jade Bones and a Jade Skull with eerie green flames flickering in the sockets.
The Rank 3 Frost Demon Gu!
It instantly creates a defensive measure around Bai Ning Bing’s body and modestly increases the effects of his Ice Gu. But Bai Ning Bing consecutively uses the Vitality Gu. It’s to prolong his use of the Frost Demon Gu.
The Frost Demon stares at Yan Tu before dashing at him.
Yan Tu laughs coldly. ‘Finally!’
He shamelessly escapes. Yan Tu isn’t good in close-quarter combat. Why would he face Bai Ning Bing? The latter appears like a devil of an icy hell, wielding two blades. Instead, Yan Tu forces Bai Ning Bing to consume his essence!
“Oh, no! Yan Tu is targeting Bai Ning Bing’s low cultivation!” Wei Yang’s eyelids jump. It’s one of the most sound tactics.
‘It’s time to end this,’ Bai Ning Bing chuckles coldly, unbothered. He already experienced what he wanted to test. The true battle starts from this moment!
Bai Ning Bing charges through the sea of flames. He only dodges the Fire Snakes and instead cuts down the Fire Pellets. Yan Tu doesn’t dare risk the Fiery Claw Gu. So, they enter a stalemate.
However, this stalemate is beneficial for Yan Tu until—
Bai Ning Bing points at one of the snakes as heavy frost condenses into a deep blue arrow.
Rank 4 Frost Arrow!
It instantly pierces the Fire Snake and harms it with a cold aura as Yan Tu snorts, expending his essence to heal the Fire Snake.
“I see!”
“So that is Bai Ning Bing’s tactic?”
“He’s too young.”
Wei Yang also shakes his head.
Everyone knows about Yan Tu’s killer move—Fire Sea Twin Dragon Kill. Bai Ning Bing tried destroying the killer move before it appeared by injuring the Fiery Claw Gu. But Yan Tu took it back. Now, Bai Ning Bing tries to kill the Fire Snake Gu. These Gu are the core of Yan Tu’s killer move.
How can Yan Tu not predict such things?
He already has a healing Gu to heal these Fire Gu!
“Sigh,” Wei Yang loses hope. “Killer Moves aren’t easy to conceptualize. Bai Ning Bing will soon expend all his essence and lose. But it’s for the better. I don’t want Bai Ning Bing using his secret to raise his battle strength.”
“But to last against Senior Yan Tu is already incredible,” Xin Ci praises. “Sister Monkey is an outstanding Gu Master!”
‘And yet he has the Wind Stream Gu.’
Lo Jik narrows his eyes. He has a deep impression of Bai Ning Bing’s killer move. However, he also dismantles its core weakness. How can Bai Ning Bing make the same mistakes with his personality? So, purchasing the Rank 3 Wind Stream Gu surprised Lo Jik.
A strange glint flickers in Bai Ning Bing’s eyes as he falls back.
He points at one of the Fire Snakes again.
Frost Arrow.
He then breathes, releasing a massive frost cloud around the Arrow.
Frost Breath!
*Whoosh*
A wind stream suddenly contains the frost around the arrow, forming a humungous arrow-shaped mist!
The Rank 3 Wind Stream Gu.
“It can’t be!” Xin Ci gasps.
Bai Ning Bing controlled five Gu at once! This is the talent of the Extreme Physique. Even if he lost the benefits of the aperture and the resonance of the dao that allowed him to reveal stronger effects with the Gu, Bai Ning Bing’s talent is far superior!
Yan Tu doesn’t get the time to react as the giant arrow pierces a Fire Snake! Wind blasts around, releasing dangerous frost mist as the arrow deep within approaches Yan Tu with blinding speed!
Yan Tu uses his superior Rank 4 Defensive Gu. However, he misses the crack of a cold smirk on Bai Ning Bing’s ice face as he stops using the Vitality Gu, expending his mental energy to prompt a Gu—
Ice Explosion!
Killer Move—Frost Packed Stream Punch!
*Boom*
Frost erupts and freezes a good portion of the ground freezes. The distant Fire Snake contracts and escapes before the frost can injure it. The blast creates a miniature snowstorm, forcing the battle stage to use its defensive means. Yet, the audience feels the cold gust!
Hazy mist surrounds everyone’s vision as Bai Ning Bing slowly removes the Frost Demon Gu’s effect. The Fire Snake disappears into thin air as the frost expands, instinctively descending on the ground and approaching the warmer regions. It extinguishes the nearby flames as Yan Tu’s miserable appearance soon appears for everyone.
Half of his body is covered in ice. It slowly melts. However, Yan Tu keeps a firm stare at Bai Ning Bing.
The spectators are silent as Yan Tu’s quiet words echo—“I admit defeat.”
His thin figure shudders and sways as Bai Ning Bing nods calmly. “I will take your Rank 4 Prairie Steps Gu.”
Bai Ning Bing already killed one of Yan Tu’s core Gu for his killer move. Now he snatches his rare Movement Gu.
“I-Is this for real?”
“Bai Ning Bing won?”
“A killer move! A long-range killer move!”
“Bai Ning Bing tore through one-half of the Sky! He can’t be stopped!”
“Amazing,” Wei Yang exhales, slumping into his seat.
Bai Ning Bing turns around before glancing at the disguised Lo Jik.
The duo understand each other.
“Try finding this move’s weakness.”—Bai Ning Bing’s gaze challenges. “I prepared it for you.”
“You lost twice. The third time would be the same.”—Lo Jik smiles. But his heart is filled with endless praise for Bai Ning Bing’s talent. This killer move is a mobile and more disastrous version of the Ice Storm Killer Move!
<<<>>>
Bai Ning Bing’s victory against Yan Tu shook the entire Shang Clan. Bai Ning Bing revealed a killer move, catching Yan Tu by surprise. The match ended before Yan Tu could show his might!
Some were filled with discontent. However, others argued. Didn’t Yan Tu shamelessly use his Movement Gu to kite Bai Ning Bing? How is that any different? Yan Tu should have gone all-out from the beginning!
One side scolded Bai Ning Bing for ruthlessly taking away Yan Tu’s precious Movement Gu. The other side praised his actions and admired such nature. So what if Yan Tu is a senior? How many times did that old fucker snatch others’ Gu?
However, everybody understood one thing.
The dominance of the Rank 4 experts is gone!
Bai Ning Bing and Lo Jik are known to be together. They appeared in the Battle Stage around the same time. They never lost a match. These two also live together!
These two are the twin stars of the Battle Stage—Giant and Frost Demons!
The anticipation for Lo Jik’s match with Ju Kai Bei couldn’t be higher!
***
Alternate Title: To Use, One Must Know; The Aspects of Planning; Challenging; Creating Reasons; The Seven-Day Hosting; Controlling Geniuses is Hard; Bai Ning Bing VS Yan Tu; The Exciting Match; Firm Foundations; Extreme Talent; Cornered; Testing Oneself; The Old Should Step Aside; Cold End; The New Killer Move; Silent Communication; Shaken Shang City; The Birth of Another Talent; Beyond The Sky
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