87. The Wanted Triangle?
Lo Jik’s dominating victory sent ripples through the three Inner Cities.
“Lo Jik was too ferocious! How can a man move like that?”
“Heart Unhindered, Unshackled and Free! Sigh. What a heart!”
“To defeat a Rank 4 Gu Master with lower cultivation. Ju Kai Bei even had the Bitter Strength Gu.”
“So what? Lo Jik redeemed himself! I always thought he was acting sincere about things. Do you remember? He said he regretted his actions during his debut. But what about now? He left Senior Ju’s Bitter Strength and selected the Dragon Travel Tiger Steps Gu Worm instead!”
“Maybe he doesn’t need it.”
Others cannot help but recall Lo Jik beating someone thrice his size until Ju Kai Bei curled himself into a ball! Even the strength of NINE Dragon Elephants couldn’t change the situation. Ordinary Gu Masters would have been turned into a meat paste.
But there were also curious ones.
“How did Lo Jik refine the All-Out Effort and Little Giant into Rank 4?”
“It means the days where he appeared sickly and spent most of his time indoors was him refining these two Gu!”
“Inheritance. It has to be an Inheritance!”
“What luck.”
“Now Bai Ning Bing and Lo Jik have defeated their seniors. It can be said the new External Elder would be chosen from these four.”
Just as discussions peak, he announces his retirement from the Battle Stage. This news catches the lone forces by surprise.
“Lo Jik retired from the Battle Stage? Why?”
“Could it be there is a hidden story?”
“Did the Shang Clan force Lo Jik out of Battle Stage?” Demonic Gu Masters suffer from trust issues. “Maybe the Shang Clan is considering a change of rules for External Elders.”
Trepidation spreads far as Shang Yan Fei senses the change and suppresses the situation, ensuring the Clan’s lack of interference. His control of the Battle Stage ends with Yan Tu and Ju Kai Bei. However, even that cannot be revealed.
Lo Jik clears the air by adding his lack of interest in the Battle Stage. Why should he stay when there is no challenge? Such a disposition makes others speechless.
“Right! Lo Jik has Rank 4 Battle Strength and the three Great Steeds! Where can’t he go?”
“Indeed. It’s not strange Lo Jik’s ambitious heart wishes to explore the Southern Border.”
Bai Ning Bing also retires after a few days, shocking others.
“What is going on? Since when did the Shang Clan’s Elder’s position become so useless?”
“Bai Ning Bing is like Lo Jik. Did you not notice it already?”
“Notice what?”
“Hmph! These two are battle-hungry. But they have never challenged each other. They also live together.”
“Are you crazy? Why would Lo Jik feel for… Oh!”
“Yes! Bai Ning Bing used to be a beautiful fairy! How could I forget? Sigh, Lo Jik is an upright man. He doesn’t leave his lover’s side even if she becomes a man.”
“Maybe they like it this way?”
“Hmph! I have more news. Lo Jik has a dishonest character! He’s actually spending more time with Fairy Xin Ci. I’ve seen them walking together. Sometimes, their shoulders and hands touch!”
“H-How deplorable!”
<<<>>>
“Why am I being called your lover?” Lo Jik pouts and drinks wine. It’s been a week since he defeated Ju Kai Bei. He picked the Dragon Travel Tiger Steps instead of Ju Kai Bei’s rare Gu to solidify his reputation for the future and for convenience’s sake. After all, Lo Jik would have to refine the Wise Cat Steps Gu into Rank 4 Dragon Travel Tiger Steps. It’s better to directly snatch it.
“How would I know?” Bai Ning Bing narrows his eyes. “We didn’t sleep together. It was only a kiss.”
Their guests, Xin Ci and Xiao Die, gape.
“Don’t lose focus, Xin Ci. Steady your arms.” Lo Jik notices the change and cautions the girl as Xiao Die snipes a rabbit.
Indeed, Lo Jik has been spending more time with Xin Ci. He planned to go out on hunts with the girl. But that was merely a front. Why would Shang Yan Fei let his precious daughter leave the Clan’s security? But it doesn’t matter. Lo Jik just wants more excuses to spend time with Xin Ci.
Xin Ci, too, snipes a rabbit before quietly picking it up. She hunts her food since vowing not to eat the flesh of an animal she didn’t kill herself. Shang Yan Fei has a vast and exquisite garden with several animals inside the First Inner City. He allows Xin Ci to hunt there. However, Lo Jik’s rented courtyard is tamer.
There are several questions in Xin Ci’s mind as she glances at Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing. The duo rests on their chairs with languid appearances.
“Curious?” Lo Jik questions with a smirk.
“I can’t lie to Brother Monkey,” she sheepishly snickers before preparing her food.
“Ah, let me, Young Miss.” Xiao Lan takes the dead bunny from Xin Ci and drags Xiao Die into the courtyard’s kitchen to prepare Xin Ci’s meal. The latter knows Xiao Lan won’t let her cook, so she doesn’t resist.
“Sigh. It’s gotten too dull.”
Bai Ning Bing mutters and stares at the mountain ceiling. “I even restructured my Killer Move twice after sparring against Wei Yang.”
“But there is no lead,” Lo Jik huffs.
Xin Ci watches the duo, “Lead?” Although slightly bitter about it, she questions, “Brother and Sister Monkey are planning to leave?”
“There isn’t much left for us, Xin Ci,” Lo Jik smiles. “I want to find an immortal opportunity. You should learn from us and never give up any opportunity your father provides for you.”
Lo Jik diverts his attention to the Gambling Rock in front of him before delicately chiseling it. It’s the ‘hobby’ he uses to gamble and take some Gambling Rocks with himself. Lo Jik has gotten pretty good with sculpting as he smiles. “Guess what this is.”
He shows the Stellar Stone to Xin Ci. The girl appraises the small ball before questioning.
“An Eyeball?”
“Yep. I might be lucky this time. I already managed to chisel the Gambling Rock into such a small size. There may be a Gu inside.”
Xin Ci smiles wryly, “I hope Brother Monkey is correct. But isn’t it too wasteful? You taught me to be mindful of our expenses.” She reveals her worries. “Brother Monkey does not want to become an External Clan Elder. But leaving the Battle Stage also removed your source of income.”
Xin Ci doesn’t know the Gambling Rock DOES have a Gu inside. It’s a Rank 5 Stone Bear Claw Gu. Since Lo Jik knows the shape of the Gu inside, he can steadily chisel the fossil and uncover the Gu inside.
It’s slower than using a Gu, but Lo Jik is becoming more experienced in the art. The delicate procedure doesn’t hurt the weak Gu Worm inside.
Lo Jik grows silent before he questions.
“No person desires to leave comfort, Xin Ci. It’s nice inside the Shang Clan. There are no worries because we are strong. But we are limited. We already have money and enough food for our Gu. The fact we didn’t already leave shows our preference for safety and…”
“Confusion,” Bai Ning Bing sips water. “I wonder if we can get some news. It was exciting to participate in the Battle Stage. But the next step is advancing to Rank 4. I still can’t do that.”
‘Because the Yang Rotation Gu lowered Sister Monkey’s aptitude,’ Xin Ci sighs. Truthfully, she enjoys spending time inside Lo Jik’s courtyard. They joke and laugh. The group has always something to talk about. But Xin Ci can’t help but feel slight sadness. She understands these days are temporary.
“You know,” Lo Jik suddenly chuckles. “I don’t know about Ning Bing. But I wouldn’t have minded working under you.”
Xin Ci blinks.
“Brother Monkey?”
“I mean, chances of me finding an opportunity to surpass my mortal limits are infinitely small. I also don’t have ambitions for recreating my clan. Logically speaking, I would have to eventually stop somewhere. Had it been you,” he looks at her. “I wouldn’t think twice before trying everything to work under you.”
“That’s because you want to get into her panties, oh Unchained Vagabond,” Bai Ning Bing snickers as Xin Ci lowers her head.
“Nah,” Lo Jik laughs. “You are much too good for me. After all, you aren’t the kind to force anyone. But…” he sighs and shakes his head.
“I’m just a Rank 1 Gu Master,” Xin Ci chuckles wryly, stating in her heart. ‘If anything, Brother Monkey. You are much too good for me.’
Xin Ci eventually leaves as Bai Ning Bing turns to Lo Jik.
“So?” He narrows his eyes. “What next?”
“Aside from refining the Yang Rotation Gu?” Lo Jik blinks, smiling bitterly. “I wouldn’t know. Planning a trip to the Central Continent isn’t a matter of cost. We will need specialized Gu or a Gu Master’s assistance. We can also go to the Yi Clan. The Yi Clan has ties with the Eastern Seas. Maybe we can find an opportunity to explore the Eastern Sea? Of course, your priorities are different.”
These two are sincerely lost.
Even if Lo Jik DOES succeed with Su Shou, he still wouldn’t know where to go.
It would have been different if the Gu Yue and Bai Clan existed.
“I asked around,” Bai Ning Bing mutters. “An Extreme Physique also appeared in the Shang Clan. However, he didn’t survive. We could have negotiated something with the Shang Clan if they had a way.”
His meaning is straightforward—to trade the Blood Sea Ancestor’s Blood Skull Gu for such a method. It would also free Lo Jik from paying Bai Ning Bing another Yang Rotation Gu.
‘Well, there ARE Gu Immortals from Extreme Physiques. Imaginative Strength came across one. The Blood Skull Gu can also create Extreme Physiques if enough members of the same bloodline are killed. But how does someone like this survive and ascend?’
The duo falls silent before Bai Ning Bing smiles. “Now that I think about it. How about using a Zombie Gu after cultivating to Rank 5 and keeping the Yin Rotation Gu? I can survive for some time until I find a method.”
“You were the one who said it was like running away.”
“So? I say many things. I also said I would kill you. Do you see me stabbing you in the heart?”
“Give it some time. I’m sure you will manage.”
The duo enters their secret chambers after some time. No matter what, Lo Jik’s happy. He succeeded in the first portion of the plan. He is also getting closer to Xin Ci and openly admitting working for her would be better. That’s to hint at his underlying companionship with Xin Ci. Xiao Lan will undoubtedly extend Lo Jik’s notions to Shang Yan Fei.
Lo Jik wants that to happen. He likes Xin Ci. That’s not even a lie. Who wouldn’t dig that brilliant chick? Lo Jik just happens to want her for something else.
Revealing his underlying affection for Xin Ci sets a base for the possibility of Lo Jik intentionally lowering his head. Even if Shang Yan Fei wants to recruit him, Xin Ci cannot command a Gu Master with Rank 4 Battle Strength.
But what about the future?
So, it sets a returning stage for Lo Jik. Such thoughts will keep others from suspecting him for Su Shou’s eventual disappearance.
Why would someone suspect Lo Jik, who has affection for Xin Ci and wishes for her betterment?
Now, Lo Jik hopes for a believable excuse to leave after a while.
But he’s also planting ideas right away by using Bai Ning Bing.
The latter’s boredom is 100% genuine.
Bai Ning Bing only wants one thing. A method to free himself from the Extreme Physique’s curse!
He will leave if the Shang Clan doesn’t have it.
As for Lo Jik? He feels refreshed after his match with Ju Kai Bei. His initial plan was to focus on his second Aperture. However, he decided to also advance his Transformation Path. He is already close to Rank 4 Peak Stage and has a Battle Potential of a Rank 5 Gu Master if he uses all the Gu in his arsenal—Through a Killer Move. It will surely surprise others. So, Lo Jik doesn’t wish to waste this utter peace.
He will be a Transformation Path master in four months.
Lo Jik also plans to discreetly loot the Gambling Rock Sources itself!
One can imagine how much he will earn using the Rank 4 Earth Piercing Eye Gu.
As for advancing the Eye Gu to rank 5?
It must wait.
The difference between Rank 4 and 5 is already seen from how much a Rank 5 Heavenly Soul Dew Gu consumes. Advancing his investigation Gu to Rank 5 will limit Lo Jik’s use of them!
<<<>>>
Seven Days Later.
San Cha Mountain is between the Zuo clan’s Leng Zhan Mountain and the Che clan’s Fei Lai Mountain.
Zuo Clan and Che Clan—the former has six hundred years of history, while the latter has five hundred and eighty.
The two were enemies. Centuries of hatred and grudges caused the two clans to be mortal enemies.
The two clans have been expanding for the past hundred years, and they contested to occupy San Cha mountain.
An intense battle neared its end on San Cha’s waist. Blood flowed on the ground as tens of Gu Master corpses lay on the ground. There were seven people still standing.
Three from the Zuo clan and four from the Che clan.
Zuo clan elder Zuo Wu Sheng’s chest has a deep hole. He presses down on his injury as he stands between Zuo Chan Yu and the enemy. He solemnly speaks, “Big Missy, leave now. We will block them!”
Zuo Chan Yu is the Zuo clan leader’s eldest daughter, has A grade aptitude, and is the future hope of the Zuo clan. She was young and pretty, ranked three middle-stage cultivation before even twenty years old. She could not afford to die here.
“Elder Wu Sheng…” Zuo Chan Yu shows deep hesitation and dismay.
“Want to leave? Dream on!” The clan elder, Che You Yin, sneers as he walks out.
“Old man Wu Sheng, to think this day would come. Hehehe, today, I will make sure all three of you die without a proper burial!” His killing intent burst out.
But after saying so, he instructs a young female Gu Master beside him: “Xiang Er, you have an injury on you. Stay back and look out for us when we fight.”
Che Qiao Xiang instantly frowns: “Father, I only have a slight injury. It does not matter. I want to fight beside you!”
She worries.
Zuo Wu Sheng was her father’s rival for tens of years. They are about the same strength. It won’t be easy to kill Wu Sheng despite his injuries. His dying counterattack will be terrifying.
“Nonsense!” Che You Yin scolds. “Be obedient and listen to Father. This is an order.”
Che Qiao Xiang pouts, about to rebuke, but suddenly hears a laugh.
“Hahaha… hehehe…. huhuhuh…”
This was a weird laugh, making someone feel an evil wind blowing when they heard it.
Following this laughter, someone appears on a mountain rock.
This person is incredibly handsome, wearing a flowery robe with pink butterflies. He wears a floral crown on his head with a red flower ball sewn onto the crown. As he laughs, the ball vibrates, causing him to look like a hilarious clown.
But be it Zuo Wu Sheng or Che You Yin, they reveal an intense fear instead of laughing.
“Ah, you are the ‘Pink Butterfly Gentleman’…”
“Kong Ri Tian!”
The two speak, revealing his identity.
At this moment, the other people’s expressions also change. Especially Zuo Chan Yu and Che Qiao Xiang. Their faces pale as they became extremely nervous.
This Kong Ri Tian is a demonic Gu Master with a vile reputation. He loves wearing a flowered robe with pink butterflies. Thus, he is called the ‘pink butterfly gentleman.’
But the truth is, he is a serial rapist, targeting virgin women. He is hated by everyone and thus is a loner.
Most importantly, he has a Rank Four cultivation. The battle situation changed once he appeared.
Zuo Clan and Che Clan were at their wit's end. Their main fighters, Che You Yin and Zuo Wu Sheng were injured and only had rank three cultivation.
“Hahaha… hehehe… huhuhu… That is right, I am Kong Ri Tian!” Although exposed, the pink butterfly gentleman is jubilant, laughing in that weird manner again.
Suddenly, he waves his sleeve. He injects his primeval essence, causing flower petals to rain on the battlefield.
The pink petals turn into butterflies, flying in the air.
At once, the fragrance spreads throughout the battlefield.
Zuo clan and Che clan quickly defend and unleash their abilities.
Kong Ri Tian uses this opportunity to attack, causing the flower rain to intensify as his body moves around quickly.
Kong Ri Tian’s body flashes as he retreats after eight rounds, retreating from the battlefield.
“He retreated!”
“That was close…”
Che You Yin and Zuo Wu Sheng sigh together, but their expressions change soon.
“My dear Chan Yu!”
“Qiao Xiang! Scoundrel, release my daughter!!”
The two elders burn with anger.
“Hahaha… hehehe… huhuhu…” Kong Ri Tian laughs. Two ladies are on his left and right hand.
They are Che Qiao Xiang and Zuo Chan Yu. The duo is unconscious, captured by him during the chaotic battle.
Kong Ri Tian specialized in dealing with female Gu Masters.
“Great rewards today! To think I’d find two beauties here. Hahaha… hehehe… huhuhu!” Kong Ri Tian feels satisfied when suddenly a change occurs.
The entire San Cha mountain starts trembling, and mountain rocks fall due to the tremors!
“What is going on?”
“What in the world is happening?!”
Everyone shouts in shock. Three light pillars burst out from the three mountain peaks of San Chan mountain. Three giant light pillars, yellow, blue, and red, extend into the sky and above the clouds.
At this point, a voice emerges—
“Three Kings Inheritance opens today. Regardless of righteous or demonic, only fate matters.”
Everyone stares at this scene in shock.
Even Kong Ri Tian forgot the two beauties in his arms.
Three kings inheritance… it is actually the three kings inheritance!
Everyone reacts, showing an extremely excited expression.
Three kings' inheritance, oh god, all three kings were rank five Gu Masters, this is their inheritance, this is actually their inheritance!!!
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