92. Departure; Ambush
“You are much wealthier than I anticipated. The Ancient Inheritance must have had an ancient Gu Worm to raise your aptitude. To think you have 99% Aptitude. You must be careful. It’s rumored that such an Aptitude can rise to an Extreme Aperture, like Ning Bing. Although, I’m unaware if it’s a talent born from birth or can be mimicked.”
A soft voice whispers into Lo Jik’s ear as he comments, “Would you let me concentrate? I’m meditating.”
“That’s no tone to take with your teacher, dear Unchained. Did you not enjoy our night? Now, you should take responsibility, too. I meant- take me as a decoration instead of thinking I’m a shackle.” The voice sarcastically giggles.
Lo Jik smiles and doesn’t retort. Instead, he feeds another parchment to a Rank 5 Bookworm. “Hmm. I jotted down your experiences in refining the Liar’s Mask Gu. What next?”
The voice sighs. The silver jade crest carved into a flower inside Lo Jik’s pocket shudders. “I want to get out of this metal host. When will you leave the Shang Clan?”
This voice belongs to Chen Jiu. Her spiritual form remains inside the crest since emerging within the Shang Clan may leave clues. However, a Heavenly Specter can communicate through spiritual fluctuations.
“We will leave once Bai Ning Bing advances his Frost Demon Gu into Rank 4 Frost Devil Gu.”
Lo Jik explained several things, including lies, to map his journey from Qing Mao to Shang Liang Mountain. He didn’t hide Bai Ning Bing’s Extreme Physique.
Why?
It’s to use Bai Ning Bing’s eventual demise as a pressure to force Chen Jiu’s technique of resolving this crisis. After all, Lo Jik knows Chen Jiu was once an Extreme Physique Gu Master. But he cannot force her. She is bound by her Soul Oath Gu to reveal her knowledge. However, how she does it is her initiative. The Oath was done in this manner to ensure Chen Jiu’s safety in the long run. But Lo Jik can also use tactics to influence the order in which she reveals her knowledge.
“Yes, yes,” Chen Jiu sighs. “But it’s been almost three months now. You have to leave, or it will soon seem suspicious. Others are aware of Bai Ning Bing’s advancement to Rank 4. How long can you resist the temptation of advancing? Your talent isn’t worse.”
Chen Jiu can similarly use external conditions to play things her way. But how can she know Lo Jik is a Rank 5 Gu Master? He hides his Second Aperture when Chen Jiu can expand her senses and focuses on devouring a few fossils to advance his attainment. On that note, Lo Jik righteously revealed his greatest treasure!
A Rank 4 Dreamer Gu.
He hid the remaining ten.
Why?
Simple. Lo Jik was bound to wait inside the Shang Clan for some time. He might as well ask Chen Jiu which fossils are relevant to consume the rest. Initially shocked, Chen Jiu soon accepted the existence of such a Gu Worm before sighing at Lo Jik’s luck. But it also raised her expected survival rate. It also has some side effects.
Had she been able to cultivate and walk her path, so be it. But Chen Jiu is a specter. She cannot help but feel slightly wary of Lo Jik.
It’s natural.
But Lo Jik would still do what he did. Attainment levels are not something he would get the luxury to focus on once he’s on the move. Instead, he used this time to devour all the unneeded fossils using the eleven Rank 4 Dreamer Gu.
So, that’s how Lo Jik realized that Enchantment and Emotion Path are the extensions of the Wisdom Path and don’t possess distinct dao marks and attainment. Devouring those Gu advanced Lo Jik’s Wisdom Path attainment to Master-level. It’s similar to how the Restriction Path is an extension of the Rule Path. So, Lo Jik achieved a Master-level attainment in Rule Path, too.
Now—Lo Jik is a Master in Strength, Refinement, Earth, Poison, Transformation, Wisdom, and Rule Paths! What does this mean?
It means his head is filled with ideas! Attainment represents closeness with the Grand Dao. The closer a Gu Master gets, the more ingenious ways they can use the fragment of the Dao—Gu.
But his ideas need experiments and practice. After all, Lo Jik also has Immortal Blood and Strength Inheritance alongside Imaginative Strength’s cultivation journal. It doesn’t state the location of the latter’s Blessed Land, or Lo Jik would have already looked for it. The same goes for Bai Kin and the hint for Thieving Heaven’s Inheritance.
A Blessed Land would solve so much of Lo Jik’s troubles!
“Alright,” Chen Jiu returns to the topic. “I should share my experiences using my Healing Killer Move and how it might be affected due to your Strength Path Body Refinement.”
Lo Jik quietly rolls his eyes. He has more say on this topic since he is a Rule and Strength Path Master. Not only that, but Wisdom and Refinement Path Attainment also assist in Killer Moves and other aspects of cultivation. So, he surpasses Chen Jiu in such fields. But he smiles and takes out another parchment.
“I’m listening.”
He begins jotting down her experiences.
Because he’s wise, Lo Jik doesn’t look down on Chen Jiu’s experiences. All this fills the gaps for Lo Jik to understand the Rule Path better.
Lo Jik already has several Gu recipes among the Rank 5 Soul Oath and Deceiving Appearance Gu. He realized Chen Jiu must have known about his intentions before they entered the Soul Oath. But it doesn’t matter. What entices Lo Jik is something else.
‘I still don’t understand how people like Shang Bu Li and Chen Jiu practice two Paths using one Aperture and body.’
Shang Bu Li is the first General under Shang Yan Fei and is a Fire AND Ice Path Gu.
Lo Jik has two apertures. He can differentiate the paths, and his future prospects are unimaginable. However, they have one body.
Lo Jik can only focus on the Strength Path due to his Body Refinement and how using the Gu from other Paths may cause a backlash. So, it’s a wonder how Chen Jiu can achieve maximum Rule Path efficiency despite using the Enchantment (Wisdom) Refinement Set—Divine Disposition.
So, Chen Jiu’s inheritance regarding the Rule and Enchantment path is invaluable.
“Curious about my past?” She snickers while guiding Lo Jik.
“Very,” he bluntly admits.
The duo already knows Lo Jik’s appreciation of such a skill. It might also be the knowledge the Shang Clan’s Immortals lust after.
“Good,” she coos into his ear. “Let’s get out of this Shang Clan, and we’ll have much to share.”
“Yep,” Lo Jik chuckles.
<<<>>>
A few concealed figures wait near the Shang Clan’s Fifth Inner City’s exit.
“You’re here, Brother Monkey,” Shang Xin Ci whispers and greets once the two cloaked individuals meet her group.
Gu Yue Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing.
“Thanks for seeing us out, Xin Ci,” Lo Jik smiles as he nods at her. For once, uncaring of Bai Ning Bing’s presence, Xiao Die lets out a choked sob. “Please stay safe, Lord Monkey.”
“How can I promise that, Silly?” Lo Jik chuckles as he steps closer to the cute servant girl and readily pulls her into a warm embrace. “Never waste all the things I taught you, Xiao Die.”
“Never!” Xiao Die sobs as her slim arms fail to cover Lo Jik’s back. Instead, she clutches whatever she can hold onto, burying her face into his warm chest. Aside from Xin Ci, Lo Jik is the only one who treats her like she isn’t some servant but a person. It’s wrong in such a society. So, Xiao Die loves Lo Jik all the more. She reveres him. Chances are, she would even leave with him had he asked.
But why would he?
“There, there,” Lo Jik whispers. “It’s not like I’m going there to die, sweety. I will eventually return. Where else can your confused Monkey sell his gains?”
She chuckles as she sobs before slowly letting go of Lo Jik.
“Remember,” he smirks. “Great rewards await you once you advance to Rank 2.” He winks.
“Y-yes!” she stammers and nods, revealing a gleeful smile.
Lo Jik then turns to Tian Lan. Xiao Lan and Tian Lan rarely follow Xin Ci together. He calmly nods at the Rank 3 Whip Master before glancing at Xin Ci. Complex emotions litter her breathtaking features as Lo Jik thins his lips before sighing.
“Go ahead,” he glances at Bai Ning Bing.
“Hmm,” Bai Ning Bing shrugs, glancing at the trio. “If possible, have beautiful deaths.” He bids them farewell as Xiao Die quietly rolls her eyes.
“Give me a moment, Tian Lan, Xiao Die,” Xin Ci commands as the two girls obediently step aside.
The surrounding traffic’s chatter fades around the duo as Lo Jik reveals. “You still scare me, Xin Ci. Mortals are weak. Feeling attached to them is asking to get hurt. Now you’re Clan Leader’s precious daughter.” He chuckles as Shang Xin Ci lowers her head.
“But what scared me was never your status.”
She glimpses and glances at him.
“In our world, the system is righteous, and individuals are demons. You know what I am. However, are you aware of what you are?”
She shudders.
“A heart unmoved by system’s benefits. A soul that longs to help in every rational manner possible—not even the Tie Clan matches your ideals, dear.”
Lo Jik extends his hand but hesitates midway. However, Xin Ci steps forward, resting her cheek against his rough palm.
“You scare me, Beautiful Beast. You possess an almost unbreakable chain, and you know it.” He smiles at her. Lo Jik steps forward as they are inches from each other. “But Xin Ci, do you know? I’m a scum.”
He whispers. “I want to turn that chain and leash you instead.”
Xin Ci remains silent. Her glassy eyes shimmer with tears.
“When the chance arrives, I want you to be mine.” He lowers his lips. However, he ‘dares’ not kiss her. Instead, the hood of their cloaks overlaps, hiding them from the world. They stare into each other’s eyes as Xin Ci whispers.
“You’re a scum, Brother Lo Jik.” She raises her head as a lone tear slides down. “But I won’t change even with a chain around my neck. I shall wait.” She stands on the balls of her toes, stealing the sweetest peck. A beautiful smile appears on her pink lips. “Be whatever you need to be. Don’t change. Don’t bow to the system. Just… stay safe. I’ll wait, Brother Jik. You said it yourself. You’re scared of me. Don’t make me haunt you.”
Lo Jik smirks as his hand lowers from her cheek to her other supple, rounder, and perkier cheek.
*Pah*
Xin Ci’s body jolts as she shoots Lo Jik an aggrieved glare. “That was to annoy Tian Lan. Of course, it was also a reminder that I’m the only one who lays a hand on you.”
He ruffles her head before decisively moving past her.
“Do you want me to send assassins after him, Miss Xin Ci?” Tian Lan approaches with a sober look.
“No,” Xin Ci smiles wryly. “Maybe after 15 years.” She giggles and wipes her tears. “And don’t tell father about this!”
Tain Lan hesitates. However, Xin Ci has steadily raised her command over Tian Lan and Xiao Lan. The servant girl sighs and nods.
“Yes, Miss Xin Ci.”
“Lord Monkey could have done that to me…”
Xiao Die idly mutters before feeling the duo’s stares.
“Look however you wish! Hmph! I would have knelt and raised my butt for such a grace!”
<<<>>>
“As expected, it’s the Rank 4 Essence Cloud Elephant King.”
“Of course. Travel by air is the most convenient. There aren’t any notable tributaries around San Cha Mountain, so the Rank 3 Blood Torrent Python is inefficient. Meanwhile, the Thousand Li Earthwolf Spider is easy to feed and challenging to use. It needs Rank 5 Essence.”
“Hmph! These two arrogant juniors waited long enough.”
“Strike swiftly. We will end this in minutes.”
Voices communicate with each other as they locate the swiftly moving cloud. This cloud is the Rank 4 Essence Cloud Elephant’s movement ability. Already aware of its sonar skill, the voices communicate using Gu and telepathy.
“We must force them down. Lo Jik never used this Rank 4 Steed Gu. So, his ability to maneuver and use it must be rudimentary. That’s our advantage.”
“Prepare. Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing are approaching the target zone!”
Winds whip around Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing as they stably sit on the Elephant. It’s been a day since they left Shang Liang Mountain, and Lo Jik used the Rank 4 Elephant Steed a few hours into their travel to fly to San Cha Mountain. It would lower their travel journey by a lot.
Sitting ahead, Lo Jik uses the Rank 5 Heaven and Earth Before My Eyes to scout. Meanwhile, he also speaks. “Did you consider my offer?”
“Recipe for Rank 5 Profound Frost Zombie and Yin Rotation Gu for a million Primeval Stones,” Bai Ning Bing repeats. That’s the offer. It’s fair in a sense. Bai Ning Bing can buy the package deal. However, Lo Jik didn’t say a thing about refining the Gu for him.
“What about refining the Gu if I collect the materials?” Bai Ning Bing questions.
“That’s a service,” Lo Jik replies. They move slowly enough to converse. “You can offer a service in exchange.”
Bai Ning Bing squints. “Oh? What do you want from me?”
Lo Jik shrugs. “How about you exchange these things and live long enough first? You can use other Gu to cover the cost.” They landed on a million stones after hours of negotiation.
“The Three Kings’ Inheritance will have plenty of opportunities,” Bai Ning Bing shakes his head. “I’m more concerned about our travel.”
“This again?”
“What’s the point of flying? The clouds cover my vision. I wanted to enjoy the sights. Else it’s too—”
The Elephant King sharply turns around before trotting and swerving, descending to avoid several cloud hands as thick as the Elephant King grabbing at it!
“Jump down,” Lo Jik whispers. “It’s a trap. I’ll assist from above.”
Bai Ning Bing casually jumps into the foliage as he forms an icy katana midair. A bow appears in Lo Jik’s hand as he controls the Elephant to evade the homing cloud hands while pointing at the dense forest. A rank 4 Aura hangs around Lo Jik as he advanced a little over ten hours ago. This surprises the assaulters as a sky griffin arrow materializes and shoots through the air.
“Eh?”
Even more surprised voices leak as Lo Jik calmly avoids the flurry of cloud hands.
“Something is not right.”
“Where are you running?” Bai Ning Bing’s gleeful shout echoes as his figure emerges from the bushes, chasing after a mutated Thunder Boar King. This creature already has several frozen wounds on its body—a Transformation Path Killer move! Due to the latter’s ghastly battle senses, using such a move against Bai Ning Bing is a bad idea.
“Go all out!”
Lo Jik hears the howl before shooting a flurry of arrows as the Elephant trumpets loudly and points in several directions with its trunk.
“Save En’er first!” A voice hisses as several figures dart around before forcing Bai Ning Bing away until they enter a small clearing.
The Elephant King floats beside Bai Ning Bing as the seven figures with fluctuating auras—Rank 3 and 4—appear opposite the duo. Thick robes conceal their figures. However, Lo Jik already saw through them moments before the attack. He knows a few of these experts due to his curiosity towards other Super Forces.
‘Wu Hui and Wu Rong. Why are the Wu Clan’s Elders ambushing us?’ The former is a famous Earth Path expert, and the latter is a Cloud Path Expert. These two Rank 4 Gu Masters did not scare Lo Jik. However, the implication of the Wu Clan eyeing them shook him. After all, the Wu Clan is the overlord of the Southern Border! The Shang Clan might be wealthier. But their might pales in comparison.
‘We can’t kill them,’ Lo Jik notes. ‘Whatever the matter, we can’t escalate the situation. I already have to remain cautious of the Shang Clan. Adding the Wu Clan to the list is suicidal.’
Meanwhile, the mutated Thunder Boar reverts into an injured woman. She’s a Rank 3 Gu Master. However, she’s an expert to be able to emulate a beast comparable to a Rank 4 Gu Master. The woman fearfully glances at Bai Ning Bing before letting a healing Gu Master recover her injuries.
“Oh?” Bai Ning Bing instantly realizes the assaulters are from the righteous path. Such teams have assigned roles and have outstanding cooperation.
“Who are you?” Lo Jik demands coldly.
“Hehe,” the leader, Wu Hui, chuckles. “Us seven Demon Claw Siblings have long heard—”
“Shut the fuck up,” Bai Ning Bing scoffs.
Wu Hui doesn’t get angry. He snickers coldly. “We know about your Strength Path Inheritance. Naturally, good things are shared, right?”
“A trade?” Lo Jik smiles.
“Ah, how can we compare to your wealth? We were hoping for some guidance.” Wu Rong smiles.
“You ARE aware that Clan Leader Shang Yan Fei knew about this ambush, right, Elder Wu Hui, Elder Wu Rong?” Lo Jik’s expression turns cold. “The mighty Wu Clan is looking for insignificant insects like us? Hehe. No—Insects that hold the Purple Thorn Tokens. What better reason does the Shang Clan Leader need?”
The group of seven stiffens as Lo Jik continues. “Don’t bother hiding it. The Clan Leader expressly stated your plans. Come on!” His grin widens. “Why did you stop? Let’s guide each other.”
‘The Shang Clan knows it?’
‘A spy! It has to be a spy! If we can send Wu Ran, can’t the Shang Clan do the same? We must retreat.’
Several thoughts flash in Wu Hui’s head. The opponent knows these things so clearly! How can he not feel intimidated? They planned to avenge Wu Ran, who entered the Shang Clan as Li Ran. The team also wanted to snatch Lo Jik’s Ancient Strength Inheritance. They prepared for these two—not the Shang Clan’s forces!
‘It can also be a lie,’ Wu Hui stabilizes. Perhaps Lo Jik has some obscure investigation Gu that allowed him to see through their guises. What if this is all a lie?
“Wu Hui?” he laughs. “Who is that? You dare slander us with Righteous names? Let’s see how great is the Purple Thorn Token of yours!”
Wu Hui snarls as Lo Jik’s smile doesn’t dampen. However, he sighs internally. Sometimes, trouble looks for you.
He jumps down the Elephant King. However, he doesn’t retrieve the Elephant King. Instead, a red light shoots from Lo Jik’s aperture with a terrifying hiss. The creature’s long body coils around Lo Jik, Bai Ning Bing, and the Elephant as its predatory gaze lands on the stunned group.
‘Rank 4 Blood Flood Python?’
They grow wary of such a change.
However, Lo Jik doesn’t give them the time to rest. He tried the peaceful method and failed.
‘Go!’
The snake pounces with unbelievable strength and agility as the terrifying creature targets the woman who can turn into a Boar. Meanwhile, the Elephant King trumpets and charges with a grand momentum! It targets the healer.
‘Hehe!’ Bai Ning Bing’s figure flashes from behind the Elephant. He’s encased in ice, appearing like a Frost Devil. Meanwhile, Lo Jik glances at Wu Hui AND Wu Rong. Primeval essence seeps into a Gu as his pace turns forceful yet swift. Dragon and Tiger roars resound with every step as his once nimble movement appears like a Beast’s Charge! Dragon Elephant Phantom appears behind Lo Jik as he meets with the defensive Gu Master.
A towering, pitch-black shield as a rock wheel appears on Wu Hui’s arm as he snorts and meets Lo Jik’s charge! The two forces collide as Wu Rong creates a wall of cloud behind Wu Hui, absorbing all the impact as Lo Jik is forced back a step.
Astonishment flickers in Wu Rong’s eyes as he suddenly coughs blood.
‘How can he be so robust? The intelligence only states he has three Beast Strengths. I should be able to handle the impact of five Rank 4 Beast Strength Phantoms! He hasn’t even used the Little Giant King Gu!’
Lo Jik alone stalls the two Rank 4 Elders. Meanwhile, he shocks the group with his ability to manipulate the Elephant and Python. He quickly corners the weakest link, the slightly injured female Gu Master, as others fail to protect her from Bai Ning Bing.
*Pew*
The Frost Arrow pierces the Boar’s head as the Healing Gu Master shouts.
“En’er! You killed her!” He howls!
“Hmph! What kind of idiot are you?” Bai Ning Bing snorts. As if there could be any other outcome.
“Ahhh! I’ll kill you!”
“Shen! No!”
“Stop—”
Wu Shen’s spine shudders as the Flood Python Gu suddenly pounces once he leaves the safety of other Gu Masters.
“Foul beast!” Wu Hui roars when Lo Jik snickers.
‘Now!’
A shocking spiritual fluctuation emerges from Lo Jik that shakes Wu Hui’s mind. His expression falls into a daze.
“Elder Hui!” Wu Rong shouts, shocked! The situation changed too swiftly! But it was too late. Lo Jik’s figure dashes as his punch caves the man’s skull in!
*Prrrrnnnnnnnnnn*
The Elephant charges at Wu Rong, skillfully smashing the cloud wall as its ‘softness’ cannot contain the Cloud-Path Steed.
Three deaths at once!
“Hahaha! It feels good to be alive!” Bai Ning Bing laughs, charging at the remaining Gu Masters as blood freezes on his body, making him look even more demonic.
“Gu Yue Lo Jik! You unrepentant demon!” Wu Rong roars. The Wu Clan is known for its ferocity. Wu Rong isn’t different. However, his expression stiffens as the spiritual fluctuation curbs its soul. The Elephant instantly smashes Wu Rong into a meat paste.
The other Wu Clansmen despair. After all, the battle’s result is set. Still, Lo Jik gasps in surprise as a Rank 5 Gu Worm emerges from Wu Hui’s aperture and disappears instantly. Lo Jik merely caught a glimpse of the Gu.
Rank 5 Soul Capture Gu.
His expression turns grave as Lo Jik willingly sacrifices the possible gains from Wu Hui’s body and turns it into a meat paste. He does the same with other Wu Clansmen before clearing their traces from the battlefield and leaving.
“So?” Bai Ning Bing smirks. “You caught the Wu Clan’s eye, eh? I suppose you need me. Let’s begin our discussion about refining the Rank 5 Gu.”
Lo Jik frowns and sighs. Is it truly because of his Inheritance? Still, the Wu Clan’s determination to capture him shocked him. Years inside the Shang Clan almost had him believing this world wasn’t a giant hellhole.
‘How’s your condition?’ He questions using the method taught.
“I’m weak. Using my abilities during the day does a number on my soul. I will rest for now,” Chen Jiu replies. “Don’t die.”
The battle was rigged from the start.
A Heavenly Specter is a Rank 5 existence. Chen Jiu forcefully injured her soul to attack Wu Hui and Wu Rong. They couldn’t avoid such an attack. Heck, soul path means are also trouble for Lo Jik. Chen Jiu’s existence safeguards his soul.
‘Wu Clan and Shang Clan…’
Lo Jik calms down. ‘There’s no end to enemies in this world.’
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