97. When An Expert Covets; Fated Theft

Li Xian wasn’t born fat, or a Southerner, for that matter. He arrived in the Southern Borders from the Eastern Seas. Despite the language barrier and initial struggles, Li Xian didn’t merely survive but thrived. He was a well-known Rank 4 Upper Stage Gu Master, a merchant by profession and unscrupulous by choice. With the Gu Cultivation notoriously resource-intensive, everyone sought a way to sell their unneeded surpluses to purchase Gu Food and better Gu Worms. This particular need intensified for Demonic Gu Masters, who had no clan or another organization to rely on.

Among a few others, Li Xian filled such a gap with routes of exchange, facilitating trade and boasting an incredible network that could fulfill several orders. With his cultivation and means, Li Xian wasn’t an ordinary Gu Master and garnered fear from his peers. His unscrupulous nature allowed him to capitalize on several unorthodox circumstances as his wealth and power grew.

Still, there was always another mountain beyond the current peak. Li Xian wasn’t arrogant enough to believe he was hot shit in the grand scheme of things. After all, there were terrible geniuses like Mo Wu Tian to curb many ambitious Gu Masters.

Then, there were Gu Masters of mysterious origins, forcing even the Super Clans to treat these creatures with caution, like Hu Mei Er.

Now, Li Xian felt another maniac rise from Wu Shen Tong’s ashes.

The thought of the Little Giant King made the fat, round-nosed, and greasy-haired Gu Master grit his teeth. Li Xian hadn’t put Lo Jik in his eyes before, which led to the former being late at the scene of bloodshed. Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing couldn’t have captured the Mutated Beasts. However, Li Xian could! Yet, most of the Kunlun Bulls were long gone.

‘Hu Mei Er fucked around too much,’ Li Xian scoffed, ignoring another message from the seductress. She was easy on the eye, so Li Xian never minded her company. But the recent developments made her an eyesore for many astute Gu Masters. Not only that, but Li Xian also valued Hu Mei Er more for her network than beauty.

Since Wu Shen Tong’s death, Li Xian and a few others struck from the sidelines, annexing most of her former followers, who were scared by the recent attention. As fellow Demonic Gu Masters, everyone was eager to witness Hu Mei Er’s fall.

‘Troubled times are ahead,’ Li Xian coldly chuckled. He could expand business in the chaos. Wu Shen Tong was a pitiful individual. He was once a heroic figure with befitting looks. However, Long Qing Tian’s Jade Sky Gu poisoned Wu Clan’s elder. Complete recovery was impossible, and Wu Shen Tong chose his cultivation over his physical features, barely pulling through the effects of the devious poison.

Entering King Quan’s Inheritance was supposed to contribute significantly to Wu Shen Tong. His fearsome Kunlun Bulls Beast Group made many envious of the late Wu Clan’s Elder's future growth. However, Lo Jik had a firm grasp of the battle. As mutated beasts, every Kunlun Bull possessed a few wild Rank 4 Gu Worms. During the struggle, Lo Jik’s attacks against the mutated beasts were either fatal or he ignored them entirely. The dead bulls could not use their Gu Worm. Meanwhile, the Gu Worms on other Kunlun Beasts never activated because they sensed no threat!

The disadvantageous terrain and Lo Jik’s Essence Cloud Elephant King worsened the situation.

There was another thing a few astute Gu Masters soon realized—

‘Just how many Beast Strength Phantoms does the Little Giant King possess?’

Ordinarily, a Rank 4 Strength Path Gu Master didn’t walk on the ancient path of diverse Beast Strength Phantoms. Nobody possessed All-Out Effort Gu. So, others like Ju Kai Bei used several methods of stacking the effects of the same species of Strength Phantoms. This method allowed them to develop a set of martial arts with the highest probability of summoning their beast phantoms.

Then there were the likes of Tyrant Heng Mei, who possessed the relatively less ancient iterations of Strength Path Gu Worms, like the Rank 4 Violent Strength Gu. However, their effects could not hope to match against stars of the Strength Path—All-Out Effort and Borrow Strength Gu!

Finally, there were rare examples of a Gu Master emulating the Borrow Strength’s effects using Tyrant Strength and Earth Overlord Gu. The most popular individual of this path was Tie Clan’s Strength Path Elder, ‘Present Age Overlord’ Tie Ba Xiu.

‘Is it four Rank 4 Strength Phantoms?’ Li Xian pondered before shaking his head. ‘No. It must be more. The effects are also enhanced when Lo Jik uses the Little Giant King Gu Worm.’

Even the wealthy Li Xian felt envious.

Lo Jik’s set mostly disregarded the disadvantages of a Gu Master possessing low cultivation. According to Li Xian, this point was one of the reasons for Wu Shen Tong’s downfall. Even if Lo Jik was at Rank 4 Initial Stage, his battle power settled at the peak of this realm.

‘Worst of all,’ Li Xian snorted. ‘Lo Jik has little morals! That asshole killed Fei Li. Tch. I wanted to buy the Expend Strength Gu, but nobody can afford it now. He also has little pride and experiences no shame in using the most underhanded tactics possible!’

An expert of Lo Jik’s skills was already a dangerous opponent.

However, adding Little Giant King’s shamelessness to the equation was unfair.

Li Xian’s eyelids twitched as he sensed movement outside his cave. A cursory observation shook him as he swiftly stood up and adopted a calm visage despite the terrifying waves in his heart.

Think of the devil, and he shall appear.

Walking outside the cave, Li Xian greeted the visitor with a broad, oily smile.

“So, it was Little Giant King!” He chuckled dryly and nodded. “Welcome. Is there something I can help you with?”

Li Xian spoke gently despite his renowned status, as indicated by a cave slightly above San Cha’s waist and near the Inheritance entrance. There was a reason why Li Xian could rise in the Southern Border even when experiencing all forms of suppression from the locals. He could also sense several intrigued Gu Masters from Demonic and Righteous Factions watching from the shadows. It was the norm—the able Gu Masters would do anything to witness such interactions and sell information to the affluent parties.

Li Xian was one such affluent individual. That’s how he knew of Fei Li’s demise.

“Not just him,” a cold and proud voice interjected as Li Xian’s pupils shrunk. From the thick foliage emerged a hauntingly handsome creature of white hair and blue eyes, possessing eyelashes so luscious that it would make fairies sigh with envy.

“Frost Devil,” Li Xian greeted with a narrowed gaze, still not losing his smile. “Welcome. It’s my fortune to serve the two rising stars.”

“We’re here to conduct business, of course,” Lo Jik chuckled, still perched on the nearby rock. His following words instantly caused a rise in tension.

“Or did you think I’m here to fight you? Though, it would be a lie to say I’m not intrigued by your relationship with He Mei Er.”

Li Xian gritted his teeth as he saw through Lo Jik’s scheme instantly. However, it also alleviated some of Li Xian’s fears.

‘This mad asshole is still harping about that bitch? Hu Mei Er’s methods must not have taken complete root inside him. But they are showing effects. Now, Lo Jik wants me to publicly lower my head and distance myself from Hu Mei Er. It would be the same as removing another one of Hu Mei Er’s network for Lo Jik. Hmph! This bastard is crazy but also filthy rich. So what if I have to lower my head? As long as I can profit, everything is worth it.’

Li Xian offered a subservient smile.

“You must be jesting, Little Giant King. Me? With Hu Mei Er? We never shared any relationship whatsoever! She’s a—” Li Xian instantly recalled how the public reason for Fei Li’s death was his loose tongue, so the merchant Gu Master refrained from calling He Mei Er any names.

“—destructive charmer, someone I can’t hold a candle to.”

Lo Jik scoffed as he stood from his rock.

“We’ll see about that. Listening to you is just one side of the story.”

His meaning was clear as Li Xian momentarily frowned. Meanwhile, observing the exchange, Hu Mei Er’s gaze glittered.

There!

That would be her chance!

All Hu Mei Er needed to decide was whether to approach Li Xian and extort him with the threat of making his life complicated by setting Lo Jik loose on him or…

—approaching Lo Jik and deepening the twinge of her delicious poison.

“Stop wasting time,” Bai Ning Bing interrupted at an appropriate time. He spoke concisely. “We’re here to sell goods. Are you interested, or should we find another buyer?”

Li Xian’s smile recovered. However, he couldn’t help but apologize.

“I sincerely apologize. My residence can only accommodate two individuals at once. I can only conduct trade with each of you individually.”

Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing’s gazes turned cold, only for the former to sigh eventually.

“That’s understandable. We’re all a reasonable bunch. If it weren’t for others provoking me, I wouldn’t have had to bloody my hands. Bai Ning Bing, you should stand guard.”

Bai Ning Bing calmly resumed occupying the rock Lo Jik was perched on as the latter walked ahead with a disarming smile.

“Shall we?”

Lo Jik entered, making Li Xian suppress the urge to groan as he followed the former into the cave.

Once they sat, Li Xian opened his mouth to offer a beverage. It was an old tactic since Li Xian would display a Gu Worm from the Eastern Seas to intrigue his customers. Since the Qi Walls separated the five major settlements, other Gu Masters felt curious about Li Xian’s tricks, allowing him to gain momentum and an upper hand in conducting a profitable business.

However, Lo Jik willed several Gu Worms from his body the second they sat.

“How much for these?”

Li Xian blinked, realizing being concise was better than chatting and being formal. He glanced at several of these Gu Worms. Most of these were Poison Path Gu Worms.

‘Did Lo Jik kill another Gu Master?’ Li Xian thought. However, the truth was different. Being a Poison Path Master, Lo Jik didn’t need the several Poison Path Gu Worms he rescued from the fossils. Naturally, it was still better to use them for the Dreamer Gu. No matter how little, Lo Jik’s attainment would fruiten further with every Gu Worm.

However, he needed to feed Li Xian some misinformation. There was also another hidden matter…

The latter noticed the Gu Worm’s weakened state and nodded. It wasn’t rare. A Gu Master doesn’t possess a food stock for the Gu Worms besides their Gu Set. So, in Li Xian’s mind, Lo Jik must have extorted the Gu Worms from someone else.

They settled the initial trade after some haggling, knowing Lo Jik would soon reveal the purpose of his visit.

“Take a look at this list.”

Lo Jik fished a thin, folded parchment from inside his loose robe. Unfolding it, Li Xian glanced at the list, instantly realizing the former’s objective of refining an unnamed Gu Worm.

‘Could it be a Gu Worm from his Ancient Strength Path Legacy?’ Li Xian held the thought.

“Do you have these materials?”

Li Xian quietly shook his head.

“Not at the moment,” he confirmed. “However, I can find most things on the list and have them transferred here in four days. Right now, I possess the Rank 3 Terrible Fist—”

“No need,” Lo Jik stood up. “Find me once you have all the materials. We’ll settle the prices after I inspect the good’s condition.”

Without waiting for Li Xian’s reply, Lo Jik left the cave.

‘Only that?’ Li Xian furrowed his brows. He wanted to fish for some information.

‘There’s still Bai Ning Bing,’ Li Xian organized his thoughts. ‘Let’s see what he wants.’

<<<>>>

The existence of a Rank 5 Peak Stage Gu Master invoked a grand splendor in one’s mind, a being firmly situated on the peak of the mortal realm who shook their surroundings with a wave of their hands! Nobody would think a Peak Stage Rank 5 Gu Master like Lo Jik snuck around, using the Rank 4 Invisibility Gu to circle his target quietly.

What use was being grand and awe-inspiring when counterproductive to his goals?

What use was there in doing things in the open when Lo Jik earned nothing?

‘So, Li Xian doesn’t have any protective measures for his soul,’ Lo Jik licked his lips. Li Xian was a fat prey, pun intended. The act of selling the Gu Worms was not only to create misinformation but also to let Chen Jiu scout the next prey. After all, a Heavenly Specter could influence and leave traces of their soul energies in several objects—the Gu Worms, in this instance. Chen Jiu observed the state of Li Xian’s soul when Li Xian touched these corrupted objects for inspection. Even Rank 4 Gu Worms used for securing the soul would fail against Chen Jiu’s mean because she was a Rank 5 Ghost.

“Are you sure you want to use that Slavery Gu on Li Xian?” Chen Jiu’s haunting whisper echoed, questioning Lo Jik.

“Hmm,” Lo Jik narrowed his eyes, observing the cave. He knew about the formation of Gu Worms outside Li Xian’s residence. It would alert him and create a layer of defense, allowing him enough time for a counterattack.

“Li Xian is a well-known figure and will attract the attention of other Clan Elders once they inevitably arrive. They might not visit him publicly, but there are several hidden means to communicate with him for information. It’s not his cultivation that others value but the network he painstakingly accrued.”

“You’re the same,” Chen Jiu hummed.

“Partially,” Lo Jik’s gaze glinted. “Controlling Li Xian will help me get several Gu Worms from different paths.”

Chen Jiu chuckled. “You can still think about cultivation? Did the thought of Wu Clan’s revenge not haunt your nightmares already?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time if it did,” Lo Jik snickered. “I used to wake up in cold sweat because of nightmares starring Shang Yan Fei after you aired your dirty laundry.”

Chen Jiu felt stunned.

“Really?”

“Yep,” Lo Jik smiled. “Can’t say it happens anymore. Benefits of befriending a Heavenly Specter, I suppose.”

“Hah!” Chen Jiu snorted in amusement. “I’m a ghost, not a divine protection against nightmares.”

“You are to me,” Lo Jik answered with a shrug. “Wait…”

His words made Chen Jiu pause in her tracks as she had another sarcastic comment in her arsenal. However, she focused on Li Xian’s residence.

“What?” She punctuated with underwhelming confusion. “Did you sense something?”

Lo Jik narrowed his eyes before replying, “You need to hide for now. This Li Xian is weirder than we expected.”

Due to their agreement, Chen Jiu didn’t have much say on the matter and reluctantly returned to her host object. Meanwhile, Lo Jik stared at Li Xian, who was leaving the residence without anyone’s knowledge.

Not even Chen Jiu sensed Li Xian. Something hid the latter’s scent, noise, body, and even soul fluctuation!

There was only one Gu Worm Lo Jik knew of possessing such an effect—Invisibility Gu.

‘He has a Rank 4 Invisibility Gu, too?’ Lo Jik began following Li Xian. ‘I thought Theft Path was rare and mysterious. What other treasures does Li Xian have?’

Like Li Xian coveted Lo Jik’s inheritance, the latter was the same.

The duo moved around San Cha Mountain for a while before Li Xian stopped and looked around. He used several investigative Gu Worms to scout his surroundings under Lo Jik’s watchful gaze.

Next, Li Xian took out a Gu Worm with a Rank 3 aura. It looked like a green ground mole, possessing smooth skin instead of fur.

‘The Rank 3 Ground Mole Letter Gu.’ Lo Jik mused, instantly thinking of collecting enough of these Letter Gu Worms to advance his Information Path attainment. But that was a goal for a later time.

Li Xian turned around after sending the letter. Although it was a private region with no eyes, Lo Jik didn’t strike. Li Xian was still cautious and could react at any moment. Instead, Lo Jik followed Li Xian back to the cave and waited outside for a while.

After spending another hour outside, Lo Jik decided to move in. The Gu Formation was useless against Lo Jik, who even detected the hidden Underground Steps Gu Worm. Peering inside, Lo Jik observed Li Xian busy with cultivation. His eyes were shut, and he sat on a small earthen chair with beads of sweat forming near his temples.

‘Not yet.’ Lo Jik hummed. He wanted to take over Li Xian’s wealth. Li Xian was focusing and actively interacting with his aperture. He could self-destruct his Gu Worms the moment Lo Jik struck.

So, Lo Jik observed the man cultivate for three hours until Li Xian moved. The man stretched his limbs, revealing surprising flexibility, before lying on a mattress to rest.

‘Soon.’

After another hour, once Lo Jik was sure Li Xian slumbered deeply, he activated a Gu Worm.

It was a Rank 4 Slavery Gu!

Many Gu Masters desired such a Gu to control another Gu Master for support. Shang Yan Fei used the Blood Shadow Gu, a Blood Path equivalent of Slavery Gu, to secretly control his followers, including Chen Jiu. However, Shang Yan Fei’s Blood Shadow Gu could only control the physical form.

A Slavery Gu Worm physically and spiritually restricts the target.

Lo Jik couldn’t use Rank 4 Slavery Gu on a Rank 5 Gu Master. It wouldn’t work. Meanwhile, using it on a Rank 3 Gu Master would be a loss.

So, Li Xian was one of the better candidates.

The colorful ray of smoke landed on Li Xian’s forehead, and his eyes instantly snapped open!

“Who—”

The appearance of a Deep-Orange figure in the depths of Li Xian’s mind cut his roar short as he and the invisible Lo Jik entered into a contest of soul. However, Lo Jik came prepared. He once bought Rank 3 Brave Thoughts and Brave Will.

Brave Thoughts Gu created Brave Thoughts in Lo Jik’s mind that looked like orange clenched fists. These thoughts allowed Lo Jik to form fearless decisions.

Meanwhile, the Brave Will Gu created a Brave Will that rested in Lo Jik’s soul, creating a thin line of defense against the mysterious and fatal Soul Path Gu Masters. This layer of defense was flimsy at best. But the Brave Will specialized in attack. In this contest of soul, Lo Jik’s Brave Will traveled inside Li Xian, impacting the latter’s soul and forming a faint pressure. Unfettered by Li Xian’s iron will as the merchant could do nothing but focus and raise defenses against Lo Jik, lest he becomes enslaved, the shamelessly invisible opponent suddenly kicked Li Xian’s crotch with 5% of his strength!

Li Xian’s eyes bulged, almost popping out of his sockets as his defenses wavered, creating a massive hole—

The remnant of colorful smoke gathered on Li Xian’s forehead sank into the man’s skull as Lo Jik instantly felt something heavy pressing on his mind and soul!

Success!

Lo Jik let out an exhausted huff as he revoked the Invisibility Gu. While the Slavery Gu could fully control a Gu Master, its pressure on the soul was nothing to scoff at. In this regard, Blood Shadow Gu was overwhelmingly superior!

“Master!” Li Xian ignored the pain and knelt with a weird gap between his thighs.

Lo Jik smiled at Li Xian, still revealing a no-nonsense attitude.

“Show me your aperture and stock.”

“Yes!”

Li Xian instantly revealed everything, dazzling Lo Jik with different colors, lights, and forms.

The wealth on display surpassed Lo Jik’s expectations for Li Xian, who possessed two Rank 5 Gu Worms!

Rank 5 Invisibility Gu.

Rank 5 Sustenance Gu.

Like its Rank 4 variant, the Rank 5 Invisibility Gu resembled a dark, silvery cloak without fancy embroidery or decorations. Meanwhile, the Rank 5 Sustenance Gu shared a striking similarity with a deep-brown dog’s bowl.

Then there were the Rank 4 Chainsaw Golden King Centipede, Blue Sky, Triple-Layered Metal Armor, Jade Eye, Star Pupils, Dragon Elephant Ears, Dragging Mud, Mystical Squirrel Strength, Dark Divide, Red Heart Dew, and more…

Rank 3 Slavery, Large Hemp Grass Sac, Grass Puppet, Silver Sword, Twisted Saber, Star Darts, Poison Sting, Bookworm, Soul Gazer, Golden Carapace, etc…

Rank 2…

Rank 1…

Lo Jik calmly sat, watching the assortment of Gu Worms. Li Xian didn’t follow a strict path like many others. Such a method had its advantages. However, Lo Jik knew the necessity of following a Path during ascension as a Gu Immortal.

“What’s the use of Sustenance Gu?” Lo Jik questioned, having never heard of it. Such an event wasn’t rare despite possessing a few too many inheritances as recipes. There existed several billions of Gu Worms, if not more! How could anyone claim to know them all?

“It’s a Rank 5 Gu Worm I got from an Inheritance in Eastern Sea. Sustenance Gu Worm’s function is to produce an amber liquid that other Gu Worms consume to survive just enough until a Gu Master finds a stable supply of that particular Gu Worm. Since it only allows a Gu Worm’s sustenance, a Gu Master cannot use such Gu Worms, or they risk injuring them.”

Lo Jik stared at the Dog Bowl in his hand.

Such a Gu Worm solved the food crisis for Lo Jik! He had several Gu Worms he couldn’t sell and wished to use for the Dreamer Gu. One of the ways to store them was by fossilizing them. However, this Rank 5 Gu solves this issue and more! Lo Jik can maintain his rarely-used Gu Worms using the Sustenance Gu and lower their feeding frequency, reducing the pressure of always keeping tonnes of food available at all times!

‘This can extend my current food stock from the predicted seven years to eleven years!’

Lo Jik felt thrilled as he instantly refined the Sustenance Gu and stored it in his first aperture.

Then, Lo Jik took Li Xian’s Rank 5 Invisibility Gu and loaned him the Rank 4 variant.

“Now,” Lo Jik glanced at Li Xian. “You must be a refinement master to fuse a Rank 5 Gu Worm, right? How did you refine the Rank 5 Invisibility Gu? Let me look through your Bookworm.”

Li Xian blinked innocently, a stark contrast to his insidious self.

“No, Master. I did not fuse these Rank 5 Gu Worms, although I have their recipes. The origin of the Invisibility Gu was another inheritance I got wind of. It was very secretive and occupied by Song Clan’s Gu Masters. I managed to sneak inside the Inheritance site since I cracked the puzzle. A Rank 5 Peak Stage Gu Master—Glorious Ga-sha Demon— built the inheritance site before his unsuccessful ascension, where he died on the spot!”

Lo Jik blinked.

Ga-sha?

Why did it feel like Li Xian was mispronouncing GACHA?

‘You’re kidding me…’ Lo Jik’s eyes briefly widened as Li Xian continued with an impassive expression.

“That Gu Master claimed to have Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable’s Inheritance.”

Lo Jik’s lips quivered.

He had already experienced two encounters with this legendary name!

First, Lo Jik received an inheritance from Bai Lin’s ancestor—Heart Refining Fiend Bai Kin, who inherited his refinement path cultivation and blessed land from a Gu Immortal claiming to be Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable’s inheritor!

Second, Lo Jik got a rank 2 East Window Gu from a Platinum Achievement that stated an opportunity lying in the Northern Plains.

Both these opportunities were useless for the current Lo Jik since he couldn’t decipher the first inheritance to grab the Theft Path’s essence.

“Aside from Invisibility Gu, there were many recipes and cultivation experiences. I also gained knowledge from Immortal Ascension from that inheritance. However, the Inheritance only left the Invisibility Gu because the creator implanted a devious trap in the cave that instantly unleashed a group of Mutated Underwater Kelp Horse Kings!”

Fear flickered in Li Xian’s expression. He wasn’t even a Rank 4 Gu Master at the time. However, Invisibility Gu was rare and valuable and had an ambitiously low primeval essence requirement!

The Rank 5 Invisibility Gu merely consumed 5% of Rank 4 Initial Stage Essence.

Li Xian explained how the Song Clan discovered his tracks and began chasing him for the inheritance.

Yet…

Lo Jik couldn’t help but frown.

“The five settlements are divided by Qi Walls. The Heaven and Earth Qi in the five regions are different and reject the aura of outer qi. A Gu Master from Southern Borders will experience suppression should they enter the Central Continent or other three areas. For instance, my Rank 4 cultivation will only reveal the effects of Rank 3 under this suppression.”

“However, Human is the spirit of all living beings. We can adapt to the changed Heaven and Earth Qi, recovering our cultivation. But the Gu Worms aren’t the same. A Rank 4 Gu Worm from Southern Border won’t be able to compete with the Rank 3 Gu Worm of the same type in their local region.”

“Say, Li Xian. How come your Invisibility and Sustenance Gu Worm are still Rank 5?”

Li Xian nodded.

“You are very wise and observant, Master.”

Lo Jik almost rolled his eyes at the compliment.

“It’s as you said. The only way for a Gu Worm from other regions to show its complete potential would be to refine it here. Refining a Rank 4 Invisibility Gu originating from Eastern Seas to Rank 5 would have solved such issues. Yet, how can a Venerable’s inheritor not be excellent?”

Li Xian expressed with unconcealed admiration.

“Glorious Ga-sha Demon overflowed with talent as he used Thieving Heaven’s inheritance as study material to invent a series of Gu unheard by anyone!”

“Out with it,” Lo Jik sighed, unimpressed by the theatrics and the apparent intent of building suspense.

“Hehe, yes, Master,” Li Xian snickered.

“Please look for the Rank 1-5 Human Adaptive Qi Gu.”

Lo Jik searched the Bookworm and instantly found the relatively tiny section.

A cursory glance at the recipes made Lo Jik sigh in admiration.

The Gu World did not lack talents.

Lo Jik knew about the Ruined Brothers and their invention, which saved his life several times and helped him profit from even more situations. There was the Grey Bone Scholar, who developed the Flesh Unity Gu. Now, in the same realm was the Glorious Gacha Demon!

A step beyond, some talents could shake the foundation of the Gu World, with some succeeding in the task—Imaginative Strength and Blood Sea Ancestor Immortal Gu.

Beyond these crazy talents, those who possessed Heaven-Defying ambitions were the actual entities that could touch Heaven!

The Venerables!

‘Too small,’ Lo Jik felt. ‘Compared to them, I’m less than an ant.’

“This Human Adaptive Qi Gu can change the course of Gu Master’s thought process and encourage them to explore other regions!” Lo Jik praised without holding back. “It’s strictly an Expenditure Storage Gu that stores a Human’s adaption property against the external Qi over time before unleashing it all at once. A Rank 4 Human Adaptive Qi can store enough aura to instantly help a Gu Master adapt their cultivation in the other regions or use it on ten different Rank 4 Gu Worms.”

“However, this Gu faces similar suppression when a Gu Master leaves their residential region. So, a Rank 4 Human Adaptive Qi Gu will work better on ten Rank 3 Gu Worms instead.”

“Correct, Master. I refined five Rank 3 Human Adaptive Qi Gu at the time when I escaped the Eastern Seas. Hehe. That’s only the start of the inheritance. Go ahead. Dig into the juicy bits!”

Lo Jik smirked and read ahead.

This time, he would taste the genuine Thieving Heaven Inheritance!

Lo Jik’s expression turned sluggish the more he read. This inheritance…

It was all about exploiting and reinforcing the most crucial treasure in a Gu Master’s life—the aperture.

Plunder Gu.

Sneak Attack Gu.

Hidden Explosion Gu.

Corrode Aperture Gu.

Back Door Gu.

Filthy Paws Gu.

Stealth Refinement Gu.

Aperture Seal Gu.

Snatch Aperture Gu.

Steal Thoughts Gu.

Steal Will Gu.

Steal Memories Gu.

Flicker Steps Gu.

Void Soul Gu.

Steal Elements Gu.

Disguise Will Gu.

There was so much!

Not every recipe belonged to Theft Path. For instance, the Aperture Seal Gu belonged to the Rule Path. However, Thieving Heaven wasn’t restricted to Theft Path alone. Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable was initially a Space Path Gu Immortal if the rumors were true. There were legends of the Venerable’s destructive Lightning Path and insidious Phantom Path! Who knows what more Thieving Heaven created?

After all, this Inheritance wasn’t even about the Theft Path. The mortal recipes were merely an appetizer and existed to allow the inheritor to form a complete Gu Set that could defend against different paths. The core of the essence was still about the Aperture…

It wasn’t a Theft, Space, Phantom, or Lightning Path inheritance!

Lo Jik read the next bit with raging waves in his heart.

‘I see. The Relic Gu Worms fall under Human Path. I’ve actually touched the attainment of this mysterious path without knowing it.’ Lo Jik forcefully calmed himself.

It was a Human Path Inheritance that had clues about another Inheritance.

Thieving Heaven’s inheritance came in pairs. Over hundreds and thousands of years, some Inheritances are taken by different Otherworldly Demons and passed down after their deaths. So, not every clue is present.

It wasn’t the same case this time around.

‘Another clue for Northern Plains…’ Lo Jik’s gaze flickered before he returned to the set of Gu Worms and Killer Moves at hand.

This fortune was too… enticing.

Lo Jik would instantly shift his focus from Strength to the Theft Path and simultaneously cultivate the Refinement Path if he had more foundation for the Theft Path. As things were, he knew more Immortal Recipes for the Strength Path.

‘Not that it would stop me from cultivating more paths.’

Lo Jik’s gaze glinted as he calmly refined the Bookwork and took it himself.

Li Xian’s fortunes were a hundred times more than he expected!

‘Did I get too lucky?’

Lo Jik felt unnerved. His trait aside, it was the first time Lo Jik felt blessed ever since he entered this world.

‘Fake Aperture…’

Lo Jik mused.

Heaven Defying, indeed.

***

Alternative Title: Fake It Till You Make It; Li Xian; Attractive Prey; The Fake Trade; A Cautious Entrapment; Li Xian’s Formidable Past; The Kick To The Crotch; The Fate With Theft Path; Li Xian Suffered From His Success; The Human Adaptive Qi; Song Clan’s Regret; A Complete Venerable Inheritance; To Rizz a Ghost; Gacha Demon; Imagine Creating a Gacha Killer Move; The Gacha Demon Needed That Luck Path; Some Choose To Goon Over Gacha Babes Despite Transmigration; Becoming a Force To Be Reckoned With; Enslaving Li Xian; The Treasure Trove; The Best Assistance—Li Xian; Li Xian Entered His FGO Era—Mastah!; Controlling a Network

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