"Dual cultivation…"
Xin Cheng muttered softly. Lo Jik hadn't gone deep into explaining every little detail about his terms and conditions with Chen Jiu to maintain an upper hand in their current relationship. But he offered some interesting facts about Chen Jiu to observe Xin Cheng's reaction. She was, after all, a will left behind by Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable and held the same potential as that heaven defying talent. With her attainment, she could eventually find some truths about this method.
"And you say this Chen Jiu woman cultivated rule and wisdom paths without any dao mark conflict? Are you certain?" She questioned.
Lo Jik nodded plainly.
"But this dual cultivation method only works with rule and wisdom paths," he explained. "I wanted to learn this method and modify it for my use. Speaking of which, didn't your main body also cultivate theft and space paths? Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable found theft path, but plentiful records suggest that he initially advanced as a space path gu immortal."
Lo Jik wasn't wasting his time inside the sect's public blessed land. He used his status to purchase many things using his contribution points not ordinarily available to legacy disciples themselves. He supplied Xin Cheng with legends related to Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable and other possible theft path gu masters and gu immortals.
Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable was humanity's seventh venerable, rising to prominence after Genesis Lotus Immortal Venerable in the medieval antiquity era 300,000 years ago. Theft path was mysterious and not a well-known path. However, there were a few talents who inherited Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's minor and true inheritances, which were further studied and passed onto the future generations. There were also a few peerless gu immortals who achieved the effects of theft paths using their main paths, standing out from the masses.
Xin Cheng was very interested in these findings even if they did not possess any concrete gu worm recipes. A long time has passed since Thieving Heaven's time and while theft path was insidious and outstanding, future gu masters and gu immortals modified and adapted several theft path recipes based on the modern and current systems of cultivation.
Why else could Lo Jik get a few mortal theft path materials during the auction he co-hosted with Shu Zhe to sell Wang Nan's inheritance?
Xin Cheng pondered on all these findings and the stuff Lo Jik revealed about Chen Jiu.
"The only way for our oath to disperse is if you give this soul a body, and I offer you a method of dual cultivating rule and wisdom path after the fact."
"Yes."
Lo Jik nodded. "Even if we would want to modify the effects of the oath gu, it would require Chen Jiu's recipe for Soul Oath Gu. It was her creation, but we can no longer rely on this fact."
He lied as casually as he inhaled and exhaled. The truth was, Lo Jik already had the recipe for the Soul Oath Gu. It was Chen Jiu's invention and a soul path gu worm with information path effects. Lo Jik always had the intentions of resolving this oath and then helping Chen Jiu. However, in a strange twist of fate and love, Chen Jiu was replaced by Xin Cheng.
Xin Cheng was brilliant and shrewd despite being stuck in a Heavenly Specter's body. She accurately grasped Lo Jik's state of mind and gave him a powerful reminder she would not be an easy target to enslave. At worst, she would detonate her soul!
If Chen Jiu could thirst for freedom so strongly, how can Xin Cheng be any worse?
Yet, it was due to her brilliance that Lo Jik did not want to lose out on such a wonderful ally.
"I will only help you find Rank 5 Man Defying Dead Gu worm if you have methods of altering the effects of Soul Oath Gu. If not that, you will need to painstakingly invent a way for me to dual cultivate wisdom and rule paths."
Lo Jik spoke candidly.
Xin Cheng fell silent.
Soon, she scoffed and chuckled.
"Such a scheming bastard. Were you like this in your previous world, too? Or did this gu world change you?"
Lo Jik rolled his eyes at her words.
"You want me to work out a way to alter or reject the effects of Soul Oath Gu worm. By doing so, you save effort on your side and can spend your time deducing other recipes and methods. Once you attain this method of altering the effects of Soul Oath Gu worm, you can refine a Soul Oath Gu and use it on others to gain considerable advantage. There's no point in arguing whether you possess the recipe for this Soul Oath Gu. Why should I trust you? If I can lie, so can you."
"Believe whatever you want." Lo Jik sneered. "How can I trust that you don't have other memories related to Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable?"
Their dubious snorts and scoffs rang inside the cultivation room before the duo fell silent.
"Isn't theft path good with dealing against these restrictions?" Lo Jik questioned after a while.
"All paths lead to the same destination under the Great Dao," Xin Cheng explained calmly. "The different paths discovered since immemorial era are not entirely separated but share deeper connection with other paths. That is why a gu master or gu immortal can use their primary paths to mimic the effects of other paths after gaining deeper realms of understanding of said path. So, no. Theft path isn't necessarily best in dealing with restrictions and limitations of this nature. If you were talented enough, you could have discovered a way to alter it long ago."
The corner of Lo Jik's gaze twitched. He already knew it. Xin Cheng was also aware he might already know these secrets. Still, she chose to waste his time instead of giving a clear-cut response.
Xin Cheng spoke after a bout of prolonged silence.
"You should bring me more inheritances to study. You might not be Spirit Affinity House's fairy, but you can leverage Love Gu's reputation."
"What do I get in return?" Lo Jik demanded forthrightly instead of rejecting Xin Cheng. She could only be valuable if she had enough knowledge to make the best use of her attainments. After all, the world has changed considerably since medieval antiquity era. New paths rose to prominence while others declined. Ancient materials were at the brink of extinction and new materials appeared everywhere, allowing the innovation of newer and, sometimes, more sophisticated gu worms. Xin Cheng needed to understand these changes to innovate new things, too.
"What do you get?" Xin Cheng raised an eyebrow. "I gave you Divine Concealment. What more do you want?"
"Many things," Lo Jik replied with a chuckle. "But I'll settle for new theft path gu worms that can let me steal anything I desire without alerting others."
"You already said theft path materials are rare." Xin Cheng scoffed. "I also don't have memories related to most of these materials. The best I can offer you is studying Divine Concealment protecting your soul and allow you to manipulate meager traces of its effect as a mortal."
Lo Jik's heart thumped but his expression betrayed nothing.
"Meager traces?" He derided. "Divine Concealment is a rank 9 killer move! And you can only help me actively manipulate mere traces of it? Find a way to let me manipulate this beautiful inheritance freely!"
Xin Cheng narrowed her eyes.
"Don't test me, Lo Jik. You should be grateful for this. Being able to manipulate any trace of Divine Concealment as a mortal will grant you a huge boost. Aren't you already weak against soul path? You could even leverage this trace to protect your soul. How can a mortal soul path offensive gu worm come close in harming the effects created by Divine Concealment?"
"And you already revealed your attainment as a wisdom path grandmaster. You should understand that Divine Concealment has connections with wisdom path. Your attainment and insights will help you develop a method of protecting your soul against soul path attacks."
She spoke after a few breaths.
"Help me find recipes related to wisdom path gu worms."
Like Xin Cheng accurately exposed his earlier scheme related to Soul Oath Gu, Lo Jik also accurately pierced through Xin Cheng's conspiracy, returning the favor in a scathing fashion.
"Why?" He smiled coldly. "So that you can refine a few wisdom path gu worms secretly? You might not be as knowledgeable as Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable, but you are essentially his essence. The things I might deem impossible must be a child's play for you. Who's to say you cannot use your own soul as a foundation to refine a few wisdom path gu worms and hide them? Back then, nobody came close to Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable when it came to concealing oneself. I admit, Xin Cheng, I'm not as good as you in this aspect of cultivation and cannot take such risks."
"But you will have to eventually offer me something." Xin Cheng also shared Lo Jik's cold smile. "How else would you exploit my talents?"
"Will you continue cowering or charge ahead and take bold risks?"
Lo Jik fell silent.
He compared and made new observations internally. Xin Cheng took his silence as a moment of consideration. However, fiercely perverted thoughts filled Lo Jik's second mind.
He was alert against Xin Cheng and hid his most precious secrets in the hidden layer inside his mind created by Fake Mind Gu.
'As expected, she is unmoved by more superficial praises. I've been indirectly praising her talents and inheritance these few days but what truly moves Xin Cheng is competence. While she is also cautious of me, such open competition serves to lower our inhibitions. I would hold no candle against her if she possessed Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's memories. But it is essentially due to this lack of knowledge I could understand what makes Xin Cheng different.'
'I'm still unaware what gu worm Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable used to modify this will. However, I can safely remove special will, brave will, sharp intent, malicious intent, and a few other gu worms from the list. It might be Thieving Heaven's personal creation.'
Lo Jik focused on this aspect because Xin Cheng was originally a will. Different wills displayed different attitudes. Anger Will was quick to agitate and anger. Brave will took bold risks and had great effects against fearful wills, and such. Xin Cheng's personality was not the same as Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's but the gu worm he used to modify his will.
Understanding this gu worm would offer Lo Jik deeper insights into Xin Cheng. Even if she was no longer a will and could display other attitudes and behavior, her core was still related to her former will.
However, Lo Jik wasn't so desperate about it.
He was already making decent progress.
"Bold risks…" Lo Jik murmured under his breath. "I beat a desolate beast to death under the eyes of several gu immortals. I never thought I could maintain my safety and was prepared to use Divine Travel Immortal Gu."
"Risks are not scary."
He sighed.
"Alas, I'm not as brilliant as you."
"If you were, what would you need me for? I would have already been enslaved."
Xin Cheng laughed brightly.
Lo Jik's words were not deceptive. He openly admitted to his shortcomings.
"I need some time to think about this, Xin Cheng."
She stopped laughing and nodded with a smile.
"Take as much time as you need. In fact, I don't mind if you take a long time. Grow strong enough and be confident enough before agreeing to this transaction. But the longer you take, the longer you will remain unable to maximize the benefits from Divine Concealment."
Lo Jik suddenly frowned and shook his head.
"Truthfully… it's not hard for me to help you get a body."
"What?"
"But I will take time and think things through."
"Do you already have a way to grant this soul a body?" Xin Cheng inquired quickly.
Lo Jik nodded while secretly observing the minor changes in Xin Cheng's reaction.
"I do," he answered honestly. "But I plan on returning Hu Immortal Blessed Land. There, I won't have ways to conceal things from Little Hu Immortal Land Spirit. Whether you believe this claim or not is up to you. However, I refuse to reveal certain secrets without being confident in keeping things from the land spirit and other observing gu immortals."
Xin Cheng's thoughts moved sluggishly but she soon realized this was Lo Jik's true aim.
"So, I get a body. And you get a great method of concealment from other gu immortals and land spirit."
"No." Lo Jik shook his head, correcting the Heavenly Specter.
"We gain a way to conceal ourselves. Our arguments aside, I don't want others to know the truth. I will be hunted to this world's end if the news about me possessing Rank 9 Love Gu alongside Divine Concealment and a revived will from Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable spreads out."
Lo Jik casually lowered the intensity of their competition by calling it a mere argument as Xin Ching focused more on the risks of being found out. After all, she was not a true human and couldn't truly see-through Lo Jik's true ambition.
Everything else was merely superficial. Yet Xin Cheng could never expect the existence of a trait, much less a trait that rewarded all forms of debauched and depraved acts.
"I will see what I can do… but I need silence and peace."
Xin Cheng suddenly grew irate. "It's annoying how many times you and your wife seek each other for physical comfort."
"It's called sex, bitch. Get used to it."
Lo Jik rolled his eyes, his words filled with meaning so deep Xin Cheng might only comprehend after years of discipline and life pounding her hard.
"Hmph!"
<<<>>>
The pressure from Lo Jik's previous circumstances had greatly dispersed.
"Hehe. Guts Gu is truly great."
Bai La praised, her blue eyes sparkling with awe and her smile filled with an intoxicating sensation. Dang Hun Mountain was a sacred ground for strengthening the soul. But a gu master or gu immortal couldn't endlessly strengthen their soul. They needed to refine their soul and consolidate their foundation before moving on.
As a gu immortal with a decent foundation, Bai La's soul foundation already surpassed a thousand-man soul. Today, she achieved an even greater breakthrough.
"I possess a ten-thousand-man soul. Alas, we don't own Luo Po Valley. Mortal gu worms related to refining the souls are too weak against a ten-thousand-man soul. I must seek inspiration from soul path to refine a killer move related to this aspect."
Most gu immortals were like Bai La, talented problem solvers. Now that she encountered this hurdle in her cultivation, it was logical to spend time and effort in overcoming this shortcoming.
Before her sat Bai Qing, her expression equally pleased.
"All of us supreme elders enjoyed great benefits from Dang Hun Mountain. Most legacy disciples already advanced their souls to a thousand-man stage, too, reaching the peak level in mortal realms. The benefits of Dang Hun Mountain show itself. Furthermore, Huang'er achieved a breakthrough in managing the blessed land and got over her obsession in retaining as many assets as possible. It is truly a moment of grand fortune for us all."
Bai La nodded at her daughter's words.
Earlier, Feng Jin Huang was incompetent in maintaining the blessed land. She fell for several obvious traps and investment scams from other gu immortals in Treasure Yellow Heaven. Furthermore, the fox groups in the blessed land were rotting and spreading diseases. Feng Jin Huang spent her remaining fluid resources on Lo Jik.
Indeed, Lo Jik pulled through and gave Feng Jin Huang a chance to earn a small fortune. However, it did not solve the basic issue.
Feng Jin Huang should have sold most of the fox groups. But she deluded herself into believing that wasn't the right approach in maintaining a blessed land for several reasons. However, this was related to Feng Jin Huang's obsession in hoarding the assets.
It was a grave pitfall for any gu master and gu immortal.
Exaggerated amounts of anything often happen to be source of one's troubles.
Most gu immortals raised various beast groups with the express purpose of selling the surplus.
Feng Jin Huang only recently got over this habit of hoarding. The situation in the blessed land improved drastically after Feng Jin Huang sold many fox groups to reduce their numbers. The ecosystem in the blessed land achieved its balance again.
Rockmen groups also gained enough space to freely dig out different sites in the blessed land, extracting valuable minerals for Feng Jin Huang. Most of these rockmen were under the effects of Lo Jik's killer move.
"There is also the matter of the other nine sects backing off."
Bai La laughed loudly.
"They can no longer use the excuse of Gu Yue Lo Jik's past to suppress us. Most importantly, they lost in their own scheme. They can no longer find trouble with us and can only resort to underhanded tricks to suppress us. But the option of forcing us to share Dang Hun Mountain is no longer available to them ever since Heavenly Court stepped in and announced Lo Jik as a member of the righteous path."
Bai Qing sighed in relief.
It was true.
Lo Jik was not considered the sect's fairy because of Heavenly Court. However, it was this organization itself that resolved all the conflicts around him and left the other nine sects with no other righteous means to stop Spirit Affinity House's advancement.
Now, a few sects with weaker strength in this era even felt slightly fearful of Spirit Affinity House and no longer spent efforts to undermine them, fearing a terrifying counter.
Naturally, the ten ancient sects were no different from being considered the overlords of Central Continent. 80% of its resources were controlled by the ten ancient sects. Their foundation and power were terrifying. They didn't need to comply with the rules and could still seek trouble with Spirit Affinity House.
However, doing so would reflect poorly on their established acts. Other organizations followed the rules because the Ten Ancient Sects followed the rules. Once the ten ancient sects start acting unruly, other righteous forces would quickly use this excuse to terrorize their surroundings, too.
As they say, righteousness didn't prevent wickedness, and demons didn't exclude heroism.
There were wicked people worse than heroic demonic gu masters within many righteous forces.
When that happens, Central Continent will be plunged into an unprecedented era of chaos and bloodshed.
"I wonder what inheritance Lo Jik received…" Bai Qing revealed a look of envy. She was a rank 6 gu immortal, the previous generation sect fairy, and boasted elegance and a noble aura. However, the thought of a Demon Venerable's inheritance left her heart with unabated curiosity.
"Hmph. That brat is cheeky. But at least he isn't some demonic gu immortal as the Shang Clansmen claimed back in the day." Bai La snorted.
Earlier, Shang Clan revealed the news that Ba Gui Blessed Land was infiltrated by a demonic gu immortal. Shang Mi Zhu was the one who tried saving others inside the blessed land, only to fail. So, Xu Hao, Feng Jiu Ge, and others weren't above suspecting Lo Jik's origins. Else, how could Lo Jik survive the winds of assimilation?
However, Lo Jik accidentally revealed Rank 6 Divine Travel Immortal Gu.
It finally made sense.
"Divine Travel Immortal Gu is a legendary gu worm mentioned in
"Earlier, Lo Jik was like Huang'er." Bai La shook her head. "They are both mortals with an immortal gu worm. However, Lo Jik took over once Love Gu acknowledged him. And who knows what he received as an inheritance from Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable. It might be another immortal gu worm of a great origin."
"Listen well, Qing'er."
Bai La met her daughter's gaze.
"Lo Jik and Feng Jin Huang have a good relationship. I wasn't going to say anything before. But I want you to keep an open mind if this relationship deepens. Lo Jik isn't a heartless demon and can become a significant pillar of support for Huang'er."
Bai Qing immediately frowned.
"You want to sell your own granddaughter?" Bai Qing demanded with barely concealed fury.
"Did I sell you to Feng Jiu Ge?"
Bai La revealed her temper, hissing coldly. "I'm merely preparing you for some unfortunate reality. Or do you think I was over the nine heavens when I realized you were a few weeks pregnant with that bastard's seed even before being married?!"
Bai Qing instantly lost her momentum and averted her gaze like a child caught red-handed.
"Huang'er isn't like that… she barely pays attention to men her age."
"You didn't either until you met that flute-stroking asshole."
Bai Qing's lips parted before she snapped back.
"Enough about that nonsense, mother! I told you not to call Ge'er such names!"
Bai La scoffed but held her tongue in check and spoke no further on the matter.
"As long as we're on the same page. After all, Gu Yue Lo Jik will return to Hu Immortal Blessed Land today. Since Thieving Heaven's inheritance space disappeared from the sect's public blessed land, your husband has no reason to stay there either. The current momentum supports your husband's faction."
Bai La spoke sourly.
"First Supreme Elder will soon replace Xu Hao and me with your husband."
"I see…" Bai Qing could barely contain her joy. She had been separated from her husband for a long time. Of course, her cheeks flushed slightly as she soon experienced her mother's bleak gaze.
"I get to name your second kid if you two spend too much time together," Bai La asserted plainly, only for Bai Qing to shake her head and refute with a tender gaze.
"We already have a few names selected, mother."
"Oh, heaven! Assimilate me in your wind now!"
Bai La left with a mocking wail as Bai Qing rolled her eyes and snorted at her mother's antics. Yet, she also felt warm. She was blessed with a caring mother, an obedient daughter, and a loving husband. Not many received such a grand fortune in this world.
<<<>>>
Bai Qing's wishes came true, but not in the way she expected. Taking everyone by surprise, First Supreme Elder's new arrangements saw Bai La being the only gu immortal overlooking Hu Immortal Blessed Land
Bai Qing and Feng Jiu Ge were appointed to different resource points, too.
Earlier, the sect was being pressured by nine other ancient sects and was forced to huddle together. However, their time for defending their interests rigorously passed. It was time to establish their presence again.
Before Lo Jik's arrival, Xu Hao was also appointed to study the mystery of Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's inheritance space. Then, he was sent to maintain Dang Hun Mountain. It allowed Xu Hao to earn a lot of resources as he was the one creating the schedule on which gu immortal could enter Dang Hun Mountain to utilize Guts Gu.
However, he was also sent to a different location.
The only gu immortal with enough interests in both factions and a decent foundation to protect Feng Jin Huang and Dang Hun Mountain during ordinary time was indeed Bai La. Why would First Supreme Elder continue to spend other forces in Dang Hun Mountain when they could be best used elsewhere for the sect?
On this day, a guest visited Hu Immortal Blessed Land.
"Lord Second Supreme Elder!"
Feng Jin Huang paid her respects as Bai La stood beside her granddaughter. The latter smiled and greeted Fairy Yi.
Fairy Yi cast an indifferent glance towards Feng Jin Huang. With a thought, her grotto heaven's entrance opened slightly, expelling three beings.
They were Gu Yue Lo Jik, Shu Zhe, and Rank 9 Love Gu!
Spirit Affinity House's Second Supreme Elder glanced at Bai La as the duo flew away to hold their conversation elsewhere.
"I'll overlook the blessed land's earthly calamity this time. Until then, I will be staying inside Dang Hun Mountain. Researching dream path expends too much of my soul foundation. But now that we are free from other nine sect's pressure, our sect can pull ahead in this race."
Bai La nodded, showing no reluctance on the matter. She would have made things difficult had it been anyone else from the Feng Faction. But First and Second Supreme Elders held a neutral position.
"Alongside Dang Hun Mountain, it's best to pay attention on Gu Yue Lo Jik. He somehow broke the dream he was caught within. Even I haven't made any progress in this matter."
"Understood, Fairy Yi."
Bai La spoke as she watched Fairy Yi transform into an icy-blue rainbow that shot into Dang Hun Mountain, disappearing from everyone's view. Bai La's heart shook as she was unable to discover any trace of the movement using her investigative killer move despite the fact Fairy Yi's movements didn't bear any immortal gu worm.
Rank 8…
'Such a powerful realm. And to think there are rumors about that man holding his own against such monsters…'
Bai La involuntarily thought about her daughter's husband.
***
Alternate Title: Gayer Indeed Does not Stroke any Flutes; Bai Qing: I Wonder How Outstanding a Venerable's Inheritance Is *Feng Jiu Ge Sporting Vaguely Familiar Face and Chuckling in a Corner*; Lo Jik's Bold Steps Towards Seducing a Venerable; Even Opponents; Future Hate Fuck Indeed; Heaven's Will Lubing Future Timeline to Fuck Over Lo Jik and Xin Cheng; Heaven's Will: You Two are about to Suffer the Dildo of Consequences; Top Ten Catastrophes: Dildo of Consequences; Xin Cheng: Stop Fucking Your Wife *Lo Jik: Fucks Shu Zhe Harder and Longer. Also Adds Qin Juan*; A Rank 9 Killer Move; Hidden Inheritance; Dangerous Truth; Bai La: Don't Act Surprised When Your Daughter Takes After You *Bai Qing: Surprised Pikachu Face*; Fairy Bai Qing Likes Feng Jiu Ge's Flute; Feng Jin Huang is Indeed a Dreamy Bastard; Lo Jik: Hmm. Bai La is a Decent Target. *Love Gu: Say No More* *Coincidentally Bai La is Alone in Hu Immortal Blessed Land*; Heavenly Court's Contradictory Act?
***
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