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🕑 Added 2024-02-14 12:35:14 +0000 UTCTitle: Taking a Mile
Su Shou… no, Chen Jiu’s matter severely pressured Lo Jik. Despite knowing a moment’s greed could be his folly, Lo Jik understood one needed information, confidence, and a plan to turn a reckless charge into a tactical invasion. He didn’t know if Su Shou lied or not. But he assumed most of it, except Yan Fei’s core influence, was a lie. So, Lo Jik presumed Su Shou used some methods on him to ensure his loyalty.
Lo Jik checked himself using different means. There were no traces on his body. But the Heaven and Earth Piercing Eye Gu could not look through the living body. He had no way of ensuring his ‘purity.’ Was this a trap from Yan Fei?
Did Yan Fei want to test his loyalty? Su Shou’s matter is too grave. The rewards promised are massive, too. But what if all this is a lie? If Lo Jik believes Su Shou, what if Yan Fei used the Blood Shadow to control Su Shou and reveal this?
All of it boils down to motives, Lo Jik concludes.
Would Yan Fei do all that for one talent he wishes to recruit for Xin Ci? Would the busy Clan Leader have the time to weave such a story?
…No.
Lo Jik doesn’t believe Yan Fei would do all that for one talent.
So, it begs another question—Su Shou’s motives.
‘I would also carry hatred had I been enslaved for years, impregnated, and forced to miscarry. Su Shou didn’t strictly hide herself. From the looks of it, she tried to provoke Yan Fei on many occasions. Their relationship is only a secret from the public. Would I be able to control myself if a perfect candidate appeared after decades? A man that has Yan Fei’s dearest daughter’s trust with different means of escape?’
Lo Jik narrows his eyes. Su Shou believes he only possesses three Great Steeds. However, Lo Jik has a fourth steed, even more mystical than the previous three. Its speed is top-notch in water, on the tricky terrains, and in the air—White Form Immortal Snake!
His escape isn’t an issue. Others won’t look for the necessary clues since they don’t know about this Rank 5 Steed. What troubles Lo Jik is Su Shou’s candid admittance of attracting Gu Immortal’s attention.
‘I would have escaped if it were only Golden Achievement,’ Lo Jik licks his dry lips. ‘But she is Yan Fei’s secret wife.’
Having tasted Golden Rewards, how can Lo Jik look away from Platinum Achievements?
That’s why he must have a plan.
He needs to live to enjoy the Platinum Achievements.
Knowing what Immortal Gu is, Lo Jik has little hope of getting them through Platinum Achievements. But Immortal Gu is only one aspect of Gu Immortal’s cultivation! Could the Platinum Achievement compensate him through the other options?
No. There’s also a chance one Platinum Achievement may give him several Golden Rewards!
Didn’t he receive two Yellow Gold Relics?
Lo Jik clenches his fist.
Plan and strength!
But the thought of Gu Immortals also remains a chain around his neck.
‘I should live under the assumption someone already knows about Su Shou contacting me,’ Lo Jik’s gaze sharpens. What does he need in such a scenario?
The strength to escape!
‘I can’t cooperate with Bai Ning Bing on this. Escaping to the Bai Clan isn’t an option either. The Central Continent or the Imaginative Strength’s Blessed Land—those are my options. Imaginative Strength was born on the Jin Zhi Island. There are rare Islands in the Southern Border. Actually, these are former mountains slowly cut by the rivers. I could scout Jin Zhi Island and try locating that Blessed Land. But it’s located near the Eastern ‘Wall.’ Or I can rush north and enter the Central Continent. Shang Clan’s Immortals may chase me, but passing the border depends on Battle Strength. The weaker the cultivation, the more effortless it is to cross that border.’
He might have an escape route and a carrier. But Might makes Right.
‘I wouldn’t feel so stifled if I was an Immortal,’ he exhales. ‘Conversely, I wouldn’t care about Su Shou, too. I wouldn’t even get a Bronze reward from a Mortal Gu Master after becoming an Immortal.’
‘Fuck,’ he groans. ‘I don’t know if I’m being watched. I can’t use Dreamer or the Fickle Heart Strength Gu. No. Maybe I can use the Fickle Heart Strength Gu when I enter the toilet. Would an Immortal watch me take a shit? Wait…’
Truthfully, Lo Jik was overthinking it. But he also seemed to gain inspiration during such thoughts.
Su Shou was more suppressed than she let on. Also, having years of control, Yan Fei’s confidence kept him from looking for additional troubles with Su Shou since she didn’t go overboard. As for the Immortals? They might be interested in Su Shou. But she would fall into their clan’s grasp once Yan Fei becomes Immortal. He would use the true potential of the Blood Shadow Immortal Gu and extract the necessary information. The Super Clan was too stable to care about a Su Shou.
Her guise of favoring beauty may not be so extreme as Yan Fei made her act to suppress her. But Su Shou acted on it and developed an eccentric personality around that story, easing others’ worries. Who won’t develop personality issues after suffering what Su Shou did?
However, she suffered in silence and held out until discovering Lo Jik. Previously, she acted in a manner expected from her. In Yan Fei’s eyes, Su Shou reasonably grew vindictive and petty. But purchasing all the crucial Strength Gu Lo Jik had been searching for was merely an act. It was to attract Lo Jik’s attention and offer him an unavoidable deal. Yan Fei also has his duties as the Clan Leader. How can he focus on Su Shou? Also, he would not have let Xin Ci learn from Su Shou despite everything if he wasn’t confident in his means.
Lo Jik’s thoughts led him to understand a crucial thing.
It is simple to inspect Su Shou’s sincerity.
She says he should only contact her once he decides. But life isn’t peachy. She hasn’t produced a single evidence of her sincerity.
Su Shou’s eyes widen behind her veil.
“Gu Yue Lo Jik is creating a din outside the manor?”
The attendant kneels and apologizes. “I’m sorry, Lord Su. But that Lo Jik is an animal. He doesn’t listen! He keeps saying you are harming his path. He wants to purchase the Gu you need for your research.”
‘That bastard!’ Su Shou grits her teeth. She imagined a hundred scenarios, but this wasn’t it! Lo Jik will ruin everything!
“Send him to my study,” Su Shou scoffs coldly.
Soon, Lo Jik enters the luxurious study with fragrant wood furnishing. He looks around the study with an appraising glance, amazed by the quality, as Su Shou snaps her finger. A light stream covers the wall and the door.
She coldly questions, “Have you lost your mind?”
“Do you have the necessary Gu to heal it?” Lo Jik laughs, taking a seat. His demeanor is the total opposite of last night as he nods. “I’m here to buy the Mind-Body-True Connection, Bitter Strength, and more. Actually—” he shuffles into his loose robes and retrieves a stack of paper. “Here. I want you to give me all of it on the list.”
He politely places the stack near Su Shou. She glances at it once before gritting her teeth.
“Ten Rank 5 Strength Gu? 14 Rank 4 Refinement Path Gu? Years of their food placed inside Rank 4 Hemp Hut Gu? What is all this?”
“My list of demands,” Lo Jik smiles candidly. “I think I’m unique, and my life is worth more. But you don’t possess a Rank 6 Gu. So, I shall temporarily settle for this.”
Su Shou removes her veil. Her cold glare rests on Lo Jik as she snorts. “You overestimate yourself.”
“Am I?” Lo Jik narrows his eyes.
Su Shou’s eyes suddenly expand. Her pupils cannot help but shrink. After all, Lo Jik’s aura briefly fluctuates as he reveals Rank 4 Upper Stage Cultivation! However, it quickly returns to the Rank 3 Peak Stage.
“Don’t you think it would be the best if I had all this?” Lo Jik meets Su Shou's dazed stare. If things go south, he will escape. Heck! He will release the other three Steeds in different directions before using the White Form Immortal Snake to run away. Su Shou believed she had a handle on him because of his lack of cultivation. The most effortless method to force her to reveal more sincerity is targeting this point.
“Y- How?” Su Shou recovers her composure before glancing at the stack of paper.
“Now that I look at you,” Lo Jik chuckles. “Your expression isn’t so moving. It must have been the lighting in your room last night.” He stares at the woman. “Aside from all that, I want concrete evidence the Immortals aren’t going to interfere. I would like that evidence now.”
Su Shou picks up the stack of paper as haunting blue flames suddenly char and turns them into ashes. She stares back lightly, “You surprised me. I can help you with your mind. Indeed. I possess a Gu that deals with the Crazy. The fact we are talking openly about it in this study proves Immortal’s lacking interest. You specifically took the risk of revealing your actual cultivation for that.”
Lo Jik’s smile doesn’t shift.
“You burned my demands.”
“You will get everything I possess and my knowledge. And you shall get them once you agree to help me.”
A white glow appears on Lo Jik’s palm as he reveals another stack of paper.
“You misunderstand, Senior Su,” Lo Jik chuckles. “I need these Gu to feel comfortable in agreeing.”
“In essence, extortion,” Su Shou’s gaze reveals a chilly intent.
“Or cooperation,” Lo Jik shrugs. “They are just words. What will you do once I reach Rank 5? You could expose the matter to the Clan Leader or have the Immortals chase me. But doesn’t my progress to Rank 5 help you? More strength means better ability. Even if I find the Rank 5 Man Defying Dead Gu, I may not be able to get it without appropriate strength.”
He places the paper on Su Shou’s table as she observes him in a different light before going through the document.
“You might know it, but my purchases are under Yan Fei’s watch. Purchasing all this for you will leave a clue. I refuse to risk my freedom for your greed.” She pushes the stack of paper towards Lo Jik. He doesn’t get mad.
‘That’s good,’ Lo Jik nods internally. So, he continues, “I understand your fears. Let’s temporarily ignore my needs. I’m still unconvinced about the Gu Immortals.”
The woman rolls her eyes before revealing a rank 3 Poison Vow Gu. “Would you like to draw a Poison Vow?”
“No,” Lo Jik shakes his head. “You must have ways to avoid it. I want you to use the Soul Trade Gu.”
Su Shou’s expression changes as killing intent flows forth.
“Impossible. You expect me to tamper with my soul for your convenience? Get lost!”
Lo Jik picks up the stack of paper and turns to leave when Su Shou snorts.
“Sit!”
“I won’t give you a piece of my soul for no reason,” she sighs. “There are other ways to seek my sincerity.”
Lo Jik grows silent before nodding.
“You are correct, Senior Su. Then lend me the Heavenly Soul Dew Gu.”
Su Shou narrows her eyes. She possesses three great Healing Gu Worms for Body, Soul, and Detoxification. These are all Rank 5 Gu. Among them, Heavenly Soul Dew Gu is one of the best to heal unrefined souls. She wouldn’t have entertained such a request had Lo Jik not revealed his Rank 4 cultivation.
The study turns silent as several thoughts move inside Su Shou’s head before she questions, “Do you intend to strengthen your soul? It’s not easy.”
“I just want to admire it,” Lo Jik smiles, not revealing his intentions. “I also want the Mind-Body-True Connection and the Bitter Strength Gu.”
The corner of Su Shou’s eyes twitch as she mocks. “Do you want something else on the silver platter?”
“If Senior Su is offering…”
He lets his gaze linger on her. Su Shou scoffs internally but doesn’t feel repulsed by the gaze. She would be more than willing to tame this talent. He beams at her as if about to demand her body, only to state, “I want the Injuries-Go-Away—”
“No,” Su Shou rolls her eyes. “Get lost.”
Lo Jik snickers but doesn’t leave. “I was joking, Senior Su.”
“By asking the Core Gu of my healing set?” Su Shou raises a lone eyebrow.
“Sigh, Senior,” Lo Jik shakes his head. “You put me in such a predicament. Did you know? I haven’t slept one bit since you revealed that information.”
“It has only been 11 hours.”
Lo Jik exhales louder, revealing a miserly look. “I’m scared for my life. I know I’m talented and strong. I might be your only hope. There would never be a better candidate than me. I suppose it’s my fate to help others.”
Su Shou’s lips twitch. ‘This brat,’ she snorts in annoyance. “I will lend you the Heavenly Soul Dew Gu and its food. I will also give you the Mind-Body-True Connection Gu. However, I cannot ‘sell’ you the Bitter Strength Gu. The vindictive Su Shou would never do that. Try your luck in next year’s Super Auction.”
Lo Jik’s eyes widen before he reveals a sincere expression. “Thank you, Senior. I knew your heart was as enchanting as your face.”
“What?”
“You said it yourself,” Lo Jik blinks. “You are offering me more than enough funds for the Super Auction. What would that be? Ten Million?”
Su Shou secretly clenches her fist before suddenly smiling. “Of course. Ten Million.”
Lo Jik feels surprised and wary as Su Shou sneers. “Did I not already repeat? I shall offer everything. You still doubt me. That is understandable. Actually, have my Rank 5 Injuries Go Away Gu, too. Hmm. You will have fun explaining how you earned so much money. Right? Yan Fei will be so pleased with you safeguarding my Gu.”
Lo Jik chuckles.
“I do need the money,” he reveals. “If you’re serious, I’m just cashing some of the resources meant to be mine.”
“There is a time and place for everything,” Su Shou commands coolly. “I will not have you risk my hopes like this again. So, if it’s Ten Million. Take it. But complete all this transaction at once.”
Lo Jik stares at her for a moment before lowering his gaze.
“You desire me,” Su Shou narrows her eyes. “I’m aware.”
Lo Jik glances at her as she entices him. “Wouldn’t you want everything than risk it for a measly Rank 5 Healing Gu and ten million stones?”
“You jest, Senior Su,” Lo Jik laughs. “I’m not capable of having it all.”
“Your belief doesn’t matter.” She smiles. “Yan Fei won’t care about your thoughts. But I agree. Your growth will be helpful. Take these.”
She lends Lo Jik a Rank 4 Primeval Elder and the Rank 5 Heavenly Soul Dew Gu. She also hands out a Mind-Body-True Connection Gu.
Lo Jik refines the Rank 4 Gu with her assistance. Meanwhile, she allows him to use the Rank 5 Gu and offers food for two years.
There is a hidden meaning in this.
Su Shou now understands his character better and only allows him two years to decide. Previously, she didn’t know about his cultivation and felt in utter control. But Lo Jik also earned a lot.
He shifted through different demands because of the Rank 5 Soul Heavenly Dew Gu!
Lo Jik reveals an ugly expression once he leaves Su Shou’s office as if he made terrible losses before entering the secret chamber. He is convinced about the lack of Immortals. But he still retrieves a large blanket before covering himself.
The Dreamer Gu appears with a wave of Lo Jik’s hand.
An inspiration struck Lo Jik last night when he thought about Su Shou’s situation. He couldn’t help but wonder about Su Shou’s words.
To have it all.
Could the Dreamer Gu do that?
Instead of taking portions of the Dao Fragment of the Gu, could the Dreamer Gu dream upon the entire Dao Fragment at once, consuming the complete Gu Worm.
If so, what are the limitations?
Does Lo Jik get quicker results?
Lo Jik took the risk of using the Dreamer Gu to ask these questions.
Lo Jik’s situation is reminiscent of the Legends. Ren Zu used to consult the Gu. Lo Jik is doing the same.
The Dreamer Gu is like a pre-programmed clone. Any answer it offers is correct and concise.
Lo Jik learned that dreams formed from incomplete (mortal) and complete (Immortal) fragments of the Great Dao are more dangerous and condensed into a single dream cycle. However, one dream cycle will provide the benefits of several dream cycles! The higher the intensity, the greater the risks and rewards. The effects will multiply using Gu like the Rank 4 Qualitative Dream Gu.
It means Lo Jik can get the effect of five dreams from a single dream cycle if the Dreamer Gu exhausts the Rank 3 Gu at once. The Dreamer Gu (and Lo Jik) can experience another hundred cycles’ worth of effects without additional risks after using the expendable Qualitative Dream Gu. In essence, 101 cycles will provide the benefits of 505 cycles!
But why would he want to do that?
Why would Lo Jik want to condense and limit the Dreamer Gu’s refinement?
Easy.
A high rank isn’t always better. The Dreamer Gu doesn’t regenerate its essence. Lo Jik’s efficiency in assisting the Gu shall fall once it completes its 1000th Dream Cycle and advances to Rank 5. Lo Jik doesn’t wish to break through to Rank 5 until trying his hand at Su Shou’s rewards. In this trend, this Gu will reach Rank 6 before long and become the reason for his death. So, Lo Jik is willing to take risks for condensed dreams.
He already calculated with the Dreamer Gu.
Rank 1 Gu cannot produce any dream from its fragments.
Rank 2 Gu can only create one Dream Cycle.
Rank 3 Gu creates 5-6 Dream Cycles.
Rank 4 Gu creates 50-60 Dream Cycles.
And Rank 5 Gu creates 500-600 Dream Cycles.
One can imagine the intensity of the dreams if combined into one. Lo Jik wanted to take risks, but not mindless ones.
Since these dreams exhaust the Dreamer Gu, he needs a healing Gu and provide his clone support as it ventures into dreams! It’s no longer a sole venture.
However, the Gu capable of healing other Gu Worms is rare. Lo Jik doesn’t even know what path the Dreamer Gu belongs to.
After all, there was no such thing as Dream Path! What reference can Lo Jik look up to to relieve his problems?
So, Lo Jik had to locate the core issue.
The soul.
Every creature with a will has a soul because the soul carries and hosts the Will. Lo Jik learned after another round of questioning that Dreamer Gu’s soul can be without any path’s refinement. For some reason, the Dreamer Gu claimed its soul shares similarities to a Human’s soul.
Lo Jik isn’t adept in cultivation enough to understand the reason, and the Dreamer Gu cannot answer such questions. After all, the Dreamer Gu is merely a fragment of the Dao. It doesn’t know everything.
So, Lo Jik’s thoughts landed on the famous Gu in Su Shou’s hand. Only she has the Heavenly Soul Dew Gu.
“Start with the Rank 3 Gu,” Lo Jik commands softly as the Dreamer lies down. It instantly sleeps with its arms on its side and its legs straight.
It wakes up after 5 hours as Lo Jik closes his eyes, experiencing the dream from the Explosive Strength Gu.
Lo Jik sighs. The Dreamer had a Gu that healed its soul. However, it was a consumable one and lost after use. There is no guarantee what Gu the Dreamer might refine. However, Lo Jik experiences the process and learns more about these treacherous dreams.
He opens his eyes after a while and gazes at the Dreamer Gu. Slight exhaustion flickers from its gaze.
‘Slight injuries,’ Lo Jik notes and allows a Gu to fly from his aperture.
This Gu is a Yellow, drooping daffodil with closed, lustrous petals. Its vibrant green stalk has two glossy leaves growing from the side. The golden veins of these leaves depict human-like silhouettes.
Rank 5 Heavenly Soul Dew Gu!
This Gu flies atop the Dreamer Gu as Lo Jik’s Rank 4 Upper Stage Essence floods out.
The Rank 5 Heavenly Soul Dew produces a droplet of healing essence that restores the soul’s state. Its effects are mellow, like a person enjoying days of sleep in moments. However, it needs 20 portions of Rank 5 Initial Stage Essence!
It translates to 90 portions of Lo Jik’s Upper Stage Rank 4 Essence.
He doesn’t even have the qualifications to use this Gu.
Once Lo Jik exhausts 69% of the Upper Stage Essence, he turns to his first aperture. Despite using the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus, Lo Jik still comes 30 portions short of Rank 3 Peak Stage Essence.
“Assist me,” Lo Jik states lightly and glances at the Dreamer Gu. Although it cannot use other Gu, its Essence is identical to Lo Jik. It uses the remaining Rank 4 Essence inside its Aperture.
The Grass Gu lets out a beautiful golden shimmer as a golden droplet gently squeezes past the closed petals before falling on the Dreamer Gu.
It quietly blinks and appears spirited.
“Are you in a healthy condition to tackle the Dream from a Dragon Elephant Strength Gu?” Lo Jik questions. He can sense the Dreamer’s condition. However, it would know more.
The Gu nods.
Lo Jik then spends a few minutes refueling the clone’s aperture before sitting down.
As the Dreamer Gu unravels another Dream, Lo Jik refills his Aperture before accomplishing two tasks simultaneously.
He continuously uses the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus to recover his Essence while using the Heavenly Soul Dew Gu.
‘The dew droplets of the Grass Gu can be stored for 5 Days. Now that I have time to think about it… isn’t this a prototype for a killer move?’
What is a killer move?
The use of Multiple Gu to create a better effect. There are offensive, defensive, healing, investigation, and other types of Killer Moves.
Lo Jik is using the healing properties of the Grass Gu to supplant Dreamer’s condition by recovering the Dao Marks on its soul.
Lo Jik doesn’t let his thoughts drift into the fantasy of creating a killer move. Instead, he assesses the Dreamer Gu’s condition.
‘It's already a Rank 4 Gu and can tackle dreams of this intensity. But I’ll use the droplets to heal its injuries while it unravels the Rank 5 Dreams. It’s risky. I may also lose the Dreamer Gu. However, the quicker I get these attainments, the better.’
Think about it.
Did the Gu Masters of Qing Mao Mountain know the day of the preliminary competition would be their last?
How many of them wondered—Oh, I will do that tomorrow.
I’m still young. I can practice later.
I want to sleep. I will always have time to study it later.
—and so on.
Lo Jik doesn’t know what day will be his last. He also jumped into the deepest hellfire of the Shang Clan’s hidden conflicts.
He must take risks!
Joy flashes in Lo Jik’s gaze once the Dreamer Gu sits up after almost two days. Lo Jik heals its injuries but doesn’t use it instantly. Instead, Lo Jik leaves the secret room to show his face in the Battle Zone and the Gambling Dens before returning a few hours later.
‘Nothing’s changed.’
He sighs in relief.
‘It’s time to test the limits,’ Lo Jik exhales. ‘Master…’
‘I must become a Master. If the sacrifice is acceptable, I must try having this attainment for various other Paths! All of this ensures the success of my ascension!’
***
Alternate Title: Highs Risks, High Rewards; Shocking Su Shou; Getting More Pressured The More He Thinks; A Man Needs To Be More Active And Not Scared—Great Reckless; Stepping Into the Unknown; Demands; Su Shou: I Reject Them All; Lo Jik: Aight, Bet; Attaining An Understanding; The New Avenue of Growth; The Healing Gu; Learning From The Gu; The Source of Dao; A Risky Venture; The Prototype of a Healing Killer Move; Actively Supporting The Gu; Dreamer Gu: Look At Me. I’m The MC Now; Piss Poor; Extorting? It’s For The Brighter Cooperation; Everyday Is the Last
