Yang Pao would still be facing considerable issues despite his 'superiors' had the Elusive Wind Sect's Leader survived. However, the Rank 5 expert's sudden demise became a boon for Yuan Yang's Mayor, who struck swiftly and cordially invited the seven Rank 4 Elders into the city, intent on boosting the city's reputation and overall strength by acclimating those elders. As for the stolen treasures?
The Mayor had a decent idea of who was behind it.
However, he wasn't extraordinarily worried or keen on involving his superiors. Yang Pao's ambitions couldn't tolerate the burden that would emerge from making himself appear weak—unworthy of recognition.
Several thoughts filled the mayor's head as he left the city at night, entering the True Yang Mountain Range. He soon crossed a modest section of the Yang Gourd Trees, his feet gliding above the terrain without any noise until he brushed past an inconspicuous shrub to step near the edge of a tall cliff.
The glimmering sand slightly reflected the modest crescent moon's glow, casting reflective rays upon a brown-haired woman seated on the cliff's edge, merely a push away from her demise. The thought of doing just that appeared in Yang Pao's head, but he was no longer a kid, and his impulses did not control him anymore.
"Ah, Brother Yang," the woman tilted her head, a small smile dancing on her lips. "I successfully completed your task. Care to join me?"
Yang Pao glanced at the empty spot. Though collected, he internally admitted that the Chained Wanderer exceeded his expectations.
He narrowed his eyes and sat beside the woman, indifferent to the dirt staining his imperial robes.
"Your city," she chuckled. "It does look like a gem from where we are. I wished to share this view with Brother Yang."
Yang Pao smiled, too.
"Please, Sister Chained. Such a view should be shared with those we're intimate with. My wife will misunderstand our relationship should she find out about this."
"Good," Chained Wanderer smirked. "Sister Yang would realize she has options beyond just you, Brother Yang."
Had it been anyone else, Yang Pao would have already decided to exact vengeance for such blatant disrespect. However, he couldn't look down on the individual who entered the City's treasury to merely drop their next meeting spot. Chained Wanderer had become a dangerous mystery in a matter of days, which Yang Pao had a hand in creating.
"There is something else I want to share," spoke the woman, sipping from the white gourd. "Are you aware of Battlefield Killer Moves?"
"Of course," Yang Pao scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"A type of Killer Move that can trap the enemy, but it consumes too much Primeval Essence…" Chained Wanderer spoke as she shook her head. "I encountered an interesting party who demonstrated a rather intriguing ability to maintain such a Battlefield Killer Move for an extraordinarily long time."
"Is that so?" Yang Pao retrieved a similar gourd from his Storage Gu and sipped. "Was the demonstration fruitful? Did you manage to glean its secret?"
"Unfortunately, no," she replied. "The other party was merely a momentary guest. He was needed elsewhere, and I promptly saw him off."
Yang Pao nodded.
The duo exchanged a short, knowing glance, leaving Yang Pao with a profound understanding of who sat next to him. Chained Wanderer wasn't the brash woman eager to shower other women with lavish gifts before snatching them away from their current partners; neither was she hopeless yet a talented drunk—her mind was as sharp and keen as the mayor's.
She understood Yang Pao wasn't her enemy, or rather, he was perhaps her only well-wisher, or he would have never squandered a Rank 5 Gu Worm, a rare Refinement Path one at that, before sending her to a trap.
Furthermore, offering her three rare Gu Worms from the provided lists was also a way to buy her favor, something she seemed to understand without needing Yang Pao's explicit prompt.
Was she lucky?
How did the ambush fail?
All these doubts mattered little to Yang Pao, who knew how to play both sides.
"I'm Wisdom Carriage Master's murderer," Chained Wanderer whispered. "I believe that concludes our business, leaving you with two more Gu Worms owed to me."
Yang Pao sipped the bland and tasteless beverage.
Understanding did not dampen the bitterness in his heart.
"For what it's worth, I was truly promised an entrance exam by Wisdom Carriage Master. However, I always had my doubts about it… Ancient Sects are always in competition."
It might sound like a man's defeat to someone else, but Chained Wanderer knew it was Yang Pao's way to precisely measure her intelligence—something she'd hid until now.
"You say as if Yuan Yang City had a way to contact one of the Ancient Sects."
They exchanged another brief glance before Yang Pao continued ahead.
"How did you break into the City's Treasury?"
And wasn't that one of the most blatant ways to fish for information. Bai Shou didn't reply and continued staring ahead.
"You also broke into Rhino Stomp Sect's Prison and the Elusive Wind Sect's Vault… Sister Chained, your accomplishments in the Formation Path must not be any less compared to your Refinement Path attainment."
The truth was… Bai Shou knew very little about the Formation Path. Regarding resource consumption, the Formation and Refinement Paths stood at the front. Furthermore, Formation Path Gu Worms were very rare. Until now, Bai Shou hadn't held even one of such a Gu Worm! However, it wasn't weird that Yang Pao would think that way. Bai Shou could directly observe the formation set by others through the Rank 5 Heaven and Earth Before My Eyes Gu Worm. How could the mayor expect that?
"However, you are too cruel."
She paused and glanced at the man, indicating to him to continue.
"Did you know the child you met in the village in your injured state was killed?" Yang Pao sighed. "I also had to imprison the employers of the Gambling Rock Den you used to visit. Sigh, Sister Chained, why couldn't you show those around you mercy?"
Yin-Yin…
The boy's features flashed across Bai Shou as she sipped another mouthful of spring water.
Again, she had nothing to add.
Was she to blame for their unfortunate events?
Did she directly kill or imprison them?
Society always had a way of passing the blame onto someone else. However, Bai Shou was aware of her faults.
She was responsible for the deaths in Rhino Stomp Sect's Prison.
She killed two Rank 5 Gu Masters.
She stole and robbed.
But others?
Should Bai Shou blame herself for her actions and desires?
She'd already been merciful to almost everyone, choosing to kill only when left without other convenient options.
Of course, the woman was no saint—not like Xin Ci or Nina, at least. They'd seek even the tiniest good in a whole lot of bad, even when explicitly informed there was nothing to seek.
They still would.
"Imagine the same thing happening to us, Brother Yang," Bai Shou sighed. "We're no more than ants compared to an Immortal, their games and competitions leaving thousands of souls crying in anguish. We rule over mortals and other Gu Masters as monarchs, but we follow an Immortal's whims all the same."
"What mercy would be afforded to the likes of us?"
Yang Pao grew silent.
"Mercy is the virtue of the strong."
She exhaled. This lesson was already engraved onto the likes of the duo overlooking the glimmering city from the cliff. Yet, they felt a profound restlessness birth within themselves once realizing how even being a Rank 5 Gu Master was no more than being a slightly more colorful shit in the grand scheme of things.
"I shall enter the Refinement Path Convention and use my skills to find a spot within an Ancient Sect," Bai Shou looked at Yang Pao. "However, I wouldn't mind a way to enter an Ancient Sect before the convention itself."
Why would one seek an Ancient Sect?
Why did Yang Pao desire it, too?
Well, the mayor could understand the enigmatic Sister Chained. The Southern Border had a clan-based political system. A Gu Master could ascend to the immortal rank should they emerge from such a Super Clan. However, the rest were left seeking their fortune in the wilderness, hoping they would encounter a decent enough inheritance.
The Central Continent had more options in that regard. However, the lack of familial bonds due to the non-existent Clan System also meant that the Supreme Elders of a Sect had no need to assist even the most talented mortal in ascending to the next realm.
But enough contributions would allow a mortal to eventually attract an Immortal.
That's why Yang Pao was keen to not involve his superiors. First, they were already aware of Sister Chained and felt intrigued by her method of refinement involving humans in a way that did not damage said mortals. Second, in the eyes of his superiors, Yang Pao's 'modest' conspiracy would be no better than working against their interests.
They all sought the same thing.
Previously, the Rank 5 Wisdom Carriage Master wished to offer one such method by turning Yang Pao against his current superiors.
Then, his younger brother offered something similar. However, Yang Pao was wiser and didn't believe them.
But how could he go against a Central Continent comrade for a mere Southerner?
Yet, why couldn't he also hint Sister Chained about his vague assistance by giving her a rare Rank 5 Refinement Path Gu?
Finally, Sister Chained's confession of joining an Ancient Sect indicated her helplessness in discovering anything related to a Gu Master's ascension. Of course, it could be a farce. There was also the fact that she was only an Initial Stage Rank 5 Gu Master and had years to reach the peak unless she used the Rank 5 Relic Gu Worms.
"I can help us both," Yang Pao began after a long silence. "However, entering an Ancient Sect… has costs. It does not seek talent but fortunate individuals with fate to transcend mortality."
"I don't mind sharing my inheritance if it's your request. However, most of my research is rudimentary at best," Bai Shou hummed, effortlessly understanding Yang Pao wanted to know more about her methods. Well, she wasn't lying. Most of her notes were basics in a grand scheme of things. She wasn't just about to teach others how to use one's body for Killer Moves or materials in refinement because she was also only learning by consistent research.
"I will contact the Sect Leader," Yang Pao sighed. "Of course, their directive may not be entirely what we wish to hear, Sister Chained. However, I believe you will like the Sect's culture should you rise to the Sect Leader's expectations."
"I'm glad we can understand each other, Brother Yang," Bai Shou smiled. "Oh, and I would like to trade a few things if you don't mind."
"Please." Yang Pao nodded.
"First," Bai Shou began. "I would like to exchange one of my rewards for the Rank 5 Multiply Gu in the city's treasury. Second, I wish to trade the other reward and this—"
Bai Shou waved her hand and released the Rank 5 Blood River Python as it instantly crushed the nearby trees with its size. Yet, the usual tyrannical aura of the Gu Worm was nowhere to be found. Instead, it was weak and injured.
"For the Rank 5 Beating Refinement or Preservation Gu Worms."
Yang Pao frowned at the Blood Gu.
"Ah, I found this injured Gu Worm near the Blood Pot Sect. It must be one of Blood Pot Sect Leader's Gu Worms…"
They both knew the Blood Pot Sect Leader had died without leaving any Gu Worms, but their current circumstances called for a certain flexibility.
Furthermore, the Rank 5 Gu Worm was very injured and weak. She would need to feed it and create a Blood Pool to heal it, an act that would instantly brand her a Blood Path Demon. So, Bai Shou wanted to trade it and let Yang Pao tackle the healing issue if he liked the Gu Worm.
"Hmm, I see. That demon deserved death," Yang Pao exhaled, slightly peeved that he couldn't just refuse Bai Shou's request by claiming he did not have the Multiply Gu Worm. He did have the Rank 5 Rule Path Gu in the treasury.
As for the other Gu Worms mentioned…
'Beating Refinement?' Yang Pao accepted the injured Blood Path Gu. 'It's a Strength Path Gu Worm with Refinement Path effects.'
"I can secure Beating Refinement, Sister Chained. However, the Rank 5 Preservation Gu Worm is very rare. I've never even come across it in my life. Should you successfully enter our Ancient Sect, I suggest trying your luck there."
Bai Shou exhaled and nodded.
"Ah," Yang Pao suddenly chuckled. "Where were my manners? You completed such a challenging task for me. Please, stay in my manor. I would love to host you."
Bai Shou accepted the notion and chuckled instead.
"Of course. Do I get to meet Sister Yang?"
<<<>>>
One of the reasons Bai Shou chose to stay in Yang Pao's residence was to be in the man's proximity and eventually refine the Clone Gu Worm she wanted.
Being agreeable with Yang Pao also had other benefits—she got what she desired.
It was evident that Yang Pao's superiors weren't too far away. So, the Ancient Sect must be based in the Eastern Region of the continent.
'It could also have a few members stationed in the True Yang Mountain Range. A named mountain with such a high-tier settlement must have a resource point lucrative enough to move a Super Force's heart.'
Bai Shou settled atop her cultivation mat. The interiors of her room were thoroughly inspected using the Rank 5 Eye Gu Worm.
It had been three days since Yang Pao and Bai Shou conversed, leaving her to deal with things like the Gambling Rocks.
Why did Bai Shou hide the stolen treasure in the Gambling Rock Den? To steal the Gu Worms she already marked.
Yang Pao would inevitably chalk off the disappearance of the gambling rocks onto the masters of the Elusive Wind Sect once they came knocking on his doorstep.
So, she had two other extinct Gu Worms.
Rank 4 Illusion Eye.
Rank 5 Battle Space.
Rank 4 Illusion Eye was a rare Illusion Path Gu that acted like the previous Heaven Piercing Eye Gu in the manner that the user had to replace their original eye—a painful process! However, the benefits might outweigh the disadvantages. The use of the Rank 4 Illusion Eye depended on one's mind and soul. When the user looks the target in the eye, they could put the enemy into a life-like illusion. Sure, the effects would be weaker should the target have a higher soul, but it's not like a contest of souls. So, even someone with a weak soul can momentarily affect the targeted Soul Path Gu Master.
Meanwhile, Rank 5 Battle Space was a Space Path Gu Worm, one of the first two Paths of Gu Cultivation. Once used, the Rank 5 Battle Space would create a unique 'bubble' that would surround the user and the target, taking them into a different fabric of reality where the opponents could battle until one of them died or the user ran out of Essence.
Bai Shou was busy cultivating, or at least that's what she wished to show.
In reality, she was organizing her aperture.
A meeting with any member of the Ancient Sect entailed Bai Shou needing to hide her secrets well. Since even the Ba Gui Land Spirit could not peer through her Second Aperture, Bai Shou stuffed most of her Gu, including Hu Mei Er's set and others, into that hidden vault.
Meanwhile, saddled with a Strength Path Lifebound Vital Gu, her first aperture boasted a story of a Strength Path Gu Master striking rich into a Refinement Path Inheritance.
In the center, surrounded by crystal-like purple essence, was the cuboid Rank 4 Borrow Strength Gu. Though suppressed, it was Bai Shou's Vital Gu Worm, which she intended to advance to Rank 5. She already had several rare materials to do so, and adding the Multiply Gu finally allowed her to perform the Refinement Path Killer Move. So, there was no need to abolish the Regional Qi's suppression from the Vital Gu.
Feeling absolutely luxuriated by the Rank 5 Gu Master's essence were three Rank 3 Gu Worms.
Two of these were like twin orange fish, swimming about together without a care in the world. These two were the Rank 3 Brave Thoughts and Brave Will. These were the Strength Path's method of mimicking the Wisdom Path by creating Brave Thoughts to promote courageous thinking and a Brave Will to provide a modest defense to one's soul. Again, a Gu Master's foundation called for all of their Gu Worms to be refined to their peak—Rank 5—before their ascension. So, Bai Shou wouldn't forget these two Gu Worms if she was keen on advancing as a Strength Path Immortal.
Not far from these two Rank 3 Gu Worms was another of a similar kind. Unlike the orange fish, however, it looked like a blue tadpole.
Like the Brave Thoughts, the Rank 3 Derivation Mind created Derivation Thoughts promoting the understanding of the refinement recipe, Killer Moves, and other aspects of Gu Cultivation. Of course, one needed sufficient experience, attainment, and knowledge to best use this Refinement Path Gu Worm. It was something Bai Shou robbed from Tie Mo Xie's corpse and didn't have its recipe. Furthermore, its use was limited because of her Body Refinement.
The need to understand Chen Jiu's Dual Cultivation method arose again before Bai Shou suppressed it.
Not now, at least.
Still, Scan the Dao Killer Move utilized the suppressed Derivation Mind—an issue she needed to resolve.
Bai Shou still had a Rank 3 Human Adaptive Qi Gu Worm alongside two other Rank 4 variants.
After a moment's thought, Bai Shou decided to lift the suppression from Brave Thoughts, Brave Will, Derivation Mind, Rank 4 All-Out Effort, and the Rank 4 One's Closed Fist Gu Worms.
Of course, she also had a suppressed Three Tasks At Once. However, her need for that Enslavement Path Gu Worm was very little, and it was stuffed into her Second Aperture.
In the depths of her First Aperture was an oval, lustrous-brown rhinoceros beetle with a majestic horn and four pairs of legs the size of an adult's two palms. The Rank 4 All-Out Effort was one of Bai Shou's earliest and most valuable Gu Worms.
Next to the quiet beetle-like Gu was an infant-sized, olive-skinned human head sporting scattered black hair and a fierce expression—the Rank 4 Little Giant King Gu.
Then there was Bai Shou's primary Storage Gu, Rank 4 One's Close Fist, which looked like a fossilized stone forearm with apparent veins extending to a closed fist.
The Elite Muscles Gu was something Bai Shou maintained even if it was suppressed. Now that she had some breathing room, the woman intended to refine its Rank 5 variant to restart her Body Refinement. After all, she already had materials and the recipe to refine the Rank 5 variant, something she could indulge in while perfecting the recipe for the Clone Gu.
For Bai Shou's healing was the outstanding Rank 4 Self-Reliance Gu Worm. The brown cockroach-like Gu had yet to disappoint Bai Shou with its healing prowess because its potency was based on the Gu Master's physical strength. Boasting more than usual Beast Phantoms alongside completed Body Refinement, Bai Shou's healing was top-notch even in the realm of the Rank 5 Gu Masters—something that would only boost once she advanced her Beast Phantoms, Body Refinement and the Gu Worm itself!
Dragon Travel Tiger Steps was still Bai Shou's go-to movement Gu during the combat. However, she also desired the sensation of freedom that she gained due to a pair of wings. But that wasn't an urgent issue because of the Rank 5 White Form Immortal Snake Gu. It looked like an incredibly long, white-colored leech with a strange horn on its head and brown stripes on its surface that swam within the purple Essence and would sometimes move up near the surface.
The leech soon dove deeper into the sea, moving past an unmoved brown ant in the Aperture's depths.
It was the Rank 4 Expend Strength Gu, still suppressed. Bai Shou had barely any use for this Gu. Its food also did not sit with the resource management of her core Gu Set. Yet, now she was unwilling to toss the Gu Worm away. First, she had the Sustenance Gu to alleviate most of her concern for a Gu Worm's food. Second, as a Strength Path Master, Bai Shou now felt an untapped potential in the Expend Strength Gu through either a regular Killer Move… or a Battlefield Killer Move.
The brown ant stood before its reflection through an oval, undecorated Golden Mirror. It was the Rank 4 Self Strength. It was another Gu Worm that made Bai Shou sigh. It allowed the user to erupt with the entirety of their strength—an effect that mixed the use of All-Out Effort and Bitter Strength Gu. But, it also consumed more essence than both the Gu Worms combined.
Also, the resultant Strength Path Phantom might look like Bai Shou's 'self.'
Lo Jik…
Yet, it was also the core of the Killer Move Imaginative Strength Immortal developed using the Borrow Strength Gu. So, Bai Shou had the means of diversifying her Strength Path Core Set into two parts reflecting the Strength Path's Beast Strength Phantom Branch and the Atmospheric Heaven and Earth Branch.
The peak of her development should entail properly fusing these branches into something else.
Up in the 1% of the Aperture's empty space was the flying butterfly-like Strength Qi Gu, a Gu Worm with a fantastic affinity with the All-Out Effort and the Self Strength Gu.
Floating on the surface was a sky-blue orb, something the butterfly would sometimes perch on. It was the Rank 5 Sky Strength Gu…
Or Heaven Strength?
Bai Shou still wasn't sure about the origins of this Gu Worm. It was the opposite of the Earth Strength Gu, allowing a Gu Master to borrow the boundless strength of their surroundings! One didn't need to necessarily fly high above the clouds into the sky for that. Well, at least Bai Shou wasn't required to do these things. After all, the Borrow Strength Gu directly used the element's strength, as opposed to the Earth Overlord or the Wind Overlord Gu, which needed constant contact with the ground or wind to grow stronger.
Heaven Strength…
Bai Shou believed that was the right name for the Gu Worm. So, it was confusing why the creator of this Gu chose the name Sky Strength.
'Whatever,' Bai Shou mused. 'Heaven Strength it is.'
There was also the arm-sized Rank 5 Bitter Strength and Violently Beat Poison Gu. And uncaring of its surroundings, mimicking the shape of other Gu Worms was the mist-like Fickle Heart Strength Gu.
Within Bai Shou's wrist was her long-ranged option, the Rank 4 Phantom Longbow Gu.
Her first aperture used to contain Chen Jiu's Gu Set and the Wisdom Path set she recently robbed. Again, all of it was sent into her Second Aperture. Even her Steed Gu Worms were hidden, acting as an ace up her sleeve should she encounter any dire circumstances.
Instead, Bai Shou moved the Refinement Path Set into the First Aperture.
Connecting her Strength and Refinement Path was a Rank 5 Gu she recently obtained.
It was another Strength Path Gu in the form of a crimson-red spider the size of a human skull. It looked very dangerous at a glance—The Rank 5 Beating Refinement Gu. This Gu was similar to the Abusive Tongue, Ruthless Words, and Sullen Heart Gu Worms. It allowed a Strength Path Gu Master to refine someone else's Gu Worm!
It was like Tie Mo Xie's Refine Will Gu, but it lacked the former's long-range option.
Instead, using the Rank 5 Beating Refinement Gu would create a red-like glow around the user's fists, which they would use to physically attack the wild Gu or the enemy Gu they wished to refine. Instead of destroying said Gu Worm, the impact would channel the user's Will into the Gu Worm based on their physical strength!
It was perfect for someone like Bai Shou.
Also, Bai Shou could incorporate such a Gu into her Killer Move, amplifying its effects!
She might even be able to fuse this Gu Worm's use with the Refine Will Gu worm!
Then there was the Gu gifted to Bai Shou by her grandfather-in-law…
The Rank 4 Kindling Will Gu. Unfortunately, Bai Shou had little use for this Gu Worm these days. Even more terrible was that she had no refinement recipe involving the Kindling Will Gu. Exchanging it for another Rare Gu was the best option… or to let Dreamer Gu devour and use it.
Well, Bai Shou leaned towards the latter.
A 30 centimeters long dark-purple centipede swam on the Essence's surface. It was the Rank 4 Phantom Arms Gu. It soon coiled around another rank 4 Gu Worm floating on the surface, which looked like a golden coin. It was the Light Path Rank 4 Treasure Light Gu. Bai Shou hadn't forgotten to use the Rank 4 Treasure Light for a Killer Move using the Rank 5 Eye Gu.
The green dragonfly-like Rank 4 Green Mountain Remains would sit on the toad-like Rank 4 Refinement Qi's back. There was also the Rank 4 Smooth Success Gu, which Bai Shou believed could be added to her Refinement Path Killer Move to make it more stable.
The Rank 5 Refine Will, unlike the spider-like Beating Refinement, resembled a deep yellow leaf. On the leaf lay a dark green kidney bean. It was the Rank 5 Fresh Air Gu. Although a Wind Path Gu, its effects were outstanding for Bai Shou whenever she felt creatively blocked.
Of course, the effects of this Gu on a Wind Path Gu Master would be even more prominent. But it was something Bai Shou had compromised with. But as greedy as ever, she also thought of studying the Fresh Air Gu and inventing a Strength Path Gu mimicking similar effects. Why wouldn't she want the best effect?
Another recent addition to Bai Shou's refinement set was not far from these two—the Rank 5 Five Fusions At Once. It resembled a gray-colored glassy stick insect floating on the surface, boasting five pairs of limbs. As the name suggests, this Gu allowed a Gu Master to divert their mind into simultaneously dealing with five refinement tasks!
While not a refinement or strength path Gu, the Half Transformation intrigued Bai Shou. The eventual clone recipe might even involve this Gu Worm.
Unlike Half Transformation, the Rank 5 Hairy Transformation was outstanding for a Refinement Path Gu Master, allowing them to transform into a Hairy Man and temporarily improve their refinement ability.
The Rank 5 Stable Cauldron was the Refinement Path's defensive Gu worm, a stone crab-shaped worm that protected a refinement process from malicious third parties.
Bai Shou also had the Rank 5 Djinn's Egg Gu for rare Qi Materials and support.
Another addition was the Rank 5 Multiply Gu, a Rule Path Gu that resembled a 5-meter-long ruler.
Then there were the two Rank 4 Primeval Elder Gu worms filled to the brim with Primeval Stones, and Bai Shou hid the Rank 5 variant in the Second Aperture. There was the Rank 5 Bookworm and Eye Gu in her skull.
Lastly, the Rank 5 Prodigal Son and Undefeated Hundred Battle Gu Worms represented the core of her Refinement Set.
Inherently, both of these were one-time consumption Gu Worm. The Rank 5 Prodigal Son resembled a shiny golden cockroach that could double the number of Gu Worms received from a reverse refinement.
Meanwhile, the Undefeated Hundred Battle Gu Worm boasted a 100% success rate in a refinement process as long as the Gu Master followed a correct recipe with untampered materials.
As Bai Shou discovered before, Undefeated Hundred Battle wasn't entirely a Refinement Path Gu Worm but a Human Path Gu. If one had to choose its complementary Refinement Path Gu, it would be the Rank 5 Success At First Attempt.
But Undefeated Hundred Battle, being a Human Path Gu, was even better for Bai Shou.
At a glance, all the Rank 5 Refinement Path Gu created the illusion Bai Shou's Refinement Set was more complete.
But that was wrong.
First, Bai Shou did not have the Preservation Gu, which was needed to fully extract the use of Undefeated Hundred Battle and Prodigal Son Gu Worms. Of course, she could advance the Rank 4 Green Mountain Remains to Rank 5, but its effects would still be limited. Green Mountain Remains was the best at preserving a few core materials in the recipe, not an expendable Gu Worm. It could be said that Bai Shou would lose the use of Green Mountain Remains after obtaining the Preservation Gu.
Second, her Refinement Set wasn't cohesive enough. She would need to alter it to involve an offensive method, movement, storage, and whatnot. Of course, she could already do that with her Strength Path, but the point was to bring her Refinement Path Set up to the speed.
Third, being a Strength Path Gu Master, Bai Shou could maximize her Strength Set potential despite fewer Rank 5 Gu Worms.
However, such an Aperture achieved the intended objective of fooling anyone with an unorthodox ability to look into someone else's secrets.
Shockingly, she had three Rank 3 Gu, 18 Rank 4 Gu, and 15 Rank 5 Gu Worms in just her First Aperture!
It must be remembered that the likes of Wisdom Carriage Master and Tie Mu Bai had less than half that number!
'I really lucked out with Li Xian…' Bai Shou exhaled. 'But it was all downwards after meeting him.'
Had it not been for Sustenance Gu, Bai Shou would have needed to rely on Chen Jiu's Turn Stone Gu to fossilize her gains.
'I'm close to finalizing my Strength Path set… a few advancements and Body Refining, that's it. I don't need to add additional Gu to it. Once I do all that and advance to Peak Stage Rank 5 rank…'
Immortal…
But…
'Can I go beyond?'
She observed the Blood Skull Gu in her Second Aperture. Then, she inadvertently recalled the third individual possessing an Extreme Physique.
The first two were Bai Ning Bing and Chen Jiu.
Wu Ji…
Great Strength True Martial Physique…
***
Alternate Title: Yang Pao Is Not The Next Partner… Yang Pao's Wife Might Be; The Cliff-side Discussion; Knowing Truth; The Need of Immortality; Consensus; Wise Parties; No Need For Bullshit Fights; The World of Negotiations; A Couple of Merciful Souls; Stealing Still; A Kleptomaniac's Dream Path—Theft Path; Reorganizing Aperture; STONKS; Near Maximized Potential; From Injured and Weak To Peak; The Unknown Ancient Sect; Interested Superiors; Yang Pao's Ambitions; Shaking Hands With the Devil; To Go Even Further Beyond; Bai Ning Bing Would Be Proud Of Her Suicidal 'Sister'; Poor Blood River Python; Sold Blood Gu; The Ominous Blood Skull Gu
***
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