It had barely been a few hours since Lo Jik's recent breakthrough. He had taken a firm step towards the ambition of cultivating all the paths. Even if he was currently avoiding a major problem, it wasn't wise to constantly bang one's head against an iron door and expect it to open with time. The issue of conflicting dao marks was one such iron door. Lo Jik was like a locksmith who moved past this barrier with the intention of revisiting it once he obtained enough resources to carve a key meant to open this door.
Ju Lin recovered eventually and left after getting some instructions. Her cultivation would now involve using Human Champion Series to strengthen and refine her body before taking some time off every now and then to enter Hu Immortal Blessed Land and using Guts Gu to fortify her soul.
Lo Jik felt extremely blessed. Fake Isolation and False Transformation killer moves were truly a great step for him. Alas, a loud voice reverberated throughout Tian Ti Mountain, shocking the mortals steadily settling on the foot of the mountain.
'And just as I planned on returning to my human path blessed land and cultivate some more with Mei Er.' Lo Jik sighed deeply.
"I am Hong Guang! Step out of your hold, Fickle Consort Immortal. Face me if you dare!"
<<<>>>
Black Moon was extremely clear about the main continent. She had several investigation gu worms placed around Hu Immortal Blessed Land and observed another gu immortal challenging Lo Jik.
'This won't stop for a while. Other lone immortals will keep appearing before even the gu immortals of the great ancient sects will participate. Lo Jik will keep on being suppressed. The constant battles will rise in intensity. Immortal gu worms and killer moves will be used eventually, draining his finances and reserves of immortal essence.'
Her eyes shined.
'Good! Suppress him more!' She and Lo Jik were part of the same faction but she wouldn't let Lo Jik surpass her in strength. So, Lo Jik's political situation was quite nerve-wracking. Anyone else in his position would already be unable to focus on their cultivation. Spirit Affinity House, the gu immortal world of Central Continent, and even his own ally—Black Moon—wanted to suppress him for various reasons. After all, it took time to devise methods of cultivation, deducing feasible plans to manage one's blessed land, and more. But Lo Jik's circumstances were far from critical!
The only few people truly on his side were none other than Feng Jin Huang, Bai La, Shu Zhe, Qin Juan, and Sun Yao. Among them, Black Moon was the most cautious about Feng Jin Huang, Shu Zhe, and Bai La.
First, Bai La was an obvious threat. She was a rank 7 gu immortal whose circumstances were changing rapidly for the better. Although Bai La had to pay a huge amount of compensation to the sect, the period of repayment was fifty years! Anything can happen in these fifty years. Bai La was expected to repay her debt in time. She might even help Lo Jik. But Black Moon also couldn't antagonize Bai La until the latter committed to their growing faction.
Second, Feng Jin Huang boasted a great background. The one person who could ease all of Lo Jik's problems and make them disappear was none other than Feng Jiu Ge.
Lastly, Shu Zhe. Shu Zhe was quite close to reaching her requirements of advancing to a gu immortal. The best way to suppress Lo Jik will be to demand a great portion of cultivation resources once he inevitably approached Black Moon for assistance. After all, Shu Zhe was his lover. Black Moon predicted that Lo Jik would definitely want to ensure Shu Zhe's survival and ask her and Bai La for their assistances to ensure nothing went wrong.
Unlike other gu immortals of the sect, Black Moon strangely looked forward to Shu Zhe's ascension. Sure, the first wife of the group would support their shared husband consort, but Shu Zhe's breakthrough signified another blessed land. Managing a blessed land was not an easy task! It required a lot of resources. Furthermore, nurturing a wisdom path blessed land was even more demanding because the cultivation resources for wisdom path came at a great cost due to their inherent rarity.
Shu Zhe might just bankrupt Lo Jik.
But Black Moon did not place all her eggs in one basket. She was too shrewd and ambitious for that.
What concerned her the most was her own strength!
She stopped paying attention to Lo Jik's circumstances and focused on a wisdom path gu worm. The activation of the gu worm was slow and gradual. A strange force filled her mind before Fairy Mo's contented sigh resounded.
"That's it." Fairy Mo's will whispered. She sounded exhausted and spent. Strength eventually returned to her and her voice soon turned crisp and clear. "I'm extremely grateful, Black Moon. Thank you for assistance."
Black Moon broke her silence after a brief moment of consideration. She couldn't help but want to get rid of Fairy Mo regardless of their alliance agreement. Her use had fallen significantly ever since that group of mysterious gu immortals stole her hidden immortal gu house and damaged Spirit Affinity House immortal gu house.
"Think nothing of it," she responded finally. Black Moon was not short-sighted. Fairy Mo's use did not only stem from the existence of the gu house. She was at the cusp of deducing something great.
There was also a tacit understanding between them. Fairy Mo had a great understanding of Imperial Court Blessed Land, which would prove useful in the near future. Lastly, even if ambitious, Black Moon was not entirely heartless or she would not have good relationship with her family. Fairy Mo protected her during her tribulation. It was an extremely tense and dangerous moment. Gu immortals like Black Moon rarely reciprocated kindness with anything else except malice and killing intent, and Fairy Mo currently enjoyed a rare moment of exceptional tolerance.
"How far are you from deducing the killer move?" Black Moon inquired. "You lost your source of sustenance with the gu house being snatched by those bastards. Thinking will expend and eventually consume your current form entirely. Of course, I don't mind healing you every now and then, but I have many other considerations."
Wills consisted of several thoughts. Thinking expended and consumed a will. Fairy Mo was truly in a precarious situation.
"The original expectation from a killer move based on Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's creation—Possession Immortal Gu—was to create a killer move that allowed a will to possess the target's mind. This way, even with someone else's body and soul, I would have essentially 'revived.' But this is not true revival. It's just me, a will—a portion of my main body—obtaining a body. With this foundation, I could cultivate again. Alas, this method is too complicated. I don't even know if it's possible anymore. I can only lower my expectations."
This method existed in some shape or form. Xin Cheng, Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's remnant will, forcibly possessed Chen Jiu's mind and soul due to Love Immortal Gu Worm. Alas, as Lo Jik grew at an exceedingly monstrous pace, he found Xin Cheng more of an inconvenience than an asset as a free individual. Sure, the prospect of mating with a demon venerable was more than arousing. But Lo Jik was not consumed with lust. It was simply better to take control of the circumstances before Xin Cheng discovered a way to turn things around for the worst.
A Lo Jik who recently transmigrated to the gu world might have fallen for this sick desire of 'taming' a demon venerable. But the current Lo Jik didn't dare underestimate anyone. Xin Cheng's existence was astonishing. The pace with which she was developing theft and space path only affirmed Lo Jik's inner fears in keeping her in check.
Later down the line, he might as well encounter another venerable's remnant will and Love Gu might act indecently again. Maybe that time he might act on such urges. But not now.
So, Fairy Mo's dreams were not impossible to accomplish.
"Lowered expectations?" Black Moon asked. "How so?"
"We can deduce a mortal gu house tailored for the needs of wills like me and emotions like your mother. Such a gu house will store and supply us with enough thoughts to not only sustain us but to also promote quick thinking. Although I won't be able to cultivate, we will still be able to remain useful."
Black Moon narrowed her eyes. She couldn't help but think highly of Fairy Mo. Earlier, this woman barely helped around. Her gu house was of great assistance to Black Moon and her family. Fairy Mo had the capital to act like a party deserving of Black Moon's respect due to Spirit Affinity House's long lost gu house—Water Pavilion. Now? Fairy Mo instantly relayed a clear formation chart and recipe for a mortal gu house where she would be able to show her brilliance.
It was easy to deal with intelligent individuals at times. Fairy Mo knew her existence was threatened by the loss of gu house. She had to display her value. Clearly, she had considered this situation long ago and prepared for it or how else could she so quickly create a mortal gu house's recipe?
Black Moon studied the recipe before she hummed in satisfaction.
"I'll get to it. Thank you for your hard work, Fairy Mo."
Fairy Mo giggled coquettishly. "Oh, hush, Black Moon. Why wouldn't I want to help you? Our goals are the same—the destruction of Northern Plains' spiritual symbol! Look at your consort. He nearly destroyed Central Continent's and Heavenly Court's spiritual symbol, Tian Ti Mountain. With time, we will also deal with Imperial Court Blessed Land."
<<<>>>
A lump of fire burned brightly above Tian Ti Mountain. It was deep-red in color and not orange-yellow like ordinary flames. It was extremely eye-catching but most mortals could not view it from such a huge distance between themselves and the flames. Instead, they only heard the loud and proud voice claiming itself to be a gu immortal named Hong Guang. Others instantly felt excited. They woke from their sleep and tried getting a better look.
Unfortunately, time was still not right. Not only were they too far from the brilliant red flames, the sky was still dark and there were still thick mist and fog covering Tian Ti Mountain. It would clear up naturally after a few hours. Trying to climb Tian Ti Mountain at this time was extremely dangerous.
The mortals only heard an equally loud but warm voice. It was their benevolent Fickle Consort Immortal.
"Well met, Brother Hong Guang. I'm Gu Yue Lo Jik!"
They heard nothing more.
Lo Jik and Hong Guang floated before each other. The former observed the lump of fire. It was not actual fire but light shaped as deep-red flames. Hong Guang was a light path gu immortal but was not seen in Central Continent for the last thirty years.
"Greetings, Senior Hong Guang." Lo Jik changed how he addressed the man once he stopped channeling his words to the surroundings. The light around the gu immortal receded, revealing the face of a bald old man. He wore brilliant red robes embroidered with prints of yellow flames. His eyes were similarly red. He was extremely wrinkled and appeared withered despite his flamboyant fashion sense.
"Hmm." Hong Guang acknowledged Lo Jik's greeting, observing the latter with his hands clasped behind his back.
"I was in a closed-door cultivation when I heard about your actions, Fickle Consort Immortal. Oh, how could you damage Tian Ti Mountain?" The old man shook his head. "Did you know? Even I ascended on Tian Ti Mountain. It already has a—"
*Bam*
Lo Jik's speed was shocking as he struck the old man in the face with a vicious punch. Bone-crunching noise echoed for a fraction of a second before Hong Guang's body flew back at a rapid face. Still dizzy from the attack, the old man only heard Lo Jik transmitting with a cold snicker.
"Shut the fuck up and fight. Who gives a rat's ass about reasons?!"
Hong Guang regained his footing and bubbled with fury. He instantly shouted and unleashed a massive attack. Several red lances of light materialized around his body and rained down on Lo Jik!
*Whoosh*
The lances suddenly pierced Lo Jik but Hong Guang paled. These lances flew past Lo Jik without any resistance! Lo Jik's form dispersed into a pitch-black mist while a name appeared in Hong Guang's mind.
'Dark Cloud Immortal's Cloud Phantom Gu!'
*Bam*
Hong Guang did not even see Lo Jik before he was struck from the side. He was prepared this time. A massive mirror of light protected the old man for a second before shattering from the impact. But it had bought the aged gu immortal valuable time to—
'Where did he go?' Hong Guang gaped.
*Boom*
Lo Jik hammered down on Hong Guang's head with both of his hands interlocked! His skull fractured as he shot down and slammed onto the ground with a loud impact! The nearby trees instantly splintered and flew apart, shocking several beasts into howling and escaping loudly.
"Daring junior!" Hong Guang's roar echoed in the forest as a bright-red pillar bridged heaven and earth. Within the eye-catching pillar floated Hong Guang sporting a hateful expression. Blood leaked from the top of his head as weak light flickered and healed his injuries. His brilliant robes were ruined and tattered, and his wrinkled face twisted into something even uglier. Deep in his gaze, however, bloomed caution and fear. He observed Lo Jik, especially those wings on his back.
Are those still wings, he wondered.
The top of Lo Jik's robe fell down and was held together by the belt around his waist. His fists were still wrapped in bandages. And on his back flapped a pair of conspicuous wings. They were twice the size of Lo Jik's body and extended from his shoulder blades. The surface of the wings was covered by his flesh and they looked like two huge hands!
{A/N: Sasuke's second cursed form wings.}
Lo Jik introduced the gu worm gently. He once wished to refine a flying gu worm tailored for Self Dharma killer move just like how Little Giant Bone Bow Gu was constructed precisely to supply the killer move with ranged attacks.
"This is my innovation—Muscle Wings Gu."
As the name suggested, Muscle Wings Gu were great with burst of movement but spent a lot of stamina. However, stamina was one thing Lo Jik never lacked!
Hong Guang burned the name of the gu worm in his mind.
"Did you finally acquire a lifespan extension method, Senior Hong Guang?" His next words stunned Hong Guang. His eyes widened as he pinned Lo Jik with a furious glare.
"How did you know?"
Lo Jik hummed slowly. He didn't answer the old man. Of course, the answer was rather simple. Lo Jik was always curious about his surroundings and being one of the ten great ancient sects, Spirit Affinity House boasted an extensive network for collecting intelligence. Lo Jik merely spent his contribution points to view these accumulations every now and then to gain a better understanding of Central Continent and the four other regions.
Hong Guang was a light path gu immortal at the end of his lifespan. Lifespan Gu were simply too hard to obtain. Mortals who obtain this gu worm would sometimes auction it away, but a gu immortal would rarely sell these treasures! They knew its value. Sometimes, a Lifespan Gu was more valuable than immortal gu worms.
To the current Hong Guang, this was certainly the case.
For the last thirty years, Hong Guang had been developing a lifespan extension method. But how could such deductions be easy. It wasn't like he was a wisdom path great expert. But Spirit Affinity House still paid some attention to this gu immortal. Lifespan extension methods were an extremely popular form of business and a successful attempt at establishing such a source of income was a cause of great interest and scrutiny. One could never have enough lifespan extension methods in the gu world. Even Lo Jik developed one such methods called Descendant Gu Worm.
"Oh, no!" Hong Guang's heart shuddered. How could he stop mid-battle. Or rather, why would Lo Jik spend time explaining the use of his gu worm or talk about his lifespan extension method in the middle of battle? Lastly, why did Hong Guang instantly dispel his intentions of attacking Lo Jik?
*Puff*
He coughed another mouthful of blood. His back was embedded deep into the ground while Lo Jik launched a flurry of punches. Hong Guang was already disfigured, his nose broken, his lips torn apart, and his teeth shattered. His skull had major fractures and more dangerous were the injuries on his chest.
'What killer move was that? Strength path killer move with illusion path effects? Too dangerous! He is going to kill me!"
It was the truth.
Lo Jik had a deep killing intention. But he did not act on them else the old man would have long died.
Deep-red flames suddenly covered Hong Guang as Lo Jik jumped back before putting out the fire covering his arms. He snorted coldly and clenched his fist. Strength qi gathered around his fist as he nearly struck only to heard Hong Guang's panicked voice.
"Stop! I beg of you, stop! I yield!"
The strength qi around his fist only turned more intense as Hong Guang flew away with a started yelp, cutting out a sorry figure compared to his grand and impressive entrance.
'Fucking loser.' Lo Jik snorted. Why did he attack suddenly? Because he knew Hong Guang's foundation was nearly spent trying to deduce that lifespan extension method of his. His blessed land was lifeless and weak.
Why did Lo Jik target Yin Yun? Because his foundation was firm and ripe for a plundering!
After all, Lo Jik refined Hopeful Sight Gu, allowing him to peer through his target's blessed land. The earlier act of conversing with his opponent was to use this killer move and inspect their foundation. This old man was only impressive on the surface but not even worthy of plundering.
"Hmm. I revealed Muscle Wings and my other killer move, Beating Someone Dazed. There must be other gu immortals paying attention and must have realized this was a strength path killer move mimicking illusion path effects. The more I beat someone, the deeper the power of illusion. Looking at result, Old Man Hong Guang only realized the truth after a few seconds. That is due to his impressive foundation of light path dao marks.'
He sighed and felt pity.
'I really need to find a way to plunder dao marks and turn them useful. I'll grill Xin Cheng and see what turns up.'
***
Alternate Title: Hu Mei Er after Lo Jik gets interrupted for the umpteenth time: Heaven's will is my number one enemy!; *Horny and demonic Hu Mei Er noises*; Hong Guang: Face me, if you dare! *Hu Mei Er appearing and whistling like death from Puss in Boots*; Lo Jik, the destroyer of cultural symbols and needy wives; Black Moon planning to suppress Lo Jik *Countless attainments, clones, and killer moves: Bonjour*; The period of suppression has long past; A fully mature Lo Jik is difficult to kill; Fair Mo acts; Threatened existence; Black Moon: Lo Jik can never support the nurturing of another blessed land *Meanwhile, Lo Jik casually improving Bai La's circumstances*; Suddenly, every gu immortal ascended on Tian Ti Mountain to find trouble with Lo Jik; Beating someone daze; Lo Jik truly makes the best of strength path; Lo Jik might cultivate all the paths but he loves using dem hands; Lo 'Left-Right-Goodnight' Jik strikes again; So poor that even a robber is pissed; Hong Guang's impressive appearance and an even greater impressive departure; Lo Jik planning on pinning down another venerable's will *Giant Sun's remnant will: Shudders*; Hong Guang, a lone gu immortal trying to fight after stating a good reason *Lo Jik, a demon in righteous clothing: Reasons? What reasons? Stand ready for my arrival, worm!*; Grim future; The second of many, many battles; Muscle wings; Lo Jik and Sasuke *Shaking hands with their shared love for gave rivals*; Meanwhile, Naruto and Bai Ning Bing: Guzzling ramen *Eh, wait! You can't kill Teuchi, Bai Ning Bing! He's a fanon otsutsuki-level hidden boss!*; Lo Jik got that Uchiha fit and special eyes to see-through blessed lands; Also Lo Jik: Way too muscular to fit with any Uchiha
***
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