When Fang Tian looked at the corpse once more, he noticed three Gu worms on the surface of Li Hua's wooden body. He already knew what their names were.
The first was a Rank 1 Coiling Vines Gu. This Gu resembled a green scorpion with a carapace as sharp as needles. Among defensive Gu of the same rank, it was considered mid-grade—superior Rank 1 defensive Gu like Jade Skin Gu were better. However, its advantage lay in producing sharp vines that coiled around the Gu Master, offering both defense and a modest offensive capability when used creatively.
Next was a Rank 2 Healing Bud Gu. It was one of the best Rank 2 healing Gu worms! Its low primeval essence consumption was another great advantage—so low that even Fang Tian, who was still in the initial stage of Rank 1, could activate it once after expending about 70% of his primeval essence.
Even better, according to the inheritance information, this Gu had a clear advancement path: at Rank 3, it became Heavy Leaf Gu; at Rank 4, it became Healing Sapling Gu; and at Rank 5, it evolved into Willow of Recovery Gu. Only the names of these forms were recorded in Li Hua's inheritance. Perhaps there was more to discover in the five inheritance halls, but Fang Tian did not know yet.
Finally, there was a Rank 1 Wood Origin Gu. This Gu resembled a tree branch filled with vitality. Its function was support, and it was unique, personally refined by Li Hua herself. It had only a single function, but with an interesting side effect.
Its function was to double the effects of Wood Path Gu worms of the same rank when paired with them. At the same time, it reduced their primeval essence consumption by half. Unfortunately, this could only be applied to Gu of the same rank or lower.
Fang Tian placed all the Gu into his aperture, then moved toward the vines covering the wall. The vines shifted aside, revealing a large space—a crude chamber. Still, everything necessary was there.
There was only a rough stone bed to sleep on, and at the far end of the room stood a four-meter-tall door.
"I suppose there must be some wisdom in designing the room like this. Is it asceticism? Or is it a lack of concern for one's environment, focusing instead solely on one's path of cultivation?"
Fang Tian did not think he had reached the true meaning Li Hua intended to convey—if there even was one.
"Overthinking won't help me. I'm exhausted, worn out from running, and the awakening ceremony…"
His gaze fell on the stone bed, eager to collapse onto it. The last thing he saw was the ceiling covered in dead roots before closing his eyes and falling asleep.
Fang Tian awoke feeling cold, with sickness running through him. This did not surprise him—he had been soaked in sweat the day before, making illness almost inevitable. Yet he was not worried about the sickness. Instead, he was incredibly excited.
For today, he would begin cultivation!
Inside his aperture, his primeval sea had already risen to 99%. Floating on its surface was a green scorpion—his Coiling Vines Gu—which happily dove up and down within the primeval sea. Beside it, a tiny green bud floated quietly without moving.
At the very center of his aperture rested the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus, a beautiful flower submerged in the copper-green waters. Not far away, a moist brown tree branch—his Wood Origin Gu—rested calmly.
"Go!"
Fang Tian commanded his primeval essence, attempting to manipulate it and send it into the Wood Origin Gu to try refinement. He had absolutely no experience in refining Gu, yet now he was attempting to refine his very first vital Gu.
Fang Tian had thought long and hard about which Gu to choose as his vital Gu. Although the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus was an excellent option, he could not advance it to Rank 4 or 5 without the recipe, not to mention the absurd resources it would require.
As for the Healing Bud Gu and Coiling Vines Gu, they did not meet his criteria. Thus, he ultimately chose the unique Wood Origin Gu, which, to his knowledge, existed nowhere else in the world.
His primeval essence surged into the Wood Origin Gu aggressively, gradually dyeing it green.
"Bad!"
Fang Tian instantly withdrew his primeval essence, exhaling in relief.
"Although I know the basics of Gu refinement, theoretical knowledge cannot compare to actual practice and experience. I almost damaged the Wood Origin Gu during this refinement attempt. Fang Yuan never faced these kinds of troubles thanks to his experience. But for a novice like me, this is truly a difficult hurdle."
He tried again, this time injecting his primeval essence gently into the Wood Origin Gu without using too much. To his delight, the Gu did not resist—it accepted his primeval essence and will. After fifteen minutes, he had successfully refined his vital Gu.
Fang Tian stopped and studied the Wood Origin Gu in his hands. After flipping it several times, he injected his primeval essence into it. A nearly invisible thread extended from the Wood Origin Gu, searching for another Gu to connect with. But when it failed to find a partner, it stopped consuming essence. After several experiments, Fang Tian reached conclusions that satisfied his curiosity before moving on to refine the second Gu.
He directed his copper-green primeval essence into the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus. As he expected, Li Hua's will cooperated with him, assisting in the refinement.
"With the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus and my talent, I will have an inexhaustible primeval essence! I'll be able to activate two or even three Rank 1 Gu without any worry of running dry."
Afterward, Fang Tian refined the Healing Bud Gu and Coiling Vines Gu with ease, thanks to Li Hua's will assisting him.
Truth be told, he would never have been able to refine Rank 2 or Rank 3 Gu on his own with his current level of primeval essence control. His smooth refinements were all thanks to Li Hua, who was now effectively his greatest benefactor.
"I'm so excited to use my first Gu!"
Fang Tian wiped his nose and activated the Healing Bud Gu. In an instant, phantom leaves formed and seeped into his body, restoring his vitality, closing his surface wounds, and sending a refreshing energy coursing through him. Yet this stimulation lasted only two minutes before his primeval essence was consumed. Still, Fang Tian's condition was vastly improved.
Though he was a little hungry, his excitement for cultivation overwhelmed his appetite. Without hesitation, he began his cultivation practice, forgetting food altogether.