1584 years ago, on one of the peaks of the Northern Mountain Range, a place called Yungae, so named because it was located about 100 kilometers from the Northern Pacific Ocean, one of the largest and most dangerous oceans in the world due to the many dangerous creatures that inhabit it.
A clan called the Huayu lived on one of those peaks and was considered one of the most powerful and influential clans in all of Yungae Mountain.
Several clans inhabited the peaks of that mountain range, including Huayu, Yanshi, Qianyu, and Qinli.
In one of the streets of Huayu village, a young man with dark blue hair and blue eyes was walking through the streets of the Huayu clan, receiving cheers and praise from the Gu Masters.
Yung Yu Jung was a rising star and the hero of the Huayu clan, the one who would make it stronger, or so they believed. He was considered the greatest talent the clan had seen in a long time, and S-rank talents were rare within the clans, where only one such talent was born every 200 years. One person held the rank of S, and it had been 1500 years since the founding of the Hua Yu clan, meaning that seven individuals had held this rank, all of whom had attained the position of clan leader. Therefore, Yong Yu Jung was considered a precious treasure in their eyes.
At that time, Yong Yu Jung was a student at an academy for learning the use of Gu and fighting with it. A Gu Master had to know four things to be a skilled Gu Master: refinement, care, use, and fusion. Refining Gu was extremely difficult; a Gu Master would spend months or even years refining a Gu of the same level as himself. However, it was easier if he refined a Gu of a lower level. Nevertheless, refinement alone was not enough without proper care. The Gu would die, as each Gu had its own specific food. However, some Gu shared the same type of food, such as the lion, crocodile, eagle, and shark, each with its own different species, but all consuming meat as their food source.
If a Gu Master was unable to use his Gu in the appropriate place or was unable to demonstrate its full potential, Its capabilities will render it useless, even if it's a Rank 9 Gu.
A Gu without a suitable master to use it becomes useless, like gold underground, a rock above ground—useless.
And a Level 1 or 2 Gu won't benefit a Level 4 or higher Gu Master in battles or increasing their strength.
Gu was divided into several types:
1) Combat Gu: This type of Gu can be offensive, defensive, endurance, invisibility, speed, stealth, or evasive. It was used by Gu Masters in battles.
2) Stat Boost Gu: This Gu increases the refiner's physical strength, granting them power equal to that of the creature it represents. For example, a larger bear Gu grants the refiner the power of a bear.
3) Acceleration Refinement Gu: This Gu benefits the refiner spiritually, increasing their refinement speed. However, it only raises one level—that is, a Level 1 Gu Master to Level 2—and then forces the refiner to further develop it to increase their development speed. 4) Consumable Gu: This type is used only once as a distress Gu. It explodes, emitting a powerful light that summons nearby Gu Masters. Alternatively, it may resemble a body part, forcing the refiner to refine it and keep it within their body forever.
5) Concept and Law Manipulator Gu: This is a Gu of rank 6 and above. It manipulates concepts such as time, death, life, beginning, end, causality, and laws of physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and gravity. This Gu is considered one of the most powerful types. No two Gus of the same type or ability have the same power, but they can operate at different times. Each Gu manipulates the concept of time; some Gus can reverse time, while others can stop it.
Therefore, to develop their Gu or obtain a new one, the Gu fusion process is divided into four basic stages: 1. Knowing the correct recipe.
2. Gathering the necessary resources.
3. Obtaining two Gus capable of fusion.
4. This is the most important and sensitive stage, requiring the Gu Master to possess high patience and focus. High-level talent and excellent abilities were essential, yet luck was a crucial factor in the success of a fusion.
The fusion success rate was minimal, ranging from 85% for two Rank 1 Gu fusions to 0.00000001% for a Rank 8 Gu fusion.
The penalty for a failed fusion was catastrophic.
Both Gu Master and Gu would suffer injuries ranging from minor to severe, and could even lead to the immediate death of both Gu Master and Gu himself. This was one reason why Gu Refiners were so few, representing only 0.1% of the world's Gu Refiners (as a basic power system).
Once, an Elder's follower, Ting Xin, approached Yong Yu Jong, who was at a tavern with a group of Rank 2 Gu Masters. Ting Xin was a tall, powerfully built man, his upper body exposed.
His red skin was adorned with tattoos on his back, chest, and arms.
"The elder's master, Toucheng Yu Bai, wishes to meet you. You'd better go; he's at his residence." "He's waiting for you."
A faint smile appeared on Yoo Jung's face as he listened to Ting Xin's words. He rose like a spider that had found its prey, bowing respectfully with a clenched fist.
"Alright, I'll head straight to Clan Master Zhong Yu Bai."
Yoo Jung and Ting Xin then set off towards Zhong Yu Bai's house.
Yoo Jung was overjoyed, practically bursting with happiness, which he tried to suppress.
He wanted to tell Clan Master about his rapid progress as an S-rank talent. This would be wonderful news for Zhong Yu Bai, especially since he supported him with resources to refine his skills to higher ranks.
Gu Master talent was measured in ranks among Mana users, from Ordinary to Elite to Legendary. The same applied to Gu Masters. However, each Gu Master's Gu rank had its own meaning and significance. There were seven ranks recognized by 96% of Gu Masters.
Rate F:
My friend expresses this Weak humans, often slaves, possessing only 0.1% Primal Sea Chi. They cannot become Gu Masters or masters of any other power systems in this world, except for physical strength and aura. However, their status as slaves prevented them from pursuing power, and they were killed if discovered. Being barren, they were unable to possess masters and therefore incapable of training, resulting in slow development and often no improvement.
Class E:
Those of this rank are considered humans capable of fighting.L. They are hunters who hunt wild animals such as boars, wolves, etc. The percentage of Qi present in their Primal Sea is 0.1%. They cannot be Gu Masters or any other power systems in this world, except for physical strength (Ki or Aura). Their development speed when using Ki or Aura is slightly slower than those of Rank F. They are killed by higher-ranking Gu Masters if their true nature is revealed. The power of humans was forbidden to Gu Masters, and for fear of rebellion, they were killed immediately.
Rank D
Those of this rank are considered low-talented Gu Masters. Their refinement speed is very slow, and they require more resources than an ordinary refiner. The percentage of Qi present in their Primal Sea is 10% to 25%.
Rank C
Those of this rank are considered medium-talented Gu Masters. Their refinement speed is slow, and they also require more refinement resources than higher-ranking Gu Masters. The percentage of Qi in their Primal Sea is 30% to 40%. Rank B
Those of this rank are Gu Masters with moderate talent and average refinement speed. They require more refinement resources than higher ranks but significantly less than lower ranks (C and D). Their Qi percentage in the Primal Sea is between 45% and 55%.
Rate A
Those of this rank are Gu Masters with moderate talent and relatively high refinement speed. They require less refinement resources than an average refiner and possess a high speed of learning and mastery in martial arts. They are usually clan elders. Their Qi percentage in the Primal Sea is between 60% and 70%.
Rate S
Those of this rank are Gu Masters with high talent and are considered among the rising elite. Their refinement speed is extremely high, and they use few refinement resources, sometimes only using them in extreme circumstances such as fusion. Their Qi percentage in the Primal Sea is between 75% and 88%.
The Qi percentage in the Primal Sea of a Gu Master It was a fixed, unalterable resource, increasing only if a Level 1 Gu (a Gu with a talent boost) was found. A talent boost could only be increased by one level, no more. Every level of the talent boost Gu was higher, increasing the talent level it raised. Alternatively, they could find an Energy Master Gu that raised the Qi content in the Primal Sea by 25% when at Level 1, and by 50% when reaching Level 2, its final evolution. This Gu was extremely rare, as rare as Qi in a human body.
Yung Yu-jung glanced at Ting Xin out of the corner of his eye with genuine admiration and respect for him being one of the strongest Gu Masters in the clan. He was a Level 3 Gu Master with a B-rank talent at only 300 years old. A Level 1 Gu Master's lifespan was 5,500 years, and from Level 6 to 9,000 years, his body would age rapidly. In just four years, he would have aged decades. Maintaining this refinement speed was incredibly difficult; it was tens of times harder than at Level 1. Previous
"What's wrong, Yong Yu-jung? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you want to say something?"
Ting Xin remained calm, not looking directly at Yong Yu-jung as he spoke. Everyone who saw him was intimidated by the energy emanating from his body. The power of a peak Level 3 Gu Master was undeniable, especially for Ting Xin, who was labeled a fake A-Rank talent. A slight unease appeared on Yong Yu-jung's face as he looked down at the ground.
"I want to ask you something, Master Ting Xin."
"Ask."
"How did you become so powerful when you're only a B-Rank talent?"
Yong Yu-jung's expression turned to shock as he realized he had insulted one of the strongest and most respected members of the clan. He immediately apologized, his voice trembling with nervousness and fear. Yong Yu-jung was only a Level 2 average; to Ting Xin, he was merely an insect he could crush with minimal effort.
"I'm sorry, Master Ting Xin. I didn't mean to insult you. I hope you'll forgive me, Master..."
Ting Xin gestured with his hand As a sign of silence, he spoke again in a calm tone:
"It's alright, you're still young. It's natural for you to be curious, otherwise it would be somewhat suspicious. How can a Rank B Master Gu be so powerful? My reaching the Peak Level 3 Gu Master rank at the age of 300 is a miracle."
"The reason I am so powerful is due to training and listening to the advice of the clan elders. So don't be lazy, train hard, and elevate the clan's status to the highest ranks."
A slight smile appeared on his face as he looked at him, bowing slightly and clenching his fist.
"Thank you, Master Ting Xin. You have enlightened me with your knowledge. I will be the one to raise the status of the Hua Yu Clan to the pinnacle of power in the northern Yungai Mountains and beyond."
Years passed in this manner, with rigorous training and a rise in social standing and position, until his fame spread to neighboring villages and beyond the northern Yungai Mountains.
He was the youngest elder to be installed within the clan, having obtained At the age of 150, Yong Yoo-jung held this position, ranking as a low-ranking Go Master (4th rank).
Years later, he attained the position of Clan Leader Hwa-yu, marking the beginning of a radically negative transformation in Yong Yoo-jung's character. This change stemmed from the sordid dealings and malicious schemes employed to maintain his position of power within the clan and preserve his status as one of the most powerful Go Masters. He was known as the Star of Yeon-gae Mountains or the Sage of Yeon-gae Mountains during his time in the northern Yeon-gae Mountains and for several years after leaving them.
"You, waiter, bring me some good wine, quickly. I'm not in the mood, Master."
Yong Yoo-jung was furious upon hearing recent news about numerous talents, dubbed the "elite of the elite," who had far surpassed him in strength. Despite his exceptional talent, Yong Yoo-jung had remained stuck at a low-ranking 5th rank for over 50 years.
He was now 260 years old, a situation that was mentally exhausting, even more so than physically. His inability to fuse Rank 4 Gu to obtain Rank 5 Gu increased his frustration. For several years, he had been attempting to fuse Jade Master Gu and Hundred-Winged Butterfly Gu to obtain Rank 5 Defensive Jade Sage Gu, but he failed repeatedly, causing the deaths of over 30 to 40 Rank 2-4 Gu Masters whom he had kidnapped from various villages and forced to perform the fusion in his place.
The success rate of fusion to obtain Rank 5 Gu was extremely low, at most 13%, and that was only when one was exceptionally lucky."It's 5%."
Young Yoo-jung sighed deeply as he waited for the wine. A faint smile appeared on his face as the waiter arrived, but it quickly turned to anger when the waiter accidentally spilled wine on his clothes after tripping over a Gu Master.
Young Yoo-jung was in no state to reason with anything. He punched the waiter in the face, shattering his skull. Blood and fragments of the waiter's skull covered Young Yoo-jung's clothes, the floor, and the tables of the tavern. The waiter didn't even get a chance to ask for forgiveness; his death was swift and merciless.
In this harsh world, human life was worthless. A single low-value Spirit Stone or Spirit Ball was enough to buy three or five human slaves, a price considered high in some regions.
All the Gu Masters were indifferent, continuing their conversations and chats as if nothing had happened. The death of a mortal human was nothing to them, but killing a Gu Master was strictly forbidden within the clan. Clans were like families; each member cared for the others. These bonds were strong and unbreakable, no matter the circumstances or misfortunes. But this applied only to the Gu Masters.
Several days after the incident, Yong Yoo-jung decided to leave his clan to increase his strength and experience, utilizing the expertise he had accumulated throughout his life.
During his twenty-year journey, he learned and developed his strength and experience.
During this time, he learned both Ki and Aura, enhancing his physical strength. He reached the level of an early Gu Master (Level 6) and was close to becoming an intermediate Gu Master (Level 6). However, his envy and resentment at the existence of those stronger than him, and of the same age but with a significant difference, greatly troubled him, especially Daniel de Molière, considered the greatest talent of his generation.
When Yong Yoo-jung turned 283, he was in Selzin City, the hometown of Arcade Kethali, nicknamed the Future Magic Emperor and one of the greatest talents of that time. Yong Yoo-jung was eager to fight him, and defeating him was... Defeating someone called the elite of the elite would elevate his status, revealing why he was called the Sage of Mount Yungae.
Young Yoo-jung headed towards a tavern in Selzin City, calling out to Yukaza.
He had heard that Arkid was heading there for a drink. He glanced inside the tavern and saw a man who appeared to be in his thirties, with red hair and golden eyes, wearing a luxurious suit befitting a nobleman of the upper class. He was sipping whiskey. While his gaze was fixed on nothing, his mind was elsewhere, but he was extremely cautious. A transparent dome surrounded him, revealing anyone who tried to approach and discerning their intentions. It was a magic circle of 9; nothing could conceal itself within that circle, not even with advanced levels of invisibility gu.
"Arkid, I challenge you to a fight."
Young Yoo-jung's voice was filled with determination, showing no intention of stopping or surrendering.
Arkid understood this thanks to that dome-shaped field with a radius of 10 meters. He turned his gaze towards him.
His expression was cold and completely indifferent to Young Yoo-jung's presence, which angered him, though he didn't show it. Arkad could sense his growing rage.
"Fine, I agree. Let's meet at the battleground in the middle of town in half an hour."
He stood up and left, but stopped, placing his hand on Young Yoo-jung's shoulder.
"Order some wine for yourself. It's on me."
He then left without showing any reaction, neither annoyed nor indifferent. His face was completely expressionless. This only fueled Young Yoo-jung's anger and frustration, to the point where the energy of a Level 6 Gu Master and a higher-ranking Governor-level fighter was escaping from his body without his awareness. This created unbearable pressure on those inside the tavern. Most of the fighters there hadn't even reached the SSS rank, let alone the higher-ranking Governor-level fighters. They couldn't even move. If Young Yoo-jung had been with his clan, he would have tried to calm himself down, but he was outside. A clan, and these people weren't even close to him, so why did he restrain himself and respect their position, given that they were far weaker than him? The law of this world was simple: the weak kneel at the feet of the strong.
"I will defeat you, Arkid Kethali, and I will show that Yong Yoo-jung, nicknamed the Sage of Mount Yeon-gai, is not someone easily swayed."
He then headed towards a fighting arena located in the middle of the city without waiting a second.
His desire to defeat Arkid was stronger than his desire to drink wine.
Half an hour passed in the fighting arena, which was a colossal Roman-style building with a cylindrical shape and multiple floors. Inside, there was a circular arena surrounded by several gates with doors resembling those of prison cells, stained with dried blood, evidence of the fierce battles that had taken place there over the years and centuries.
The stands were packed to capacity. It was an epic battle that could not be missed between Arkid Kethali, nicknamed the Future Magic Emperor and the greatest talent in the use of magic, and on the other side, Yong Yoo-jung, one of the greatest talents among Masters of Gu, also known as the Sage of North Yungae Mountain
The crowd cheered either for Arcade or Yung Yu-jung
"Hey, Arcade, win and teach that fool his place!"
"Show him who Arcade is!"
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"Defeat him, Yung Yu-jung! Show him what it means to be a Master of Gu!"
"Sage of Hwa Yu-jung, show him why he was given that title!"
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In the center of the arena, both Yung Yu-jung and Arcade stood ready.
Yung Yu-jung had activated the power of the Rank 5 Jade Sage Gu, which resembled a firefly but with an milky white color, revealing a jade-green solid layer by passing Chi to it. He also activated the Rank 5 Shadow Steps Gu for maneuvering and the Rank 5 Sleeping Dragon Gu for attacking. The Sleeping Dragon Gu granted power equivalent to a dragon. He had obtained both Shadow Steps Gus. The one that resembled a black octopus and the sleeping dragon that resembled a silkworm but was colorful and had spines on its skin, after many sacrifices of lives and numerous resources, some of which were rare and difficult to feed, was Gu the Jade Sage. He ate 20 kilograms of jade every 9 months, while Gu the Lazy Dragon ate the flesh of the Moon Gazelle, whose habitats were few and extremely dangerous, as they lived at altitudes of thousands of kilometers. Gu the Shadow Steps ate Shadow Spiders.Hence his name, Shadow Steps, or one of the reasons.
"I will defeat you, Arkid, and show the world who is more talented among us."
After several seconds, Young Yoo-jung launched his attack, using Jade Sage Gu and Sleeping Dragon Gu for both defense and offense. He enhanced his attack and defense with an aura, but Arkid used Kono to unleash fire magic, which was amplified by a litmus test. He then vanished instantly, leaving only dust filling the arena floor. Young Yoo-jung began coughing from the flames that had hit his face, looking around with some annoyance.
"How can you call yourself a man when you are this vile?"
Before he could react, Arkid unleashed wind magic.
Young Yoo-jung blocked it with Jade Sage Gu's aura-enhanced shield. Arkid's attacks continued to launch at him every five minutes, after which he would disappear.
Young Yoo-jung's face showed surprise. The smoke lingered, not yet dissipated, as if to comprehend what was happening next.
"That bastard is using Condensation Magic!"
Condensation Magic was an advanced form of magic where a mage condenses air into smoke. This type of magic requires high concentration and incredible talent, both of which Arkad possessed, unlike Yong Yoo-jung, who only had great talent.
While Yong was deflecting and dodging Arkad's attacks with relative ease, the amount of Primal Qi in Yong Yoo-jung's Primal Sea was being depleted at an alarming rate, faster than he could replenish it.
It was more of a war of attrition than a typical fight. The Jade Sage was draining 5% of his Primal Sea's Qi, and the same applied to both Lazy Dragon and Shadow Steps. He had used them for a long time, leaving him with only 20% of his Qi. He was losing 15% of his Primal Sea's Qi every five minutes, when his Primal Sea's Qi level was at 88%. He could increase his Primal Sea's Qi level using Gu Sid Energy, which raised the Qi percentage. At 25% in the Primal Sea, this would be more than enough to bring his Chi level in the Primal Sea to 100%, making him invincible among the Go Masters, even those considered the elite of the elite.
Yong Yoo-jung looked around, searching for Arcade, his anger gradually consuming him.
"Where are you, you bastard? Show yourself!"
After 35 minutes of hiding, Arcade emerged before Yong Yoo-jung, delivering two kicks enhanced by Earth's aura and magic to the face of the exhausted Yong Yoo-jung, sending him crashing against one of the arena walls. Yong Yoo-jung lost consciousness immediately.
The crowd's cheers shifted between encouragement and scorn. Arcade's fighting style was called "Draining," where he drained Yong Yoo-jung's energy to make him an easy target. However, he was still able to defeat him without this for several reasons, the most important being Arcade's talent and strength, enhanced by the blessing of a mysterious entity. He held a high position as a member of one of the most powerful families in the Imperial Empire. He was completely isolated, with his training room a special space separate from the world. He moved slowly in relation to the outside world.
Although his methods of victory were cheap, a winner remained a winner, and a loser remained a loser. This was respected by everyone. The victor gained everything, while the loser lost everything. This was a harsh law of life. However, Arkad Kethali was different from Yong Yoo-jung in many ways. Arkad didn't care about position, titles, reputation, or the image society projected towards him, unlike Yong Yoo-jung, who cared about these things.
He left the arena immediately afterward, leaving Yong Yoo-jung bleeding.
"How ironic that fame and the desire to be looked up to have blinded him, making him like a blind man unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance. He could have countered my attacks using aura and Ki Don." He could have depleted even a single atom of Qi from his Primal Sea, but his arrogance and pride blinded him to the fact that...
This was a human truth: when people become accustomed to power, fame, and high status, they crave more and more. These things become like intoxicants that cloud their minds and eyes. This was also true of Yong Yoo-jung, who was used to being the strongest and most talented member of the Hwa-yu Clan, and held the highest position as its leader in the years leading up to its departure. Therefore, he was unable to accept the reality that there were others superior to him, like Arcade Kethali.