Reverend Rizzsanity

Bright Silver Essence nourishes the Solid Aperture Walls. This is the aperture of an Upper Stage Rank 3 Gu Master.

It's Lo Jik's first aperture.

Submerged in the Bright Silver sea is a palm-sized heavy square block. Tiny, multi-colored grooves cover the cube's surface. This is the Rank 4 Borrow Strength Gu—Lo Jik's Lifebound Vital Gu. Between the All-Out Effort and Borrow Strength, the latter possesses more applications and is slightly rarer. Now, Lo Jik has two Vital Gu Worms.

The Rank 4 Borrow Strength and the Rank 3 Hope Gu.

Not far from Borrow Strength Gu is another Rank 4 Gu Worm.

This Gu is a metal-like, lustrous Rhinoceros Beetle adorned by a majestic horn on its head. Its size is twice the Borrow Strength Gu Worm's size. Unlike Borrow Strength Gu, which consumes powdered elemental stones, this Gu Worm consumes a type of rare Strong Vine.

The Strong Vine grows from under the Heavy Stone Marsh, possessing metal-like qualities.

There is also the skull-sized Rank 3 Little Giant Gu. This Gu has the strange shape of a human-like head with long and scattered black hair. It was weak previously. Now? This head looks fierce. The benefit of developing a complement set is revealed through the Rank 3 Little Giant and Rank 4 All-Out Effort Gu since these two Gu consume the Strong Vines.

A brown cockroach swims on the surface of the Primeval Sea. This is the Rank 3 Self-Reliance Gu. It's a Healing Gu tailored for Strength Path Gu Masters since its healing capabilities depend on the Strength inside the Gu Master. This Gu Worm is more valuable to Lo Jik than the Twilight Spider since this Gu can heal internal wounds without needing a path inside his body for the spider web. But like the Twilight Spider and Flesh Bone, the Self-Reliance Gu cannot heal others.

Drifting on the Primeval Sea is also the Fight Poison Gu. The Self-Reliance cannot deal with poison. However, the Fight Poison Gu not only deals with poison, but it also temporarily increases the Gu Master's strength!

But its disadvantage is the slow process. If a Gu Master's body is not durable enough, they may succumb to poison before healing. If it weren't for this advantage, the Strength Path Gu Masters would willingly poison themselves to fight the enemy with a temporary buff.

The Fight Poison Gu is an arm-sized giant mushroom with a purple button cap and white dots on its surface. Surprisingly, the mushroom stem has two 'branches' sprouting like two muscular arms, gaining this Gu Worm's name—Fight Poison.

The Self-Reliance's and Fight Poison's feed are related since the former consumes red meat leaves, and the latter eats the wood from meat root trees that produce red meat leaves.

In the open space of his aperture is a floating green piranha. This piranha is the size of an infant's skull.

Rank 3 Hateful Strength Gu. This Gu is the distant cousin of the desirous Bitter Strength Gu and a sibling to the Rank 3 Love Strength Gu.

This Gu is similar to the Battle Instincts and Hope Gu because it eats the aura of rejection and other negative aura. Lo Jik's aperture mass produces the aura of rejection. But the Hateful Strength's food and use are tied together.

This is a Storage Gu. It stores the negative aura and unleashes the collected strength at once! The strength is similar to the combined strength of ten beasts. However, stocking enough negative aura is a time-consuming process. It took Lo Jik 6000 Primeval Stones' worth of Aura of Rejection to fill the Hateful Strength Gu.

Lo Jik's first aperture also has the Rank 1 Liquor Worm, Rank 2 Dismemberment and Earth Hole, and other Rank 3 Gu Worms.

The flying Feathered Boots, the jellyfish Lightning Thoughts, the earthworm Pink Muscles, the branch trident Three Tasks at Once, the skin-colored beetle Thick Skin, the plain-faced Primeval Elder, the Eight-Sectioned Gourd, and the Superb Flesh Gu.

Lo Jik auctioned off the Multi-Shadow Beasts and sold Mature Thoughts, Blood Kin, Heart Connection, and Phoenix Butterfly Wings Gu. Accepting the Imaginative Strength Immortal's partial inheritance changed Lo Jik's mind about keeping other Gu unnecessarily.

His left eye is the Heaven Piercing Eye Gu.

Meanwhile, Lo Jik's second aperture is slightly more cluttered and unorganized.

The snow-white essence reflects on the crystal walls of his Peak Stage aperture. The Blood Torrent Python slightly hinders Hope Gu Worm's glow. The Twilight Spider Gu rests inside its dark nest near the Hope Gu. The blood-red-furred mouse, the Rank 3 Blood Qi, plays with the floating crystalline orb of the grinning Primeval Elder Gu. The Rank 4 Kindling Will Gu rests undisturbed. The Yin Yang Rotation Gu chase one another, not needing anything else besides each other. The Blood Skull Gu rests in the depths of the Primeval Sea, flashing an eerie red glow from its hollow sockets.

There are new additions to Lo Jik's Second Aperture.

A brown rose floats and drifts beside the Kindling Will Gu.

The Rank 3 Filthy Powder Rose Gu.

A purple toad with silver stripes on its back peacefully swims around. It has a Rank 4 Aura around it.

The Rank 4 Refinement Qi Gu.

This Gu Worm can replace some materials needed to refine a Gu without lowering the natural probability of success. It also benefits the refinement process if all the materials are present, boosting the chance of refinement. However, this boost varies due to the materials used in every fusion.

That's not all.

The Rank 5 Particle Viewing Gu rests in the depths. This Gu is the core of Imaginative Strength Immortal's mortal Inheritance. But its food and use are tied together, too. This influence is present in other of the Immortal's inventions, too. But this Gu also needs Rank 5 Gu Master's Crystal Purple essence, unlike the Rank 5 Fickle Heart Strength Gu.

A strange Gu Worm rests in Lo Jik's aperture. It's a small cloud. This cloud often changes shapes and colors, floating in the empty space. Sometimes, it's a brown leopard. It jumps around like a pink rabbit. It also turns into a blood-colored python like a low-resolution, pixelated Blood Torrent Python.

This is the Rank 5 Fickle Heart Strength Gu.

It is Imaginative Strength Immortal's first invention. Its sustenance and use are tied, too. This Gu Worm can be considered the crucial point in Immortal's life since most of his other inventions have the use and feeding tied together.

Unlike the Particle Viewing Gu, the Fickle Heart Strength does not Rank 5 Essence due to its tailored function.

Lo Jik loudly heaves and opens his eyes.

His vision is better. Not only that, but his other senses are also slightly better after using the Blue Blood Gu. It's nothing compared to specialized Investigative Gu Worms, but it's something.

The enhancement of his vision directly provides a minor boost to the Heaven Piercing Eye. After all, the Rank 2 Eye Gu is connected to his circulatory system and mimics the eyesight of his lost left eye.

As for the Battle Instinct Gu?

Lo Jik refined it into the Rank 3 Mind-Body Connection Gu, instantly using it.

That temporarily concluded Lo Jik's Body Refinement. Lo Jik doesn't need to use the Battle Instinct Gu to have similar reflexes. Using the Blue Blood Gu also enhanced his mental capacity and recovery. Of course, this boost is purely physical. So, Lo Jik doesn't get tired due to his enhanced reflexes.

It's a whole alleviated system.

But it does nothing to the spirit.

The spirit and spiritual exhaustion are tied to the soul.

It's one of Lo Jik's glaring weaknesses that must be resolved. However, it's a gradual process. Lo Jik's efforts in these two weeks advanced his first aperture into the Upper Stage and refined his nervous system.

He can do something new today.

Retrieving the Eight-Sectioned Gourd, Lo Jik releases an ice treasure chest. This chest has been keeping the 100 Coiling Black Snake Hearts fresh.

Opening the lid, Lo Jik stares at the stack of hearts.

'Go.'

A stream of mist escapes through the tip of his index finger, shrouding the hearts in the chest. After one heart disintegrates under the cloud's effect, the smoky mist turns into the cloudy shape of a black snake with yellow coiling patterns. This snake opens its mouth and engulfs another heart. The form of the snake becomes slightly more realistic.

The more hearts it eats, the more life-like the snake becomes.

After consuming the hundredth heart, the snake looks indistinguishable from a Coiling Black Snake.

Lo Jik contains excitement in his heart and smiles.

'Come.'

The snake momentarily coils before pouncing at Lo Jik.

Strangely, the snake turns into a phantom, leaving the cloud behind. As the snake phantom enters Lo Jik's body, it does not appear from the back. His body trembles slightly. Lo Jik feels his enhanced bones creak and his muscles crying in pain!

That's it!

Lo Jik just got the strength of a Black Coiling Snake!

His eyes cannot help but brighten despite the pain. These injuries are minor due to his physique. The Self-Reliance Gu Worm heals quicker since Lo Jik is stronger.

Lo Jik takes out the ice chest containing the Stone-Skinned Underwater Hippopotamus Hearts.

The same thing happens again.

The beast phantom leaves the cloud and marks itself on Lo Jik's body.

The strength of a hippopotamus!

'Too amazing!' Lo Jik can't help but praise. This is the effect of the Rank 5 Fickle Heart Strength Gu. It removes one's need to find Beast Strength Gu Worms! It needs one heart for a Rank 1 Beast Strength, 50 Hearts for a Rank 2 Beast Strength, and 100 Hearts for a Rank 3 Beast Strength.

It's called the foundational stage.

In ancient times, the Gu Masters discovered that using the Body Refinement allowed them to increase the quality of their Beast Strength. But removing the Beast Strength on their body and refining another is too wasteful. The man who will reign over that era as the strongest, a Venerable, invented a way to directly promote the Beast Strength marks on the body.

The essence of Fickle Heart Strength is just that.

'Hehe. But it's more.' Lo Jik reveals a twisted smirk.

'Once the foundation is laid, I only need one myriad beast heart to possess a Rank 4 Beast Strength! Of course, that's only true for Rank 3 Beasts. First, I must upgrade the White Boar, Tiger, Tortoise, Panda, and Black Bear Strength to their Rank 3 Variants.'

This Rank 5 Gu is as outstanding as the Borrow Strength and All-Out Effort Gu.

Didn't Empress Wu Ji need 11 years to refine a Rank 5 Dragon Strength as one of her 10 Legendary Tests? Lo Jik will only need one Beast Emperor's Heart or 10 Myriad-Beast King Hearts to get the same results.

Lo Jik did just that. In the next few days, he purchased 100 Iron-Headed Boar, Wide-Back Tiger, Spiked Tortoise, Furious Panda, and Steel-Furred Bear Hearts to finalize his first step into the Strength Path. He can now make appropriate use of the All-Out Effort Gu. Even though All-Out Effort Gu is a Rank 4 Gu, it consumes little essence. Lo Jik can effortlessly use it.

'I spent over 30000 stones. It doesn't include my daily rent of 20 Primeval Stones or the amount I consumed to advance to Rank 3 Upper Stage. The Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus only covers the daily rent.'

He shakes his head. He has about 1.7 million after purchasing the food for his Gu and nourishing the hibernating ones. But this will steadily decline without a stream of income. Lo Jik will barely last a year or two like this.

'I also need to purchase the Wise Cat Steps Gu. However, Shang Ya Zi is being a pain in the ass. He instantly buys the Gu Worm I wish to purchase before returning them after I leave. That's one of the benefits of being a Young Master or a Purple Thorn token holder. Shang Ya Zi has lost hope in buying the Inheritance. He tried soliciting Bai Ning Bing, too.'

Young Masters and Purple Thorn Token holders can return the Gu Worm within three days of purchase. But the same isn't true for materials like the Beast Hearts.

'As for Bai Ning Bing, I'll have to hand her the Yang Rotation Gu. I dragged things long enough. It's clear she's inching near to her recovery. Things will become awkward if I give her the Yang Rotation Gu after she recovers her aperture. I also lied by saying I prepaid for that Dragon Elephant Heart in the mid-scale auction for the Yang Rotation Gu.'

It's time.

He regathers his thoughts.

Lo Jik still has money. No need to waste time earning more.

'I already achieved what I wanted. It's primarily due to Shang Yan Fei and Xin Ci.'

And he's already onto another task.

'Wise Cat Steps cover my lack of Movement Gu. I only need to purchase or refine a Gu Worm for adequate means against the mind. It's one of the most common issues for Strength Path Gu Masters. But this is a complicated objective. The recipes I know require rare materials, and the Gu Worms are rarer. It's based on luck. The better use of my time is refining the Elite Muscles Gu using the Superb Flesh and Pink Muscles. I must snatch Bitter Strength or the Cold Hard Bones Gu in auctions. I can also try to refine them after finding appropriate materials.'

Lo Jik can use the Dragon Elephant Heart once he uses the Cold Hard Bones or the Elite Muscles Gu. It will become another ace up his sleeves.

His comprehensive strength has increased by several folds these days. The Lo Jik of now will whoop past Lo Jik's ass. Not to mention brawling with thousand-beast kings!

"You're out." Bai Ning Bing locates the hunk as he moves with a pep. Her expression turns cold as she reclines on the wooden chair.

"Oh! Hey, beautiful." Lo Jik beams. "I was going to look for you."

Bai Ning Bing blinks.

"Have you lost your mind?" She questions. "No. You're planning to poison me."

"Why would I do that?" Lo Jik laughs as he leans against the wooden railing.

"Because you're aware of my plan."

"That you're eagerly spending your wealth to develop a Gu Set to beat me and snatch the Yin Rotation Gu?" Lo Jik inclines his head.

Bai Ning Bing shakes her head. "That wasn't a secret plan. It was readily noticeable. The other one."

"Ah!" Lo Jik nods. "You told me about Shang Ya Zi soliciting you to pressure me. You plan to extort the Yin Rotation Gu by holding the knowledge of Grey Bone Inheritance hostage."

He means the Blood Flesh Unity Gu.

Bai Ning Bing smirks crookedly. Although she looks humored, serious intentions still pass through her gaze. Her pace of recovery is quicker than she anticipated. Bai Ning Bing's regeneration is already 48%.

The fact she didn't lose her shit shows how solid their bond is. She even considers that Lo Jik may have refined the Gu already. It's human nature to doubt. But even if Lo Jik has the Yang Rotation Gu, she only needs it before she heals and explodes. So, she is willing to give him some leeway.

"A better plan would be just to ask me," Lo Jik smugly grins. "You know where I'm going, right?"

"Your little sister invited you for lunch and some shopping. Ah, how innocent," Bai Ning Bing's tone is laced with sarcasm.

"You could do the same. A man's productivity shoots through the roof if you treat him right. Or, you could kiss him. That also improves luck."

"Are you done?" Bai Ning Bing rolls her eyes.

He snickers while waving his hand.

A white light enters her aperture as Bai Ning Bing refines the Yang Rotation Gu with Lo Jik's help.

Instead of thanking him, she tosses him a satisfied glance. "Good work. One more to go."

Lo Jik's smile turns weird as Bai Ning Bing continues. "You did well. You took your time, huh."

He licks his teeth while Bai Ning Bing gazes into his soul.

"You sure know what a woman wants."

Lo Jik nods with a humorous expression. "Those were good. Well, goodbye. I'm off to meet with Xin Ci. Are you sure you don't want to meet Xiao Die?"

"Not interested. I'm attending a large-scale auction in a few hours. There's a Frozen Dew Gu."

Lo Jik leaves as Bai Ning Bing turns to observe the Yang Rotation Gu with interest.

'I can hold out for another two months at most. Let's wait until then to use it.'

<<<>>>

"I'm sorry for being late, Brother Wei," Lo Jik smiles and greets Wei Yang. He never meets Xin Ci alone and invites Wei Yang. He doesn't fear the implications of spending time with Xin Ci since Yan Fei would never let her. Also, Tian Lan used to be Yan Fei's subordinate. His act of inviting Wei Yang achieves two things.

First, Wei Yang manages Feng Yu Manor and can notice different things. Lo Jik wants to slowly get 'used' to Xin Ci with Wei Yang as a witness. Tian Lan's reports will be tainted by her bias and urge to keep Xin Ci safe. Similarly, Wei Yang's report will balance it.

Second, Lo Jik wants to 'persist' against Wei Yang's counter to his need to walk the Strength Path. He can't just show the peak performance of the Strength Path without earning suspicions from all sides. Wei Yang is a convenient and stable outlet to reveal his reasons for walking the strength path.

"I just arrived," Wei Yang laughs as they chat and walk inside a restaurant. They wait inside the private room as the External Elder reveals.

"Do you know? Tie No Ting left this morning."

"He did?" Lo Jik blinks.

"Tie No Ting is an Elder. He can't leave the Tie Clan for long periods. I reckon they concluded the investigation around Qing Mao Mountain and plan to cull the Blood Tide."

"I see," Lo Jik sighs.

"I know it's hard, Brother Lo Jik. But your Clansmen are at peace. I'd wager they are enjoying their next life in the Door of Life and Death. The wine there is the most delicious," Wei Yang references the Tales of Ren Zu.

Lo Jik smiles sadly.

"You're right, Brother Wei. Even Ren Zu's children did not escape death. I will meet them soon."

Lo Jik stares at his reflection inside the wine cup. "But I'm only willing to leave after accomplishing past vows. Although Mo Yan is gone, my promise to her is with me."

Wei Yang pats Lo Jik's shoulder.

"I won't nag you about your choices, Brother Lo Jik. I want you to succeed, too. You told me many things about your first wife. Late Sister would be happy to know how loyal you are to her. But she would want you to move on and live. Sigh. You are too young to have such a look, Brother Lo Jik."

Lo Jik nods quietly.

"I'm not hung up, Brother Wei," he smiles. "Mo Yan's memories are with me as I move on. Our promise was more than love. Sigh."

Shang Xin Ci soon arrives. Lo Jik and Wei Yang recollect their thoughts, greeting her.

Xiao Lan and Xiao Die flank Xin Ci's side as the girls sit across the duo.

Xin Ci and Xiao Die are already Gu Masters. The former awakened a D-grade aperture. Meanwhile, the latter awoke a B-grade aperture.

Like Tian Lan, Xiao Lan is one of the servants appointed to Xin Ci by Yan Fei and possesses a Rank 3 Cultivation.

Xin Ci began inviting him in the last two weeks after she became a Gu Master. Bai Ning Bing was present for the first time. But Bai Ning Bing hasn't accepted the invitation since then, finding it too tedious.

"Sister Monkey couldn't make it?" Xin Ci questions, sticking to their former persona after asking the duo's permission.

"She has an auction to attend," Lo Jik smiles, pouring the trio some wine. Xiao Die picks the cup religiously before downing it, earning herself a deadpan from Xiao Lan.

"Is it alright for us to be here, Young Miss?" Xiao Lan speaks softly. "We can wait for you outside."

She discreetly glances at Wei Yang. Xiao Die reveals an unhappy expression.

"Lord Monkey doesn't care about status."

"I don't?" Lo Jik smirks, filling her cup. "Maybe I'm treating you better because you're a Gu Master now." He winks at her. "Who knows what I might do once you advance to Rank 2."

"A-ah!" Xiao Die looks down with cheeks tinted red as Wei Yang laughs. "Someone is in a good mood."

"I am," Lo Jik smiles. "I succeeded in refining a Gu. So, I have something to ask, Xin Ci."

Xin Ci's expression freezes. This is the first time Lo Jik regarded her like before after she revealed her identity. Xin Ci is only momentarily surprised before she brightens up. "Yes, Brother Monkey?"

"I know you invited us all. But I would like to be the host this afternoon and treat you all. The Gu I've been refining took me a month and multiple attempts. I finally refined it! Hah! Brother Wei and Xiao Lan are seasoned Gu Masters. They understand what I'm feeling."

Lo Jik sips his wine, beaming at Xin Ci. "You will, too."

"Doesn't it make more sense for me to congratulate you then?" Xin Ci smiles. "How can I let you pay, Brother Monkey."

"I plan to stay in Shang Clan for a period. You can treat us later once you fuse your first Rank 2 Gu."

He dismisses her concerns before blinking.

"Ah. Also, I've been racking my brain for the last two weeks," Lo Jik stares at her. Seriousness flashes in his eyes, and he lowers his head.

"You are the reason I could get a Purple Thorn Token. Yet I treated you poorly. It's my fault. So, I prepared this gift for you."

Lo Jik retrieves a silkworm from his aperture. Xin Ci and Xiao Die are instantly attracted to the Liquor Worm as it jumps from Lo Jik's hand and submerges into Xin Ci's wine cup with a plop.

'A liquor worm?' Xiao Lan sneers internally. She's always been cautious of Lo Jik after getting his information from Shang Yan Fei. He's a conniving womanizer!

"I can't accept it, Brother Monkey. Liquor Worms are precious." Xin Ci resists as Lo Jik smiles.

"Did your father gift you one, too?"

Xin Ci lowers her head and nods.

"You see," Lo Jik smiles. "Liquor Worms aren't as rare in Shang Clan. But I never purchased a single worm from Shang Clan until now. That one is special."

Xin Ci looks at Lo Jik.

"That Liquor Worm was gifted to me by my Grandfather-in-law. It stayed with me during my entire journey. It brought me great fortunes. Or so I wish to think. I understand the Gu is a tool. But this Liquor Worm… is special. And I want you to have it. Also, consider it my gift to you for becoming a Gu Master."

Xin Ci stares at Liquor Worm for some time.

"Accept it, Lady Xin Ci," Wei Yang smiles. "This might be the first time I've seen Brother Lo Jik so sincere."

"When am I insincere?" Lo Jik laughs before glancing at Xiao Die. "Don't think I forgot about you. You can always claim your gifts after reaching Rank 2. But they can't seem to leave my room."

"See?" Wei Yang snickers, playfully swatting Lo Jik's shoulder. "Insincere as ever!"

Xiao Die forms bubbles in her wine as she meets Lo Jik's gaze. He smirks at her as Xiao Die hurriedly lowers her head.

Lo Jik is serious. Xiao Die has a B-grade Aperture and also receives Xin Ci's favor. Whatever Yan Fei blesses Xin Ci with is shared with Xiao Die. The girl's cultivation will rise and can even help Lo Jik attain some bronze and silver rewards.

"Thank you, Brother Monkey," Xin Ci accepts and refines the Gu with Lo Jik's assistance. "I won't let you down."

Lo Jik simply smiles and doesn't reply. Instead, he calmly looks at Xiao Lan.

"I don't have a gift for you. So, don't expect much."

'This man is deeply infuriating.' Xiao Lan assesses while politely nodding—a thought Lo Jik's Late Grandfather-in-law will resonate with.

***

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