7 **Chapter 7: Attack**
Do you guys think it makes a difference when I upload, and also do you think it is smart to upload at different times of the day to reach more people?
Now I just do it whenever I get back from work, so 15:00 to 17:00 Berlin time.
Also, good job on over 200 collections.
Only after I started writing did I notice how many novels have the commas replaced by semicolons. (Use AI to translate)
The next chapter will be written by me, and only the spelling will be corrected by AI as it annoyed me too much with the constant changing of my story.
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There we stood, trailing behind the Elder in two orderly rows, resembling ducklings following their mother.
The journey to the clan treasury proved brief, a mere 300 meters left, then across the street, opposite the mission hall.
A towering six-story structure awaited us, the clan treasury. Its ground floor boasted a simple lobby, guarded by an attendant, likely a formidable Rank 3 Gu Mater, serving as the first line of defense.
Beyond the lobby, my father had informed me, lay mundane rooms for the subordinates of the first Elder to reside and labor within.
The subsequent floors catered to the various Gu ranks: the second and third for Rank 1 Gu, mirrored by the fourth and fifth for Rank 2. Rank 3, however, occupied a solitary floor, owing to their scarcity.
The truly precious Gu remained concealed in a secret location, a prudent measure given the risks posed by imitators of Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable after the emergence of the Theft Path. Such storied practices of yesteryears had been swiftly rendered obsolete.
Even my father, a Rank 3 Elder, remained ignorant of this clandestine warehouse's whereabouts. Only seven individuals, all Rank 4 Elders and the clan leader, held this privileged knowledge.
"I'm here to facilitate class A's first Gu selection," announced Elder Chen.
"You've done this countless times, I trust you'll manage," retorted the short man behind the counter, likely the guard.
"Oh, and remember, any discrepancy of over 20 Gu will come out of your pocket," the man added.
Elder Chen merely clicked his tongue in acknowledgment, leading us up the first flight of stairs.
"In groups of five, you'll enter there. You each have 30 minutes to choose a Gu. No troublemaking or noise. There's an ample supply of Gu; even if you all select the same, there'll be no shortage," Elder Chen instructed.
"Understood?" he queried.
"Yes, Elder Chen!" we chorused.
"Good. First group: Wei Li, Mu Bao, ..." he continued.
"What are you waiting for? Enter," he urged.
'Just splendid,' I mused, 'he's proceeding in order of talent again, meaning I'll have to endure a half-hour wait. Sigh...'
'But the refinement of the initial Gu will take anywhere from 1 to 5 days, depending largely on talent and the chosen Gu. So, half an hour isn't much of a head start.'
I mulled over the Gu options. Unlike those in classes B or C, burdened with the need to earn for their Gu's upkeep, we received a generous allowance from the school.
Thus, with no one opting for support or defense Gu types, the logical choice for most, if not all, was an attack type.
Perhaps some girls may opt for a healing Gu, avoiding the need for direct combat in the future.
'There are three viable options for Attack Gu,' I concluded:
The wind path's Wind Blade Gu, arguably the strongest, consumed 10% of one's primeval essence to conjure a meter-long blade capable of lacerating flesh but not bones or severing limbs.
The Water Bullet Gu of the water path required a mere 5% of initial stage primeval essence, launching a 1 cm diameter projectile from the user's fingertip, inflicting penetrating wounds.
Lastly, the Bronze Sword Gu of the sword path demanded 50% of beginning stage primeval essence to manifest a sword usable in close combat, capable of cleaving an adversary in half with one blow.
While less popular, the Bronze Sword Gu posed a significant threat when wielded by a practitioner also proficient in strength cultivation.
It didn't take long for Wei Li to emerge with a Wind Blade Gu.
'That was predictable,' I thought, 'most choices today are likely influenced by the older generation.'
Within ten minutes, the first group had made their selections: 3 Wind Blade Gu, 1 Water Bullet Gu, and unexpectedly, Mu Bao had opted for the Bronze Sword Gu.
'Two possible outcomes: significant strength gain or vulnerability. There's no middle ground,' I reasoned, 'plus, he's out of the running for the fastest refinement, given the difficulty associated with such Gu types.'
"With the first group done, the next may enter. Those who've chosen a Gu will wait outside to maintain fairness," Elder Chen announced.
'Wei Li looks like he's swallowed a fly,' I chuckled inwardly, 'this allows me to glean everyone's Gu choices in advance.'
Entering the Gu room, I scanned the array. The walls were adorned with enclosures housing Gu of various kinds, reaching from floor to ceiling, akin to library shelves.
Spotting my desired Gu, I approached: a gel-like fish, smooth yet cold to the touch—the Water Bullet Gu.
'Better inspect them,' I decided, 'perhaps I'll find one that is easier to refine than the others.'
After a cursory examination, I selected one displaying a hint of lethargy and exited the room, the entire process consuming a mere five minutes.
Then, the interminable wait resumed...
After an hour, all groups had finished their selections, and we departed.
Outside, Elder Chen informed the attendant: "12 Wind Blade Gu, 6 Water Bullet Gu, one Bronze Sword Gu, and a benevolent Healer Gu."
"I'll make a note of it," the attendant acknowledged.
At the building's exterior, Elder Chen summoned a toad-like Gu, disgorging 20 bags, each containing 30 primeval stones.
"Take one bag each, and don't show yourselves until your Gu is refined," he instructed.
"And remember, no outside assistance during refinement, though your parents are aware of this," he emphasized.
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Fifteen minutes elapsed since Elder Chen's dismissal, and I found myself perched on my bed, fully prepared for the arduous task that lay ahead. Ensuring I had ample primeval stones within reach and issuing instructions to the servants to keep my sustenance close at hand, I resolved not to relent until the Gu was refined.
For me, this endeavor represented more than a mere refinement of a Gu; it served as a test of both willpower and refinement prowess.
The clock marked Monday midday, armed with fortitude and talent, I aimed to complete the refinement before the sun graced the sky again, ideally securing a monthly yield of 30 primeval stones alongside a coveted rank 1 token.
Fang Yuan's estimations hinted at a requirement of 5 to 8 primeval stones for refining the Liquor Worm. However, given his rank 1 middle stage primeval essence and the seasoned experience of a Rank 6 Gu immortal, I braced myself for a consumption of 10 to 20 primeval stones.
With unwavering determination, I implanted the Water Bullet Gu into my aperture, initiating the meticulous refinement process.
Thus commenced the cycle of depleting my aperture's primeval essence, replenishing it with primeval stones, all the while witnessing the Gu's will gradually weaken…
It didn't take long for me to realize the wisdom of my choice in selecting this particular languid Gu. While not enthusiastic about the refining process, it certainly didn't resist as vehemently as a standard water bullet Gu.
Moreover, the inherent nature of the water bullet Gu made it the most straightforward to refine among its counterparts: wind blade, and bronze sword Gu.
As midnight loomed, I found myself at the halfway mark of the refinement. The water bullet Gu remained submerged within my Aperture, now halfway refined and visibly diminishing in strength.
On a separate note, my proficiency in multitasking had notably improved; whether it was refining the Gu while utilizing a primeval stone for regeneration or partaking of sustenance while maintaining focus on the refinement process.
This development hardly surprised me; even in my past life, I had demonstrated a penchant for rapid learning. While not a prodigy by any stretch, my intellect had always served me well.
Regarding the academy competition, seven individuals boasted superior talent compared to mine, with six of them possessing B-Grade talent and one possessing A-Grade talent. Among them, only one B-Grade talent, who had also chosen the water bullet Gu, along with Wei Li, had a chance of successfully refining their Gu before me.
*Whoosh* *Crash*
My contemplations did little to impede the ongoing refinement of the Gu within my Aperture.
Confidently, I speculated that none of the seven individuals with superior talent approached this assignment with the same level of earnestness as I did.
Not a moment of rest was taken, nor would I succumb to sleep throughout the night, utilizing primeval stones as if they were not worth the effort to pick them up.
At this juncture, my unwavering work ethic stood as my greatest asset. While some students might have commenced their refinement immediately upon returning home, how many would endure a sleepless night, particularly after basking in the reassurance of their high talent?
Their musings likely mirrored sentiments of complacency—"Grant me some leniency, for I progress faster than most…"
"Haha, folly…"
*Rush* *Crash*
Then there were those, like Wei Li, who had never known money, believing their talent alone sufficient to master the refinement process.
Why squander primeval stones when the outcome remained unchanged?
They knew the value of a primeval stone, with just one, they could revel and drink all night, while with three, they could indulge in the company of the most beatiful women they have ever met… who would let them do anything.
Fools... all of them. Yet, even if one or two defied this characterization, because what are the odds it is Wei Li and the one with the water bullet Gu? It mattered little, my rank 1 token was virtually assured.
At this pace, success was within grasp, if not by the dawn, then certainly by the first light of day.
I continued to relentlessly assault the Gu with my primeval essence, as the little mountain of dust from the used primeval stones next to me grew.
6 primeval stones
60% refined
7 primeval stones
75% refined
It seems that the more of the Gu I refined, the weaker its will, and the faster my refinement.
8 primeval stones
95% refined
It is so weak; it has almost given up.
8 ¼ primeval stones
Success.
"Well, it seems I was underestimating myself and my will. I wasn't much worse than Fang Yuan expected my worst-case performance to be."
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