Chapter 40 The Body As An Incomplete Gu Recipe

Yu Xiaolong and Tai Yang both watched Xuanyuan suddenly open his eyes and stand up. Despite the fact that the former tried to wave his hands in front of Xuanyuan's face, nothing could change his wide eyed, almost flabbergasted expression.

The otherworldly demon felt his mouth hit the floor the moment those words left his lips. He didn't even realize what he was saying, until it left his mouth, unknowingly comprehending something about the nature of Humans.

'Humans... are Gu refinement materials, that much is certain. Humans can be used to refine Gu, just as Gu can be used to refine Humans. Not just in a sense that humans are simply Gu materials, but rather, likening the human body to that of an incomplete Gu recipe, and using supplementary Gu to push the incomplete Gu recipe in a certain direction'.

'I don't mean something like the Immortal Sovereign Fetus Gu which creates another physical body, considering that particular Gu uses human bodies, or the Ten Extreme Physiques as Gu refinement materials. What I mean is like how battlefield killer moves are considered incomplete Gu recipes. Instead of using Gu to engrave temporary Dao Marks into an environment, I should just complete the recipe and use the end result to enhance the body'.

'This is different from Ice Muscles Gu or Jade Bones Gu, what I want is closer to the Ten Extreme Physiques. Those effects are permanent, regardless of the Rank of the Gu Master. I want to enhance what I currently have to the level of a Ten Extreme Physique, like the Accumulate Virtue Gu'.

'Considering the body as a battlefield killer move, I will complete the incomplete Gu recipe, and the end result should become a permanent method of enhancement. The temporary Dao Marks should become permanent, enhancing my physique to a level closer to the Ten Extreme Physiques. There is only one problem...'.

"Conflicting Dao Marks...", Xuanyuan muttered.

Xuanyuan would theoretically have the same level of affinity between himself and a particular Path, but he wouldn't have the ability to use any Gu without worrying about his Dao Marks conflicting against each other. 

Not to mention, it wouldn't have the same level of affinity that the Sovereign Immortal Body did with every Path. Xuanyuan didn't need to have Dao Marks from every Path available to him, but limiting himself to just a single Path wouldn't allow him to fight monsters like Duke Long, Feng Jiu Ge, Zuo Ye Hui or Di Zang Sheng in the future.

Duke Long for example, was a Dragonman, a Variant Human race which possessed innate Enslavement Path Dao Marks. As the creator of the Dragonmen, he also possessed a foundation in the Human Path, which focused on the creation of human vessels. 

Additionally, he was a Qi Path Gu Immortal, with an extremely deep foundation in the Transformation Path. While Duke Long was someone that Xuanyuan might potentially have to go against in the future, he possessed significant depth in numerous different Paths. 

There was also his knowledge of the Time Path, as the Dao Guardian of Red Lotus, but Xuanyuan wasn't sure how deep this foundation went. 

That at the very least, was two Paths, and given his knowledge of the man, was possibly five Paths that he possessed Grandmaster level attainment in. 

Not to mention Fang Yuan, Giant Sun or Star Constellation.

If Xuanyuan wanted to become Venerable, he would inevitably go against most of these individuals, if not all of them.

Xuanyuan just stared in front of him, unblinking and unmoving. Shadows As Thought Gu unconsciously activating, causing a certain Gu Immortal in the crowd to peer at him, eyebrows raised.

'I can feel the aura of a Rank 5 Shadow Path Gu on Xuanyuan. If it was in his primeval essence sea there is no way to hide such a thing from Immortal Chu... It must be hidden within his shadow...'.

Immortal Song eyed Xuanyuan, a much more interested smile marring her face.

Numerous Shadow Thoughts bubbled up like sea foam from within Xuanyuan's mind. 

The human body could be considered an incomplete Gu recipe. It was essentially a Gu which could take on the characteristics of other Gu. There was some sort of similarity between the human body and the Immortal Gu, Self Gu, but Xuanyuan currently wasn't qualified to judge how the two were related.

The average body a Gu Master was a battlefield killer move. The engraved fragments of Dao Marks might not lose their effect, but in comparison to the fragments of Rank 3, Rank 4 and even Rank 5 Gu their current strength would be insufficient in comparison to the whole Dao Marks of the Extreme Physiques.

They then required the same Gu of a higher Rank in order to keep up with the temporarily engraved Dao Marks.

There was a possibility of those Dao Marks conflicting. If Xuanyuan were to use a Rank 2 Copper Shadow Bones Gu and then a Rank 3 Verdant Oak Bones Gu, the conflicting Dao Marks could possibly lead to spontaneous self-combustion.

Even if Xuanyuan rose from Rank 3 to Rank 4, he didn't want to lose the effects of this physique-related Gu. Theoretically it should be possible, especially after Fang Yuan created mortal level Second Aperture Gu, however...

Xuanyuan bit his lip.

'The end result Gu would most likely be Rank 6, meaning, an Immortal Gu. I don't have the knowledge, or the understanding to create higher Ranked Gu. And even if I had the attainment, I don't have the resources, or the cultivation to attempt such a thing...'.

That was Xuanyuan's biggest problem. 

All of these things would make Xuanyuan stronger in the long run once he completed his Immortal Ascension. However, he would need to become a Rank 6 Gu Immortal in order to obtain everything first.

The secrets of the human body, beyond that of Strength, Blood, Souls, Bones and Shadows. Xuanyuan wanted the knowledge and profundities of the Human Path, specifically, the knowledge that the Shadow Sect was in possession of.

Something flashed within Xuanyuan's eyes for a moment but disappeared quickly in the presence of others. He could feel the slightest increase to his attainment in the Human Path, but nothing substantial, or even particularly noteworthy in comparison to most other Paths.

The profundities of the Human Path were too much for a Rank 2 Gu Master to understand. The most effective method of increasing his attainment was to prove his conjectures and theories. Even then however, Xuanyuan didn't have an idea on how to "complete" the incomplete Gu recipe that was his body.

Sitting back down, Xuanyuan glanced at Yu Xiaolong and Tai Yang, both of whom noticed that Xuanyuan was responding to them. The otherworldly demon just stared at his friend, and... acquaintance, giving them both a small nod.

"My apologies. I lost myself there for a second... What were we talking about again?".

Yu Xiaolong and Tai Yang shared a look, before the latter nodded, asking another question.

"You were saying that the human body is essentially a Gu which can absorb or devour the characteristics of other Gu. You were talking about Ice Muscles Gu and Jade Bones Gu in particular, but I fail to understand how this is different to the Transformation Path".

Xuanyuan shook his head, complete rejecting Tai Yang's words.

"No, no, no. The Transformation Path transforms both the physical body and related Dao Marks into the physical body and Dao Marks of a beast, most of the time. Transformation Path beasts are extraordinarily rare, especially after the death of Reckless Savage Demonic Venerable. Transformation Path is also dangerous considering that if you remain transformed for too long, it is possible that a Gu Master can permanently become that beast".

"What I am talking about Tai Yang, is the nature of the human body. Consider the current method that we use Gu as a battlefield killer move in that we temporarily engrave Dao Marks into our bodies. Ice Muscles Gu and Jade Bones Gu. When we increase our Rank, the fragments of Dao Marks we have in our body become insufficient, not working with Gu equal to that of our new Rank".

"A battlefield killer move is considered an incomplete Gu recipe. If we can complete the Gu recipe, then surely, we can create a Gu which replicates all the effects of a multitude of Gu, and with a much more permanent effect".

Yu Xiaolong's mouth dropped, while Tai Yang's eyes widened. The Elder descendent suppressed a gulp before shaking his head.

"But... wouldn't the effect be weaker? Not to mention, how would you even go about transforming a physical body to such an extent? What you're suggesting Xuanyuan... or how you're suggesting it, sounds as though you want to become a Variant Human".

Xuanyuan let out a sigh, waving his friend off.

"It would be interesting, but that is not what I want. What I want, Tai Yang, is a method to enhance a physique towards something similar to the Ten Extreme Physiques. A surefire method to increase the effectiveness of Gu, and then use Ice Muscles Gu and Jade Bones Gu to further increase myself".

"Some of the Extreme Physiques increase the effectiveness of multiple Paths, why is this? They possess Dao Marks from similar, possibly compatible Paths, indicating that their is a level of harmony, or synergy between the formation of their Dao Marks. Why does the Blazing Glory Brilliant Lightning Physique increase the effectiveness of both the Lightning Path and the Fire Path while the Great Strength True Martial Physique only increases the effectiveness of the Strength Path?"

"What is the difference between the two? Why is it that some Extreme Physiques are "better" than others? Why do they encompass multiple Paths? A Gu Immortal can only possess a single Path, but why can an Extreme Physique encompass two different Paths? This is something that I do not understand?".

"Now... the Dark Path, the Sword Path, the Emotion Path, the Wind Path. None of these Paths possess a corresponding Physique, do they? Why not? If it is possible for the Strength Path and the Wood Path, then why not the others? Why not the Shadow Path?".

Xuanyuan leaned towards Tai Yang, a smile marring his expression. The young man seemed awed, and slightly scared of the expression on Xuanyuan's face.

"Your sister is a Sword Path Gu Master Tai Yang. Imagine... if there was a Gu which could birth an Extreme Physique? It isn't anything that heaven-defying. They already exist, so why can't I make one?".

Tai Yang stood up and took a couple steps back. He gathered his emotions, suppressing them, shaking his head firmly.

"That's impossible Xuanyuan! There has been countless Gu Masters before us who envied the Ten Extreme Physiques, and yet no-one, in three million years has even come close to-".

Xuanyuan stood up, interrupting Tai Yang.

"Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable did it. His Accumulating Virtue Gu can create a Righteous Virtue Physique. It possesses a talent only slightly less to the Ten Extreme Physiques, is without worry of self-combustion, and can be used to attack other Gu Masters by disturbing their psyche. It is possible Tai Yang, you only have to be daring enough to grasp it!".

Tai Yang and Yu Xiaolong both blinked, not knowing that piece of information.

Accumulate Virtue Gu was a Human Path Gu, from Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable's Southern Boarder True Inheritance. While the nature of the Gu was not revealed in the Central Continent True Inheritance, information about the other four inheritances could be found within each other inheritance. 

It was how Liu Wei Yin, the Miniman Gu Immortal from the Southern Boarder, knew the details about the other four inheritances as well as their rough location.

Xuanyuan could always say that Elder Luo had told him, and his Master would back up his words, although would demand an explanation on how he knew such information.

Tai Yang gulped, glancing at Yu Xiaolong who just shrugged his shoulders, mouthing something towards him.

'Lu Guo said he was... monstrously smart. You get used to it', Xuanyuan noticed Yu Xiaolong mouth something to Tai Yang, but the boy just avoided his eyes, whistling off to the side, glancing at the matches currently going on.

Xuanyuan felt a wisp of a Shadow Thought flash through his mind, a plan forming in the depths of his sea of consciousness. His mind was split between upholding his morals and obtaining further benefits from the Ancient Soul Sect. Xuanyuan would have felt bad for manipulating someone still physically and mentally maturing, but suppressed those thoughts, a strange light flashing through his eyes.

'... I want to become the Abyssal Child! Whatever it takes!'.

Extending his hand towards Tai Yang, Xuanyuan showed an expression of resolve and determination. His deep, dark eyes reflected Tai Yang's form, causing shivers to be sent down the spine of the younger boy.

"Tai Yang. You are the descendant of an Elder in the Ancient Soul Sect. At the very least, you will become a Rank 5 Gu Master. But cultivation can only take you so far. Attainment. Comprehension. Refinement. Even innate talent. All of these are deficiencies that most Gu Masters lack"

"Even if you have a heart of righteousness, lacking the sufficient talent, you can only hope to join a lesser Sect, finding a method to enhance your innate talent. Wars are fought over Transcendence Gu and Limit Breaking Gu. What if we could rid the world of that need? Rid the Righteous Path of that disparity?".

"Imagine... if innate talent was no longer a decisive factor in cultivation? The need for Liquor Worms, or Relic Gu, or Cloud Essence Gu would no longer be the defining factor between reaching Rank 3, or even Rank 4? Tell me Tai Yang, if you could create such a Gu, not if it is possible, if you could, would you?".

Tai Yang glanced around him, unconsciously looking for his sister. The relationship between older sister and younger brother was close, considering the other as the only person in the world that they could trust implicitly. 

Xuanyuan didn't know what their relationship was, but knew that all Elders were busy people. Not to mention the fact, that they would usually keep to themselves, like most of the other Elder disciples or descendants.

'Yin would know what to say. She always knows what to say!'.

Remembering that she was currently unconscious, Tai Yang turned back to Xuanyuan, realizing that he was the one who knocked his sister unconscious, separating the twins.

He just stared at the open hand of Xuanyuan, staring at him with a confused expression.

"I... I... I don't-".

Xuanyuan cut him off, shaking his head.

"If you're worried about what your sister would say, that's fine, I don't want to create a rift between siblings, twins in particular. If you want to discuss this with Tai Yin, and then come to a decision that is fine. The offer is open to the both of you. Just remember, Tai Yang...".

Xuanyuan smiled, noticing that Tai Yang didn't meet his gaze.

"I want to do this for the Ancient Soul Sect. No matter the platitudes or the rhetoric or the oratory that I deliver, my sole importance is on the preservation and the legacy I leave in the Ancient Soul Sect. This is my promise to Elder Luo and Elder Hu, both of whom have looked after me ever since I became a disciple".

"This is to repay everything that they have ever given me. Their teachings. Their instruction. Their guidance... Even their Love. I hope you tell Tai Yin that as well, Tai Yang".