Chapter 6 Thoughts

The days Xuanyuan spent in the Ancient Soul Sect passed quicker than he had hoped. Within the span of a few weeks, his name had become the object of quite a number of debates amongst the newly recruited disciples.

"Hey, have you heard of Xuanyuan? The genius directly recruited by Elder Luo?".

"Of course I've heard about it! It's the only thing Outer Sect disciples are talking about! Can you imagine it, getting personal assistance from an Elder almost every day?".

"I heard that he doesn't have to worry about his weekly primeval essence stone allotment. If he runs out, Elder Luo will just give them to him!".

"I heard that his primeval essence sea is a complete 100%! With that kind of talent, he is almost guaranteed to become a Rank 5 Gu Master!".

"What does he need the primeval essence stones for then!? With that kind of talent, he shouldn't have to worry about cultivation! Shouldn't the Sect be more equal with the amount of rewards distributed to everyone?".

Xuanyuan stood behind a gossiping group of Gu Masters, letting out a silent sigh while waiting in line for his weekly primeval essence stone allotment.

It was true that Elder Luo had given him a bag of primeval essence stones, but the bag had almost all been used up after cultivation and refining his Vital Gu. Elder Luo had promised to give him more, but only after he reached the Middle Rank 1 Gu Master stage.

'It was only like 20 primeval essence stones. And half went into refining the Shadow Eyes Gu...'

The weekly allotment of primeval essence was ten primeval essence stones for each Outer Sect disciple. After receiving the ten from his weekly allotment, if left Xuanyuan with 30 to start off with in his first week.

To be fair, most of the other disciples had only just obtained their first Gu, and the vast majority were still in the process of refining it into their Vital Gu. Xuanyuan had been in possession of his for more than two weeks now, and was thinking about obtaining his second soon.

'The Ten Great Sects foundations sure are deep. I'm not sure if Shadow Path Gu can be found in abundance in the Earth Abyss, but their selection of Rank 1 Gu was more than anything I had ever seen'.

With the exception of outlawed Paths, the Ancient Soul Sect had a selection of Gu spanning thousands of pages long. The Ancient Soul Sect would allow their disciples to choose any offensive or defensive Gu for their Vital Gu absolutely free. Every Gu after that, would cost either contribution points or primeval essence stones.

Xuanyuan had seen that most Gu Masters picked either an offensive Gu, while some lamented the fact that they couldn't pick one of the Rank 1 Liquor Worm Gu that the Sect held. A couple had been purchased by new Sect members with deep pockets, but there were still quite a number left, albeit for now.

'I wonder if there is a Shadow Path Gu which acts similarly to the Liquor Worm Gu. The Liquor Worm Gu was most likely a Heaven Path Gu or a Human Path Gu, and one of the members of the Gu Yue Clan possessed a Wood Charm Gu which was considered both a Wood Path Gu and a Transformation Path Gu'.

Finding such a thing would be difficult, but it would be excellent research material in Xuanyuan's eyes.

Mortal Gu which were considered more than one Path were rare, although more common in Transformation Path Gu. Some Strength Path Gu, and even Qi Path Gu also had Dual Paths, although both were rare in the Current Era.

Shadow Path Gu were uncommon, but in a place like the Earth Abyss, there were an abundance of Gu, all belonging to different Paths.

Xuanyuan took a breath before stepping forward, placing his Sect token on the counter. The older woman in charge glanced at him for a moment before writing something down.

"Name and cultivation?", she asked.

"Xuanyuan, Initial Rank 1 Gu Master".

The woman nodded slightly before reaching under her desk and grabbing a small pouch. She didn't say anything as Xuanyuan grabbed the pouch and stepped out of line, heading towards his next destination.

For Rank 1 Gu Masters, the Sect offered a variety of classes, all taught by Rank 2 and above Gu Masters. They compounded on the notion of a single Path from the moment they awakened their aperture, and taught their Gu Masters how to create a set of complimentary Gu, with similar effects and synergy.

Each of these classes were available twice a week, and attending both cost a single primeval essence stone. Some of the more popular classes, had teachers raking in more than a hundred primeval essence stones a week.

There were also dedicated classes to creating a set of Gu, knowledge and comprehension on a single Path, martial arts classes, Gu refining classes and even mandatory classes on ethics and morality.

Even Xuanyuan wasn't able to escape them.

However, Xuanyuan was interested in one of the other classes offered.

Smiling slightly, Xuanyuan travelled down a darker corridor, one faintly illuminated by Candle Gu, and entered a small dark classroom. It reminded him of an AV lecture hall in his previous life, although the dimensions were significantly smaller.

Only two people sat in the room.

The first being a young, short girl with black hair tied in pigtails. Her appearance was above average, although her appearance suggested she seemed younger than what she actually was.

The other person was also a woman. Average height, long black hair, with a small mole under the left eye. Her appearance was undoubtably beautiful, her legs long and her body with curves in all the right places. If she was born in Xuanyuan's old world, she could've easily passed as some sort of idol or celebrity.

She smiled at Xuanyuan's appearance before nodding, getting up from her seat.

"Little Yuan, I'm glad you could make it. I almost thought that you weren't coming today".

Xuanyuan just shrugged his shoulders, taking a seat in his usual spot.

"Apologies Senior Sister Long. I received my weekly allotment today. It took longer than I originally thought".

The beautiful woman smiled, not minding Xuanyuan's tardiness. He had already paid for the week, so if he missed today, it wouldn't affect her either way. Gesturing towards the board behind her, Long Xi, turned her attention towards Xuanyuan and the other girl.

"Starting from where we left off last week, what can you tell me about the differences between the Dark Path and the Shadow Path?".

The young looking girl raised her hand.

"The Dark Path exists regardless of the presence of Light. It possesses strong offensive capabilities in the form of corrosion and corruption, similar to the Poison Path in some regards. It also has some concealment capabilities, although they are weaker in comparison to Shadow Path".

Long Xi nodded, gesturing for the girl to continue.

"Shadow Path on the other hand, is much more illusory and transient. It cannot exist with Light, although behaves and appears more like Darkness. Shadow Path can be used to create shadowy illusions, or create constructs from shadows. Additionally, the Shadow Path can be used to obscure or conceal things other than just oneself".

This was a basic comparison between the Dark Path and the Shadow Path. Both were similar enough to be mistaken for the other, however, the fact of the matter was, Dark Path was significantly more offensive than Shadow Path. 

Shadow Path on the other hand, was more supportive, providing excellent concealment and obfuscation for oneself and their allies.

The female Rank 2 Gu Master nodded, before turning towards Xuanyuan.

"Although Little Gong said quite a bit, is there anything else you would like to add Little Yuan?".

Xuanyuan scratched his chin for a moment, before tilting his head slightly. His mind drifting slightly, thinking about shadows in a broader context.

"I think that shadows might be more intimate than what Gong Chu's description of them might be".

Long Xi raised an eyebrow at Xuanyuan's words.

"Go on", she said.

The otherworldly demon narrowed his eyes for a moment before gesturing to his own shadow.

"Shadows, are unique. They are quite literally, a reflection of ourselves. All living things cast a shadow. An extension of themselves. If I could say... touch your shadow, what would that do to you?".

Long Xi and Gong Chu both watched as Xuanyuan extend his hand and cast a long, creeping shadow. The tip of his fingers seemed longer in the candlelight, and as they came into contact with Long Xi's shadow... 

Nothing happened.

Xuanyuan smiled, and felt the tension in the room vanish, quickly as it had appeared.

"Just kidding", he said.

Long Xi rolled her eyes, shaking her head. This Junior Brother of hers...

"Despite Xuanyuan's immaturity, his words, do in fact have merit. Shadows are an extension of the self, and can be manipulated if you are not careful. Emotion Path Gu and Enchantment Path Gu are capable of this, but influence the mind rather than the shadow. It is also possible, to directly attack a shadow, causing the damage to appear on your body as well".

Gong Chu raised her hand quickly.

"Yes, Little Gong?", Long Xi gestured for her to speak.

The pigtailed girl seemed more excited than anything else about her question.

"Doesn't that mean that the Shadow Path has more offensive abilities than what I just stated? Doesn't it mean that it can be used in direct combat, rather than with illusions and the like?".

Xuanyuan glanced at her and couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed.

'I think she likes the Shadow Path more than I do...'.

Long Xi paused for a moment, before letting out a small sigh.

"Unfortunately, while you are technically correct Little Gong, only a shadow can touch another shadow. Your attack would be illusory, only able to interact when in contact with other shadows. It couldn't be used to counter the attack of an enemy, or block an attack if necessary. There are Gu which can solidify shadows, but using an Earth Path Gu, or a Metal Path Gu to defend would result in a stronger defense, and a smaller primeval essence expenditure".

Both Xuanyuan and Gong Chu nodded, understanding this new aspect of Shadow Path.

'So Shadow Path Gu are best against shadows, or potentially intangible targets. They are weaker against physical attacks, but are simultaneously harder to defend against. They are also easier to hide, considering that shadows are illusory'.

'But what about in instances outside of combat. Support type Gu or cultivation type Gu. Even movement type Gu. Could shadows be... transferred to another person? Could a transformation in the shadow cause a transformation in a person? Could I divide a shadow into pieces? What would I even do with those pieces?'.

Xuanyuan felt question after question bubble up from the depths of his mind, and instantly closed his eyes, entering a meditative state. 

'It is possible to create a Gu whose traits mimic that of another Path. Could I create a Gu which burns and sears the shadow? Could I create a Gu which nurtures and heals a shadow? Could I create a Gu which enslaves a shadow for me to command? Could I create an aperture from shadows, like the Heavenly Court's "Myriad Phantom Aperture"? Could I create a Physique using the Shadow Path?'.

Paradise Earth Immortal Venerable had done it. 

He had created the Accumulate Virtue Gu, which, after accumulating a certain number of virtues, would transform the innate Talent of a Gu Master into the Righteous Virtue Physique. It possessed a 100% primeval essence sea, and a primeval essence regeneration to match, without having to worry about detonating after cultivation.

It could even be used to attack an opponent directly, by targeting their accumulated vices, forcing them to repent for their misdeeds and sins. 

Unfortunately for him, Paradise Earth was Venerable with an extraordinarily high attainment in the Heaven Path and the Human Path. Reaching such a stage would take longer than what Xuanyuan needed.

Xuanyuan grit his teeth, feeling more and more thoughts bubble up within his mind.

'Dammit! I have more questions than I have answers too! Just one, just give me the answer to one of them!'.

'Was it possible for the Shadow Path to mimic the Heaven Path or the Human Path? Was it possible for Dao Marks to have a shadow? Was it possible for a person to die and then be revived from the remnants of their shadow? What were memories if just the shadow of the present? What did that make the future? What did that make of me then?'.

Xuanyuan felt something drip down his nose, and he unconsciously opened his eyes, his hands wiping away a layer of bright crimson.

He could faintly hear Gong Chu and Long Xi in the background, but just stared intently at his fingers, rubbing the crimson liquid together.

"Is it possible... for the soul to possess a shadow?".

Xuanyuan barely managed to catch a glimpse, of a mischievous looking black wisp, before his entire world turned black.