A Shady Deal

Gu Guangzhi was startled and turned towards the source of the voice. A small fire burnt brightly in the corner of the cave before fading away to reveal a gu master standing there.

"You! You are the fire path gu master from Xiong village. What are you doing here? There is still more than a year before the wolf tide. I will definitely breakthrough to Rank 2 before that deadline."

"I'm sure you will! Even without the support of primeval stones, it is not uncommon for a Rank 1 gu master to get lucky and breakthrough from peak stage in that time. I just wanted you to do something for me."

Puzzled, Gu Guangzhi asked, "What is it that you want from a Rank 1 gu master like me that you can't do yourself?"

"I recently made a trade with a fellow gu master anonymously and I have to deliver some mortal materials to him. If you can deliver them properly, I'll give you 200 primeval stones as advance payment. I believe that is enough for you to breakthrough to next rank."

The bells in Gu Guangzhi's mind jingled non stop. A shady deal done in secret… and he has to be the mule? Up until this point, he just fought wild beasts in battles successfully. Now, if things turned for worse, he would have to battle against a gu master? This was a very risky business. But what else choice did he have?

"200 might not be enough. I need at least 500." Gu Guangzhi replied to the fire path gu master trying to negotiate. The fire path gu master chuckled and replied, "I like you kid. That's why I said 200. Many Rank 1 gu masters would be willing to do this for 150, even a hundred. Fine. If you need more than 200 primeval stones, I'll lend them to you. You can pay me back after you join Xiong village."

Gu Guangzhi hesitated and agreed to the deal. "So, what's the deal? Give me some details", he asked.

"Not so fast kid. The materials I want to send with you are precious. I want some assurances.", saying so he pulled out a Rank 2 Seize Gu. It was a restrictive type gu insect of the phantom path. It could be used to uphold the conditions made in a contract. If any party violates the terms of the contract, a phantom hand would seize the heart of the violator and crush their heart. He made some sensible conditions.

The fire path gu master would give Gu Guangzhi 200 primeval stones and loan any additional primeval stones that he needed, to breakthrough to Rank 2.

Gu Guangzhi could not back down from the deal after taking the fire path gu master's money.

Gu Guangzhi had to deliver all the materials to the requested gu master within a given time frame.

Gu Guangzhi could not reveal any information about this deal to anyone else in the future.

Gu Guangzhi could not use any other gu insect to nullify this contract.

Before agreeing to the conditions, Gu Guangzhi said, "I don't even know your name. At least, tell me you name before the deal." But the fire path gu master just laughed and said, "You don't know my name? Then it's even better. I'll tell you once the deal is over." Gu Guangzhi agreed to the conditions and allowed the use of Seize Gu on him. Then he asked, "So can you tell me now what's the deal about?"

"First breakthrough to Rank 2. Here's the promised 200 primeval stones. I'll stay here with you in case you need more primeval stones."

Gu Guangzhi was a little disappointed. The contract stated that he could not back down after he received the money from the fire path gu master. He tried to get the details before he received the money so he could back down if he felt it was too dangerous. But the fire path gu master didn't fall for his trick.

Gu Guangzhi made some preparations and started cultivating with the aid of primeval stones. He mobilized his primeval essence and started crashing the walls of his aperture. At first, it seemed like the crystal wall was too sturdy and there was no damage but after a few hours, slight damage could be noticed in the aperture wall. He kept furiously absorbing the primeval stones while doing so. After twelve hours, there were some decent cracks in the crystal wall but he felt very weak to due to continuous cultivation. He took a short break to eat his meals and kept at it again. The cracks healed a little but he didn't get discouraged. He decided to use all his primeval stones if needed. After seven days of continuous cultivation, he was mentally tired but he persevered. The fruits of his labor showed and the crystal walls completely broke down. Red steel primeval essence started being produced in his aperture. Gu Guangzhi had become a Rank 2 initial stage gu master. He was very content with himself. Surprisingly, he didn't have to use all his primeval stones. He still had another 50 primeval stones left.

"Took you long enough kid. I was thinking of using my external primeval essence into your aperture to help you breakthrough if you took any longer." The fire path gu master inflated his happiness. He wanted to talk to the fire path gu master but he fell asleep. He woke up two days later.

After reorganizing himself, Gu Guangzhi thanked the fire path gu master and asked him for the details regarding the deal. The fire path gu master finally replied, "There is a blood path gu master named Mao Jian. He is in need of a few mortals to refine some blood path gu so I made a deal with him. You job is to deliver about 500 mortals living at the foot of Qing Mao mountain to him."

"What? A blood path gu master? Didn't you fight with a blood path gu master recently? Besides, don't those villagers belong to the Xiong clan? How can you make such a deal whilst belonging to the righteous path?", exclaimed Gu Guangzhi in shock.

The fire path gu master smiled slyly and said, "You are right. Belonging to the righteous path, I cannot deal with a demonic blood path gu master in such a manner. That is why I chose you, a lone gu master, to be the proxy for me!"