An Dramatic Act

In the streets of Shang Clan's 4th inner city, used mainly by the middle class, consisting of low-rank gu masters or rich mortals, there was a newly constructed lab, with a sign labeled: 'Genetic Modification' along with words 'currently testing' painted in red dangling under it.

t the front door stood Chi Zao, a rough-looking figure, embalmed with a form that could be described as the peak of human musculature and muscles toned to extreme levels with a jawline that looked to have been chiseled by a master craftsman.

A gu master walking by noticed the sign and stepped forward with a question, "What does this store sell?"

Keeping his back straight and his head forward, Chi Zao directed his eyes to the gu master before replying in a deep and authoritative tone, "This store modifies you physically for a price. Usually, to modify one's body they would have to use a wide range of strength path Gu at an exorbitant price. However, this store halves that amount, and the best part is its use of rare methods that won't conflict with other paths, allowing for even a light path gu master to increase their muscle mass."

The gu master raised an eyebrow with a mocking grin before speaking with a mocking undertone, "Is this a formation path method? Does my aperture need to be of a certain rank?"

Shaking his head while pulling a pamphlet from his chest pocket, Chi Zao replied, "Sadly, I don't know much about the inner designs behind the method, but I can tell you this - The method works on even mortals."

As he finished his statement, the heavy aura of a rank-4 gu master pervaded the area. "I will be the first to use this method! And anyone who holds the line will have to answer to me!"

Many people in the crowd recognized him as Bei Chu, a powerful brute that hinders many businesses in this area. However, he's never done it so blatantly before, directly scaring people into staying away from the store. Naturally, this counts as an obstruction of business, which by all accounts is punishable by law. Unless, of course, it was orchestrated by the person who makes the law.

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Sitting comfortably inside while reading a book containing thousands of different recipes for - transformation path Gu - along with notes made by past refiners that correspond to that Gu, Xie Ling began to ponder, "The existence of Gu immortals is practically a guarantee, however, any hopes I'd once had of either making an alliance or capturing one is an impossibility. Due to this world's design, one can have defensive methods against any field, and with the existence of emotion path, it becomes no different than when - Icoras flew too close to the sun.

His thought process was suddenly caught off, by the noise outside. Opening up his senses to hear the shouting taking place outside, he grew a smile, for this was going exactly according to plan.

It was a rather ridiculous plan by all accounts, but a simple one. Drag the attention of the entity in the sky to something like evolving humans, and then be free to experiment on beasts and Gu all you want.

The only step left is to make a performance befitting that of a king's banquet.

Walking outside in an elaborate disguise consisting of a scientist's robe, square glasses, and messy hair. He spread the aura of a rank-2 gu master as he walked up to the man, shouting, "This is an obstruction of business, either you leave or I'll call the guards!"

Bei Chu master showed a large grin, "Oh? Go ahead." he stated while stepping to the side, revealing a guard in a fresh uniform.

The guard standing there rolled his eyes before dramatically stating, "I see nothing wrong here, just normal everyday business." while fiddling with a sack of primeval stones openly.

Many of the people around gaped in astonishment at the blatant bribery. One murmured, "Does the man not care if he's found out, he along with his family would all be killed."

Another added, "I heard that if a guard is ever caught accepting a bribery, he'll be tortured, openly, at the inner square for all to see."

Grinding his teeth, Xie Ling stomped his foot, before pointing a finger at the man while shouting, "Let's just see how long your pockets can last!" He then turned around and walked back inside, while thinking to himself, "Let's hope this entity in the sky is as dumb as the people who watched this take place or too preoccupied with other things to care, like a powerful demon coming back to life."