chapter 22 Getting stronger

Dust fell from my hands as what was once a primeval essence stone now became dust. I could feel that I was on the verge of breaking through to peak stage. If I wanted to I could probably do it right now, but why would I risk doing that out here in the wild. I stood up and my human self handed back the gu I lent it so he could guard me as I cultivated.

I the took back in my human self and learned of the location of the armored crab beast king. I then made my way to where he was, after sparring with the crab to my limits I would leave and rest. I made sure to let out my featherman self out to keep track of the beast king though. The armored crab wasn't known for its speed so it never went to far. I would have my featherman self come and report on its location from time to time. Thanks to this method I was able to fight the armored crab beast king again and again.

I had been fighting him for around two weeks. It was a huge help in learning how to control my physical strength, but what really helped me do so was self-being gu. Both during and after my fights I was able to analyze myself in combat. It helped me realize that I should start lower. So I only fought with half my variant human strength, and as I got better at handling my self I would add a variant human strength. I've gotten to the point that even though I haven't fully mastered the control of my strength. I've definitely reached the point where I won't disturb me to much in a fight.

After a couple minutes of running I found the armored crab beast king again. My featherman self flew down from the sky and I took him back in. I looked at the over glorified punching bag I've been beating up. The rank 2 gu he had technically grew his shell out and made it better. That's why it was able to fix all the damage I've given it, but it wasn't perfect. Eventually its shell grew to big for its body, normally when a crabs grew bigger than its shell it would molt. So I'm guessing that all it would have to do is molt to make sure it's big shell didn't get in the way, but since I've made it move from its territory and got rid of it's underlings. I'm guessing it not doing it because it doesn't feel safe.

Well good thing for you I plan on turning you in and returning back to the clan. With it's shell hindering its movements making the fights to easy and now with me on the edge of reaching peak stage. It makes no sense to stay here anymore.

I jumped up on the armored crab beast king and smashed the area around the gu on it. Once it was smashed I peeled off the barnacle gu that was on it. Then I took out a sword and chopped off part of it claws so that it couldn't fight back, and lastly I took out a huge net and covered it with it. I then went underneath and picked it up then activating jab gu I made my way back to the clan. As for anything that got in my way like trees well I had the perfect battering ram in hand.

I didn't want to spend the night outside while keeping the armored crab beast king in check. So I made full use of beggar moth gu to activate jab gu and since I didn't have to worry about what was infront of me I made quick progress. Near the end of the day Hu clan was within eyesight.

I turned in the now shattered shell armored crab and earned 2 thousand primeval essence stones. As for the gu I took it back home with me as I don't know what's its called and don't want to be under paid.

As I entered my home I sat down, I released my refiner will and gave him his body as well as my human self and dragonman self. So that they could make my meal and some tea. I then took out one of my many books that had information on gu. Trying to find out what this rank 2 gu was called and it's worth.

Initel's will[ the gu's called shell growth, since it's not refined I'd say you should be able to get about 250 primeval essence stones from it.]

Across from me sat at the other end of my table was Initel's will. It wasn't there earlier but now it was, she must have been on me and slipped out when I wasn't looking.

Shu[ thank you, and I'm sure you might know this but I plan on reaching peak stage soon. Then I'll attempt to breakthroughs to rank 3.]

Initel's will looked at me and smiled

Initel's will[ I know, I look forward to it]

I refilled beggar moth and after eating I decided to sleep. To prepare myself mentally for my breakthrough. The next day after a large meal I took out my primeval essence stones and started to cultivate. With the help of my wills in my head and heart I had an easier time cultivating and refilling my primeval sea essence with the stones.

In this state I quickly lost track of time, but the process was smooth thanks to the abundance of primeval essence stones. Finally I felt a change in my aperture as my dark green primeval sea essence no longer refilled but as I used a primeval essence stone my aperture now filled in with a black green primeval sea essence. I had successfully reached rank 2 peak stage.

With that done I stopped all my thoughts and just rested. When I opened up my eyes my human self was infront of me. I knew he had some information to give me so I recalled my will back into my mind. Oh my clothes are finally done, I made my way to my closet and put on my new clothes. Ever since I saw that my will's had the purple robe and that even my variant selfs would be wearing the same thing. I decided to have the clothes custom made for me, If I just wanted the color it would have been done a long time ago, but I needed utility too. The fabric was made from certain materials that made it very durable, it also had several pockets on the inside. So that I could place weapons and tools inside. As great as well stored gu is its still best to have things on me and available. A normal person wouldn't be able to carry much but with my strength I could carry lots without a problem.

I paid a hefty price for it and for just four sets too, but now people won't be able to tell by sight who's who between myself and my variant selfs. After filling in its pockets I decided to rest for the day and attempt my breakthrough tomorrow.

....

After proper rest and preparation I started my breakthrough. The beginning was similar to my breakthrough to peak stage, but soon I felt a difference. As if I was always just one step away from progressing. As if I took one step but needed two no matter how hard I tried I couldn't compensate for the difference. This was the difference between cultivation talents. Had I been a b grade talent I could probably barely keep up, after feeling this difference I finally decided to use beggar moth gu.

After using my extra primeval sea essence stored inside of beggar moth gu I finally felt like I was making the progress that I so needed. Whenever my primeval sea essence wasn't restored quick enough I would use the primeval sea essence in beggar moth gu to keep up. I wasn't sure how long I was in this state but just as the wall of my aperture finally cracked I decided to go all out and use all of my primeval sea essence to focus on the cracks. In my actions the walls cracked even further till the walls were no longer crystal like but now a light membrane.

Success I had managed to breakthrough to rank 3, but unlike when I broke through to peak stage where I was mentally exhausted. This time I actually fell asleep because of my extreme exhaustion, when I woke up I was in my bed. With my human self holding a tray with a glass of fruit juice and cookies. After eating my fill I went into the my courtyard and sat down infont of Initel's will.

Initel's will[ about time you've reached rank 3, all the others in the clan who are gonna participate in the competition have long reached rank 3, but I suppose your rank doesn't effect your strength to much. Well atleast you've reached it all on your own unlike most.]

I looked into my aperture to see a light red steel primeval sea essence. Then I took out well stored gu and brought out a token.

Shu[ the clan said I could give this to a refinement master and they could refine a gu free of charge for me. Would you accept this?]

Initel's will[ and your sure you want me to refine a gu for you, I don't specialize in refinement. Arnt you afraid of wasting this token.]

Shu[ what is your attainment in refinement path?]

Initel's will[ don't worry about it.]

Shu[ I don't think an immortal should have much difficulty in refining a rank 3 gu if they gave it their all, and besides this gu greatly affects my strength.]

Initel's will[ alright alright I know what you want. I was just teasing you but your no fun. Hand over beggar moth gu and the token, I'll send it over to my main body.]

Shu[ Thank you]

I gave her both the gu and my token, who would be best to refine my gu and make sure it doesn't fail than her. She's my master and she wants me to preform well in the competition, and the clan can't say anything about her doing it either since I earned it with the token.

Initel's will[ their I sent it over, now what do you plan on doing.]

I took out from my aperture a tick with only four limbs but its dark back end had a stinger and instead of two antenna it had two mandibles.

Shu[ the same thing I've always been doing.... getting stronger.]