Chapter 23 Introduction To Space Path

"The Space Path focuses on a myriad number of applications and techniques. There are Gu which can compress space, making it more compact, shortening the distance between two points. And there are also Gu which can extend space, expanding it, increasing the distance between two points. There are... yes Little Yuan?".

Xuanyuan blinked, not fully comprehending that last part.

"I... understand that space can be expanded, like Pocket Toad Gu or Kangaroo Pouch Gu, but that doesn't create space does it? It just expands it. Can one... create space using Space Path Gu?".

Elder Luo nodded, albeit haphazardly.

"As far as I am aware, it is possible, but I cannot say how. It is not possible with mortal Gu. Perhaps there is an Immortal Gu which can create space, but I am not a Gu Immortal, so I cannot validate this claim... Now, as I was saying, space can also be pulled and pushed, which is similar to compression and expansion, but using only a single point and no apparent end point...".

Elder Luo had been completely serious when he said to Xuanyuan that he would teach him the Space Path. Xuanyuan's talent was enough for him to comprehend additional Paths to supplement his understanding of the Shadow Path, albeit those Paths with common synergy with Shadow Path, like Light Path and Dark Path.

To Xuanyuan, to comprehend Shadows, it made sense to comprehend Light and Dark. Shadows could not be created without either.

He had researched Moon Path and Poison Path Gu and Gu materials, but did not advance his attainment in either during his deductions. Xuanyuan had attended classes for the Wisdom Path and the Refinement Path, however, considered both as supplementary to his Shadow Path. 

Wisdom Path was a potential sub-Path waiting to be explored, but he restrained himself, still digesting the knowledge he had obtained from Long Xi and Yu Zhong Er. Wisdom Path Gu Immortals excelled in deduction, which Xuanyuan could appreciate, and they weren't necessarily weak in battle either.

But in the face of Star Constellation, excelling in the Wisdom Path was just asking to be lackluster in comparison.

Space Path, was a great alternative, considering that Thieving Heaven Demonic Venerable wouldn't return like Star Constellation, Giant Sun, Paradise Earth or Limitless.

"As I was saying, the manipulation of space such as extension or compression rely upon two points. Pulling and pushing rely upon a single point. Points in space can be determined by Gu in the beginning, but most Space Path Gu Masters can develop a kind of sixth sense to these kinds of things. In fact, when I was younger...".

This was the first time he explored a Path independent of the Shadow Path. 

The Space Path was beyond interesting to Xuanyuan. 

It didn't quite click for him in the same way that the Shadow Path did for him, however having an actual teacher made up for the difference. 

The Space Path, in terms of Elder Luo's understanding, revolved around a few major concepts.

Spatial Expansion.

Spatial Compression.

Spatial Connection.

And Spatial Destruction.

The first two were relatively simple. Defining a certain area, and then compression the space and making it smaller, or expanding the space and making it bigger. Like stretching a rubber band or filling up a balloon, and thinking of the inflating air as space.

It was the most commonly found form of Space Path Gu. It allowed Gu Masters to store large amounts of materials or objects within a small defined space, or expand an area allowing it to fit more of something. 

Economically, both were crucial in the transport of storage of Gu and Gu materials.

Spatial Connection the other hand, was about moving through space. 

Connecting two points in space, and then either creating a gap in space between them, or folding space and reducing the distance that way. That was a little more difficult, but there were Gu which could teleport someone or even create a short wormhole for others to move between.

And lastly, and most interestingly was... Spatial Destruction.

This focused mainly on the concept of breaking space in order to perform certain actions. 

Severing space and cutting it off from the rest of the World.

Cracking space, revealing gaps and cracks in the World.

Piercing space, ignoring the defenses of an object or individual and directly striking a target.

These were some of the most insane things Xuanyuan had ever heard in terms of offensive capabilities. The Shadow Path, which excelled in concealment, reflection and obfuscation had no extreme offensive power against anything other than Shadows.

The damage taken by a shadow was reflected on an individual, but in terms of higher tier concepts, Xuanyuan had to figure it out for himself.

With Elder Luo's teachings, Xuanyuan could directly access these higher tier comprehensions, broadening his perspective on the Space Path an enormous deal!

"I primarily focus on Spatial Expansion and Spatial Cracking myself. I find the former quite valuable for storing objects, while the latter... is a personal enjoyment of mine. Spatial cracking... is quite effective against illusions you see?".

Xuanyuan blinked, again not fully understanding.

Elder Luo just smiled shaking his head.

"I'll just show you Little Yuan. Spatial Cracking affects space, while illusions affect the Mind through perspective or through the senses. However... with just a little bit of ingenuity, and a couple Gu, one can do something like this with it".

Elder Luo raised his arm slightly, before smashing it into something beside him. His arm swinging, hitting nothing but air until...

A resounding gong echoed throughout his residence, earning a faint yelp from one of the nearby maids. Xuanyuan's eyes nearly bulged watching, as a series of spider-like cracks appeared where Elder Luo's fist came into contact with solid space.

Peering into the cracks, revealed a hidden flowerpot, obscured by some unknown Path Gu.

"Spatial Cracking creates minute cracks in solid space. An illusion affects the perceptions or the senses, and will remain unaffected by these cracks. However, illusions designed to conceal will actually adapt to the change in space, but will do so from every perspective all at once. In doing so, the image of the hidden object will... fragment from your perspective, creating a kaleidoscope of color and illusions".

One could essentially "crack" an illusion open with Spatial Cracking. It didn't work on all Illusion Path techniques, however those designed with multiple perspectives or senses in mind were weak in terms of their resistance to spatial cracking.

It opened up a whole new world for Xuanyuan to explore.

Xuanyuan's comprehension of concept of space was extremely influenced from his previous life. Anime that he had watched, and games that he had played influenced his conceptual understanding of the Gu World and his own comprehensions on what defined a Path. Science too, played a part, albeit comparatively lackluster considering his limited understanding of the subject.

Space was something that was constantly expanding. The mass of an object creates a gravitational pull, and slowly draws things with a lesser gravitational pull into it. Despite this however, the universe was constantly expanding.

The "space" in the universe was growing with every passing moment. 

Xuanyuan wasn't sure if this was the same in the Gu World, but if it was, then there was some sort of catalyst, or force which constantly produces this expansion effect.

"Master... how big is the Gu World? I only have the Legend Of Ren Zu as an example of how wide the Gu World is, but has it... grown smaller, considering that Gu Immortals can take sections of the World and incorporate it into their aperture?".

Elder Luo blinked for a moment before scrunching up his face slightly showing a hesitant expression.

"I... do not know the complexities of Blessed Lands and how they can incorporate resource points into the Gu Immortals Blessed Lands, however usually in times of great upheaval, the natural Dao Marks of the World become... excitable? They collide against each other, sometimes producing enormous catastrophes while other times, usually when Space Dao Marks are present, they theoretically can produce space from nothing".

"There are legends that "space" is actually produced by Space Gu, which is located within the Space Cave. Space Gu was mentioned in the Legend Of Ren Zu as the Gu which births empty space. In some cases, when Space Door opens, great swathes of empty space spill out of Space Cave, filling the Gu World with more space. It is part of the reason why Black and White Immemorial Heaven and the Five Regions are so big. It has absorbed all of the new empty space produced for the seven other destroyed Heavens".

Xuanyuan nodded.

Space Gu, a Gu mentioned in the Legend of Ren Zu produces Empty Space. It was space with no Dao Marks, which could later then be filled by the ambient Dao Marks which spill over into the empty space.

That was Xuanyuan's understanding of the Gu at least.

Theoretically, if a Gu Immortal was in possession of Space Gu, they could use it to create empty space within their Blessed Land, expanding it endlessly to the size of a Grotto Heaven, even as a Rank 6 Gu Immortal.

Of course, that was on the provision that one could somehow reach the Space Cave, let alone find and refine Space Gu. A place which only a single person in recorded history had managed to enter. 

"Little Yuan, here, refine these two Gu. One is Rank 1 and the other is Rank 2".

Elder Luo handed Xuanyuan two Gu, one shaped like a small beetle, the other, a butterfly with wings that were translucent, yet shone with different colors from different angles.

"The little beetle, is a Rank 1 Push Space Gu. Essentially, once you activate the Gu you can generate a pushing force from your hand. It actively repels objects that attempt to come into contact with your hand. It is considered a defensive type Gu, but possesses an equal amount of offensive potential".

"The butterfly with the unique wings on the other hand is Rank 2 Thick Space Gu. It essentially compresses space to the point where it becomes an almost tangible substance. It doesn't prevent you from being hit but can slow down strikes if they pass through the condensed space. The condensed space is about the size of a head and roughly doubles the thickness of space within the area".

"Thick Space Gu is remarkably useful when combined with martial arts. It can be used to give a Gu Master more time to react to an oncoming attack. Not to mention it Thick Space Gu affects all forms of physical attacks, making it remarkably useful towards the vast majority of low Ranked Gu. Shadow Path Gu are the exception to this rule, as is something like Time Path or Soul Path".

Xuanyuan glanced at the two Gu, before lifting his head, seeing Elder Luo smile at him, gesturing for him to take them.

The otherworldly demon could see the earnest look on his Masters face, before giving him a deep bow, taking the two Gu.

"Thank you Master, I... I don't know what to-".

Elder Luo cut him off, shaking his head, smiling that Xuanyuan took his gift.

"There is nothing to say, Little Yuan. I know that this year has been... hard on you, Elder Huo's brat hasn't made things any easier either. As an Elder, I should be impartial and unbiased towards all disciples within the Sect, but, I turned a blind eye to the other Elders who favored their own disciples and descendants over the laws of the Sect".

"I wasn't sure how to reward you or praise you without breaking the rules of the Sect. Words and books can only go so far, while other Elders are giving their children and grandchildren Relic Gu and Liquor Worms. I know that Elder Kong gave me permission to teach you my legacy, the accumulation of my knowledge in the Space Path, but before that, I felt that I wasn't truly your Master. That there was nothing I could give you other than the books in your room or the advice any Elder could give you".

"But now... I feel as though my life has meaning. I have found an extraordinary talent and have pushed him on a Path that will allow him to become a paragon for the righteous path. I have done something... incredible, and by pushing myself to new heights, I can uplift this disciple of mine higher, towards the absolute apex of this World".

Elder Luo placed a hand on Xuanyuan's shoulder, if Elder Kong was here, he would sense that the human qi around Elder Luo had thickened ever so slightly.

"If you desire the Truth Xuanyuan, then I shall push you until you stand beside the titans of this World. If you desire to become a Venerable, then I shall endeavor to illuminate your path as much as possible, before my own light is snuffed out".