Chapter 5 Shadow Path

"... make sure that you take into account the swell of your primeval essence while cultivating. Crashing your primeval essence against your aperture walls is manageable with lower counts of primeval essence, but with a large primeval essence sea like yours, the waves can often overpower you if you are not being careful".

Xuanyuan nodded at Elder Luo's words.

"Yes Master. But something like that should become more manageable as I cultivate more right? Primeval essence will be used to refine the walls, and the waves should drop lower as I expend more primeval essence right?".

Elder Luo smiled, stroking his beard softly.

"That is why the method of manipulating primeval essence is so important. Adjusting for the size of the waves and their intensity can actually help assist in cultivation, rather than be a hinderance. But again, this all takes time and practice Little Yuan".

Xuanyuan let out a breath of turbid air, feeling the sensation of primeval essence within his aperture.

'I don't remember the exact amount of time, but Fang Yuan, with his 44% primeval essence sea, and a Rank 1 Liquor Worm Gu managed to become an Initial Rank 2 Gu Master within the span of a single year. I can cultivate with more than twice as much primeval essence, and my primeval essence regenerates more than twice as quick. Even without a Liquor Worm Gu, I should be able to reach Rank 2 within the same amount of time right?'.

Fang Yuan had the advantage of not having to learn how to cultivate in his second life, but Xuanyuan had a Talent that was only exceeded by the Ten Extreme Physiques.

'Fang Yuan should be the standard by which I evaluate myself. His attainments gained through the Dream Realms aside, all Venerables require a certain level of attainment in their main Path and their sub Path in order to become a Venerable. If I want to become a Venerable, I should hold myself to the same standard'.

Xuanyuan didn't have to worry about not being fated to become a Rank 9 Gu Immortal. He was already half an otherworldly demon, and once Fate Gu was destroyed, he, alongside any other Rank 8 Gu Immortals could ascend to Rank 9 without having to worry about Fate Gu intervening.

Xuanyuan had already been in the Ancient Soul Sect for more than a week now, and had started refining his aperture walls under Elder Luo's guidance. Memorizing the method of cultivation, in accordance to the ways of the Ancient Soul Sect was his number one priority at the moment.

If he couldn't learn how to cultivate, nurturing and refining Gu would be a distant dream, even with all his advantages.

'Not to mention...', Xuanyuan glanced at the small leather pouch placed beside him, filled to the brim with small stones. Each of the stones was a grey-white colour, each no larger than the size of a ducks egg.

Xuanyuan knew each of the stones to be a primeval essence stone. The bag was filled to the brim with these stones, and Elder Luo mentioned that another similar sized bag would be available to him once he reached the Middle Rank 1 Gu Master stage.

The reincarnated man couldn't help but laugh after remembering how Fang Yuan extorted his Clan members for primeval essence stones, and he was just given them, without having to earn or fight for them.

'This is the difference between the Righteous and the Demonic Paths. I can see why the former is so popular, despite the latter giving the greatest benefits'.

The Demonic Path risked one's life for the greatest benefits. Xuanyuan could see the appeal through Fang Yuan's eyes, but from the perspective of an ordinary Gu Master like himself, the Righteous Path provided a more stable method of cultivation.

'I do need to learn how to fight though. I guess that's just another thing that I need to learn how to do...'.

Xuanyuan looked down at a book sitting in front of him. Elder Luo hadn't held anything back from him and provided him with a list of known Paths in the Current Era. It listed several recommendations for Gu for beginners as well as explanations on the Paths themselves.

Needless to say, for a Rank 1 Gu Master, this book was beyond a treasure.

"Blade Path: Suitable for those with a resolute and straightforward personality. Associated Gu include Crimson Blade Gu, Shadowless Blade Gu, Mantis Blade Gu, Formless Blade Gu, and Water Blade Gu. Focuses primarily on ranged attacks and possesses remarkable similarity with Sword Path".

"Bone Path: Suitable with those who can withstand pain, are decisive with their decisions, and do not care about appearances. Associated Gu include Bone Armor Gu, Bone Shield Gu, Tiger Bone Gu, Skeleton Solider Gu, and Water Bones Gu. Focuses primarily on the creation and manipulation of external bones, possesses above average defensive qualities".

"Fire Path: Suitable for those with a temper, whom can channel their emotions into their actions. Associated Gu include Fireball Gu, Lava Stream Gu, Ghostfire Gu, Lunar Flame Gu, and Phoenix Feather Gu. Focuses primarily on the offensive qualities, possesses one of the strongest offensive might of all Paths in the current Era".

"Ice Path: Suitable for those who prefer logic and rationality over emotions and feelings. Associated Gu include Ice Lance Gu, Frozen Stream Gu, Frozen Blood Gu, Chilling Sword Gu, and Ice Storm Gu. Focuses primarily on the defensive and control properties of ice, capable of debilitating opponents. However, possesses above average offensive capabilities".

"Moon Path: Suitable for those with a more subdued personality, not necessarily passive, but flowing and bending. Associated Gu include Lunar Wind Gu, Illusionary Moon Gu, Moon Stream Gu, Eclipse Gu, and Moonlight Gu. Focuses primarily on aspects of the moon, changing in effects and intensity depending on the phase. However, it can display synergy with multiple other Paths".

Xuanyuan even read some other Paths that he had never seen before in his previous world.

"Sun Path: Suitable for those with a more outgoing personality, not necessarily overbearing, but boundless in energy. Associated Gu include Solar Flare Gu, Suntouched Gu, Sunlight Gu, Burning Sun Gu, and Summer Daze Gu. Focuses primarily on offensive abilities, however displays remarkable synergy with other Paths".

"Yin Path: Suitable for those with a compatible partner walking the opposing Path. Associated Gu include Yin Flame Gu, Yin Blood Gu, Ebony Ghost Gu, Shadow Yang Gu, and Cold Burning Yin Gu. Focuses primarily on supporting aspects. The majority of associated Gu are relating to ghosts or for dual cultivation. This Path provides the greatest strength while in contact with someone with the Yang Path".

The Yang Path was listed near the end of the book, alongside other Paths such as Archery Path, Spear Path, Paper Path and even something as obscure as Curse Path all existed within the Gu World.

Archery Path and Spear Path was a sub-path of Weapon Path.

Paper Path was related to the Information Path and the Wood Path, albeit without any explanation as to why.

While the Curse Path was a sub-path of Dark Path. It seemed the most obscure of all the unknown Paths, and was similar to Wisdom Path in practice, but with much more offensive capabilities.

Xuanyuan considered asking Elder Luo about the Curse Path, but noticed a red dot next to quite a few different Paths. Including Blood Path and Bone Path.

'Ah. These are the Paths that will get you wanted by the Ten Great Sects. Practicing them, due to their... dubious nature is against the Righteous Path, and as such, against the Ten Great Sects. I wouldn't be surprised in the Heavenly Court kills all cultivators of these Paths, and then takes their immortal aperture for themselves...'.

Xuanyuan let out a small sigh, flicking through the pages of the book before gradually coming to a halt on a particular page. Despite the fact that there was barely any information on this particular Path, a sense of familiarity bubbled up from deep within Xuanyuan's bones.

"Shadow Path: Suitable for those who prefer to observe and deceive rather than openly combat. Associated Gu include Shadowed Image Gu, Extended Shadow Gu, Umbral Gu, Phantom Shadow Gu, Illusory Shadow Gu. Focuses on projecting illusions and fighting with conjured shadows. Shows synergy with several Paths".

Xuanyuan had noticed this particular Path straight away, and couldn't forget about it no matter how many other Paths he read about.

There was something about it that, in his mind, screamed at him.

Letting out a sigh, Xuanyuan broke his cross-legged position, laying down and stretching his legs out fully.

"Shadow Path... It doesn't have any direct combat applications like Fire Path or Sword Path, but if I remember correctly, it was stated that it has the potential to exceed the two Paths that it stems from. Shadows cannot be created without Light, yet resemble the Dark more closely in colour, shape and form...".

It seemed interesting.

The Dark Path focused on obfuscation and concealment, shrouding oneself from their enemies. It possesses some anti-divination or scrying capabilities, but also possessing strong offensive capabilities through its corrupting nature.

Darkness acted like a cancer; spreading, growing, rotting. It didn't possess any healing capabilities as far as Xuanyuan was aware, but still behaved similar to offensive Wood Path and Poison Path Gu.

Light Path on the other hand, seemed to focus on notions such as illumination, speed and the colour spectrum. Light Path was the antithesis of Dark Path, but behaved similarly. It spread as far as it could possibly reach, burning and searing those touched by it. It was one of the fastest Paths in terms of speed, directly beside Space Path and Lightning Path.

What made it interesting, was the colour spectrum concepts.

The light from the Immemorial Antiquity Era had long since faded from the Gu World. Some ancient existences still possessed traces of the light, but it no longer occurred naturally in the Gu World. These variations of light were caused by the white light from Fire Gu passing through the Immemorial Nine Heavens, refracting and absorbing light before arriving in the Gu World.

Different coloured lights had different effects, some could heal, others move faster, and some possessed stronger offensive capabilities.

"If Shadow Path contains aspects of both, and can merge them, it means that the potential of Shadow Path is much greater than either Dark Path or Light Path. But how can a shadow, a formless reflection, be greater than either Darkness or Light?".

Xuanyuan shook his head before closing the book and pushing it to the side. Thoughts like this often came to him, but more often than not, led him astray from what he was trying to achieve.

"As much as I'd like to sit down and research the Shadow Path, my cultivation takes priority at the moment. I can ask Elder Luo about the Shadow Path and see if my first Gu can be a Shadow Path Gu. Increasing my familiarity with such a Gu should hopefully increase my understandings of the basics of Shadow Path".

Xuanyuan grabbed another primeval essence stone and guided the energy within it directly into his primeval essence sea. Using the rotation of the waves to crash against his aperture walls, his primeval essence slowly refined the energy within the primeval essence stone gradually hardening his aperture walls.

His comprehension and manipulation over his primeval essence was increasing with every passing day. He was an adult who had obtained the body of a fifteen year old. Mood swings aside, he wasn't so weak minded as to stop cultivating due to some distracting thoughts.

Calming himself, and steadying his breathing, Xuanyuan watched as his primeval essence surged, the light of his aperture walls gradually becoming more and more stable with every passing moment.

Unbeknownst to Xuanyuan, a faint black wisp happily floated around his body. Unable to open his eyes while cultivating, Xuanyuan couldn't see the familiar black wisp, dancing around his body, unable to exist outside of the light.

This little black wisp just happily floated around Xuanyuan, before dipping back silently into his shadow.

Xuanyuan's shadow stretched a little bit further out, although the sun was still high in the air, barely even midday yet.