Rank 2; Mysterious Hope

As an institution, Gu Yue Clan's factions possess a series of intricate rules. The main idea behind creating teams/factions is to cultivate an order of specialized Gu Worms that can alleviate one's weaknesses since Gu Cultivation is too resource-consuming.

Its four primary rules are—

First, a Gu Master must complete a mission once every month.

Second, a Gu Master of Rank 2 Cultivation can ignore the first rule once every year.

Third, a Gu Master must defer to his faction's leader to promote order.

And fourth, a Gu Master can only accept one mission at a time.

These primary rules further expand into delicate details built and studied since the Village's inception. However, these regulations favor the Faction's leader. A Gu Master's future in Qing Mao Mountain depends on their Superior—their political future.

An outsider like Lo Jik can effortlessly see through the frills of political glory. A Faction Leader practices his authority through personal evaluations submitted after each successful mission. Of course, such evaluations aren't everything since the Clan's Internal Affair Hall conducts regular inspections to control these leaders. But the Gu Masters of Qing Mao Mountain are afraid of being called wastrels.

After all, aside from slight fines, one may choose not to defer to their immediate superiors. Even these leaders will be helpless unless they invoke a Martial Trial. But nobody is foolish enough to go through such means for slight confrontations.

An ordinary faction leads their new teammates through their first mission after a few days to establish their dominance through superior means and experience. However, being the largest faction, Mo Yan's team doesn't leave for any mission immediately.

Her team is further divided into two groups of Seven Gu Masters. These two teams take turns accepting missions, allowing the other team plenty of time to recuperate after their missions. Of course, it also means Mo Faction earns slower than the rest. The two new teammates—Mo Bei and Lo Jik—are divided into these two teams, with Lo Jik entering the team without Mo Yan.

'If I were in an ordinary team, they wouldn't let me have this time to cultivate and enter Rank 2,' Lo Jik controls his Primeval Essence and lets it crash against the brilliant crystal wall. 'However, Mo Bei entered closed-door cultivation, allowing Mo Yan to use it as an excuse and let me try entering Rank 2, too.'

He smirks. Others believe he's a C-grade talent with 48% essence. It's not hard for a C-grader to enter Rank 2 through adequate Primeval Stones. However, things change at a higher level.

Why?

Lo Jik crinkles his brows, observing the thin cracks in the crystal wall recovering steadily!

Nurture the walls to advance in minor realms; Break the damn wall to step into next!

A Gu master nurtures his aperture wall from light to water, then stone and crystal. To enter the next stage, a Gu Master must break the heavily nurtured and pure crystal walls, devouring past efforts and birthing a stage to repeat the process.

*Crash*

*Crash*

*Crash*

'A Primeval Stone recovers 100% of Initial Stage Rank 1 Essence. If one calculates the amount of essence I've expended and the time it takes for a Peak Stage Rank 1 Gu Master to consume the stone… they'll realize a C-grade Gu Master can enter Rank 2 within 5 days with minimal rest. However, a fake A-grader like me with hundreds of Primeval Stones as disposable income…'

*Crack*

A soft sound echoes in his second aperture before the thin cracks in the Crystal wall widen, connecting with each other like spiderwebs as all of it comes tumbling down! Large shards of crystal wall wither into motes of soft white light, expanding and reforming the space around his aperture.

Lo Jik is familiar with this thin wall—Light Wall.

Meanwhile, within a hint of conspicuous red blooms in his waning Black-Green Essence!

Light-Red Primeval Essence!

Initial Stage Rank 2!

Lo Jik slowly opens his eyes, licking his dry lips.

'It took me 14 hours. Using the Light-Red Primeval Essence should reduce the required time by 3 times!' He calculates in his heart. It's only been a day since the competition. But Lo Jik doesn't feel complacent since advancing to Rank 2 is his most basic goal. He also must possess a Rank 2 Gu Master's 'output' within four days.

"Wait,' he suddenly frowns as he feels something amiss.

Lo Jik hurriedly concentrates upon his second aperture, watching the sun-like Hope Gu suddenly release a sharp glow! His breath hitches when he feels its aura transforming. Its breath changes as the usual Rank 1 Blood Python Gu coiled around it suddenly drops into the Primeval Sea with fear.

His heartbeat paces with the drumming sensation in his mind as his Vital Gu quietly advances a realm!

<<<>>>

Mo Yan frowns in dissatisfaction as she slams the door behind her. A wave of resentment fills her heart as she suppresses her rage against her Grandfather and Brother. Lo Jik's outstanding performance—his perseverance to reach Peak Stage Rank 1 Gu Worm or his match against Fang Yuan—enlightened Mo Yan on how far he was willing to train to prove himself to her.

Yet, she feels her advancement to the Upper Stage feels lacking in comparison. Mo Yan has always been fiercely competitive. She never felt this way for Lo Jik. However, Mo Yan can't help but curse herself for not trying her hardest to step into Peak Stage. She always had the resources for it, yet…

'I wanted to surprise him,' she purses her lips. 'Why won't I try and reciprocate his gesture? Why shouldn't he take me at my best? Our Family has two Red Steel Relic Gu Worms. One belongs to Grandfather, but he won't hand it over to me, saying he's saving it for Mo Bei once he advances to Upper Stage.'

'Aren't I already in the Upper Stage? Why can't Grandfather procure another one for Mo Bei later? It's not like he will advance to the Upper Stage soon.'

She grits her teeth.

Guilt fills her heart as she feels uneasy.

'I… will Lo Jik understand? He entered a closed-door cultivation and will likely advance to Rank 2. He kept his promise. No. He went above and beyond! If I reject his advances… No. He will understand.' She convinces herself. 'I- I'll have to avoid him for now. He may get angry. But trying and convince him to save ourselves till I reach Peak Stage might make him feel inadequate.'

How can Mo Yan not understand a Man's pride? Her Grandfather showers Mo Bei with the best stuff because he feels proud of her Little Brother's accomplishments.

However, Mo Yan's worries are more selfish.

'I'm afraid he would delay our promised time till he reaches Rank 2 Peak Stage cultivation if I admit my shortcomings to him,' Mo Yan slows down, feeling an aching need birth under her navel as her lower lips throb. 'I don't want to wait that long! Yes. It's final. I will avoid him and cultivate swiftly. I will surprise him once I reach Rank 2 Peak Stage!'

Her ears heat up at the thought. She's only felt it with her hands, that thick member of his.

'And he likes fondling my butt so much,' she huffs in exasperation. 'Maybe I should purchase 'THOSE' Gu to prepare a few things. But it's bad if I cut contact without any explanations. That's right. I can convey my intentions through my actions.' She doesn't worry Lo Jik won't see through her actions. He's always been smart and sensible to her.

<<<>>>

A Gu Master's cultivation revolves around nurturing, using, and refining Gu.

Gu!

A Gu Master's Primeval Essence is useless without Gu Worms. There's little difference between an Ordinary human and a Gu Master without Gu Worms. How can a Gu Master advance to Rank 2 without upgrading his Gu Worms?

A Gu Master's capabilities are directly linked with their Gu Worms. A Rank 1 Gu Master cannot properly wield a Rank 2 Gu Worm since its consumption is proportionate to a Rank 2 Gu Master. To use a Rank 2 Gu Worm as a Rank 1 Gu Master would be similar to an infant wielding a heavy broadsword. Meanwhile, a Rank 2 Gu Master using a Rank 1 Gu Worm is like an adult waving a toothpick.

A Gu Master and his Gu Worms must always be in balance.

Naturally, Lo Jik cannot continue using Rank 1 Gu Worms.

There are different ways to acquire Rank 2 Gu Worms—trading, discovering it in the wilds, and refining the Gu.

Now that Lo Jik is an official Gu Master, he can exchange Primeval Stones for Gu Worms. He can also refine them.

However, the Academy does not teach the students how to 'refine' a Gu.

This refinement does not relate to saturating a Gu with one's will and making it one's possession.

The reason is simpler than one might imagine—to incentivize the role of Faction Leaders—and promote discipline among the newbies. Faction leaders utilize the allure of refining a Gu to keep many Gu Masters in order.

To refine a Gu also means to fuse peculiar Gu Worms and create a better Gu Worm! For instance, fusing Rank 1 Moonlight Gu with two Little Light Gu Worms results in Rank 2 Moonglow Gu. Such recipes are taught in the Academy. However, the process of controlling Gu worms and refining them is left for Graduates to find themselves, encouraging the young, official Gu Masters to form connections with their seniors and develop a network of exchange.

Lo Jik—after reading three different journals and long conversations with Mo Yan—understands the premise of fusion. It's an integral part of Gu Master's cultivation since rare Gu Worms are not often present, and a Gu Master must refine a higher-ranked Gu Worm using weaker ones.

He's well-rested after a day's cultivation and prepared to advance his first Gu Worms.

'However, it won't be my first Rank 2 Gu Worm. Hope Gu is indeed mysterious. Not only does it awaken the aperture, but it somehow consumes the Aura of Resentment and advances with the second aperture.' Lo Jik frowns. Too much of something can be dangerous, and the mysteries surrounding his Second Aperture are starting to make him uncomfortable.

He exhales sharply, regathering his focus before glancing at three Gu worms on his mattress.

One is like a blue quartz shaped into a small crescent—Rank 1 Moonlight Gu.

The other two Gu Worms look like fingernail-sized five-pointed stars releasing a soft milky glow—Rank 1 Little Light Gu.

A grave expression flickers on Lo Jik's features. 'Rank 1 Moonlight Gu alongside two Rank 1 Little Light Gu Worms can combine into Rank 2 Moonglow Gu. It's one of the most popular offensive Rank 2 Gu in Gu Yue Village. However, the difficulty of refining this Gu is higher than others since a Gu master must control three Gu worms at once. I would opt for refining Jade Skin Gu with the White Boar Gu, resulting in a Rank 2 White Jade Gu. But those two Gu worms are rare. I risk destroying them if I fail during the process.'

Of course, Lo Jik can refine the Jade Skin Gu as the vital Gu for his first aperture. As long as Lo Jik lives, his Jade Skin Gu will survive. But he is unwilling to waste this slot on the Jade Skin Gu. Those three journals broadened his horizons, and now Lo Jik has some expectations from his cultivation.

He quietly focuses on the Moonlight Gu, letting his light-red essence leave his body in thin smoke, coiling around and making it float. Instead of letting out a moonblade as it would when spurned by Primeval Essence, the Gu Worm follows Lo Jik's commands, emitting a soft-blue hue that brightens steadily and soon encapsulates the Gu Worm.

An ordinary man will find a blue ball of light floating a few inches away from Lo Jik.

Yet, it's nothing like using a Gu Worm!

Lo Jik frowns, feeling… weird. He cannot describe the sensation of refining a Gu. Well, for one, it's a mysterious feeling. A Gu Master combining different Gu into something else is miraculous! It's similar to a few 'Alchemy' Traits from his Homeworld. However, Lo Jik doesn't let himself get distracted. The price of failing in refinement won't stop at damaged Gu worms but also self-injuries that may force him to recover for days! Instead, he slowly divides his attention, letting another thin, smoky stream of essence into one of the Little Light Gu worms.

Like before, Lo Jik manages to charge the intent of combination, forming a milky-white orb of energy around the Little Light Gu.

Unfortunately, as the third stream of essence reaches for the final Gu, his concentration slips, and the former two Gu Worms fall on the mattress.

This cannot even be called failing in refinement since Lo Jik didn't begin fusing the Gu.

'It's a level below failure,' Lo Jik mocks.

He isn't new to using multiple Gu worms. He used Instinct Gu and Moonlight Gu simultaneously while fighting against Fang Yuan, so he understood the difference in controlling different Gu to refine and use.

He wouldn't undersell himself. He failed because he wasn't used to the weird sensation.

How can he cultivate for hours without moving an inch if his concentration wasn't top-notch?

Undeterred by the failure, Lo Jik restarts the process with an expectant heart.

Refinement of Gu is filled with failures. It's said that a Gu Master may fail despite being perfect in their process.

Since there is an unavoidable element of failure in fusing and creating another Gu, the last thing Lo Jik is afraid of facing is the said setbacks!

A cold, blue glow illuminates his dim room again as Lo Jik steps into a new realm of cultivation!

<<<>>>

*Bang*

A white and blue light explodes. Two Gu worms fly from the point of explosion. One smacks against the nearby tree, falling weakly. The other one lands on Fang Zheng's lap. A wave of nausea hits Fang Zheng as he grits his jaw, enduring the feedback from failing to refine the Gu Worm.

"Take a deep breath," Gu Yue Bo guides. He encourages, "Fusing Gu Worms is never without risks. How can a Gu Master create a Gu worm without failure and risks? That is God's domain! You're performing well, Fang Zheng."

The youth doesn't say anything. Instead, Fang Zheng lowers his head, quietly picking up the Jade Skin Gu and retrieving his Moonlight Gu.

'Sigh,' Gu Yue Bo sighs internally. Losing to Lo Jik severely affected the boy. Gu Yue Bo can understand Fang Zheng's thoughts as he pats the boy's shoulder. "Victory and defeat are part of life, Fang Zheng. Learn from your losses, and they will never harm you again."

"Yes," Fang Zheng replies faintly before thinning his lips. "May I ask you something, Clan Leader?"

"Hmm? What is it?" Gu Yue Bo questions.

Fang Zheng was pale once he failed to fuse the Gu Worms. However, blood rushes to his cheeks as he lowers his head, muttering.

"I… we, ehm. Cui Cui and I were going to do that," he speaks vaguely. "But I couldn't… perform."

Gu Yue Bo's lips twitch constantly.

No wonder Fang Zheng cannot concentrate! Gu Yue Bo almost screams in his heart.

'Do I even have to guide Fang Zheng about that?' He sighs but keeps a confident attitude.

"Body and mind need to be balanced when performing such acts of intimacy, Fang Zheng. Instead of focusing on such things, regather your thoughts and form realizable goals. Once you achieve success and balance your heart, what is a mere servant girl, none may stop you." Gu Yue Bo reassuringly pats Fang Zheng's shoulder, noticing the complicated look on the boy's face once he called Shen Cui a servant.

The lass' schemes were easy to see for anyone with slight awareness. However, Fang Zheng was too attached to Shen Cui to realize the truth.

Gu Yue Bo wouldn't interfere in such matters. Love was, is, and will always be unreasonable, emerging from the strangest couplings! Gu Yue Bo might risk the boy's disloyalty If he unnecessarily interfered with Fang Zheng's emotional side.

He sees Fang Zheng off after a few more words.

Gu Yue Bo's warm smile slowly fades as the cold moonlight reflects on his impassive, aged face.

'Oh, Fang Zheng. Forgive me. But I wish I had another option.'

Every A-grade talent must be nurtured. However, Fang Zheng seems to get wrapped up in the meaningless things around him when he should focus on his cultivation.

'Now he has to worry about his Erectile Dysfunction?' Bo heaves deeply. 'I'll just have Qing Shu spike Fang Zheng's food with some 'spice.''

He lied to Fang Zheng before. The best way to deal with such problems is quickly getting them out of the system. Gu Yue Bo knows Fang Zheng's efficiency will skyrocket once he sleeps with that lass.

<<<>>>

*Drip* *Drip* *Drip* *Drip*

Sweat drips down from the tip of his nose and chin despite the snow outside as heavy body odor saturates his bedroom. Indifferent to it, Lo Jik quietly concentrates and wills three orbs of light to fuse. A spectator will instantly note the difference since Lo Jik lets the two milky-white orbs fuse together, enlarging them to match the blue orb's size and intensity before fusing them!

The mystical light does not explode. Instead, it stabilizes into a watery-blue orb.

Lo Jik's gaze intensifies as he slowly tosses a Primeval Stone into the light. Surprisingly, the stone does not phase past the light and gets consumed by it, leaving a small stream of crumbling dust. He continues tossing Primeval Stones into the light.

2…

5…

11…

The orb's glow sharpens with each stone fed.

27…

58…

146…

A qualitative change ensues as the watery orb begins flashing.

A connection with a new Gu worm replaces Lo Jik's connection with the Moonlight and the two Little Light Gu worms.

The orb condenses and steadily descends on Lo Jik's palm, revealing a crescent-shaped, water-like crystalline Gu. Its size is twice the Moonlight Gu, emitting cold gleams.

Rank 2 Moonglow Gu!

Lo Jik wipes the sweat off his brows, relaxing with a heave.

'Too close!' he groans. 'Moonlight Gu almost died. However, the journals and Mo Yan's advice worked well, letting me avoid several issues. This world should adopt a more practical study environment than promoting propaganda.' He sighs. Who was he kidding? This world is driven individualistically despite the facade of the group environment. Nobody wants to see others grow stronger and stomp them.

He slumps back, letting the Moonglow Gu return to his right palm.

'Moonglow Gu consumes 40 Moon Orchid petals per week. The consumption is almost twice that of Moonlight Gu, but I only need to feed it once. It's a trend of increasing costs. Although I won't have to worry about nurturing the Gu, I must keep many sources open. Moonlight Gu almost cost me 3 stones a week. Moonglow costs me 4 stones. The price difference is negligent ONLY because Moon Petal Orchid is Gu Yue Clan's specialty and is available in loads. If I refine the Gu into Rank 3, it'll need food every few weeks and may cost me between 50-100 stones!'

Lo Jik quietly calculates.

'I got one Little Light for free as a reward for winning the competition. The other one cost me 120 stones. I spent 150 stones to advance to Rank 2. The cost would have been many times more if I was a C-grader. Since Aperture walls recover, a Gu Master must balance the time spent breaking the wall and recovering essence. It's simple for an A-grader to surpass this issue due to the quantity of their essence. However, things won't be simple for Rank 3 and higher. The quality of aperture walls increases after every Major Breakthrough, multiplying its recovery time by several times! Sigh, it will be a costly affair. Not to mention, I spent almost 200 stones successfully refining the Moonglow Gu. However, there were also failures, and I lost about 80 stones.'

He eventually sat up and counted his disposable income—3409 Stones.

'I should wash up,' he realizes belatedly.

'Then I must meet my new team,' he sighs.

***

Alternate Title: The Clan's Control; Information is Power; Advancing; A New Path of Development; Refining; Fusing; Not Gods; Mo Yan's Anger; She Likes What She Feels; Frustration; Deciding To Avoid; Negligent Cost?; Moonglow; Failure and Success; Walking Ahead, Not Looking Back; A Child's Play; Fang Zheng Do Be Traumatized; Talents' Use; Weewee Not Working?; No Bitches?; Gu Yue Bo is Tired