Bai La wasn't the only sect member to leave Hu Immortal Blessed Land. Several disciples left the blessed land and many more earned sect contribution points with the sole purpose of entering Hu Immortal Blessed Land and enjoy the benefits of Guts Gu so the traffic of disciple remained more than usual since Spirit Affinity House began investing in the blessed land and develop it.
However, this traffic of disciples never involved movement through the main continent. Qing Lao, one of Ju Lin's many suitors, found himself in the middle of the row of inner disciples leaving Hu Immortal Blessed Land. His expression remained unreadable as other younger and somewhat inexperienced inner disciples cast curious glances his way. Most outer disciples weren't like Ju Lin and could not afford a longer stay in Dang Hun City for a longer extent, but disciples of Qing Lao's caliber were different. Not only was Qing Lao an affluent gu master but he was older than he looked. His competitors often jeered him for being worthless despite living for two hundred years. There were even rumors that Qing Lao's mysterious life extension method left complications and stunted his cultivation.
But these days Qing Lao attracted his peer's attention due to his rising obsession with refinement path. Like several other disciples, Qing Lao also tried getting employed under Lo Jik and get closer to Ju Lin. However, he too failed. Lo Jik did not accept anyone other than his rumored lovers and wives—prompting other reputed disciples to crown him with an ill-reputed title.
Meanwhile, Qing Lao spent every moment practicing refinement of gu worms and acquiring more knowledge about obscure materials on the brink of extinction. Others began making fun of him for such an act, saying that his old age finally caused him to go senile. Qing Lao knew better. Everyone wanted to uncover more information and find the truth about his sudden obsession with refinement path. Many disciples guessed it had something to do with Qing Lao's desire to impress Lo Jik and Ju Lin.
Either way, Qing Lao's decision to leave Dang Hun City was a notable event in some circles, especially among the disciples pursuing Ju Lin.
The row of disciples neared the large mound stretching upward from the ground. It was a large mouth.
Rank 5 Hole Earth Gu.
Hole Earth Gu could instantly connect two blessed lands just like Connecting Heaven Gu allowed a blessed land to connect with a grotto heaven. And just like Connecting Heaven Gu, Hole Earth Gu could barely be maintained by a peak stage rank 5 gu master for a few seconds at best. The disciples manning the Hole Earth Gu and noting the other disciples leaving or entering were rank 4 experts at best with one elder always stationed in the nearby house gu in case of any emergency.
They couldn't operate rank 5 Hole Earth Gu, and they didn't need to. A blessed land possessed virtually endless primeval essence with a single immortal essence. It was Little Hu's task to manipulate Hole Earth Gu and let the disciples enter or leave the blessed land in specific time daily.
Qing Lao, among others, sensed slight tremors as they paused and watched the large mound protruding from the ground shake visibly. The mound split apart into two distinct lip-like shapes—a bottom and an upper lip each—till the landmark spread further and revealed a gaping pit leading into darkness.
Under the lead of a select few elite disciples, Qing Lao and other inner disciples entered the pitch-black hole until they felt a platform under their feet. The disciples could not use other gu worms inside the tunnel to illuminate their paths and shifted in discomfort. The insides were not only dark but strangely damp with an earthen scent, as if they were truly walking within a throat formed by earth itself. However, the stream of disciples had already experienced this sensation before and moved in an orderly fashion before reaching the end of the tunnel bathed in light.
As they neared the end, each disciple was subjected to a strange force propelling them to the light overhead and expelling them out of the tunnel.
*Phoo*
Qing Lao sprang out of the other side of Hole Earth Gu with a conspicuous spitting noise before elegantly landing on the floor. The edges of his green and white robes ruffled in the gentle wind cushioning his landing.
He was back in the sect's public blessed land.
*Phoo*
*Phoo*
*Phoo*
*Phoo*
The same spitting sound kept echoing in the humongous hall. Several Hole Earth Gu had their mouths protruding inside the hall. Strangely enough, none allowed a gu master through their lips and only spat others out in regular intervals.
Hole Earth Gu came in pairs, allowing two blessed lands to transfer goods and people alike. However, this transfer only occurred in one direction—from the sub gu to main gu. So, returning to Hu Immortal Blessed Land entailed entering a different Hole Earth Gu situated in another hall meant to transfer the disciples out of the blessed land.
Seeing no reason to stick around any further, Qing Lao left the hall as he adjusted his attire. He briefly stopped by the mission hall meant for inner disciples before leaving Spirit Affinity House's public blessed land with one location in his mind.
<<<>>>
'I'm finally here.'
Yin-Yin could barely contain his excitement as he collapsed by a certain village's outer perimeter. Dirty rags covered his thin, malnourished body as his messy hair stuck to his neck and forehead. Said rags failed to hid scrapes and scratches on his limbs as his stomach already gave up on its loud, growling protests and nearly deformed to his guts. Still, such conditions failed to douse the fire in Yin-Yin's devilish heart as he persevered and crawled into the village.
His appearance barely raised any alarms save for some raised eyebrows from the village wives as they returned to cook supper after a day of hard labor. The evening sun cast a rare blood-like glow on the ground as it briefly illuminated in Yin-Yin's eyes before he looked down and settled by the bridge above a narrow creek dividing the village in two.
'It should happen today.' Yin-Yin recalled his arrival into this world. There was a reason he was named Ron—an unusual name anywhere in the gu world.
It happened at night decades ago as he was allowed to make one request after creating his first blood path gu recipe.
Ron wanted to see the world. Not just the world everyone believed the grotto-heaven to be but the entire thing!
He was shot down near this village with simple instructions, including the method of returning to the grotto-heaven. Unlike using Hole Earth Gu, Yin-Yin did not need another path and could use the same passage that led him to Central Continent.
That path would appear for a brief moment… for a fraction of a second.
'I can accumulate wealth and strength as long as I return and contribute most of my new recipes. That old man rewards innovations a great deal.'
Yin-Yin gulped drily, unable to even parch his throat. He didn't dare spend any additional strength in drinking water from the narrow river. After all, he needed every ounce of his strength to reach that spot during that opportune moment. Drinking water… resting his eyes… napping… all of this could snatch success from the jaw of victory and leave him in despair.
That will not do!
Late Sect Leader Ron… Yin-Yin was many things but not someone who gave into despair. If so, how could he have persevered to innovate his first blood path recipe after slaughtering ninety women? How could he have carved out a space for his Blood Pot Sect after massacring several mid and small-sized sects? How could he have endured the humiliation under the hands of that vile prisoner every night as he gnashed his teeth and prevented any voice… or moan from escaping his throat?
Yin-Yin's eyes glowed with a murderous intent as he sat silently. His lust for revenge grew with every second.
Gu Yue Lo Jik.
The gu masters who imprisoned him.
And that prisoner!
Many prisoners like Yin-Yin survived Rhino Stomp Sect's destruction. Yin-Yin had been fortunate enough to engage in intimate activities with said prisoner as the Pig Triplets assaulted the sect. The commotion allowed Yin-Yin to act and pierce his finger through his assailant's eye before escaping the prison as the surrounding formation collapsed under the attack.
His surroundings grew colder as the sun set beyond the horizon. The buzz of refinement path convention could not burn mortal villagers in the same passion as it blazed gu masters. Most villagers needed to work and earn their daily bread. How could they distract themselves from such matters when it concerned their livelihood?
Yin-Yin observed the last lamp in the distant hut get extinguished as his surroundings turned darker. The night was still and quiet, but the youth did not fall victim to the dangerous sense of complacency. He waited and heard distant steps.
A village guard.
Of course, the village not only had a guard but the village chief was also a rank 1 gu master. Such a force might be nothing to the current Yin-Yin had he been at his very best. However, mimicking a mortal beggar came at the severe cost of physical limitations even if he did hunt for a few mortals with special blood-types to refine gu and cultivate along the way.
He didn't dare take risks at such a delicate moment and waited for the suspicious village guard to make his rounds. It wasn't long until Yin-Yin gathered himself up and steadily stepped towards the village exit.
Two mortal guards armed with spears meant nothing as they fell victim to Yin-Yin's only blood path rank 1 offensive gu worm. The youth couldn't help but gulp hungrily at the sight of the blood-soaked ground. His mouth salivated as the intense stench of blood assailed his nostrils.
*Gulp*
Ignoring the pool of blood, he stepped past the village's perimeter and carefully walked closer to a field of vermilion rice.
That's where he landed.
Yin-Yin froze and remained hidden. He had timed it perfectly. He would return to his world by the time he reached the determined spot. But…
'Who is he?'
His heart shuddered as he dared not reveal himself in the darkness. Standing conspicuously in the middle of the field was an elegant man with his long black hair tied into a top-knot. The mysterious figure wore green robes with a ceremonial fan belted to his waist.
A gu master—and a powerful one at that.
Yin-Yin's stomach twisted into a knot as he blinked involuntarily.
The mysterious gu master had vanished by the time Yin-Yin opened his eyes.
As he ascertained, the opening to the grotto-heaven lasted for a fraction of a second. You could blink and miss the flicker of red light which illuminated the spot and took in any mortal standing in that very spot.
Yin-Yin had lost his opportunity.
The noise of a loud bell from the village's direction snapped Yin-Yin out of his hateful stupor as he started moving away pitifully.
'This was damn unexpected! Who else came from the same grotto-heaven? I should be the first one. I was told that much, alongside the fact that only people like me knew the location to return. Did someone leak this information? Damn it!'
Yin-Yin wasn't the only one who fell victim to whims of unexpected events.
<<<>>>
<
Ren Zu's second daughter, Desolate Ancient Moon, climbed Cheng Bai Mountain and searched for Success Gu to rescue her father from the Door of Life and Death.
But at the final juncture, she failed and lost her sense of self, becoming an ugly and powerful monster.
Without his daughter to rescue him, and his eldest son Verdant Great Sun still addicted and dejected, Ren Zu was trapped in Luo Po Valley, unable to return to life.
Luo Po Valley was like a giant maze, its paths twisted and turned. Occasionally, boundless Bewilderment Fog would spread and cause the soul to slacken, and occasionally, Luo Po Wind that was as sharp as a knife would blow and cut down souls.
Ren Zu had a spiritual body now and was unable to find the way out of the Bewilderment Fog. His soul was cut down by Luo Po Wind, becoming weaker and weaker, and the situation turned even more dangerous.
The soul fragments cut down by Luo Po Wind started to converge gradually and turned into a youth.
Like this, Ren Zu's third son was born.
He was Northern Dark Ice Soul.
"My son, thank you for your company. I do not have much time left, having you to accompany me in my final days, father did not have to feel lonely." Ren Zu sighed with deep emotions.
Northern Dark Ice Soul had a cold appearance but was warm-hearted, and although he did not speak much, he was very filial to Ren Zu. And as he looked at Ren Zu growing weaker and weaker every day, his mood also became heavier.
He decided to rescue Ren Zu.
Ren Zu sensed his determination, and felt both happiness and heartache: "Don't be worried my son, I know of your filial heart. I now understand that life and death cannot be forced. Humans will die in the end; this is our fate."
Northern Dark Ice Soul said in a sobbing tone: "Father, I know your words are right. I also know my efforts might be in vain. But looking at you growing weaker like this, if I do not make an effort, my heart will feel even more pain. Let me do something for you."
Ren Zu sighed and could only let him go.
Northern Dark Ice Soul wandered in the vast Luo Po Valley, he was born here, as such, Luo Po Wind could not cut down his soul and the Bewilderment Fog could not obstruct his vision.
He searched bitterly but could not find the exit.
Right as he was becoming more desperate, he came across a gu worm.
"Well, well, to think I would be discovered by you." This Gu was like a ladybug with a chubby spherical body, but it was extremely agile and was flashing around Northern Dark Ice Soul's body.
Northern Dark Ice Soul's eyes brightened as he asked in curiosity: "What Gu are you?"
"I am known as unexpected," replied the gu.
Northern Dark Ice Soul's gaze dimmed down: "So you are Unexpected Gu, it is a pity you are not Success Gu."
Unexpected Gu sneered: "Young man, do not look down on me. I have a love-hate relation with Success Gu. The strength of unexpectedness is very powerful. Do you know what your encounter with me here represents?"
"What?"
Unexpected Gu shook its chubby body and said proudly: "What kind of place is this? This is Luo Po Valley, a death realm. You being here means you are already dead. But by encountering me, you have come across an unexpected event in 'death' - that is 'life.' Grab me, I will take you out to the human world and you can be resurrected again."
"Really?" Northern Dark Ice Soul was exulted. "Can I bring my father along?"
Unexpected Gu shook its head: "It is you who encountered me, not your father, so I can only take you."
Northern Dark Ice Soul was extremely disappointed, refusing: "Since I cannot take my father with me, then I will not go. I will accompany my father till his final moment."
Unexpected Gu laughed loudly and spoke in a domineering tone: "Unexpectedness in life is beyond your control. Young man, you must come with me!"
The moment it finished speaking, Unexpected Gu forcibly took Northern Dark Ice Soul and instantly left Life and Death Door, arriving in the human world.
Northern Dark Ice Soul obtained flesh body and was feeling extremely bewildered facing this vast world alone.
Unexpected Gu disappeared. He suddenly remembered Ren Zu once saying he had an elder sister who was called Desolate Ancient Moon.
At this moment, Cognition Gu took the initiative to find him: "Young man, do not be suspicious, cognition has always been the friend of humans, I am here to help you."
Cognition Gu told Northern Dark Ice Soul about Cheng Bai Mountain and also the events detailing Desolate Ancient Moon.
Northern Dark Ice Soul decided to first see his elder sister.
When he saw Desolate Ancient Moon, his tears fell in sadness.
Northern Dark Ice Soul tried to converse with Desolate Ancient Moon, but Desolate Ancient Moon who had turned into a monster kept on repeating questions.
"Where is this?"
Northern Dark Ice Soul thought for a while and answered: "This is the human world, living beings can move about here. Above us are the heavens and below our feet is earth."
"Who am I?" Desolate Ancient Moon asked again.
"You are a human, Ren Zu's second child, your name is Desolate Ancient Moon. You are my elder sister." Northern Dark Ice Soul replied.
"Elder sister, wake up quickly. Our father is trapped in Luo Po Valley, dying, we need to resurrect him soon."
"Ren Zu? Desolate Ancient Moon? Resurrect?" The monster shook its head, extremely puzzled. "Why should I resurrect him? Could it be that humans should not die? What disadvantage is there in death? Why do humans live? Why do I live?"
This time, Northern Dark Ice Soul was not able to answer.
Why do people live?
As Northern Dark Ice Soul pondered over this question, Bewilderment Gu quietly approached him, making him lose his sense of the surroundings.
Subsequently, Love Gu and Disguise Gu also approached him.
Cognition Gu felt a big headache when it saw them. These several Gu were famous for their mischief and would often move together, even Cognition Gu did not want to provoke them.
"Love, have you not harmed enough people? Why are you not letting them go?" Cognition Gu sighed.
"Don't try to speak reason with me, I am completely unreasonable," Love Gu said in an unruly tone. "Get lost, Cognition, I do not like you."
Cognition Gu could only leave helplessly.
"Another human came again? Haha!" Love Gu was extremely happy when it saw Northern Dark Ice Soul, because it had another target to play with.
It and Disguise Gu were sworn brothers, and on the spot, it used Disguise Gu's power to disguise as Cognition Gu.
"Young man, your elder sister has lost herself. If you want to save her, you need to find Meaning Gu."
Northern Dark Ice Soul regained his senses and asked Love Gu without doubting: "I have seen Unexpected Gu, please tell me where this Meaning Gu is? How should I look for it?"
Love Gu deceived him in a serious tone: "Oh human, you should know, there is a meaning to why you are all living in this world. As long as you find Meaning Gu, your elder sister can awaken. Follow the direction I point towards and keep moving forward, you will eventually find Meaning Gu."
Northern Dark Ice Soul expressed his gratitude before immediately setting off.
Love Gu, Bewilderment Gu and Disguise Gu guffawed as they looked at his receding figure.
In this world, how could there be a Meaning Gu?
There was simply no such Gu, Northern Dark Ice Soul would, as such, not find it no matter how much he searched for it.
"Fool, who told you all to anger me? I will let you guys know how terrifying the punishment of love can be! From now on, let's follow him and toy with him in turns."
Love Gu's proposal was approved by the other two Gu.
Thereupon, the three Gu played tricks on Northern Dark Ice Soul in turns, he suffered so much that words could not describe it. But to find this non-existent Meaning Gu, he kept on persevering.
Such spirit moved Cognition Gu. And when Love Gu was not present, Cognition Gu approached Northern Dark Ice Soul to help him.
"Cognition, what are you doing? We are having a great time." Bewilderment Gu and Disguise Gu were extremely displeased with cognition.
Cognition Gu laughed: "I am afraid of love, but I am not afraid of you two. Young man, use my strength to come to your senses."
Northern Dark Ice Soul used Cognition Gu's power to realize the truth, he was no longer bewildered and he had seen through the disguise.
Bewilderment Gu and Disguise Gu could only leave in defeat.
Northern Dark Ice Soul expressed gratitude to Cognition Gu: "Thank you Cognition Gu. Because of you, I have thought of a way to save elder sister."
"Eh? What way is that?"
"In this world, there is indeed no Meaning Gu. But why can't I create a Meaning Gu?" Northern Dark Ice Soul replied confidently.
Human life might have no meaning, but they could give a meaning to it.
Northern Dark Ice Soul came back to Desolate Ancient Moon's side and personally created a Meaning Gu and pressed it into Desolate Ancient Moon's head.
"The meaning in my life is to search for Success Gu and resurrect father! I understand now, I get it!" Desolate Ancient Moon's eyes brightened.
<<<>>>
"Hah… hah… hahaha…" Bai La laughed weakly. She was soaked in her own blood, with her once lustrous locks of gold torn apart savagely, exposing her half-bitten and mangled scalp. She floated above the ground, watching as her blood continued gushing through her torn left arm and both of her legs. She would have died due to blood loss if not for her healing killer move!
However, Bai La watched the remnants of the insect group dissipate into heaven and earth qi.
She succeeded!
A fundamental changed began in her immortal aperture's core… or so Bai La expected as she sensed something amiss.
She did successfully endure her heavenly tribulation, right?
Her bloodshot eyes scanned the region.
What was going on?
Why didn't her blessed land start producing immortal essence belonging to rank 7?
"Eh?"
A surge of powerful aura shocked Bai La as she sensed a rank 7 immortal gu worm making its presence known. It was far too quick for the current her.
It appeared before her eyes in an instant and let out a piercing yellow light. Its body was like a ladybug but extremely chubby and round.
This immortal gu worm was not an envious fortune for Bai La but a fatal tribulation!
'Why?'
This was her only thought as despair gripped her heart. How could her heavenly tribulation be so difficult? Truthfully, it was unexpected!
Indeed.
Rank 7 Unexpected Immortal Gu.
Bai La suffered an unexpected event at the moment of success—failure.
Her eyes rolled back into her skull as Unexpected Gu disappeared after one use, leaving the supreme elder's fate unknown.
***
Alternate Title: Qing Lao's change of heart; Onwards to new territories; To get employed by Lo Jik; A mysterious change; Yin-Yin's despair; Brother is a hentai-timeline Fang Yuan; Yin-Yin's first mistake was meeting Bai Shou; Getting kicked down until the end; Sect Leader Ron realizing the harshness of the gu world; Unexpected Gu: Bitch! I didn't ask for your opinion! REEEEEEEEEE!; A grotto-heaven; Lo Jik casually being legendary immortal gu magnet; Bai La: Victory! *Unexpected Gu: Bonjour*; Desolate Ancient Moon's meaning of life; A hard-earned failure; Heaven's Will got no chill
***
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