1,584 years ago, atop one of the peaks in the northern mountain range known as "Yongai"—so named for its proximity (about 100 kilometers) to the North Pacific Ocean, one of the world's largest and most perilous oceans, teeming with dangerous creatures—dwelt a clan called "Huayu." They were considered one of the most powerful and influential clans across the entire Yongai mountain range.
Several clans inhabited the peaks of this mountain range, including the Huayu, Yanshi, Qianyu, and Chenli.
On a street in the Huayu village, a young man with blue-black hair and blue eyes strolled along, receiving cheers and praise from the Gu Masters around him.
Yong Yu-jong was a prodigious talent, a rising star, and the champion of the Huayu clan—or so they believed. He was hailed as the greatest talent the clan had seen in a very long time. Furthermore, individuals with an "S-rank" aptitude were exceptionally rare; such a person would emerge only once every 200 years. Given that the Huayu clan had been established for 1,500 years, only seven such individuals had ever appeared—all of whom had gone on to become clan leaders. Consequently, Yong Yu-jong was viewed as an invaluable treasure.
At that time, Yong Yu-jong was a student at an academy dedicated to the study and combat application of "Gu." To become a proficient Gu Master, one must master four key aspects: refinement, nurturing, usage, and fusion.
Refining a Gu is an exceptionally difficult task; a Gu Master might spend months or even years refining a Gu of their own rank, though the process becomes easier when refining one of a lower rank. However, refinement alone is insufficient without proper nurturing—every Gu will eventually perish if not cared for, and each species requires a specific diet. That said, some Gu share the same type of food (much like a lion, a crocodile, an eagle, and a shark—though they are distinct species, they all consume meat).
If a Gu Master cannot employ their Gu effectively or fails to unlock its full potential, the creature becomes entirely useless—even if it is a Rank 9 Gu!
A Gu without a suitable master to wield it is rendered worthless; it is no more useful than gold buried deep underground or a common rock lying on the surface.
Furthermore, a Rank 1 or Rank 2 Gu offers no benefit to a Gu Master of Rank 4 or higher, neither in combat nor in enhancing their overall strength.
Types of Gu
Gu are categorized into several types:
Combat Gu: These include Gu designed for offense, defense, endurance, concealment, speed, infiltration, or evasion—all utilized by Gu Masters during combat.
Stat-Boosting Gu: These Gu enhance the master's physical capabilities, granting them strength equivalent to the creature the Gu represents (for instance, a "Great Bear Gu" would grant its master the strength of a bear). Cultivation-Accelerating Gu: This type of Gu benefits the cultivator spiritually by boosting their cultivation speed. However, it is limited to advancing the user by only a single rank (e.g., from Rank 1 to Rank 2). Afterward, the cultivator must refine an upgraded version of the Gu to continue accelerating their progress.
Consumable Gu: These are single-use items. Examples include a "distress signal" Gu—which explodes to emit a powerful light, alerting nearby Gu Masters—or a Gu that takes the form of a body part, becoming permanently integrated into the cultivator's own body.
Concept- and Law-Manipulating Gu: These are Gu of Rank 6 and above. They possess the ability to manipulate fundamental concepts (such as time, death, life, beginnings, endings, causality, and nothingness) as well as natural laws (including physical, chemical, biological, geological, and gravitational laws). These are among the most powerful types of Gu; no two Gu of this category possess identical abilities (for instance, while multiple Gu might manipulate the concept of time, one might reverse it, while another might bring it to a complete standstill).
Consequently, for a Gu Master to advance their rank or acquire a new Gu, the refinement process is divided into four essential stages:
Identifying the correct recipe.
Gathering the necessary resources.
Procuring two Gu specimens capable of being fused together.
This final stage is the most critical and delicate; it demands immense patience, intense focus, and exceptional talent from the Gu Master. Even then, luck remains a fundamental factor in the success of the refinement. The success rate for refinement was minuscule—starting at 85% when refining two Rank 1 Gu, and plummeting to a mere 0.00000001% when refining Rank 8 Gu!
The consequences of a failed refinement were catastrophic; both the Gu Master and the Gu itself could suffer injuries ranging from minor to severe—or even result in the immediate death of both the Gu Master and the Gu. This is one of the reasons why Gu refiners are so rare; they make up only 0.1% of the population in this world (where Gu refinement serves as the fundamental power system).
On one occasion, a subordinate of the elders named Ting Xin approached Yong Yu-jung, who was sitting in a tavern with a group of Rank 2 Gu Masters. Ting Xin was a tall, powerfully built man; his upper body was bare, his skin a deep red, and his back, chest, and arms were covered in tattoos.
"Clan Leader Chong Yubai wishes to see you. You had best head over; he is waiting for you at his residence."
A faint smile spread across Yu-jung's face as he listened to Ting Xin. He rose from his seat—much like a spider that had just discovered its prey—and bowed, cupping his fist in a gesture of respect. "Very well. I shall head to Clan Leader Chong Yubai's residence at once."
Yong Yu-jung and Ting Xin set off toward Chong Yubai's home. Yu-jung was overcome with immense joy—he felt as though he might take flight from the sheer elation he struggled to contain. He wanted to inform the clan leader about his rapid progress as an S-rank talent. This would surely be welcome news for Chung Yubai, especially since he had been providing the resources necessary to elevate his cultivation to higher ranks.
Talent Ranks Among Gu Masters
A Gu master's talent is measured in ranks—much like the classification systems used for mana users (such as Common, Elite, and Legendary)—though for Gu masters, each rank carries its own specific meaning and implications. There are seven such ranks.Recognized by 96% of Gu Masters:
Grade (F): Individuals of this rank are considered weak humans, most often serving as slaves. Their primeval sea contains only 0.1% *qi* (energy). They cannot become Gu Masters or pursue any other power system in this world, save for physical strength (such as *qi* or aura). Furthermore, as slaves, they are denied the right to seek power; if discovered attempting to do so, they are killed. Lacking the means to acquire resources, they are unable to cultivate, resulting in little to no progress.
Grade (E): Individuals of this rank are humans capable of combat, often working as hunters who prey on wild animals (such as boars, wolves, etc.). Their primeval sea also contains 0.1% *qi*. Like those in Grade (F), they cannot become Gu Masters or utilize other power systems, relying instead on physical strength (*qi* or aura). Their rate of progress when developing this physical strength is even slower than that of Grade (F) individuals. If discovered, they are killed by higher-ranking Gu Masters; the pursuit of power by ordinary humans is strictly forbidden by the Gu Masters, who fear potential uprisings, leading to the immediate execution of any such individuals.
Grade (D): Individuals of this rank are Gu Masters with very low aptitude. Their cultivation speed is extremely slow, and they require significantly more resources than an average cultivator. Their primeval sea contains between 10% and 25% *qi*. Grade (C): Individuals of this rank are considered Gu Masters with average talent. Their cultivation speed is slow, and they require more cultivation resources than those of higher ranks. The proportion of essence (qi) in their primeval sea ranges from 30% to 40%.
Grade (B): Individuals of this rank are considered Gu Masters with fairly good talent. Their cultivation speed is moderate; they require more cultivation resources than those of higher ranks, but significantly fewer than those of lower ranks (i.e., grades C and D). The proportion of essence (qi) in their primeval sea ranges from 45% to 55%.
Grade (A): Individuals of this rank are considered Gu Masters with good talent. Their cultivation speed is relatively high, and they require fewer cultivation resources than the average cultivator. They also possess a high aptitude for learning and mastering martial arts. Typically, individuals of this rank go on to become clan elders. The proportion of essence (qi) in their primeval sea ranges from 60% to 70%.
Grade (S): Individuals of this rank are considered Gu Masters with exceptional talent and are viewed as rising elites. Their cultivation speed is extremely high, and they require very few cultivation resources—often using them only under extreme circumstances, such as during a breakthrough (fusion/refinement). The proportion of essence (qi) in their primeval sea ranges from 75% to 88%. For a Gu Master, the proportion of primeval essence in their primeval sea is fixed and cannot be increased by any natural means. It can only be raised if one discovers a "Talent-Enhancing Gu"—a Rank 1 variant that boosts one's talent by exactly one grade (the higher the rank of the Talent-Enhancing Gu, the greater the increase in talent). Alternatively, one might find an "Energy-Master Gu," which increases the primeval essence in the sea by 25% at its first stage of evolution, and by 50% at its second—and final—stage. Such a Gu is as exceptionally rare as the presence of primeval essence within a human body.
Yong Yu-jong cast a sidelong glance at Ting Xin, his expression filled with genuine admiration and respect. As one of the clan's most formidable Gu Masters, Ting Xin was a Rank 3 expert with a Grade B talent—all at the age of just 300. (Gu Masters of Ranks 1 through 5 typically possess a lifespan of 500 years, while those of Ranks 6 through 9 can live for a thousand years. However, as the body ages, the process accelerates drastically; in just four years, one might physically age by decades. Furthermore, maintaining the pace of cultivation is an immense challenge, with each subsequent rank being dozens of times more difficult to attain than the last.)
"What is it, Yong Yu-jong? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something you wish to say?"
Ting Xin remained composed, speaking without turning his gaze toward Yong Yu-jong. Anyone in his presence would feel an overwhelming sense of awe, stirred by the energy radiating from his body—the formidable power of a peak-stage Rank 3 Gu Master, a force that could not be ignored. This was especially true for Ting Xin, who had earned the moniker of a "pseudo-Grade A talent." A flicker of mild tension crossed Yong Yu-jung's face as he gazed at the ground. "I have a question for you, Master Ting Xin." "Ask." "How did you become so powerful, despite having only a B-grade talent?"
Realizing he had just insulted one of the most formidable and high-ranking individuals in the clan, Yong Yu-jung's expression shifted to one of shock. He immediately began to apologize, his voice laced with nervousness and fear. As a Rank 2 intermediate-stage Gu Master, he was, in Ting Xin's eyes, little more than an insect that could be crushed without the slightest effort.
"Forgive me, Master Ting Xin! I meant no offense—please, I beg your pardon..."
Ting Xin raised a hand, signaling for silence, then spoke in a calm, measured tone: "It is no matter. You are still young; curiosity is only natural—in fact, it would be rather suspicious if you weren't curious. How, you wonder, can a B-grade Gu Master possess such strength? To have reached the peak of Rank 3 by the age of three hundred is nothing short of a miracle. My power is the result of rigorous training and heeding the counsel of the clan elders. Do not be idle; train diligently, and help elevate the standing of our clan to even greater heights."
A faint smile graced Ting Xin's face as he looked at the young man. Yong Yu-jung bowed slightly, cupping his fist in a gesture of respect: "Thank you, Master Ting Xin. You have enlightened me with your wisdom. I shall be the one to elevate the Huayu Clan to the very pinnacle of power—across the Northern Yongai Mountains and far beyond." Years passed, marked by grueling training and a steady rise in social status and rank. His reputation spread throughout the neighboring villages and well beyond the northern Yongai mountain range. He became the youngest elder ever appointed within the clan, attaining the position at the age of 150—at which time, Yong Yu-jung had already reached the late stage of the Rank 4 Gu Master realm.
As time went on, he ascended to the position of leader of the Huayu Clan. It was then that Yong Yu-jung's character began to undergo a radical, dark transformation. This shift was driven by the sordid nature of clan politics—the schemes, the malicious plots, and the ruthless maneuvering required to secure his grip on power and maintain his standing as one of the most formidable Gu Masters. He was known by the titleHe was known as the "Star of the Yongai Mountains" or the "Sage of Mount Yongai"—a title he held throughout his time in the northern Yongai Mountains and for several years after he left.
"Hey, waiter! Bring me some good wine—hurry! I'm not in a very good mood!"
Yong Yu-jong was incensed by recent news regarding the emergence of several prodigies—dubbed the "elite of the elite"—who had far surpassed him in strength. Despite his own exceptional talent, Yong Yu-jong had remained stuck at the late stage of Rank 5 for over fifty years (he was currently 260 years old).
The situation was as mentally draining as it was physically exhausting. His inability to successfully refine a Rank 4 Gu into a Rank 5 Gu only added to his frustration. For years, he had been attempting to refine a "Jade Sage Gu"—a defensive-type Rank 5 Gu—by combining a "Jade Master Gu" and a "Hundred-Wing Butterfly Gu." He had failed repeatedly, resulting in the deaths of thirty to forty Gu Masters—ranging from Rank 2 to Rank 4—whom he had abducted from various villages and forced to carry out the refinement process in his stead.
The success rate for refining a Rank 5 Gu was minuscule—at best, it reached 13%, and that was only with extraordinary luck; under normal circumstances, the chance was a mere 5%.
Yong Yu-jong let out a deep sigh as he watched the wine being brought to his table. As the waiter approached, a faint smile appeared on Young Yu-jung's face—only to twist into rage when the waiter, having tripped over the leg of one of the Gu Masters, accidentally spilled wine all over his clothes.
Young Yu-jung was in no mood for reason; he struck the waiter in the face, shattering his head into fragments! Blood and shards of the waiter's skull splattered across Young Yu-jung's garments, as well as the floor and tables of the tavern. The waiter did not even have a chance to beg for mercy; his death was swift and utterly devoid of compassion.
In this harsh world, human life was, quite literally, worth nothing. A single low-grade spirit stone—or even just one spirit orb—was enough to purchase three to five human slaves; in some regions, that was considered a high price.
The Gu Masters remained entirely indifferent, continuing their conversations as if nothing had happened. To them, the death of a mortal meant nothing. Killing a fellow Gu Master, however, was strictly forbidden within the clan—for clans functioned like families, where every member was expected to look after the others. These bonds were unbreakable, regardless of the circumstances or hardships—though this rule applied exclusively to Gu Masters.
Several days after the incident, Young Yu-jung decided to leave the clan to further his strength and experience, drawing upon the knowledge he had accumulated throughout his life. Over the course of a twenty-year journey, he continued to learn, honing his power and expanding his expertise. During this period, he had mastered both *Ki* and *Aura*, further enhancing his physical strength. He had reached the early stage of Rank 6—the level of a Rank 6 Master—and was nearing the intermediate stage. Yet, he was consumed by intense envy and resentment toward those of his own age who were significantly stronger than him—most notably Daniel de Molière, who was widely regarded as the greatest talent of their generation.
At the age of 283, Young Yu-jung found himself in the city of Selzin—the birthplace of Arcade Kethali, a man hailed as the "Future Emperor of Magic" and one of the most prodigious talents of the era. Young Yu-jung was eager to challenge and defeat him; toppling someone dubbed the "elite of the elite" would elevate his own standing and prove exactly why he had earned the title "Sage of Mount Yongai."
Young Yu-jung headed toward a tavern in Selzin known as "Yukaza"—a place he had heard Arcade frequented for a drink. Scanning the interior, he spotted a man who appeared to be in his thirties, sporting red hair and golden eyes. Dressed in an exquisite suit befitting a high-ranking noble, the man sat sipping whiskey, his gaze fixed on empty space. Though his consciousness seemed elsewhere, he remained hyper-vigilant; a transparent dome surrounded him, capable of detecting anyone who approached and revealing their underlying intentions. (It was a 9th-Circle spell—a barrier that rendered concealment impossible, even for those wielding advanced-level stealth *Gu*.)
"Arcade Kethali! I challenge you to a duel!" Yong Yu-jung's tone was filled with firm resolve, showing no intention of stopping or backing down. Arcade, sensing this through the dome-shaped field that extended ten meters around him, turned his gaze toward Yong Yu-jung. His expression was cold—utterly indifferent to Yong Yu-jung's presence. This provoked a surge of anger in Yong Yu-jung; though he managed to suppress any outward display, Arcade could still sense his mounting fury.
"Very well, I accept. Let us meet at the arena in the city center in half an hour."
Arcade stood up to leave, but paused to place a hand on Yong Yu-jung's shoulder. "Order yourself some wine—it's on me."
He then walked away, his face entirely devoid of any reaction—neither annoyed nor even remotely engaged. This only fueled Yong Yu-jung's irritation, causing his temper to flare. Unconsciously, he allowed the energy of a mid-level Rank 6 Gu Master—and a high-ranking Sovereign-tier combatant—to spill from his body. It created an unbearable pressure for everyone else inside the tavern.
Most of the fighters present had not even reached the SSS-rank, let alone the Sovereign tier; they found themselves completely unable to move. Had he been within his own clan, Yong Yu-jung might have made an effort to compose himself. But he was outside his clan, and these people were not even remotely connected to him—so why should he bother to restrain himself or show consideration for those so vastly weaker than him? The law of this world was simple: the weak must kneel at the feet of the strong. "I will defeat you, Arcade Ketali! I shall prove that Young Yu-jung—known as the Sage of Mount Yongai—is not a man to be trifled with!"
Without a moment's hesitation, he headed straight for the arena located in the heart of the city; his desire to defeat Arcade far outweighed his craving for wine.
Half an hour later, he arrived at the arena—a colossal, multi-storied, cylindrical structure built in the Roman style. Inside lay a circular fighting pit, encircled by gates—each fitted with doors reminiscent of prison cell bars—still stained with the dried blood of fierce battles fought there over the course of centuries. The stands were packed to capacity; an epic, unmissable clash was about to unfold between him and Arcade Ketali On one side stood the man dubbed the "Emperor of Future Magic"—the greatest prodigy in the use of magic—while on the other was Young Yu-jung, one of the most gifted Gu masters, known as the "Sage of Northern Yongai Mountain."
The crowd roared, cheering for either Arkid or Young Yu-jung:
"Hey, win this, Arkid! Show this fool his place!"
"Show him exactly who Arkid is!"
"Defeat him, Young Yu-jung! Show him what it truly means to be a Gu master!"
"Sage of Huayao Mountain, show them why you earned that title!"
In the center of the arena, Young Yu-jung and Arkid Kethali both took their stances, ready for battle. Young Yu-jung activated his Rank 5 "Jade Sage Gu"—which resembled a firefly but was milky-white in color, capable of manifesting a hard, jade-green protective layer when infused with *qi*—alongside the Rank 5 "Shadow Steps Gu" for evasion and the Rank 5 "Slumbering Dragon Gu" for offense. (The Slumbering Dragon Gu granted the user strength equivalent to that of a dragon. Acquiring these—the Shadow Steps Gu, which looked like a black octopus, and the Slumbering Dragon Gu, which resembled a spiky, multicolored silkworm—had come at the cost of many lives and rare resources. Furthermore, sustaining them was no easy feat: the Jade Sage Gu required 20 kilograms of jade every nine months; the Slumbering Dragon Gu fed on the flesh of the "Moon Deer"—a creature found only in extremely dangerous, high-altitude regions thousands of kilometers above the ground; and the Shadow Steps Gu consumed "Shadow Spiders"—which, incidentally, was one of the reasons for its name.)
"I will defeat you, Arcade Kethali, and show the world which of us is truly the more gifted!"
Seconds later, Young Yu-jung surged forward, employing his Jade Sage Gu and Slumbering Dragon Gu for both defense and assault. He bolstered his strike with a powerful aura, but Arcade—using a *kunai* to unleash a *qi*-enhanced fire spell—vanished instantly, leaving nothing behind but a cloud of dust settling across the arena floor. Young Yu-jung began to cough as a burst of flame was directed at his face. Looking around with a hint of annoyance, he remarked, "How can you even call yourself a man when you stoop to such a despicable level?"
Before he could react, Arcade unleashed a wind spell:
Young Yu-jung deflected the attack using his "Jade Sage Gu" shield, reinforced with his aura. Arcade's assaults would strike every five minutes, after which he would vanish once more.
Young Yu-jung looked on, puzzled as to why the smoke refused to dissipate. Suddenly, it dawned on him: "He's using condensation magic—the scoundrel!"
Condensation magic is an advanced discipline that requires the caster to compress the ambient air into a smoke-like state. It demands immense focus and extraordinary talent—both of which Arcade possessed, unlike Young Yu-jung, who, while highly gifted, lacked that specific combination of traits.
As Young Yu-jung parried and dodged Arcade's attacks with relative ease, the primeval essence within his own "primeval sea" began to drain rapidly—far faster than he could replenish it.
It had become a battle of attrition rather than a conventional fight. Jade Sage was draining 5% of the primeval essence from his primeval sea—a cost incurred by both "Lazy Dragon" and "Shadow Steps." Having maintained these techniques for an extended period, only 20% of his essence remained. He was losing 15% of his primeval sea's capacity every five minutes. (At that moment, his primeval sea was at 88% capacity; he could have used a "Primeval Essence Recovery Gu" to boost it by 25%—more than enough to reach 100% and render himself invincible among Gu Masters, even those considered the absolute elite.)
Yong Yu-jong scanned his surroundings, his fury mounting with every passing second. "Where are you, you scoundrel? Show yourself!"
After remaining in hiding for 35 minutes, Arcade suddenly appeared before Yong Yu-jong. He delivered a kick—empowered by an aura and earth-based magic—straight into the face of his exhausted opponent. The impact sent Yong Yu-jong flying, pinning him firmly against the arena wall, where he promptly lost consciousness.
The crowd's cheers shifted, turning from enthusiastic support into jeers and insults. The fighting style Arcade employed was known as "attrition"—draining Young Yoo-jung's energy to render him an easy target. Yet, he could have defeated his opponent even without such tactics, thanks to several factors: his own innate talent and strength, bolstered by the blessing of a mysterious entity; his high standing as a member of one of the most powerful families in the entire Human Empire; and access to a private training chamber—a space detached from the outside world, where time flowed at a significantly slower pace.
Though his method of victory might be considered "cheap," a winner remains a winner, and a loser, a loser. This was the principle everyone respected: the victor claims everything, while the vanquished loses it all—a harsh law of life. Arcade, however, differed from Young Yoo-jung in many respects; he was entirely indifferent to status, titles, reputation, or how society perceived him—unlike Young Yoo-jung, who placed great importance on such things.
Arcade left the arena immediately, leaving Young Yoo-jung lying in his own blood:
"How ironic, this obsession with status! Fame, the desperate craving for the gaze of others—it blinded him, leaving him unable to distinguish between true confidence and mere arrogance. He could have countered my attacks using his aura and *qi* without exhausting a single drop of the *chi* within his Primordial Sea; yet, his own vanity and conceit blinded him to that reality."
Such is the nature of humanity. Once they grow accustomed to power, fame, and high status, they begin to crave more and more—these things become like an intoxicant that clouds their judgment and blinds their vision. This was true for Young Yu-jung as well; having grown used to being the strongest and most gifted member of the Hwayu Clan—and, as its leader in the years before his departure, the one with the highest standing—he found it impossible to accept the reality that there were others, such as Arcade Kethali, who were better than him.