On Monday, May 25, 675, at 11:34 PM, the temperature and humidity had increased significantly. This caused some students to develop blisters, as the humidity, imbued with mana, had a detrimental effect, impacting even non-humans and affecting students of all strengths if exposed to it for an extended period.
Furthermore, some areas were devoid of any Qi, causing severe poisoning among those who primarily used Qi as their power system.
Even mana users, as well as Ki and Gu users, suffered internal contamination of their bodies and energy centers.
Among the Gu Masters, the Datan Sea and Gu were poisoned, rendering them unable to use them in areas lacking sufficient Qi in the air. This led to the death of Gu and the disqualification of several students who primarily used Gu as their power system. This situation extended to the rest of the students, with up to 55 candidates being disqualified.
The Gu users are divided into three types:
Users of Mana as the primary power system and Qi and Ki as secondary power systems, and vice versa.
Users of Qi or Mana as two power systems, and Ki and Ki as secondary power systems, and vice versa.
And users of all three as the primary system, but they are extremely rare, estimated at 0.001%. They are considered very special because they are able to withstand the power resulting from the use of mental, physical, and spiritual strength.
Meanwhile, in the center of Jeju Island, where the Origin Tree Gu stood proudly in the middle of the island, one of the last relics of a forgotten time, lost in the depths of oblivion,
Tom sat in the shade of one of the roots of the Origin Tree Gu, fast asleep, yet his face bore a deep sadness.
He opened his eyes, which were shaped like the yin and yang symbols, and then leaned his back against the root of the tree, which was the size of a medium-sized car.
"Origin Tree Gu, I don't know whether to thank you or curse you," Tom murmured in a quiet voice filled with deep sorrow as he remembered what had happened millions of years ago in this place.
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Zhao Li and Alessandra were on one of the beaches west of Jeju Island when eleven mutilated bodies floated around them. These were the bodies of ten emperors, or sons, Zao Li, and Alessandra's daughter, Beatrice, whom she had found on one of her voyages and decided to care for.
Alessandra let out a weary sigh as her life force was about to run out, and death and grief overwhelmed her. She gazed at Beatrice's mutilated body, which looked like it belonged to someone in their twenties, judging by her height.
She turned her gaze to Zao Li, who remained silent.
"Zhao Li, we need to get to the Tree of Origin quickly," she said in a calm, serious tone.
Zhao Li looked at Alessandra for a few seconds before turning his gaze back to the Tree of Existence with a blank stare. He then spoke coldly, "Let's go. We don't have much time left anyway."
"Okay."
Zhao Li and Alessandra moved swiftly towards the Origin Tree Gu, desperately trying to escape.
The Origin Tree Gu wasn't a life-extending Gu, but rather a Gu that multiplied entities and created souls.
The Alpha-level Origin Tree Gu was created by fusing four Rank 9 Gu types: Time Gu, Life Gu, Death Gu, and Destiny Gu.
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Tom turned his gaze towards the Origin Tree Gu, scanning the root of the tree he had just been leaning on with a faint smile.
"Time is like a bridge connecting the gates of death and life. The paths to beginning may differ, but the destination is the same: annihilation and death."
"My children all died horribly. Heaven is merciless to no one, not even to the one who created it," Tom said calmly, his gaze fixed on the top of the Origin Tree Gu with a languid expression. He then leaped smoothly among the tree roots as memories of his past gradually returned.
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While Alessandra and Zhao Li ran He quickly roused Gu Creativity from his centuries-long slumber.
Gu Creativity was furious at being awakened and turned his gaze toward both Alessandra and Zhao Li.
"You wretched bastards! You woke me from my slumber, and I'll show you the consequences of disturbing Gu Creativity!"
Gu Creativity created portals and dungeons filled with high-level monsters, which he had brought from unknown places. No one knew their origin.
Gu Creativity snorted furiously as he looked at Alessandra and Zhao Li, who had vanished from his sight just seconds before, and said maliciously, "You will learn not to disturb Gu Creativity."
As Alessandra and Zhao Li headed toward the center of Jeju Island, their faces etched with worry, brightly colored portals began to appear out of nowhere.
However, they both ignored this, their focus remaining on the Origin Tree Gu, which would allow them to populate this fantasy world. Completely human, they will be able to reincarnate as long as their lineage exists and their blood flows in their veins. Zhao Li and Alessandra continue to reincarnate each time they die.
As they ran, a jaw full of sharp teeth shot towards Alessandra's head, but she effortlessly tore the wolf to pieces.
They continued on their way, ignoring the monster that attacked them, which they assumed was a hungry beast intent on killing them.
But after several hours of running, they could no longer fly due to their advanced age. Although it wasn't obvious from their appearance, their internal energy was weakening every second, and they wanted to conserve every drop to activate the Gu of the Origin Tree.
They noticed something was wrong. Monsters were relentlessly attacking them with varying levels of power, and objects were dropping from them.
Zhao Li and Alessandra cried out in anger and frustration, realizing what was happening.
"Someone has created dungeons!" "And gates to deliberately slow us down. Who dares to do that?" Alessandra was furious as she tore apart monsters to vent the rage that had seeped into her heart.
Her gaze shifted to Zhao Li, whose face and eyes were red with anger.
"It seems you know who did this," she said,
Zhao Li spoke as he crushed a Mist Tiger, turning it into a pool of blood. "Of course I know. It's Gu Creativity. He invented dungeons. It seems we disturbed him while he was in hibernation after meeting Gu's Dream Consort.""
" As the saying goes, 'Dreams make dreams.'"
Zhao Li and Alessandra increased their speed considerably to reach the Origin Tree faster, dodging the monsters that were chasing them.
"It's a good thing we placed our children in the Spirit World beforehand," Alessandra muttered to herself as she ran, occasionally killing monsters.
Zhao Li glanced at him and nodded, as if he understood her thoughts without her even saying them, because he had been thinking the same thing himself.
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Tom stopped at an altitude of 45 kilometers above sea level, staring blankly as the wind whipped through his black and white hair, which reached close to his waist.
Jeju Island was almost completely visible before him.
It was a breathtaking sight, yet Tom's face showed no smile or admiration; his expression remained cold.
He had no good memories of this place.
Meanwhile, Tom gazed at the island Jiju spoke in a vengeful tone, "Gu Wisdom, when I meet you again, I will make you regret the day you were born into this world."
Tom then sat down, taking shelter under the leaves of the Origin Tree, which was the size of an elephant's ears.
Tom's gaze was somewhat calm. Jiju Island was not a place of rest for Tom; it was a place that reminded him of one of the most significant experiences of his long life.
"It seems I go from the Gate of Life across the Bridge of Time, overcoming the winds of fate, to the Gate of Death, and when I arrive, I return again to the threshold of the Gate of Life. This is a never-ending cycle. How pathetic!"
"Gu Wisdom, conspire with Gu Creativity, and you will use dungeons to kill Zhao Li and Alessandra and prevent the human race from existing."
"Gu Wisdom, you were not satisfied with killing the Plum Blossom Emperor Zhao Huamei, the Rising Sun Emperor Zhao Yong, and the Reverse Sky Emperor Zhao Bingying."
"If you want to kill us too, I will make you..." "You'll regret what you did," Tom thought, getting up after gathering his thoughts about his future and what he would do after graduating from the academy. If given the chance, he would kill Gu Wisdom after torturing him thoroughly.
He then continued climbing Gu Origin Tree to reach its summit.
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After a full day of nonstop monster fighting, signs of annoyance appeared on Gu Creativity's face. He hadn't done anything for Zao Li and Alessandra, even though
they were killing monsters without lifting a finger.
This made him furious, so much so that his face turned red, as Rank 9 Gus often resembled fairies.
"Really... lucky them," Gu Creativity snorted angrily as he watched Zao Li and Alessandra make their way towards the center of the island, towards Gu Origin Tree.
Gu Creativity had sharp eyesight; he could see anything. His vision was limitless, like creativity itself—it had no boundaries. Your dreams and passion fueled the creations you produce day after day.
Although he boasted about it to Gu of the Revelation type, he wished he hadn't witnessed them destroying his creations, creations he had woven for hundreds of years within his mind and heart. He felt an unbearable bitterness after they killed every monster.
Like any creator passionate about their craft, he was always obsessed with his work and would do anything to make it better and more perfect. He hated and resented anyone who insulted it, questioned its value, or destroyed it.
While Gu of Creativity was cursing Zao Li and Alessandra in every language that appeared in this ordinary world, he heard a calm voice full of wisdom and unwavering confidence:
"How are you, Gu of Creativity? It seems those filthy humans are insulting you by destroying your creations without showing any regard for the efforts you've made over the past 500 years."
"Gu is right." Wisdom insulted those creative scoundrels. They must pay the price for insulting me. The Creative Gu's tone was a mixture of anger, resentment, hatred, bitterness, and sadness.
The Creative Gu was obsessed with the things he created, even more so than the Innovation Gu or the Obsessive Gu. Wisdom Gu was aware of this, so he decided to add fuel to the fire. The Creative Gu's resentment, hatred, and bitterness toward each of them grew stronger every second, and this brought a sly, satisfied smile to Wisdom Gu's lips.
Wisdom Gu spoke in a consoling tone, which brought the Creative Gu out of his reverie and made him look up at Wisdom Gu. "Creative Gu, you are the most versatile among us, even surpassing me. I represent Wisdom in only one field, but you do what you want, how you want. Your creativity knows no bounds."
Wisdom Gu's words, full of praise and admiration, struck the Creative Gu's heart like hot and cold water.
Like cold water, they soothed the Creative Gu's feelings, which were filled with hatred, anger, and bitterness. And his arrogance, pride, and boastfulness only grew.
"With you is Gu of Wisdom. I am Gu of Creativity, the most distinguished Gu of all time," Gu of Creativity spoke with utter arrogance and pride.
Gu of Pond kept looking at Gu of Creativity, smiling a smile filled with mockery. "I am not more distinguished than the most naive and foolish," Gu of Wisdom spoke in his heart, mocking Gu of Creativity's arrogance and pride.
"I am the most wise being of all time since the existence of the World Tree in this Fantasy World."
"I will advise you on something to defeat both Zhao Li and Alessandra, who are trying to manipulate the Gu of the Origin Tree to spread their lineage throughout the Infinite Ordinary Worlds," Gu of Wisdom spoke with a tone full of dignity, wisdom, and advice to Gu of Creativity.
A grateful smile appeared on Gu of Creativity's face. Gu of Wisdom's words were like cool water, extinguishing the fire of hatred and resentment, but they turned to surprise afterward. "Gu of Wisdom, oh master of unparalleled wisdom, I want to ask you a question, and if you don't "You like it, so excuse me. My ignorance."
Gu Hekma's feelings turned to annoyance after hearing Gu Creativity's words, as he had anticipated his question without saying anything.
"Who knew that Gu Creativity, known for his arrogance, has a single atom of thought inside a brick instead of a brain?" Gu Hekma mocked Gu Creativity inwardly.
But he gave a seemingly wise smile, concealing his contempt for Gu Creativity in his heart.
"I know what you want without you saying anything."
"You're surprised by my hatred and loathing of Zao Li and Alessandra. You're right, your question is valid."
"The reason I hate them is my desire for freedom, and when it is cut off...""From their side, I feel the bitterness of servitude in my throat, and this fills me with resentment, anger, and disgust."
"You and I, Gu of Creativity, were created to be free, spreading my wisdom and your creativity throughout the land."
A look of astonishment appeared on the small, beautiful face of Gu of Creativity. This turned to regret for doubting Gu of Wisdom's credibility. He quickly recovered and spoke with a tone of reverence towards Gu of Wisdom, "Show me, Master of Unparalleled Wisdom, and advise me on how to defeat our enemies, all of Gu, and rescue our brothers from my servitude."
"Don't worry, Gu of Creativity, I will advise you. After all, we are brothers, born of the same tree."
"First, make the earth poisonous to anyone who enters it. Create a place where the Qi is so dense that even mana and ki users won't dare enter. Do the rest; you understand what I mean. You are very intelligent."
Gu of Creativity nodded enthusiastically. Gu of Wisdom's praise boosted Gu of Creativity's ego without him showing any... Intention to Stop
Gu Wisdom chuckled slyly, his heart filled with malice, as he looked towards Gu Creativity, muttering to himself with satisfaction, "My plan is unfolding exactly as I intended."
Gu Wisdom's thoughts snapped out of his reverie as he looked towards Gu Creativity. "And to avoid the predicament of being exploited by other entities, make the terrain constantly change, or advise constantly shifting between areas, making them always harmful to those who cross them."
"Thank you, Gu Creativity, but what if they both succeed and survive? What will I do, and what if their lineage seeks revenge? I, Gu Creativity, possess no power for attack or defense. I follow those whose creativity is unparalleled, so I cannot resist creators like a drunken traveler Gu who cannot resist the scent of unparalleled wine."
Gu Wisdom was annoyed by Gu Creativity's numerous questions, and this was the thing Gu Wisdom hated most: being bothered.
Gu Wisdom didn't care who owned him or who didn't, as long as they didn't bother him or even speak to him. He simply wanted to remain Alone, he contemplated existence, but ultimately found himself agreeing with Gu's words about creativity.
This was an inescapable truth: no matter how powerful a Gu was, if you knew how to attract him, he would come to you willingly. Even Gu Wisdom didn't run from trouble.
Gu Wisdom was involuntarily drawn to the wisest and most dignified people, and Zhao Li possessed a wisdom that surpassed his own, even though he had deceived his sons hundreds of times, even killing the Plum Blossom Emperor Zhao Huamei, the Rising Sun Emperor Zhao Yong, and the Reverse Sky Emperor Zhao Bingying.
Although he killed them indirectly, and they were consumed by the emotions that overwhelmed their hearts, he always fled when they needed his advice to solve their crises, leaving them to die without any help, even though he was capable of it.
However, Zhao Li and Alessandra, under whose control he found himself, were smarter and wiser than him, and they were able to uncover his deceptions continuously without any effort.
It was as if ideas were mere child's play to them, and this made him feel helpless for the first time. Once in his life, he harbored immense hatred and resentment towards them and their children. After observing them for over 1500 years, he came to understand their way of thinking and the way their children, whom he considered fools, thought.
Gu Wisdom remained silent for several seconds before turning his gaze towards Gu Creativity. "Zhao Li and Alessandra's chances of success are high, even after doing what I ask of you. Therefore, place yourself in the forbidden ground, calling it the Graveyard of Creativity, should they succeed and achieve their goal."
A satisfied smile spread across Gu Creativity's face as he warmly thanked Gu Wisdom. "Gu Wisdom, I will never forget your kindness as long as I live."
Gu Wisdom then vanished with a smile that did not bode well. Gu Creativity, in his excitement, couldn't see them.
"Yes, you will never forget my kindness as long as I live," Gu Wisdom muttered, his voice filled with sarcasm and contempt for Gu Creativity.
Gu Creativity did exactly as Gu Wisdom had instructed, following his every word. That was so exhausting that he would have to sleep for thousands, even millions, of years. Yet, his creativity would endure as long as he existed.
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Tom climbed the Origin Tree Gu without pausing to rest, even though less than two hours had passed since he began his ascent. He refused to use his spiritual and mental strength, and 99% of his physical strength. Had he done so, he would have reached the summit of the Origin Tree Gu in a second.
He wanted to stop at the stations where his two halves, Zhao Li and Alessandra, had stopped millions of years ago.
After three hours of continuous climbing, it was 2:34 PM. Tom stopped because he noticed a dried patch of blood that had remained even after all these years.
"Here, I lost my two halves, Alessandra, and the sacred Yang and Yin merged here in this place," Tom murmured softly as he painedly wiped away the dried bloodstain.
"Sometimes perseverance isn't just a feeling in one's heart; sometimes it's the only choice that "Having it, or living a way of life that keeps one alive in this disgusting world."
Tom raised his head to the top of the Gu Root Tree, which was densely foliaged, making it difficult to see what lay within.
The Gu Root Tree's leaves were of varying colors, some beautiful and vibrant, others mysterious.
Like life itself, however beautiful, beauty is fleeting, like all things temporary, eroding in the sea of time until they become unwanted refuse.
"Love, friendship, family, hatred, resentment, and envy are all temporary things in this world. There are no eternal enemies or eternal friends, only goals or a common enemy, nothing more."
"Gu Wisdom and Gu Creativity were neither friends nor enemies, but their paths crossed, and they shared the same enemy: Alessandra and Zhao Li."
"Yet, the sole loser in that battle was Gu Creativity. Zhao Li and Alessandra got what they wanted, and Gu Wisdom suffered no harm. Gu Creativity was the only one harmed," Tom spoke in a quiet tone as he gradually recalled his shattered memories.
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Three days later, Zhao Li and Alessandra were lying on the Gu of the Origin Tree. They hadn't literally climbed it, but rather jumped up and down to get there faster, as they only had a few hours left to live.
Climbing the Gu of the Origin Tree was difficult; they were injured.Dangerous both inside and out, their bodies contaminated and severely injured from relentless monster battles. They were in a critical condition, too weak to fight.
As they climbed the Origin Tree, Alessandra stopped, vomiting blood profusely. She placed her blood-soaked palm against the root of the Origin Tree.
Alessandra was in far worse shape. Her mana core, located in her heart, had been damaged, causing her heart to erode relentlessly with no sign of healing.
A mocking smile played on her lips as she glanced at Zhao Li, who appeared worried. "Zhao Li, remember the saying, 'The best things are the shortest, not the longest.'"
Alessandra looked confused by the absurdity of Alessandra's words, so out of place given their current situation.
"We've lived for two thousand years, the longest we'll ever live. Isn't that wonderful? We've seen everything, and now we just have to see death. But remember my words: it's better to be a pine tree than to be..." Sometimes it's like a cherry blossom.
Alessandra's body began to transform into a light white ethereal dust, and she launched herself into Zhao Li's body, merging with it.
"Zhao Li, I'm counting on you, okay?" Alessandra's voice was filled with pleading and utter despair. Zhao Li was her last hope; after all, they were one.
A deep sigh escaped Zhao Li's lips as he raised his head toward the top of the Origin Tree Gu, which was covered in dense, multicolored leaves—some vibrant, some dull, some dark, and some sickly.
"Foolish girl, I don't have much time left before I explode. Sacred Yang and Sacred Yin don't mix. They fight until one disturbs the other without Ji Yao Li's spirit to keep them stable, but he's not here."
Zhao Li launched himself with incredible speed, using all his strength to reach the same point. He didn't use Alessandra's power within him to activate the Origin Tree Gu.
While Zhao Li was leaping with all his might, the Creation Gu was in a state of utter anxiety, for what he had feared had come to pass. And Alessandra would succeed in achieving their goal, even though it was an unconventional path, but ultimately beneficial.
"What do I do... what do I do?" Gu Creativity's voice was filled with anxiety as he paced around like a fool, pulling at his white hair.
He remembered Gu Wisdom's words, who had instructed him to head to the Creativity Graveyard, for in the end, no one would find him, as it was one of the forbidden and unknown locations.
A wide, clumsy smile spread across Gu Creativity's small face as he disappeared into the distance, heading towards the Creativity Graveyard.
Meanwhile, Zhao Li had reached the top of Gu Origin Tree to find a giant pit illuminated by different colors—some beautiful, some strange, some repulsive, and some downright disgusting.
Zhao Li stared blankly at it, but he didn't have the luxury of time.
Zhao Li's body was trembling terribly; it was on the verge of exploding as the sacred Yang and sacred Yin energies battled relentlessly within him.
Zhao Li placed his hand against the pit to release his remaining energy. Trying to refine the Origin Tree Gu, he failed, triggering a powerful reaction that caused him to vomit blood and sustain multiple internal injuries, thus accelerating the explosion.
"No... no... no!" Zhao Li's voice grew louder with each breath.
"Failure is not an option. I must succeed at any cost. I am just a weak, foolish, arrogant man. I was once superior to everyone, not because I am Ji Yao Li, but because I was... Without her, I am just a weak fool who has lost everything. I couldn't protect anyone. I lost my children. They were created from me, from my body. They died without me doing anything but collecting their bodies. I admit my weakness and helplessness." Zhao Li's voice was filled with despair and regret, but it transformed into a sharp, determined effort to achieve his goal. He would not give up. Adversity strengthens resolve, and with an iron will, all goals are achieved.
"But not this time. I will succeed no matter the cost."
Zhao Li used every ounce of his strength to refine the Origin Tree Gu, ignoring his body, which was swelling continuously and rapidly. Dangerous
"Very good," Zhao Li glanced at the giant pit, its light intensifying. He jumped in after retrieving his sons and Alessandra's daughter, Beatrice.
As they were about to fall, Zhao Li exploded into a heap of blood, bones, brain matter, and internal organs, his remains falling into the pit.
Several seconds passed before a powerful light erupted, its beam reaching beyond the Ordinary World, a multicolored realm. Multiple lights of different colors then launched towards other Ordinary Worlds.
"They succeeded in the end. However, he won't get the Sunday," Gu Wisdom muttered coldly, disappearing into the Abyss of Ignorance, where the Sunday is a forbidden zone beyond the Graveyard of Creativity, the Gate of Life, the Gate of Death, and the Sea of Time.
Meanwhile, Gu Creativity, trapped in the Graveyard of Creativity, was slowly rusting away. He fell dead, reduced to gray dust, like creations that rust and vanish when they are unattainable.
Gu Creativity's heart was filled with hatred, shock, helplessness, and resentment. In the end, he had been deceived by Gu Wisdom, and now he must pay the price for his foolishness and for believing the words of Gu, a sweet-talking, self-proclaimed wise advisor.
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Meanwhile, it was 8 PM. The sky was dark, studded with beautiful, sparkling stars.
Tom was looking at him with an unreadable expression from the highest point in Gu, the Tree of Origin. "No matter how long a person lives—100 years, a thousand years, or a million years—they will always want to live longer. People's desire for immortality is great. The desire for eternal life is something great and superficial at the same time."
"Whoever makes immortality their goal is weak and short-sighted. No matter how high your level of immortality, if you are weak, you will die. Even if you are the embodiment of death itself, you will die."
"Life is like a beautiful flower; it always withers in the end."