White snow blanketed the horizon, turning every spot into a land of fluffy white. Each step produced crunching noises as 20 Elite Gu Masters traveled through the dense foliage of dried branches and thorny shrubs. They wore black and grey martial uniforms, presenting a stern and trained exterior. Many wore white belts. However, three individuals stood amongst the masses due to the yellow belts and the golden brackets affixed on its surface. One of them was a familiar figure—Tie No Ting. He was the Tie Clan Elder tasked with chasing the crucial Blood Path Inheritance clues, leading him to eventually find trouble with Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing in the Shang Clan's Third Inner City.
Gu Yue Lo Jik's and Bai Ning Bing's crimes had only been emboldened in nature, with their jaws now sinking into the Tie Clan's flesh through the Four Elders' Death. Sure, Long Qing Tian killed one of them, but he had long disappeared, speculated to have experienced a mysterious death. Meanwhile, the issue of Qing Mao's Blood Disaster, Tie Xue Leng's death, and the thirst for Blood AND Ancient Strength Path Inheritance, alongside the ambition to gain the Three Kings' Inheritance, compelled the Tie Clan to send a frightening force of Elites capable of surpassing the Yi Clan's reinforcements.
Among the leading Rank 4 Gu Masters, Tie No Ting moved beside the Leader. Meanwhile, the only female Rank 4 Gu Master boasting a trained and tanned hide, tawny hues, long black hair slicked back into a ponytail, and pretty features—was Tie Ruo Nan. Displeased with the recent campaign that isolated her from the Clan's Upper Hierarchy, the Tie Clan Leader, Ruo Nan's Uncle, was forced to task Ruo Nan with the mission. However, the Clan Leader was unwilling to leave his niece without adequate support.
Tie Ruo Nan traveled behind the two Elders. Her Rank 4 Initial Stage cultivation was nothing compared to their Rank 4 Middle and Upper Stages. Given San Cha's condition, an Elder with Rank 4 Upper Stage Cultivation couldn't occupy a stable footing unless you were Tie Ba Xiu.
Tie Ba Xiu was similar to Shang Bu Li, Yi Huo, Wu Lan Shan, and others—one of the fiercest generals of the Super Clans in the current Era. Despite somewhat lacking Cultivation, Tie Ba Xiu did not lose out in terms of strength due to one reason—
Strength Path.
One of the Strength Path's best advantages was its low Primeval Essence consumption compared to other Paths.
Once spurned by his Clan and forced to wander outside the Clan's Wan Cheng Mountain, Tie Ba Xiu eventually discovered a Righteous Path Inheritance, gaining a Rank 5 Earth Overlord Gu. He soon rose through the ranks with brilliant might, hailed as 'Present Age Overlord.'
Others did not know Tie Ba Xiu's connection with Tie Xue Leng. When others denied him, Tie Xue Leng took care of Ba Xiu for some time. So, as tall and mighty as he was, Tie Ba Xiu was very gentle and held an open outlook. The Clan Leader sent Tie Ba Xiu to assist and support Ruo Nan. Still, Ba Xiu was quiet and knew he didn't need to show eager support. Instead, he knew the best thing to do was prevent any accidents upon Ruo Nan alongside completing the mission—capturing Bai Ning Bing and Gu Yue Lo Jik to contain them inside the Demon Suppression Tower.
Their travel was primarily quiet and uneventful save for the few errand beasts. Fortunately, they did not encounter any Mutated Beast or a Beast Emperor.
The recent nugget of information from San Cha also made the higher-ups of their Clan intrigued by the Inheritance since Gu Yue Lo Jik seemed to have raised his Refinement Path attainment from non-existence to ordinary. It shocked others, encouraging a sudden rise in the arrival of Demonic Gu Masters with the troubling rumors of a few Rank 5 Lone Forces on the move.
Since consuming the Three Kings' Inheritance whole was a challenging task, the Tie Clan, like other Super Forces, wanted to attain its core benefits to strengthen its members. The Tie Clan sent Enslavement, Refinement, and Fire Paths experts for that.
Despite his bulky appearance, Tie Ba Xiu was only second to those old and mysterious Refinement Path Masters inside the clan, cultivating arduously to prepare for their ascension. Meanwhile, Tie Ruo Nan was once an Enslavement Path Gu Master. Although not a Master, her foundation was still miles better than lone forces who couldn't afford the cost of an Enslaved Beast Group. And finally, Tie No Ting possessed an exceptional Fire Path Gu Set.
The elites following the trio were also the cream of the crop among the Rank 3 Gu Masters, possessing several trump cards and methods to support the Elders and the Young Master.
The team stopped once they reached San Cha's perimeter. A familiar face welcomed them with a sincere smirk on his face.
Yi Jun Hie.
The Yi Clan's forces faced a predicament. Ordinarily, their force should have been enough to control San Cha Mountain. However, the Yi Clan couldn't have predicted Lo Jik indirectly creating more waves in the mountain, attracting more and more individuals to the point their force was only subpar and had to ally with the lone Yi Huo behind the scenes. However, Yi Jun Hie couldn't readily request more reinforcement, giving his competitors a reason to mock and suppress him. Instead, the man worked hard, allying with Yi Huo before setting his sight on the Tie Clan's reinforcement.
He had already sent them the entire recording of the conversation between Lo Jik and Feng Tian Yu, allowing Tie Ba Xiu and others to confirm Lo Jik's Master-Level attainment in the Strength Path and Ordinary-Level attainment in the Refinement Path.
"Welcome, Elders." Yi Jun Hie smiled, elegance flowing from every movement of his. "I hope you experienced a fortunate and uneventful journey."
Ba Xiu was renowned for his stoicism and quietness, and Ruo Nan was a Young Master instead of an Elder; Tie No Ting stepped forward and cupped his fist.
"The journey couldn't compare to the destination, Elder Yi. We have strict orders to apprehend Gu Yue Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing and must hasten our pace. Your assistance was more than helpful. During several instances, the Tie and Yi Clans have prospered and allied. We must support each other to drive off, if not capture, the bandits and heinous Gu Masters crawling San Cha's surface!"
Yi Jun Hie's smile widened as he nodded.
"Indeed. Little Giant King and Frost Devil are demon incarnates, disrespecting life and causing massacres. It is only righteous to help each other curb their maddening growth! My Yi Clansmen observed the duo and realized Lo Jik had already dug out a secretive path through his cave—probably using his Rank 5 Thousand Li Earthwolf Spider."
Tie No Ting and others instantly realized Yi Jun Hie's intentions. The latter wished to cooperate in trapping Lo Jik's escape route.
But every assistance demands a price, and No Ting could guess Jun Hie's intentions.
Yet, why would the Tie Clan members share what they already considered theirs?
Tie No Ting smiled confidently, his gaze falling upon Tie Ba Xiu. No matter what, the Clan Leader appointed Tie Ba Xiu as the leader. Tie No Ting couldn't decide for the group without Ba Xiu's approval.
"The Tie Clan must avenge its own. We shall capture and trap those two inside the Demon Suppression Towers or kill them to soothe the Four Elders' souls. Not only Bai Ning Bing—we shall search for every murderer who partook in the Four Elders' and other member's massacre."
He spoke in a low, rumbling voice. Yi Jun Hie instantly realized something—
'The Tie Clan Leader must have sent Tie Ba Xiu after some assurances. He must have a way to deal with a Strength Path Gu Master or a method to suppress the duo.'
The Team bid Yi Jun Hie farewell before locating Lo Jik's residence. Their movement was grand and open, attracting attention from every corner and crevice of the mountain as their dark-clothed figures stood conspicuously tall amidst the snow-white scene.
Only after confirming the duo's presence inside the cave did Tie Ba Xiu meticulously arrange every other member into a formation that shook Tie Ruo Nan slightly. After all, she held treacherous thoughts.
"Get out, Little Giant King! Frost Devil!" Tie No Ting shouted after receiving Ba Xiu's nod. "Your days of wounding the world with crimes and forcing innocents into despair ends today! How dare you kill the members of my Tie Clan? Come out and receive your just punishment!"
Tie No Ting's words confirmed the last bits of speculation as the spectating righteous, demonic, and lone forces hidden in the distance broke into soft murmuring among themselves. They felt slightly pleased and vindicated since Lo Jik's sudden Refinement Path growth left them more than envious.
"Hmph, only the Tie Clansmen's lives matter?" Feng Tian Yu snorted with a cold expression. "Where was the justice when the Tie Clan attacked and destroyed my clan?"
"You cannot attack them or assist Gu Yue Lo Jik, Brother Feng," Yi Huo spoke, instantly consoling the man. "The Tie Clan is always full of this nonsense. You know Gu Yue Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing are my Shang Clan's special guests. They understand that the Shang Clan is more open and tolerant in nature, genuinely righteous to the innocent and lone forces alike. You can also rebuild your clan under the Shang Clan, and the Tie Clan will not dare touch it again."
Feng Tian Yu calmed down slightly before shaking his head. "I've no interest in fucking a bunch of women just to breed like an animal. But I will accept Brother Yi's invitation to enjoy the Shang Clan's beauty after attaining King Xin's Inheritance."
Yi Huo's smile widened, yet he couldn't help but feel concerned at Feng Tian Yu's eccentric nature.
Yi Huo was certain the Refinement Grandmaster would have fought against the Tie Clan had he and Lo Jik spent a few more days discussing the recipes. Meanwhile, Yi Huo's methods barely showed any effects.
As for the duo surrounded by the Tie Clan…
'They don't care about the Shang Clan and have already matured. Why should the Clan spend more effort on the duo when they might oppose us in the future? Compared to them, Feng Tian Yu is much more effortless to subdue and attract. As for the Inheritance… could it also help me heighten my Fire Path Attainment?'
Greed blazed in his heart.
Yet, Yi Huo's, Feng Tian Yu's, Yi Jun Hie's, Tie No Ting's, Tie Ba Xiu's, and Tie Ruo Nan's pupils, alongside several other gazes, shrunk as two figures walked out with an even pace—almost lazily.
Prim and proper, with not a single strand of his white hair out of place, Bai Ning Bing walked out with an indifferent expression. His crystal blue eyes scanned the surroundings before falling upon Tie No Ting. His clothes were melded with the scenic snow. And that pale skin with dignified, stately features momentarily distracted the few females in the group aside from Tie Ruo Nan, for the latter had witnessed Bai Ning Bing's skills hours before the Qing Mao Blood Tide. Yet, Bai Ning Bing added more than just appearing every bit as cold and heartless as San Cha's weather.
Rank 4 Middle Stage aura oozed through his being. His breakthrough must have been recent because no one was prepared for it. Yet, their shock didn't end.
With his loose appearance already well-established, those chiseled pecs almost exposed to the elements, and a collected yet cocky smirk on his face, not to mention the uncharacteristically short yet untamed nest of brown hair, Gu Yue Lo Jik's appearance caused several hearts to tremble and even more souls to shiver.
Did they see it wrong?
Did the cold numb their brains and bite into their thoughts?
Were their senses fooled?
Rank 4 Upper Stage!
"The rumors were true! Little Giant King gained TWO Gold Relics!"
"He only entered King Xin's inheritance once, and his gains are already great. He must definitely know something crucial!"
"Were the rumors about the Rank 2 Polished Steel Recipe also true?"
"What else did he get from the inheritance?"
"Too hateful!"
However, a few chose to look past the obvious.
'Why would he wait until now to use the Golden Relic Gu?' Hu Mei Er bit her lip. She feared for Lo Jik's life. Unwilling to see him dead since her training progressed smoothly, her desire to tame the Little Giant King was at an all-time high. However, now she felt a faint sense of pressure birthed from Lo Jik's growth. She must move quickly—possibly after today's events! The brighter Lo Jik shined, the deeper and darker the shadow of desire and hideous obsession in her heart grew.
'So, that means he must have either gotten a lot of Primeval Stones from the Inheritance or a type of Cultivation Assistance Gu Worm.' Yi Huo's eyes gleamed. He knew of several such Gu! The Rank 1 Liquor Worm, Rank 3 Seven Fragrances Liquor Worm, Rank 1-5 Soaked Wall Gu, Rank 1-5 Half-Effort Gu, and a few others. Many talents emerged since the time Immemorial, inventing Gu Worms to support one's cultivation. All these were rare, and the Gu Worms, like Soaked Wall and Half-Effort, could assist Yi Huo in advancing to Rank 5!
Yi Huo wasn't far from the objective truth. Lo Jik used Half Effort Gu, alongside Rank 5 Peak Stage essence, to advance to Rank 4 Upper Stage Cultivation in his first aperture.
Even Tie No Ting faltered after sensing the change, somewhat intimidated.
Mimicking Bai Ning Bing, Lo Jik's gaze scanned everyone, resting on Ruo Nan momentarily longer than others before focusing on Tie Ba Xiu.
"Well, we got out, Elder Tie No Ting," Lo Jik began without sparing the man a glance. "Go ahead. Punish us."
"Disrespectful Junior!" Tie No Ting bristled with cold fury, masking his slight surprise due to the lack of information. "You can still repent. Get on your knees—"
Lo Jik waved his hand as a red light shot out from his aperture, expanding by crazy proportions as Ruo Nan's momentarily paled as if recalling some nightmares. Meanwhile, Bai Ning Bing's lips tugged into a cold smirk. He pointed at the nearest Rank 3 Gu Master as a glistening frost arrow shot out with a swirling icy mist around it.
Rank 4 Frost Arrow and Shape Blizzard Gu!
*Hiiisssssss*
The terrifying serpentine hiss, accompanied by an even more horrifying Rank 5 aura, gripped several hearts with unadulterated terror as a massive, 40-meter-long blood-red snake occupied the gap with its rending tail flicking around. Its hood spread open as bones protruded from its skull like a crown. The venomous purple eyes may not boast the best eyesight, but the Rank 5 Blood River Python was the most aggressive Rank 5 Steed Gu!
Tie Ba Xiu's expression instantly sank, and his pupils shrank.
Who starts a battle with a Rank 5 Gu?
Better yet, when did Lo Jik refine the Rank 5 Gu? How did he escape San Cha Mountain to refine the massive Gu without other's knowledge—
The Rank 5 Thousand Li Earthwolf!
Despite the duo being the Steed Gu, the Rank 5 Thousand Li Earthwolf needed a Gu Master's essence to activate its drill-like feelers to attack or dig into the ground. However, the Rank 5 Blood River Python only needed the Gu Master's Primeval Essence when recovering its battle strength from within a Blood Pool.
Else, Lo Jik merely needs to control it with his mind!
The frightening Snake Gu instantly lashed at Tie Ba Xiu. Its massive body tore through the ground and the nearby foliage alike, its tail suddenly flipping and smashing into a nearby shrubbery as a panicked shout echoed from within.
*Crunch*
A hidden Gu Master died an aggrieved death!
Tie Ba Xiu instantly shouted.
"Put some distance!"
He didn't need to.
Others already did that the second they felt the Blood River Python's presence.
"Stop!" Ruo Nan shouted and instantly slapped her hands together before forming a giant curved broadsword as she watched Bai Ning Bing's arrow break apart the nearby Rank 3 Gu Master's defenses, leaving a frozen trail of swirling mist.
"Bastard! You will pay!" Tie No Ting shouted—
*Swish*
A brown light bloomed and shot out of Lo Jik, turning into an elephant-sized, pitch-black, wolf-shaped monstrosity boasting a thick hide of metallic black plates on its torso and back. It extended into three pairs of limbs capped by spiral feelers glistening like steel.
Rank 5 Thousand Li Earthwolf Spider!
"Make me!" Lo Jik laughed as the second Rank 5 Steed Gu instantly shot towards Tie No Ting.
Meanwhile, a bow with green and brown fur endings emerged in Lo Jik's right hand as he aimed at Tie Ruo Nan. The girl's expression sank as she instantly defended against the well-known lightning-quick phantom arrow birthed from the Lightning Dragon Elephant Strength Phantom!
*Ting*
She used the flat of her curved broadsword to defend against the lightning arrow as it propelled her body backward!
*Puchi*
The frost arrow pierced the Gu Master's chest, and his body instantly froze!
"No!" Tie Ruo Nan shouted, her eyes turning bloodshot—
Her senses screamed, and she instantly defended against a flaming arrow!
But their horror had merely begun!
Lo Jik didn't plan to attack Tie No Ting or Tie Ba Xiu. Instead, the Blood River Python and Thousand Li Earthwolf achieved their initial objective of making the duo retreat. Lo Jik controlled the Gu Worms to turn and attack the surrounding Rank 3 Gu Masters, his lightning arrows barely defended against as its rain began decimating all the foes that once thought of using tactics to surpass and capture Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing.
Yet, why would Lo Jik be kind enough to let them do so?
Using an unimaginable force was the best way to destroy one's tactic.
As someone said—everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.
From their advanced cultivation to the sudden appearance of Rank 5 Blood River Python and the Earthwolf Spider Gu, it was a massive uppercut to the Tie Clansmen!
Tie No Ting instantly shuddered, predicting the plight his clansmen were about to experience.
"Sigh…" A gentle sigh followed by a tyrannical Golden Dragon suddenly shot out from a distance like lightning, instantly intercepting several arrows before releasing a hail of golden arrows to counter the remaining ones.
"All living beings should live in peace." Another voice echoed before the sudden beating of chests as the noise of a White Ape Beast Tide filled Lo Jik's surroundings, shocking many spectators as several Gu Masters screamed and retreated with cold sweat covering their bodies.
"Why must Gu Worms act so aggressively?" a weary chuckle echoed, followed by a formless pulse of energy that instantly turned Lo Jik's control over the duo Steed Gu Worms sluggish!
'Finally out, eh?' Lo Jik sneered internally but displayed the most sincere, award-winning, shocked face in the history of Gu Cinema—which didn't exist!
The sudden change surprised everyone as Lo Jik pulled back his Gu Worms. Bai Ning Bing quickly retrieved his Frost Arrow Gu since he felt he almost lost control over the Gu! Aside from the dead Gu Master, every other Tie Clansmen pulled back with terrible expressions, their hateful glares landing on Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing as they contained their tongues.
Several pairs of eyes landed on a group of three Gu Masters, their Rank 5 Middle, Upper, and Peak Stage Aura, making everyone speechless.
Three Rank 5 Gu Masters!
The foundation of a Super Force was almost stupendous since nobody expected the Tie Clan to invest so heavily in San Cha Mountain!
Even the spectating Yi Jun Hie and Yi Huo felt beads of cold sweat rolling down their temples. Bitterness pervaded their hearts as they identified the monstrous trio.
Tie Clan's actions felt unreasonable until everyone piled on the recent changes. Besides, others might not know the truth. But Lo Jik had used Li Xian's network to spread the wildest tales and rumors about many Gu Masters.
Apparently, Hu Mei Er had seduced an Immortal.
Lin San Chi, an Earth and Metal Path Expert rumored to be involved with Hu Mei Er, couldn't appear in San Cha to snatch her back from the Little Giant King because he was stuck in a water prison within a great river.
Mo Wu Tian had already reached Rank 5 Peak Stage Cultivation and prepared to ascend into the Immortal Realm.
Empress Wu Ji likes to pleasure herself by recovering her cut nose and fingering it.
Gu Yue Lo Jik was already a Rank 5 Peak Stage aperture and inherited Limitless Demon Venerable's Inheritance.
Long Qing Tian was still alive and ran away.
…
..
.
Each rumor was wilder and more unhinged than before, yet it provoked caution from everyone. However, the Tie Clan will not send these Rank 5 experts for these rumors.
There was one peculiar speculation circulating around San Cha Mountain—
Whoever attains one of the three Inheritances would achieve the Master-Level attainment of the corresponding paths the Three Kings represented.
That and Lo Jik's sudden display of Refinement Path understanding roused everyone's intrigue. Even old fossils from the Super Clans emerged from their closed-door cultivation.
"Old Lord!"
Tie Ba Xiu instantly cupped his fist as the massive Golden Dragon emanating Rank 4 Aura took to the air, making the cruel Blood River Python lock its gaze on the flying dragon. It was almost hilarious how Lo Jik couldn't find the necessary Gu Worms, like the Rank 5 Policy, Heaven's Will, and Wishful Blessing, to attack the old and ruined Blessed Land, much less the Gu required for the Human Adaptive Qi Gu to prepare for his departure.
Wishing for the materials to refine the Theft Path Gu was even more laughable.
However, Lo Jik spent his time refining the Rank 4 Blood Qi Gu from its Rank 3 Variant before fusing them into the Rank 5 Blood River Python—the same Gu Worm once in the First Gen Gu Yue Ancestor's possession!
Other Tie Clansmen followed Ba Xiu's example and greeted the so-called Old Lord alongside the two wizened elders. Their greetings caused the surroundings to stiffen with palpable tension. The trio calmly nodded, their gazes not moving away from the two Rank 5 Gu around Lo Jik.
"Why are you sighing like you watched your wife fuck a dog?" A chilling voice suddenly cut through the clamoring of Demonic and Righteous forces alike as Bai Ning Bing stood like a proud crane, glancing at the Rank 5 Peak Stage expert with evident defiance and derision in his stone-cold blue eyes.
The previous tension intensified exponentially, almost thickening to a visible level as Lo Jik chuckled and crossed his arms.
"All living beings should live in peace?" He stared down the Rank 5 Upper Stage Enslavement Path Gu Master, controlling the group of Mutated White Apes. "Did you grow senile, Old Monkey Rutting Bastard? Every life experiences conflict, for there is no peace in conflict's absence."
"And do tell them why every Gu Worm acts aggressively," Bai Ning Bing laughed, his peaceful voice spread through the snow-capped forest.
"Why, of course," Lo Jik snickered. He hid the ominous intentions when staring at the Rank 5 Middle Stage Refinement Path Female Gu Master. "Because we are aggressive, so are our tools. Keep wearing those righteous masks—it makes the experience of ripping it right off your face all the more enthralling!"
It was quiet.
Too quiet.
Did the demonic duo know no fear?
Feng Tian Yu's gaze grew slightly anticipative once he heard Lo Jik's words about the Gu Worms being their tools. It held a mysterious quality and an enticing force for a Refinement Path master like him, snatching his thoughts into a realm of heightened inspiration!
Yi Huo's heart shuddered with fright since he already identified the trio.
Hu Mei Er's core throbbed with horror and untamed desires.
Tie Ruo Nan momentarily gaped, forgetting most of her plans since the circumstances from Lo Jik's revelation of possessing another Rank 5 Gu Worm to the arrival of the Three Elders long surpassed any semblance of control Ruo Nan projected.
There were two other individuals—Jiao Huang and Meng Tu. They took on the contract of assassinating Gu Yue Lo Jik and Bai Ning Bing. Currently, they sweated buckets, almost too terrified to breathe loudly!
Who were these two lunatics?
Was the fallen Qing Mao Mountain filled with these eccentric individuals?
What gave the duo the confidence to berate THREE Rank 5 Elders?
Well, Bai Ning Bing was always confident and unruly, even in the face of the Death… and had the Rank 5 Frost Profound Zombie Gu, securing his life as an undead. Couple that with the Rank 4 Yin Yang Rotation Gu, and Bai Ning Bing was quite confident in his survival.
Meanwhile, Lo Jik…
He orchestrated most of the current unfortunate circumstances, didn't he?
He discreetly glanced at the sky for some reason before looking at the Tie Clansmen again.
"Well?" he smiled as the Blood River Python protectively coiled around the duo. Meanwhile, the Rank 5 Thousand Li Earthwolf Spider stood ahead like a glorious tank. "What are you waiting for?" He repeated. "We got out. Go ahead. Punish us."
***
Alternate Title: All Bark No Bite; The Hidden Force; Making Progress In San Cha; Tie Ruo Nan's Treacherous Thoughts; The Present Age Overlord; Three Rank 4; Three Rank 5; Superb Progress; Ruo Nan's PTSD; Feng Tian Yu Is Truly The New Bartolomeo; Schemes At Every Level; Baiting Rank 5 Gu Masters From Their Goon Caves; Devilish Duo; Upper and Middle; The Blood Serpent; The Spider Wolf; Malicious Tactic; Lo Jik Doesn't Need Tactics; The Sky Again?; The Abrupt Change; Debunking Hypocritical Claims From The Beginning; Bai Ning Bing May Not Be Born With Nuts, But He's Got 'Em Heavy; Tracked Down; Surrounded; Spunky As Ever; Go Ahead, Punish Them; Punishment Goes Both Ways; Attacking With Full Force?; The Hidden Depths and Murky Layers; Demonic VS Demonic With Additional Steps; Tie Ruo Nan: I Will Be a Demonic Gu Master For Revenge (Tie Clan Leader: We Have Demonic At Home—Points At Every Gu Immortal); For Righteousness… And The Blood/Strength Inheritance