The primeval sea surged with turbulent waves, and a huge whirlpool of bronze primeval essence impacted and nourished the Aperture's light membrane.
The Aperture's light membrane completely transformed into a water membrane, as if reborn, and Liu Chen successfully stepped into the First Rank middle stage, successfully breaking through a minor Realm.
Time flew by like a white steed, and in the blink of an eye, a full week had passed since the caravan departed. During this period, Liu Chen did not waste time but devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.
Relying on the emerald primeval essence purified by the Wine Gu, Liu Chen nurtured his Aperture with ease.
He broke through to the First Rank middle stage!
This Breakthrough to the First Rank middle stage was of extraordinary significance to Liu Chen. It not only meant a qualitative improvement in his strength but, more importantly, he successfully surpassed all other Gu Master students, becoming the first to break through to this Realm.
Liu Chen's A-grade Aptitude was already exceptional, and with the assistance of the Wine Gu, his cultivation speed could be described as 'advancing a thousand li in a day'.
In the Family School, he was still the diligent but inconspicuous student, constantly improving his cultivation every day.
However, while Liu Chen was focused on cultivation, subtle changes were quietly occurring in the School.
Gu Yue Qingshu, Gu Yue Moyan, and Gu Yue Chishan, due to the competition for class leader, had subtly formed three factions, developing a competitive mindset among themselves.
Gu Yue Qingshu's gentle nature and sincere demeanor naturally attracted many companions; Gu Yue Moyan, relying on her beauty and unyielding drive, also gained many followers; and Gu Yue Chishan, with his physique and strength far surpassing his peers, conquered many younger followers.
Although there were no obvious conflicts between these three factions, their hidden rivalry never ceased. They all hoped to stand out in the School and become the focus of attention.
While this was true on the surface, in reality, Gu Yue Qingshu had been adopted as a godson by the Clan Chief, becoming the spokesperson for the Clan Chief's lineage. Gu Yue Moyan and Gu Yue Chishan also represented the Mo and Chi lineages, respectively. Was it only through this balance that they could check each other?
In contrast, Liu Chen belonged to no faction, nor was he willing to get involved in their struggles. Along with a group of Gu Master apprentices who disliked conflict, he became an inconspicuous member of the School.
Hua Jiu's Legacy
Liu Chen stood at the base of the rock wall, his gaze fixed on it, deep in thought.
"The most precious part of the Legacy left by Flower Wine Ascetic is the Third Rank Heaven Essence Treasure Lotus, followed by the Wine Gu, then the White Hog Gu, Jade Skin Gu, and the Earth Listening Flesh Ear Grass and Sawtooth Golden Centipede."
The Heaven Essence Treasure Lotus concerns the survival of Gu Yue Village and cannot be easily taken. Moreover, to successfully refine it, tens of thousands of primeval stones are needed, which he cannot obtain at present.
All that remained were the Jade Skin Gu and White Hog Gu, which he urgently needed. These two Gu could enhance his strength and defense, perfectly compensating for his current weaknesses.
Immediately, a massive Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider was summoned from his Aperture, appearing before him.
This Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider was covered in black fur, its six thick sword-like legs as hard as steel, and its pair of red eyes gleamed with fierce light. Under Liu Chen's command, it quickly moved to the base of the rock wall and began to excavate the wall with its sharp legs, like drills.
A hidden passage was quickly dug out at the base of the rock wall by the Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider. Seeing this, Liu Chen unhesitatingly mounted the Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider and entered this mysterious passage.
A faint red light emanated within the passage, allowing him to see his surroundings. Liu Chen walked cautiously, while also paying attention to any movements around him. As he walked, he vaguely felt a breeze, which eased his mind, at least indicating that the passage below was not a dead end.
Although he was familiar with the plot of this environment, he still needed to be careful, as his current strength was still too weak.
After walking for a considerable distance, Liu Chen finally reached the end of the passage. However, a huge boulder blocked his path, preventing him from moving forward.
Recalling the Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider into his Aperture, Liu Chen approached the boulder and began to dig beneath it with both hands. His movements, though somewhat strenuous, were very resolute.
Not long after digging, Liu Chen suddenly caught a faint, refreshing scent. This aroma invigorated him, and he hastened his digging speed.
Indeed, not long after, Liu Chen unearthed a bud-like grass Gu from the soil. This grass Gu was entirely emerald green, like carved jade, emitting an alluring fragrance.
Liu Chen recognized this as a Di Zang Hua Gu, a type of Gu specifically used to store other Gu. He carefully held the Di Zang Hua Gu in his hands and then opened it layer by layer.
When the last petal was peeled back, a White Hog Gu appeared before Liu Chen's eyes. This White Hog Gu resembled a plump, pure white ladybug, emitting a faint glow.
Liu Chen knew that this White Hog Gu was one of the Gu preserved within Hua Jiu's unusual Legacy. It could permanently increase a Gu Master's Strength Path by one pig's worth, and was a very rare First Rank Gu, valued at least six hundred primeval stones.
Liu Chen carefully reached out and firmly grasped the White Hog Gu. He took a deep breath, concentrated his mind, and then used the powerful pressure of the Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider to completely envelop the White Hog Gu.
The White Hog Gu was instantly refined.
After completing the refinement, Liu Chen looked up, his gaze falling on the prominent boulder at the end of the passage. He secretly congratulated himself, for as a Transmigrator, he possessed an advantage others lacked—knowledge of this world.
He knew that by using the White Hog Gu to raise his Strength Path to the strength of one pig, he could easily push open this boulder and obtain the subsequent Legacy.
However, Liu Chen now had the powerful assistance of the Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider, like using a level 50 account to clear a novice dungeon. He didn't need to follow Flower Wine Ascetic's arrangements to undergo the trials at all.
Thus, Liu Chen unhesitatingly urged the Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider to directly attack the boulder. The Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider opened its massive fangs and bit fiercely into the boulder.
With a loud crash, the boulder instantly shattered under the Thousand Li Earth Wolf Spider's fierce assault, revealing the passage behind it.
Seeing this, Liu Chen stepped into the passage and continued to explore deeper. Not long after, he arrived at a hastily excavated, empty room.
At the end of the room, another boulder still stood, blocking the way. Liu Chen looked closely and noticed an unusual area in the soil in front of the boulder.
Curiosity piqued, he immediately reached down and began to dig. Sure enough, in the soil, he discovered another Di Zang Hua Gu.
Liu Chen carefully held the Di Zang Hua Gu in his hands and then gently opened the bud. The bud slowly unfolded, revealing a Jade Skin Gu lying inside.