To everyone's surprise, Liu Chen felt not even a shred of resistance during the refinement. The Rank 5 Gu seemed entirely submissive, allowing him to refine it with ease.
Although midnight had already passed, Liu Chen was far too excited to sleep. Within his aperture, the green copper primeval sea was nearly dry, yet at the very center, the Innate Sword Embryo Gu floated quietly.
Without hesitation, Liu Chen activated the Gu. In an instant, a staggering change occurred. The amber-like outer shell of the Gu began to melt, transforming into a thick, golden liquid that blazed with the intensity of a sacred fire. This liquid quickly diffused, forming a dense golden mist that clung to the thin, flickering light-membranes of his aperture walls.
As time passed, the golden liquid seeped through the aperture walls and began a fundamental reconstruction of his talent. Not only that, but the golden essence left behind faint, sharp traces within his body Sword Path Dao Marks.
When the final drop of golden liquid fused completely with his aperture, Liu Chen's aptitude underwent an unprecedented leap. His original 45% C grade talent surged violently, breaking through every barrier until it reached a staggering 99% A grade aptitude!
A grade talent!
In the center of the aperture, only a single silver miniature sword remained. It had become his Vital Gu the Sword Embryo Gu.
This Gu was far from simple. Once activated, it only consumed 10% of a Rank 1 Gu Master's primeval essence to manifest a sharp, bladeless sword. As long as the sword remained undamaged, it could exist indefinitely.
In the Gu world, all Gu worms require specific and often expensive food. However, the Sword Embryo Gu was different; it had almost no dietary requirements and could consume nearly anything to sustain itself. Furthermore, it possessed the unique trait of "Nurturing and Refining as One," meaning Liu Chen could raise its rank and change its form simply by feeding it specific materials.
Within the Nameless Sword Path True Inheritance, Liu Chen had acquired dozens of refinement routes for this Gu. Having seen the various difficulties Gu Masters faced especially the near suicidal risk of Immortal Ascension Liu Chen now possessed a goal far clearer than any of his peers. He decided that his future would be centered on the Sword Path.
As for the specific upgrade path for his Sword Embryo, he narrowed it down to three choices:
-Sky-Origin Sword Embryo: Feed it primeval stones to grant it the ability to absorb natural qi and recover primeval essence.
-Blood Flow Sword Embryo: Feed it blood to enhance its killing power, a path favored for its low cost and combat efficiency.
-Wine Fragrance Sword Embryo: Feed it spirit liquor to allow the sword to emit a confusing alcoholic mist during battle.
After careful consideration, Liu Chen chose the first path. The ability to recover essence was a rare and invaluable trait that would provide the greatest overall utility for his growth.
The night grew deeper. Liu Chen finally finished opening his current hoard of boxes, carefully hid his remaining primeval stones, and collapsed into bed, drifting into a sweet, well earned sleep.
The next morning, sunlight spilled through the window and across Liu Chen's face as he slowly woke.
"What is this?" His eyes snapped open in surprise. A Wooden Treasure Box had materialized out of nowhere, sitting right before him.
He rubbed his eyes to ensure it wasn't an illusion. Where had this box come from? Why had it appeared now? With curiosity gnawing at him, he reached out and touched the lid.
"Obtained Wooden Treasure Box x1. Open?"
Liu Chen hesitated for only a moment before selecting "Open." The box creaked open, revealing a single item: One Leaf Sword Grass.
This grass was strangely shaped, consisting of only a single leaf that resembled a small, elegant sword with edges as sharp as a razor.
"One Leaf Sword Grass... a Rank 1 Sword Path Gu plant..." Liu Chen muttered, both surprised and confused. In the Nameless Sword Path True Inheritance, this grass was listed as a primary material for refining and feeding the Sword Embryo Gu.
He tucked the grass away, his mind racing. Was the appearance of these boxes tied to a daily cycle, or was there another trigger he hadn't yet discovered? Without any clues, he had to set the mystery aside for now.
After a quick, simple meal, he hurried to the clan academy.
The classroom was already bustling with students. Some whispered in small groups, while others sat in silent contemplation, all waiting for the arrival of the Academy Elder.
Among the crowd, three figures were particularly eye catching: Gu Yue Qing Shu, Gu Yue Chi Shan, and Gu Yue Mo Yan. As the clan's top geniuses, they were surrounded by envious peers, engaged in lively and animated conversations.
However, the moment the Academy Elder stepped into the room, the noise vanished. The students scrambled to their seats. Liu Chen was no exception, having specifically chosen an inconspicuous corner in the back where he could remain quiet and unnoticed.
As the Elder began his lecture, he covered the basic knowledge of Gu Master cultivation and the history of the Gu Yue Village.
To Liu Chen, this information was like chicken ribs tasteless to eat, yet a waste to discard. Thanks to the knowledge he had already gained from the silver treasure box, these basics were beneath him. Nevertheless, he maintained an expression of intense focus, as if the lecture were the most important thing in the world. He asked no questions and simply listened in silence.
Liu Chen had already calculated his move. With his current A grade talent, he had no intention of attracting any attention. He knew that in this highly competitive and treacherous environment, standing out too much invited unnecessary trouble. His plan was simple: remain a student whose grades were neither outstanding nor failing.
He would cultivate steadily and quietly. Once he reached Rank 3 and became an elder, he would leave Qing Mao Mountain and never look back.