Ancestral Grotto, Great Root Manor

The atmosphere was heavy as the immortals of the Bao clan gathered for their meeting.

Bao Lang Chao sat at the main seat, surrounded by the other supreme elders and various immortals from the Bao clan.

"We must act quickly," Bao Lang Chao said, his voice grave. "Xu Lian, has betrayed us. He has conspired with the Wen clan against our own, he violated our rules. He will be held accountable for his crimes! We must strike with an iron fist!"

The faces of the immortals were solemn.

"But what do we do now? He escaped to Wen clan's territory." - One of the other immortals asked.

The simplest way was the most direct. Demand the extradition of Bao Xu Lian. What if Wen clan doesn't comply? Force them!

But they couldn't voice these thoughts. Openly opposing the Wen clan would violate the Immortal Oath.

After all, harming others means you first harm yourself.

"The Wen clan relies on us for resources, and we need their expertise and goods in return. We cannot simply break off relations, and neither can we harm them directly. We can only put pressure on them."

Bao Yijun, the second supreme elder, nodded gravely. "We must tread carefully." - She said.

"The annual competition of the Bao Wen Academy is approaching. If we win, we will secure a greater share of resources for our clan. We must use this event to our advantage and show the Wen clan that we will not be trifled with." - She continued.

Bao Chi Ping, the third supreme elder, spoke up. "We must not let our emotions cloud our judgment." - He said.

"We must act in the best interests of the Bao clan, no matter what the cost may be. We will use the competition to demonstrate our strength and determination, and make the Wen clan pay for their betrayal."

"Yes, we won't stoop to their level. Our Bao clan can suppress them fair and square!"

The immortals of the Bao clan nodded in agreement. They knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but they were determined to protect their clan and uphold their dignity, no matter the cost.

The immortals of the Bao clan began to discuss their plans for the upcoming Bao Wen competition.

"We must gather our strongest gu masters and cultivate their powers quicker." - Bao Lang Chao said.

"We must also devise strategies to outmaneuver the Wen clan and secure victory for our clan."

"But we cannot simply rely on brute force." - Bao Yijun noted.

"We must also use our intelligence and cunning to outwit the Wen clan. We must use every tool at our disposal to ensure our victory."

"We must also prepare for any potential setbacks or surprises." - Bao Chi Ping added.

"The Wen clan is not to be underestimated. We must be ready for anything they may throw at us."

The immortals' determination grew stronger by the minute. Bao clan has already wagered more resources this year than usual. The reason was the Flying Leaf Coiling Vine formation had to be repaired. Wen clan would naturally not let these go. The Bao clan immortals knew that the competition would be especially fierce this year, but they were determined to emerge victorious and protect the honor of their clan.

The immortals of the Bao clan were deep in discussion when an envoy from the Wen clan arrived.

"Greetings, esteemed members of the Bao clan." - The messenger said.

"I bring a message from the Wen clan. Wen clan denies the accusations that Bao Xu Lian is a spy, and they request that the Hole Earth Gu passage be reopened so that our two clans may resume our business relations as allies." - He humbly said.

How shameless!

The immortals of the Bao clan looked at each other in surprise, and ridicule.

Bao Lang Chao spoke up.

"We cannot simply trust the words of the Wen clan" - He said. "They have already betrayed us by sheltering Bao Xu Lian. Hand him over, only then will the passage be opened again."

Bao Yijun nodded in agreement.

"We will not reopen the passage until Bao Xu Lian is delivered to us dead or alive." - She said firmly.

"The Wen clan must take responsibility for their actions and face the consequences."

Bao Chi Ping: "We do not believe you. The evidence against the Wen clan is clear. Unless they hand over Bao Xu Lian and prove their loyalty to the Bao clan, we cannot reopen the Hole Earth Gu passage and resume our business relations. This is Bao clans unanimous decision."

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The messenger from the Wen clan looked taken aback. He had not expected such a strong reaction from the Bao clan.

"I will convey your message to the Wen clan." - He said after a moment.

"But I must warn you, this decision may have serious repercussions for both of our clans. The Wen clan will not take kindly to being pressured in this manner."

"We are aware of the risks." - Bao Lang Chao's eyes flashed coldly.

"But we will not back down. The Bao clan's dignity and honor are at stake. We will do what is necessary to protect them, no matter the cost."

The messenger nodded and left, carrying the message back to the Wen clan. The immortals of the Bao clan continued their discussions, determined to emerge victorious in the upcoming competition and protect their benefits.

Bao Lang Chao was satisfied with the way the meeting had gone. The immortals of the Bao clan had rallied together, united in their determination to protect their clan and seek justice for the betrayal of Bao Xu Lian. He had successfully seized control of the narrative, making it clear to the Wen clan that the Bao clan would not be trifled with. He felt, his authority was stabilized again.

"Troubled times distinguish a leader from the rest." - He thought.

Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Bao Lang Chao was confident in the strength and resilience of his clan. He knew that together, they could overcome any obstacle and emerge victorious in the upcoming Bao Wen competition.

* * * * *

Lingering Mountains Grotto

"Could we return to the Icy Peak?" - Asked Qinyang.

Hao Meng looked at her strangely.

"I thought you wanted to come with me... Did I do something wrong?"

"No, it's not like that. I wouldn't dare go against that immortal's order. It's just that I want to say goodbye to someone before I go."

"Oh, but you know you can return to the Icy Peak even after you join the academy."

Qinyang shook her head.

"I don't want to return, I don't feel I belong there. But I owe my life to my little brother. He should know that I'm alright, lest he rushes out to save me again." - She said, chucking at the end.

"Why not bring him as well? I can give him a position in the academy. All it takes is a word from me." - Hao Meng said plainly.

Qinyang looked at him strangely. She just recalled, even that immortal knew who Hao Meng was.

"Just who are you exactly?"

Hao Meng looked at her in surprise.

"It is I, Hao Meng of the Wen clan. Who else?" - He replied unassumingly, but he quickly realized, he hadn't even told his background to Qinyang.

"Hehe, I forgot to tell you. I'm one of the elders of the Bao Wen Academy." - He straightened his posture and flashed his teeth with a healthy grin.

"You, an elder? How can that be? You barely look my age." - Qinyang teased him.

"Hmph! Of course, I am. What else would a rank five gu master be? I would bring shame to my ancestors if I be anything less."

"Already rank five? So impressive?" - She thought as she narrowed her eyes warily.

"Tell me straight. How old are you, have you used lifespan gu to look this young?" - She asked with suspicion.

She racked her brain quickly, why would an old fox want to charm her? To take her yin energy or make her his slave? Qinyang was horrified as any of these could happen in her mind. This was the gu world after all! The methods of gu were myriad and unfathomable, anything was possible.

"No, I swear I didn't! Mother would only let me have a lifespan gu if I became an immortal. She uses them all on herself just to keep her face pretty." - Explained Hao Meng indignantly.

He wasn't an old man trying to trick her with ulterior motives!

Qinyang stared at him silently for a moment.

"That makes sense. With his temper, he can't be that old. Wait! His mother is an immortal?" - Qinyang's eyes opened wide in shock as she realized.

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner? You have an immortal supporting you! That's so imposing!"

"Well, I guess." - Hao Meng shrugged. To him, this was normal, he grew up like this.

"So, shall we pick up your brother then?" - He steered his icy cloud towards Icy Peak.

* * * * *

Xu Lian Blessed land

Near the center of the immortal aperture stood a tall tree. It towered over the surrounding greenery, it stood out with its distinct color and twisted branches.

This tree, of course, was Bao Zhi.

His attention was focused on his fake aperture. He inspected the Primeval Rafflesia gu house. The Primeval elder gu was depleted by over two third! The elder inside had a hunched back and looked unhappy.

"The essence consumption has steeply increased." - Bao Zhi thought.

"But it was worth it!"

He shifted his attention back to its previous target.

Rank five Man Triumphing Heaven Gu was about to absorb all the essence it needed.

Bao Zhi checked, Bao Xu Lian's will was still inside the brain melon to deduce matters.

It started to glow in a brilliant golden light, and Bao Zhi could feel its power coursing through his body. He felt invigorated and strong, like he could take on the world.

Bao Zhi could feel the fake aperture expanding, growing stronger and more powerful with each passing moment.

As Bao Zhi entered a mystical state brought on by the Man Triumphing Heaven Gu, he felt a sense of peace and calmness wash over him. He felt as if he was in a state of transcendence, where his mind and body were completely in harmony.

He could feel his senses heightening, as if he was more attuned to the world around him. He could hear the smallest sounds, see the tiniest details, and feel the subtlest changes in the air around him.

His body felt light and weightless, as if he was floating on air. He felt a sense of freedom and liberation, as if he was free from the constraints of his physical body.

Finally, when the Man Triumphing Heaven Gu had absorbed all the primeval essence it needed, it let out a loud, triumphant roar in Bao Zhi's mind.

Bao Zhi shuddered.

He felt the fake aperture fully awaken, and he knew that he had achieved a new level of strength and power.

With the Man Triumphing Heaven Gu spent, he was now a proper gu master.

As Bao Zhi exited the mystical state brought on by the Man Triumphing Heaven Gu, he was surprised to see that his fake aperture had not been replaced by the real one!

But his shock was brief and temporary. He was a man of unassailable mind, and he quickly regained his composure.

Instead, he saw that his aperture now had two layers, with the real aperture layered on top of the fake one. Like two spaces that overlapped each other, distinct, yet connected.

"Interesting" - He said, examining the two layers of his aperture.

"I've never heard of anyone having two apertures before. I wonder what the implications are."

He continued to experiment with his new aperture, testing out its abilities and capabilities.

"I see. The fake aperture is made of wood path dao marks, while the real aperture is a human path creation. Human path is naturally complementary and non-conflicting so the two can co-exist." - He pondered.

He stopped the Primeval Rafflesia gu house. The second layer of his aperture was currently still empty. But it didn't take long, it started to naturally produce primeval essence.

He was gratified to see that the second layer was soon filled up to ninety-five percent, indicating that he had an A grade aptitude.

"One layer can hold a hundred percent primeval essence but can't produce any, while the other can be filled up to ninety-five percent and can rapidly produce the rank one green copper primeval essence."

Bao Zhi did not waste time. He activated the Primeval Rafflesia Gu house again. Both layers of his aperture filled to the limit.

"This much essence... If I pour all of this continuously into nurturing the human path aperture, what would happen? I should be able to break through from rank one initial stage to rank one middle stage without my essence running out."

Advancing cultivation effortlessly, this was something only one of the ten extreme physiques could replicate!

* * * * *