Bao Wen Academy

The room was a common circular chamber, constructed entirely of smooth, polished stone. The walls were carved with patterns and symbols, representing the sect's teachings and ways. The floor was bare and unadorned, save for a single cushion in the center for meditation.

The room was dimly lit by a series of glowing crystals, embedded in the walls and ceiling. These crystals emitted a soft, ethereal light that filled the room with a soothing, mystical feeling.

This was one of the common secret rooms available for the academy's students.

Jin Ju sat cross-legged in the center of the room, his eyes closed and his breathing slow and steady. He was in closed cultivation, focusing his primeval essence and meditating on his next steps as a gu master. As he concentrated, his mind drifted towards the Three Demons' inheritance, and the powerful gu and killer moves that it described.

"The Three Demons each cultivated different paths. Gui Kong was an expert of phantom path. The Phantom Mantis gu and Phantom Steps gu were his gu worms." - He thought to himself.

He had been drawn to these Phantom Path gu. Phantom path had the ability to turn things immaterial and pass through solid objects.

He envisioned himself phasing through walls and dodging attacks with ease, becoming a ghost-like presence on the battlefield. But he knew that mastering these gu alone would not be enough. To truly unlock the power of the inheritance, he would need to understand how the Three Demons had worked together to complement and strengthen each other.

"They each had their respective roles in battle. From what I can gather, Gui Kong used to harass his enemies from afar with the swarm of Phantom Mantises. These gu aren't powerful just by themselves, but they are troublesome to deal with as they can pass though most defenses."

He began to envision the three demonic cultivators in his mind, each one specializing in a different path of cultivation. The first, with a mastery of phantom path, was a ghostly presence on the battlefield, striking through his opponents defense and eluding their attacks with ease. The second, an expert of water path, she could create powerful waves and streams, washing away enemies and obstacles and making it difficult for her opponents to stand their ground. And the third, with his mastery of wood path, could control plant life and create dense forests of thorny vines and choking weeds, ensnaring and suffocating his opponents.

"The Water Demon, Shui Liu cultivated water path. Her attacks were wide and engulfing. Her opponents would have their movements restricted on a large scale. She could also put up a dome of a water barrier."

"Lastly the Forest Demon, Mu Han, would use thorny vines that grew out of his arms. Those entangled would have their strength sapped. That's when Gui Kong would deliver the killing blow." - Jin Ju shuddered at the ruthless efficiency of the three.

But it was their cooperation that truly made them unstoppable. They moved as one, each complementing the other's strengths and covering their weaknesses. The Phantom Demon would phase through his opponent's defenses and strike from within, while the Water Demon created massive floods to wash away their enemies and the Forest Demon created a thicket to trap them. And when they fought together, they were like an unstoppable force of nature, wearing down and tearing through their enemies with ease.

"For example, the three demons could use Torrential Surge gu to create a massive wave that washes their opponent towards them, then use Phantom Steps to phase through the wave and strike them with Phantom Strike. Alternatively, they could use Forest Ambush to create a forest that traps their opponent, then use Flooded Domain to flood the area and drown them. The possibilities are endless, their techniques could cover many situations." - He recalled in his mind.

Jin Ju smiled as he opened his eyes, his mind buzzing with new ideas and strategies. He knew that mastering the phantom path would be a challenge, but he was more determined than ever to unlock the full power of the Three Demons' inheritance and make it his. With their strength and cooperation in mind, he felt ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

But he couldn't help but wonder how he would finance his cultivation. He had no money to buy gu worms, and he had no time or skill to hunt for them either.

"I don't have all the required gu for the inheritance." - Jin Ju furrowed his brows.

"I need to refine them, because I can't buy these gu in the open. But I will be able to buy the refinement ingredients!"

Jin Ju was an honest and reserved young man, but he knew that he needed money to continue his cultivation. He had been a slave to the wandering trader Xing Zan for many years, and he knew the ins and outs of the gu worm trade better than anyone his age. He had seen Xing Zan swindle unsuspecting customers out of their hard-earned money, and he knew that he could do better.

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"After I leave my disciplinary closed cultivation, I will open up a small shop. I can't depend on living mission to mission. What if there are no missions, or I get injured and unable to complete them? I have to have my own means of sustaining myself!" - His eyes flashed with determination.

* * * * *

Wen Bao Academy

Hao Meng led Wen Qinyang into a secluded room of the academy. He closed the door behind him and turned to her, a small smile on his face.

"Here we are." - He said, gesturing around the room.

"This is where we keep some of the more rare gu master inheritances. I thought you might be interested in taking a look."

Wen Qinyang's eyes widened as she looked around the room. The room had shelves on both sides lined with information path gu worms.

"Wow, this is incredible. Thank you for showing me."

Hao Meng chuckled.

"No problem. I know how hard it is to find good resources in the cultivation world."

Wen Qinyang nodded, her expression turning serious.

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I've been having a lot of trouble with my cultivation lately. I've been trying to cultivate ice path, but the gu just doesn't feel right for me."

Hao Meng's expression softened.

"Ever since my accident... I just can't use my gu as I used to."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Cultivation can be tough, especially when you're trying to find your path."

Wen Qinyang sighed.

"I just wish there was an inheritance that suited me better that the current ice path I have." - She said.

"Something that could use my knowledge from my past life." - She added in her mind.

Hao Meng's smile turned wry.

"I know what you mean. I hate cultivating the ice path, but it's necessary for me."

Wen Qinyang raised an eyebrow.

"Why is that?"

Hao Meng hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"It's complicated. But trust me, it's necessary."

Hao Meng took a gu from the shelf and activated it.

A wall of writings appeared in front of them.

They were carefully evaluating each inheritance, trying to find one that would be a good fit for Qinyang.

"This one looks promising." - Hao Meng said, pointing to a part of the floating text.

"It contains a Gu that can boost your perception and help you detect hidden dangers." - He explained.

Wen Qinyang nodded with interest.

"That could be really helpful, especially if I'm going to be traveling."

Hao Meng smiled at her enthusiasm, but his expression turned serious when he heard his mother's cold voice calling for him outside. He stood up, his face suddenly panicked.

"I have to go. My mother can't find you here. It's not safe."

Wen Qinyang stood up too, looking alarmed.

"What should I do?"

Hao Meng hesitated for a moment, then made a decision.

"Stay here. I'll come back as soon as I can." - He promised.

With that, he dashed out of the room, leaving Wen Qinyang alone with the inheritances.

"Should I..?" - She cast her gaze at the rows of gu worms.

She flicked her hand and the text started to move rapidly. She did not hold back and started to skim through many of the inheritances in a hurry.

"Where is a good one?" - She read the lines frantically.

After an incense stick of time, Hao Meng burst back into the room, his face flushed with exertion. He collapsed onto the floor next to her, his breathing ragged.

"Sorry about that." - He gasped.

"My mother can be... difficult to deal with sometimes."

Wen Qinyang nodded sympathetically.

"It's okay. I understand."

But when she looked at him, she couldn't help but ask.

"What happened to you? Why is your body covered in frost?"

Hao Meng stood up, and his face turned serious.

"I have to tell you something. It's about my body."

Wen Qinyang looked at him curiously, sensing something strange.

"What about it?"

Hao Meng hesitated for a moment, then said: "I have the Blazing Glory Lightning Brilliance Physique."

Wen Qinyang's eyes widened in shock. She knew what having one of the ten extreme physiques meant. It was a rare and powerful physique, but it came with a deadly price.

Qinyang understood at once why his cultivation could be two ranks higher than hers.

"So... you're one of the ten extreme physiques?" - She asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

"That's... great!" - She tried to act enthusiastic as if she had no clue.

Hao Meng shook his head.

"No, it's not something to celebrate. It means my cultivation continuously increases until my aperture explodes and I die. My mother knew that, so she freezes my aperture to stop my cultivation from increasing and save my life."

"But this is only a temporary measure, it could not halt the advancement, only delay it."

Wen Qinyang genuinely felt a pang of sympathy for him. She had no idea Hao Meng had this kind of burden on his shoulders.

"That's awful. I'm so sorry."

"Don't be." - He paused for a moment and looked at her with a strange glint in his eyes.

"I laugh at my situation sometimes. It's almost comical, really. Everyone's life runs out eventually, only mine runs out quicker. What's so sad about that? Nothing!"

"I know my time is limited, but who's to say how long anyone has in this world?"

"I've come to terms with my fate. I know that my cultivation will continue to increase until my aperture explodes and I die. But that doesn't scare me. It just means I have to make the most of the time I have."

"Some people might see it as a tragedy, but I see it as a gift. A reminder that life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

"I've learned to appreciate the small things in life, the moments that make me feel alive. The warmth of the sun on my skin, the sound of the wind in the trees..."

"...and the smiles of the people I love." - He said softly.

He looked at Qinyang again.

Her face was filled with understanding and compassion. She finally understood the truth behind Hao Meng's antics.

"I don't know how much time I have left, but I'm not going to waste it. I'm going to live every moment to the fullest, to make the most of the time I have. And when my time comes, I'll go with a smile on my face, knowing that I lived a life worth living."

"And I want you to laugh with me, Qinyang. Because life is too short to be taken too seriously."

He smiled and reached out to take her hands.

"So laugh with me, my love. Laugh at the absurdity of life, at the peculiarity of fate. And let's make the most of the time we have, together."

He pulled her closer and kissed her, their lips meeting in a passionate embrace.

* * * * *