Lingering Mountains Grotto, Wondrous Inspiration Pagoda

Bao Zhi slipped through a narrow rift in the fabric of space and time, and found himself standing within the ornate halls of the Wondrous Inspiration Pagoda. With a deft hand, he activated the power of Concealed Human Qi, masking his presence from all who may lurk within these walls.

As he took in his surroundings, he glanced at the magnificence of the chamber.

Four towering pillars rose up around him, casting long shadows in the dim light. He knew not where he had arrived, but he could feel the weight of centuries of history bearing down upon him.

His keen eyes soon alighted upon the figures in the center of the room.

"So that's what happened to you..." - Bao Zhi noted to himself upon seeing Xu Lian's condition.

But as his gaze arrived upon Old Refinement, who was engaged in the control of the refinement formation, Bao Zhi knew he had to take care.

He quickly retreated into a dark corner, pressing himself against the rough stone wall.

There he remained, still as a statue, even suppressing his breathing and slowing his heart rate to avoid detection.

As Old Refinement paused his work and departed the chamber, Bao Zhi remained hidden, watching and waiting.

Bao Zhi carefully pieced together the clues that he had gathered, his sharp mind racing to make sense of his surroundings. The intricate patterns of the chamber's architecture, the ancient script etched into the walls, and the mystical energies that permeated the air - all of these pointed to one thing: he must be inside an immortal gu house.

And if he was within an immortal gu house, there was only one such place that Xu Lian could be found - the Wondrous Inspiration Pagoda!

The realization sent a shiver down Bao Zhi's spine, for he knew that this was at the very heart of Wen clan's territory.

"In the midst of chaos, find stillness and peace. Under the cover of darkness, one may find the brightest stars..."

"Xu Lian, this opportunity you presented me, I will not let it be wasted!" - Bao Zhi thought to himself with confidence.

He knew, he must be careful not to reveal himself, lest he become a target of Wen clan's wrath.

Bao Zhi crept cautiously through the chamber, his senses attuned to every sound and movement around him. He knew that he must tread lightly, for any misstep could bring about his undoing.

He was very clear about his own circumstances, having only a mortal aperture limited his combat capabilities greatly.

Bao Zhi split his attention, and inspected his aperture.

It was a rank five aperture at the peak stage, a purple crystal aperture.

The ninety-five percent filled purple crystal primeval sea was gleaming with purple light, dying the rank five peak stage crystal walls with a deep hue.

In his sea of primeval essence many gu worms floated and swam around. If any rank five gu master would see this, their hearts would palpitate just at the sight of so many rank five gu worms!

Bao Zhi had scammed Xu Lian twice for gu worms, he naturally assembled a full set of them for his own use. It covered all the basics a gu master would need.

But even if he were to face a rank six immortal who similarly used rank five gu, the difference would be enormous.

If a fight broke out, Bao Zhi would only last a short while with his limited primeval essence.

Not to mention the other advantages an immortal possessed, like the ability to use hundreds of the same mortal gu at once and also enjoy their corresponding path's dao mark amplification.

Bao Zhi's focus did not linger on his gu worms. He inspected his latest gain.

In the depths of Bao Zhi's mortal aperture, there lay a curious object - an aperture origin core, the very foundation of the small worlds that immortals possessed. Though it was but a dim and lifeless rock to the mortal eye, it possessed a significance beyond measure, for it was the source of immortal essence itself.

"An aperture origin core... It is the beginning and the end, the most important part an immortal aperture has. It is the foundation of an immortal's combat power."

Bao Zhi gazed upon the sealed origin core, his heart filled with both vigilance and excitement. For he knew that to unseal it was to risk the very balance of his mortal aperture!

But with a resolve born of desperation for power, he activated his gu worms and began to unseal the origin core.

The seal on the origin core began to break, and Bao Zhi watched in awe as the round, dim object slowly became full of life again.

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As the final layer of the seal broke, a great commotion erupted within his aperture. Space rippled and expanded, and Bao Zhi felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He had not anticipated this, and a momentary hint of fear began to claw at his heart.

The gu worms within his aperture began to swim around faster and faster, and Bao Zhi felt a strange energy coursing through him. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing as he calmly observed the events.

And then, he saw that the space within his aperture had expanded to twice its original size, and a small tributary of the River of Time had been drawn in, causing the time flow within the aperture to increase.

Bao Zhi furrowed his brows. This was beyond his expectations.

He knew that his mortal aperture had taken on some of the attributes of an immortal aperture with this change.

And then, as he gazed upon the radiant origin core suspended in the center of his aperture, he beheld a sight beyond words.

For it began coalescing a bead of immortal essence!

Xu Lian's aperture origin core was forcefully refined and taken by Bao Zhi.

What did this mean?

It meant any essence produced by the origin core would be imbued with Bao Zhi's will. It would be his immortal essence!

"The immortal essence production is linked to the aperture's foundation. A mortal aperture is incomparable to even the lowest grade blessed lands." - He calmly evaluated.

"It is already a miracle that it worked. When a single bead is produced, I will have no limits to using my rank five gu!" - His lips curved into a faint smile as he thought.

But his mind returned to his reality, he had taken a great risk coming here. If he was discovered, it would mean certain death even with this advancement.

Yet, he was undaunted, driven by a fierce determination to uncover the truth that lay hidden within the walls of the Wondrous Inspiration Pagoda.

For he knew that within these walls, deep secrets were kept, and knowledge of the highest order lay waiting to be discovered.

* * * * *

Ancestral Grotto, Capital City

In the streets of the Capital City, Jin Ju strode with purpose towards the Jade Gu Palace. He had just returned from their mission, but his heart was set on what he was best at: selling gu as a salesman. As he walked, he saw the old man who owned the Jade Gu Palace.

The man's face was drawn with worry and vexation.

Jin Ju was overjoyed to see the old man again, but he could not help but sense a foreboding in the air.

"Shopmaster!" - He greeted the old man. "It is good to see you. What troubles you?"

The old man let out a deep sigh.

"Jin Ju, my dear boy..." - He said.

"I am delighted to see you returned from your mission unscathed. But I must tell you, do not return to the Jade Gu Palace."

Jin Ju was taken aback.

"What do you mean, Shopmaster?" - He asked.

"Did I not perform my duties well enough? Have I been away too long?" - He asked in a worried tone.

The old man shook his head.

"No, no, my boy," - He said.

"While you were working here, it was my great fortune. But I am no longer the owner of the Palace. I owed a great amount to Ao Shi's father, and he took over the Palace as payment."

As Jin Ju listened to the old man's explanation, his blood began to boil with anger and frustration. He had spent months building up the clientele of the Jade Gu Palace, working long hours and tirelessly perfecting his salesmanship skills.

And now, it had all been stolen from him by the deceitful actions of Ao Shi's family.

He felt a deep sense of betrayal, not only from Ao Shi but also from the old man who had handed over the Palace to Ao Shi's father without a fight.

The old man noticed the rage building inside Jin Ju and tried to dissuade him from returning to the Palace. He feared for Jin Ju's safety, knowing that the new owners would not take kindly to his presence.

But this was beyond Jin Ju's bottom line! His determination to set things right was fueled by the injustice he had suffered.

Jin Ju marched into the Jade Gu Palace with his head held high, ready to take on Ao Shi and whoever took his side.

The atmosphere was tense, and the air was thick with the smell of incense burning.

As Jin Ju approached the counter, he was met with a smug grin from Ao Shi.

"Well, well, well..." - Ao Shi said.

"If it isn't the great salesman, Jin Ju. Are you here to beg for your position?" - Ao Shi sneered at him.

Jin Ju was not intimidated. He had come to make a statement, and he was determined to stand his ground.

"No." - He said firmly.

"You took this place by underhanded means. So who says I can't do the same?" - Jin Ju narrowed his eyes as he threatened.

"Ha, and what are you going to do? We have the contract, the old fool has signed it himself. He lost his rights, and you lost your position and customers! Hahaha." - Ao Shi gloated.

Jin Ju did not waste time to argue, he jumped over the counter and grabbed Ao Shi by the collar with one hand.

"Hey, what are you-" - Ao Shi protested, but his words were interrupted by Jin Ju's other hand. Jin Ju slammed his fist down on the counter, causing the wood to crack and splinter.

"You will reconsider, or I swear I'll break your neck." - Jin Ju said, his voice low and menacing.

Ao Shi's face turned pale with fear, he entirely forgot he was facing a gu master. All it would take is a single move from Jin Ju to determine his fate!

"Father! Help! Help me!" - Ao Shi shouted with all his might.

Jin Ju dragged him outside the shop, and threw him on the ground.

Ao Shi whimpered like a kicked dog as he landed. Jin Ju was quick to plant his foot on him, to prevent his escape.

"Scream, scream all you want. Call for your father!"

The people started to gather and stopped to look at the commotion.

"Stop! Stop at once!" - A middle aged man arrived at the scene.

"Father! Help me!" - Ao Shi cried in pain.

"Who are you? Release my son at once!" - Ao Shi's father demanded as he unleashed his rank two gu master aura.

But Jin Ju looked him in the eyes, unafraid.

"This mortal offended me greatly. I demand his life." - Jin Ju also released his rank two gu master aura as well, not one to back down.

Jin Ju's demand was not at all overboard. A gu master's status was high and mighty compared to a mortal commoner.

"Young friend, please reconsider. There is surely something we can both settle on." - Ao Shi's father gritted his teeth in anger.

"Of course, there is!" - Jin Ju's mouth curved into a pleased smile.

"Annul the contract with the previous owner of the Jade Gu Palace, and return it at once!"

"So this was your goal the whole time?" - The middle aged man realized the ploy as his eye twitched in disbelief.

"Young man, just stop!" - The old shopmaster arrived at the commotion.

But Jin Ju did not relent to any threat or persuasion, with Ao Shi's life in his hand, his father had no choice but to tear up the contract before everyone's eyes.

Jin Ju released his feet from Ao Shi, who right away crawled behind his father like a beaten dog.

This was just what Ao Shi's father was waiting for, he raised his hand to attack Jin Ju, just when a radiant light-beam shot down!

"The Annual Competition has begun!" - The words rang in everyone's ears like a thousand bells.

Jin Ju's body was carried away by the beam in a flash.

* * * * *