Treasure Blue Beaver Blessed Land, Wondrous Inspiration Pagoda

Bao Zhi sat in a lotus position upon the second-highest floor of the Immortal Gu house Wondrous Inspiration Pagoda.

As he closed his eyes, his very essence seemed to meld with the essence that pervaded this space. With utmost concentration, he extended his palms upon the exquisite floor, initiating a profound process of refinement.

Within the very heart of this gu house lay a fundamental flaw—a void wherein a core Immortal Gu had been missing. It was precisely this deficiency that Bao Zhi exploited, using it as his vantage point to pry this closed chest of a gu house open.

Though gu houses boasted an unparalleled fortitude, their robust defenses were invariably concentrated upon the exterior, leaving them acutely vulnerable to internal assaults. Moreover, the compromised integrity resulting from the absence of the core Immortal Gu rendered this particular gu house even more susceptible to an adversary within its walls.

Bao Zhi's pursuit advanced with a seamless grace, akin to the tranquil flow of a mountain stream.

He delved deep into the layers of the gu house, harnessing his formation path attainment to bring about a quiet but remarkable transformation from within.

Such was the potency of his meticulous technique that he swiftly gained control over two floors of this gu house.

As the currents of time caressed the walls of the pagoda, Bao Zhi remained unyielding in his focus the whole time.

Bao Zhi stopped his refinement, as he did many times before, to recover his spent essence.

With each subsequent pause, he perceived a subtle transformation—a hastening of the primeval essence recovery time.

"This must be the influence of the aperture origin core I have assimilated."

Such insights blossomed within his mind, illuminating the path he traversed, assuring him on his cultivation path's feasibility.

Yet, there was more to this extraordinary change. As Bao Zhi tapped into the reservoir of his rank five Purple Crystal Primeval Essence in his aperture, he discerned an altered essence of remarkable quality.

"A promising development indeed." - He appraised it more closely.

"This essence, now has greater density. It surpasses even the pinnacle of rank five Purple Crystal essence by a notch." - His discerning mind celebrated this advancement, recognizing the ascent in his cultivation was drawing nearer.

During his essence's replenishment, Bao Zhi availed himself of the gu house's intrinsic methods to survey the other floors.

Bao Zhi's gaze shifted towards the intricate refinement formation located within the depths of the gu house's confines.

Yet, to describe it solely as a formation would be amiss, it was a sub-formation, for the gu house itself stood as a creation of formation path.

As his sense approached, he beheld the presence of Old Refinement's will, standing alongside a will of a woman whose essence emanated a stern and knowledgeable air.

Together, they cast their watchful eyes upon the unconscious form of Xu Lian, suspended within the refinement sub-formation before them.

Old Refinement, with a manner akin to viewing a mere ingredient, pointed towards Xu Lian, denoting the culmination of their preparations.

"I have arranged all as required. The crucial material has undergone the waves of refinement." - He declared, his tone void of sentiment.

Acknowledging his efforts, the woman's will nodded with solemnity.

"You have performed admirably, Old Refinement. My killer move requires a measure of time to activate." - She murmured, her voice imbued with a weighty resolve.

"In the midst of this preparation, I must have an unwavering concentration." - She continued.

Old Refinement, offered a silent nod, pledging to shield her from any disturbances that may encroach upon her task's success.

The woman's will, set in motion a sequence both mysterious and foreboding.

Swirling letters, dark as the deepest night, took flight through the air, their ink-stained presence imbued with an uncanny allure.

These arcane symbols adhered themselves to the form of Xu Lian, where they slithered and crept, weaving an intricate tapestry akin to an illusory landscape composed of ink.

Xu Lian, in the grasp of this arcane display, twitched slightly, yet his being remained fixated, anchored by the formidable power of the sub-formation.

Bao Zhi, an observer of their exchange, found himself unable to discern the true purpose hidden beneath their conversation.

The only thing catching his attention was the state of the wills themselves. They did not seem to have diminished during their use of killer moves and activating the sub-formation.

Nonetheless, such mysteries held little consequence for him. As the two wills remained engrossed in their own pursuits, he steadfastly pursued his course of steady refinement.

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Checking on another floor below, Bao Zhi saw groups of mortal gu masters.

They arrived and sat there, their minds entranced in a state of deep meditation, entwined with their well-deserved rewards of their tenacious survival in the annual competition.

"The rank four gu masters have begun to arrive." - He observed, a sense of urgency burgeoning within his heart.

"I must seize control of the gu house before the event's culmination! Failure to do so will leave me with the option of taking it from Wen Clan's Revolving Mountains Grotto, an arduous undertaking indeed."

Bao Zhi perceived an opportune moment within the presence of the Wondrous Inspiration Pagoda, nestled within the Treasure Blue Beaver Blessed Land.

Though the Bao Clan handled Wen Clan's grotto heaven with caution, they held a more confident stance within this shared sanctuary of the Treasure Blue Beaver Blessed Land.

Since the moment the Wondrous Inspiration Pagoda left Wen clan's grotto, Bao Zhi was not content anymore just learning the secrets of this gu house.

No, he sought not only to unravel the enigmas of the gu house but to seize it from under the very gaze of all the immortals from the two clans!

How audacious an aspiration!

How could a mere mortal dare to conceive of such a daring act, to lay claim to what belonged to gu immortals?

Yet, such hesitation would find no purchase in the heart of Bao Zhi, for he was no mortal at heart. A former rank eight immortal himself, his life's journey had far surpassed the realms of those gathered here.

His former cultivation was the evidence of his past willpower and current driving force that pushed him to reclaim his strength once more.

Bao Zhi's ambitions eclipsed the two clan's immortals themselves!

* * * * *

Treasure Blue Beaver Blessed Land, Competition Grounds

In the vast arena, bathed in the ethereal lights from above, the gu masters of the Bao and Wen clans stood poised, their gazes locked in a dance of calculation.

Hao Meng, his countenance resolute, emanated an aura of icy determination as he carefully observed his opponent.

Bao Li Mu, his face emotionless, concealed his thoughts beneath a veil of calm composure.

"Bao Li Mu! You are an elder of the academy as well. A rare sight in this arena." - Hao Meng began.

"Let the weaklings off and face me, if you have the guts!" - He provoked.

Bao Li Mu stepped forward, accepting his challenge.

"I will fight you. But I can't let anyone leave with their life marking flares." - He replied plainly.

Even though this sounded like a compromise on the surface, Hao Meng was clear of the meaning. Bao Li Mu would not let any of the gu masters escape, their only out was death itself.

The atmosphere was heavy as the words hung in the air for a moment.

With a swift movement, Hao Meng broke the stillness, unleashing a flurry of killer moves.

"Frostbite palm!"

White shapes of palms appeared, each the size of a large horse carriage!

Hao Meng's movements were fluid and precise, each strike aimed at freezing his opponent's very core as they whizzed rapidly.

Chilling gusts of wind swept through the arena, leaving trails of frost in their wake.

Yet, Bao Li Mu proved to be an expert of defense and counterattack.

His wood path techniques manifested in a symphony of evasive maneuvers and protective barriers.

With an uncanny grace, he twisted and turned, skillfully avoiding Hao Meng's relentless assault while retaliating with precision.

He matched each strike with a calculated response, forcing Hao Meng to reevaluate his approach.

On Wen clan's side, Wen Jie's face showed momentary surprise, but it soon turned into an expression of confidence.

"Bao clan had a similar idea, it seems. Yet they did not dare risk everything. Trying to play it safe while also winning everything?" - She mused at the result of her deduction.

As the clash of powers intensified, the air crackled with anticipation.

Hao Meng, fueled by the Blazing Glory Lightning Brilliance Physique, tapped into an unparalleled wellspring of primeval essence.

His attacks grew fiercer, the intensity of his strikes unmatched by any mortal gu master.

Bao Li Mu, his expression composed, deflected each blow with a calculated grace, his subtle techniques showcasing a prowess that belied his true nature.

The other rank five gu masters upon the stage found themselves compelled to reassess their situation.

Once considered the vanguards of their respective clans, they now assumed a secondary role, mere supporters in the grand spectacle of Bao Li Mu's and Hao Meng's battle.

Stripped of their prominence, they had no recourse but to yield space to the relentless clash unfolding before their very eyes.

Murmurs escaped their lips, laden with disbelief and awe, as they bore witness to an encounter of titanic proportions.

"Monsters!" - One whispered, scarcely audible, his voice laced with incredulity, a rank five expert forced back once again.

Hao Meng, in the midst of battle, felt the weight of untapped potential emanating from his adversary.

A whisper of suspicion wove through the spectators' minds. They sensed a hidden power lurking within Bao Li Mu, a strength he concealed.

The spectating Bao Clan gu immortals donned a satisfied expression as they looked upon the scene.

"Victory is assured."

"With Bao Li Mu on the stage, Wen clan has lost all chance."

"Still, this kid is still too green. His act has many subtle flaws."

However, the full extent of Bao Li Mu's rank six status remained veiled, as he meticulously maintained the facade of a rank five gu master.

In a pivotal moment, with the clash of powers reaching its zenith, Hao Meng realized the futility of his efforts.

No matter how much he attacked, he could not force back Bao Li Mu.

Desperation sparked within his eyes as he looked back and saw Qinyang's icy cloud was entangled in roots.

He sighed to himself.

"In the depths of my existence, I knew my time was fleeting, a mere glimmer in the grand existence..." - He whispered, his voice laced with melancholy.

"But fate, in its cruel irony, allowed me to find love in the final chapters of my mortal journey."

A single tear escaped his eye, tracing a path down his worn cheek. The memories flooded his mind, painting vivid portraits of stolen embraces and whispered promises.

Yet, even in the face of his own mortality, a flicker of hope emerged, a beacon in the encroaching darkness.

"I accepted my fate. I waited for death with a hearth of apathy."

. . .

"But now, my love, the time has come for me to take control into my own hands!"

In his eyes gleamed the fierce determination of a warrior who had accepted his fate and was ready to face it head-on.

"To ensure that you may live another day!"

With each word, his resolve intensified, the weight of his destiny mingling with the fire within.

"To make my death count!"

His voice rose to its peak, resonating with unwavering determination.

At that moment, Hao Meng raised his hand and struck at his own abdomen. He shattered the icy seal that had held his aperture in check.

The pressure within his aperture overwhelmed its constraints, causing it to burst asunder.

BOOOM!

An uncontrollable tempest of fire and lightning erupted with untamed force, wreaking havoc in every direction.

This was the cataclysmic power wielded by the ten extreme physiques, a force both terrible and awe-inspiring, whose unleashed fury knew no mortal bounds!

As the detonation reverberated through the battlefield, the force of the explosion sent the gu masters flying, their bodies flung from their feet and cast aside at farthest reaches of the field.

In a merciless instant, those unfortunate souls who had stood in close proximity to Hao Meng found themselves turned to ash, incinerated in an inferno that brooked no mercy before they could even react.

In that moment, Bao Li Mu could no longer maintain his facade. He stopped his act, revealing his true power as a gu immortal, he had to defend himself earnestly!

* * * * *