Lo Jik returned to Spirit Affinity House (immortal gu house) on top of Dang Hun Mountain after three days based on Hu Immortal Blessed Land's flow of time. The gu world barely experienced more than half a day yet so much had changed. Lo Jik was a human path gu immortal. How many other gu masters and gu immortals experienced such a drastic change? How many rose to prominence or succumbed to the struggles of life? The gu world was incomparably massive. So, Lo Jik assumed the number of individuals experiencing some significant shift in fortune to be quite high.
It was difficult to refrain from thinking about such grand notions when standing before the legendary Dang Hun Mountain. Surely, it was the size and majestic view of the mountain that left Lo Jik with such emotion because he did not feel similarly awe-inspired when watching the legendary rank 9 Love Immortal Gu chase after his first aperture's vital gu, rank 6 Flying Bear Strength Immortal Gu.
Even with a blessed land, Lo Jik did not dare try placing Love Gu in his immortal aperture. First, he never refined Love Gu. There was an inherent risk of Love Gu Worm using its ability to cause damage to his cultivation. Second, the sheer pressure of storing a rank 9 immortal gu, a fully-fed one at that, in a newly formed rank 6 blessed land with little to no development was too much. Rank 9 Love Gu even brought a huge strain on Hu Immortal Blessed Land when coupled with Dang Hun Mountain.
Fortunately, Hu Immortal Blessed Land was placed in the gu world as it absorbed earth qi from the outside world in regular intervals. Similarly, Bai Qing also had to use a formation to absorb earth qi into her blessed land after she let Love Gu inside. She was taking a huge risk in doing so, all for her mother and daughter. It was also the presence of Love Gu which cut the duration of every gu immortal above rank 6 cultivation short. Feng Jiu Ge, Xu Hao, Fairy Yi, and many others could not plan an extended stay in Hu Immortal Blessed Land due to the pressure exerted on Hu Immortal Blessed Land by Love Gu.
Essentially, Lo Jik cockblocked Dang Hun Mountain for most supreme elders.
He smoothly entered Bai Qing's blessed land and met with Fairy Yi's Will inside the room sealed with a formation. Lo Jik's appreciation for all the formations Fairy Yi set around Bai Qing, Spirit Affinity House, and even Dang Hun Mountain surged even more as his formation path attainment deepened after becoming a gu immortal. It was clear at a glance that Fairy Yi's attainment in formation path was quite spectacular despite following water path mainly.
'And there it is.'
All of Lo Jik's heightened senses screamed. Being a human path gu immortal instantly raised his instincts about human nature. He felt Bai Qing's exhaustion and despair despite her features being indifferent. Similarly, Lo Jik's instincts for dream and luck paths felt especially anxious.
The cloud of golden dust appeared gentle and inviting. It was beautiful to look at. The golden sand left others with a warm and fuzzy sensation and a great desire to touch its surface.
Fairy Yi's Will did not prompt Lo Jik to move forward and waited at the side.
It was fine to feel scared. Fairy Yi would have been suspicious if Lo Jik maintained his usual boot-licking and brown-nosing attitude when around her for a mission this dangerous and somber.
Indeed, it was fine to feel scared.
But…
'Dream realms are never going to be less dangerous.' He was calm and unperturbed despite the several alarms going off in his head. All this served as a reminder for Lo Jik to remain cautious of the dream realm instead of running away with his tail tucked in between the legs.
"I am ready," informed Lo Jik without the usual frivolity. He was well aware of a dream realm's deception. Many might assume that touching the sphere of golden dust swirling in a constant pace was the way of entering the dream realm. However, the influence of the dream realm expanded ever so slightly without any visible indications.
As Lo Jik stepped forward, he felt the dream realm extracting his soul.
Fairy Yi did not move to pull Lo Jik's body away. That would be counterproductive.
'The body needs to remain close to the dream realm or the connection between the soul and body might be severed. It will leave Lo Jik's soul stranded inside the dream realm before it is inevitably consumed.'
'Little Huang is lucky in this manner. Her immortal gu worm seems to maintain this connection despite the distance between her soul and body. Dream Wings Immortal Gu… I wonder what surprises she might discover for us.'
Fairy Yi had little hope for Lo Jik. She set up the necessary killer moves to snap Lo Jik out of the dream realm and pull him from the region of dream realm's influence the second she sensed his soul get wounded. As Lo Jik hoped, not even a rank 8 gu immortal's will could unravel his disguise.
<<<>>>
Black Moon gazed at the distant Dang Hun Mountain as Lo Jik entered Bai La's dream realm. 'He's entered,' she thought, quite mindful of his status. Like Fairy Yi and others, she did not hold much hope for Lo Jik's success. After all, dream path was only being pioneered in this era, its mystery and the dangers surrounding the dream realms were more than enough to discourage gu masters and gu immortals from volunteering for such risky ventures. Lo Jik had been the same, going as far as requiring three days just to sack up for entering the dream realm.
'He's already insightful and talented regarding human path.' Black Moon closed her eyes. 'How can any person be talented enough to not only innovate in one relatively unknown path but two?'
'I will remain inside Hu Immortal Blessed Land whether Fairy Bai La survives or not.' Black Moon worked her jaw. While Bai La succumbed to a dream realm, her cultivation had also reached rank 7. Such an individual could not stay in Hu Immortal Blessed Land for long due to Lo Jik.
"You will. But was it worth it to burn all the bridges with Xu Hao's faction?" It wasn't Fairy Mo's voice but Black Moon's quieter and gentle mother. She couldn't help but worry for her daughter's decisions. "After all, you did not consult—"
"I do not need their counsel for every little thing," Black Moon replied, her voice warmer and more tolerant.
"How cruel!" Fairy Mo instantly interrupted. "How come you never address me so kindly?"
Black Moon instantly hissed, a stark contrast to her interaction with her mother's emotion. "Because you keep showing us some unappealing memories of you and Bo Qing!"
"Hmph!" Fairy Mo snorted in an unruly fashion. "I was comparing notes with your mother, Little Moon. Anyway, you don't need worry for Black Moon's decision, Sister Su. We entered Spirit Affinity House and made contact with Xu Hao's faction to gain support. However, the nature of our arrival was always going to put as at odds with other existing supreme elders. She will remain an outsider for most supreme elders even after hundreds of years and even after we achieve our goal… no, especially after that. It is easier and better to develop our own foundation in Spirit Affinity House. Don't worry, with my support, Little Moon will quickly gain enough standing in the sect."
Fairy Mo continued reassuring Black Moon's mother.
"Yes, it is quite a gamble to influence first supreme elder's decision by completely separating from the Anti-Feng Faction after becoming a gu immortal publicly. Gu immortals from Xu Hao's faction will use this truth to suppress Black Moon by tarnishing her reputation, saying how she bit the hand that fed and nurtured her. And due to our deal with Spirit Affinity House, Black Moon cannot reveal she was a gu immortal since the beginning."
"First supreme elder also understands that stepping away from Xu Hao's faction does not imply Little Moon's detachment from the sect's politics and desire to remain a neutral figure but her ambition instead. She wants to create her own base in Spirit Affinity House. That would be simply too troublesome because Feng and Anti-Feng faction will unite temporarily to deal with us. After all, Xu Hao and Feng Jiu Ge are far from being a pair of morons. They are too brilliant to leave Little Moon unchecked."
"That's why Little Moon targeted Gu Yue Lo Jik when he tried extorting her. He was the one who should have been the sect's current generation fairy. However, he doesn't hold a grudge and his nature is quite good." Fairy Mo emphasized the last word meaningfully, prompting Black Moon to snort again.
"He's a no-good, perverted little freak."
"Hmm?" Fairy Mo hummed innocuously. "Little? I seem to recall seeing something far from little when he entered into that strip refinement duel with all of you."
Back then, Lo Jik won all his rounds except against Sun Yao and Black Moon. The duo did not need any wisdom path gu immortal to deduce what happened with the other girls once they lost to Lo Jik and were stripped bare to his scorching gaze.
"Ah, yes. I remember." Black Moon's gaze gleamed ominously. "He packed quite a punch, didn't he? I recall it being a far broader and longer sword than your Little Bo."
Fairy Mo fell quiet and stopped speaking.
"Finally, peace." Black Moon laughed coldly. "And don't worry, mother. I decided to be done with Xu Hao's faction because I met Lo Jik. He doesn't show it, but I know an ambitious demon when I see one. He won't be satisfied being a mortal an entire lifetime and seek me on his own accord. I am the only one willing to support him. After all, I'm the only one willing enough to grant him a strength path immortal gu worm, not Feng Jiu Ge or Xu Hao."
Her dark pupils glimmered with several thoughts.
"Once I get a proper hold of Lo Jik… I will simultaneously get a hold on Feng Jiu Ge."
Meanwhile, Fairy Bai Qing held little to no thoughts about anything else but her mother and daughter. She observed Lo Jik's body falling unconscious on the ground as he stepped towards the dream realm.
'Everyone predicts that Huang'er will survive due to her immortal gu worm… but what about my mother?' She knew that everyone except her husband had given up on Bai La. But it was no longer about remaining tenacious in the face of unforgiving odds. Bai La's soul was dissipating at a quick pace. The more the formation around Spirit Affinity House fed Bai La's soul, the quicker the dream realm grew and the more it feasted on Bai La's soul foundation.
It won't be long before First Supreme Elder passes the order of retrieving Spirit Affinity House and cutting the sect's losses short. After all, the sect officially gained another gu immortal to replace Bai La in the form of Black Moon.
'Please… somehow… succeed.' Bai Qing closed her eyes and prayed.
<<<>>>
'I'm falling.' Lo Jik observed, ever the wise one, as he plunged. Winds whistled past his ears. Disheveled that he was, Lo Jik noticed his golden hair whip about.
Hair?
Golden?
Lo Jik hurriedly ignored his physical changes and checked his aperture. Surprisingly, he did not possess a mortal's aperture but a blessed land instead. His heart swelled with pride as he observed the development of this blessed land. Unlike other dream realms, he could observe every single detail about this blessed land, from precipitous mountains to the golden sky and grass gleaming with light like bronze.
'What a powerful dream realm!' Lo Jik instantly reigned in the sense of pride as he noticed being more comfortable in this new body. Dream realms invoked one's emotions and threatened to turn illusion into reality for the explorer. The more Lo Jik let his emotions run rampant, the more he would become part of the dream realm. Soon, his soul would become the dream realm's permanent resident!
'I'm a metal path gu immortal with two hundred beads of green grape essence. This individual is quite wealthy and influential. Most rank 6 gu immortals do not possess such wealth to accumulate so many beads of green grape essence.' Lo Jik observed the gu worms in the blessed land, instantly discovering more than a thousand mortal gu worms that were not a part of the blessed land's internal production alongside two immortal gu worms!
Two!
'Rank 6 Golden Feather Gu and Turn Gold immortal gu worms.' Lo Jik identified the two immortal gu worms as he heaved a sigh of relief. Being unable to identify the two gu worms would have led to great difficulty later on. Even more fortunate was the fact that he was a metal path grandmaster.
A golden cloak instantly covered his body as Lo Jik stopped his fall and floated midair. He looked around before observing himself.
'I'm… a woman.' The corner of his lips twitched. In fact, he knew this body too well. Although short, she was curvaceous in all the right places and was one mean fuck.
'I'm Bai La.'
Lo Jik felt ominous.
'Who could have left Bai La in such a state?'
She was injured and ruffled. A part of her robe was filled with glitters that chimed every time she moved.
'A sound path killer move.' Lo Jik frowned. 'Shit. I need an investigation killer move—' His thoughts moved lightning-quick before hearing an ethereal flute being played in his head.
'A sound path killer move with wisdom path effects. It's keeping me from thinking quickly.'
The fluidity of thoughts determined the quick use of killer moves and swift reaction time to prevent one's fall. The killer move on Bai La incapacitated her from using more complex killer moves.
'Just this much?' Lo Jik snorted internally. The opponent was a dangerous one but the thought failed to paralyze him with fear. He did not stop moving and steadily analyzed all the gu worms in the blessed land before he formed another killer move.
Lo Jik's creations were mortal killer moves at best. He did not dare complicate things and started healing the injuries to his mind.
'He must be nearby.' Lo Jik thought while scanning the region cautiously. A mortal village stood in the vicinity of their battle. 'Where is he?' He finally deduced a simple investigation killer move involving four metal path gu worms.
*Bang*
A gigantic pillar fashioned like a flute snuck up on Lo Jik despite keeping an investigation-type killer move active. It was a sound path immortal killer move!
Lo Jik's head buzzed as pain shot throughout his body. He could not control his mind and stabilize midair, instantly crashing into the distant village.
He was hurt.
The situation turned dangerous the moment he entered the dream realm. Such were the risks involved in exploring the dream realms.
*Boom*
Lo Jik slammed into the ground as he tore past thatched huts and wooden houses before rolling against a flattened floor. His vision swam and he only heard a wave of captivating music.
'My soul…'
Lo Jik thought blearily.
Injuries in the dream realm equaled to grave injuries to the soul in the real world.
'Injuries… like… dream…'
<<<>>>
Fairy Yi and Feng Jiu Ge's Will observed Lo Jik's comatose form in the distance. Dream realms were unforgiving and recklessly entering their range of influence meant the corrosion of their respective wills. So, they did not move to inspect Lo Jik.
"Hmm. Dream realms do not affect the gu worms." Fairy Yi observed calmly, noticing how Love and Flying Bear Strength Immortal Gu Worms remained untouched by Bai La's dream realm. Meanwhile, Feng Jiu Ge's Will adopted a rare, sheepish expression.
"My main body could not even last a few rounds against that man." He addressed the elephant in the room. "Perhaps Lo Jik will be luckier."
Fairy Yi thought for a moment but did not offer any meaningful addition to Feng Jiu Ge's understanding of dream path even if she knew more about it. After all, Feng Jiu Ge was a worthy rival to keep an eye on. It would not be appropriate to share crucial information about dream path when even the most basic discoveries of it would be treasured and protected like true inheritances.
They waited for a while before Fairy Yi used her killer move. Aura of several gu worms escaped her form as her Will turned slightly translucent. Activating a killer move required complex thoughts. Since a Will was created by assembling a number of thoughts, it was also expended whenever the Will pondered about certain matters or expended mental energy to use gu worms.
"Eh?" Fairy Yi let out a surprised gasp. "His soul is… only slightly corroded. Did he not meet that man?"
Even Feng Jiu Ge narrowed his eyes, a strange light flashing in his eyes. His main body always had a gut feeling about Lo Jik being useful to Feng Jin Huang due to the latter's fortune with dream path. This wasn't the first time Lo Jik revealed a strange level of competence when it came to dream path. He was once stuck in a dream realm for months, even trapping an arrogant Xu Hao in it, before being acknowledged by Love Gu. Yet, he woke up one day. That was surprising enough for most gu immortals.
Lo Jik also displayed a great aptitude when refining dream path gu worms for Fairy Yi, earning thousands of contributions points.
"That is impossible," retorted Feng Jiu Ge. "We all adopted different identities. Qing'er was a mortal villager. My main body was a tall tree in the village. Your main body was the village chief. We all incurred grave injuries due to the first battle between Fairy Bai La and that person. There is also more to the dream realm because Huang'er's did not share the same experiences as us. She is stuck in a different memory…"
Feng Jiu Ge's expression turned bitter as he thought of his daughter. There weren't many things capable of making a man of his stature feel so helpless…
What his daughter witnessed… was still witnessing from a front-row seat left his dejected.
It was simply a father's plight.
"So…" Fairy Yi couldn't help but follow Feng Jiu Ge's line of thought and arrived to an absurd conclusion. "Lo Jik is that man's match in the dream realm?"
Feng Jiu Ge and Fairy Yi could only assume these things without knowing the truth, no matter how incredulous such notions were.
***
Alternate Title: Lo Jik towards Secluded Domains of Heaven and Earth: Ah… so legendary *Lo Jik towards a legendary rank 9 immortal gu: Listen here, you little shit*; Entering the dangerous dream realm; Be like Bai La?; Everyone scheming around Lo Jik *Lo Jik: Which part of being an Unchained Vagabond you illiterates don't understand?*; Lo Jik's sword skills supreme? Bo Qing fell off?; Fairy Mo in shambles; Black Moon to Lo Jik: Nice cock, bro; The terrible opponent in Bai La's dream realm; Cockblocking gu immortals as he should; Lo Jik: I'm a woman *Bai Shou ptsd kicks in*; Lo Jik fearing becoming Bai La in other… active memories; Feng Jiu Ge's helplessness; A father's embarrassment; Dangers surrounding Bai La; Burning bridges; Black Moon playing chess *Lo Jik burning the chess factory to the ground by being a human path gu immortal*
***
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