Wuyou Mountain, Cold Wave Cave.
The long-haired young man sitting on the cushion let out a breath, "Finally, I've achieved the third level of Qi Refinement."
After a year of transcending, Chen Qing finally broke through from the second level of Qi Refinement to the third level.
"Now that I have reached the third level of Qi Refinement, I can finally claim a Gu from the sect."
In this world, every cultivator practiced Qi Refinement.
Within this realm, there were Gu.
Qi circulated through the body, using the Gu as a medium to wield divine powers.
Disciples of Wuyou Mountain, upon reaching the third level of Qi Refinement, could receive a Gu from the sect for free, to aid in cultivation or combat.
Carrying a bundle of top-quality Gu Spirit Grass, Chen Qing visited Elder Chen skillfully as usual.
Elder Chen laughed heartily as he welcomed Chen Qing in, "Ah, it's young Chen! Came anyway, bringing gifts?"
Chen Qing respectfully said, "As a disciple in Wuyou Mountain, I owe much to the elder's guidance, so this is a little token of my respect."
Elder Chen ordered the child to serve tea, "Seeing the Spiritual Energy around you is abundant, you should have reached the third level of Qi Refinement; the sect will provide you a Gu as your means of protection."
Chen Qing said, "Indeed, but as a disciple who has just begun cultivation, I don't know the differences among these Gu, and I seek the elder's guidance."
Elder Chen explained, "For disciples like you, who are new to cultivation, the first Gu is the most crucial."
"Generally speaking, there are two options, the first being Gu for combat arts."
"But if you choose such a Gu as your first, much of your cultivation will rely on going out to hunt and find herbs, which has certain risks."
"Sometimes, you can gain great wealth; other times, you end up empty-handed."
Chen Qing asked, "What about the other option?"
Elder Chen smiled, "The second option is production-focused Gu, which can promote the growth of herbs or control spirit beasts."
"Although slower, it's stable."
Chen Qing clasped his hands and said, "It is because I don't quite understand these that I wish for Elder Chen to take me to choose my first Gu."
Elder Chen glanced at the Gu Spirit Grass, "Very well, since I am currently free, I shall accompany you."
Following Elder Chen up the mountain, greeting each fellow disciple along the way, they entered the Gu Altar. The Guardian Elder said, "Old Chen, here to help Chen Qing choose a Gu?"
Elder Chen pulled the Guardian Elder aside and whispered for a moment before the Guardian Elder led Chen Qing into the Gu Altar.
The Gu Altar was where the sect stored Gu, like an overturned bowl, with various stone caverns, each containing a jade jar.
Inside those jade jars were the Gu.
As Chen Qing was about to follow the Guardian Elder to select a Gu, he suddenly noticed some unusual things.
On top of those jade jars, strange information hovered.
[Mortal Sword Gu]
Quality, Third Transformation
Life Span, 18/54
Effect, Could transform Spiritual Energy into Sword Qi; the sword Gu could convert ten strands of Spiritual Energy into one strand of Sword Qi
Growth Requirements, Illusion Spirit Grass, Gu Spirit Grass
Growth Progress, 52/100
Promotion Requirements, Ninth Transformation, one Sword Gu, three Sword Coffin Ganoderma, one Illusion Spirit Grass
[Mortal Sword Gu]
Quality, Fourth Transformation
Life Span, 38/56
Effect, could transform Spiritual Energy into Sword Qi; the sword Gu could convert nine strands of Spiritual Energy into one strand of Sword Qi
Growth Requirements, Mystic Iron, Gu Spirit Grass
Growth Progress, 17/100
Promotion Requirements, Ninth Transformation, one Sword Gu, four Sword Coffin Ganoderma, ten pounds of Bibo Cold Iron
[Mortal Power Gu]
Quality, Third Transformation
Life Span, 12/80
Effect, Three Oxen Power
Growth Requirements, Cow Gallstone, Gu Spirit Grass
Growth Progress, 5/100
Promotion Requirements, Ninth Transformation, one set of Demon Tiger Bone, one set of Demon Bull Bone, one Strengthening Bone Spirit Ginseng
....
Was this a belated cheat?
Though it arrived late, it was, after all, a kind of cheat.
Were these Gu so complex?
Even the cultivation methods for Sword Gu were different?
Quite peculiar indeed.
Looking at each Gu, Chen Qing did not find any Gu with a quality surpassing the Fifth Transformation.
At that moment, the Guardian Elder whispered to Chen Qing, "Follow me, there's a few well-presented Gu over here."
Chen Qing nodded repeatedly, "Thank you, Elder."
The Guardian Elder cautioned, "After leaving, don't speak of anything, understood?"
Chen Qing clasped his hands, then retrieved ten low-grade Spirit Stones from his sleeve and handed them to the Guardian Elder's sleeve.
The Guardian Elder discreetly accepted them and led Chen Qing to three jars.
[Mortal Iron Skin Gu]
Quality, Fifth Transformation
Life Span, 48/54
Effect, Iron Skin, tenacity
Growth Requirements, tough skin, demon beast cowhide, Gu Spirit Grass
Growth Progress, 78/100
Promotion Requirements, Ninth Transformation, three pairs of demon beast cowhorns, ten pounds of iron essence
[Mortal Grass Spirit Gu]
Quality, Seventh Transformation
Life Span, 42/65
Effect, manages Gu Spirit Grass within a five-acre field and enhances growth speed and quality
Growth Requirements, Earth Spirit Crystal, ochre earth yellow, spirit shed
Growth Progress, 10/100
Promotion Requirements, Ninth Transformation, ten drops of Earth Mother Spirit Liquid, one Soul Stealing Flower
[Mortal Sword Gu]
Quality, Fifth Transformation
Life Span, 19/52
Effect, transforms Spiritual Energy into Sword Qi; currently can convert eight strands of Spiritual Energy into one strand of Sword Qi
Growth Requirements, Blazing Fire Feather, Gu Spirit Grass
Growth Progress, 15/100
Promotion Requirements, Ninth Transformation, one Vermilion Bird feather, ten pounds of fire copper ore.
Looking at these three Gu, the Guardian Elder introduced, "These three Gu are all of excellent quality, the Iron Skin Gu offers great defense, most suitable for adventures. It's just its life span is too short, perhaps only a few years left."
"That Grass Spirit Gu is quite good for increasing the yield of Gu Spirit Grass, with an estimated ten years of life left."
"This Sword Gu is the best in quality among them, with an estimated life span of twenty to thirty years, and its effect is also good."
"All three have the potential for Butterfly Transformation, so it's up to you how to choose."
The Sword Gu was good, but having just arrived in this world, resorting to violence seemed a bit too ambitious for himself.
As for the Iron Skin Gu, while tempting, it paled in comparison to that Grass Spirit Gu.
Though Earth Mother Spirit Liquid and Soul Stealing Flower were quite expensive, with this Grass Spirit Gu, he could manage the Spiritual Field to earn a living.
Earning one Spirit Stone per acre meant earning five low-grade Spirit Stones a day.
Within a year or so, he could have this little one promoted, and though he didn't know the benefits of promotion, it mustn't be bad.
"Elder, I'll take this Grass Spirit Gu."
The Guardian Elder smiled with a look of approval, "Not bad, not bad, though slower, it's steady, you are cautious."
"Unlike those reckless ones who rush out to fight and lose their Gu for nothing, throwing away their lives."
Yes, being steady without danger was most important.
Chen Qing had a clear understanding of himself.