The wilderness beyond Lanternrock stretched far and wide, a barren landscape where silence reigned and only the wind whispered secrets. Hui Jian walked carefully through the uneven ground, his footsteps muffled by the thick underbrush. His senses were alert, sharp as always, but his mind was calmer than it had been in weeks. The chaos of Lanternrock had been left behind for now, and as the city receded into the distance, a sense of clarity began to settle over him.
Finding a place of seclusion had been his top priority after the confrontation in the underground black market. Lanternrock, with its web of political struggles and power-hungry sects, had become too volatile. He needed distance. The advancement to Rank 3 was near, and it required not only a steady hand but also a space free from distractions.
After hours of traveling, Hui Jian finally spotted what he had been looking for. Nestled into the base of a small, snow-covered hill was a rocky outcrop, barely noticeable to the untrained eye. As he approached, the entrance to a narrow cave revealed itself. It was hidden well, surrounded by boulders and overgrown with sparse vegetation—perfect for what he needed.
He carefully examined the surroundings, his eyes scanning for any signs of recent activity. The area was deserted, untouched by both humans and beasts. Satisfied, Hui Jian slipped into the cave. It was small, but just large enough to give him the space he required for his breakthrough. The cold air bit at his skin as he moved deeper into the cave, but the chill didn't bother him. His mind was focused.
Inside the cave, Hui Jian immediately set to work. He unrolled the few belongings he had brought with him, laying out a modest collection of primeval stones and various refinement materials. These were the fruits of his recent dealings—priceless to a Gu Master on the verge of a breakthrough. But among all the items, his gaze lingered on one: the Mind Flower Gu.
The dormant Gu worm rested in a small wooden box, its delicate petals folded inward, waiting to be refined. It had been with him for so long, its potential untapped. But now, that would change. The Mind Flower Gu was crucial for what was to come. It would give him the clarity and mental sharpness he needed to survive the battles ahead. More importantly, it would allow him to scheme and plot with a mind that was sharper, faster, and more ruthless.
He knew that once the Gu became his vital Gu, it would be bound to his very essence. This was no minor commitment—it was a bond that would define his future cultivation. But Hui Jian wasn't one to shy away from making difficult choices. He was already determined. His mind was set.
For now, he had to focus on advancing to Rank 3.
Hui Jian sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, his breath steady, eyes closed. He centered himself, feeling the ebb and flow of his primeval essence. It was weaker than he would have liked, but that was to be expected for a Rank 2 Gu Master. Still, he had prepared for this moment carefully, and with the primeval stones at his disposal, he had more than enough essence to push through the barrier.
Time slipped by as Hui Jian entered a deep state of meditation. His thoughts quieted, his body relaxed, and soon, all that remained was the rhythmic pulse of his essence, flowing through his aperture. Slowly, he began to channel it, guiding the flow toward his aperture walls.
The breakthrough process was long and grueling. His aperture walls, which had been a source of stability for so long, now needed to be broken down and rebuilt, stronger than before. Sweat formed on his brow as the pressure inside his aperture increased. His essence slammed against the walls again and again, weakening the barriers that held him back.
Hours passed, but Hui Jian remained unmoving, his focus unwavering. The breakthrough was within reach—he could feel the walls of his aperture beginning to crack. And then, in a single moment, the barrier broke.
A surge of primeval essence flooded his aperture, stronger and more potent than anything he had ever felt. His body trembled as the power of Rank 3 flowed through him. It was overwhelming, intoxicating even, but Hui Jian quickly mastered it, calming the storm within.
As the breakthrough completed, Hui Jian's eyes opened. His gaze was sharp, his mind clear. He had done it—he was now a Rank 3 Gu Master. But there was more work to be done. His breakthrough was only the first step. The Mind Flower Gu awaited.
Without hesitation, Hui Jian reached for the wooden box and gently opened it. The Mind Flower Gu lay inside, its petals still folded, still dormant. Refining it into his vital Gu would be a delicate process, but with his newfound strength, he felt ready.
Carefully, he began the refinement process, channeling his primeval essence into the Gu worm. The Mind Flower Gu responded slowly at first, its petals trembling slightly as they absorbed the essence. Hui Jian's focus deepened, his mind clear and sharp. Every step of the refinement process required precision, and he could not afford a single mistake.
Time passed in silence, the only sound the faint hum of his primeval essence flowing into the Gu. The Mind Flower Gu began to unfurl, its delicate petals opening like a flower in bloom. It was a beautiful sight, but Hui Jian knew better than to be distracted. This was the moment where everything could go wrong.
But Hui Jian's control was flawless. With one final surge of essence, the refinement completed, and the Mind Flower Gu pulsed with new life. It was his now—his vital Gu.
The effects were immediate. As the bond between Hui Jian and the Mind Flower Gu solidified, he felt a strange clarity settle over him. His thoughts became sharper, more focused. Ideas began to form in his mind at a rapid pace, each one building on the last, colliding and merging into new strategies and plans. It was as though his mind had expanded, giving him the ability to process information faster and more efficiently.
A slow smile spread across Hui Jian's face. This was the power of the Mind Flower Gu. This was what he had been waiting for.
Testing it further, Hui Jian allowed his thoughts to race, visualizing the recent conflicts in Lanternrock. He pictured the sects, the factions, the mercenaries, and the black market. His mind worked at an incredible speed, analyzing each situation, every interaction, every piece of information he had gathered. New connections formed, hidden opportunities revealed themselves. It was like seeing the world from a higher vantage point, where every move became clear, every weakness exposed.
Hui Jian knew now that the Mind Flower Gu would be his greatest asset in the battles to come. With it, he could stay ahead of his enemies, anticipate their moves before they even realized they were making them. He could scheme, plot, and manipulate with a level of precision that few could match.
And this was only the beginning. As the Mind Flower Gu grew in power, so would his ability to think, plan, and control the world around him.
With his breakthrough complete and the Mind Flower Gu now his vital Gu, Hui Jian rose to his feet. He could feel the power coursing through him, the strength of a Rank 3 Gu Master filling his body. But more importantly, he felt the weight of his new intelligence, his enhanced ability to strategize and outmaneuver.
He packed his belongings quickly, his mind already forming plans for what came next. The political landscape of Lanternrock was still shifting, and now, with his new power, Hui Jian was ready to step back into the fray. But this time, he would do so from the shadows, always one step ahead of his enemies, always thinking five moves ahead.
The Mind Flower Gu had unlocked something within him—something that made him more dangerous than ever.
As Hui Jian stepped out of the cave and into the cold wilderness, he smiled to himself. The world would never see him coming.