Inside the academy of the Xiong Clan, the academy elder sat in his office, reviewing a document about one of his future students: Xiong Zi Rui.
"This child… he will either be the end of our clan or mark a new beginning for us," said Xiong Fen, the academy elder and the most respected Gu Master in the clan.
After some reflection, he made a decision.
"Yang Fan!"
Xiong Fen summoned his most loyal servant, who promptly entered the office and knelt.
"This humble servant is ready for orders, Master."
Xiong Yang Fan, a peak stage rank 1 Gu Master, was the person who typically managed Xiong Fen's affairs.
"Gather all information on Zi Rui from his birth to the present, and inform the elders that I will personally teach the students this year."
"Yes, Master."
Normally, such a significant decision would require holding a meeting with the elders for approval.
However, it was different now. Elder Fen, with the highest cultivation in the clan at peak stage rank 3, would have been the strongest member of the clan if not for his age. Despite him being so old, he remained the second strongest, surpassed only by the clan leader.
"And tell the clan leader that once I finish teaching the youngsters, I intend to attempt advancing to rank 4. Ensure this information is known only to the clan leader."
Xiong Yang Fan was stunned. Rank 4? When the clan leader is yet at rank 3 upper stage? Isn't that essentially aiming to overthrow the clan leader? Stealing the position for himself?
"I don't have much time left, so I intend to make the most of it by ensuring the youngsters develop in a secure environment. By the time they reach their full potential, I'll be on my deathbed, so my attaining rank 4 will be inconsequential. Plus I am not fit for leadership"The academy elder said that last part with a sad look on his face, remembering what happened in the past.
"Master… I know it's not my place, but what will the elders say?" Xiong Yang Fan inquired, concerned for his master who had cared for him like a father would since his birth, with him being an orphan and all.
"They won't know. I trust the clan leader; I taught him personally after all, so I'm confident he will approve for the sake of our clan."
"If you say so, Master."
Xiong Yang Fan promptly left to execute his master's orders, leaving Xiong Fen alone in his office.
"Rank 4, hmm? Perhaps these old bones still have some strength left."
...
Elsewhere in the clan, Ning Zu sat cross-legged on his bed, appearing to meditate but actually deep in thought.
"Hmmm, it seems the split soul performed its task flawlessly and even left me a little gift—an inheritance in this mountain, though it is quite distant."
After reviewing his memories, Ning Zu turned to his attention to another one of his concerns right now: attainment.
"Let's see…"
Quasi-Supreme Grandmaster: Human Path, Soul Path.
Great Grandmaster: Rule Path, Refinement Path, Wood Path.
Grandmaster: Formation Path, Sword Path, Strength Path, Space path, Transformation Path, Time Path.
Master: Heaven Path, Fire Path, Earth Path, Bone Path.
"It appears I haven't lost any attainment from my past life, except for what I left for the split souls."
Ning Zu had left three split souls, each appearing at specific times to complete designated tasks. He had left one of his attainments to each, thus forfeiting three great grandmaster attainments.
"It was in Water Path, Theft Path, and Information Path, but it was worth it."
Upon completing his assessment of attainment levels, he examined his soul, which gave him extreme satisfaction.
He possessed a million-man soul, but that was not the source of his joy. His soul had become that of an otherworldly demon!
But how had this occurred, given that he was of this world?
"The time and resources invested in refining that Gu were absolutely worth it."
The rank 9 Gu he used against Heavenly Court was the Word Seed Gu, which essentially created a new, small world within someone's heart. It needed to be inside a heart for at least 200 years, and that heart needed to be full of vitality all of that time to form the small word completely.
Ning Zu had only 80 years of lifespan left at that time, so the creation would have failed not even halfway through. That's why he used the heart of the Gu Immortal he killed instead of his own.
What was unique about the small world created by the seed was that it was composed entirely of otherworldly Dao marks.
After his soul resided there for thousands of years, it blended with the environment.
So when the time was right, he willingly erased his memories with a decisive move he had left in the tree, healed the couple with a green light then his soul entered the body of Xiong Er, turning the dead fetus in her body into his own.
Thus, when he was born, Heaven's Will regarded him as just another otherworldly demon, and without memories, it could not discern his true identity.
"Heaven's Will forbids revival but allows rebirth."Ning Zu thought.
With the green light he had placed within the tree, he maximized the potential the talent in his new body and whatever remained was utilized by his new parents.
"In the end, the Information Path split soul restored my memories and concealed them from Heaven's Will. Hahaha! My plan succeeded!"
Suddenly
"Brother, Mom called for you!"
A little girl, no older than ten, burst into Ning Zu's room and then halted abruptly.
"Hey! Why do you have that creepy smile on your face?" asked the girl, her expression one of fright.
'Oh right, this is my blood-related sister. I have one of those in this life,' though Ning Zu.
"You wouldn't understand, Chu Er. You're still young," Ning Zu replied, leaving his bed.
"Where did you learn that word, anyway?"
"Grandpa taught me!" Xiong Chu Er replied proudly.
"*Sigh* Of course it was him. Go to your room."
"You're not my dad! Just because you have a good aptitude doesn't mean you can tell me what to do," Xiong Chu Er said, stamping her feet. "I'll have a better aptitude than yours, just wait!"
"You won't, trust me."
"We'll see, you creep!"
"Could you stop using that word?"
"Nuh uh, hehehehe." She stuck out her tongue and ran out of the room.
"Kids of this era sure are something else," Ning Zu mused, "and I wasn't lying—she'll have a C grade talent at most."
Ning Zu didn't make this assumption lightly; he had cultivated the Human Path for thousands of years and could sense the Dao marks in every human.
His quasi-supreme grandmaster attainment wasn't merely for show.
He went downstairs to answer his mother's call while contemplating what to do about his sister.
"Zi Rui, it's good to see you, my boy," Xiong Er greeted warmly.
"You too, Mother. I haven't seen Father much lately. Is everything alright?"
"Your father is busy with the elders, but there's no need to worry," Xiong Er said. "Oh, and your cultivation room is ready. It's built to be soundproof, and even an elder would find it difficult to break into."
"Thank you, Mother. I'll make sure to cultivate diligently."
"Don't push yourself too hard, my child."
"Don't worry, Mother. But may I know why you called me here? It can't just be about the room."
"You're as perceptive as ever. The academy elder suggested you start cultivating earlier than your peers, and your father approved as long as you can choose any Gu within the clans power to be your vital Gu, witch the elder agreed to, so what do you say Zi Rui?"
"I would be honored to have such an opportunity, Mother." Ning Zu agreed immediately. This deal would give him an advantage over his classmates and greatly benefit his future plans.
"Very well. Would you like me to select your vital Gu, or do you have something in mind?"
"I already know what I want, Mother."
"So, what will it be?"
Without hesitation, Ning Zu responded, "I want a Liquor Worm."