Chapter Six: The Choice of Gu
The morning after Wei Feng's arrival at the Heaven's Path Sect was unlike any other. The sun had barely crested over the horizon, casting long shadows across the compound as he was led to a secluded courtyard, the air still and filled with an anticipation that made Wei Feng's heart race. Today, he was to make a decision that would shape his future in ways that he could scarcely understand. He was to choose his Gu.
The courtyard was serene, a quiet space surrounded by towering trees whose leaves whispered in the morning breeze. At the center of the courtyard sat a stone pedestal, upon which rested five small, intricate containers. Each one was sealed with an array of runes, their symbols glowing faintly, as if waiting for him to come closer. The atmosphere seemed charged with energy, the very ground beneath his feet vibrating with the power of the Gu that lay within those containers.
Standing beside the pedestal was an elder, his robes a deep shade of indigo, embroidered with silver threads that shimmered faintly in the light. His hair was neatly tied back, and his eyes, sharp and calculating, studied Wei Feng as he approached. The elder gave him a respectful nod.
"Welcome, Wei Feng," the elder spoke, his voice low yet powerful. "Today, you will make the most important decision of your cultivation journey. The Gu you choose will become a part of you, shaping your path and your powers. It will guide you to immortality—or, perhaps, it will test you in ways you cannot yet comprehend. Choose wisely."
Wei Feng's eyes fell on the five containers before him. Each one seemed to hum with a different energy, each one promising something unique. He could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on him, but his heart was still. He had spent the last year learning about Gu, immersing himself in texts and scrolls that detailed the countless types of Gu that existed in the world. Yet, this was different. This was personal. This was his fate.
The first container was adorned with a golden emblem of a serpent, coiled and poised to strike. As Wei Feng looked closer, he could sense a faint aura of poison, swirling around the container like a tempest. This was the Venomous Serpent Gu, a Gu that granted mastery over poison and venom. With it, one could inflict unimaginable pain upon enemies, using toxins that could incapacitate or kill. But there was a cost. It required immense control and discipline, for the venomous energies could easily turn on the user, corrupting their body and soul.
The second container was shaped like a flower, its petals shimmering with a soft, ethereal glow. This was the Soulflower Gu, a Gu that could bind the soul of the user with that of another. It allowed the user to draw strength from others, to heal wounds, or even communicate telepathically. It was said that the Soulflower Gu could create bonds so deep that they transcended life and death. However, this Gu was not without its risks. The bonds it created could also lead to emotional entanglements, and those who wielded it often found themselves conflicted by the pull of others' desires and wills.
The third container was filled with a swirling, translucent mist. It seemed to pulse with a quiet, steady rhythm, and as Wei Feng gazed upon it, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. This was the Mist Spirit Gu, a Gu of illusion and perception. With it, one could bend the very fabric of reality, creating illusions so real that even the most perceptive cultivators would be fooled. The power to deceive, to confuse, to hide in plain sight—this Gu offered all of these. But the line between illusion and reality was a thin one, and those who relied too heavily on the Mist Spirit Gu risked losing their grip on what was real.
The fourth container was black as night, its surface smooth and featureless except for a single, glowing red eye in its center. This was the Blood Eye Gu, a Gu of sight and power. It granted the user the ability to see through anything, to pierce through illusions and even the most powerful defenses. With the Blood Eye Gu, one could sense the flow of blood and energy within others, making it an invaluable tool for both combat and cultivation. But the price for such power was steep. The Blood Eye Gu was known to consume the user's sight over time, leaving them blind as they grew more powerful.
The final container was an ornate box, its surface covered in intricate runes that seemed to shift and change as if alive. It exuded an aura of primal, unyielding strength. This was the Titan's Will Gu, a Gu that granted immense physical power and durability. Those who wielded the Titan's Will Gu could achieve feats of strength that defied the laws of nature, breaking through mountains, crushing their enemies with their bare hands. However, such power came at a cost. The Titan's Will Gu would slowly consume the user's humanity, turning them into a beast of pure strength, indifferent to the lives of others.
Wei Feng stood before the five containers, each one calling to him in its own way. He could feel the weight of each choice, the potential of each Gu whispering in his ears, promising him power beyond imagination. Yet, he also understood that every choice came with its own burdens. There was no perfect Gu, no path without sacrifice. He had learned that much over the past year, but now the truth of it felt more real than ever.
He closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath, and let the energy of the five Gu flow through him. He reached out with his senses, allowing his instincts to guide him. His connection to Gu was still young, but it was growing stronger with every passing day. He could feel the tug of each Gu, their power swirling around him like a storm. The Venomous Serpent Gu called to him with its promise of destruction, the Soulflower Gu offered him the potential for deep connections, the Mist Spirit Gu beckoned with its illusions, the Blood Eye Gu offered clarity and perception, and the Titan's Will Gu tempted him with raw power.
But none of them felt like the right fit—not yet. He needed something more. Something that resonated with his core, something that reflected the growth he had undergone in the past year.
In that moment, as his mind cleared, a sudden realization came to him. None of these Gu were simply about power. They were about what kind of person he wanted to become. The Venomous Serpent Gu would lead him down a path of destruction. The Soulflower Gu would tie him to others. The Mist Spirit Gu would deceive him, the Blood Eye Gu would blind him, and the Titan's Will Gu would make him a beast.
Wei Feng was not yet ready to sacrifice his humanity, nor was he willing to fall into illusions or corruption. He sought a path where he could grow and cultivate immortality without losing himself. The right choice, he knew, was one that would challenge him, test him, but not consume him.
And so, with a steady hand, Wei Feng reached for the Mist Spirit Gu, knowing that he would need to walk the fine line between reality and illusion, to master his perception and his mind in ways that no one else could. This was his path—one of subtlety, of understanding, and of becoming something greater than he could ever imagine.
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