The Academy Elder's commanding voice echoed across the classroom. "Form a line. First the A-grade students, followed by the B-grade students. Each of you will select one Gu worm. Choose wisely."
The students scrambled into position, their excitement palpable. There was only one A-grade student, he held his high, took his place at the front of the line. Behind them, the 4 B-grade students iincluding Li Tianhuan and Yan Yueqing shuffled into their spots. The lesser grades waited at the back, whispering among themselves, resigned to their position in the clan's hierarchy.
FIrst, the A-grade student approached the wooden tray, picking a Gu worm oh his choice. The Academy Elder maintained a stern gaze, observing their choices with a sharp eye. Some students visibly beamed with satisfaction, while others wore masks of indifference, hiding their disappointment at their selection.
As the A-grade student finished, the B-grade students stepped forward. The process repeated, though the atmosphere was slightly less charged. For most, the Gu they received would shape their future cultivation, their hopes resting on the slim chance of acquiring a Gu that matched their needs and ambitions.
Li Tianhuan and Yan Yueqing stood near the middle of the line, both maintaining an outward calm as the line slowly moved forward. The faint hum of chatter filled the room, broken occasionally by exclamations as a student revealed their chosen Gu worm to their peers.
When it was finally Yan Yueqing's turn, she stepped forward with quiet confidence. Her eyes scanned the tray, and she carefully picked a jar containing the Phantom Echo Gu, a Gu that projected illusory sounds. A small smile played on her lips as she returned to her seat, clutching the jar protectively.
Next, it was Li Tianhuan's turn. His gaze fell on the remaining jars, and with steady resolve, he reached for the jar containing the Mirror Image Gu. The small worm within was shaped like a coiled ribbon of translucent silver, its body faintly shimmering as though reflecting light and bending it at odd angles. Its head was slightly pointed, giving the impression of an elegant brushstroke in mid-motion. Li Tianhuan nodded subtly to himself, returning to his seat without a word, cradling the jar in his hands.
As the line continued, the lesser-graded students approached, their choices random and their expressions less animated. The excitement in the room gradually waned, replaced by murmurs as students began discussing their selections.
As the Academy Elder dismissed the class, the students began filing out of the room, their chatter filling the halls. Li Tianhuan and Yan Yueqing walked side by side, their steps unhurried as they made their way home.
Li Tianhuan glanced at Yan Yueqing. "What did you pick?" he said quietly, his tone neutral.
She turned to him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Phantom Echo Gu, you?"
He chuckled softly, leaning back in his seat. "Mirror Image Gu."
"What did you pick? ," Li Tianhuan said, breaking the silence, his tone neutral but curious.
"Phantom Echo Gu, it suits me," Yan Yueqing replied, glancing at him. "Illusions and sound—a good match for my style. And you?"
Li Tianhuan smirked faintly. "Mirror Image Gu, I like confusing enemies and defeating them."
The two continued their conversation as they walked away from the academy until they reached a two-way path. They exchanged a brief farewell before heading in opposite directions, with Yan Yueqing taking the left path and Li Tianhuan the right.
Li Tianhuan's steps were steady as he made his way back to his house. The misty air and faint patter of rain provided a calming backdrop to his thoughts. Reaching his wooden house, he stepped inside, placing the jar containing the Mirror Image Gu carefully on the table.
"Well, then I am going to start grinding and reach the middle stage," he thought to himself as he sat down, determination gleaming in his eyes.
Li Tianhuan took a deep breath and focused inward, directing his attention to his aperture. The Liquor Worm, safely nestled within the swirling green copper primeval essence, began to stir. Its body emitted a faint glow, signaling its activation.
With a practiced mental command, Li Tianhuan guided a portion of his essence toward the Liquor Worm. The worm absorbed the essence, refining it within the confines of his aperture. The green copper essence, now condensed and more potent, flowed back into the reservoir, filling it with an energy that felt denser and more vibrant.
Time passed as Li Tianhuan continued the cycle, each repetition nourishing the light membrane walls of his aperture. With each refined essence cycle, the walls began to dissolve and transform into a water membrane. The transition was seamless, as the Liquor Worm worked tirelessly to elevate his cultivation. The green copper primeval essence became denser and more potent, flowing freely within the newly formed water membrane walls.
Finally, after what felt like hours, his aperture stabilized. The once flickering light membrane had fully transitioned into a water membrane, its flowing state symbolizing his advancement to the middle stage.
"Finally, Middle stage," he murmured, a faint smile on his lips.
"Status," Li Tianhuan said, focusing his thoughts on the system. A familiar red screen flickered into existence before him, displaying his current progress.
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Name: Li Tianhuan
Cultivation Stage: Rank 1 - Middle Stage (Water Membrane Aperture)
Primeval Essence: Green Copper Essence
Main / Current Path: Illusion Path - Ordinary
Secondary Path: -/-
Vital Gu: Liquor Worm (Rank 1)
Gu Worms:
Mirror Image Gu (Rank 1)
Black Boar Gu (Rank 1)
White Boar Gu (Rank 1)
Inventory:
Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus (Rank 3)
Primeval Stones: 25
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Li Tianhuan made the Liquor Worm his vital Gu the moment he refined it. Being in a clan full of illusion path Gu Masters, he decided to keep illusion as his main path. However, he knew this decision might change in the future.
"Wait," Li Tianhuan thought, an idea sparking in his mind. "Maybe in the future, I can create a new path. If I succeed, I'll keep illusion as my main path and develop rule path as my secondary path."
"I should not think about those things now," Li Tianhuan reminded himself. "I need to get back to work. First, I can't refine the Heavenly Essence Treasure Lotus as it is Rank 3, which makes it difficult for me to refine. Besides, it will be safe in the inventory since things in the inventory don't require food. So, my first goal is to use both Black Boar and White Boar Gu, then sell them back to the system to get SP (Sold Points) and buy Gacha Tickets."
The system later explained that SP (Sold Points) are awarded based on the rarity of the Gu or resource sold. For instance, selling the Black Boar Gu would yield 10 SP. Both SP and KP use the same point system for purchasing Gacha Tickets, but they are earned differently that's it.
As he thought, Li Tianhuan sat cross-legged in his room and started using Black Boar Gu.