Kao Dao Ji remained in his aperture.
In his hands, there were countless of white particles flowing through.
He was weaving his hands, which were shining with thin streams of energy; those particles reacted vibrantly, some moved left to right, others spun, others vibrated, others were slightly illuminated.
Regardless.
Each of those particles, which looked like specks of dust, were in truth clouds.
He was inspired by his previous decision, the massive grey-sphere which looked imposing and was hard on the outside, but soft underneath, was without a doubt one of his greatest ideas.
Following such a trail, he managed to think of the idea of creating an accelerated environment to forcefully increase the pressure in the air to the extent that golden particles could be created.
Particles that carried the essence of Lighting, and thus would enable a person to digest them and absorb them directly.
However, there were countless of flaws in his previous approach.
To forcefully keep a person inside what seemed to be a death trap made by Jigsaw, and ask them to Cultivate seemed an horrendous idea.
Especially because he had diverted so far away from his previous idea of using Human Path to connect with Cloud Path.
Thus, he pondered deeply over every part of the human body, thinking.
How could I create a Killer Move inspired by the human body that can accomplish the same function as my previous idea, and is also more efficient?
That is when he had this idea.
Cells were isolated pieces of biological matter that split the world into 'inside' and 'outside.'
Thus. Why could he not ensure that the 'inside' carried the properties required to produce the golden drops, while keeping the outside the same?
In simple words.
He planned to change the concept of the Killer Move in a single macrostructure, which a person needed to inhabit, into countless of particles that would be adhered to the skin of the person Cultivating and would automatically be pulled towards the aperture.
However, that brought its unique problems.
"Son of a bitch. Get the fuck in!" He muttered.
There was a vein in his forehead.
He commanded more of his strength, forcefully pulling Lightning Qi from the thunder rock towards the micro cloud.
The micro cloud trembled violently.
Until finally.
There was a crack in its shape, and then.
It evaporated.
Whereas the violent energy was suddenly released, hitting him in the eye.
"Augh!" Kao Dao Ji groaned as he put his hand in his eye, rubbing it.
While as a Land Spirit, his physiology was not as fragile as that of a human, it was still just as sensitive.
After using a couple of Gu to numb the pain.
He crossed his arms.
"Is of no use. Is impossible to generate such ginormous pressure as to produce a golden drop inside a micro-cloud. And even if I do manage to do so, it will require far too much energy."
It was a matter of scale.
To put it bluntly, one could imagine the sea.
The further you go down, the greater the pressure becomes inside.
Because there is not only the surrounding water, but also the water above you, which increases the pressure.
Now, his previous concept was easy to realize, big-depth, big-pressure, simple.
However, after removing that layer, he intended to create a similar pressure using a simple puddle.
Needless to say, it was magnitudes of times harder.
But not entirely impossible.
One could use external force to forcefully push the water downwards, increasing the pressure.
One could use methods of focusing the pressure in a singular spot.
For example, imagine that the whole puddle was put in the shape of a reverse triangle, where the deeper you go, the less surface there is.
Kao Dao Ji had employed this method; in reality, each of his micro-clouds contained several spikes pointing inwards, towards the center of the 'cell.'
Even so. That also meant that there was a lower volume where golden drops could actually be produced. In simple terms, it was like hiring a big, tall man to carry in his hands a pair of drops of water from the river, one in each hand, to fill a well (the aperture.)
It simply made no sense.
But if those two methods did not work, what else could he do?
Is not as if he could magically increase the gravity on the puddle so it would have the same pressure as the one in a river.
Suddenly.
Kao Dao Ji's expression changed.
"That is right. While my current method is insufficient, what if I create a pocket dimension within each 'cell?'
If I do, I could carry a million times more energy in the same reduced space."
There was one minor complication.
"I am only a Quasi-Grand Master, a recent one at that." He sighed.
Since the day he ascended to become a Quasi-Grandmaster, he has already tested his limits.
He easily got the hang of mimicking Water and Lighting Path, but other Paths were almost an insurmountable barrier. The only other Path he managed to replicate with a minor degree of success was Wind Path, and that, too, took some time.
To try to mimic Space Path sounded ridiculous; he would need to be at least a Grandmaster to do so. Furthermore, he would also need to take a crash course regarding Space Path for at least a few months.
Needless to say, it was too far away.
However.
He had an idea.
"If I am unable to mimic Space Path on my own, why can I not borrow the influence of the Clan? I mean, I doubt that in the whole Clan's history there hasn't been a single Gu Master trying to mimic Space Path."
In reality, the process of a Grandmaster, whilst it enabled a person to mimic another's Path, was not as easy as it sounded.
If it were that simple, everyone would have simply mimicked Human, Heaven, and Dream Path from the very start, but that was not possible.
One needed a foundation in the Path one wanted to mimic, and the greater this attainment was, the deeper one's mimicking was (up to a certain limit, of course)
Of course, whilst this was true, it was also true that it was not feasible for a Gu Master to become a Master in all Paths.
That is why most Grandmasters simply borrowed the experience of their predecessors and copied their homework; only if they lacked such guidance would they partake in such a thankless job.
"I guess this is another reason why Dream Path is broken as fuck. Such a shame I was Isekai'd in the wrong era." As those thoughts were settled, he rapidly began to write a letter.
Where he praised the Supreme Clan Leader to the high heavens, saying that defeating Crimson Soul was as easy for him as killing a chicken.
And also congratulated him in advance for reaching Rank 8, and said that Rank 9 was within sight!
…
Before shamelessly asking in the following line if they could let him borrow some of the books of the Clan related to Space Path.
As he wrote this letter, he also could not help but think about that mythical figure.
Who had been stamped half to death, just a few of months ago (Inside his aperture, in the real world, only a few days had passed).
Of course, he could not sigh in relief just yet.
He closed his eyes.
"The Blood Phantoms remain there. He can kill me whenever he pleases." He frowned.
The grievances between the Kao Clan and Crimson Soul were very deep.
If one day, during a routine checkup, they noticed the existence of those Blood Phantoms, well, things easily could get ugly for him.
"Is a good thing that I've already bribed my watcher."
Immediately, he thought of the image of Kao Yu Hun.
Rapidly upon becoming an Immortal, he donated his Immortal Gu to him in exchange of monetary compensation, and his aid during his Tribulations.
Of course, there was the other aspect.
Which was that as long as the contract remained intact, Kao Yu Hun would have to save him whenever the going got tough.
In the current situation, even if Kao Yu Hun noticed some abnormalities within his aperture, he would merely look away and pretend nothing was wrong.
"Of course, if the situation goes south, he will be the first to sell me out and proclaim his innocence."
He sighed.
Before shaking his head.
Regardless.
There was plenty of work to do.
"The next ceremony is about to start." He stood up, letting out a soft sigh.
…
Sometime later.
Kao Zha Ji was resting in a deep pool, where hot steam constantly surged through.
As the steam touched his body, he felt a warm healing sensation.
Old tissue was repaired, old wounds mended.
There were countless of attendants and servants surrounding him, beautiful maidens were going one after the other, bringing exquisite food to him.
Some of those maids looked flustered, some were shy, some were excited, as they observed his robust body and well-defined muscles, as well as his captivating wings.
And some merely obediently, but coldly, followed their tasks, bringing food to satiate his appetite.
Whilst this happened, Kao Yun Yun remained by his side.
Both of them were communicating telepathically whilst Kao Zha Ji rested.
"Regarding the budgets. We are under tight finances due to our previous actions, and there's a current recession happening under district 17 to 22. The Featherman there are refusing to work…"
"Some disciples showcase exceptional talent."
"Kao Dan Xiao, showcases exceptional understanding. He already has shown Ordinary Attainment in Soul Path, and has been able to integrate it into his Wood Path Cultivation."
"Speaking of which, his Wood Attainment seems to be increasing; he should be able to become a Master by then, his chances of ascending to Immortality would be rather high."
"Should we hurry up to ascend to fill some vacant spots, or should we let him mature, so his chances are greater? Or perhaps, we should not risk it, and let him remain as a Mortal for a whole century, so he can guide the others…"
Kao Zha Ji waved his hand in dismissal.
"Let him do whatever he pleases. We already have enough Immortal Seedlings, so it's not a big deal even if he dies. Furthermore, as a Gu Master, one should trust one's own intuition.
If we force him into a dead end, he could end up wasting his potential."
Kao Yun Yun nodded.
"Alright, there's also the matter regarding his…Allegiance. He seems to harbor a certain affection for Bai Lin Hua."
Kao Zha Ji raised his eyebrows.
"Oh." He squinted his eyes.
"Well…" He touched his chin.
"As long as this does not affect the Clan, he's allowed to marry whoever he pleases. Of course, if he does. It means that his heart is not in the right spot.
And someone like him should not be allowed to ever become a true leader or core of the Clan.
Still.
Integrating a foreign Immortal Gu Master, especially one of Soul Path, does have its appeal." He frowned.
"Of course, she will never truly be loyal to the Clan, so her usability will remain limited, still." He turned his head towards Kao Yun Yun, leaving the massive piece of lamb meat he was currently eating at its plate.
"There is a way to use her. Kao Yun Yun, the next time you meet her, show her the video. Of us defeating her master.
After she sees the video, any thoughts of escaping or revolting should be settled at least for a few years."
"Once her mental state settles. And reality sinks in. We can make an offer to her."
Then.
He raised one of his fingers.
"One. She can choose to conservatively reveal her knowledge regarding Soul Path for the coming decades, if she does. I can allow her to keep a life full of luxury, but regarding her Cultivation, that is a step too high.
We will cripple her Cultivation and remove her Immortal Aperture from her body.
Of course, we will not kill her. And beforehand, we will give her access to a range of body-strengthening Gu; with their aid, her strength should be about as high as that of a Rank 4 or 5 Gu Master.
But that is as far as my generosity goes.
Two. After we ensure that she will not try anything funny, we can slowly allow her to regain access to her former strength. She will serve and fulfill needs that other Gu Masters in the Clan cannot do.
For example, she can aid our Mortal Gu Masters in strengthening their souls, or can guide them.
She can also produce plenty of Soul Path Materials and serve as an external elder for our affairs.
Whilst that will preserve her Cultivation, she will receive no aid from us.
Not regarding Tribulation, at least.
Whilst her pay will be the absolute lowest, in comparison to our other Immortals.
Finally.
There is a third option.
To reach the third option, she must toil for years under the second option, and then, after her reliability is guaranteed, she will be given the possibility of marrying anybody she chooses within the Clan."
Kao Yun Yun raised her eyebrows, looking somewhat surprised.
Kao Zha Ji stared at him, confused.
"Why do you have that expression?" He asked.
"Well. I never imagined someone like you, who hates Heavenly Court and humans so much, would allow a person of our Clan to marry one."
But Kao Zha Ji merely waved his hands before chuckling.
"I am not like I used to be in my youth. I understand that we Variant Humans are weak, whilst humans are strong. But we have an advantage over them.
We are united, they are not.
When the going gets tough, we settle our differences and act together, whilst humans squabble and betray each other like a bunch of monkeys throwing shit at each other." He snorted coldly.
"So why don't we use one of those monkeys to deal with another? Once they are no longer needed, we can easily discard them."
Kao Zha Ji smirked coldly.
Suddenly.
Kao Yun Yun raised her eyebrows.
"Oh? A letter has arrived from…Kao Dao Ji?"
Kao Zha Ji suddenly chuckled, amusement appeared in his expression.
"That brat. Since the day he became a Land Spirit, he has become so amusing. What outrageous thing is he asking this time?"
Kao Yun Yun coughed softly.
As she handed over the letter.
Whilst reading it.
The expression of Kao Zha Ji changed several times.
Especially during that part of:
Rank 9 is within sight.
"This brat, is he trying to flatter me? Come on, at least pick up a better lie." Despite his words, there was a tiny smile on his face.
But then.
His eyes moved towards the next line.
"Ha-ha…As expected of that shameless brat." He squinted his eyes.
"Does he truly think I will let him access our stuff for free?" He turned his eyes towards Kao Yun Yun.
"Tell Kao Dao Ji that he will get nothing if he does not give the Clan at least 180 Immortal Essence Stones."