"No, no," said the Wisdom Path Gu Immortal Tian Xiaxin, shaking his head at Chu Du's speculation. "This mark is a tool of the Information Path. According to my deductions, it is likely an Information Path true inheritance, and its location is not in the Northern Plains, but in the Eastern Sea."
"The Eastern Sea? An Information Path true inheritance?" Chu Du frowned, his expectations dropping sharply.
Originally, the chance of him cultivating the Sword Path alongside his own was already slim.
Because he was of the Strength Path—pure and singular. His body was filled with a profound foundation of Strength Dao Marks. To practice another path was extremely difficult.
However, the Sword Path was powerful in offense, and it was connected to the legendary figure "Half-Immortal Venerable" Bo Qing from history. Naturally, Chu Du felt a surge of curiosity.
But now, hearing it was the Information Path, that curiosity diminished many times over.
A figure like Chu Du, with his broad perspective, naturally understood the various advantages the Information Path could bring to his cultivation. But his temperament was direct, his ambitions grand. Deep down, he preferred offensive methods.
He was known as the Tyrant Immortal. As the saying goes: one might have the wrong name, but never the wrong nickname.
Since Chu Du could not practice the Sword Path alongside his own, it was even more impossible for him to cultivate the Information Path.
In the entire world, past and present, the only one capable of mastering all paths was Fang Yuan alone!
For other Gu Immortals, if they attempted to cultivate a second path, they would inevitably dilute their energy and time. Unless circumstances were special and they possessed a good Immortal Gu, in the vast majority of cases, the drawbacks outweighed the benefits. It was never a wise move.
Seeing Chu Du's expression, Tian Xiaxin immediately understood his thoughts and couldn't help but persuade him, "Brother Chu, do not underestimate this mark. In my estimation, the Flying Sword Immortal Gu was only inscribed later. This kind of Information Path method is unheard of; it has truly opened my eyes. It is definitely not ordinary!"
Chu Du's expression became solemn.
With this reminder, he instantly felt Tian Xiaxin's words held truth!
If it were inscribed on ordinary mountain rocks or flowing water, it wouldn't be strange. But inscribing it on a Gu worm was extremely rare.
This was because this Flying Sword Immortal Gu was of the Sword Path, at the Seventh Transformation!
Humans are the spirit of all creation; Gu are the true essence of heaven and earth.
Gu Immortals cultivate, weathering tribulation after tribulation, adding Dao Marks to their bodies. Immortal Gu themselves, however, are small fragments of Dao Marks!
Dao Marks of different paths would conflict with, hinder, and repel each other. This mark was an Information Path tool, a trace of the Information Path Dao Mark, yet it was able to be inscribed onto a fragment of the Sword Path Dao Mark and persist there. It was like a lone boat remaining unmoved amidst a tsunami.
Looking at it this way, this Information Path method was simply earth-shattering!
"Brother Chu, may I propose a deal?" Tian Xiaxin suddenly said again.
Chu Du smiled faintly. Although he was not a Wisdom Path Gu Immortal, he immediately guessed Tian Xiaxin's thoughts.
Chu Du waved his hand, cutting off Tian Xiaxin's words. "Brother Tian, please do not take offense. This Flying Sword Immortal Gu was never mine to begin with; it belongs to a friend of mine. To tell you the truth, this friend of mine has been missing for a long time, and I am worried. That is why I asked you to deduce his whereabouts. The Immortal fate on this Gu naturally belongs to him."
The deductions of a Wisdom Path Gu Immortal did not come from nothing; they required fundamental clues. The more clues there were, the easier the deduction and projection became.
Thus, Wisdom Path Gu Immortals often yearned for Information Path methods.
Tian Xiaxin had originally been uninterested in most Information Path methods. Because his master was the Immortal from the Fields and Gardens, his Wisdom Path inheritance was extraordinary, and his perspective had been raised many levels. But the Information Path true inheritance before him was truly superior, making even this Gu Immortal content with simplicity feel a stir in his heart.
"Since that is the case, I was rude to ask." Hearing Chu Du's direct refusal, Tian Xiaxin's tone was filled with immense disappointment. However, he still returned the Flying Sword Immortal Gu in his hand to Chu Du.
This Seventh Transformation Sword Path Immortal Gu was only the key clue used for the deduction, not the payment Chu Du was offering Tian Xiaxin.
Of course, Chu Du had paid a very generous reward for requesting Tian Xiaxin's help with the deduction.
"This deduction did not achieve Brother Chu's goal. According to the rules, I will return half of this time's payment." Tian Xiaxin watched reluctantly as the Flying Sword Immortal Gu was collected by Chu Du into his Immortal aperture, sighed, and then said.
Chu Du shook his head and laughed heartily. "There is no need. Although my wish was not fulfilled, I have not gained nothing. Brother Tian is worthy of being the number one Wisdom Path Gu Immortal in the Northern Plains today. The previous payment was well worth it. I must take my leave."
Chu Du was known as the Tyrant Immortal, but he was not so overbearing as to be ignorant of how to conduct himself.
Tian Xiaxin was a rare and powerful Wisdom Path expert in the Northern Plains today. In the future, Chu Du might very well need his help again. How could Chu Du possibly risk damaging this relationship?
"This..." Tian Xiaxin hesitated.
But Chu Du had already departed. His actions were decisive and swift, extremely straightforward.
As he left, he was actually quite happy in his heart.
A Seventh Transformation Flying Sword could already stir the nerves of Gu Immortals. Now, with an Information Path true inheritance clue on it as well, putting himself in Fang Yuan's shoes, no matter how he thought about it, he felt Fang Yuan would not give it up. This meant he had even greater leverage to blackmail Fang Yuan!
"The method that can draw out the True Essence of Wild Barbarism—I must obtain it!" The flame in Chu Du's heart burned fiercely.
Tian Xiaxin watched Chu Du's departing back, a sigh of helplessness rising in his heart.
If it were anyone else, he might have considered seizing it by force. But the other party was the Tyrant Immortal!
Although Chu Du only cultivated the Strength Path, and Tian Xiaxin cultivated the Wisdom Path, ultimately, Tian Xiaxin could not muster the courage to scheme against Chu Du.
The Strength Path was in decline, while the Wisdom Path had always been noble and rare. But since ancient times, the superiority of a path had never determined the outcome. There were only the strongest Gu Immortals, never the strongest Gu or the strongest path.
Humans are the spirit of all creation; Gu are the true essence of heaven and earth. For humans, Gu worms were merely tools!
Time flowed on, and the Northern Plains surged with changing tides.