Southern Border.
Deep within a segment of underground trench.
Kong Ri Tian completed his final inspection of the Gu Formation, confirming everything was in order.
Over the past dozen or so days, he had carefully selected this location and also set up several additional Gu Formations within a radius of more than ten li.
"Although I am not proficient in Formation Path, I can still arrange ordinary mortal Gu Formations. With these formations in place, you will be able to quickly detect any anomalies in the vicinity."
"With my guidance, your chances of ascending and surviving the tribulation are quite high." Kong Sheng Tian's will spoke within Kong Ri Tian's mind, carrying a hint of self-satisfaction.
Kong Ri Tian nodded. "Ancestor, is there anything else you wish to instruct me?"
Kong Sheng Tian considered for a moment. "Do not be greedy when Learning from Nature, but do make good use of it. Since you walk the Qi Path, when you query the Heavenly Will, focus on matters related to the Qi Path. Do not ask about the secrets of other paths — you will receive far less than you would for Qi Path matters."
"Learning from Nature is also limited. You cannot make unlimited demands."
"Furthermore, the questions and doubts related to the Qi Path should not be too broad or too lofty. Do not inquire about Eighth Transformation or Ninth Transformation Qi Path Immortal Gu recipes — you will never receive the complete version. Even if you manage to obtain a partial Immortal Gu recipe, it won't contain even half of the original content!"
Kong Ri Tian committed these words to heart, nodding continuously. "Then I will ask questions related to the Qi Path, but ones within my current reach."
"Now you're thinking correctly." Kong Sheng Tian laughed heartily.
Kong Ri Tian then began his aperture crumbling tribulation to ascend.
The Heaven and Earth Qi surged powerfully, manifesting as a three-day Flying Wheel Tribulation.
The flying wheels were fierce and savage, capable of soaring through the air, and the tribulation lasted a full three days and three nights.
Kong Ri Tian struggled to endure, but ultimately succeeded in becoming a Sixth Transformation Gu Immortal, obtaining a superior Blessed Land.
Kong Sheng Tian's will sighed. "Your luck is truly terrible — to encounter such a calamity. This tribulation is quite special; it must persist for three full days and nights. Even if you destroy the flying wheels, they regenerate almost immediately."
"In order to protect you, my Immortal Essence has been almost entirely consumed."
"I had already warned you not to provoke Xiao Yan."
Kong Ri Tian was puzzled. "What does this have to do with dealing with Xiao Yan?"
Kong Sheng Tian explained. "Xiao Yan's own fortune was already comparable to yours before you received the Ascension True Inheritance — not lacking at all. More critically, he is a subordinate of Shang Xin Ci. That woman's fortune is no small matter. When you moved against Xiao Yan, your own fortune was first drained through a clash with his and with Shang Xin Ci's fortune."
"Because your fortune was depleted, the tribulation escalated into a three-day Flying Wheel Tribulation, exhausting nearly all the Immortal Essence I had left."
Kong Ri Tian's expression turned ugly.
That day, he had ambushed Xiao Yan, intending to frame another Demonic Path Gu Master named Bao Tong. But unexpected complications arose — he never anticipated that the Self-Kindling Fire actually contained a layer of Immortal material flame within.
At the time, Kong Ri Tian was not yet a Gu Master, and he had no desire to expend precious Immortal Essence to have Kong Sheng Tian's will activate Gu Immortal methods. In the ensuing battle, the Self-Kindling Fire shattered, detonating the Immortal material flame within.
The Immortal material flame consumed the entire mountain range, the situation spiraling out of control. Xiao Yan and Bao Tong were trapped within the sea of fire.
Only with Kong Sheng Tian's will's assistance was Kong Ri Tian able to break through the encirclement.
He never expected that the repercussions of that conflict would ultimately affect his own ascension.
Kong Sheng Tian sighed. "It seems I still underestimated Shang Xin Ci. Unless your cultivation and strength completely surpass hers, never seek to cause her trouble. Do not rashly act against those close to her, either."
Kong Ri Tian gritted his teeth. "Ancestor, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"
"Hmph, ignorant child. Fortune is a profound mystery. Even in the era when the Qi Path dominated heaven and earth, there were already many capable individuals who had delved into its mysteries."
"Never underestimate fortune."
"Think of Giant Sun Immortal Venerable. I am certain that when he originally created the Luck Path, he must have drawn reference from fortune as well."
"You have now become a Gu Immortal, so you should understand more. The paths of Gu Cultivation do not exist in isolation — they influence and relate to one another. Fortune is the connection between the Qi Path and the Luck Path."
In the end, Kong Sheng Tian's will's earnest teachings persuaded Kong Ri Tian.
"Gu Immortal cultivation is far more profound and mysterious than Gu Master cultivation. Thank goodness I have you to help me, Ancestor — even if I had ascended on my own, I would have been completely ignorant!" Kong Ri Tian lamented.
He then asked further. "So what should I do next? What is most urgent?"
Kong Sheng Tian's will answered without hesitation. "Little one, although you have ascended, the residual Heaven and Earth Qi was insufficient to elevate your Life Gu into an Immortal Gu."
"This Qi Path Gu Insect is still quite important to the overall Ascension True Inheritance."
Kong Ri Tian suddenly understood. "So next, I should refine this Immortal Gu?"
Kong Sheng Tian's will scoffed again. "Heh, truly ignorant and fearless. What kind of Immortal Gu do you think you could refine? Even if you spent every last resource you had, you wouldn't come close to the slightest hope of success."
"Do you know that most Sixth Transformation Gu Immortals do not possess even a single Sixth Transformation Immortal Gu? And most Seventh Transformation Gu Immortals spend their lives desperately seeking their very first Seventh Transformation Immortal Gu? This situation remains the same even at the Venerable level. Think about just how rare and how difficult Immortal Gu are for Gu Immortals to obtain!"
Kong Ri Tian clicked his tongue in shock, his mind reeling. "This... this is way too difficult?!"
Kong Sheng Tian's will sighed deeply. "Gu Immortal cultivation is no easy matter — the risks far exceed those of Gu Master cultivation. Lad, first and foremost, you must learn to survive. Every Immortal aperture tribulation is a test of your endurance. Your starting point is already far higher than most, but you must not act recklessly. In particular, refining Immortal Gu can very likely leave you destitute with nothing to show for it."
Kong Ri Tian said with difficulty, "Then what should I do? Ancestor, you just pointed out that my Life Gu needs to be refined into an Immortal Gu, and then you tell me that refining Immortal Gu is practically a death sentence. Do you have a good solution? Please stop keeping me in suspense!"
Kong Sheng Tian's will let out another hmph. "Now you know to listen to your old ancestor's words, do you? Before, I repeatedly advised you not to go after Xiao Yan — and what did you do? You're still too green!"