Compulsion

'It's been almost twelve years since I became Gu Guangzhi in this world. My life back on Earth seems like a distant dream now. My knowledge of this world only comes from a few posts and memes on an internet message board but the image of Fang Yuan still brings me chills. Fang Yuan must be reaching 15 years of age and he will soon undergo aperture awakening ceremony. If he becomes the demon that I've always feared him to be, I don't know what my future will be like. I've been using boiling primeval essence for the past ten years and reached the peak of Rank 2 three years ago but I can't seem to break through to Rank 3. My teacher, Yu Wen Zi, keeps telling me that it will soon happen one day but I can't wait any longer. ' Gu Guangzhi was thinking hard and deep about his future while cultivating when Yu Wen Zi walked in.

"Riding on two boats at the same time is a sure way to drown. You need to cultivate with everything you have. Distractions will do you no good.", said Yu Wen Zi.

Gu Guangzhi opened his eyes, disappointed with himself. "I can't seem to do it. No matter how much I try, I can't break the crystal membrane walls of Rank 2 with my primeval essence. I wish I could use primeval stones to breakthrough like I did when I was in Rank 1 peak stage."

Yu Wen Zi shook his head from side to side, "Don't falter when you are at the last step. It is only a matter of time before you can breakthrough to Rank 3."

"I've been at the last step for three years now. I need to advance to Rank 3!", Gu Guangzhi was frustrated.

"Oh! Why is it so urgent? Does it have something to do with Fang Yuan of the Gu Yue clan?"

"Teacher!? How do you know of him?", Gu Guangzhi was shocked.

"Hehehe! Relax. You've been my student for ten years now. Do you think I don't know what you do every now and then? You've been collecting information about this kid in Gu Yue clan from time to time." Gu Guangzhi was silent. "Listen, I heard that he is touted as a genius of the Gu Yue clan and I don't want to know what kind of enmity you have with that kid that you are scared of him becoming a gu master but you must have confidence in yourself. You are nothing short of a genius. The rate at which you learnt refinement from me… I was so astonished by it. In some ways, you are more proficient than I am. I've taken disciples in the past but no one could learn from me as much as you did. The way you fight using your gu insects during the wolf tides, even the Xiong clan leader is happy about you. You need to believe that you can overcome any obstacles that you will face in the future."

Gu Guangzhi smiled a little but he couldn't back down now. "Teacher, once I used to think that a Rank 5 gu master is the most powerful existence in this world. Under your guidance, I came to know about the legends known as Immortals and even they had to live under powerful existences called Venerables who attained Rank 9. I don't want to live my life under anyone's thumb. I want to make my own path and become an Immortal who can enforce justice and peace."

Yu Wen Zi stood there silent for a second and reminisced, "A Gu Immortal huh! I was a failure when I tried to become one. I hope you can achieve it."

Gu Guangzhi asked in amazement, "Teacher, you tried to become a Gu Immortal? Does that mean you were once a Rank 5 gu master?"

"What good will knowing that do to you? I don't want to talk about it."

Gu Guangzhi kept silent. During these ten years whenever he asked about Yu Wen Zi's past, Yu Wen Zi would quickly shut him down. Gu Guangzhi could feel a tinge of regret and hatred from his teacher at those times.

Yu Wen Zi continued, "Anyways, it seems like there is no stopping you. As a gu master with D grade aperture, breaking through Rank 2 is indeed difficult but with your boiling essence it is not impossible. The constant use of your boiling essence is also supposed to weaken your crystal walls slowly to help you breakthrough to Rank 3. Knowing your battle prowess, I can say that you are very good at using your primeval essence. However, there is still room for improvement. Most gu masters raise their ranks but only a very few learn to perfectly control their primeval essence. Furthermore, that happens only in the final moments of their lives. Perhaps, you need to have such an experience and it will give you the insight to breakthrough to Rank 3."

Gu Guangzhi was startled, "You want me to fight someone in a life and death battle?"

Yu Wen Zi laughed and said, "Gu masters are always placing their lives in danger for the sake of their cultivation. You want to become a Gu Immortal? You need to take more risks. Hmm. Let's see. With your skill, you can take on all the Rank 2 gu masters in our clan. There are several Rank 2 gu masters in other clans as well but you can handle majority of them in a one on one battle. You probably can't defeat Gu Yue Qing Shu from Gu Yue clan who is a peak Rank 2 gu master with a false A grade aptitude but he is a mild natured gu master. You won't have a feeling of life and death experience fighting him. That leaves us only with Bai Ning Bing. Though he is a Rank 3 gu master, he is promoted to Rank 3 recently, so he will not have a great amount of expertise. Given his attitude, he will definitely not hesitate to kill you. That is the kind of experience you need. So go and fight Bai Ning Bing."

Gu Guangzhi was confused at the sudden change in Yu Wen Zi's attitude. He always taught him to not rush into battle but now Yu Wen Zi was pushing him to his death.

Yu Wen Zi spoke up again, "Or you can just wait for a few more years till the crystal membrane of your aperture breaks and you can promote to Rank 3 then. However, I can say this with confidence. If you are afraid of braving dangers, you will never become a Gu Immortal that you wish to become." Gu Guangzhi made up his mind.

A few days later, Gu Guangzhi slowly made his way to the the outskirts of Bai clan. There was a detached looking youth sitting on a tree, gazing at the sky. Gu Guangzhi raised his voice and shouted, "Bai Ning Bing! I've come to challenge you to a battle. Come and face me!"