A risky advice

The Tie clan, being a super force, had numerous youngsters who had awakened with an A grade aptitude. Tie Ruo Nan was one of them. She was diligent, hard working and had an upright character. She was the first one in her class to advance to Rank 2 and many members in the clan thought that she would become one of the 'Eight young masters' of Tie clan in the future. This was an official title given to the best gu masters of the upcoming generation. However, her competitors were not too far behind. Several other in her class broke through to Rank 2 before the year end assessment and everyone was looking forward to the match between these gu masters.

Just a few days before the year end assessment, Tie Ruo Nan received a tip that one of her competitors had successfully refined a Rank 2 Burning needle Gu. This was bad news for her as she primarily used a Rank 2 Grass puppet Gu. The attacks from Burning needle Gu would be inherently powerful against her grass soldiers. So Tie Ruo Nan decided to go to the Higher Academy of Refinement to get some help. As she approached her seniors to find out about effective ways to counter Burning needle Gu, Gu Guangzhi overheard their discussion.

"Burning needle Gu is a metal path gu insect with fire path characteristics. It is a really effective counter to your Rank 2 Grass puppet Gu of wood path with enslavement characteristics. I would recommend that you use your resources to refine an Earth path or Water path gu insects. They can provide you a good defense against the Burning needle Gu. You could use gu insects like Golden Needle Gu to attack your opponent. After that, it becomes a battle of attrition. Whoever makes the first mistake loses.", said the senior.

While it sounded like terrible advice to wait for the opponent to make a mistake in battle, most of the battles in the year end assessment were of this nature. All the students had good talent and were educated about using and countering various types of gu insects in the Academy. So most of the time, it boiled down to who made the first mistake.

Tie Ruo Nan was diligently listening to her senior when she heard a gentle sigh from behind. She turned around to see that it was an external member of the clan. Upon noticing the third rank symbol on his clothing, she politely greeted him, "Greeting senior. This is my first time seeing you. My name is Tie Ruo Nan. You are?" It was the senior that was speaking earlier that responded, "Don't bother with this guy. He is Gu Guangzhi, the grandson of our external elder Gu Yue Chao. He has a really weird way of refinement and the gu insects he works on are weird as well. Don't let him rub off his weird ideas on you."

Tie Ruo Nan was more interested in this senior now. She cupped her hands and asked, "Senior, do you have a different way to fight the Burning needle Gu?"

Gu Guangzhi explained, "The use of water path or earth path gu insects is a good idea but if it becomes a battle of attrition, you will definitely lose. The expenditure of primeval essence for Burning Needle Gu is generally less compared to water path and earth path gu worms. If you add in the primeval essence required for your Golden Needle Gu as well, the rate of expenditure is too high."

Tie Ruo Nan understood this. She asked, "Then what is the solution to this?"

Gu Guangzhi explained, "Don't focus on defense! Focus on the attack! The attacks from Burning needle Gu are strong but you don't need to fully stop those attacks. If you could slow your opponent's attacks using some Rank 1 gu insects like Snow pellet Gu, you could dodge the slowed needles using another Rank 1 gu insect for increasing speed. This way, your expenditure will be way less."

"Are you crazy?", the senior responded. "You want to use Snow pellet Gu to slow down the needles of Burning needle Gu? That requires insane accuracy and timing. Besides the risk of making a mistake is too high."

"If using Snow pellet Gu is difficult, then use a Rank 1 Ghost Fire Gu. It's explosions will take care of the needles and provide good cover. Fight fire with fire!", replied Gu Guangzhi.

"That is way too reckless!", said the senior.

"I have to agree.", said Tie Ruo Nan "But I think what you said is true. I will rethink my strategies by taking some risks."

"You have to take risks sometimes. My Rank 1 Hellrise bamboo bird Gu sounds ideal for this situation! If I could refine it in my way, I could've tried to create a new one but my hands are tied with the conventional method of refinement!", said an exasperated Gu Guangzhi. He really missed his old way of refinement.

"The Academy doesn't allow weird gu insects like yours in the year end assessment!", said the disgruntled senior. He was upset that Tie Ruo Nan took advice from this weird external member.

"I'll take my leave now. I wish that both of you could attend the year end assessment and encourage me." Saying so, Tie Ruo Nan left.

"You better focus on refinement first. You shouldn't be giving others advice when you can't even refine a Rank 1 gu insect.", said the senior and left as well.

Gu Guangzhi felt slighted but he felt more determined to master this way of refinement.