"Congratulations, 'Myriad Phantom' elder, Dio.

I'm on awe of your strength and..."

Many elders, praised and saluted Dio who was at the center of the room, he took a sip of his wine quietly.

Without anyone noticing he was inspecting his aperture, particularly the Gu he exchanged for, with the Merit points he acquired during his second trial.

The Gu was no other than 'Flesh Bone' Gu.

This was a rank 3 Gu which had the effect of accelerating the production of 'bone' tissue which then, would be converted into another tissue.

Such as muscle tissue, blood and even organs!

Due to its ability to create those tissues the Gu was mostly used as a Healing type Gu, and for a Dio who called himself a 'doctor', this Gu had a tremendous value.

In fact, he used his Stand's aperture to refine this Gu, and thus, he converted it on his 'second Vital Gu.'

That was because due to Dio's tremendous attainment, Human Qi and due to the versatility of this Gu it wasn't an issue for him to even find other uses for this Gu.

The power to add a third arm, or to put flesh-wings on the back of a human, add new organs or modify the current ones.

Those and other many possibilities were opened before him due to this single Gu.

Yes, perhaps it wouldn't be easy, and maybe he would require other supplementary Gu's to achieve his goals, but, as long as it was possible, he'd make this attempt.

His only worry now was the state of his aperture, he was still at the peak stage of the first rank.

Dio sighed solemnly.

Even his Extreme Physique was unable to keep up with his goals and ambitions, if it was on a peaceful time, so be it.

But, even though it was subtle, he could feel day by day that the Black Luck was gathering around his body, like a black fog on a volcano.

He couldn't flee away either, after all, if he escaped away, he, a mere rank 3, this would affect the reputation of the Ma tribe considerably.

Moreover, this would be proof that he had a method to nullify Poison Vow without any risks, otherwise he'd not take such risk.

Any organization on the world, makes 'compromises', 'alliances', 'bows' and 'agreements.'

Dio's method could allow them to force others to fulfill agreements, while they could bypass their rules safely!

It was obvious the benefit this would bring to any organization with a long story.

That and other many reasons, were why, running away wasn't option for him.

This and the fact that the tribe leader was one of the two biggest threats to his luck meant that he'd have to kill someday.

...

While this thought of crushing and killing his opponent there was no real 'intent' or violence behind it, it was as if he was thinking about eating or drinking.

As long as he wasn't furious, his murderous desires would be concealed by his slight smile.

Dio glanced at the same Ma Shang Feng who he was planning to murder attentively without fear on his expression.

Ma Shang Feng glanced sharply at Dio, he wanted to inspect him, but he refrained the thought, he simply closed his eyes.

"Gentlemen, our journey and expedition to retrieve Ma Pa Hung's inheritance has not been without gains.

Due to many investigative Gu's we could find many clues of his footsteps, directions, activation of Gu's and so on.

Thanks to your efforts, we have managed to deduce the recipe of many Gu's and the Refinement techniques he used on live.

Normally, you'd require to pay a certain 'fee' to examine those recipes and goods, but, as a merit for the many Gu masters who have risked their lives for this cause, we'll gift all those Gu recipes and Gu's...

Starting from 'Wood carving the aperture.'

A Gu which adds a tiny Wood mark which similarly to Jin Strength Gu can be piled up, to increase the 'strength' of certain Gu worms, on this case, the strength of Wood Gu worms.

This 'mark', also increases the production of Primeval Essence, though, be careful, an excessive amount of 'Wood marks', can lead to certain mutations on this body.

Is possible life threatening and hence, you all must be cautious..."

He kept explaining the Gu's and details about them, clearly he was trying to tempt with his current findings.

Funnily enough, those 'findings' were Gu recipes that he actually already had on his possession, he merely was trying to dispel the doubts they felt, after the many failures they have suffered.

But, what he said about those footsteps was true, he was certain that soon he'd be able to find the right location and profit greatly after finding that accursed 'cave' where Ma Pa Hung left his inheritance.

"For this event, I also will go personally, with Ma Xuan Hin, the 'Storyteller', as my temporary replacement, during this short period, he'll take care of all affairs, his words will carry the same weight than mine.

Having said this, I'll now reorganize the groups and alter the Merit system to adapt to the current circumstances and..."

He spoke for a while, explaining carefully every single aspect.

Dio glanced at Ma Shan Hu who now had profound eyebags on his face and nodded to him.

Once more, he had to join a 'team' for the next expedition.

Obviously he could join any team, but doing so would be seem as 'ungrateful', besides, on any other group he'd be ostracized.

He approached to him and said.

"During the last few days, I've made some gains in my Cultivation."

Dio made a slight pause.

"Thanks to the countless recipes you gave me, now I found a way to not over rely on my Blood path's inheritance, heh, heh."

Dio was obviously trying to tease Ma Shan Hu, but at difference from his expectations he simply smiled to him.

"I also made some great progress on both my techniques and Cultivation, at this pace, I'll be able to breakthrough to rank 4 on 2 or 3 months.

Three months, on those three months I suppose you'd also have recovered most of your Cultivation base, right?

Hah, hah, but nobody knows, at the end life is full of twists and turns.

But, that will make more interesting all together a little 'idea' I have on store."

A golden flame surged from his eyes.

"On three months, let's fight.

This will be a proof of our diligence, practice, gestion of resources and overall strength.

To make this even more interesting, wouldn't you mind if we bet a little bet?

If I win, you'll give me 30,000 Primeval Stones, if you win I'll have to give you my rank 4 Gu Reinforced Big Lizard Gu house.

Tell me, what do you think of my idea?"

Ma Shan Hu said fearlessly, Dio's lips curved, he smiled at him.

"You truly are gutsy, but, as your 'friend' and ally, I wish to remind you that if you're to fail once more, you'd sink into the deepest of pits.

My friend."

Ma Shan Hu laughed, he shrugged calmly.

"Whether I succeed or fail, I'll have nothing to hold me back anymore.

If I win our bet, I'll be able to pay off most of my debts, most of my worries will fade overnight.

Otherwise, well?

Technically speaking, I couldn't even attempt to sell this even if I wanted to, as its not mine.

It was a gift to my 'group', hence, I can't do anything with it.

You get what I'm saying.

I can't take it with me, when I leave, nor I can take back my slaves, or else, I'll suffer a terrible backlash.

To where I go, I can't take any of my possessions except my Gu's with me..."

Dio looked at him with a strange smile.

"If you're defeated by me you'll desert the tribe, and hence I'll become the next inheritor who will get that rank 4 Gu house on my hands, at least temporarily.

You're going to flee, and become a Demonic Gu master, is this what are you trying to say to me?"

...

Silence filled the room, Ma Shan Hu sighed solemnly and said.

"Please, follow me, our tribe leader has already decided that we will travel together..."

The two began to walk calmly, finally when they entered at his Gu house, Ma Shan Hu took a rank 2 Poison vow Gu from his sleeves.

"I'm willing to fulfill those terms."

Dio said with a calm smile.

"I also, I'm willing to accept the terms."

After finishing their respective vows, those two shook their hands.

And so, their next expedition began.

Both Ma Shan Hu and Dio took a tiny Bookworm Gu from their apertures, and they began to read carefully the new road they'd follow.

While they're at it, Dio internally began to calculate which inheritances were more feasible and easier to get, without arousing nobody's suspicion.

At the same time, he also activated Luck Deduction and made another question.

This time, he asked.

'Is there a way to improve my Killer Move 'Aggressive Learning?'

A stream of golden energy passed through his brain, the rat brain soon created a golden-pink bubble, which fell directly on his brain.

A myriad of thoughts collided, he found over 10 answers.

Unfortunately no one of those where applicable to him, his current Cultivation rank was truly too low.

Dio closed his eyes and once more, he began to immerse himself on Cultivation.

While he was meditating, Ma Shan Hu was also busy.

At the center of his room, there was a huge pentagram.

Inside this 'pentagram' there were multiple Gu's scattered around the room, they're shining with a thin stream of red, celeste, pink, dark purple, green and many other colors.

Even though Ma Shan Hu didn't knew anything related to 'Formation' path, his ancestor knew.

He was merely copying all his steps word by word, for this next Refinement.

Ma Shan Hu heaved a sigh, then, he activated his 'Dark Flame' Gu.

Then, he activated his Killer Move 'Harmonious stable beam', he managed to focus most of its aura on his index finger.

He pointed directly towards a direct piece and chunk of Iron, which he constantly stabbed, pierced through, and slashed.

All those 'marks' he left on the chunk of iron shone with a silver stream of energy, which was getting progressively denser and denser.

The minutes kept passing.

It was such the temperature of his 'Dark Flame' that even the pure metal began to melt and evaporate!

To prevent their escape, Ma Shan Hu activated his Gu 'Qi armor' which held the structure together on a golden thin sphere.

Whilst at the same time, he leaked all the impurities by using many Killer Moves which had at their core 'Qi escape.'

When he wanted to filter 'Fire Qi', he'd activate 'Fire Qi' + 'Qi escape Gu', and so on.

He activated each and every variant of Qi's to filter them all out, all except for those two Qi's that were gathering into two big lumps of silver Qi.

Ma Shan Hu did this for hours, until finally the silhouette began to appear of two Gu's.

One had a sharp silver aura, like a thousand of needles which pierced directly the skin and flesh, this Gu was no other than Sword Qi Gu.

This Gu was directly pointing to Ma Shan Hu's neck.

Instinctively this Gu aimed directly to his vital spots, this was a complete, deadly Gu!

As for the other, it remained on the ground firm and imposingly, this was 'Iron Qi' Gu.

With those two Gu's, Ma Shan Hu felt that he was an step closer to victory.