Acquiring Knowledge of Attainment

Shang Shu Luo sat peacefully in the clan library, surrounded by books and scrolls teaching about the many complexities of cultivation and Gu. When suddenly, he received a message from the clan leader that an important guest was on their way.

Instantly he rose his hand controlling the books and Gu to clean the place up, but then he felt the aura of a rank-4 gu master pervading the entrance of the library. With little to no choice, he accepted that today he would either be docked or fired.

⸻

Xie Ling strode into the library and went straight to Shu Luo, making a request, "Give me the catalog of all the books contained in this library."

Gulping nervously, Shu Luo with a flick of his wrist made a Book Gu float up to his hand before handing it over to Xie Ling.

After a quick scan over the catalog, Xie Ling posed a question, "Why are there no books on how to formulate killer moves?"

Shu Luo was at first confused, only people with a serious lack of education would ask such a question, never mind a rank-4 gu master. However, since this was his neck on the line he answered with utmost sincerity, "Gu are given their names for what they do in isolation, however, that easily changes when you introduce another Gu to the mix like how adding heat to ice will change it to a liquid. There's also the problem of when using a killer move, often the Gu must move in unique ways, adding complexity to the killer move. As such a formula for making killer moves cannot be theorized, only the instructions for performing a specific killer move can be written. Lastly, most killer moves are made using both personal experience and the intuition that one gains from their attainment in that respective path."

Xie Ling raised a questioning eyebrow, "Intuition? Attainment?"

Realization dawned on Shu Luo, "This man is woefully unversed in the ways of cultivation." He thought quickly correcting his first assumption of the man in front of him.

"The levels of attainment in cultivation begin with the ordinary level, followed by the Master level, Grandmaster level, Great Grandmaster level, and the ultimate level of Supreme Grandmaster, however, it is still questionable whether or not many of those levels even exist," he explained patiently.

"In addition to these levels, there are also sub-levels known as quasi-attainment levels, such as quasi-master. However, there exist 'levels' that are not truly levels at all, such as nonexistent attainment and low attainment. These terms refer to a lack of true attainment and therefore do not merit a level designation. Those who have not achieved the Master level lack the intuition necessary for cultivation, and the primary difference between them lies in their experience with Gu. One must also note that attainment doesn't solely reference paths, as it can apply to skills such as flying, which is why it's called flying attainment and not flying path attainment."

Tapping his chin, Xie Ling inquired, "So the first step to getting attainment, is through experience?"

Upon hearing Xie Ling's question, Shu Luo paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before responding, "Experience is the most prevalent method." He scratched his head thoughtfully before adding, "However, since I do not possess any master attainment of my own, I cannot say for certain. I will provide you with every book and Gu that briefly touches upon attainment so that you may further explore this topic."

With a flick of his finger, books and Gu flew off the shelves and onto the table. "Is there anything else I can assist you with, sir?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Xie Ling picked up the books and Gu, before briefly stopping to ask, "Gu worms often have bodies that in some way or another reflect their ability. Can one use that the theorize how to make killer moves?"

Shi Luo shook his head, calmly stating, "At best their forms are related to their refinement, only allowing you to deduce a small amount of the ingredients that were used for their refinement. Deducing their ability based on their physical appearance would bring nowhere.

Xie Ling gave a nod in understanding, before leaving.

⸻12 hours later⸻

In a forcefully induced deep meditation, Xie Ling constantly commanded Gu to attempt tasks they are incapable of executing all in an effort to understand them better. Frustrated by the lack of results, he sighed heavily before speaking aloud, "All these books and Gu refer to attainment as something gained through having a deep connection to either Gu or something called the Dao. Not something that can be gained through knowledge, in other words, something that can't be calculated, only experienced, like an emotion."

He gripped his hand with frustration, "Experience requires time, something that I don't have the luxury of wasting."

Pulling out a Gu that had lost most of its color due to overexertion, he pondered, "I can give them 'will' infused with a preset list of instructions for a killer move, but at best, a Gu worms body can only hold enough will for two very simple killer moves or one moderate killer move."

Suddenly, without forewarning, realization struck him like a tidal wave. "If their bodies aren't strong enough to hold the necessary amount of 'will' to perform said instructions. Then I just have to make them strong enough."

Pulling a vial filled with a viscous red substance out of his sleeve, he brought it up to the pale Gu before popping the vial open and pouring the concoction over the Gu. "If the beasts of this world can evolve with the help of genetic modification."

At the moment of contact, the Gu's body greedily absorbed the liquid, regaining its original luster, "Then it should be possible for the Gu of this world to receive genetic modification as well!" He finished stating just a the Gu exploded, leaving its entrails strewn across the bookshelves.