A week after Xie Ling's departure, the Xiong clan's head chamber.
The elders had gathered to give reports on the clan's rebuilding efforts. The head of confessional, previously known as the head torturer, was the first to speak. "It is undeniable that the atrocities committed by our clan were nothing short of demonic. We killed our own and deceived our people. However, amidst the darkness, there are glimmers of light. We can take solace in the fact that we no longer have to worry about spies, and the individual members of our clan have made tremendous progress. In fact, I dare say that any of our rank-2 gu masters could hold their own against any other rank-2 on this mountain."
As the elders nodded in agreement, Xiong added. "Although our numbers have dwindled, our power remains formidable. We must now shift our focus to the next generation and ensure that they too become experts in their own right."
The head treasurer raised a trembling hand to speak. "I've conducted a thorough search of our storage, and so... um... three rank-4 Gu have gone missing..."
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Scattered across the vast mountain range were countless caves, each accommodating a host of different creatures - from Beast Kings to Beast Emperors, and from lone cultivators to demonic cultivators. As Xie Ling trekked through the mountainous terrain, he kept a curious eye on the unusual flora that surrounded him. Each plant seemed to possess its own unique properties, he paid particular interest in the poisonous ones. He had chosen this mountain range for two reasons: firstly, it offered the most efficient route to reach the Shang clan, and secondly, and most importantly, it was brimming full of potential experimental subjects.
Most of the journey was peaceful, as with his rank-4 aura emanating from him, most would-be attackers were easily discouraged. As he approached a nearby cave, he sensed the presence of a strong beast, likely a Myriad Beast King, along with some weaker creatures. It was an opportune moment for him to replenish his depleted Rank-3 Human Blood Heart Gu.
The moment he was within range of most low-rank information path Gu, Xie sprinted toward the source of the creature's presence within the cave. As he closed in on it, the beast immediately detected him and in turn charged toward him. Within mere seconds they made contact, revealing the beast as a massive ostrich. The moment they had even a narrow view of each other they clashed. Xie swiftly dodged its frenzied attack, slipping right past it, then located and rushed to the weaker creatures behind it. This exchange lasted within a fraction of a second. As the ostrich tried to follow, a sudden click echoed through the cave, followed by a sickening crunch, causing the beast to stumble and granting Xie easy access to the weaker creatures.
As soon as Xie arrived, a grin spread across his face, confirming one of his many possible guesses: that the weaker creatures were the offspring of the larger one. Without delay, he sprang into action, quickly snatching one of the smaller creatures and waiting for the parent to reveal itself. When it did, he charged toward the beast.
Xie Ling mumbled, "Time for test Shake," as his facial muscles began to twist and contort. His jaw became more pronounced, and a smile slowly crept across his face - one that even the devil would be proud of.
The Myriad Beast King momentarily froze in place, taken aback by the sudden transformation of Xie Ling's face. But then, it looked towards its offspring and forced itself to keep charging at the demon standing before it. Xie Ling deftly avoided the creature's initial attack, and while airborne, continued to adjust and contort his facial muscles. Soon, his face began to resemble that of an oni, with his forehead muscles even bending in a way that gave the appearance of a third eye.
Despite its instincts urging it to flee, the Myriad Beast King remained steadfast and refused to back down while its child was in the demon's grasp. The beast pushed past its fear and continued to charge forward.
As Xie Ling considered his next move, realization hit him. "Eyes are the windows to the soul," he mused. "So, instead of a threatening expression, I'll imbue the smile itself with my will."
Suddenly, the beast let out a deafening growl that caused the air to ripple around it. Xie Ling winced and dropped the baby in response, covering his ears with his hands, but it was no use - the sound was coming from inside his head.
The beast charged toward Xie Ling with the intent to finish him off. But as it drew closer, it suddenly stopped in its tracks, noticing a smile on its opponent's face - a smile, that by all appearances, was innocent in nature. Yet, this smile caused the creature to come to a sudden stop before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
Approaching the fallen beast while still holding his ears, Xie Ling mused, "This just proves that practical experimentation is always more effective than mere theory."