In this fanfiction, Weed forges an original cultivation path. As the title suggests, this is:
The Path of Sculpture
The Path of Sculpture focuses on form but, more importantly, on revelation. Just as a sculptor carves wood to unveil the artwork hidden within, giving physical shape to art, so too does this path aim to be the vessel of truth and the Dao, shaping the intangible.
Primarily a support path, the Path of Sculpture possesses the unique ability to integrate aspects of other paths from the outset. After all, what is art without meaning? And without materials to give it form? This versatility, however, comes with a drawback: a Gu Master must comprehend other paths to utilize it effectively. Notably, this path can harness True Meaning, akin to the Path of Wisdom and the Path of Rules.
Examples of Gu:
Puppet Gu Series
Weed initially selected the Grass Puppet Gu for its ease of creation and low maintenance—requiring only sunlight and water. Originally classified under the Enslavement Path and of the Grass type, it became the foundation for the new path Weed was constructing.
Weed proceeded to develop a series of Puppet Gu as prototypes for his system.
Single-Horned Bull Sculpture Gu
The first offensive Gu created within the Path of Sculpture, demonstrating its potential in combat. It begins at level 2.
Shaped like a black bull's horn, it fits onto the user's forehead. The attack invokes the concept of brute strength and charge: the idea of a bull advancing violently is molded into an ascending physical force that hurls the enemy upward.
As it evolves, the image of the bull becomes more distinct in the attack's manifestation.
Self-Effigy Gu
A Gu that creates a clone of the user in their likeness, using primordial essence to take form.
At lower levels, it's merely a weak distraction. However, at higher levels, it can become a functional replica with multiple evolutionary paths. Its foundation lies in mastering one's own image—a concept deeply connected to sculpture.
Wolf Essence Sculpture Gu
A simple level 1 consumable Gu. Not particularly powerful on its own, but it can be used as an ingredient to convey the concept of "wolf" in refinement recipes.
Weed created this Gu inspired by the idea of the Wolf Soul Gu — a Gu known to transform a Gu Master's soul into that of a wolf, making it stronger. Drawing from that concept, he began crafting his own original interpretations, and this marked the first purely unique branch of the Sculpture Path, unconnected to any other existing paths.
??? – Mysterious Gu Evolved from Blood Parasite Gu
Mysterious Gu derived from the Blood Path, modified through experiments by an immortal from the Demonic Sect using "students" (or rather, test subjects).
After absorbing Dao marks from Weed's otherworldly origin, these Gu began acquiring characteristics from the Royal Road system but remain purely support Gu—their true potential remains uncertain.
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True Meaning
In the future, the Path of Sculpture will become the third path capable of utilizing True Meaning, following the Path of Wisdom and the Path of Rules.
As a path that gives form to the intangible, it can manipulate True Meanings in ways the other two paths cannot. However, this comes at the cost of orderliness; after all, art isn't always perfectly precise like facts and logic—it is often chaotic and open to interpretation.
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(Spoiler) Dao Marks and Compatibility
This aspect is only revealed when Weed becomes a Gu Immortal. The defining trait of the Path of Sculpture is its ultimate goal to be the vessel of the Dao itself, much like the Gu World and the human body it emulates.
It doesn't conflict with other Dao marks, but it has a potentially worse characteristic: just as insects in a jar will attempt to kill each other, conflicting Dao marks become even more aggressive among themselves, even if they don't conflict with the marks of the Path of Sculpture. This means that attacks from Gu Immortal masters can be even more detrimental.