Brute Force Longhorn Beetle Gu

A caravan trader on Qing Mao Mountain names Brute Force Longhorn Beetle Gu while pitching stock, saying a Gu Master who uses it can burst out with the strength of a cow. ^{ch. 39} Fang Yuan later inspects one in the academy Gu storage room among the rank one Longhorn Beetle Gu wall and walks past it as unsuitable for his body. ^{ch. 62}

Appearance

Longhorn Beetle Gu as a group have long, circular cylinder figures with many outlines on the back, much of the body black with metallic luster, a pair of feelers longer than the body, a strong chin, and a screech like timber being sawed. The Brute Force Longhorn Beetle Gu has an entire body of red metallic colour and a pair of antennae coarser than the usual Longhorn Beetle ones, with bamboo joint-like growths at small intervals along the top of the antennae. ^{ch. 62}

Effect

It grants temporary super strength with the reputation of one bull’s strength, lasting five breaths. Every activation consumes a large share of primeval essence: rank one middle stage needs 10%, and if converted to initial stage that is 20%. Heavy use on a weak constitution can injure muscles or tear them; only Gu Masters with a strong body choose it, and Fang Yuan judges his small frame unsuitable. ^{ch. 62}

The Gu is highly sought after in the market, and earlier caravans to Gu Yue village sold large numbers of it. Flower Boar Gu spends the same primeval essence for one boar’s strength over ten breaths, twice as long, at half the market price of Brute Force Longhorn Beetle Gu. ^{ch. 62}

Rank

It is a rank one Gu, among the Longhorn Beetle Gu clan’s rank one stock. ^{ch. 62}

Comparison and demand

Fang Yuan contrasts its brief, costly burst and strong after-effects with Black and White Boar Gu, which raise strength permanently in small steps that remain after the Gu dies. ^{ch. 62} Fang Zheng later treats Flower Boar Gu or Brute Force Longhorn Beetle Gu as the kind of strength raiser needed to break a jade barrier by force, still needing a defensive Gu as well. ^{ch. 85} Chi Shan asks the clan leader for a Brute Force Longhorn Beetle Gu so one bull’s strength plus his inborn strength could push River Swallowing Toad awake; the elders forbid Gu-aided pushing for that attempt. ^{ch. 118}

Path

Cited chapters describe the temporary strength effect without naming a cultivation path for this Gu.