Two locations within a sect assembled a meeting at once, boasting different higher-ups. Surrounded by the majestic blue-gold hall were the Sect's Rank 5 Leader and Elders, their varying, calculative gazes invading the three figures, among which only one stood tall, and the rest knelt to a knee. Meanwhile, a smaller group boasting more ethereal 'Wills' and 'Emotions' was a gathering of ascended individuals who watched the former meeting unfold through a screen of colorful smoke. Unlike the grand blue-gold hall, the Immortal's gathering point was a sight of ethereal beauty set atop a blessed mountain peek, carved pillars all around them that stretched into the sky before they seemed to fade as if holding heaven itself.
The brilliant daylight wasn't blocked by anything; their bodies and presence mingled with nature.
A sum of 15 Immortals gathered in the 'Heavenly' Hall. The fact that the Sect could produce 15 Immortals out of millions of sect disciples was their fortune. Tasked with controlling the Sect's key operations, albeit prioritized varyingly, the Immortals could not remain in the sect's ground at every moment.
Merely 6 Immortals were personally present, the rest using other abilities to stay in touch with the Sect's recent matters and troubles.
And trouble it was.
"You noticed traces of another Immortal? That is worrying indeed," spoke one of the blue-colored Will. The male and female Gu Immortals ratio was severely skewed in the latter's favor, with 10 female Immortals and 5 male Immortals. The male Immortal who spoke continued, looking at one of the Immortals physically present.
"Do you think it was a Blood Path Demon Immortal?"
Dressed in white and red, the handsome figure's most notable feature was his calming smile and the unfathomably deep pool of dark eyes that still radiated warmth and confidence.
"It was Heavenly Informant," spoke the figure, his words sharper than sword and cutting to the chase.
"Says you," retorted a woman using a purple emotion to participate in the meeting. "Heavenly Informant is Wind Cloud Manor's core member. Blaming him for tampering with a Blood Path Inheritance would lead to unpleasant consequences."
Others wouldn't use that irate tone with the figure for no frivolous reason, and sitting beside the man was another jade-colored will. Even the woman looked troubled.
Noticing their expressions and realizing her unusually coarser tone, the Immortal hummed and changed the subject, "What is more worrying isn't that someone made a move against… the Otherworldly Demon."
The title caused a few murmurs to echo in the open hall as the old woman occupying the second-most important seat opened her eyes and nodded.
"Feng Jiu Ge…" she addressed the peerless figure dressed in red and white as the quiet discussions paused. "Let's put aside the Heavenly Informant's matter. As far as we know, that youth was not part of the sect, and an elite disciple isn't worth the trouble to confront one of our counterparts. What intrigues me is your discovery. Tell us, what did you find about the one who calls herself Bai Shou? What is her real name?"
Several gazes condensed on Feng Jiu Ge, who couldn't help but glance at the figure standing straight despite experiencing pressure from all directions.
"She's prepared to die," he began slowly. His voice had a captivating note, mysteriously turning everyone's surroundings more pleasant. "I chose to discreetly read her mind instead of ruining the Sect's chances by harming and soul-searching her… it would be easier to show you what I found. I believe everyone in this meeting would form similar conclusions."
With that, Feng Jiu Ge fished out an Information Path recording Gu. Suspiciously, however, he did not share the contents with the woman beside her.
'Dear?' the woman tossed Feng Jiu Ge a confused look as he smiled somewhat wryly—a rare expression on her competent husband.
"Huh!" The woman seated next to Feng Jiu Ge's wife drew a sharp gasp before scoffing and passing the Gu Worm along. It wasn't until the figure sitting on the opposite side of the hall, the Immortal using the purple-colored emotion, held the Gu Worm that someone broke the silence with a low growl.
"I told you this man was up to no good, Qing'er! Look at the things he's making us see!"
Fairy Bai Qing thinned her lips at her mother's accusatory tone. She did not like her husband being put on the spot like this. However, everyone seemed to be staring at Feng Jiu Ge.
"At least you could confirm he is a man trapped in the female body, right?" Feng Jiu Ge spoke calmly, waving his hand magnanimously, stopping the last female Gu Immortal from handing him the Gu Worm again.
"Please, keep it, Fairy Li."
The woman's eyes widened as she instantly hissed.
"Don't you disrespect me, Feng Jiu Ge! Just because you are stronger doesn't mean I will tolerate this nonsense! Hmph! Why would I want to keep these depraved recordings of that Otherworldly Demon fucking every creature that moved in his presence?!"
Another Male Immortal, physically present, issued a soft snarl. "Apologize for your insensible comments, Feng Jiu Ge!"
Bai Qing finally seemed to have understood slightly, offering her mother a discreet look of apology before sharpening her glare and pinning the opposing couple.
"Why should Feng apologize to you two? The mission would have progressed smoothly had it not been for your insolent meddling, Xu Hao!"
"It's astounding how creative an Otherworldly Demon can be," chimed another male Immortal, an amused smirk on his lips. "It's the first time I've seen such a human depiction of… grass. That Bai Shou must be desperately filling her head with all forms of thoughts."
'Grass?' Bai Qing stiffened before she contacted her husband using a Gu.
—What is going on, Dear?—
Feng Jiu Ge worked his jaw before relenting.
—Bai Shou has the Brave Thoughts Gu. She never stopped using the Gu and kept fantasizing about all forms of creatures shaped eerily close to humans before… well, you guessed it.—
Bai Qing couldn't help but deadpan.
—And you just shared it without warning? No wonder Li Jun Ying is acting pissed.—
Unlike other's experience with her husband, he was exceptionally well-humored and couldn't help but shoot back.
—I was doing her a favor. After all, her husband is Xu Hao.—
More than that, Bai Qing knew Feng Jiu Ge did not prioritize his humor above his goals, so he must have had a reason for his previous comments.
"Apologize now," Xu Hao demanded again, his hand clenching the Information Gu. "You say it was my fault, Fairy Bai? Isn't that convenient? Who was the one that forced the issue of collecting Rending Heart Flutes in your husband's stead? Feng Jiu Ge must have known about the modified pollen season for the Flute Bees."
If one thing could rile a Wisdom Path Gu Immortal, it would be the thought of his wife being disrespected.
Bai Qing didn't back down.
Li Jun Ying also joined in the argument. A few Immortals began discussing amongst themselves as the Sect's Second Supreme Elder glanced at the smoke screen, observing an equally riled and chaotic meeting for the mortals.
No matter how much they grew, conflicts among peers were inevitable.
Only the First Supreme Elder sat out the good portion of the meeting with her eyes closed.
<<<>>>
Regardless of wanting to rise to such a position, pacing DID matter to Bai Shou, and being in an Immortal's proximity, much less their undivided position, left her momentarily shaken precisely because she knew so much about them. So, the first thing she did was spamming the Brave Thoughts like there was no tomorrow. It might have offended the boyish Immortal who turned into a peerless figure once they reached the Sect's Ground… That was acceptable. She wasn't the kind to give up at the threat of death until her body couldn't physically move.
Yes. The circumstances were THAT dire because Bai Shou didn't know how much the Immortal had already gleaned from her condition.
Bai Shou should have only attracted the Rank 5 Peak Stage Sect Leader in a perfect world. However, the world had an ill-humored way of constantly depicting that Bai Shou existed in reality as far from perfection as one could be.
She worried about how much of her had been exposed.
What did the sect know?
Why did they want her?
And yet, despite her worries, she also felt incomparably calm.
Joining an Ancient Sect was her intended goal since the beginning. It was temporary, but a Super Force's protection was the best way to ward off the Shang Clan's clutches should they extend beyond the Southern Border.
Qin Juan and Yang Pao were beside her.
"How dare you?!" growled one of the rare Rank 5 Elders as he stood from his chair. There were a whopping group of 30 Elders!
Again, the females were a majority in the sect, comprising 22 Elders.
"How dare I?" Bai Shou retorted sharply. "You bring me here and wish for me to grovel? My knees won't bend for you. If you'd like—try making me."
Tensions visibly rose in the hall as Bai Shou met the elder's stony glare.
"You said your name was Bai Shou?"
A calm voice pierced through the growing noise as Bai Shou looked ahead. Once the sect leader interjected, the one who stood from his seat appeared uncomfortable. She was a woman past her prime, with gray roots and a dignified silver encroaching her dark lengths. A pair of rigid ocean-blue eyes observed Bai Shou with mild intrigue.
"No, I didn't reveal my name," smiled Bai Shou.
"But your companion did," the Sect Leader's gaze fell upon Yang Pao and Qin Juan. "Were you aware Qin Juan was sent to observe and spy on you?"
The kneeling woman stiffened and gritted her teeth.
"Do you not wonder why Lord Supreme Elder himself brought you here?"
Bai Shou grew quiet.
She was already aware of Qin Juan primarily because she sucked at keeping secrets. However, the actions of an Immortal's appearance were very… curious. With the secrets she had, an Immortal's wandering sight should have already left her torn and bisected. There wasn't really anything she could do about it.
The chances of encountering a Demonic Path Immortal interested in a human experiment in the wilds may have been low, but they were never zero. So, either Bai Shou eventually ascended or died. What else was there to life and growth at the end of the day?
Everything else was a luxury.
"You, Bai Shou… are a targeted individual. Our sect felt your potential and talent—so did the other Sects."
<<<>>>
The Second Supreme Elder nodded in her heart. It was good that someone in that hall had a brighter head above their shoulder and didn't choose to antagonize the Otherworldly Demon over not showing an unknown Sect Leader enough respect.
Turning to Feng Jiu Ge, the Second Supreme Elder interjected into the heated argument between Fairy Bai Qing and the 'Anti-Feng Faction's' leading couple—Xu Hao and Illusion Fairy Li Jun Ying. No organization was bereft of internal strife and competition, which—unfortunately—grew in intensity with one's Gu Rank. Several Supreme Elders in the meeting had no reason to pretend to be a transcended being without any mortal presence, and the passionate dispute was beginning to infect other members present, revealing three significant factions.
The first and most obvious one was the group led by Xu Hao and Li Jun Ying. They argued with a smaller number of Gu Immortals, each siding with Feng Jiu Ge and Fairy Bai Qing. Surprisingly, one of the more fierce members in opposing Feng Jiu Ge and his 'lackeys' was the figure whose features matched Bai Qing the most—her mother.
Finally, the third and neutral faction consisted of the First and Second Supreme Elders, who focused more on the Sect's growth and were the only two Rank 8 Gu Immortals in the sect.
"Is it true?" The Second Supreme Elder glanced at Feng Jiu Ge, drawing looks of thinly veiled elation from the Anti-Feng faction when the dark-haired, fair-skinned man nodded and confessed.
"I was aware of the Flute Bees."
Only one individual in the Anti-Feng faction felt something was wrong. Others, however, were too eager to pin the first blame they could find on the man whose arrival in the sect had halved their growth!
'Why would he admit?' Xu Hao was alert. 'What is this Bastard Feng scheming now?'
Being a Wisdom Path Gu Immortal, Xu Hao was more sensible to the shift in another's mindset. He couldn't help but instantly think of several things Feng Jiu Ge would want by admitting something like this, which could land him in some minor issues. After all, being Feng Jiu Ge's opponent, Xu Hao nurtured more admiration and envy for the man's potential and existence than vengeance—something everybody in the world of schemes needed to achieve, or else they might underestimate the enemy!
This confession prompted the aged First Supreme Elder to open her eyes.
Everyone waited as they kept slight attention on how the mortal's side of things unfolded.
<<<>>>
"Everything has a price." The Sect Leader continued, regarding the brown-haired woman with a faint smile on her lips. "You were brought here because you saved Qin Juan's life—displaying righteousness and courage that cannot be honed or trained but only discovered through fortune. Anyone else in your place must have plundered Qin Juan's corpse; you did not. Ordinarily, that should have bought you a chance to join our sect. As revealed, however, why should we take over your mess?"
"My mess?" Bai Shou's lips quirked at the edge.
"Courage and Righteousness aside, you killed someone from the Wind Cloud Manor—one of the Ten Ancient Sects. As you would have it, one of their Elders approached us. Do you know why?"
"Wind Cloud Manor?" Bai Shou blinked, innocently pointing at herself. "Me? Are you certain, Sect Leader? Ten Ancient Sects? I wouldn't know anything about them. All I know is Brother Yang had a way to help me find a stable life."
Yang Pao broke into a cold sweat despite being a Rank 5 Gu Master when he felt his superior's gaze.
"Cut the bullshit," another female, much muscular and a Middle Stage Rank 5 Gu Master, snorted coldly. "We don't have time for this rascal's glib tongue. Let's imprison her and ship her off to the Wind Cloud Manor. She already killed two of their members!"
"S- Senior Sister Bai Shou saved me!" a quiet voice stammered, disregarding the faint pressure trying to stifle everyone within the hall.
"Junior!" Another Elder screamed. "Is this your station to speak?! Remember, Qin Juan, you are a mere Elite Disciple even if you break through. Don't forget your place."
Qin Juan locked her jaw and felt her heart wavering. Why did she interject? It was the spur of the moment… but the thought of facing her elders scared the woman shitless—indirectly revealing Bai Shou how optimal the Sect's grooming methods were. Yang Pao and Qin Juan were both… tame.
It also shed light on why the Ancient Sects rarely sought external talents unless they were really attracted to them. They already had enough manpower to look for and didn't need outsiders to disrupt the Sect's peace.
Again, Bai Shou didn't interrupt or speak up for Qin Juan. Now wasn't the time, and being overly kind to a figure lying since the beginning would appear odd—at least to the experienced Elders and that intimidating Sect Leader.
She was intimidating to a slight extent.
"You said something about the price," Bai Shou started once Qin Juan's silence had lasted long enough. "What is it?"
The Sect Leader's smile slowly stretched… it was rigid like she couldn't move well.
"Rest assured, Chained Wanderer. The Sect does not pride itself in forcing its future members. The price I mentioned has two faces. The first aspect concerns joining the Sect—let me walk you through it. Our Sect has different criteria for accepting a Gu Master who was not recruited by one of the Sect Higher-Ups. Outer Disciples cannot recommend any member. Inner Disciples can recommend one individual to the sect every 15 years, where the Sect follows the regular custom of understanding the applicant's background and aptitude. We reject a few individuals regardless of their nature if they have a C-Grade Aptitude."
Bai Shou listened intently. She didn't know this even with Imaginative Strength Immortal's memory.
"Elite Disciples like Qin Juan beside you can recommend one fated individual every 8 years. Once again, the Sect will not accept anyone with less than a B-grade aptitude. Legacy Disciples can recommend one individual every 3 years. With their loyalty already proven, the conditions for individuals recommended by the Legacy Disciples are much lax as the Sect accepts every member unless they display demonic tendencies. The Sect's Elders and Leader—I—recommend 10 members every year."
Bai Shou narrowed her eyes.
"And you can recruit Demonic Gu Masters?"
After all, the Sect Leader had suspiciously avoided that point.
"That is a foolish gesture," the Sect Leader replied. "Anyone we appoint could never be Demonic."
"Of course," Bai Shou dramatically patted her head. "How could I forget it?"
"Second," The Sect Leader continued, unfazed. "The member must contribute something—anything—to join the Sect. It could be the most pitiful, barely intact material or an Inheritance. The act of contribution will grant the applicant their first set of contribution points, something they shall use to exist in the Sect."
"Lastly, the additional price I spoke about was to clear your name, Chained Wanderer. The Wind Cloud Manor must have gotten things wrong. Our Sect would be more than pleased to mediate the matter."
"And I believe the price of all your assistance can be summed into a single Primeval Stone?" Bai Shou suddenly smiled, her shameless words silencing the mortal elders and making the Immortals briefly stall and stare at the smoke screen.
The Sect Leader's rigid gaze displayed a surprising shimmer.
"No. However, your levity on the matter fills me with confidence. Should you join the Sect, you will be an Outer Disciple—a rank we all understand you would not remain in. Let us communicate as peers and disregard our positions for this brief moment. The Sect is interested in your Inheritance. If the method with which you used a human's digestion is not inheritance and your ingenuity instead, we wish to procure all your current notes."
Bai Shou knew Yang Pao must have revealed everything, including the fictional tale she weaved about her master. However, that didn't matter now.
Something must have happened on their end to spook the Sect into acting quicker than Bai Shou predicted, which spilled cold water over everyone's schemes.
"That Wind Cloud Manor's Elder… who is he?"
"He is the 'Wind Sickle' Hum Dum," replied another Elder with a cold gleam in his eyes. "He would carve you like a turkey, child."
"Or I would have my fists shot through his chest," Bai Shou hummed before sighing softly. "If we converse as peers, I suppose lies wouldn't work."
And as a departed Ice Prince would say—Chained Wanderer was going to speak the boldest of lies…
Not really.
Bai Shou was in the Sect's territory, and it was effortless to know if she was being deceptive.
"These are my methods," she began, proudly raising her head. "Though sparse, they are mine and might I add—ingenious. To procure my notes, I need something besides your current promises."
"Hmph!" The first male elder from before scoffed. "It is already our grace to deal with Wind Cloud Manor after your demonic acts!"
Qin Juan clenched her fists, wanting to interject. But she was somewhat wiser after learning her lesson from the previous time.
"Indeed," spoke another Elder. "Your notes might not be the entire thing. And that is understandable. But to expect more from the Sect for something so dubious is beyond the limit."
<<<>>>
"Your act was unfitting, Feng Jiu Ge," the First Supreme Elder said in a measured tone. "You shall be stripped from your position as Dang Hun Mountain and Hu Immortal Blessed Land's Guardian for the next 10 Years."
The entire meeting froze before the Immortals erupted in frantic whispers. Bai Qing, shocked and worried, stared at Feng Jiu Ge, who didn't display any emotion toward the punishment. He quietly nodded. Meanwhile, Xu Hao and his wife only grew happier as the First Supreme Elder looked at them.
"As the wronged party, Xu Hao, I am appointing you as Hu Immortal Blessed Land's current guardian."
"Much thanks, First Elder!" Xu Hao cupped his fist as the old woman waved her hand and continued.
"However, you must ensure two things. First, the Dang Hun Mountain must not be damaged in any condition. You will be entirely responsible for dealing with the Blessed Land's Calamities with the grace and poise expected from our rank. Second, the current owner of the Hu Immortal Blessed Land shall not be considered under your command. Like the previous setting, Feng Jin Huang's wishes aren't secondary to yours."
The corner of Xu Hao's eyes twitched as the ominous premonition in his heart grew exponentially.
Even Feng Jiu Ge's mother-in-law was surprised by such a controversial decision.
"Since you would be protecting Hu Immortal Blessed Land situated in Tian Ti Mountain, I expect Feng Jiu Ge to temporarily take over the research for that mysterious Inheritance in Xu Hao's stead." She concluded faintly and closed her eyes.
Xu Hao clenched his fists and shot the calm Feng Jiu Ge a thinly veiled, venomous glare.
The Third Supreme Elder sighed.
"Since that topic is concluded, we should focus on the Otherworldly Demon. Don't we still have leverage over her? As Feng Jiu Ge stated, we want her to eventually nurse a sense of attachment towards the Sect. She is capable of emotions and isn't an indifferent demon. So, trying to invade her mind at the current stage is, unfortunately, counterproductive. She is also quick-witted and didn't let Feng Jiu Ge learn much about her."
"Tch, nothing less could be expected from an Otherworldly Demon," another Female Immortal scoffed.
"Could you blame her?" voiced the humored Male Immortal. "I'd be no less paranoid if somehow whisked from our world and forced to exist elsewhere. However, I have always been curious about their worlds."
"Everything can be understood in time," revealed Bai Qing's mother. "Once she feels grown to the Sect, we can hint her about other Otherworldly Demons and create a casual feeling in her heart about the topic."
"Or we could trade for that information. Being an Otherworldly Demon, Bai Shou must have a sense of a third party's point of view about the Grand Dao. It would be an interesting topic to research."
The conversation grew spirited regarding a new world—eliciting a sense of childish curiosity among many Immortals.
"Wasn't that one of the leverages?" An Immortal who had been paying attention to the other meeting pointed as others turned to the smoke screen and watched Bai Shou reveal her secret.
<<<>>>
"I do not request any Gu, contribution points, or treasures," Bai Shou began after a soft sigh. Surprising everyone, she fell to her knees. "I shall share everything I have researched about the topic you desire if you can find a way to heal my mentor."
A Heavenly Specter materialized around Bai Shou at her prompt as the dazed spirit continued floating near the latter.
"Your mentor?" The Sect Leader and others observed quietly as Bai Shou nodded with a pained and bitter expression.
"We share the same given name—Shou. My mentor… She inspired me to follow the strange subject I studied and understood. Please, save her. She would be useful to the Sect and help me further my research."
"What happened to her? Why does she look lost?" Questioned one of the elders as Qin Juan peeked at the floating soul.
"Her mind was damaged…" Bai Shou began only to be interjected.
"You are not well-versed with the Soul Path," another Elder chimed. "Her mind is not fractured but entirely erased! She is but a shell. Even if you recover her body, she will remain a husk of her former self unless you seek a way to restore her mind."
Bai Shou looked at the Elder, pleading without hesitation.
"Please do that!"
An odd silence blanketed the hall.
"It is challenging to restore the mind once it has been lost," began the Sect Leader. "But it is not impossible. Wisdom and Soul Path share several connections; your mentor could be restored to her former self. However, that would take time. Nobody can confirm how long it would take."
"Then ask them!" Bai Shou grew agitated. "You didn't bring me here. Call them!"
"Shut your mouth!" growled an Elder. "Who are you to command the Sect Leader and the Supreme Elders?!"
Bai Shou gritted her teeth and stared firmly at the Sect Leader.
"That is my price. Save my mentor."
The slightly aged woman leveled her sight with Bai Shou.
"The Sect shall either mediate between you and the Wind Cloud Manor or find a way to help your mentor—"
"My mentor." Bai Shou replied without needing to hear anything else.
"Very well," the Sect Leader smiled. "We shall form an agreement using the Trading Gu. Qin Juan?"
"Yes!" Qin Juan looked up, her eyes slightly red.
"When will you recommend these two for the Sect's enrollment?" The Sect Leader smiled. "I believe you have never recommended anyone, right? I shall grant you special permission to recommend two of them."
<<<>>>
"Your granddaughter is talented, Fairy Shu Ye." The female Immortal as a purple emotion praised after the mortal's sect meeting ended.
"The same can be said about your granddaughter, Fairy Bai La."
Bai La hummed as the meeting continued for a while. The Immortals had other matters to discuss before the First Supreme Elder dispersed them. The crucial thing was… the Sect secured the Otherworldly Demon—the one who already had attachments to this world.
***
Alternate Title: Bickering Immortals; Introduction of Rule 34 in the Gu World; Bai Shou Was Pounding On Them Immortal Herbs; Grannies Be Memorizing The Vision; Magnanimous Feng Jiu Ge; Offering Free Porn; Immortals Are a Quirky Bunch; Otherworldly Demon; Identity Exposed; A Leverage Revealed; Spilled Water; Shattered Plans; Immortals Are Bai Shou's Weakness; The Meeting; Feng Jiu Ge Apologizes?; Planning; Who is The Wisdom Path Immortal Here?; Childish Curiosity; God, Damn! Reasonable and Sensible Immortals; The Kind of Immortals That Can See MT. TAI!; Where Are The Antagonistic Forces For Face Slapping?; Qin Juan Speaks Up; Qin Juan Shuts Up; The Sect of Mommies; Lo Jik's Paradise; Lo Jik Used The Entirety of His Luck Right Here; Su Shou Would Cry For Her Dear Disciple; Bai La? A New Mommy?; Feng Jin Huang's Grandmother (Check Ch 365 We Are Graced With Grandmother Supremacy); Feng Jiu Ge is Bai Shou's New Spirit Animal
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Feng Jiu Ge (credits to @sb898989)
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THE MEME
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