Xu Hao's expression and mood were equally terrible. He remained silent while his wife issued thoughtful statements, trying to make the best of their circumstances.
"Even if we cannot control that Inheritance or the Otherworldly Demon, we now have direct access to the Guts Gu! That is a lucrative venture, Husband."
"Furthermore, Feng Jiu Ge would need years to investigate the Inheritance. Not to mention, predicting an Otherworldly Demon has always been a challenge. The Sect tried to enroll one of their kind several times but failed for several reasons—a few times solely because those Demons had a change of heart and didn't join the Sect. Who knows if this Bai Shou will remain decent about her intentions?"
"Hah! Lastly, you would be near Feng Jiu Ge's daughter. That is bound to make him nervous. He wouldn't dare be as rash as before."
"So, that was it," Xu Hao's gaze gleamed with understanding before he frowned and muttered.
"No… just for a lad with some scraps of Human Path ingenuity? All Bai Shou represents is the potential should she be fortunate enough to mature… Does Feng Jiu Ge know something else? Is he hiding something?"
"What are you talking about, Husband? Be concise."
Xu Hao sighed and shook his head. He fished out the notes Bai Shou offered the Sect and reread them while explaining things to his wife.
"The First Supreme Elder knew what she was doing and knows us all too well."
<<<>>>
"What is that supposed to mean?" Bai Qing grew slightly flustered when their issues threatened to spill over their daughter, risking her health and happiness. "How can you be so calm, dear?"
Feng Jiu Ge gently traced his index across a bamboo flute.
"The First Supreme Elder is not a fool and doesn't want the Sect to descend into a wave of conflict, especially in the coming years. The Dang Hun Mountain and now the Otherworldly Child represent the entire Sect's fortune. In the coming months, the Sect's disciples would be able to enjoy the Guts Gu and grow stronger compared to the disciples of the other Ancient Sects. Meanwhile, this could be an initial attraction to lure Bai Shou into the Sect's system."
He carefully lifted the flute and inspected it from all sides as Bai Qing's Will grew calmer and patiently waited for her husband to finish.
"By appointing Xu Hao to the Hu Blessed Land, the First Elder wishes to restrain our influence. There is indeed nothing to worry about. You and your mother already live in Hu Blessed Land and help Huang'er manage it. Despite the differences between me and my mother-in-law, she cares deeply for Hunag'er, going as far as imparting her Metal Path True Inheritance to her. She wouldn't think twice before opposing Xu Hao if he showed signs of scheming around our daughter."
"Similarly, appointing me to the Inheritance and the Otherworldly Child was the First Elder's way of restraining Xu Hao. Furthermore, I must stay in the Sect and observe Bai Shou to understand her motives. All this was done to strengthen the Sect's defense. Guts Gu should temporarily satiate Xu Hao's hunger, encouraging him to focus on himself instead of creating more issues within our forces."
Bai Qing appeared dissatisfied but could understand the First Supreme Elder's motives. What confused her, however, was Feng Jiu Ge!
"Why did you admit to your mistakes?" She frowned, not displeased by her husband admitting her wrongdoing but doing so with the knowledge that it had a slight chance of reflecting poorly on their daughter. "I know you, Feng. Something must have changed. What is going on?"
Feng Jiu Ge placed the flute on the table and was momentarily lost in his thoughts.
"I felt a shift," he began, his eyes appearing distant and revealing a longing emotion. He revealed something shocking. "Heavenly Informant should have killed Bai Shou."
There was an intense struggle in his usually poised gaze.
"No…"
It was rare for him to ever doubt his instincts.
"Not Heavenly Informant… it was as if the trend the Heavenly Informant followed wished to snuff out the trend Bai Shou cultivated."
Bai Qing's Will observed her partner's expression and spoke softly.
"You have always been a perceptive Gu Immortal, dear." She soon expressed her disapproval. "But that doesn't explain why you chose to take such measures. As an Otherworldly Demon, Bai Shou's thoughts could naturally be unaffected by our traditions, allowing her to approach the Grand Dao with inconceivable notions and thoughts. It's not strange for her to have accidentally stepped on some Human Path ingenuity. In the long history of humanity, many would have been like her. That is all."
"No," Feng Jiu Ge smiled softly and reassured Bai Qing. "Heavenly Informant could not have seen through my disguise unless I wanted him to. I was always aware of his presence and wished to understand the trend I sensed. There is something else I did not convey to the First Elder."
Bai Qing grew interested, nodding and gesturing to Jiu Ge to speak.
"Bai Shou will be useful to Huang'er…" He spoke vaguely.
"Another intuition?" Bai Qing questioned in a surprised voice.
Feng Jiu Ge chuckled and shook his head.
"You would have noticed it if your real body was here. After all, we both were concerned about Huang'er and what that Immortal Gu might do. We do not know its use even now, but we have procured several methods to protect Huang'er's soul because Immortal Gu can be activated with one's soul. One of the Killer Moves we devised was slightly effective—a soul path method."
"Ah, indeed," Bai Qing nodded, fond memories resurfacing in her mind. "I remember how you beat that 'Phantom Soul' Ji Ji until he saw reason and stopped trying to extort us."
Feng Jiu Ge nodded.
"That Killer Move is how I discovered the two other souls Bai Shou is nursing aside from something else. Although healed, her soul has some remnants of a peculiar dao fragment—too minuscule to be noticed unless we know what we are searching for. They have the same taint and aura as Huang'er's Dream Wings Immortal Gu."
Bai Qing's eyes momentarily widened.
<<<>>>
"Hah!"
A youthful blue-haired girl pushed her palms out, materializing a massive blue tide, which the other disciple on the battle stage dodged and restarted the battle.
'Although I feared something like this might happen and stopped using the Dreamer Gu, I need to account for the worst-case scenario.'
The two disciples entered into a heated battle. The opening act consumed a decent chunk of their Primeval Essence, forcing them to utilize Rank 1 and 2 Gu Worms.
'First of all, the Gu Worms on my body are expected to be known. So, the Rank 5 Heaven and Earth Before My Eyes Gu is exposed. However, they might not know its use. Even if they did, I don't care about its recipe and would share it if push comes to the shove. Second, I will have to keep using the Brave Thoughts Gu. Sigh, that would slow me down a lot… I need to find a way to protect my thoughts. I wished to enter the Sect more naturally and not attract too much attention. The way that asshole with the flute did was the complete opposite!'
Her gaze followed the disciples' every move.
'My biggest secrets are the Second Aperture, the Dreamer Gu, and my Trait. Unfortunately, I would be helpless against an Immortal if they were intent on stripping every secret I have. Becoming an Immortal should alleviate my issues… if only ascending as one was so effortless.'
The arena had several other stages. This battle stage allowed outer disciples to spar and practice using their Gu. Each stage had a referee to keep things clean with the ability to manipulate the formation under the battleground to keep the opponents alive if things grew out of hand. Spectating the match were several other disciples. However, none of them drew near Bai Shou and Qin Juan, their gaze sprinkled with caution and awe once they sensed the duo's Gu Rank.
'The crucial thing is to assume what the Immortals know and act accordingly. As far as they are concerned, I'm still a Strength Path Gu Master with a decent achievement in the Refinement Path. That Human Path business is just something I should be a recent researcher in. Sigh… I'll temporarily postpone many other topics I wish to pursue. The Hairy Man Clone Gu, alongside other things, will have to wait. Now my priority is to find a Gu that protects my mind by a decent degree… preferably, it should also not alert the Immortals that I have something protecting my thoughts. It's a tall order…'
'There is one thing I can be sure of. Immortals are not usually so tolerant after noticing something suspicious. So, either they found nothing or want something they cannot achieve with force… or by controlling my mind.'
That was good.
It allowed Bai Shou to claw for any initiative she could find.
'My circumstances should not be so grim after the initial period.'
"Sister Qin?"
The nearby Qin Juan jumped to attention.
"Y-Yes?!"
"Why are you looking so down? Are you unhappy your choice of recommending a Gu Master was wasted on me?"
Qin Juan blinked in shock before snapping, "Absolutely not! You… Senior Sister… you aren't mad?"
"Mad? Me? Sometimes," Bai Shou chuckled playfully. "Sigh. I have a mental disease that only staying with the most beautiful woman could cure. Hmm, Qin Juan? Do you have a mother?"
"Everyone does," Qin Juan pursed her lips. "But I do not know her."
"I guess I can settle for you," Bai Shou shrugged with an easygoing grin.
"I… betrayed you, Senior Sister. How can you be so calm?" Qin Juan pushed through the usual jokes and questioned sadly. "Just say the word, and I won't bother you again."
"Woah!" Bai Shou gasped. "First, you toy with this innocent Bai Shou. Then, after ensnaring her in your sect, you have the indecent thought of leaving a pitiful woman alone with no support as an Outer Disciple? And I believed I was the cruel one."
Qin Juan lowered her head and shook her head.
"You did not harm innocents, Sister Bai."
"Look at me, Qin."
Qin Juan looked up and met Bai Shou's gaze. An overwhelming sense of deja vu alongside guilt and surprising sincerity took to her tongue.
"I am not a good person like you, Qin Juan."
"But I—"
Bai Shou gently held Qin Juan's hand. "I never doubted you and always believed you were someone important. But as you can see, I lied to you since the beginning. Forgive me. I did what I had to do."
Qin Juan sniffed and looked away.
"You are just being kind, Sister Bai. You wouldn't hurt others indiscriminately. You… wouldn't hurt me."
—'What if I asked you to kill me?'—
—'If I say no, would you force me?'—
That amused and knowing voice resurfaced in the depths of Bai Shou's mind.
"I wouldn't," she replied quietly as Qin Juan looked at her with glassy eyes.
"Then you aren't a demon… you are just a person, Sister Bai. There is not one person in the world who hasn't killed for themselves or their benefits."
'No,' Bai Shou quietly smiled and scooched to Qin Juan. 'I'm not a person… I suppose I have a knack for encountering demons.'
"I'm truly sorry for deceiving you," Qin Juan whispered as they watched the sparring match.
"I never blamed you, Qin Juan."
"If you don't mind… I would like to ask a favor, Sister Bai."
"As long as it doesn't involve me getting naked, ask anything."
"Ugh… please stop with these comments. And… um… technically, I AM an Elite Disciple while you are an Outer Disciple… do call me Senior Sister from now on."
"Fuck off."
"B-But I'm older than you!"
"Fuck off for a few more years then!"
<<<>>>
"There is one thing that's strange," Qin Juan was as effortless to cheer up as she was quick to feel depressed about the matters related to the individuals she grew close to. "Why did the Sect Leader change the requirement for enrolling you and Senior Yang? You two did not have to experience any tests."
Bai Shou also recalled how Yang Pao was confident there would be a test for them to enter the Sect.
"Because we were already tested," Bai Shou sighed. "That Immortal must have been following us for a while. You seemed to know him, Qin Juan."
"Yes," she nodded. "That person is my Senior Sister's Father."
"I have a dad? Sweet."
"Not you," Qin Juan huffed, "My other Senior Sister."
"You slut! How many Senior Sisters have you ensnared?!"
"Just two," Qin Juan gave Bai Shou a sidelong glance, revealing a bemused look at her words. "Let me tell you something, Sister Bai. Senior Sister Feng is even more powerful! She is the most talented Disciple in the entire sect!"
They walked through a route with mildly pressed ground, indicating a sparse traffic of other disciples on foot. There was greenery all around them, with several hills in the distance. This was merely a tiny section of the Sect's outer ring—those hills being the residence for a few Elders.
Qin Juan and Bai Shou also had different Sect Tokens. The former possessed a blue-colored token, and Bai Shou held a white one.
"Your quarters are just ahead, Sister Bai," Qin Juan observed the small settlement, which resembled a local village with better services to offer. There were no mud houses or roofs made from dried grass and bamboo. Instead, the settlement had hundreds of decently built brick houses with circular, cone-like blue roofs.
"Could we meet tomorrow?" Qin Juan paused and requested with a shy blush. "I still want to introduce you to many things about the Blessed Land."
"Naturally!" Bai Shou huffed. "I'm not letting you go, especially to that competition of mine."
"There isn't a competition," Qin Juan smiled wryly.
"There is," Bai Shou insisted. "You just don't understand it yet. Anyway, have a good rest. Oh, and help me exchange for a rare Rank 5 Gu if you're still feeling guilty by tomorrow morning. We'll consider our matter even."
"I'm not feeling that guilty," Qin Juan rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out before walking away.
Bai Shou's mood grew calm, and she wore a mask of indifference once Qin Juan was no longer in sight. Releasing a slightly shaken sigh, Bai Shou cleared her throat and approached the settlement. It was already evening, with a full moon rising into the 'sky.'
However, this wasn't the real moon. It was a construct of Essence.
This was Bai Shou's new home… hopefully a lasting one.
The Spirit Affinity House.
<<<>>>
The Blessed Land within which the Spirit Affinity House was situated wasn't a circular region, and its division of Legacy, Elite, Inner, and Outer Disciples was far more sophisticated. Any Super Force would have dedicated centers for food, trading, refinement, battle stages, education, and more. These centers were built for every Disciple and Elder. In fact, the Sect's layout was so elaborately planned that even every Outer Disciple had access to these specialized infrastructures if they had enough contribution points.
The mountain peaks were private residences, and most immortals had never been seen by any disciple since the last century. One of the taller peaks, a host to several materials to the boot—boasting its importance—was occupied by Spirit Affinity House's Sect Leader. How the residences were constructed in these mountains was a private matter. Some Elders, indifferent to the luxuries of life, chose to build a mud house. Meanwhile, keen on enjoying what life offered, the other elders built grand manors or houses. Of course, a small percentage also planted a House Gu and rested when needed.
Sect Leader's Rank 4 Underwater Cavern House Gu was one such example.
The peak of Quanwei Mountain was not tampered with by a human touch. Instead, a wide opening led Gu Masters through the mountain slope into a spacious cave with an illuminating blue lake in the center. There were no maids to speak of, and the interiors were austere. The cave walls were smooth like marbled flooring, and a few meters into the cave's tunnel revealed additional 'rooms' with blue crystalline doors cool to the touch and dealing with the natural humidity in the space.
The tunnel flared out at the end into another decent opening. The Sect Leader sat with another man at the dinner table—as far and opposite as they could be. It was a quiet meal, only the sound of their utensils and soft chewing cutting through the thick silence.
Orbs of glowing blue crystals lined the cave's ceiling, illuminating the space enough to keep the dinner from appearing gloomier than it already was.
"Sect Leader…" the other man finally breached the topic. He was the same Rank 5 Elder who first demanded Bai Shou knelt before the Sect Leader.
"We are alone, husband," the Sect Leader glanced up, painfully indifferent. "You have my permission to call me your wife."
The Elder thinned his lips. Even a blind man would notice their marriage was never built on love and trust. It's not like these concepts were lost in their profession. Several Immortals found the love of their lives and settled. However, the Spirit Affinity House's Sect Leader wasn't such an individual. The same could be said for the Elder. However, it was clear as daylight to understand who felt stifled in this relationship.
"I… Elder Di Qing was hosting a banquet. She invited us."
"You don't need my permission to seek warmth elsewhere, Le Tao," the Sect Leader hummed as the Sect's Internal Affair's Elder exhaled softly. "However, you must be careful to not tarnish my reputation. How you ensure Elder Di Qing's silence is your business."
"I understand."
Elder Le Tao stated that before he left the chilly cave.
Meanwhile, the Sect Leader moved into one of the rooms. The cave opening had closed after Le Tao left, signifying that she shouldn't be disturbed.
Her cultivation room only had a mattress and nothing more.
Once she settled, the Sect Leader retrieved an Information Path Gu—from her grandmother, a Supreme Elder.
—I traded some information with the individual who brought Bai Shou into the sect, Shu Zhe. Your task is to align Bai Shou's interest with the Sect's using any means possible. Find her weaknesses and manipulate them. The Mentor she revealed must be the least of her concerns, or else she would not have made such a show.—
Sect Leader Shu Zhe went over the entire thing.
—Try to find out how Bai Shou feels about her current body. It was transformed using the Yin Rotation Gu. She is also interested in developing her Refinement Path. See to it that she doesn't get the Gu Worms she desires effortlessly. We are counting on you. I shall inform you about other things later.—
The passage also had a detailed record of Bai Shou's appearance in the Central Continent since the beginning, including her act of researching an unknown Killer Move on a few prisoners and how it led to a rising conflict with a Wind Cloud Manor's Elder.
Bai Shou's peak battle power was still a mystery. However, her ability to tackle an Ancient Sect's Elder would surely alarm Shu Zhe's fellow elders.
Not that she intended to create petty rivalries.
'But Refinement Path? No…' Her blue orbs glimmered. 'She must continue what she started. Grandmother did not state it explicitly, but I should also steer Bai Shou in the direction that could heal me if it is at all possible. Then…'
***
Alternate Title: Ah, Yes. Peak Wisdom Path; First Supreme Elder's Scheme; For the Greater Good; Perceptive Feng Jiu Ge; The Trend of Heaven and Humanity; The Trend of Fate and Demonic; Heavenly Informant Being The Perfect Tool; Bai Shou Pulls; The Taint; Bai Shou's Luck Must Be Off The Charts; Safe Dreamer?; The Otherworldly Attention; When The Cast Doesn't Just Act Braindead For Clout; A Cold Marriage; Cold Tunnel; Poor Le Tao; Le Tao Going Out To Get Sum; Disrespected Mommy; Another Lonely Clan Leader?; Spirit Affinity House Is The Personification of Lonely Milfs Near You; The Mommy Land; The Blessed Land; The Senior Sister?; Bai Shou To Qin Juan: Feng Jin Huang These Nuts; Bai Shou Has No Chill; Now Bai Shou Rizzes; The Preying Grounds Are Unlocked; Bai Shou Unlocked a New Area To Explore
***
Shu Zhe
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THE MEME
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