*Swish*
*Swish*
Bai Shou's hair fluttered along the wavy green-tinted wind spiraling around her. Her expression was serene, but the slight curve of her lips indicated her pleasant mood. Though her eyes were closed, one could observe her eyeballs shifting occasionally from underneath her eyelids. And, for the first time—after decent preparations to use the Rank 5 Fresh Air Gu—Bai Shou felt her creative juices flowing in the right direction.
It was like the final straw that broke the camel's back. In Bai Shou's case, the camel was none other than the stifling sense of unease every individual felt at the cusp of achieving something radical. Of course, the so-called Chained Wanderer had stepped outside her comfort zone several times.
But that was the beauty of a comfort zone—it continuously expanded with the person's growth. There will always be something an individual is uncomfortable with.
So, Bai Shou wondered if the Gu World had someone who did not have these limitations… if a man existed without any bottom lines. The existence of demons capable of slaughtering thousands, if not tens of thousands, indicated that there might be one such Gu Master.
However, the tide of inspiration swept all these idle thoughts away alongside her ideas regarding creating the Clone's recipe!
"Huff."
The woman opened her eyes.
One could never be too careful using such a Rank 5 Gu Worm. Had Bai Shou continued any longer, the Rank 5 Fresh Air Gu would have instead purged away her goals and instead led her to a chasm of distraction and rot of mindset.
'But it's a good way to keep the mind fresh and active occasionally.' Bai Shou concluded, feeling spirited.
Due to her contact with Yang Pao and fearing the possible attraction of an Immortal, Bai Shou momentarily stopped using the Dreamer Gu. It was a pity, but it was something she had to consider regardless of her desires.
So, Bai Shou's days involved researching the clone recipe and seeking enough materials for the Rank 5 Mighty Bones Gu. And now she faced the same situation as any other Rank 5 Gu Master.
Materials were rare.
What she had was enough for a few Gu Worms but not to refine something entirely different.
However, still reeling from the effects of the Rank 5 Fresh Air, Bai Shou couldn't help but glimpse and imagine another path to get what she wanted.
Bones…
Lots of bones!
'Could I modify the recipe using human and animal bones?'
Mighty Bones Gu was a classic Strength Path Body Refinement Gu worm to reinforce the skeletal structure. It was unlike the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones Series or the Beast Skin and Tiger Bones, which were often used by the Strength Path Gu Masters when they were really the best for Transformation Path Gu Masters.
And then Bai Shou had another thought.
'The issue with every path is that… it's additive to the human body. For instance, using the Strength Path Body Modification leaves the Gu Master in conflict with other Paths. What if… no. It's the side effects of the Rank 5 Wind Gu. I'm still not calm and will constantly try to reach more than I can chew.'
Yes, the idea of inventing an entirely new Body Refinement Recipe based on the Human Path that did not conflict with other paths was very enticing, but Bai Shou did not possess enough knowledge or experience. Furthermore, she had no way to dual cultivate and didn't wish to waste her time pursuing anything else.
So, astutely, she took a step back and focused on possibly replacing the rare materials for the Rank 5 Might Bones Gu using human and beast bones.
And her research was quicker than the steadily conceptualizing Clone Gu recipe.
Bai Shou got a decent success within four hours!
The constant study of all the inheritance she received was showing its effects by the day. The more time she had to digest her gains, the better. And it wasn't like reading all those materials once was enough.
No.
Sure, Bai Shou believed she had already surpassed the Grey Bone Scholar, Crazed Blood Monk, Ruined Brothers, and Glorious Gacha Demon in terms of experience and what they had to offer…
But the immortals?
Imaginative Strength Immortal…
Blood Sea Ancestor…
Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable…
The more Bai Shou read the more captivated she was by every bit of inspiration she gleaned!
Also, she had yet to deduce the other Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable's inheritance she gained from Immortal Bai Kin's inheritance. What was it?
It must be something as outstanding as the Fake Aperture Inheritance, right?
So, she never stopped going through all the materials.
Possessing two inheritances from the same Venerable, Bai Shou also tried cracking the so-called code in the first inheritance using the information from the second one. However, until now, she had found nothing more than those Refinement Path recipes.
"Beast territories?" Yang Pao muttered as he sat across Bai Shou.
"Yes," Bai Shou hummed. "I need the map depicting the beast territories within True Yang Mountain Range."
Although she was willing to seek high-quality bones, Bai Shou wasn't foolish enough to venture into the mountain range without sufficient information. What if she encountered a pack of Mutated Beasts… or something worse than that?
Of course, she could continuously use the Rank 5 Eye Gu, but taking noted information from the City Mayor saved much time.
"Will you be gone for a long time?" the Mayor asked as Bai Shou tilted her head.
"Why? Is that a problem?"
"Another question was sent to me for the sixth task for the convention." Yang Pao smiled. "I believe the Sect Leader is warming up to the idea of inviting you."
"I see," Bai Shou shrugged. "Give them my regards. I won't be participating in another task. The rewards aren't worth my time, and they know where to find me if their interest gets the best of them."
Yang Pao's expression froze.
"Sister Chained?"
"Being a Southerner, I cannot claim to fully understand the Central Continent's customs. However, it allows me to see things from an outsider's perspective, Brother Yang. You seek to enter your sect. Currently, you are nothing more than a subordinate, an individual that isn't worth to the Sect as much as their disciples. But… you are still a Rank 5 Gu Master. Do you think your Sect Leader can afford to lose you and your grip on Yuan Yang City?"
"Sister Chained!" Yang Pao hissed. "Do not speak of such matters lightly. The Sect Leader will not tolerate—"
"Are they an Immortal?" Bai Shou interrupted, narrowing her eyes.
"Of course not," Yang Pao frowned. "Every Immortal becomes the Sect's Supreme Elder."
"Exactly. Then we should treat a mortal for what they are," the brunette tilted her head with a playful smirk. "What I speak of is not disrespect, but maintaining our self-respect. You'll realize how much your Sect Leader led you on just because your predecessors tried to grind away every rebellious bone in your body."
The City Mayor grew quiet. It was no secret he was milder than his predecessors. Sure, he'd committed several questionable acts, but Yang Pao did not have a history of debauchery. He devoted his life to raising the City's standards and his cultivation as a Refinement Path Gu Master. Even now, he knew several Rank 5 Gu Masters who owed him a favor because he refined a few Gu for them.
And yet…
Bai Shou's words made more than little sense to Yuan Yang City's Mayor.
Meanwhile, the Chained Wanderer continued.
"Tell me, Brother Yang. It must have been years since you became a Rank 5 Gu Master. Following the Refinement Path, your value is already higher than that of an ordinary expert at such a level. Why aren't you being nurtured?"
"What do you lack?"
"No need to rile me up, Sister Chained," Yang Pao scoffed. "I'll let them know about your wishes."
Bai Shou chuckled.
"I understand. And the information about the local beast groups…"
Yang Pao smiled slyly.
"I'll ask for the Sect Leader's permission. Maybe your approach would be appreciated enough to grant everything you desire."
Bai Shou shrugged, indifferent to Yang Pao's sneaky retaliation. She was confident in her approach, and so was Yang Pao. Just because they were temporarily allied did not mean the duo had to see eye-to-eye on every aspect of their lives.
<<<>>>
She hates it!
Well, hate is a strong term. However, why should Qin Juan waste her time when she was on the cusp of advancing?!
Ugh!
Everyone was moving ahead. The fact that Senior Sister secured such a grand victory for the Sect left her restless to advance, too! But… the mission rewarded 'that.'
And 'that' was enticing to everyone—mortals and Immortals alike. The fact Qin Juan could have a chance to enjoy such a resource as a Rank 4 Peak Stage Gu Master was probably due to her Senior Sister's bias.
'Ah! I love you, Senior!' Qin Juan would willingly drink the water her sister washed her feet with… well, maybe an exaggeration. But who could ever truly understand a woman known to spend weeks in confinement just to modify one material in a Gu Recipe?
That shit was challenging. Qin Juan dared others to bring an individual who could modify entire recipes in a few hours.
Hmph!
'Oh, there she is…'
Qin Juan discovered the target… the subject that caught the Sect Leader's eye.
Her mission?
To 'understand' said target.
"H-Hey, wait!"
'Ah, what is with the stuttering? Just imagine everyone is like Senior Sister!'
Qin Juan berated herself internally and quickly caught up to the brunette, who stopped. In hindsight, Qin Juan should have treated a Rank 5 Gu Master more respectfully. But she couldn't be faulted for her slightly skewed outlook due to her upbringing.
However, her expression momentarily froze after the woman turned around. Qin Juan could finally look at the woman closely… Oh, lord. Why did she think about treating everyone like Senior Sister?
Senior Sister would never dress like the target.
Her brown hair was loosely scattered about, barely pulled aside to display her charismatic features. Those narrow brown eyes took stock of Qin Juan, almost like a predator's invasive glare. The flowing dark-brown robe settled loosely on the woman, and the barely parted collar revealed her collarbones…
A pervert?
Qin Juan may have spent decades in cultivation, but she was as innocent as a flower. And yet, she was being observed so crudely by a woman…
'I was told she was about 25 years old… doesn't that make me the older one?'
Qin Juan's features darkened. She was 29 this year.
"Yeah?"
The other woman tilted her head, allowing a polite smile to dance on her lips. It almost captured Qin Juan's attention completely, but the woman's drunken scent was a great deterrent for everyone.
Qin Juan glanced at the white gourd hanging from the woman's thin waist, further accentuating the target's slightly broader shoulders.
"I…" Qin Juan gulped. "I challenge you to a Refinement Path duel!"
The other woman smiled and shook her head.
"I refuse."
With that, the woman walked away. Qin Juan dazedly observed her target's back… the way it moved and stretched against the fabric of her robes.
'Yes.' Qin Juan smiled to herself. 'I'm a total failure without Senior Sister.'
<<<>>>
'Well, that was weird.'
'Thankfully, I don't look so blatant when I check out other chicks.' Bai Shou shrugged, indifferent to the other woman's inherent confusion. It's not like she would be of any help. Bai Shou was one transformation away from swinging a giant's dick, after all.
'Either way, it doesn't matter to me. That woman was… probably a sheltered Young Lady. No way a Rank 4 Gu Master would be so much of a wreck as her.'
Bai Shou frowned.
'Technically, a sheltered individual can exist from Rank 1 to even the Immortal ranks if their relatives are powerful and dead-brained enough to coddle the younger generation rotten. How concerning. The thought of an Immortal acting like a pampered son of a bitch…'
She shuddered.
Since Bai Shou believed the other woman was a pampered Young Master of sorts, she felt the woman's caretakers must not be far from her. So, there was no need to get caught up in other's mess.
And it's not like a Rank 4 Gu Master would unnecessarily antagonize a Rank 5 Gu Master—
"Wait!"
Being the paragon of virtue and patience that she was, Bai Shou stopped again and looked sideways.
Several Gu Masters gave the duo a wide berth, fearful of their rank.
"Yes?" Bai Shou inquired, still maintaining a smile.
"You did not even listen to my bet… Senior!" the woman seemed a little disgruntled at calling her a Senior, noted Bai Shou.
"Because I'm not interested, Junior," Bai Shou chuckled. "Now, I have a few tasks to take care of. If you still wish to be in my presence, contact me through the City's Mayor."
'At least Yang Pao might know who this girl is.'
Bai Shou turned around only for the other party to hiss in a soft voice.
"I have a Jackal Monkey's Brain Stem!"
Bai Shou paused.
Jackal Monkey Brain Stem.
It was a Rank 5 Strength Path material used primarily to refine the Rank 5 Mind-Body Lightning Connection Gu. It was the Rank 5 Body Refinement advancement for Bai Shou's nervous system.
'She knows me,' Bai Shou narrowed her eyes. Was it just a coincidence? Sincerely, Bai Shou believed the former.
"It is a very valuable item, Junior," Bai Shou smiled. "May I know your name?"
The other party paused, momentarily puckering her lips before answering, "It's Qin Juan, a wandering Gu Master!"
"I see," Bai Shou nodded. "Junior Qin, You may call me Chained Wanderer. And I still feel disinclined to participate in a bet due to an urgent task. Have your Seniors, those with the authority to set a competition with me, contact the City's Mayor. If you're eager to challenge me for fame or materials, show me the same courtesy your Elders receive."
Qin Juan faltered, stuttering. "I- I see." However, the next second, color drained from her pretty face.
'A wandering Gu Master, my ass,' Bai Shou internally sneered at Qin Juan's accidental admission before turning on her heels and moving away.
Suddenly, Bai Shou stopped moving through the streets. She couldn't help but toss a confused look at a nearby civilian boy passing by. He was running around with a joyful smile, his wide grin exposing his growing left tooth. Dirt smudged his elbows and knees as he followed after his friends.
'Huh? What was that sensation?'
Bai Shou felt the Hope Gu in the Second Aperture regaining its calm.
There was something weird about the Vital Gu.
Hope Gu would always raise the alarm whenever Bai Shou neared any life-threatening instances that she could barely live through. However, her Borrow Strength Gu was always quiet. Until now, Bai Shou theorized that Hope Gu, being her first Vital Gu, displayed the usual signs of a regular Vital Gu when encountering such troubles.
Her lingering gaze didn't attract the boy's attention, who soon vanished into the crowd.
'Or something related to the boy could be the threatening one…'
'Anyway, let's deal with the task and get that map.'
<<<>>>
'Did my disguise give away?' wondered the boy sitting atop a roof overlooking the street. 'No. That can't be it. Even other Immortals from the Sect can see through my disguise. Then why did I attract that youngster's attention?'
The boy sighed.
'There's also Qin Juan. Sigh. That girl is usually composed around Huang'er and acts mature but lacks experience. Being alone revealed her lack of self-confidence. Well, she also happened to be the perfect test for the prospect… I half-expected Chained Wanderer to reveal some ulterior motives…'
'No. Chances are that Junior saw through Qin Juan at once. That's good, too. It'll teach Xu Hao not to underestimate anyone.' The boy swung his feet in the air, sighing gloomily. 'Hmm. What else can we use to attract that young talent?'
The boy tilted his head.
'We can entice him with a Yang Rotation Gu using the effects of Yin Rotation Gu on his body. But what if he wanted to become a woman of his volition? It won't be the first time someone did that.'
'The chance at ascending as an Immortal is a given? But that can never be guaranteed…'
There were several reasons aside from her talent that Bai Shou was desired by a higher authority. Unbeknown to her, most of the secrets she tried to hide were no better than an open book.
'She must undergo rigorous observation before the First Supreme Elder decides anything. However, leaving her with a bad impression would be counterproductive. The first thing would be to align her interests with the Sect's. Hmm… well, at least in actions, she suits that Inheritance. Does their kind naturally become proficient in theft?'
The boy smirked before he appeared thoughtful.
'We have never managed to recruit their kind since discovering and moving the Inheritance into the Sect's Headquarters. But now? The so-called Chained Wanderer is right there, in our grasp. Is it just a coincidence?'
He recalled how the Sect's previous few attempts were often thwarted for several reasons, usually considered accidents or products of bad luck.
The boy felt an intense premonition while observing Bai Shou leave through the city's gate.
'Well, for what it's worth… she's a sad little thing. Though a little annoying to manipulate such weakness… it would be worthwhile attempt should she acclimate with the Sect.'
Before the boy could follow Bai Shou, his expression stiffened before he restrained the urge to groan.
'These girls… each one more stubborn than the last. Why did my Huang'er turn out like this? Ah, why, of course… she's like my 'Dear' mother-in-law, the one and only poisonous pain in my ass.'
He muttered curses under his breath as he rose to his feet.
Not even being the most famed Gu Immortal in the Central Continent saved the man from having some personal time with his wife whenever the latter's mother was around.
***
Alternate Title: Fresh Air Gu; Inspiration; The Curse of Mother-in-Law; The GILF?; Need for Bones; Lord Boner; Different Ideals; Stubborn Men and Women; Yang Pao's Discreet Yet Open Scheme; Most Rank 5 Gu Masters Are Chill Like That; Rank 5 Gu Master's Position; A Giant's Dick To Solve All Confusion; Thirsty AF; Collabone Peeks *P-Pervert!*; Easy Pickings?; Secrets Revealed?; The Immortal Gaze; Cautious And Discreet; A Task?; The Premonition; The Fickle Acts of Fate; The Sect Approaches; A Refinement Path Duel; Poor Qin Juan, Taking a Nightmare-Level Mission; The Bias; The Protective Elder; Someone Has a Little Too Much Free Time; The Fabled Senior Sister
***
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