Spirit Affinity House, Disciplinary Hall.
"Ahhh! Please! I understand my folly, Senior!"
"P-Please, no more! I regret my actions! I repent!"
"The Spirit Affinity House is outstanding. While weaker sects are forced to use Digital Shade Gu, lowering the efficiency of sharing information and spreading education, our great sect uses the Heart Engraved Gu, indifferent to the cost just to shatter the darkness of ignorance in us disciples! Please! I beg you! I won't ever— Aaghhh!"
"It wasn't me! I did not do it!"
"I'm loyal to the sect! My heart never wavered—Aaah!"
Outer Disciple Feng led Bai Shou through a tunnel reverberating with pleas, angered cries, righteous curses, pitiful wail, begging, consolations, and more. But the most piercing was the noise of whips that struck the prisoner's body, promising each strike to pelt away their tender flesh and breaking several Gu Masters' iron will as they sobbed and confessed, only for the sound of the ruthless flogging to submerge it all.
This was the Disciplinary Hall. Unlike the other halls, the prison was not built upon a treasured mountain, boasting outstanding architecture and facilities. No.
It was a correctional facility meant to punish and hurt.
The entrance to the hall was an unadorned cave secured by two Rank 4 Inner Disciples. The walls flanking the staircase into the dungeons were lined with glowing vines, a common plant cultivated within the sect. However, the interiors were made to appear dim to irritate the senses, and the stench and noise themselves acted as psychological pressure upon all the disciples caught by the Disciplinary Hall.
As if used to the noises, Disciple Feng walked calmly, his hands inside the sleeves of his robes. The guarding Gu Masters, despite their positions and disciple ranking, appeared to respect Disciple Feng significantly as they nodded or bowed slightly.
The duo was silent, warmly welcomed by the robust atmosphere of screams and grotesque noises.
It wasn't until Disciple Feng led Bai Shou down through another staircase that he began speaking.
"The Sect has as many honorable disciples as it rears good-for-nothing. It is quite surprising because these so-called good-for-nothings would be considered cream of the crop in mid-sized sects. However, greed is a powerful force that often beguiles these disciples, forcing us to set them on the correct path."
The next level was extraordinarily quiet.
"Meaning, they are here temporarily," Bai Shou hummed.
"Indeed, Sister Bai," Disciple Feng chuckled. "Some physical pain early on is a valuable lesson to most disciples because they aren't usually outsiders like us and do not understand our troubles. Think about it. Would you and I ever think about becoming an ingrate and stealing from the Sect? Didn't you already understand the value of being part of an Ancient Sect? These disciples born within the sect do not know the fortune they were born into."
It sounded like Disciple Feng was projecting his thoughts, but he spoke from experience that outsiders like Bai Shou were aware of.
The benefits of joining an Ancient Sect were immense to the point Bai Shou already refined a rare Space Path House Gu! Furthermore, there was the advantage of living in a Blessed Land. The Refinement Convention, which should have started a few years ago, now neared the duration of a decade to Bai Shou's temporal perception.
How could it not be helpful?
Indifferent to Bai Shou's thoughts, Disciple Feng continued.
"Those in the first level only face the consequences of their Body Refinement—anything they used on their bodies—stripped away so that even lashes by a mortal hurt them. There's also the matter about fiscal loss and the time they spent refining their bodies turned useless. So, the disciples will have to spend more money, time, and effort reaching their previous stage. If the physical pain wasn't a lesson enough, the consequence and expenditure for refining their bodies would become another decent lesson."
"What about the Second Level?"
Bai Shou questioned since the second level was the opposite, hushed and tranquil.
Disciple Feng sighed and shook his head.
"These secured walls contain Demonic Gu Masters caught by the sect disciples. Their punishment is unique and different, fitting their crimes. So, no voice leaks out."
He explained vaguely, indicating that Bai Shou was not meant to learn about the treatments for any Demonic filth caught by the Sect.
"Though," Disciple Feng continued with a soft chuckle. "I hear there's another prison for a few Demonic Gu Masters."
"Ah," Bai Shou also chuckled.
Spirit Affinity House was famous for something—Honey Trap.
Whether intentional or unintentional, the many female Gu Masters of the Sect had a high chance of becoming intimate with Demonic Gu Masters originating from kinder and saner lives, converting them to the righteous path before marrying them. Bai Shou had later learned of one of the well-known examples—Di Qing's Late Husband.
The duo soon entered the third level as Bai Shou's surroundings changed again.
"This is…" Bai Shou muttered curiously, prompting Feng to introduce.
"The 'Third Level' contains everything. The Sect built unique cells for demons contained here, each aimed at making the captive's stay as painful as possible. Some have already gone mad from the treatment. As you can see, the Third Level is not one layer of dungeon but an interconnected tunnel system occupying the depths of the Sect's Blessed Land!"
Once the duo walked down the stairs, they did not enter any dungeon or prison but were blocked by the guarding disciples. They all wore grim expressions, cold and distant. So, Disciple Feng led Bai Shou through a system of stairways and tunnels, going further into the Disciplinary Hall's depth until stopping before a prison cell.
Surprisingly, Disciple Feng flashed a token, which made the Elite Disciple flounder until the latter narrowed his eyes and silently nodded. The Rank 4 Gu Master turned on his heels, pressing a Gu Worm into the keyhole carved into the seemingly ordinary wooden door.
"Only one."
The guard instructed coolly as Bai Shou nodded and stepped forward.
"Not a second longer than one hour or you will be contained with the demon." The guard warned as Bai Shou reached for the door—
*Fwip*
Her body disappeared the second she touched it.
<<<>>>
The prisons for the worst demons caught by the Spirit Affinity House were clearly more sophisticated than imagined since Bai Shou's first step into the prison was through a spatial formation.
An intense, fishy scent assaulted her senses, which had been strengthened by her current limits. Bai Shou blinked, reeling at the blood-red sight. The cave was not as spacious as she imagined, but the red around her made Bai Shou recall the inheritance site related to the Man-Beast Life Burial Gu. The surrounding red walls were dim and dark, supported by four bone-white pillars each with a chain coiled around its surface, the end of which held a quiet redhead into the bubbling blood pond.
Having experienced her flesh melted off her bones once, Bai Shou couldn't help but internally admire the prisoner's grit since he did not release a single squeak.
The cave was filled with the noise of bubbling blood. Around the tied figure floated the thin bones of the creatures that formed the blood pool.
Meanwhile, in the center, the blood-haired figure kept his head lowered, his arms caught out and his body lay suspended within.
"Brother Nu Wu?" Bai Shou began, her voice warm and collected, unfazed by her surroundings.
"Brother?" the coarse voice replied, chains rattling as the prisoner suddenly tried to break his shackles. "Hihihi…" he snickered eerily. "Brother… Did Feng Bo not explain things to you?"
"Peak Stage Rank 5 Nu Wu, a Disciple of great promise who turned on his well-wishers the second you received a Blood Path Inheritance, one of them being Elder Le Tao's younger brother, whom you raped after changing his gender to refine a sick demonic Gu Worm," Bai Shou recited with the usual warmth in her voice, like throwing rocks at Nu Wu's head after wrapping them with silk. "Brother Feng Bo told me enough and wished for us to exchange a few words once—I suspect he would earn some valuable materials for his errand."
Despite being an Outer Disciple, Feng Bo was a Rank 5 Gu Master and his assistance was undoubtedly expensive!
Bai Shou's words agitated Nu Wu, who struggled in the boiling blood. As he tried to rise, his melting lower body exposed to the elements, the bone-white pillars suddenly let out a brilliant blood glow, instantly making the captured Legacy Disciple shriek loudly, the chains glowing blood-red, too.
"Huff…"
"Huff…"
Nu Wu regained his composure, his face still hidden by a nest of unkempt blood hair.
"Bai Shou…" He whispered maliciously. "Be careful what you speak about. Who are you to judge me?!"
"You're denouncing the allegations?" Bai Shou tilted her head only for Nu Wu to suddenly throw his head up and laugh, his hair flying about, surprising the Chained Wanderer internally.
The man behind those blood-red lengths had narrow eyes, a thin nose, and a sharp smile. His jaws were angular and pronounced.
"Denounce? Why would I do that?"
"It was me!" Nu Wu yelled into the cave's ceiling!
"I tainted the disciple I befriended before eating his… hihi… HER body! Aaggghhh~!" He moaned in a demented fashion, eyes threatening to roll into his skull. "That was blissful."
Bai Shou's expression grew furious.
"Do you have no shame?!" She cried loudly, flourishing her hand. "How dare you commit such demonic acts and expect my assistance?"
Nu Wu paused before staring at Bai Shou. His hair had blown aside, revealing a torch-like intense gaze that wished to penetrate her form. Similarly, Bai Shou scrutinized the quiet and cold Nu Wu.
"Do you sense it?" Nu Wu began. "Do you sense my Aperture?"
The corner of Bai Shou's eyes twitched as Nu Wu continued, cackling.
"Why is it that my aperture wasn't destroyed?"
"I was stripped off my Gu Set and Body Refinement—left to endure this hellish pool of pain and relief! Tell me, Bai Shou… why? WHY?!"
He gasped for breath before smiling coldly. "I shall tell you why. I used 200-Year Lifespan Gu. My sentence is for a mere 100 years."
"I'm talented, fortuitous, and skilled. The Sect does not wish to lose me no matter what Le Tao believes. Soon, I shall regain my freedom."
"You asked how dare I expect to seek your assistance? That's how. You are not colluding with a criminal. The fact that I could employ Feng Bo's help already shows the favors I accumulated."
"Le Tao? Who cares about him?"
"Why should that name bother me when his wife grants me such special conditions?"
"Who do you think allowed me to access the Exchange Hall? Who else but Sect Leader Shu Zhe?!"
Bai Shou was quiet throughout Nu Wu's outburst.
"Are you curious?" Nu Wu continued with a sick grin. "I can see your crusted little thoughts twisting and turning. It's simple. I'm the only one with any hope to heal Shu Zhe."
Bai Shou quietly turned around and touched the wooden door.
But nothing happened.
"One hour…" Nu Wu's cold voice echoed in the cave. "You are stuck with me for one hour, Bai Shou. It matters not the secret I reveal and how it affects you. For instance, I could tell you that a Blood Path Demon Immortal struck Shu Zhe's grandmother. However, the killer move had an odd effect and impacted Shu Zhe instead."
Bai Shou exhaled. She was trying to avoid such a political strife.
"What do you want?"
"Your help, of course," Nu Wu hummed, his mood swinging more than Bai Shou's wavering thoughts about the mysteries surrounding her… and her gender. "Being imprisoned did not blind me to the outside world," he revealed. "After researching Shu Zhe's injuries for over a year, I've realized I need assistance from someone boasting your… specialty."
"Who told you about it?" Bai Shou questioned.
"Might as well ask if I piss inside the blood pool or not," Nu Wu snorted. "I'm willing to offer you great compensation. All I want you to do is finalize the recipe I've been working on."
Bai Shou didn't reply.
"Yes," Nu Wu grinned. "Consider your options carefully. I heard you offended a certain elder. You would require all the resources you can find to prosper within the sect."
"My three requirements," Bai Shou began after a while. "You fulfill none of them, much less your task."
"I refine Gu Worms be it fusion refinement for a Gu Worm's advancement, reverse refinement, or parallel refinement. However, you ask me to finalize a recipe."
"I demand three sets of materials for my efforts, you can offer me none."
"I spent more than ten minutes in your home," she sneered. "And yet haven't tasted the wine you love the most."
"Furthermore, you are incapable of offering me anything of value."
"Your work is incompatible with my profession, Legacy Disciple Nu Wu. It's true, I'm stuck here for the coming hour. I suppose seeing you squirm in pain should compensate for my lost time sufficiently."
Nu Wu didn't become angry and smiled.
"You indeed refine the Gu from a recipe, but take away the physical effort and all that's left is for you to focus on the recipe. Without any chances of failures causing backlashes, I shall offer one set of the materials noted in the recipe. The wine I love has now changed to the water of this boiling blood pool, drink however much you like. And as for your reward? Why wouldn't I offer something in return for your services? I heard you demand a material relevant to the Gu Worm you refine."
"You heard incorrectly," Bai Shou interjected. "That is only for Gu Masters under Rank 5 and disciples below the Elite Level. For anyone who does not meet these categories, I ask only one thing—Thousand-Year Spirit Valley Wine."
Nu Wu furrowed his brows.
"The recipe I want you to complete is a mere Rank 3 Gu and I intended to advance it to Rank 5 with more research. How can I pay that much?"
"The 'How' is up to you," Bai Shou shrugged. "That's the price for my services."
Nu Wu grew quiet as she added kindly.
"Yes, consider your options carefully. After all, we have one hour to spend together."
<<<>>>
"Until later, Sister Bai."
"Hmm. It was pleasant seeing you, Brother Feng."
Bai Shou bode Feng Bo farewell before turning around and entering her residence. She didn't act weirdly and spent much of her day nurturing her aperture and using the Soul Bell Gu to patiently strengthen her soul at a snail's pace. What could she say? An honest training pace could only be forced upon someone like Bai Shou as they would instantly reach for the most efficient method possible even if it meant hurting several others.
It wasn't until Bai Shou entered the Empty Cube Gu that her expression eased.
'The situation is too strange, but it is starting to make sense. I can finally understand why the Sect desired my abilities… no… it still doesn't explain why a Gu Immortal of all individuals was chosen to recruit me.'
Bai Shou contacted Yang Pao and used his connections with the unknown sect to get recruited. However, the events that unfolded afterwards could not be expressed with common sense. Sure, Bai Shou feared she might accidentally attract a Gu Immortal's attention and suspended the use of Dreamer Gu. Then she met Qin Juan, who was very awkward initially. That could be chalked up to her reclusive nature, and the Sect might have chosen her to treat that aspect of her life.
After all, Spirit Affinity House was an Ancient Sect that wished for its disciples to excel in all aspects of life. As one would have it, being social and forming connections was crucial in the lives of a Gu Master and a Gu Immortal even if they were incredibly skilled. It also honed the mind to notice signs of deceptions from one's allies early. Qin Juan had grown significantly in a single mission, and Bai Shou was always expected to be tailed by another experienced Gu Master from the Ancient Sect.
It was true that Bai Shou was used to polish Qin Juan slightly.
But a Gu Immortal?
Things fell apart from that moment.
It was an irrational move, something Bai Shou would not expect from a group of Gu Immortals unless they were forced by external influences.
As such, Bai Shou momentarily recalled the Man-Beast Life Burial Gu.
'According to the creator of the inheritance, the Blood Beasts should have instantly charged out. The creator admitted he did not want to leave anything behind but still left one recipe as a challenge to fate—wondering if an accident would indeed cause the demonic recipe to surface aimed to stoke the inheritor's greed and lead another wave of pain and conflicts. However, the blood beasts remained focused on me… were we targeted? Was it the same Gu Immortal who brought me into the Sect?'
While Bai Shou was unaware of the 'hand' behind the act, she now believed someone had truly tampered with the inheritance. She did not doubt the original occupants of the Inheritance since they were too weak to reach the level Bai Shou and Qin Juan did.
'Now… this…'
Bai Shou retrieved a recipe.
One look at it made her recall Yang Pao.
Why?
Yang Pao sought Bai Shou to complete a recipe that resembled the Rule Path Aperture Seal Gu. The material in Bai Shou's hands was a significantly more completed recipe of the same thing!
This Gu Worm was yet unnamed.
But Bai Shou could momentarily ignore the irrational act of a Gu Immortal personally escorting her into the sect and focus on the available clues.
"So… it was Sect Leader Shu Zhe. She was somehow injured due to the Killer Move of a Blood Path Gu Immortal. However, the nature of her injury is strange and it is possible, in theory, to heal her using my methods—if I can develop these methods in the first place."
Possessing Blood Sea Ancestor's true inheritance alongside a mortal one, Bai Shou was aware how a Blood Path Gu Master could use the blood connection between two parties to attack one and injure the other.
Wasn't this why Bai Shou destroyed the connection between her and her son?
She exhaled, burying the face of her babe deep into the vault of memories that evoked that sense of disgusting confusion. Bai Shou did not have time for all that, and hopefully, she never will. If that wasn't the classic case of burying emotions, Bai Shou didn't know what was. However, being self-aware provided negligent assistance in her case.
Instead she focused on Shu Zhe… and Yang Pao.
'There's a chance Yang Pao was indeed sincere but even better thought is that Yang Pao was full of shit. Shu Zhe sent him to ascertain my skills and see if I could help her. Although Human Path is a covetous Dao to explore and understand, the need for the Spirit Affinity House must be exceptionally urgent due to Shu Zhe…'
'But not enough to deploy a Gu Immortal. Even if Shu Zhe is the sect's Immortal Seed, a Gu Immortal would never lower themselves to perform such an errand unless they were incredibly shameless and did not care about being considered the Sect's errand-boy.'
'Still,' Bai Shou narrowed her eyes. 'Nu Wu said this Gu Worm was conceptualized after much research and that it can't directly heal Shu Zhe. The Sect wished to expand upon their option using this incomplete Gu.'
'Nu Wu… Nu Wu?'
'Hehe…'
Bai Shou remembered the face. Those features matched someone she knew well.
Said individual was a bald Rank 4 Gu Master known for his illicit activities with virgin women—Pink Butterfly Gentleman.
Kong Ri Tian!
How could Kong Ri Tian be here when Bai Ning Bing killed him on San Cha Mountain when the former was caught by the Tie Clan's Elders?
He couldn't be here.
But what about Kong Ri Yi, the Blood Path Demonic Gu Master who ended the life of Empress Wu Ji's younger sister and fled the Southern Border? It was rumored he entered the Eastern Seas.
However, Kong Ri Yi was a prisoner in Spirit Affinity House!
'Kong Ri Yi must have hidden his identity but could not stay away from his lust for blood and other things.'
Bai Shou shook her head.
Kong Ri Yi's conditions did not matter to Bai Shou, only the Wine he could offer caught her interest.
'The recipe is already 94% complete. Kong Ri Yi… Nu Wu only lacked inspiration to finalize the final bits. The answer is so clear to my eyes, but Nu Wu spent a long time on the recipe and his thoughts are blocked.'
Bai Shou got to working… and scheming.
She stood to earn significantly with this business!
***
Alternate Title: The Plot Thickens?; The Disciplinary Hall; Introductions; Poor Prisoners; The First Layer Is Equivalent to a Mother's Sandal In The Gu World; The Three Levels; That Disciple Doing a Whole Ass Exposition For The Education Hall; Feng Bo and Nu Wu; Caught Legacy Disciple; Nu Wu Revealing His Reverse Flash Freak; Nu Wu: It Was Me, Le Tao; The Genderbend Strikes Again!; A Hentai Mc Through and Through; The Blood Path Demon; The Sect's Pragmatic Nature; The Injury Exposed; Schemes Exposed?; Bai Shou Taunting With The Same Statement; Bai Shou Peers Through; Nu Wu: I Love Drinking Blood Wine *Also Nu Wu: Pisses And Shits In The Blood Pool*; One Hour; A Profitable Hour; Negotiations; Kong Ri Yi; Changing Names As Usual; It's a Snail's Pace For Bai Shou? *Guts Gu: Lol*
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THE MEME
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