[Mystic-tier Mid-Level Technique: Blood Qi Art. Simplified Direction 1: Drinking fresh blood will further boost cultivation speed. Side Effect: Excessive blood consumption induces bloodlust.]
Yun Jin frowned.
This first direction didn't simplify the Blood Qi Art so much as it refined it into an even darker demonic art. Originally, the technique merely caused a thirst for blood. Now, it directly used blood to increase one's cultivation. The more one drank, the closer they edged toward becoming a mindless killer.
Demonic cultivators would probably be thrilled with this kind of improvement, but Yun Jin rejected it without hesitation.
[Simplified Direction 2: Use one's own blood as the foundation for cultivation. The body becomes the furnace, the blood the medicine. Blood Arts are forged through this method. Side Effect: The practitioner must frequently use their own blood for attacks. Without regular supplementation, they are prone to anemia.]
Yun Jin blinked at the word "anemia."
Did the system just get cheeky?
This direction would mainly affect Gu Jinghong himself. The Blood Arts sounded effective in combat, but since every skill relied on blood, he would probably need to consume large amounts of blood-replenishing herbs on a regular basis.
A bit costly in spirit stones.
Still, with Ye Cheng around, she could arrange a dedicated batch of blood-replenishing herbs. Not impossible.
She mentally marked it as a viable backup.
Then she looked at the third option.
[Simplified Direction 3: Blood Battle Method. The desire for blood is transmuted into a desire for combat. Regular engagement in battle maintains mental clarity. Note: In the Blood Qi state, combat power increases significantly.]
This one...
Yun Jin fell silent, thinking it through.
Since she had taken Gu Jinghong in, she naturally intended to use him. In the future, when she transformed Tianxing Sect into a true Holy Land, she'd need vast amounts of Emotional Value. As her servant, any value Gu Jinghong generated would transfer to her as well.
If she sent him out to fight regularly, he could become a steady source of Emotional Value.
But there was a catch.
Every time the bloodlust surfaced, he'd need to engage in combat to suppress it. While it promised mental clarity, constant fighting—even without blood Qi side effects—tended to reshape people. The thrill of battle, the drive for victory, the high of power... all of it could distort a person over time.
Someone with strong willpower and a stable heart might manage it.
But Gu Jinghong?
She wasn't so sure.
On the ground, Gu Jinghong clenched his teeth and dug his nails into the dirt, trying not to make a sound.
Yun Jin glanced at him, then said calmly, "I've modified the Blood Qi Art. Learn this new version."
She decisively chose the second path.
The herbs needed to support this method? She could provide them. The technique itself seemed strong enough for Gu Jinghong to be useful in battle.
And choosing one path didn't mean she couldn't develop another later. If she wanted to give him the third path in the future, she just needed to spend more simplification points.
First, she had to observe him longer. If he could truly master his bloodthirst and craving for battle, then maybe she'd reconsider.
"Yes." Gu Jinghong sat up with difficulty.
Yun Jin reached out and lightly tapped his forehead.
The new Blood Arts technique flowed into his mind like a surge of information.
Gu Jinghong trembled.
This method… it retained the foundation of Blood Qi Art, but removed all of its fundamental flaws. She had refined a demonic technique into a proper cultivation path.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
This was no casual gift. His master had tailored it specifically for him.
He knew she was capable of crafting her own techniques, but to transform a demonic art so thoroughly—surely that had taken significant time and effort.
All this time, while preparing for the grand sect assembly, she had still taken the time to consider someone like him.
Tears welled up in Gu Jinghong's eyes.
Yun Jin stared at him. "...???"
Gu Jinghong's eyes were red as he said hoarsely, "Master, you've done so much for me. I... I am unworthy."
He was overwhelmed.
Yun Jin, realizing what was going on, felt a little guilty.
Hmm…
All she did was press a button and pick a direction. It didn't really take much effort.
Besides, Gu Jinghong had already earned her plenty of Emotional Value. She could easily argue he'd paid for it himself.
Still...
She quickly composed herself.
Moved? Grateful?
Perfect.
"Good. Just remember it," Yun Jin said lightly.
Gu Jinghong nodded solemnly. "Even through death and beyond, I will never forget."
Yun Jin waved her hand casually. "Enough. Go cultivate. I've improved the technique. You won't need to cripple your cultivation, but converting your existing spiritual power will take time. You have ten days."
"Yes!" Gu Jinghong struggled to his feet.
He staggered back into his room and immediately entered closed-door cultivation. His master had gone to such lengths for him. He could not disappoint her. Once the conversion was complete, he, Gu Jinghong, would become the sharpest blade in her hand. Anyone who wanted to harm her would have to step over his corpse first.
Yun Jin casually placed a barrier around his room, then strolled back to hers.
"Master, is that bad guy going to be okay?" Gun Gun asked.
Despite calling him a bad guy, there was a trace of concern in his expression.
After spending so much time with Gu Jinghong lately, some attachment had formed.
Yun Jin patted his head. "He's fine. He'll be in seclusion for a few days. When he emerges, his strength will have grown significantly."
Hearing that, Gun Gun immediately protested, "Master is playing favorites! I saw you secretly teaching him something just now. Why didn't you teach me too?!"
He howled, throwing himself on the floor and rolling dramatically.
"Master doesn't love me anymore. I'm just an unwanted beast!
Gun Gun's life is so hard. I might as well go back to the Beastmaster Pavilion.
I can't live like this. I give up!"
Gun Gun cried and rolled, leaving Huan Huan completely stunned.
Just earlier, when Yun Jin had stepped out, Gun Gun had been beating his chest, declaring he was the most beloved, that he'd protect her, and even shared a bunch of "how to manipulate Master" tips.
And now?
Huan Huan watched Gun Gun's tantrum and reached a sudden understanding.
So this... was the so-called technique for handling their master.
Yun Jin sipped her tea unhurriedly as she looked at the rolling Gun Gun. "Actually, I was planning to try out a new Beastmaster skill. Originally, I wanted to start with Dà Bǎo. But since Dà Bǎo seems so upset... Èr Bǎo, come here, let's try it with you first."
Dà Bǎo?
Èr Bǎo?
Strange names, but strangely fitting.
Huan Huan immediately understood. She nodded obediently and hopped into Yun Jin's arms.
What?
A Beastmaster skill?
Gun Gun jumped up in panic, scrambling to her side. "Master, I—I—I'm your beloved Dà Bǎo! Start with me, please start with me!"
===
大宝 (Dà Bǎo) literally means "Big Treasure" or "First Treasure".
大 (dà) means big, or here more contextually, first/older.
宝 (bǎo) means treasure, precious thing, darling.
二宝 (Èr Bǎo) means "Second Treasure" or "Second Child".
二 (èr) means two or second.
In modern usage, parents often refer to their children as:
大宝: first child (usually the elder sibling),
二宝: second child (younger sibling),
And so on [三宝 (Sān Bǎo), 四宝 (Sì Bǎo), etc.].
It is both familial and endearing.