Life had been surprisingly kind and fulfilling to Bai Shou… if the entirety of her ambitions revolved around being a farmer. Now, milking a few cowgirls was a task she had been hard and ready for in her previous world. However, Bai Shou soon realized there weren't many opportunities in this so-called Hu Immortal Blessed Land despite the mouth-watering Dang Hun Mountain present far in the distance, merely a few minutes away.
Thinking about, truly, what role was Bai Shou supposed to fulfill here?
Aside from spending quality time with Shu Zhe and steadily solidifying their bond, Bai Shou had to endure weeks of nothing. She maintained her discipline to raise her soul foundation. But using Soul Bell Gu Worm's chimes felt like mocking laughter when the legendary gu worm capable of effortlessly helping Bai Shou attain a hundred-man, no, a thousand-man soul lay within Dang Hun Mountain itself!
Lastly, she focused on Fake Mind Gu and methods to resolve Shu Zhe's injuries.
Even the option of fickle privacy was snatched from Bai Shou when one realized she did not possess a formation to isolate a land spirit from their blessed land. So, she couldn't try anything that wouldn't expose her secrets.
At least, that gave Bai Shou a good excuse to just sleep and rest with Shu Zhe. They still had their guards up during few more intense and passionate moments, but the underlying tensions of their relationship smoothened out with time.
Shu Zhe would occasionally leave to deal with her duties. Meanwhile, Bai Shou stayed back.
From a different perspective, such a quiet life was not entirely upsetting. Bai Shou merely felt it had more disadvantages compared to advantages until this point. How she grabbed onto newer opportunities around here was still up to her.
Weeks spent in such peace also made Bai Shou temporarily give up on certain dreams.
Not everything in life unfolded as planned, and the temptation of properly cultivating two paths was one such dream Bai Shou had to accept as an impossibility—temporarily.
There was no way Bai Shou could heal Chen Jiu without others trying to snoop around heavenly specter and discovering certain modifications performed on her soul. Bai Shou had to part herself from the idea no matter how alluring it sounded, especially when she had the perfect base with two apertures!
The sunk-cost fallacy led Bai Shou around by the nose for too long.
Also, she had achieved a marked performance with the human path. Including strength and refinement, there were already three paths she had spent her time and efforts on. Being a master in several other paths, Bai Shou expected herself to eventually gain significant methods in all of them to make the best use of her multiple attainments.
It was time to seek growth elsewhere.
And the most optimal way, unsurprisingly for Bai Shou, was the human path.
Her strength path gu set had reached a bottleneck. There was no other improvement she could make other than refining as many of them into rank 5 gu worms as possible. However, that was unnecessarily costly and most of the materials were extinct.
Meanwhile, Bai Shou's ambition for the refinement path was always to use it as a support. Addition of Preservation Gu made the consistent use of Undefeated Hundred Battle Strength Gu a striking feasibility.
But the human path?
Undefeated Hundred Battles.
Fickle Travel.
Aperture Puncture.
Half Effort.
Not to mention the Fake Aperture true inheritance!
Bai Shou already had a modest foundation in the human path.
While she needed to take a step back from her former goals and ambitions, the scene instead widened. Bai Shou did not feel dejected but found herself appreciating the canvas of choices—each equally exciting.
'Hmm. Fake Mind is still something I must deduce.' She reasoned.
'But I can temporarily let go of jumping straight into finding ways to heal Shu Zhe. Her injuries aren't from Aperture Puncture alone, possessing an impression of blood path. Instead, I will try incorporating new killer moves with the human path gu worms I already possess. It might lead me to the necessary inspiration I need for Fake Mind and her injuries.'
Bai Shou blinked.
'If my intuition is correct… using human path gu worms in killer moves might lead to pleasant surprises!'
She always felt human path could help her in achieving another method of dual cultivation. However, it was also because of this intuition, Bai Shou believed things weren't as straightforward as they appeared.
With her objectives and priorities altered, Bai Shou instantly focused on the path she was most excited for.
'I keep feeling a killer move related to Aperture Puncture is feasible.' She smiled. Her version of the rank 3 human path gu worm was not a consumable gu worm. In fact, the original gu remnant recipe was the one Bai Shou completed before modifying it.
So, she possessed the original Aperture Puncture Gu. Meanwhile, Shu Zhe and others only received a bastardized recipe, and the gu worm could not be called Aperture Puncture.
But who was Bai Shou to waste her braincells on naming a cheap copy of a gu worm when she had other matters to address?
Three Days Later.
'Huh…'
Bai Shou felt confident with her newer objectives because… she did it.
She modified a killer move and successfully incorporated Aperture Puncture.
It was surprisingly… convenient.
Twelve Days Later.
'Damn!' Bai Shou vibrated with excitement as Shu Zhe quietly turned the other side and slept peacefully.
'To think I ignored Fickle Travel's potential like this.'
Earlier, she felt Fickle Travel's applications were niche and couldn't be used elsewhere. Deep down, it made Bai Shou humble enough to accept she simply wasn't as intuitive about it as other gu worms. After all, she was always taken to either extremely offensive means that left her enemies despairing, or sneaking in the shadows and scheming—again, leaving her opponents helpless and desperate.
Meanwhile, Fickle Travel Gu Worm was a support-type gu worm.
Only now did she feel inspired about using such a gu worm as an active element!
'To achieve something that outstanding, I'll need earth path gu worms… no!' Her gaze gleamed with frightening prediction. 'Rule Path, too. Also, qi path…'
One Month Later.
Encountering a creative block wasn't new for Bai Shou. The last month had been exceptionally fruitful because of all the foundation she built with human path, including her previous deductions related to Aperture Puncture and Fickle Travel Gu Worm recipes. However, she wasn't frustrated. In fact, her improvements were more than pleasing!
Bai Shou stood out in the open, breathing the fresh air. Her smile widened slightly as she observed a cautious squirrel hiding in a milk tea flower from a yipping fox cub.
She didn't leave their hut for no reason. Another five months flew by since Bai Shou's awakening. Despite such a long duration, it hadn't even been a year in the mainland's time since Bai Shou joined Spirit Affinity House.
'Such disparity in time dilation is beneficial to deduce better methods compared to others living their lives on the mainland. However, I'm also getting older quicker.'
Of course, Bai Shou also possessed three lifespan gu worms. She had a chance to live for another thousand years!
'Thousand years…'
Such a concept wasn't ridiculous to Bai Shou. Her previous world had a few old assholes whose traits revolved around better survivability. The oldest known individual was a 700-year-old former dictator forced to spend nearly 640 years in imprisonment.
She shook her head and calmly approached her destination.
After nearly five months of awakening, Bai Shou was called for another audience with the blessed land's master.
Beyond the grassland was a small lake. Bai Shou and Shu Zhe drew water from it based on their needs. No longer a sect leader, Shu Zhe did not have to keep up with pretenses or waste valuable primeval essence on maintaining the use of house gu worms. So, the couple spent more time acting as villagers, enjoying a simple lifestyle. And like several villagers, they spent more time practicing the arts of child refinement over gu refinement.
Bai Shou's steps didn't pause even as she neared the conspicuous woman. The figure's blonde locks were lush and long, no different from a golden waterfall. However, they weren't straight and grew slightly curled from the middle. Her back, admittedly, was conventionally attractive, with all the curves in the right places.
Soft gusts of wind didn't only rustle the leaves but pick small bells dangling from her phoenix coronet as the chimes synchronized with the whispering leaves.
"Greetings, Senior Sister Feng." Bai Shou began respectfully. "I apologize for my earlier actions. I deserve to be punished for that! I wish I'd asked my wife about this blessed land's owner before trying to make a fool of myself. Sigh. I would never have done anything like that if I knew the daughter of my greatest benefactor became this blessed land's master. But I understand if my words are not enough, Senior Sister Feng. I'll spend a lifetime working hard to prove my worth!"
"Your greatest benefactor?" Feng Jin Huang asked without turning back. "How did my father help you?"
Bai Shou replied without skipping a beat.
"By recruiting me into the sect, Supreme Elder Feng granted me my greatest fortune. The sheer amount of knowledge and resources I stand to gain as a sect disciple cannot be quantified by primeval stones. I owe all my growth and advancement, since my recruitment, to Supreme Elder Feng."
"Good," replied Feng Jin Huang. "Your heart is truly in the right place, Junior Sister Bai Shou."
"However, what about the debts you owe me?"
Bai Shou blinked.
"You mean the hall I burned?" The culprit questioned innocently, making Feng Jin Huang fume internally.
"No." Feng Jin Huang answered, her voice steady and delightful to one's ears. "You were brought into my blessed land to reinforce your soul before it perished. Your soul was very weak. Even if you miraculously survived, you would have been turned into a vegetable."
"I saved your life, Junior Sister Bai Shou. What do you say about such a debt?"
Bai Shou paused and appeared to think carefully about this issue. She cupped her chin and frowned, her expression dazed.
Feng Jin Huang waited patiently.
"I don't owe my life to anyone, Senior Sister Feng. My parents slept with each other, not because I wanted to be born, but they desired a child. I was raised by my clan in Southern Border because the elders wanted a soldier and another capable hand to move the sect's gears."
"My mentor took me in because she wanted a talented disciple."
"And now, I was pulled from a certain death because the sect desires something from me."
"If I owe my life to anyone, it would be my wife, Shu Zhe—because I want it that way."
Bai Shou smiled by the end.
"The debt I owe Senior Sister Feng isn't the debt of life, but the debt of conscience. Nobody lives forever. So, you did not save me from death but only delayed it. However, I admit to becoming a mentally challenged if not entirely comatose without your assistance."
Feng Jin Huang snorted internally. To think Bai Shou would shamelessly avoid such huge assistance with some emotional words! However, Feng Jin Huang was more prepared this time. Her mind was no longer curtained by the fog of arrogance.
"Which means, whatever you think since your awakening is rightfully mine to exploit."
Bai Shou nodded at that.
"Not only my mind, Senior Sister Feng."
Bai Shou's smile thickened with barely veiled intentions.
"This body moves because of the kindness in your heart. So, my body is also yours."
Feng Jin Huang's gaze grew frosty.
'Hmph! Qin Juan's fallen for such a toad? How dare he design schemes around me?!'
However, Bai Shou's words further expanded to her intentions, freezing Jin Huang.
"To force myself in someone else's servitude would not be righteous. However, I wish to pay my debts by helping you with any mission you may require for the next five years."
Feng Jin Huang processed the proposition.
"And why would I need your help? I own a blessed land and no longer hurt for resources. Even before that, both my parents are supreme elders!"
Her tone grew cold.
"You're too arrogant! Hmph! What do I need you for?"
Where Feng Jin Huang expected Bai Shou to follow through the bit with list of her accomplishments and everything she could do, no matter how mundane, she was truly caught unprepared hearing Bai Shou laugh in a carefree manner.
"I apologize," said the shameless giant. "What was I thinking? Such a kindhearted and admirable Senior Sister Feng would never expect anything in return! I almost stained your selfless act with my reasons."
Feng Jin Huang closed her eyes. It wasn't her first encounter with a shameless gu master, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
Controlling her temper, Feng Jin Huang quickly thought of a way to salvage the situation.
"Kindhearted?" Feng Jin Huang sneered before pausing. 'Truly, what do I need Bai Shou for?'
Earlier, she heard of Bai Shou from Qin Juan. At that time, she was also still stuck in a more spirited phase, high on her achievements, and decided to recruit Bai Shou as her underling. Then, after Bai Shou's awakening, the attention the latter garnered from the supreme elders and their subsequent caution also influenced Feng Jin Huang's decisions.
Until now, Feng Jin Huang had never thought about Bai Shou's worth with a moment of clarity.
And yes, she had most of the records on Bai Shou from Fairy Bai La.
'Do I need her talent in these strange human path gu worms? The Aperture Puncture is slightly interesting, but it's not threatening to me unless it's refined up to a rank 5 gu worm or used in a killer move.'
'There's also the record of Bai Shou advancing her body refinement in a week.'
That recording was as graphic as it was inspiring to Feng Jin Huang. She didn't have to imagine the pain Bai Shou suffered because some of her metal path body refinement methods included bathing in bubbling, heated metal! They were all gu masters. Even if an offspring of two gu immortals… no, rather, because she had such an impressive background, her well-wishers never stopped her from taking risks or pain-inducing decisions as long as it benefited her and helped her grow.
Lastly, she watched the recorded battle between Bai Shou and Wang Nan. So, of course, she expected the subject… object of Qin Juan's admiration to be the devious sort.
'I see. I do have some uses for Bai Shou.'
The silence stretched between them, with neither saying anything. Feng Jin Huang admired the view before her, while her sharp senses picked on how Bai Shou also admired the view before him.
Though, she was also wise enough to see-through the ruse, aware that it was another way of Bai Shou to try provoking her.
'As if such a blatant attempt will make me lose my cool.' She thought, amused.
Feng Jin Huang already knew about Bai Shou's achievements. She was also informed about the latter's needs. The soul.
Bai Shou's soul was week.
Without such a comprehensive report, others would chalk it up to the eventuality of cultivation.
It was a certainty that a gu master focusing on one aspect would miss out on several other aspects. But with the report in her hand, Feng Jin Huang noticed a pattern of Bai Shou focusing on her weak soul the most.
'Is this the first time she was caught in that strange daze?' Feng Jin Huang mused, unaware of the true nature of Bai Shou's sleepwalking.
'But it consumed her soul. She must be desperate to increase her soul foundation if the earlier daze wasn't her first time getting in this situation.'
"Human Path." Feng Jin Huan snorted after a while. "I've heard my parents and mentor speak of it. They say it's mysterious and your potential in it isn't ignored. So, oh talent of this mysterious power, how would you describe the human path in simpler terms?"
"Its description?" Bai Shou voiced curiously, more concerned for Feng Jin Huang's need to ask such a thing than the question itself.
"Fire burns. Water flows. Light brightens, and the dark is heavy," Feng Jin Huang recited with a laugh. "Metal is sharp, and a sword cut. Wood is life, and lightning strikes."
"Wind is free, and earth is steady."
For the first time, Feng Jin Huang turned slightly, her profile held by Bai Shou's slightly charmed eyes. The corner of her lips twisted into a compelling smile.
"And this human path? What do you think of it?"
If this was a dating sim, Bai Shou reckoned, she would be struggling to pick between three different options—none of them satisfying enough. She could hem and haw about how Feng Jin Huang's gu immortal relatives probably knew better.
Bai Shou could also appear modest and explain she wasn't too experienced about this path.
But what would any of this achieve?
She wasn't here to butter up Feng Jin Huang or her parents… unless the mom was single? Meanwhile, she couldn't be bothered to appear below the prodigious daughter. It would be different if Bai Shou was an outsider in a clan city. But this was a sect. There were some fundamental differences to this system.
"I was fortunate. My second mentor cleared all my doubts about the human path with a single statement!"
Bai Shou smiled.
"Human lights a fire and roams the sea."
"Human uses the light for activity and finds time to be active even more in the dark."
Feng Jin Huang's features momentarily darkened as she scoffed at the cheeky statement.
"Human molds the metal and wields a sword."
"Human plants a tree and tames lightning."
"Human rides the wind and conquers land."
Bai Shou cupped her fist and bowed slightly. She didn't bow to Feng Jin Huang but the heartfelt sentiment she felt every time while recalling this statement.
She bowed to—
"Human is the spirit of all living beings."
—Primordial Origin Immortal Venerable.
Feng Jin Huang's expression changed slightly.
Slight humility wormed its way into her phoenix-like, proud heart.
"Human is the spirit of all living beings…" She muttered. Of course, what Bai Shou intuitively sensed and admired about certain aspects of this statement would be different from Feng Jin Huang's comprehension.
The latter still couldn't pierce the mystery surrounding the human path. But it felt like she had been offered the road to walk one step at a time.
"As a sect elder, Shu Zhe's capacity doesn't exceed what the sect leader and supreme elders desire, mostly the latter."
Feng Jin Huang turned as brilliant golden metallic wings grew from her back without damaging her flesh or clothes.
"My representative is waiting for you at your residence. From now on, you'll be acting in the blessed land in my stead and keep things in check. The land spirit or my representative will deliver you my orders from time to time."
"For?"
Bai Shou asked.
Feng Jin Huan turned around completely, looking strange. Of course, she caught the deliberate downward shift of Bai Shou's eyes, ignoring it. Again, such a roguish act wouldn't be enough to provoke Feng Jin Huang. She was proud of her beauty and didn't care about others—after all, they could only stare at her.
"For?" Feng Jin Huang laughed. "For living in my blessed land and being alive."
She flew away without another word, leaving Bai Shou wondering—
'Why not just teleport away?'
Shaking her head, Bai Shou shrugged. Earlier, she tried confusing Feng Jin Huang and tossed around terms like kindhearted and what not. However, Feng Jin Huang directly ignored those claims and placed her command.
At the end of the day, mental games worked on one's peers and seldom on those above one's station. As the blessed land's owner, Feng Jin Huang didn't have to care about any morality, and she understood it!
<<<>>>
'Very good, Huang'er.'
Observing their interaction, Bai La couldn't help but nod and smile approvingly.
She was aware that Bai Shou's earlier act of instantly pulling back from any responsibility had caught Feng Jin Huang off-guard. But she was clear-headed enough to directly overlook the matter and move onto establishing a connection since she had the upper hand.
'And the cheek on this junior to call the first Immortal King as his mentor.'
Bai La chuckled, slightly impressed.
'At least, he's insightful and didn't try to push his luck with Huang'er.'
<<<>>>
Bai Shou returned to her residence, only to find another woman inside, enjoying a cup of tea while unable to meet Shu Zhe's gaze.
"I see, Zhe'er."
Bai Shou transformed as her voice deepened, almost making the beautiful woman jump in her skin.
"You met the woman who tests my affection for you every night."
The woman coughed and sputtered.
"What? No! No, Sect Leader Shu!"
Shu Zhe, however, narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, dear. I met her. And she keeps insulting me by calling me a sect leader, reminding me of my great shame."
Qin Juan paled, quickly shaking her head.
"Senior Sister Bai and I never did anything, Sect— Senior Sister Shu!"
"So, you don't like me?" Bai Shou blinked, a gasp escaping his lips.
Qin Juan turned, her eyes wide with surprise and sudden remorse. Her lips parted and she felt speechless, unable to process everything at a pace she ordinarily would if it were anyone else but this shameless troublemaker.
"What is with that reaction?" Shu Zhe's questioned sharply. "Are you suggesting you have eyes for my consort?"
Qin Juan's lips quickly opened and closed.
She shifted from looking at Bai Shou to Shu Zhe, her head in a constant motion.
"I…"
She gulped and grew quiet.
"Hmph!" Qin Juan snorted, returning to her seat. "That wasn't funny."
"It was. Perspective matters."
Bai Shou grinned, undoing the transformation as she took at seat at the table and giggled.
"Yes, don't mind my Shou'er's antics."
Shu Zhe spoke with an affection tone… for the first time ever.
Bai Shou discreetly glanced at her while Qin Juan gulped drily and nodded, meekly lowering her head.
"Still…" Qin Juan muttered, slightly annoyed.
"Consider it a payback for leaving me alone for so long." Bai Shou smiled. "I still can't believe you would prefer Huang over me. I'm way more fun and talented. Trust me, I know. I just met her."
Qin Juan scoffed.
"You're being so petty and short-sighted, Senior Sister."
"You know." Bai Shou deliberately changed the topic. "I still have to return to the sect's public blessed land. Can you talk it over with Huang?" She talked about Feng Jin Huang with extreme familiarity, making Shu Zhe secretly worried about a backlash from the woman's gu immortal parents or the owner of the blessed land herself. Meanwhile, Qin Juan felt slightly sore when she heard the two individuals whom she admired the most being so… close.
"You see, there was this elite disciple, Ge Qu."
Qin Jaun's heart thumped.
"We have a competition arranged. I would like to keep my word, Sister Juan."
"That's impossible," Qin Juan spoke after a brief moment of silence. "I heard about your challenge. Ge Qu… that woman died due to a backlash from refining a gu worm."
Her cheeks turned rosy pink as she leveled with Bai Shou's knowing look.
"Is that so?" Bai Shou drawled. "Such a shame. I liked Ge Qu."
"Well… she's dead." Qin Juan insisted.
"So, I guess I'm stuck here. With my wife and my lovely junior sister. Oh, and Huang, of course. Sigh. A fiery cracker, that one. Can you two believe Huang'er couldn't keep her eyes from my chest? I had to remind her that my current form is still stuck as a woman's body and then I reverted my transformation."
Bai Shou sighed, weaving such a tale that would have Feng Jin Huang cough mouthfuls of blood.
Qin Juan worked her jaw, feeling gloomier by the second.
Finally, she cut Bai Shou off with a tired scoff.
"Senior Sister Feng sent me with some instructions. I need you to come with me, Senior Sister Bai."
"Sure. Just the two of us, like the good old times."
'What good old times?' Qin Juan rolled her eyes. They almost died outside the sect and Bai Shou… she had to protect Qing Juan against a monstrous tide of blood path beast emperors! The recollection left the elite disciple's heart with a sweet sensation as she stood up.
"Please just follow me quietly!"
"Of course."
Bai Shou nodded but made sure to lean over to Shu Zhe and peck her lips.
"I'll be going out for a while, dear."
"Hmm." Shu Zhe chuckled. "Behave appropriately, dear."
However, Qin Juan couldn't shake the feeling that Shu Zhe was warning her instead when the latter glanced at the former.
"I will." Bai Shou grinned, turning on her heel to meet Qin Juan's eyes. "Very appropriately." She smiled thickly, making Qin Juan flush.
***
Alternate Title: Grind!; Swift Inspiration; Letting Go; Enough of the Sunk Cost Fallacy; Moving On Temporarily; Creating Killer Moves; An Appropriate Path; Using Fickle Travel?; Meeting Feng Jin Huang; Golden Peaks Beside the Lake; Bai Shou: Openly Stares at Feng Jin Huang *FJH: Hmph! As if Something This Basic Will Provoke Me*; Bai Shou: Eye Fucks Feng Jin Huang *FJH: Hmph! Useless! Nothing Will Make me Lose My Cool*; Bai Shou: Dual Cultivates the Joy of Yin and Yang With Feng Jin Huang *FJH Lying on the Bed: Hmph! I'm Much too Wise to Care About These Issues*; Heaven's Will at the End of Vol 2: Yes! Bai Shou is Absolutely Fucked and Will Eventually Die; Heaven's Will Currently: Fuck! Bai Shou's Made Contact With Feng Jin Huang! Abort Mission! Abort!; Supreme Talents Think Alike; Qin Juan Will Never Stop Getting Teased; Shu Zhe and Bai Shou Working Qin Juan *Meanwhile, Qin Juan Wondering if Feng Jin Huang is also a Threat* *Le Sun Yao: Still Believes Qin Juan has a Crush on Shu Zhe*; The New Employer; Feng Jin Huang Poked the Orgy's Nest; Feng Jin Huang: Patting Herself on the Back for Job Well Done *In Near Future: Lo Jik Patting Feng Jin Huang's Back to Perform Well on the Job*; Bai La Watching Things Unfold: Absolute Cinema; Jelly Shu Zhe; Shu Zhe's Steady Affection; Bai Shou: My Love Can Transform the Worst Demon in the World *Quietly Glances at Fem Fang Yuan in Another Gu Verse… And Averts His Gaze*; Submitting Her Mind and Body; Primordial When He Revives and Hears the Great Smut Venerable Claiming to be his Disciple: *Coughs Blood*; Bai Shou Learns From Every Venerable Through the Power of Fantasy and Delusion
***
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