Reverend Rizzsanity

Bai Shou maintained a steady cycle of using the Earthwolf Spider to loosen the soil and mimicking a hunter's trap before using the homing White Form Immortal Snake to spit out lumps of smoke. This created the illusion she was intimately aware of her surroundings. However, the truth was different. She was once a hunter, and such a profession rarely changed across the regional walls and continents.

Sure, the hunters of the Central Continent could use different pieces of equipment. However, she had already studied the mortals around her, from their farming tools to irrigation techniques. So, mimicking a hunter created the narrative Bai Shou was trying to escape her pursuit by aiming at the Rank 5 Wisdom Carriage's weak spot—lousy travel conditions.

The constant usage of the White Form Immortal Snake's ability further solidified that story. However, all this wasn't to lower her opponent's guard by lulling them into a sense of repetition and comfort. Bai Shou was aware using such a cheap tactic against a possible Wisdom Path Gu Master was more than moronic—suicidal, even.

She was creating a literal smokescreen for something she believed most useful.

Be it those of strong minds or weak, refined souls or natural ones—none could predict the use of a Gu sought and refined in one's Dreams. At least, Bai Shou made a reasonable bet that it wasn't within the regular range of predictions yet.

So?

'Now.'

A wavy, dream-like Gu Worm suddenly exploded in her mind and rushed out from the center of her forehead like a thin stream of pink smoke. It entered the lump of white smoke sticking to the Rank 5 Wisdom Path Steed.

Bai Shou's gaze sharpened as the Earthwolf Spider and the White Form Immortal Snake flanked the lump of smoke and guarded the surroundings.

Curbing the slightest hesitation in her heart, Bai Shou calmly entered the lump of smoke. Under the White Form Immortal Snake's use, the lump of smoke didn't cover her vision and beguile her senses, and she soon reached the calm Wisdom Carriage Gu.

Rank 5 Heaven and Earth Before My Eyes.

A horizontal third eye appeared on Bai Shou's forehead, which inspected the carriage's insides before she smiled and opened the door. However, she'd already prepared adequate defenses for any accidents.

*Snore*

*Snore*

She cast a slightly strange look at the middle-aged and elderly Gu Masters sleeping in the carriage with peaceful expressions.

'Intense Dream Gu… is terrifying. It has to be a part of a new Path,' Bai Shou confirmed in her heart. 'Dreams always have strange origins, and Dream Beasts once hunted everything in their paths in the Legends of Ren Zu, soon swallowing one of Ren Zu's children. They were also present when Ren Zu created humanity. There is a reason we dream in the Gu World…'

Bai Shou quietly performed the Scan The Dao Killer Move.

The blue, inverted tetrahedron first landed on the older Rank 3 Gu Master. Filaments of varied colors soon emerged from the Gu Master, forming into a realistic three-dimensional model mimicking the man's sleeping posture and revealing several secrets that he kept hidden, including—

'Hmm? That's the mark of Enslavement Path Dao Mark on his soul? From a Slavery Gu? I saw him in the Rhino Stomp Sect… he must be a rival sect's spy.'

Bai Shou then observed the Elder's Aperture and thoroughly searched for all the Gu Masters hidden in his body.

The results were mediocre. The Elder had a rather exemplary Earth Path set. However, it barely registered as noteworthy to the current Bai Shou.

Then, she began inspecting the mysterious Rank 5 Initial Stage expert.

'Oh? A Wisdom Path Gu Master indeed.'

She noticed a dense number of Wisdom Path Dao Marks of the mortal variety in the expert's head, bloodstream, and even soul. Bai Shou instantly understood she could have never harmed the man's soul, yet it was rapidly weakened inside the Dream.

'It's a pity I don't have a Slavery Gu or anything similar from the Dreamer Gu Worms,' she sighed before inspecting his Gu Worms.

'… Impressive.'

Her gaze brightened.

Although she had a decent Wisdom Path Set from Hu Mei Er, Bai Shou preferred the more orthodox side of the Wisdom Path. Dealing with emotions and enchantment always risked a similar backlash, something Hu Mei Er experienced when facing Lo Jik in San Cha Mountain.

However, the expert in front of her boasted a rather lavish set!

Rank 5 Heaven's Will Gu.

Rank 5 Heaven's Gaze Gu.

Rank 5 Still Mind Gu.

Rank 4 Knowledge's Bounty Gu.

Rank 4 Healthy Mind Gu.

Rank 4 Just Thoughts Gu.

Rank 4 Scroll Carpet Gu.

Rank 4 Storage Booklet Gu.

'Heaven's Will Gu…' Bai Shou sighed. She had searched for it for so long, needing it to invade the Blessed Land. However, those thoughts were useless.

'The Gu Set is outstanding,' she looked around. 'There's also the Rank 5 Wisdom Carriage outside and…'

She got out before using the Killer Move on the eerie Horse Sculpture.

Unexpectedly, she found nothing.

Her Killer Move failed to scan and display the three-dimensional model of the Dao Marks forming the golden mineral.

Yet, this failure revealed so much.

'An Immortal Killer Move,' Bai Shou's expression dropped after confirming her worst fears. She had already noticed a conspicuous Information Path Dao Mark on the unknown expert's soul, which did not conform to the usual oath binding Gu Worms.

'Is this asshole from a Super Sect? Or worse, one of the Ten Ancient Sects…' Bai Shou frowned. 'Killing him will trigger the mark on his soul and notify his elders about his demise. If he doesn't wake up from the dream, he's dead either way.'

To think she would have to relocate so quickly…

'The Gu Worms aren't tampered, so I can loot him. But any malicious act against him might also trigger the mark. After all, I'm unsure which Gu was used to create it.'

'The carriage is also nice…'

Bai Shou thought momentarily before sighing. It's not like she would let these two live even if they survive the Dream Path Offensive Gu. Nobody in their right mind wanted to be on a Super Force's bad side unless they had an escape plan prepared. Bai Shou did have an escape plan and still got rammed in the ass by an Immortal!

Asking for the same result for the second time wasn't on Bai Shou's list of objectives.

These two needed to die. So, Bai Shou cast the golden statue another wary glance before getting to work. Since she'd already inspected the expert's Aperture, she affirmed that his Investigation Method originated from the Killer Move held within the Horse Sculpture. Destroying it may also trigger a chain reaction.

However, leaving it was also undesirable. Since it tracked Bai Shou once, it could be used to achieve the same again.

'What to do?'

Bai Shou took the two men out before plundering their Gu. She'd refine them slowly, but tackling the Wisdom Carriage was an immediate concern.

*Hiss*

Bai Shou let out the Blood River Python alongside the other Steed Gu to pressurize the Carriage. Furthermore, she released the barest hint of the Divine Travel Immortal Gu in her body before refining the Steed Gu using the suppressed Rank 5 Refine Will Gu.

Next, she arranged for the Rank 5 expert to lie on the ground and supported the elderly above the middle-aged man in a classic cowgirl… or, in this case, a cowboy position—just for her amusement.

A few expendable explosive Gu littered their surroundings as Bai Shou looked uncertain about dealing with the golden sculpture.

'If only I had more information… or a better method of enslaving them.'

Bai Shou shrugged and left the region, soon experiencing a whiplash of wind as a terrible explosion rocked the surroundings, sending the nearby mortals into a panic.

'Maybe I was onto something when I called myself the Unchained Vagabond. I can't seem to stay in one spot for long.'

She sighed and adjusted her collars and hair before continuing ahead.

'I have too much to do. Human Path, Refinement Path, and now the effectiveness of these Dream Gu also warrant dedicated research. Not to mention the refinement of more Adaptive Qi Gu and Qualitative Dream Gu… more. If only I could be more…'

She thought dazedly. Even now, she didn't stop using the Invisibility Gu and continued to hide her tracks.

'Dreamer Gu exists… their main ability is to explore these Dreams. However, they also are the most versatile form of Gu Worms I encountered.'

She shuddered.

'Clones… if Wu Ji can do it, why not me?'

'If Dreamer Gu exists… is there a possibility of Refiner Gu? Attacker Gu? What about a similar Gu related to Rule and Wisdom Paths?'

'And speaking of getting more hands at work… I need to think about Hu Mei Er after stabilizing my situation. Hmm…'

She suddenly smiled.

'Vital Humans are also an extension of the Clones in a way. Indeed, it's possible. I also have the model of the Dao Fragment related to the Dreamer Gu. The recipe must be based on modifying that fragment. In a way, I can create a recipe to modify the Dreamer Gu, saving me many resources.'

Yet, she had inherited Imaginative Strength's inheritance and resonated with the mad lad's provocative words.

Imagine! Imagine! Imagine!

Sky was the limit to a Gu Master, and their Imagination was the sword to cleave past the heaven!

So, Bai Shou couldn't help but imagine!

'I have the Hairy Transformation Gu… if I can create clones… why not a Hairy Man supremely aligned with the Refinement Path?'

The second this thought appeared in her mind, it took a deceptively majestic root.

All her thoughts instantly steered toward making this dream a possibility!

'To transform a Dreamer Gu into a Hairy Man Gu or the like with the Hairy Transformation Gu. The theory is sound, and I already possess the two crucial materials. All I need to do is develop a recipe… which might take a long time.'

She sighed before giggling.

"Good. The result would be worth the investments."

<<<>>>

Wisdom Path has always been mysterious. It was a statement true for far too many aspects of the Dao, from the Phantom and Theft Paths to the earliest known aspects, such as the Space and Time Paths. What a Gu Master could comprehend from these aspects was always different and related to their upbringing and thought process.

Would Bai Shou be crazy enough to believe she could create a clone that was a Hairy Man if not for her circumstances and growth?

Similarly, everyone explored the Dao with their unique methods.

But what about someone willing to explore everything?

What about the mad desire and tainted hunger for more?

A Gu Master's appetite, like their imagination, was often unbound even under the limitless sky.

So, there must have been an ambitious Wisdom Path Gu Master, not necessarily a human, who desired to seek and understand everything—to witness the very machinations of the Grand Dao. With that desire and ambition came the creation of a strange Wisdom Path Gu.

The Rank 5 Heaven's Will Gu.

The Gu World was a host of ambiguous concepts, and the best example to prove that statement would be the existence of Adaptive Qi, something any human would generate to tackle regional qi suppression. It was such a niche, yet an otherworldly demon like Glorious Gacha Demon capitalized on its existence, inventing the Human Adaptive Qi Gu.

Another mysterious aspect of the Gu World was 'Heavenly Power.'

Every Blessed Land possessed its Heavenly Power, allowing a Land Spirit to control the entire Blessed Land and act as the most supreme being in their Immortal residences.

The so-called Heavenly Power also existed in the Gu Continent. In fact, the Blessed Land's Heavenly Power was taken from the Gu Continent during its creation, allowing it to become a separate yet stable world!

So?

What was this Heavenly Power if not a form of omnipotent energy that existed everywhere—all-knowing and feeling!

Heaven's Will Gu acts as a gate to feel the surrounding Heavenly Power.

Of course, Bai Shou knew more. She already had several Immortal Inheritances and realized the core of the so-called Heavenly Power was what the Immortals claimed as Heaven and Earth Qi alongside the dao marks of their independent worlds, the blessed lands.

But how would communicating with the Heavenly Power or the surrounding Heaven and Earth Qi assist a Gu Master?

The very structure of existence was the Grand Dao and the Dao Marks. It was felt and found in every particle of the land. In an Otherworldly Gu Master's terms, it was the philosophical cousin of atoms.

If the Particle Viewing Gu was a method of visualizing the Dao Fragments to assist in refinement, the use of Heaven's Will Gu allowed a Gu Master to sense their surrounding Dao Marks, to attune themselves with the call of natural energy and to boost one's attainment slow and steady. The Dao Marks perceived using this method was dependent on one's surroundings. When closer to locations filled with refinement path resources, one felt the call of Refinement Dao, and so on.

The effects sounded incredible on paper, but the pace of comprehension would put a lazy turtle to shame. One could spend years and still remain stuck on Ordinary Attainment.

However, Killer Moves could change the story's end. The use of the Gu depended on the Gu Master.

Bai Shou once needed the Heaven's Will Gu to communicate with a Blessed Land's Heavenly Power to subjugate and control it. Though that event had already turned to Hell, Bai Shou still appreciated the Gu.

She closed her eyes and used the Heaven's Will Gu.

It looked like a dark-purple scorpion with a deep-yellow poisonous tip. The scorpion crawled onto Bai Shou's arm before injecting its sting into her wrist, flooding her with a mysterious fluid to temporarily tamper with her perception—

Bai Shou's eyes shot wide open as a deep sense of panic from an unknown origin stuffed her chest. She looked around, confused. Her body suddenly began to ooze a familiar dark cloud filled with resentment and accusation. A sense of predator swirled in the darkness, trying to swallow Bai Shou whole!

It was the same aura of resentment and rejection her Second Aperture released whenever she absorbed a Primeval Stone—the Hope Gu Worm's food!

The cloud of resentment continued to form around her as Bai Shou's senses connected with something special. Her surroundings should have revealed the surrounding land's fertility and stability, which the Earth Path was best known for. However, Bai Shou found her gaze attracted to something beautiful in the swirl of conspicuous black clouds.

It was like a distant, twinkling star.

A gentle whisper kissed her cheek.

A soothing breath reached for her lips.

The sensation was inviting. It was something pure, something divine.

'…gle…'

Bai Shou remained mesmerized by the swirling beauty within those starry orbs. She knew it held all her answers. Whatever she wanted to know, she would get an answer, and all her doubts and fears would turn to dust.

'…ruggle…'

A gentle smile played on Bai Shou's lips.

All she needed to do was grant entrance to the primordial knowledge dancing at her feet.

'STRUGGLE!'

A low roar echoed from the depths of Bai Shou's mind as she paid it no heed.

'I heard you the first time.'

Bai Shou reached for the swirling mass that rapidly condensed around her hand.

And…

All of it was sucked in one fell swoop into the shining Hope Gu, filling the slightly starving Vital Gu again.

Bai Shou snorted and glanced at the Heaven's Will Gu in her hand.

'So, no direct uses. Something's fucked up about me after all.'

Bai Shou instantly moved from her current position. She had only recently found another hamlet…

Alas…

'Just what is my body rejecting?' She moved without any fear. 'Is it related to my Divine Capacity?'

Bai Shou narrowed her eyes, replaying the same cold yet dreamy voice trying to guide her through some struggle when she lay paralyzed in Ba Gui Blessed Land. A sense of mystery clouded her vision as Bai Shou remained unable to pierce through the fog to understand who that voice belonged to and why she remembered it around the sudden spurt of the Aura of Rejection around her by connecting with the Heavenly Power around her.

'Would it interfere with my ascension?' Bai Shou thought with a heavy heart.

'And what were those pair of stars?'

She sighed and recalled those pair of soul-sucking orbs. It was like facing an aspect of truth. Her entire being was taken by the beauty dancing in those glimmering orbs…

'Eyes…' Bai Shou gulped. 'Those were eyes. But whose?'

<<<>>>

The room lay seized with tension so thick and palpable that one could feel their sweat oozing from their pores. It was a challenge to breathe louder than the gentlest of sighs. If a Gu Master's aura had any other physical effects, the intensity with which the Rank 5 aura in the room blazed would have turned the surroundings into ashes and the land mourning in pain.

A Rank 5 Gu Master's fury was something no other mortal should face. Though boasting a more significant number in the Central Continent, a Rank 5 Gu Master was just as rare in other lands as in the Central one. The maids stood to the side, fearing they would become a vain target for their lord to vent on, their souls shrieking in their flesh as if commanding them to run this instant! Yet, their feet posed a mind of their own, staying rooted like the stubborn ancient trees.

Staring outside the window, indifferent to his lavish surroundings, the bald Middle-Stage Rank 5 Gu Master let his gaze sweep over the massive garden. Rare flowers bloomed in one garden, irrespective of their needs and necessities. Further into the garden was a bamboo grove.

"Hehe, Little Brother. You see this bamboo leaf? Pinch it."

"Ah! It exploded. Cough cough! What is that? It's spicy!"

"Haha! I told you to always be cautious. Never believe everything others say, including me. You want to be an accomplished trader, right? It's the most basic rule for every wealthy merchant!"

Memories constantly resurfaced in the Gu Master's mind.

'Brother…'

The Gu Master mourned quietly. Yet, his intense gaze betrayed nothing but fury.

"Hah! Marriage? Me? I don't look handsome."

"Don't say that, brother. You already have an A-grade aptitude. Anyone would want to marry you."

"No, little brother. You don't understand. Marriage is meaningless to me. I shall eventually explore the Continent after helping you set up your business. I also looked over other issues in the town and settled your problems."

"You shouldn't have—"

"Be at ease, Little Brother. You have been kind to me. I may have an A-grade Aperture, but you were the more fortunate one… and you even shared your inheritance with me. It's the least I could do."

"Heh? Then why don't you tell me the truth? You joined a really amazing Sect, right?"

"Hah! I did! And I brought you resources. I have talent and connections, and you have fortune on your side. You will eventually become an outstanding Gu Master with more resources. Here, take this Primeval Elder Gu and cultivate."

The Gu Master sighed. His brother was not blessed with looks, but he was smart and talented. His ambitions never touched trade, something their father desired. However, his talents allowed the entire town to enjoy an uplifted quality of life.

Now, their parents were gone, and it was just them brothers…

—Until a few hours ago, when the Gu Expert noticed his Elder Brother's death.

'I'm sorry, Elder Brother,' the man mourned. 'I was greedy. I should have shared everything with you. But you were always more talented… I thought it would be enough. I thought your sect would ensure your safety. If I knew this would have happened… I would have shared the entire content of my Heavenly Informant Inheritance.'

Tears spilled from his raging eyes.

'I will kill the bastard who killed you! I definitely will!'

'I will strip their soul and burn it for eternity!' The Gu Master wiped his tears and regained his composure before turning around.

However, his expression froze once he realized all the maids in his room soundlessly lay unconscious on the floor. A wizened, green-haired man sat on a nearby cultivation mattress with flowing blue robes imprinted with white snakes.

"I'm from your Elder Brother's sect," the Old Man spoke softly, yet a wave of power crashed into the room, leaving the Rank 5 Gu expert breathless. "We, from the Wind Cloud Manor, have always enjoyed an unfettered life. Your brother, Elder Jiu, was an accomplished man and someone I kept an eye on within the sect due to his potential."

The words sent the Rank 5 Gu Master reeling in shock.

The Wind Cloud Manor?

It was one of the Ten Great Ancient Sects!

But how?

How could anyone kill an expert from the ancient sects?

"His demise, though startling, bore little weight on hearts," the man reminded gently, indicating that the loss of a Rank 5 Gu Master, though unusual, did not create any significant waves. Still, the strange… Immortal maintained a serene expression. "Your Brother always wished the best for you and left his inheritance and sect contribution points to you."

Then the Immortal spoke the words the Rank 5 expert was dying to hear.

"It's not unusual for a sect member to want to leave everything for their family. Inside this Gu Worm is the list of materials available to the Wind Cloud Manor's Elders. You may exchange anything under the limits of Late Elder Jiu's contribution points."

Then the Immortal chuckled.

"Though, I would recommend the Rank 5 Vengeful Guidance Gu. It should work with your inheritance, no?"

"Y-You knew?" The Rank 5 expert's gaze widened as he matched the Immortal's meaningful gaze.

"So… Elder Brother knew, too…" he sighed.

"No," he suddenly realized, and tears began to flow anew. "Elder Brother… he was the one who set that Inheritance, right?"

"The Heavenly Informant Inheritance?" The Immortal revealed a rare look of fondness. "I allowed your brother to peruse through the information. He then spent three years carefully refining everything to get you started. Imagine his—and mine—surprise when you decided to share it, even a portion of it… There was a reason I only kept an eye on your Elder Brother but never committed to nurturing him."

Jiu Loong Jin raised his head, eyes red with grief.

"You do not possess your Elder Brother's aptitude and talents, but you have a high affinity with the Information Path. You applied your understanding of the Information Path in your trade and brought the Inheritance to a height your brother could not because he was more suited for the Wisdom Path related to predictions."

"Select the resource of your choice, child," the Gu Immortal encouraged. "And if you are willing, start a journey of cultivation under me."

"Who are you?" Jiu Loong Jin questioned. Brief suspicion bled into his gaze as he recalled his Brother's warning when he suddenly felt the full brunt of an Immortal's aura.

"Me? Why, I am a Rank 7 Gu Immortal. My peers call me several names. However, my enemies know me the best as the Heavenly Informant Immortal."

Jiu Loong Jin fell to his knees.

"D-Disciple greets Master!"

The Immortal nodded and waved his hand as Jiu Loong Jin was swept up to stand straight.

"I'm not your master yet, child. You will never have a calm heart to study under me unless you fulfill your vengeance. We're all grown-ups here. Satisfy your revenge and find me at Wind Swept Heights."

A token flew out of the Elder's robes and landed on Jiu Loong Jin's palm.

"What if I cannot fulfill my revenge?" the Rank 5 youngling inquired.

"Well, I didn't peg you for the kind to not bet your life on the line for avenging a loved one," Heavenly Informant chuckled meaningfully and soon disappeared after Jiu Loong Jin took and refined the Vengeful Guidance Gu among a few other resources.

Rank 5 Vengeful Guidance.

It was a rare and expendable Information Path Gu capable of creating a path in the user's perception leading to the source of their vengeance, wherever they may be—unless they escape beyond the Qi Walls.

Jiu Loong Jin's heart burned with flames of vengeance as he used the Gu Worm, and his gaze instantly shifted. He could now see red-colored footsteps a few meters ahead before they vanished into nothingness.

As long as he kept following these steps…

He would soon encounter his Brother's killer!

***

Alternate Title: Dangerous Dreams; An Attack With No Decent Counter; Plundered; Poor Fate; Unlucky?; Choosing The Best Method To Dispose The Enemy; Hidden Stories; Outstanding Scanning; EXPLOSION; Running Away; The Heaven's Will; Heavenly Power; The Blessed Land's Secret; Communication With The Dao; A Stream of Geniuses Since Immemorial Era; Mysteries; Refinement Clones?; A New Path To Develop; A Hairy Man Clone?; Cloud of Discontent; Dem Eyes; Watched; Struggle; A Mind Infallible; The Very Primordial Knowledge?; A Call of Heaven; The Brother's Anger; The Sect Elder; Supreme Elder; Heavenly Informant; A Looming Threat; Vengeance Guidance; Add Another Path In The List of Bai Shou's Weakness—Information Path; Wind Cloud Manor; A Wild Ancient Sect Appeared

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