Bai Shou secured her residence within Blue Saint Fog Camp. Now able to understand the mystery of the formation path by the slightest bit, Bai Shou actively modified all her formations and no longer felt as paranoid as before, creating something different and challenging to penetrate or inspect without alerting her. Of course, her defenses paled compared to the use of an investigation immortal killer move, but she wasn't worried.
She was neither delving into her crazier secrets nor did she believe other gu immortals would spend valuable beads of immortal essence on her.
It had been six months since she emerged from the previous closed door cultivation session as a wisdom path grandmaster.
'I'm 33-years-old now.'
Bai Shou realized. Based on the gu world's flow of time, she merely spent 10 years in cultivation. However, she spent a lot of time in two different blessed lands.
'A 33-year-old grandmaster…'
Bai Shou didn't feel arrogant.
'Dreamer Gu was copied and created as a reward. So, it exists naturally somewhere. Who knows when it will be discovered alongside other dream gu recipes?' She mused. Would her pace of growth be considered outstanding compared to others if every talented gu master had access to a Dreamer Gu?
Bai Shou knew the answer. She was self-aware.
'A gu immortal with such a thing would be even more terrifying. Other nine sects would absolutely not let go of Dang Hun Mountain if dream gu were popular enough.'
She sighed and came to be.
The last few months were, for the lack of a better word, interesting. Bai Shou didn't jealously accumulate and guard her contribution points and spent them freely. She even purchased a few slaves a couple of times.
Her understanding of human path continued to rise after making some necessary sacrifices.
'But the origin of the clones did not change. Even if they look human and have sexual organs, they cannot reproduce.' Bai Shou confirmed, unabashed by the actions she took. Why would the thought of a gu worm with her face engaged in sexual acts with another slave ever affect her? She knew better than to compare them with actual humans, or herself. These clones were tools, and Bai Shou used them as she saw fit.
Her human path attainment never stopped rising, its pace steady and pleasant.
Even Rank 5 Rockman Gu couldn't reproduce.
'They won't reproduce unless I change the nature of their origins. But what should I change their nature to? From a gu worm to what?'
Bai Shou pondered deeply.
'A human?'
She shook her head. Why would she do that? Humans were everywhere.
'Even if I refine a gu worm that transforms into a true human, then it won't be a gu worm. That is… a gu worm refining a human.'
Bai Shou worked her jaw, feeling her intuition suddenly drawn to a particular path. After all, she was also a refinement path master and felt intrigued by the idea of refining a human.
'Sex and reproduction, in a sense, can be considered human path's method of refining new humans. But it doesn't involve gu worms. In fact, all humans and variant humans have some understanding of the human path by the virtue of living and experiencing life. That is why I initially wanted to invest in Ju Lin.'
'Meanwhile, refining a human using a gu worm would entail several refinement path mysteries.'
Even if she was somehow able to achieve this… Bai Shou still wanted to understand if it was feasible and worthwhile.
'It could be considered a form of life-extension method.'
Bai Shou nodded to herself. She even had a prototype for such a thing—Descendant Gu!
Once activated, this rank 5 gu worm consumed the target's remaining lifespan to spill out an offspring of the same bloodline, gender, and aptitude. It was a form of clone. But this offspring did not have the original target's memories.
'But what if they did?'
Bai Shou's mind worked vigorously, thoughts clashing and growing, splintering and fusing.
'They will grow as a normal human with another chance at cultivation and their previous knowledge. If they prepare a few time path and relic gu worms, they can forcefully grow quicker and advance to their peak!'
'It might become a valuable project. Lifespan Gu is rare and all gu immortals scramble for the next best thing, the life-extension methods. But I might be getting ahead of myself if I delve into it now.'
Bai Shou already had other plans.
She calmly prepared the refinement chamber and refilled Rank 5 Refiner and Hairy Man Gu Worm's aperture's primeval essence.
These two made great support during the refinement of a gu worm, easing the load off Bai Shou's shoulders substantially.
Rank 4 Phantom Longbow Gu emerged from Bai Shou's body with another thought as the trio began to refine Bai Shou's first strength path innovation.
The process wasn't too tiring, but it was very time-consuming.
After focusing on human path for a long time, Bai Shou felt it was necessary to redirect her attention on her strength path. She was unwilling to let it stagnate due to how complete her inheritance was and Imaginative Strength's innovation in Fickle Heart Strength Gu and Particle Viewing Gu broadening her prospects as a strength path gu immortal. The one thing she wanted to improve was her lack of options in a long-range battle.
Phantom Longbow Gu served her faithfully and never let down any of Bai Shou's expectations. But it wasn't a strength path gu worm.
Her ambitions were immense, and she wanted to incorporate a long-range attack option in Imaginative Strength's mortal killer move. Adding Phantom Longbow Gu to that set was very problematic because that simple addition would completely change the killer move, forcing Bai Shou deduce something new from the ground up.
She didn't want to do that.
She could do it, but there was no wisdom in it. Instead, Bai Shou might as well spend her time, resources, and efforts deducing a recipe that had great synergy with the killer move and could fit right in without changing many things.
Soon, Bai Shou was left with another rank 4 gu worm.
Retrieving Refiner and Hairy Man Gu Worms, Bai Shou closed her eyes and focused on recuperating before observing the dark-grey ant. It looked nothing like Rank 4 Phantom Longbow Gu. The gu worm settled in her left hand, forming a grey dot in the center of her palm.
*Whoosh*
*Clack*
Once activated, the gu worm formed into a savage bone bow! It was a huge mechanism, with gruesome ridges and strange scars on its surface. The string of the bow looked like a twirled blend of tendons and flesh. Even as Bai Shou stood, this herculean bow managed to surpass her height!
Rank 4 Little Giant Bone Bow Gu.
Bai Shou inspected calmly. There were three main materials to refine this bow gu worm.
First, a Giant's bone, flesh, and tendons. It wasn't necessary for the giant to be strong because of Bai Shou's next key material but if the giant Bai Shou nurtured had grown enough, the materials taken from him should have cut the process by half. Still, Bai Shou was careful when she harvested from this strength path treasure trove, keeping him unconscious and spending a lot of effort to heal him to his best condition.
Stroking the long fleshy string with her index finger, Bai Shou carefully pulled it back, feeling the fearsome resistance. One needed a decent foundation in strength path to draw this bow.
At once, Bai Shou felt her strength traveling into the bow, forming into a mist-like arrow filled with strength qi!
The second key material was Strength Qi Gu. It was used to bathe the gu refinement process in strength qi, achieving this effect.
Bai Shou suddenly let go. However, the strange arrow did not shoot out as one might expect.
It stayed.
'This was done by making use of the third crucial material in one of the last refinement steps—Brave Will.'
'Each arrow is filled with my will. I need to draw the string to create the arrow, but I can shoot it anytime!'
Bai Shou's gaze grew excited.
Transforming Phantom Longbow Gu into the recently deduced Little Giant Bone Bow Gu had its merits and demerits. Bai Shou couldn't have everything in the world, not yet at least.
Phantom Longbow Gu offered Bai Shou a great versatility. Also, being a good marksman was never an issue for her because she was a master archer even if the new ability to control the arrow was more effective. Additionally, she lost the use of her earlier killer move, Last Arrow.
But Bai Shou sacrificed these benefits for huge gains.
First, Little Giant Bone Bow Gu was a strength path long-range offensive gu worm. It would add to her foundation as a gu immortal if Bai Shou managed to tackle the perilous advancement successfully.
Second, being able to control the arrow was a huge boon because Bai Shou could catch enemies by surprise!
Third, and most importantly, this gu worm was hand-crafted precisely for a significantly better killer move. Bai Shou could add this gu worm and solve the issue of long-range option without needing to change anything else!
With a thought, heavy mist flooded out of Bai Shou. An unimaginable pressure assaulted her surroundings before a phantom of a huge, phantom-like grey bow emerged and disappeared quickly.
*Huff*
Bai Shou breathed loudly, her eyes filled with excitement.
'It works!'
She couldn't help but grin.
'Did Imaginative Strength ever imagine this?' She wasn't mocking the good man but was filled with genuine admiration. Her journey of strength path began because of Imaginative Strength. But that is also why she was filled with the ambition to surpass him and others.
Forming the Scan the Dao killer move and now innovating Rank 4 Little Giant Bone Bow Gu to overcome one major flaw in a gu immortal's killer move was the same as taking firm steps towards surpassing such talents!
<<<>>>
"Hmm?"
Bai Shou yawned as she entered the war room, instantly locating Shu Zhe sitting and going through all the information collected by the scouts.
"What's happening outside?" Bai Shou questioned as she walked over and planted a kiss on top of Shu Zhe's head. Han Yulan and Zi Jun Zhen flatly glared at the duo. "Everyone is feeling relaxed today. Did Jirou Na decide to send more reinforcements?"
Shu Zhe replied without looking up, slightly relaxed.
"You've been working hard." Her tone maintained its rigidness in the duo legacy disciple's presence, but Bai Shou discerned the gratitude hidden within. Shu Zhe continued after noting her consort's hard work. "A disciple of Heaven's Envy Manor lost it and defiled two of his senior sisters before escaping. Currently many disciples are looking for him. Such demonic gu masters cannot be tolerated loitering in Reincarnation Battlefield and must be removed as quickly as possible."
Bai Shou's eyebrow rose in surprise.
Killing didn't make a disciple demonic in here but other crimes against their fellow brothers and sisters certainly did. Alas, it wasn't uncommon. Some disciples broke quicker, and some took their time, thinking they could adapt, only to crack and let go of their inhibitions. The ten ancient sects knew how dangerous such demons could become if left unchecked and swiftly imprisoned them, not letting them cause havoc any further.
"So, Heavenly Lotus Sect sent for temporary truce?"
Bai Shou inquired.
"Hmm."
Shu Zhe nodded.
"Why are you still here?"
Zi Jun Zhen questioned icily as Bai Shou tilted her head.
"Where else should I be?" She smiled. "Do you want a beating, too?"
Zi Jun Zhen's eyes widened. Han Yulan chuckled and mediated. "Sister Zi did not mean any offense, Sister Bai. She was merely wondering if you had any other responsibilities."
Bai Shou nodded.
"I see. That sounds reasonable."
She hummed and glanced at Shu Zhe. "I wanted to take another loan, Sect Leader Shu."
"Granted." Shu Zhe replied in her monotone without missing a beat.
"She barely made even today."
Zi Jun Zhen erupted, glaring at the couple. "Are you not afraid of losing other disciples' trust if you keep exploiting your position, Elder Shu?"
Shu Zhe finally looked up from the information path gu worm.
"Take deep breathes and calm your mind, Disciple Zi." Shu Zhe leaned back into her seat, unmoved by the elder woman's anger. "Disciple Bai is specifically sent here by a Supreme Elder for an express purpose of improving and stabilizing the sect's situation in this battlefield. She is also adept in refinement path and makes a great use of her contribution points. The more methods she researches, the better our position will be."
Supreme elder… the title would suppress other disciples. But legacy disciples were part of a supreme elder's faction and did not easily flinch under the weight of this position even when they might lower their heads in respect and awe.
"Better?" Zi Jun Zhen sneered.
"Better for who?" She questioned. "It is only better for you two. Disciple Bai openly exchanges for many blood path materials and gu worms in our treasury and you expect us to believe her research is for the sect?"
Shu Zhe nodded seriously.
"I do."
"Then it must have nothing to do with injuries inflicted on your aperture, right?" Zi Jun Zhen pressed coldly.
The room descended into a gloomy silence.
Shu Zhe nodded again.
"Healing me is the same as allowing me to use my methods more and form better strategies consistently. I am part of the sect. As long as Disciple Bai continues her research to heal my injuries, it is in the same breath as healing the sect. And Disciple Bai also spearheads most of our attacks."
She continued, leaving Zi Jun Zhen speechless.
"You or any other disciple may also claim such service if you can beat Disciple Bai."
Why won't Shu Zhe capitalize on the fact that strength mattered the most here.
Zi Jun Zhen scoffed and left the room.
Han Yulan also left after some time.
"Why do you want the two of them out?" Bai Shou questioned after confirming their privacy.
"What do you mean?" Shu Zhe dodged.
"You keep sending those two in several missions. Zi Jun Zhen is especially pissed because she died once. No matter her status as a legacy disciple and her talents, she is a weaker gu master who had to spend a great deal of resources to regather most of her gu set."
"Let me ask you something."
Shu Zhe pointed out.
"For what reason do those two remain? Their period of baptism is already concluded, and they didn't let this battlefield's nature affect them. So, they aren't addicted to battles yet."
Bai Shou contemplated before going quiet.
"Do they want something from us?" She questioned.
"Maybe." Shu Zhe hummed. "I don't have enough clues."
"Okay. Now, you're just lying to get me in bed," Bai Shou scoffed. Shu Zhe chose to punish Bai Shou with her silence, and the latter punished Shu Zhe with a giant's cock whenever she lied. Either way, Bai Shou got to experience the wonders of human path every time.
Shu Zhe scoffed quietly.
"I'm not lying. I'm just stating half-truths."
Bai Shou asked bluntly.
"Why?"
"Why?" Shu Zhe repeated, looking at her deeply. "Because there are things I don't wish to state. And these sentiments aren't anything embarrassing but some truths that nobody knows of."
She inquired sharply.
"Isn't it the same for you?"
Although quiet, Bai Shou didn't avoid Shu Zhe's intense gaze.
"What do you want to know?" Bai Shou asked candidly.
Aware of her partner's nature and not taking her words as rhetoric, Shu Zhe considered her doubts and response.
If Bai Shou answered truthfully, Shu Zhe would also need to take that step forward.
"No…" She sighed. "I'm not ready."
"But you already answered my question." Bai Shou chuckled as she leaned back and placed her feet on the table. She knocked over a few mountains displayed in the miniature model of Reincarnation Battlefield on the table.
"I only wanted to know why you kept some things hidden," Bai Shou explained with a soft smile. "And you cleared my doubts. But I never knew you had more doubts about me. Go ahead, ask."
Shu Zhe frowned.
This wasn't a new dynamic in their relationship. Bai Shou loved taking these reckless charges forward, almost toying with the sense of normalcy Shu Zhe nurtured.
'And she doesn't understand love?' Shu Zhe sneered internally. Truly, Bai Shou was the most perfect example of a self-aware individual's obliviousness. However, she also did not have any good method of keeping true to the promise she made to Bai Shou the night they consorted with bitter wine and sweet spring water as their witness.
And yet… Shu Zhe's heart itched.
She began weighing her options again, almost all roads leading to their shared bedroom for another night of a passionate, wet, and undoubtedly fulfilling discussion of the Great Dao.
"What are you?"
Those words left Shu Zhe's mouth.
"Your consort." The seductress grinned.
"What makes you so attractive to other supreme elders?" Shu Zhe cut to the chase. "I don't believe it is just your sense of belonging with the human path because those benefits only appeared after you moved to Hu Immortal Blessed Land. Why do they place so much attention on you?"
Bai Shou leaned back, dazedly looking at the ceiling.
Shu Zhe wondered if Bai Shou would now change her mind and demand similar answers.
She was ready to drop the topic entirely.
It was bound to sour their mood for a few days, but Shu Zhe believed it wouldn't matter after a while.
"I think you deserve to know…" Bai Shou hummed softly, her gaze reminiscent and distant.
"I think my first wife also deserved to know before she passed away."
"I never knew about it, you know." She continued. "I never knew this secret wasn't really a secret. That… it didn't threaten my life."
She shook her head, chuckling wryly.
"No. It might paint a target on my back. My kind are rare."
Shu Zhe paled slightly.
"Your kind?" She questioned, her heart clenched and a wave of complicated emotions assaulting her firm mind and control.
'He cannot be a variant human, right? What else could those words mean?' Shu Zhe gulped. She didn't hate variant humans but understood why they were oppressed. But if Bai Shou turned out to be a variant human…
She regained her composure, slightly surprised at the brief loss of her control.
'No. Variant humans aren't rare.' Shu Zhe thought after she calmed down.
"Oh!" Bai Shou suddenly laughed. "I can even hear the supervising supreme elder warning me against telling you the truth."
Shu Zhe's eyelids jumped.
"Then, let's drop this topic—"
"Zhe'er!" Bai Shou turned to Shu Zhe as she smiled widely. "I'm—"
*Invincible Title Card*
***
Alternate Title: Bai Shou Having Mark's Luck is a Canon Event; Heaven's Will in Bai Shou's Ear: I'm So Lonely. Humanity is Scared of Me. Even Ren Zu and Other Venerables Won't Talk With Me. They Think I'm Controlling *Meanwhile, Bai Shou: Struggling to Breathe Through the Terrible Choke Hold of Fate*; Bai 'The Gu Pimp' Shou; Bai Shou: I Did What I Had To; Bai Shou Casually Thinking a Method of Creating Half Otherworldly Demons *Heaven's Will: That is Exactly Why the Human Path Can Suck My Ass!*; Bai Shou's Flexible Morals *Shu Zhe: You Know What Else is Flexible About Bai Shou?*; Fang Yuan and Bai Shou Coming Together in Treating Beasts as Absolute Things; The Giant Baby's Worst Father; A Life-Extension Method; Another Loan; PDA; Completed Killer Move; Imaginative Strength is Proud; Shu Zhe's Intuition; Taking Leaps Forward; Unmatched Husbando Rizz; Mi Yao Punching Air as Bai Shou Calls Her Out; Bai Shou's Truly in Her Invincible Arc *Heaven's Will and the Entirety of Shadow Sect Waiting in the Distance to Maul Bai Shou*
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