"Here!"
*Thump*
Bai Shou watched the rank 4 elite disciple firmly plant a jar of wine on her table with thinly veiled amusement. Aside from the woman's surprisingly massive bust—something even Bai Shou couldn't help but take notice of—and the blue sect disciple token, she boasted no notable features. Her thin black hair was tied into a neat bun, and signs of immaturity flickered in her excitable gaze.
"This is my favorite wine."
Ge Qu smirked as she leaned back. She was a peak stage rank 4 gu master who claimed to specialize in the refinement path. The woman did little to hide her competitiveness as she waited for Bai Shou to reach out for the jar and sniff it.
"Oh?" Bai Shou blinked. "Dragon Whisker Wine?"
It was a strong wine, capable of getting a mortal drunk for days if not a week! The wine's name came from one of the materials used in its brewing, a dragon's whisker.
"Hoh?" Ge Qu narrowed her eyes. "You could unexpectedly identify my favorite wine. It seems rumors did you no disservice, Junior Bai Shou."
Bai Shou smiled at those words and sipped the wine. Of course, she identified the contents of the jar. She was dedicated to spreading her name as a hopeless drunkard and had tasted over two hundred wines from all corners of the world concentrated within the sect! As for Ge Qu's provocation?
"A challenge, was it?" Bai Shou exhaled hotly, her cheeks flushing at a pace visible to the naked eye. She couldn't help but sip the wine again, not even bothering to offer a cup to the challenger.
"Yes." Ge Qu replied firmly. "The Refinement Convention will be soon upon us, and many of my peers cannot overlook your arrogance. Your Giant's Refinement Stall is a shame to every expert spending their entire life understanding the refinement dao."
"Their entire life?" Bai Shou sneered. She leaned back, leering at Ge Qu. "Then I must be doing something right. Who would spend our already meager lifespan on the unfeeling dao? Tell me, o' expert. How can someone who loves Dragon Whisker Wine be so dedicated to one?"
Bai Shou threw her head back, drinking more and more in one swig until some of the liquid began spilling from the corner of her lips. Exhaling loudly and wiping her lips with her free hand, Bai Shou grinned.
"When was the last time you drank this?"
Ge Qu furrowed her brows.
"Yesterday. But enough of this foolish stalling! I challenge you as a peer."
"And I haven't seen you in the Refinement Hall directly led by Elder Ya." Bai Shou continued with a suspicious tone. "Who are you? Did one of the other Elders put you up for it? Are they so eager to raise the conflict?"
Ge Qu snorted.
"No need to probe my intentions, Chained Wanderer. I have better things to do than spend my time in this useless conflict! Hmph! Those elders are all fools! Fools!" She cursed and huffed before blinking and repeating the third time.
"FOOLS!"
She nodded and looked at Bai Shou.
"You were correct, but I now understand your heart does not belong to the refinement dao. We humans have a meager lifespan, and that is why we must give our all to uncover the mysteries of the Grand Dao. Each of us follows one thread in hopes of unraveling everything."
"I am Ge Qu. You are free to refuse my challenge. However, my time is too precious to waste in maneuvering through your fears."
Bai Shou huffed and straightened her back.
"The terms of challenge?"
"Your business practice." Ge Qu narrowed her eyes. "The Giant's Refinement Stall guarantees a successful refinement within three sets of materials. Such arrogance cannot go unchecked any longer. I want you to refine a gu worm using these terms. Of course, you will do so in my presence to ensure you do not go back on your word and use more materials after failing three times."
Bai Shou worked her jaw. Everything now depended on the terms of the wager.
"The wager?"
Ge Qu was silent for a moment before tilting her head.
"Our lives."
Bai Shou stopped drinking and observed the woman again.
"There will be no pacts or vows. No oath to bind our will with the consequences of their dishonor being our deaths. No. We do it the right way. I shall shatter your arrogance and make an honest follower out of you." She laughed. "A rank 5 follower of your caliber, despite your ego, is a valuable asset!"
"I can't say the same about a blind fool like you." Bai Shou snickered. "The wager seems… unfair. You are not my equal."
"Perhaps in cultivation." Ge Qu nodded. "Yet, here I am. You are free to refuse me."
Bai Shou suddenly laughed.
It was not a polite giggle or a short bout of laughter.
She threw her head back and laughed uncontrollably.
"My life?"
"What a disappointment. Sigh. I accept."
Ge Qu was taken aback by such a reaction as Bai Shou continued to speak. "I'm not yet free to entertain an elite disciple. But I shall prepare an appropriate venue for the challenge. Ge Qu, right? I shall remember you. Expect an invitation in a few days."
"An invitation?" Ge Qu questioned. "For what?"
"An auction."
Bai Shou waved her hands.
"Now, leave."
Ge Qu snorted and stood up.
"You better not forget your words today, Bai Shou. You'll find the price of the shamelessness of going back against your words quite heavy."
'Shameless? Me?'
Bai Shou grew calm the second Ge Qu left.
'Ge Qu… Her disguising killer move is outstanding. However, Qin Juan doesn't have such a proficient killer move, and the wine was taken out of Qin Juan's storage gu worm.' Bai Shou would know. She had once held an unconscious Qin Juan for a long time and shamelessly inspected her aperture.
'So… she must be Feng Jin Huang.'
'But can I bear the pressure of the weight of her life?' Bai Shou smirked and stood up. There was no better time than now, and she needed to exchange the inheritance as quickly as possible.
<<<>>>
Inheritance Peak, the Inheritance Hall.
Despite its grand name and intent behind its existence, the Inheritance Hall, built atop the slightly shorter hill, was nothing more than a plain wooden hut. The wood used for the residence was not some millennial-old material, but regular wood found in forests near mortal villages. The well, which should not have been built on a mountain in hindsight, was also available in mortal settlements.
The one defining feature of this faction was its only member.
Bai Shou stepped up the peak with a respectful expression, promptly bowing and paying her respect to the wizened old man trimming a plant near the hut.
"Greetings, Old Sect Leader."
She called out, making the old man momentarily pause before he slowly straightened his back and looked over his shoulder with a tranquil smile.
"Ah, it is you. Is it already the time of our appointment? How thoughtless of me. Do forgive this old man."
Bai Shou shook her head.
"Please, don't let my presence disturb you, Sir. I can return later at your convenience."
"No. No."
The man who once sat in Shu Zhe's position let out a grunt of exertion before weakly pulling the nearby chairs. Bai Shou promptly moved to assist him, helping him sit before taking a seat.
This was the Inheritance Hall. This man.
He was one of the most knowledgeable men in the sect and was said to have ties with the Gu Immortal, who dealt with the exchange of inheritances at the level of the Supreme Elders.
As they sat in silence, Bai Shou's gaze couldn't help but flick around. It would be a luxury to collect inheritances like this if not for the responsibilities of managing such a massive force. So, her mind couldn't help but think about the next best option available to beings of individual presence like her.
Theft.
It would be amazing to steal things at once and improve one's foundation.
"Hmm." The Old Sect Leader finally cleared his throat. "Did you bring an interesting wood path inheritance for this old man?"
Bai Shou chuckled.
"Not today, Sir. But I will be on the lookout for a wood path inheritance."
She knew the Old Sect Leader was an outstanding wood path gu master. He was allowed into such a position after decades of faithful performance as a Sect Leader, a position Shu Zhe stood to earn if she defended her post well enough.
"I wish to exchange two inheritances."
"Oh?"
Bai Shou nodded.
Instead of taking out the Piercing Knowledge Gu, Bai Shou revealed a rank 1 bookworm gu.
The Old Sect Leader didn't stand on ceremony and sent his will through the gu worm, skimming through its content.
"This is…"
His eyes blinked open.
Being more than influential enough, the Old Sect Leader was aware of the notes and thoughts Bai Shou had about the mysterious human path, alongside the scant methods she shared related to utilizing the human body in refinement. These methods alone were already inspiring to the intuitive gu masters. Furthermore, she had spent seven days advancing her body refinement to its grand completion!
In the Old Sect Leader's eyes, Bai Shou's understanding of the dao was perhaps one in a million, if not rarer. His assessment was correct. Imaginative Strength was a talent of such rarity, the core of his methods and dreams was fully inherited by Bai Shou.
So, consider the Old Sect Leader's surprise when the inheritance Bai Shou shared wasn't the expected list of Wang Nan's gu worms she had looted but—
"Bai Shou Inheritance?"
He observed Bai Shou.
It wasn't her human path recipes and understanding. Whatever they might be, Bai Shou held those secrets close to her chest. Instead, this Bai Shou inheritance was a refinement path inheritance till rank 5!
Over the course of her life, Bai Shou had been on the receiving end of several blessed encounters due to her skills, lovers, and the smut-chievement trait. Her first inheritance belonged to the Ruined Brothers, giving her the recipe for a set of outstanding investigation gu worms fused into the Rank 5 Heaven and Earth Before My Eyes.
Her second inheritance was a relatively unused one, belonging to someone named Crazed Blood Monk. She had hundreds of blood path recipes, far more refined and widely applicable, including the Blood Jade Change Gu, which was an outstanding defensive gu worm. Still, the prosecution against the blood path ensured Bai Shou's aversion to its profundities unless she ascended as a Gu Immortal.
Her third inheritance was another blood path true inheritance, but it came from its founder, the Blood Sea Ancestor. It also brought Bai Shou her first immortal gu recipe, the Blood Skull. Unfortunately, the blood path remained underutilized in her hands. The calamities plaguing her often surpassed the assistance her fortunes cared to provide. Adding the use of blood path to her list of troubles was not wise in her books.
There were also odd recipes like the Polished gu and Liquor Worm series.
Most of these could not be shared. Ever.
Polished Gu, though a challenge to refine and requiring several nigh-extinct materials, could reshape an organization's structure. While still a peak stage rank 5 gu master with more than enough lethality, Bai Shou wasn't without weaknesses, and her peers were somewhat aware of it. Her foundations were still brittle, and she had little time to actually refine her gu set and cover her major flaws.
As such, sharing polished gu for short-term gains left her with long-term ailments.
Liquor Worm, on the other hand, was not of the same disaster. However, it was better to refine those gu worms and sell them, something she planned to do at the auction. After all, she had the recipe for the Half Effort Gu Worm, which had the same effects as the Liquor Worm series, but also at the peak stage of the cultivation! Bai Shou also discovered that it was a human path support gu worm, albeit not very useful to the current her.
And holding the purple relic gu worms ensured she didn't need to advance the Half Effort Gu worm to rank 5.
So, these recipes also couldn't be offered.
Then there was the Grey Bone Scholar's Inheritance, with its core being the Bone Flesh Unity Series. Another human path gu worm, but something with a much grander potential. If she spent enough time modifying the recipe to tweak the gu worm's effects, then it could raise her importance in the sect. With the Grey Bone Scholar dead, Bai Shou didn't have many inhibitions about claiming herself as its creator.
Her second wave of fortune emerged within the Shang Clan City.
Imaginative Strength Inheritance was the path she had decided to follow due to its completeness. It also granted her the second immortal gu recipe in her arsenal, the Rank 7 Past is in the Past Gu.
But that wasn't all.
She also received a mortal and an immortal refinement path recipe, with the latter hinting at a hidden inheritance left by Thieving Heaven Demon Venerable! Alas, she had yet to uncover its mystery.
Still, the Heart Refining Fiend's, Immortal Bai Kin's, inheritance offered Bai Shou a complete refinement path inheritance, something she missed with the other few recipes before she lowered their quality and the number of different recipes for a singular gu worm to offer to the sect. After all, one gu worm could be refined using several different recipes. Bai Kin's inheritance was very profound and in-depth. It was a refinement path recipe after all. Sharing all the divergent recipes would make the Old Sect Leader suspicious.
That was Bai Shou Inheritance.
A fraction of what she knew.
The fraction she was willing to exchange.
"The core of this inheritance is the Rank 5 Stable Cauldron Gu alongside information related to the gu set, which forms a defensive killer move." Bai Shou explained calmly.
"There are also dozens of recipes for the refinement path gu worms I came to learn, which will prove useful to the inheritor. I studied each recipe carefully, leaving several notes and the materials that can be replaced, alongside more accurate methods appreciated in the current era."
Old Sect Leader inspected the inheritance more carefully. Under Bai Shou's peaceful gaze, the old man grew a pair of fresh green twigs from his temple. Lush leaves grew on these twigs and dried out at a shockingly swift pace before falling off.
It was the effect of a killer worm that helped the Old Sect Leader quickly understand and memorize the contents presented before him.
"Good Inheritance." Old Sect Leader spoke with a fond smile, his thumb tracing the bookworm gu in his hand.
"There are a few recipes the sect already possesses. However, your notes and modifications are more than enough to stand out as their own inheritance. As per the rules of the Inheritance Hall, the sect can offer you contribution points, primeval stones, and other inheritances stored in the sect for your offering. There's also the matter of the poison vow gu to keep you from divulging the secrets of the inheritance you shall receive."
The Old Sect Leader continued, explaining the basics of the vow before concluding with Bai Shou's Inheritance.
"However, you can share your current inheritance and whatever changes you make upon the inheritance gained from the sect at your will."
Leaving an inheritance was a core part of the Gu World's tradition and culture. Even the Spirit Affinity House encouraged such acts on the surface. Though, despite the deeply rooted sentiment behind leaving an inheritance, a gu master rarely did so unless they felt their life nearing its completion.
"I understand," Bai Shou agreed.
Then, the Old Sect Leader revealed how many contribution points and primeval stones she could take as a lump sum.
Surprisingly, the amount settled at a mere 6.9 million primeval stones or 6900 contribution points. It was inevitable. While Bai Shou was offering several recipes, most of them required rare materials as is, and there were several recipes related to the same gu worm already present in the sect's Inheritance Hall.
Not to mention the fact that Bai Shou wasn't offering any gu worm related to the inheritance.
Understanding Bai Shou's intentions, the Old Sect Leader listed the inheritances she could exchange.
The other bookworm from the Old Sect Leader had a concise summary of what to expect from the inheritances offered by the sect.
Demon Fire Inheritance. 3700 points. A fire path inheritance with 11 rank 1, 28 rank 2, 13 rank 3, and 5 rank 4 recipes. The inheritance contains the understanding of the creator related to the utilized gu worms, including an offensive killer move: Demon Fire.
Bai Shou knew about the Demon Fire Inheritance. It was fairly popular, and many inner disciples with the fire path gu set saved their contribution points to exchange for it.
Cyclops Cow Inheritance. 2800 points. It is a transformation path inheritance that allows the gu master to utilize the investigation killer move: Cyclops Cow Transformation. This inheritance also comes with the relevant gu worms related to the killer move.
Thunder Eagle Inheritance. 2900 points.
Fierce Bear Inheritance. 2800 points.
False Fish Inheritance. 2850 points.
Next, Bai Shou skimmed through a long list of transformation path inheritances. It was inevitable. Many gu masters in the sect's history shared such inheritances for quick access to contribution points. The sect also refined the gu worms related to the transformation path killer move, offering the disciples a decent method of growing stronger. Some transformation path inheritances were obsolete, their gu worms unable to be produced in the current era due to the rarity of their materials.
She paused after reaching a slightly intriguing inheritance.
Empty Heart Formation. 4200 points. It is a formation path inheritance related to the creation of formations around the space path Empty Cube Gu. It has 7 enlisted formations alongside the recipes for 5 rank 1, 7 rank 2, 6 rank 3, and 4 rank 4 recipes.
'Empty Heart Formation…'
Bai Shou realized the source of her current formation protecting her residence. Shu Zhe must have modified one of its formations slightly before offering it as a reward.
"Is the creator of the Empty Heart Formation Inheritance still present in the sect?" Bai Shou looked at the Old Sect Leader. He didn't deny such information. The sect was confident that even communication with the direct creator could not overcome the convenience of exchanging inheritances using the contribution points. Currency was that valuable.
"Hmm." The Sect Leader closed his eyes before sighing.
"Inner Disciple Kai Kai Kai passed away 138 years ago."
Bai Shou sighed and shook her head.
Still, she mentally pinned the inheritance before moving on.
Water, lightning, space, sword, rule, and so many other paths!
However, there wasn't a single inheritance related to wisdom, theft, phantom, and other paths of such secretive nature, including the food path. She had seen a few soul path inheritances, but they were more offensively inclined, something that was quite common. She wanted methods of enforcing and protecting her soul.
Even the most expensive inheritance was a lightning path inheritance, best in tackling against soul path methods. However, Bai Shou couldn't afford such methods due to how deep she was in the strength path body refinement.
Finally, Bai Shou exchanged Wang Nan's Inheritance and increased the sum of contribution points offered from 6900 to 11600 points. It was an increase of 4700 points.
More options were opened for Bai Shou.
By the time she reached the inheritances costing more than 7000, her choices ranged from inheritances possessing several rank 5 recipes or several rank 4 and 5 gu worms alone. Again, most of these were transformation path inheritances.
'Oh?'
Bai Shou lingered about a strength path inheritance.
Flesh Strength Inheritance. 9800 points.
It was an inheritance revolving around one's musculature. She had heard about it. It allowed a gu master to wear their enhanced muscles on their bodies, which acted as a perfect boost and defense against most elements and physical attacks. It was a solid inheritance that covered several other aspects, recipes, and even shared its core gu worms at the rank 4 stage.
She also discovered her first wisdom path inheritance. However, something costing 10300 points was… incomplete.
The value of the wisdom path could be understood from this event.
It wasn't enough.
The value Bai Shou had to offer did not reveal any soul reinforcement methods.
While preserving her soul was Bai Shou's topmost priority, she also had other needs. Seeing that she would not be able to get such a method, Bai Shou wisely shifted to her other priorities.
First, she selected the Empty Heart Formation. Being knowledgeable about the formation meant to protect her residence was crucial. Only by understanding it could she begin the process of modifying it for her specific needs. However, that was a tall order from someone who didn't know anything about the formation path. So, she chose to rectify that situation.
Her second choice was slightly more controversial.
"Are you sure?"
The Old Sect Leader furrowed his brows. The inheritance Bai Shou chose should not ordinarily be present in the Inheritance Hall of one of the ten leading forces of the righteous faction. However, power was never the culprit. The fault always lay in the user's hands.
It was the most basic of the inheritance of its path, stripped of all its gory glory. The inheritance was a pathetic addition to anyone concerned with cost-effectiveness. Even other elders paid it no attention, and no disciple was foolish enough to purchase something so overpriced.
But to Bai Shou?
It was an opportunity!
An opportunity to finally make use of the aspect she least expected to advance.
Liu Xue Inheritance. 7000 points. This inheritance contains a recipe for one gu worm from ranks 1-5. It is a healing gu worm alongside the several notes and comprehensions left by the creator in the recipes themselves. The inheritance also contains one rank 1 Liu Xue Gu Worm.
It was clearly meant to discourage other gu masters from pursuing such a path. However, Bai Shou needed a proper front to delve into the blood path if she ever hoped to do so in an Ancient Sect. And what better way to do that than using such a sacrificial healing gu worm?
"Yes." Bai Shou nodded, her voice clear and calm. "The act of sacrificing human lives for mere blood path gu worms is a tragedy. Blood Sea Ancestor left disasters in many unsuspecting corners of the world. However, the human body is wonderful. Our blood is wonderful! If my blood can be used to heal instead of killing others, then I wish to understand such profundities and with that, hope to comprehend the mystery of my own body."
"Very well." The Old Sect Leader sighed. It wasn't as if Bai Shou was the first to accept this inheritance. The Liu Xue Inheritance could be considered a mark of shame on the blood path's gruesome reputation. To have someone like Bai Shou understand and propagate it is what most righteous figures wished to witness. And should she turn to a darker, bloodier path… well, history was filled with examples.
"I would also like to exchange for a few gu worms."
Bai Shou spent the last of her contribution points on two gu worms.
'I should have formed an inheritance before.'
She sighed after leaving the Inheritance Hall. A new poison vow now bound her to several limitations when it came to sharing the acquired inheritances. However, she could unhesitatingly share it with her blood descendant.
***
Alternate Title: Who is Ge Qu?; Bai Shou Calling the Wine Whorish; Arrogant Giant Emperor; Feng Jin Huang After Waking Up Besides Bai Shou: Fuck *Bai Shou Transforms Into Little Giant Emperor Again*; Qing Juan Unintentionally Dooming Feng Jin Huang; Bai Shou Being The Unluckiest With Beasts in the Real World and the Luckiest With Harem; Bai Shou After Making Feng Jin Huang Orgasm for the 69th Time: I Have a Dream; Kai Kai Kai; Feng Jin Huang Stating Things Three Times Because it's Important; Feng Jin Huang: So, I Bet My Life. But Don't Worry! I Have a Plan *Feng Jiu Ge, Who Watched Bai Shou Imagine Lo Jik Fuck a Humanoid Grass To Oblivion: Chokes on Tea*; Qin Juan Watching Bai Shou With Feng Jin Huang: Dies From Peak; Bai Shou's Bad Luck or Feng Jin Huang's Massive Luck?; Invitation; Bai Shou: Wants Soul Path Reinforcement *Gets a Meeting With Feng Jin Huang: Coincidence? I THINK NOT*; Bai Shou Inheritance *Comprised of Victims of Stolen Credit*; Bai Shou's First Instinct Regarding Inheritance Hall was Human… and the Second One was TRULY Human; Blood Path Inheritance; Transformation Path Gu Masters Spamming Killer Moves as an Inheritance; Toxic Spammers; Reckless Savage Approves; Formation Inheritance; More Steps in the Right Direction; Preparing for the Auction *Meanwhile Shu Zhe: Just Found Out They Have to Set an Auction*; Challenge Accepted; Bai Shou's Life is Fickle; Entering Blood Path
***
A/N: Ge Qu, if Chat GPT understood correctly, means 'song' or extremely close to it. Feng Jin Huang used it due to her father, Feng Jiu Ge, which should mean an Eternal Song or something similar. I don't know the Chinese language and rely on Chat GPT for rough translations. Liu Xue also means 'To Bleed.'
***
Join the discord through the link in the synopsis.
Read 60 chapters ahead @ Patron and Subscribe Star (Links in the synopsis.)
Support the Fanfic through comments, likes, reviews and such (if the published site allows it.)