The Hidden Gu-Worm

Yao Guang’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her eyes filled with perplexity.

“Master, your disciple has already thoroughly investigated this matter,” Lin Xingjian said. “The Pill Sect’s pharmacy was originally opened by a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Its shop was quite unremarkable amidst this bustling market. Now, the shop owner has vanished without a trace, as if they evaporated from the earth, leaving not even a hint behind. Based on your disciple’s deductions, the shop was likely secretly taken over by Demonic Path cultivators long ago, used as a deceptive front.”

He secretly surmised that this Pill Sect pharmacy might have been established from the very beginning to aid the Demonic Path, and there must be Demonic Path spies among the higher-ups behind the pharmacy. However, this conjecture lacked solid evidence and could not be spread carelessly. Should they anger the higher echelons of the Xuantian Dao Sect, the two of them, master and disciple, would be unable to bear the consequences.

“Given this, it seems the Pill Sect shop in this Gu Sect territory will likely be thoroughly investigated by the Xuantian Dao Sect’s Enforcement Hall Elders, though I doubt it will yield many results.”

Yao Guang nodded slightly, shrugging her shoulders gently, a thoughtful expression gracing her face.

“Master, the intelligence we currently possess is truly too scarce. Perhaps we should wait patiently for a few more days to see how many Demonic Path dens the Xuantian Dao Sect can uncover. Although these Demonic Path dens are cleverly disguised, they cannot remain hidden indefinitely.”

A flicker of determination passed through his eyes.

“Your disciple firmly believes that these Demonic Path dens will soon fall into the hands of the Xuantian Dao Sect’s Enforcement Hall. They are merely superficial fronts, riddled with flaws that will become apparent with a little investigation. This way, we can at least say we’ve accomplished something, and it will undoubtedly suppress the Demonic Path’s influence. As for what comes next… let’s wait for the results.”

Upon hearing this, Yao Guang nodded in agreement. The Xuantian Dao Sect might harbor doubts about Lin Xingjian’s words, but as his Master, how could she not believe him? These Demonic Path dens were indeed intentionally drawing attention, serving as bait, making their investigation not overly difficult. Only, those Demonic Path cultivators remained unaware that they had already become disposable pawns, serving as mere fodder.

Even with the Shadow Sect Master’s guarantee, how many in the Xuantian Dao Sect would truly heed it? After all, the Xuantian Dao Sect was vast, with numerous factions and no shortage of cultivators with excellent aptitude worthy of nurturing. It was impossible to protect every single person. Could they protect someone for a day or two, but then for a lifetime? Acting in such a manner would not only scatter their strength, making it difficult to form a united front, but also severely diminish their cohesion. They would struggle to exert their proper effectiveness.

“You speak wisely,” Yao Guang said, a gentle smile gracing her face. “Then let us wait a little longer. Oh, right!”

Lin Xingjian suddenly slapped his forehead, as if remembering something of crucial importance. “Master, your disciple came this time, firstly, to report back to you, and secondly, there was an extremely important matter that you just interrupted.”

Yao Guang paused slightly, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. Lin Xingjian then truthfully recounted the incident of him spitting out a strange object earlier. Being meticulous, he also brought up the matter involving Zhang Jingya. Fortunately, this was Lin Xingjian’s past entanglement, and Yao Guang did not wish to delve further into it or reprimand him.

“Hiss!” Yao Guang gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Are you saying you spat out a Gu-worm, and that Gu-worm saved you?”

Lin Xingjian paused for a moment before nodding. “Master, at that time, your disciple was in utter panic, and the surroundings were blurry. I originally intended to use ‘Dark Concealment’ to protect both of us, but then my abdomen suddenly convulsed, and I spat out that Gu-worm. That Gu-worm was small and nimble, yet its target was clear. It condensed Zhang Jingya’s Master’s spiritual power attack, pushing it several meters away, thus saving your disciple from harm.”

“Truly astonishing!” Yao Guang exclaimed in wonder. “Regardless of the situation between you and Zhang Jingya, the fact that you spat out a Gu-worm most likely means there’s a Gu-worm within your abdomen, and it’s still inside your body. This Gu-worm must have sensed its host was in danger and thus expelled a child Gu. Yet, a single child Gu… was able to neutralize an elder’s attack from the Dao Gate Sect.”

Yao Guang pondered for a long time. Instead of idly speculating, it would be better to directly examine Lin Xingjian’s body. Only by seeing with her own eyes could she ascertain the truth.

“Come, come,” Yao Guang said, a curious expression appearing on her face, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Words alone are not proof; let your Master give you a thorough examination.”

Having spoken, she eagerly rushed forward, reaching out to peel off Lin Xingjian’s outermost layer of clothing.

“Master, Master,” Lin Xingjian exclaimed, his face a mix of helplessness and amusement. “Your disciple can remove it himself; please slow down, lest you tear my clothes. This garment was quite a hassle to acquire; it’s a prized possession of mine.”

Meanwhile, neither of them noticed the slightly ajar door. Li Xingtong stared wide-eyed, her face filled with shock as she gazed at the two grappling figures inside the room. Lin Xingjian was the first to notice Li Xingtong, her mouth agape at the doorway, and his lips twitched violently. He quickly patted Yao Guang’s small head, which was still busy removing his outer garment.

“Ouch!” Yao Guang cried out in pain, reaching up to rub her head, her face indignant. “You rascal, how dare you hit your Master’s head? I’m doing this for your own good!”

Only when she followed Lin Xingjian’s gaze did she finally spot Li Xingtong nearby. A joyous expression appeared on Yao Guang’s face, and a warm smile bloomed as she spoke to Li Xingtong. “Oh, perfect timing, Xingtong! Come quickly and help your senior brother take off his clothes. Your Master is about to give him a thorough physical examination.”

Upon hearing these words, Li Xingtong shuddered, her face instantly flushing crimson, like a ripe tomato. She frantically shook her head, turned, and fled as if escaping, slamming the door shut and dashing away. Her speed was several times faster than a startled rabbit.

Lin Xingjian looked at Yao Guang with a speechless expression, inwardly grumbling. This eccentric Master, surely those words just now weren’t intentional?

“Master, you… sigh!” Lin Xingjian cast a helpless glance at the overly excited Yao Guang. “Never mind, I’ll just explain to Junior Sister later.”

Yao Guang looked at Lin Xingjian with a bewildered and puzzled expression, secretly wondering why Xingtong had such an extreme reaction.

As Lin Xingjian removed his outermost garment, Yao Guang’s expression grew solemn. Her hands gently rested on Lin Xingjian’s shoulders, and she began to meticulously examine his body. Previously, Lin Xingjian had also used his divine sense to probe the meridians and dantian within his body. Strangely, his body showed no abnormalities, and no foreign objects were detected.

“Master, how is the situation?” Lin Xingjian was extremely nervous. “Does your disciple truly have a foreign object inside?”

He sat cross-legged facing Yao Guang, his hands unconsciously clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white from the effort. Lin Xingjian had agreed to Yao Guang’s examination because he knew his divine sense was of a lower caliber, only at the Foundation Establishment level, making him unable to detect foreign objects deep within his body that could shield themselves.

Yao Guang’s cultivation was far superior to his. Even if Yao Guang’s divine sense was an external one, it was still more potent than his, making her more likely to uncover the secrets hidden within his body.

“Hmm… don’t be anxious.” Yao Guang closed her eyes, her brows furrowed in concentration, a faint halo of light emanating from her hands. “Currently, no abnormalities have been found. Your meridians and dantian are both normal.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Xingjian felt not a shred of relief, but rather grew even more agitated and uneasy. The fact that he had spat out a foreign object was undeniable. If even Yao Guang couldn’t detect it, it only meant that the object was hidden extremely deep within his body, concealed with remarkable cunning. Hopefully, it’s not too terrifying.

Lin Xingjian’s thoughts were a tangled mess, terrifying notions constantly flashing through his mind. Suddenly, Yao Guang’s eyes flashed open wide, staring at Lin Xingjian with utter incredulity.

“You… you truly have a Gu-worm inside you!”

“Huh? Master, is that truly so?” Lin Xingjian’s face instantly turned ashen, and cold sweat continuously beaded on his forehead.

“It’s absolutely true. However, this Gu-worm is hidden incredibly deeply; it seems to be in the dantian, yet it also roams in the lower abdomen.” Yao Guang’s brows knitted tightly, her eyes filled with both doubt and concern. “No wonder I didn’t detect it when I first probed your dantian. This Gu-worm’s concealment method is truly ingenious, and its grade is exceptionally high. It’s utterly baffling.”

Lin Xingjian was dripping with cold sweat, his heart filled with dread and unease. He was not a practitioner of the Gu Sect. Generally speaking, for a non-Gu Sect practitioner to have a Gu-worm enter their body was never a good sign!