The Gu True Person’s Abode

After several days of travel, the three approached a secluded dirt road. Trees surrounded them on all sides. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, and the occasional bird chirped.

‘The spiritual energy here is incredibly abundant, easily comparable to that of a major sect…’ Qian Yuling mused, convinced that the stout young man’s master must be an extraordinary recluse, possessing a keen eye for such a location.

Lin Tian, however, felt a pang of doubt. If the master was truly a cultivator, why were there no formations set up around? He couldn’t detect any spiritual energy fluctuations.

The sound of water grew louder ahead, and the spiritual energy intensified with each step. A single breath was enough to invigorate one’s mind and spirit.

“We’ve arrived.”

****

The scenery transformed dramatically, utterly unlike what they had seen before. Before them lay a small mountain of colossal rocks, from which a waterfall cascaded directly into a pristine lake.

To the left, a medicinal garden flourished, while a small hut stood to the right. The area around the hut was dotted with honeycomb-like boxes. Lin Tian lifted his foot, noticing the ground teemed with insects.

Peach blossoms bloomed profusely, and maple leaves carpeted the ground. Yet, upon closer inspection, they realized these trees were completely covered in insects!

“Old man, we have guests!” the stout young man bellowed as he walked towards the wooden hut, with the two women following closely behind.

As the hut door opened, they saw a gaunt old man lying on a mat, gently fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan. Had they not known better, they might have mistaken him for a beggar.

Lin Tian extended his divine sense, yet found not a trace of spiritual energy from him, as if he were merely a mortal. Qian Yuling’s brow furrowed as well.

There were only three possibilities for a lack of spiritual power: he was either a mortal, possessed a magical artifact that concealed his aura, or his cultivation was so profound that they simply couldn’t perceive it.

“Oh! Two little girls have arrived!” The old man glanced outside the door and quickly scrambled to his feet.

“I am Luo Yingkong. Greetings, Senior. May I ask why you sought me out?”

Seeing this, Qian Yuling also cupped her fists and bowed. “This junior, Qian Yuling, humbly requests Senior’s assistance in dispelling a Gu.”

“No rush, no rush.” The old man chuckled, circling the two women and scrutinizing them. Qian Yuling instinctively recoiled, a hint of aversion in her expression.

The old man continued to circle and observe them. Lin Tian remained expressionless, but Qian Yuling felt a blush creep up her neck, overwhelmed by shyness.

“Old pervert, have you stared enough?” the stout young man called out from the side, showing no fear, indicating their close relationship. “Miss Qian Yu is still afflicted by a poisonous Gu. You should help her first.”

The old man then stood before them, clearing his throat. “It’s our first meeting. This old man’s surname is Jun, and his given name is Wang. Should you ever encounter trouble outside, simply mention my name!”

Both women rolled their eyes. They had thought the stout young man’s name, Junzhu, was peculiar enough; for this old man to call himself Junwang was truly bizarre. The stout young man’s name was likely given by him, and anyone hearing that title would surely misunderstand.

“We can discuss the matter of young Miss Yingkong later. I will first help this young lady with her poisonous Gu.”

The old man’s eyes suddenly sharpened! His demeanor was completely different from before as he stared at Qian Yuling for a moment. She felt as though her entire body was being seen through, with no secrets left to hide.

“Master, how is it?” the stout young man inquired. This old man could discern the location of a poisonous Gu and identify its type with just a glance, as if he possessed x-ray vision.

“Hmm… her figure is a bit lacking. Young Miss Yingkong, on the other hand, has a good figure, but why is she wearing a bandage? Restricted breathing can hinder cultivation, you know…” the old man said with a completely serious expression.

Lin Tian’s eyelid twitched, and Qian Yuling nearly burst out in curses. How could he say such a thing without batting an eye? However, as they needed his help, she suppressed her anger.

The stout young man covered his face and turned away. “How can I have a master like you? It’s truly embarrassing…”

“Cough, cough. This Gu cannot be forcefully removed. It must be lured out or moved away from the Dantian. If mishandled, one’s cultivation might completely dissipate, reducing them to a mortal.”

Qian Yuling nodded. “How does one lure it out?”

“No rush. Come closer, let me examine you first.”

The old man placed his hand on her lower abdomen and began to feel around. Had it not been for his utterly serious demeanor, Qian Yuling would have certainly refused to cooperate.

Smack! The old man slapped her on the buttocks. Just as Qian Yuling was about to protest, he interrupted her: “Tighten your glutes and push out your abdomen. If you keep shrinking, how can I feel anything? Try to gather your spiritual energy.”

****

“This Gu is called a Spirit Devouring Worm. It feeds once every three months, burrowing and coiling itself in the area with the densest spiritual energy. The method to remove it is simple: just lure it out with abundant spiritual energy.”

“Open your mouth.”

Though she didn’t understand what to do, Qian Yuling complied. Her life was at stake.

Suddenly, the old man’s finger emitted astonishing spiritual energy! He then inserted it into Qian Yuling’s mouth, and a refreshing wave of spiritual energy spread throughout her entire body.

“This…” Lin Tian found the sight somewhat unbearable. After a few breaths, Qian Yuling’s throat swelled, and the old man subsequently pulled a resting insect from her mouth!

“Hah… hah…” Qian Yuling gasped for air. Seeing the poisonous Gu in the old man’s hand, her heart filled with joy. Any complaints she had earlier completely vanished.

“Thank you, Senior!”

“Heh heh… repay me with your body, that’ll do.” The old man narrowed his eyes and chuckled, completely devoid of any senior’s dignified bearing.

“Uh…” Qian Yuling was momentarily speechless.

“Miss Qian Yu, don’t mind him. The old man is just joking,” the stout young man said, rolling his eyes at the old man.

“You two go rest. This old man has something to discuss with young Miss Yingkong.”

The two women, understanding the hint, discreetly left. Lin Tian looked puzzled. Given the old man’s profound cultivation, he couldn’t possibly be seeking a romantic liaison with him, could he?

“What matter does Senior wish to discuss with me?”

“Come, sit inside the hut.”

****

The old man poured a cup of tea, resuming his serious demeanor, and began: “Young lady, you possess two divine souls. One of them does not belong to this body; more precisely, it does not belong to this world.”

Lin Tian’s heart skipped a beat. Someone had actually discerned that he was from another realm! A hint of wariness crept into his mind. “What do you mean by that?”

“You needn’t be nervous. This old man is known as the Gu True Person. Having lived in seclusion for many years, I doubt many would recognize me now. I sent my disciple to train in Mufu Mountain, and through my Gu worms, I observed you. Primarily, I was concerned you might harbor intentions against this world, but after observing you for some time, you appear to be quite normal.”

Lin Tian relaxed. “Senior jokes. What schemes could a Qi Refinement cultivator like me possibly harbor?”

“You have a dual-soul body. Your divine sense and spiritual energy are twice that of other cultivators, but your cultivation speed also requires twice the effort.”

“I don’t know about divine sense, but my spiritual energy is not significantly different from cultivators of the same realm. Could Senior be mistaken?” Lin Tian was at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, much like Qian Yuling. How could it be twice as much?

“You will understand as you continue to cultivate. When you reach the Incarnation stage, you might even be able to break through the world’s barrier and ascend to the Upper Realm. I invited you here merely to forge a good connection,” the old man slowly explained.

“Ascend to the Upper Realm?”

“There’s no harm in telling you. The place we inhabit is the Mortal Realm. Cultivators are divided into Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Incarnation. However, upon reaching the Incarnation stage, one will suffer suppression from heaven and earth. The spiritual energy here can no longer satisfy Incarnation cultivators. Over time, their cultivation will regress to the Nascent Soul stage. They can only rely on the immense divine abilities gained during Incarnation to break through the world barrier and ascend.”

****

Lin Tian listened, lost in thought. He had two divine souls: one was Lin Tian, and the other was the original owner of the body… but their memories were shared, so there were no issues.

“I appreciate Senior’s high regard, but the hope of cultivating to the Incarnation stage is slim. It’s better not to hold out hope…”

“No matter. I see you carry three bags of Gu worms. Do you also wish to control Gu?”

Lin Tian nodded, taking out three spiritual worm bags and placing them on the table. “If Senior could offer some guidance, this junior would be immensely grateful.”