Little Pink Starfish

When Gu Bai woke up again, he felt his neck and thigh tangled with a bare body. The contact was somewhat comfortable, but there was also a feeling of restraint. His shoulders were slightly heavy, and warm breath brushed against the side of his face. He opened his eyes and found that Qi Guanrui’s large head was pressing against his neck, sticky and damp.

It seemed that Qi Guanrui was still deep asleep. Gu Bai initially didn’t move but then realized: I don’t need to be afraid now. Why should I care if this pervert is asleep or not? So, he immediately reached out and gave Qi Guanrui’s head a shove. As soon as he did, he heard Qi Guanrui murmur, “Good morning, gege.” Gu Bai didn’t respond, he just shoved again.

Qi Guanrui obediently moved his limbs and head away, propping up his chin and smiling at Gu Bai.

…A bit creepy, huh? Gu Bai froze for a moment. But when he saw the chain hanging loosely from Qi Guanrui’s wrist, he relaxed. Gege is… truly… not afraid of you!

Qi Guanrui smilingly said, “Gege, aren’t you afraid of me?”

Gu Bai reflexively opened his mouth to reply. I already said I’m not afraid! Why ask again!? It was a close call, but he managed to catch himself in time. He realised that the pervert was laying all his cards on the table.

Gu Bai stood up, intending to get dressed in his noble, aloof manner. However, just as he took out his specially-made innerwear, a sticky liquid began dripping down his thigh… Fuck! I forgot to clean up! They both had just woken up properly and clearly hadn’t had time to deal with it. It was an annoyance—what now?

Qi Guanrui also got up, nonchalantly exposing himself entirely to Gu Bai. “How about I help you, gege?”

Gu Bai: “…No need.” He finished speaking and casually threw on a piece of clothing before heading straight for the bath through the side door. If he didn’t take a bath for the next few days of seclusion, he’d definitely get so dirty he wouldn’t be able to focus on his cultivation.

As Gu Bai entered the bath, Qi Guanrui slowly walked over to the bed, still not bothering to cover himself. He looked at the chain on his wrist and smiled. This Ziche Shubai… Really is interesting.

Qi Guanrui hadn’t expected to shed his skin so soon, but given his depth of thought, he was able to hang on to his senses and retain consciousness for longer than he anticipated. In the past few days, he had appeared to sleep for long stretches, but most of that had been faked. He was indeed tired, and yes, he wanted to sleep, but how could he lower his guard when the entire city was hunting him down? Moreover, he wanted to use this opportunity to let Ziche Shubai know his true identity. He had been planning it for a long time. Yes, ever since that violent imprisonment of Ziche Shubai in Huachao City, Qi Guanrui’s mood had been unsettled. Ziche Shubai’s reaction had been too strange—he obviously didn’t want to see Ziche Shubai’s hatred and disgust, but the reaction given was still too unsettling. He had hoped that Ziche Shubai subconsciously had an interest in him and was just temporarily angry, but at the same time, he worried that the lord of Tiandu City might be like him in the past—hiding his strength and waiting for the right moment to strike. Qi Guanrui wanted it to be the former, and not the latter. So, he wanted to seize an opportunity to figure out Ziche Shubai’s true feelings. Undoubtedly, the stupid Snake-Slaying Tournament was just such an opportunity.

The plan was progressing smoothly. Qi Guanrui had originally planned to feign serious injury and reveal his true form, but the sudden shedding of his skin made his act even more convincing. Given Ziche Shubai’s sharpness, he should have suspected something the moment Qi Guanrui’s scales appeared. So… How would he react?

Qi Guanrui had considered that Ziche Shubai might immediately report the news—if that happened, he would naturally use all his means to imprison Ziche Shubai completely. He had also thought Ziche Shubai might abandon him to fend for himself and try to escape by finding the key—he had even purposely placed the key in a conspicuous spot. He had even secretly hoped that Ziche Shubai wouldn’t despise his serpent body and would hide him in a safe place before running far away. But Qi Guanrui understood that the first two possibilities were more likely. Even if Ziche Shubai wouldn’t hate him because of “Gu Xiaoshan,” seeing that “Gu Xiaoshan” was actually a monstrous being capable of devouring people would be intolerable. Even for those with awakened bloodlines, few could withstand something as terrifying and massive as the Sky Devouring Python’s true form.

Qi Guanrui knew that his decision to reveal his identity was somewhat rushed. He simply couldn’t hold back any longer. He had been suppressing his true form while interacting with Ziche Shubai, but he couldn’t stand the thought of Ziche Shubai only ever seeing a false version of him. He couldn’t hide forever… He wanted to take everything from Ziche Shubai! Either succeed or imprison him completely.

Then, Ziche Shubai did exactly as Qi Guanrui expected—he found the key and unlocked the Xuan Tie chains. Qi Guanrui’s heart sank deeper. He was ready for everything. But Ziche Shubai’s reaction was beyond Qi Guanrui’s expectations. Ziche Shubai actually brought him back to Tiandu City!

This was beyond anything Qi Guanrui had ever hoped for, even in his wildest dreams! Ziche Shubai wanted freedom, but after obtaining it, he didn’t abandon him even after witnessing his terrifying form. No… Qi Guanrui’s heart was in turmoil. Ziche Shubai… Was protecting him? He was actually protecting him in this situation! Soon, Qi Guanrui found himself in a vast underground training arena. It was just him and Ziche Shubai. At that point, he truly lost consciousness. He knew he would transform into his massive true form, but he also believed that even if he was reduced to pure instinct, he wouldn’t harm Ziche Shubai. Then, heat and desire took control of his body. Qi Guanrui vaguely knew that he had done a lot to Ziche Shubai, taking much from him. When he finally regained clarity, he found Ziche Shubai still curled up in his serpentine body, sleeping soundly.

Qi Guanrui’s beastly heart, which had been stirred by his bloodline, settled down at that moment. Realising that Ziche Shubai was about to wake up, Qi Guanrui immediately shifted back into human form and pretended to be asleep. Soon after, he felt himself being shackled. Ziche Shubai had locked the Xuan Tie chains onto his wrists. At that moment, the joy that had nearly burst from his chest was suddenly doused with cold water. Pure happiness had vanished.

Ziche Shubai hadn’t handed him over, but it seemed he didn’t truly want to protect him either. After exhausting his last bit of strength, Ziche Shubai fell back asleep, while Qi Guanrui opened his eyes once again. After shedding his skin, his cultivation had broken through once more, reaching the level of Wu Di. The Xuan Tie chains were now useless against him.

Qi Guanrui stared at Ziche Shubai’s face for a long time, feeling conflicted for the first time. He hated himself for still holding onto hope yet couldn’t help but cling to that hope. Finally, he decided to wait and see. He wanted to see how Ziche Shubai would treat him. If… if… It wouldn’t be too late to bind him again.

***

Gu Bai finished his bath, changed into clean clothes, and came out to see Qi Guanrui in a daze. He immediately found it amusing. Heh heh heh, this pervert is stuck now, isn’t he? Deserving!

Qi Guanrui heard the noise, looked up, and keenly noticed the brief flash of amusement in Gu Bai’s eyes. Ziche Shubai is happy? He locked me up… and now he’s happy? Qi Guanrui paused, his tone gentle, “Gege, aren’t you afraid of me? My bloodline has awakened…”

Gu Bai, with his damp hair still hanging, tossed a towel at him.

Qi Guanrui tilted his head, “Gege?”

Gu Bai: “Dry my hair.”

Qi Guanrui obediently replied, “Oh,” and began drying Gu Bai’s hair.

Gu Bai squinted, feeling quite satisfied being served by this pervert. Do I look like I’m afraid of you, kid?Feeling that the pervert was thoroughly under control, Gu Bai felt completely fearless. The Xuan Tie chains could suppress the Wu Qi of a person, but the most Qi Guanrui could do was turn his legs into a tail. Trying to transform his head into a snake’s and swallow him was out of the question. And as long as the chains were on him, even if Qi Guanrui could use his Wu Qi on his legs, the bursts of power would be too weak. The pervert would have to constantly shift between changing and reverting. What’s there to be afraid of?

Gu Bai waited arrogantly until Qi Guanrui finished drying his hair, then pointed to his leg: “Massage.”

Qi Guanrui lifted Gu Bai’s leg up, massaging his calf.

Afterward, Gu Bai pointed to his shoulder: “Massage.”

Qi Guanrui massaged Gu Bai’s shoulders.

Once the shoulder massage was done, Gu Bai asked him to do his back, then give a full-body massage. After that, Gu Bai smiled. Because Qi Guanrui had gotten hard again.

Gu Bai: “…” You damn perverted snake!

If this had happened before, he wouldn’t have been able to handle it. But now…