Little Pink Starfish

The biggest difference between the protagonist and the supporting characters lies in this: when engaging in the same womaniser behaviour—such as the situation unfolding now—the former can subdue the girl and continue their activities, while the latter can only clutch their little ding-a-ling and flee in panic. ╮(╯▽╰)╭

Thus, visible to the naked eye, the vibrant and toothy flower wilted immediately after being slapped, retreating dejectedly before slowly burrowing back into the girl’s belly button.

At that same moment, the girl opened her eyes and woke up. The strange, demonic aura dissipated. She looked at the half-naked Chen Yuanhao, her eyes brimming with tears. “Chen-lang, Chen-lang, what happened to you, Chen-lang?” With that, she lunged forward to embrace him.

Chen Yuanhao took a deep breath, forcing a smile. “Yue’er, the timing isn’t right tonight. I’ll stand guard outside for you.”

Su Suyue’s expression turned even more helpless.

Chen Yuanhao silently turned his face away. …No matter how wonderful the girl was, she wasn’t worth the risk of losing his little ding-a-ling. He didn’t need another man-eating woman in his household!

As the couple transitioned from lovers to frenemies in an instant, the men of the Mu Tribe rushed to comfort their chieftess.

Chen Yuanhao sighed and gazed at the bright moon, melancholically fantasising about the legendary girls he longed for. Nothing could shake him anymore. He had known all along that luck wouldn’t favour him (or so he claimed). Still, he held onto a sliver of hope in his heart…

With the matter resolved, Gu Bai and Qiguan Rui returned to their tent.

Qiguan Rui kissed Gu Bai’s cheek. “Gege, what are you thinking about?”

Gu Bai glanced at him. “Nothing.” He paused briefly. “I wish him luck.”

***

The next day, Su Suyue and her men prepared to bid farewell to Gu Bai and his group.

Originally, they had stayed because of Su Suyue’s relationship with Chen Yuanhao. Now that things had fallen through, they could no longer linger. The treasure’s core was of great importance, and idlers had no business being involved.

Having witnessed Qiguan Rui’s strength earlier, they had no illusions about forcing their way in to claim a share. Instead, they decided to raid others or leave the treasure land altogether—options far more beneficial to them.

Of course, Qiguan Rui had no intention of stopping them.

Soon, Su Suyue reluctantly departed. Qiguan Rui casually commanded a serpent gu to trail them at a safe distance. This wasn’t to parasitise them outright but as a precaution.

The Mu Tribe’s value lay in luring beasts for manipulation, but now that utility had been exhausted. The treasure’s core, however, was something they could not allow to be revealed. Fighting them wasn’t worth the trouble, so the gu served as insurance.

If they refrained from spreading information or vying for the treasure, the gu would naturally return after they left the treasure land. If they harboured ill intent… well, parasitism and destruction would follow.

As for what they might say after leaving the treasure land? That wasn’t a concern. The outside world was vast, and the Mu Tribe’s influence was minuscule. There was no need to worry. The only remaining concern was the possibility of others causing trouble as they headed for the treasure’s core.

With the distractions gone, the group picked up speed.

Gu Bai moved like a wisp of white smoke, his growing strength making him appear increasingly ethereal, like an immortal. Qiguan Rui became a dark shadow, coiled tightly within Gu Bai’s shadow, as if fused into one.

Behind them trailed several more shadows. The group advanced swiftly, leaving beasts and other martial artists exploring the secret realm far behind.

After another two hours of travel, they were nearing the core.

But just then, Gu Bai’s group abruptly stopped. Nearby, powerful energy signatures were approaching.

If they didn’t pause, they might be followed, and bringing someone else into the core would spell disaster.

Gu Bai thought bitterly: I knew it wouldn’t be that easy! Dammit!

Qiguan Rui squeezed his palm reassuringly, his expression calm and unhurried.

The approaching figure was nine feet tall, with a heroic and unforgettable appearance. His aura was like a soaring dragon, commanding respect at first sight. He wore a domineering outfit of battle attire, topped with an obviously expensive cape. A group of over ten lackeys followed behind him. This was the epitome of a handsome man among handsome men. Someone like this was undoubtedly famous and well-known.

Gu Bai recognised him immediately.

Long Yuanba, a high-level wu di, with a Qinglong Martial Body.

And, in the original storyline, the protagonist’s fated nemesis.

Gu Bai’s face was expressionless as he glanced at him. “Who are you? State your name.” Haha! I’ve always wanted to say that line! So badass! Love it!

Long Yuanba was already somewhat stunned by the sight of Gu Bai’s group.

The group included several wu wang-level individuals, but more importantly, the white-robed man in the centre, along with his companion, possessed astonishing martial power.

The white-robed man’s strength was on par with his own. The other individual, however, felt like an unfathomable abyss. Yet judging by their age, they were clearly very young. Who on earth were these people?

Long Yuanba was an arrogant man, but arrogance didn’t equate to stupidity or recklessness. In the original story, his relentless antagonism towards the protagonist stemmed from the ultimate grudge: a stolen wife. He truly loved Princess Tianxiang.

But since he was still the top candidate for her hand at this point, his heart wasn’t consumed by hatred. Seeing two individuals as powerful as these, his first instinct was caution, his second was understanding their goals, and only his third was deciding whether to fight them.

Avoiding conflict, if possible, was his preference.

He wasn’t foolish enough to think he could take them both on, but he believed he could at least kill one if pushed to his limit. Peace was the better option.

Thus, Long Yuanba instinctively reined in his aura, signalling goodwill.

Gu Bai noticed this. Ah, he’s backing off. Very good.

Long Yuanba smiled warmly and clasped his hands in greeting. “I am Long Yuanba, here to win Princess Tianxiang’s hand in marriage. May I ask who you are?”

Qiguan Rui also smiled faintly. “I am Qiguan Rui, and this is…” He turned to Gu Bai, his voice gentle. “My closest friend, Ziche Shubai, the Lord of Tiandu City… We are here out of curiosity about the treasure and decided to explore.”

Long Yuanba’s gaze darted between the two, scrutinising them closely. Wait a minute… Wasn’t there something oddly intimate between these two men? Hold on, men aren’t supposed to be… intimate with each other, right?

When he noticed Qiguan Rui holding Gu Bai’s hand, his worldview took a hit. Men holding hands? They weren’t women! Isn’t that something only lovers do?

For a moment, Long Yuanba was dazed. “You two…”

Qiguan Rui’s gaze was so tender it seemed it could drip with honey. “Shubai and I have been close for many years.”

The atmosphere turned downright romantic.

Not just Long Yuanba, but even his lackeys wore peculiar expressions. Men with men! Men with men! …Wait, is that even allowed?

Gu Bai could practically see their mental processes crumbling and rebuilding, leaving him to awkwardly sweat.

In this world of rigid heteronormativity, there was no concept of male-male relationships. Ahahaha… He felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.

But true to his strength, Long Yuanba quickly refocused, spotting a potential advantage. Men being with men didn’t matter! What mattered was that these two, as a pair, wouldn’t compete with him for women! He had just eliminated two strong rivals! Bless all love rivals to go and fall for each other!

Recovering immediately, Long Yuanba adjusted his expression to one of sincere well-wishing. “You two are a perfect match.”

Qiguan Rui froze momentarily.

Gu Bai: “…Thank you.”

The atmosphere eased dramatically, and the group engaged in amiable conversation. Though they didn’t sit down to chat, they did exchange some information.

Long Yuanba, as an outsider, had fought his way into the treasure land. Most who ventured here were talented young individuals destined for greatness—future emperors or sages. The imperial clan sought to eliminate them before they reached their full potential.

Among the outsiders, most were wu di, with high-level wu wang individuals serving as small forces or lone operators.

Given Long Yuanba’s strength, he had already dealt with several formidable enemies and overcome many traps and mechanisms in the treasure land. However, he had yet to locate the treasure itself.

As Gu Bai and Qiguan Rui listened, they pondered what information to share in return. Of course, they wouldn’t guide Long Yuanba to the core. As the protagonist, Gu Bai had no pressure lying, knowing that treasure locations outside the core were often decoys.

After all, if anyone controlled the core, they would control the entire treasure land, rendering the imperial clan powerless to manipulate the area. To avoid such a risk, the treasure’s true location was always hidden, far from the core.

Qiguan Rui’s mind worked quickly. Drawing from the storyline Gu Bai had shared and adding his own experiences, he devised a plan.

He would subtly mislead Long Yuanba toward the area where a treasure outbreak was destined to occur this time. This would not only prevent clashes with the imperial clan but also defuse Long Yuanba’s hostility while buying time for them to claim the core.

Long Yuanba, being the imperial clan’s chosen consort, undoubtedly knew more than most. By feigning ignorance and leaking only what a chosen candidate might know, Qiguan Rui could achieve his goal.

After all, despite Long Yuanba’s current amicability, he still viewed them as potential threats—whether for the princess or the treasure.

To claim the treasure and solidify his position, Long Yuanba would naturally prefer to take it personally.

****

Pinky says: I like the new guy’s attitude. I also hope my nemeses fall in love with each other, then they’d leave me alone and I can go to the wedding as an honoured guest and get free booze.