Little Pink Starfish

Qiguan Rui tidied things up and quickly began to set the stage.

Who was he? After his descent into darkness, he became an expert at spinning tales, deceiving everyone with nine lies for every truth. If even one of his ten statements was accurate, it was no small feat—and that one truthful statement was typically reserved for Gu Bai. As for others? If you got tricked, consider yourself lucky; if you died as a result, well, tough luck.

Otherwise, how could he have built such a vast empire within just a few short years?

Predictably, Gu Bai watched as Long Yuanba’s micro-expressions shifted from cautious to relaxed, then to astonished, contemplative, fake eagerness, and finally impatient desperation. Hook, line, and sinker! Well, credit where it’s due. Compared to the original novel, where Long Yuanba stumbled around aimlessly like a headless fly and eventually ended up one step behind the protagonist, this was like some kind of twisted cheat code. Hurry up and find the treasure to marry the princess already! I’m rooting for you, mate!

Long Yuanba, having received the information, felt that time was of the essence and wasted no time exchanging pleasantries with Qiguan Rui. After a few perfunctory words, he expressed his desire to mind his own business, grabbed his followers, and bolted. The location of the treasure was in the complete opposite direction from here, and he didn’t want to waste even a second!

In no time, they had run far, far away.

Gu Bai silently watched the first tragic male supporting character—a.k.a. “arch-nemesis,” a.k.a. “steppingstone cannon fodder boss”—and sent him his heartfelt blessings. This time, marry the princess and settle down with a “wife, kids, and a warm hearth,” yeah? Stop picking fights with the lunatic!

Qiguan Rui held Gu Bai’s hand, his elegant features radiating tenderness. “Gege, let’s quickly seize the core and take control of the treasure,” he said, his ambitions laid bare, his voice velvety soft. “Aside from the core’s control, everything here, I’m willing to offer to gege.”

Gu Bai ruffled the lunatic’s head, thinking he had trained him well. When did I stop being scared at all, eh? Even if this lunatic acts all deceptive, getting tricked like this is totally worth it!

And so, their group began a seemingly endless journey, hurrying day and night (exaggeration aside) until they reached a desolate area.

Straight ahead was a towering mountain. At the foot of the mountain, streams flowed freely. By the water’s edge stood tall patches of wild grass, half as high as a person. In those grasses? Who knew how many hidden dangers lurked.

Gu Bai gave Qiguan Rui a meaningful look.

Qiguan Rui clapped his hands.

In an instant, sedan chairs were lifted once more! The Heaven-Devouring Python sect was ready to move! Scouts? Ready. Vanguards? Ready. Cannon-fodder soldiers? Ready!

Chen Yuanhao, fully armed and accompanied by the remaining Heaven-Devouring Python members who didn’t have to carry sedan chairs, confidently marched to the front. They were to wade through the wild grass, clearing any threats to pave the way for those behind.

Qiguan Rui flicked his fingers, releasing a multitude of snake-gu, which shot into the grass like arrows.

Almost immediately, the wild grasses began to stir violently, as though struck by a fierce wind or boiling over like water in a pot. It churned with intensity. Then came a sudden burst of rustling sounds, followed by sharp, snapping noises.

Expressionless, Gu Bai extended a hand, conjuring an impenetrable ice wall that blocked his face entirely.

Note: Wu di-level wu qi forms a wall capable of preventing any disfigurement!

One wall, two walls, three walls, four walls!

With the sheer number of incoming threats, Gu Bai unleashed his full wu qi, enclosing himself entirely within an ice barrier. He even extended it to include the sedan carriers.

*Ding ding dang dang*—the sound of impacts rang out as countless bizarre creatures, hidden among the grass, flew out.

There were unidentifiable beings that looked like a mix of reptiles, insects, and amphibians—an endless array of oddities.

Some resembled palm-sized toads, spraying foul-smelling venom that blackened the ground and sizzled against the ice wall. Others resembled insects, attacking en-masse like machine-gun fire. High-flying reptiles lashed out with their poisonous tails, leaving toxic streaks wherever they struck.

There were also bloodsuckers, clawed predators with razor-like talons, and creatures that could tear off chunks of flesh with a single bite.

Previously concealed in the grass, they would have devoured anyone who stepped foot in their midst in mere moments!

Fortunately, everyone else reacted swiftly. By the time the snake-gu entered the grass, they had already prepared their defences. When the creatures launched their surprise attack, most people shielded themselves with wu qi, avoiding an immediate loss.

As for Qiguan Rui, he merely smiled. A surge of energy radiated from him, and the creatures fell to the ground like raindrops—dying instantly.

The onslaught, as ferocious as a torrential storm, lasted about two to three minutes before subsiding.

When the group finally recovered their wits, the ground was riddled with craters, strewn with the corpses of countless creatures—an overwhelming, nauseating sight.

Gu Bai, knowing the snake-gu had wiped out the threat, withdrew his wu qi. The four ice walls, resembling phone booths, began to melt, revealing Gu Bai once again.

Qiguan Rui quickly stepped forward, his boots crunching over the corpses. He seemed utterly unaffected, his smile dazzling. “Gege, are you alright?”

Gu Bai shook his head.

The Heaven-Devouring Python members, meanwhile, shuddered. These unidentified monstrosities were terrifying—one careless mistake, and they could have ended up as nothing but bones! Thank goodness they had prepared…

Still, the squishy corpses beneath their feet made them uneasy. A few members skilled in fire-based techniques conjured streams of flames to burn a narrow path wide enough for three or four people to walk through. Feeling more at ease, they pressed forward cautiously.

Chen Yuanhao and the vanguard led the way, while others guarded the rear. Gu Bai and Qiguan Rui were safely surrounded in the centre.

Maintaining a defensive formation, the group quickly traversed the grassy area. Protective shields of wu qi ensured that any stragglers from the grass posed no threat.

Soon, they reached a fast-flowing river. The turbulent waters formed whirlpools, and the river likely fed into a distant waterfall.

This was Gu Bai’s time to shine.

While Qiguan Rui could have handled it, his public persona didn’t showcase ice attributes. For now, he deferred.

Gu Bai, inwardly thrilled, thought, it’s been ages since I got to show off! If I don’t do it now, I’ll get rusty! With a flicker, he gracefully stepped to the riverbank. Now, how much wu qi should I release to make this clean, efficient, and full of flair?

Behind him, the Heaven-Devouring Python members were filled with anticipation. We’ve followed him for so long and never seen him in action. Finally, we’re about to witness it!

Gu Bai assessed the situation, then decided it was time. Light winds began to swirl around him.

The members’ eyes lit up. Here it comes!

The wind rustled his white robes and jet-black hair, creating a swirling cyclone of energy that soon grew into a visible torrent. The torrent turned white, exuding an icy chill that rapidly lowered the surrounding temperature.

This was… wu qi.

Gu Bai’s wu qi was influencing the environment, preparing to unleash a powerful technique.

As the icy aura intensified, Gu Bai extended his flawless hand. A thread of wu qi trailed from his fingertip, diving into the water.

Ripples formed, and the icy energy spread outward, freezing the entire river surface in moments. Beneath the ice, a thick layer solidified, halting the flow entirely.

Gu Bai knew the riverbed housed a formidable beast—the river’s guardian—which the protagonist had fought in the original novel. However, as long as the ice didn’t disturb its habitat, it wouldn’t emerge.

The Heaven-Devouring Python members reacted swiftly, darting across the ice the moment it solidified.

Qiguan Rui took Gu Bai’s hand, helping him across effortlessly.

Leaving the river behind, they pressed on and finally saw the mountain peak—the heart of the Heavenly Dragon’s Treasure.

****

Pinky says: Great, now he’ll never be able to wear hats.