Little Pink Starfish

The group climbed swiftly. On the other side of the river and at the base of the mountain lay a small cave—the core of the legendary treasure.

After methodically processing the situation in his mind, Gu Bai pointed at a large tree. Behind that tree was their true destination.

Qiguan Rui whispered, “Gege, is this the entrance?”

Gu Bai nodded expressionlessly.

Understanding, Qiguan Rui led the team forward.

Sure enough, concealed beneath the tree’s thick foliage was a narrow, dark cave, barely wide enough for two or three people to enter at once. It was deep, black as ink, and devoid of any light. Though it appeared unremarkable at first glance, an eerie, foreboding aura radiated from within—as if something beyond comprehension lurked inside.

“This is the entry point. Two at a time,” Qiguan Rui instructed.

The Heaven-Devouring Python members exchanged glances before nodding. “Understood!”

By now, they had long realised that the true power within the sect lay with their young captain. Time and again, they had witnessed even their nominal leader treating him with great respect. And as for his strength? Unfathomable. So naturally, they followed orders without hesitation.

The team swiftly split into several groups—three vanguard squads entered first to scout the path, while others remained outside to guard the entrance, all maintaining utmost vigilance.

They had no idea what their leaders were planning, but experience told them that obedience always led to rewards. Past missions had proven that those who followed orders came back with significant benefits. Staying in line was simply the smartest approach.

The first scouting group wasted no time. Fully armoured with defensive gear and their wu qi at full strength, they braced themselves. After all, they only had one life—no amount of treasure was worth dying over.

Once prepared, they charged into the cave. Even if there are beasts inside, we’ll clear them out!

Gu Bai already knew what lay within.

In the original novel, the protagonist had ventured here with a large entourage of subordinates and female companions, avoiding numerous dangers while steadily winning their loyalty. However, even the imperial family had no knowledge of the core’s exact location—let alone the royal pawn that had been parasitically controlled by Qiguan Rui’s snake-gu.

So how had the protagonist found it? Pure, unadulterated protagonist luck.

As the novel’s creator, Gu Bai had no intention of tormenting his protagonist too cruelly. But if things were too easy, the readers would lose interest. So, naturally, he had arranged for the protagonist and his followers to encounter a series of deadly traps—including a battle against warriors who had lost their minds to a sinister fog.

As the fog thickened, it began to affect even the protagonist’s allies.

In a classic heroic move, the protagonist had chosen to hold the rear, ensuring that his weaker subordinates could escape. A devoted female companion had insisted on staying behind with him, but when she was nearly overwhelmed by the fog’s influence, he simply knocked her out. _{[T/N: Haha he punched a woman.]}

Eventually, he successfully navigated the traps—only to find himself outside the grassy field. From there, the sequence was obvious.

Thirsty, he had approached the river, only to face the hidden creatures in the grass. Using his snake-gu, he neutralised them. Just as he was about to drink, the river beast had attacked, forcing him into a battle before finally reaching the mountain. Tired, he had sought refuge in a narrow cave, deciding to explore… and thus, the story had unfolded as planned.

Back in the present, the first scouting team had barely stepped inside when a flurry of flapping noises erupted.

The second and third teams reacted instantly, tossing luminous night pearls into the cave, illuminating the interior as if it were daylight. From the entrance, they quickly spotted the source of the commotion.

…A massive swarm of bloodthirsty bats.

It was almost a cliché—many novelists loved throwing small, irritating creatures into caves for tension, and bloodsucking bats were a go-to favourite.

Gu Bai had followed suit. But he was, after all, the protagonist’s creator. In this world, where wu zun-level warriors were practically Ultraman-tier in power, a few bats—no matter how many—were nothing.

Could they actually drink the protagonist’s blood? Not a chance!

Even in the original story, the protagonist had entered alone and emerged unscathed. Now, with the Heaven-Devouring Python members well-prepared, the bats didn’t stand a chance.

The cave echoed with the relentless thud of bats plummeting to the ground. In mere moments, the entire swarm had been exterminated. The floor was now covered in a thick, squishy carpet of bat corpses.

Gu Bai, ever the neat freak, had Qiguan Rui order the team to clear the bodies and tidy the passage before proceeding. Only then did he, accompanied by Qiguan Rui, step inside.

He was perfectly composed—after all, from here on, the dangers were minimal. ╮(╯▽╰)╭

With the corpses cleared, the narrow path—barely wide enough for one person—was considered “clean.”

Gu Bai took the lead, while the others remained behind.

Not without reason—this cave’s core was too significant to let just anyone touch it first.

Qiguan Rui, fully aware, followed closely behind.

The passage wasn’t long, and before they knew it, light appeared ahead.

Gu Bai turned slightly and said, “You go in first.”

Qiguan Rui gazed at Gu Bai, his expression gentle. “Gege, it doesn’t matter whether it’s mine or yours. There is no difference.”

Gu Bai deadpanned. “…Go in.” Enough with the nonsense! If it’s yours, it’s yours—why all the sentimental rambling?! I’m not moved at all, damn it!

Qiguan Rui was deeply touched but didn’t linger. He knew that to control the world, his current strength was still insufficient… and this could be an opportunity. Without further delay, he stepped inside.

The chamber within was dazzlingly bright, almost blinding. The cavern’s ceiling soared dozens of metres high, encrusted with luminous night pearls—each at least the size of a thumb from afar, and likely as large as basketballs up close. Every single one was priceless.

The cave’s design was exquisite. Hundreds of pristine white pillars stretched from floor to ceiling. Yet, they were opaque, concealing whatever lay inside. Clearly, they were not empty.

After a brief pause, Qiguan Rui turned to Gu Bai. “Gege, just the two of us should enter.”

Gu Bai nodded knowingly, then addressed the approaching Heaven-Devouring Python members. “Guard the entrance.”

Chen Yuanhao immediately understood—this cave held an opportunity too valuable to be revealed. Even the most loyal followers weren’t without price; loyalty depended on the right conditions. Even he wasn’t blindly devoted.

For his own safety, he led the team away without hesitation. Better to remain ignorant than to covet something beyond reach and risk being silenced.

With a collective rustle, the entire group withdrew.

Gu Bai, waiting until Qiguan Rui had fully entered, then followed suit.

There was no choice—this cave’s mechanism was designed so that the first non-royal entrant would receive greater benefits.

The moment Qiguan Rui stepped inside, a warm light enveloped him.

The cave responded to his presence. A glowing sphere materialised and shot toward him.

“Drop blood and bind it,” Gu Bai instructed.

Qiguan Rui pricked his finger without hesitation, allowing a drop of blood to seep in.

The sphere instantly turned red, deepening his connection to the cave.

Before them, the chamber transformed. The central pillar burst into radiance, turning transparent to reveal its contents—countless treasure chests stacked high, each filled to the brim. A lavish table materialised, displaying dazzling celestial materials, rare weapons, and precious elixirs. A fortune fit for a wu huang.

Meanwhile, the other pillars seemed to solidify—appearing almost… fake.

Then, an ethereal voice echoed: “Would you like to extract the treasure?”

Before Qiguan Rui could answer, Gu Bai spoke first. “Decline.”

Qiguan Rui, trusting him completely, smiled. “No extraction.”

Gu Bai exhaled in relief.

Qiguan Rui turned to him. “How do we bind the core, gege?”

Gu Bai led him to the seventeenth pillar on the left.

“There,” he instructed. “Infuse it with your wu qi—using your bloodline.”

And so, the true core awaited its master.

****

Pinky says: This is my favourite instance of a man abusing a woman. It’s from The Philadelphia Story (1940).