【Huiyuan Sword Manual is comprehending "Flowing Light Sword Shadow"... Current progress: 1%】
Can it be played like this?
Gu Chengming stroked his chin, lost in thought.
Is this a characteristic of the Huiyuan Sword Manual as a “basic sword manual”, or is it a function that unlocks when any cultivation technique's favorability reaches the “adoration” stage?
He wasn't quite sure, but this didn't stop him from making a decision.
As his thoughts stirred, the jade slip recording "Flowing Light Sword Shadow" flashed with light, and the sword intent and moves contained within flowed out, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, continuously being devoured by the seemingly ordinary Huiyuan Sword Manual.
This scene utterly dumbfounded Hundred Bones Resonating, who was observing.
【Hundred Bones Resonating was wide-eyed and tongue-tied, thinking, “Damn, no wonder Gu Chengming likes the Huiyuan Sword Manual, this is too much like cheating!”】
【It originally thought that the Huiyuan Sword Manual didn't contend or compete because it knew it was just an entry-level trash cultivation technique, unworthy of vying for favor with a Hegemonic Body Art destined to achieve Dao and become a saint.】
【But now it seems, the Huiyuan Sword Manual had a plan all along!】
【As long as it learns all the advantages of other sword manuals, it won't have to fear a more powerful cultivation technique replacing its position in the future.】
【Hundred Bones Resonating thought, “What a terrifying cultivation technique, I really underestimated it before.”】
【It seems that the other cultivation technique called Qingxin Art is also not simple.】
Qingxin Art, on the other hand, felt nothing, seemingly completely unconcerned about being replaced.
After all, a fun-seeker only needs fun to watch.
Since the matter of "Flowing Light Sword Shadow" had a resolution, even if the progress bar moved slowly, it was better than just staring blankly.
................................................................
In the following days, Gu Chengming's life became both regular and somewhat subtle.
As the Huiyuan Sword Manual entered a state of secluded comprehension, Gu Chengming distinctly felt a sense of emptiness called “only appreciating after losing.”
The smooth feeling of moving as if with one's own arm that he usually experienced when practicing swordplay disappeared; instead, it carried a slight sluggishness. This made him realize that the Huiyuan Sword Manual had been silently helping him correct his force and adjust his angles during his previous sword practice.
And without that assistance, Gu Chengming had to re-examine his sword dao foundation. This could be considered a blessing in disguise, allowing his fundamental skills to solidify a bit more amidst the stumbling.
As for Hundred Bones Resonating, after witnessing the Huiyuan Sword Manual's actions, it fell into deep thought.
It began to ponder whether it should also develop some new functions? For example, devouring some demonic beast essence blood, or observing other body cultivation techniques? It couldn't possibly be outdone by a basic sword manual, could it?
Amidst this fulfilling cultivation life, Gu Chengming did not forget his “side business.”
After all, the third part of this storybook had been delayed long enough, and the plot of the third part was also the climax and turning point of the entire storybook.
It was the legendary “popular and well-received” segment.
The aloof and ascetic Master, due to an unexpected incident, accidentally ingested a strange poison called Hehuan Powder. Under the influence of the drug, the Master's dao heart became unstable.
To save, or not to save?
How to save?
That was the question.
Gu Chengming wrote with divine inspiration, vividly depicting the forbidden atmosphere, the Master's struggle on the edge of reason and desire, and the protagonist's internal struggle.
Of course, to pass censorship... cough, to maintain artistic integrity, he did not write too explicitly, but instead used a large amount of indirect description and psychological suggestion.
That hazy feeling, “like a pipa player half-hiding her face,” was more blush-inducing than explicit physical encounters.
Several days later, the great work was complete.
Gu Chengming blew dry the ink and bound the thick stack of manuscripts into a book.
【Qingxin Art finished reading your latest storybook, thinking, “What a perverse taste.”】
【Qingxin Art said it doesn't like this kind of cliché plot, and if you write it again next time, it will find it boring.】
【Qingxin Art Favorability +3】
Oh? So it's a “saying no but body says yes” moment.
...........................................................
The next day, Cangjian Pavilion.
Today, Cangjian Pavilion was exceptionally quiet, as if it had been specially cleared.
As soon as Gu Chengming stepped through the main entrance, he felt a scorching gaze fixated on him.
Behind the counter, Yu Wenqiu was still in her elder's robe, sitting there, holding a jade slip to her forehead, seemingly perusing ancient texts.
But if one looked closely, they would notice her jade slip was held upside down.
Moreover, her eyes had no focus, occasionally glancing towards the entrance, looking exactly like a high school student secretly ordering takeout and waiting by the fence at a boarding, semi-militarized Hengshui-style high school.
“Elder Yu.”
Gu Chengming stepped forward and respectfully saluted.
“Cough! You're here?!”
Yu Wenqiu's hand trembled, almost dropping the jade slip.
She quickly put down the jade slip, forced a calm expression, and nodded slightly:
“Mm, no need for formalities.”
She cleared her throat, her gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Gu Chengming's bulging chest:
“That... the storybook I assigned earlier, for assisting in tempering the heart in the mortal world, has it been written?”
“Fortunately, I did not fail the mission.”
Gu Chengming presented the storybook with both hands.
Yu Wenqiu's eyes instantly lit up. She took it and quickly tucked it into the wide sleeves of her robe.
“Mm, very good.”
Yu Wenqiu took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the urge for her lips to curl upwards, and said with a stern face:
“Since it's finished, I will take it back to... savor carefully. If there are any improprieties, I will instruct you later.”
“Thank you, Elder.” Gu Chengming cooperated perfectly with the act.
“Oh, right.”
Yu Wenqiu seemed to remember something and took out a small bottle from her storage pouch, tossing it to Gu Chengming.
“This is a Glazed Pure Spirit Pill. If you feel restless and irritable during cultivation, you can take one. Seeing the dark circles under your eyes, I presume you've expended a lot of mental energy writing this... insight. Take it to replenish yourself.”
Gu Chengming took the pill with a strange expression.
It was a good thing, but... he wasn't lacking it.
Putting his thoughts away, he cupped his hands in salute, and without further thought, he took his leave.
.....................................................................................
As soon as Gu Chengming walked out of the Cangjian Pavilion's main entrance, Yu Wenqiu handed her work to a disciple, trading the benefit of a bottle of pills for the other party to cover her shift for the afternoon, and without another word, she skipped work.
After returning to her courtyard, she eagerly pulled the storybook from her sleeve.
“Finally... finally it's here!”
“Damn cliffhanger dog, you made me wait so long!”
She opened the first page, and the familiar handwriting came into view.
The plot continued from the last installment.
Yu Wenqiu read with great interest, sometimes frowning, sometimes relaxing, completely immersed in the bizarre and fantastical story world Gu Chengming had constructed.
However, as the pages turned, her expression gradually became strange.
Finally, she reached the crucial chapter.
【The moonlight was like water, fine beads of sweat seeped from the Master's forehead, and those normally cold eyes were now hazy...】
“Gulp.”
Yu Wenqiu swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
This... this description... it's too...
Especially when she read further, how that normally timid and submissive rebellious disciple, in order to save the Master, had to make some decisions that “go against ancestral teachings,” and began to untie the Master's sash...
Yu Wenqiu abruptly closed the storybook.
What is Little Gu writing?!
But...
But she really wanted to know what happened next!
Yu Wenqiu's fingers picked at the book cover, as if two little people were arguing in her head.
One little person said: You've read this far, can you sleep tonight if you don't finish it?
The other little person said: He's right.
Yu Wenqiu, blushing, like a thief, opened the book again, leaving a small gap.
................................................
Half an hour later.
Yu Wenqiu slumped in her chair, having finished reading.
Not only had she finished, but the scenes had also automatically generated in her mind.
That sense of immorality deeply shocked her.
She suddenly sat up straight, looking at the storybook in her hand, her brows tightly furrowed.
“That's not right...”
“The Master in this book has a cold personality, is usually stern and humorless, and is a sword cultivator...”
“This is practically me!”
Yu Wenqiu's heart skipped a beat.
“Could it be...”
A terrifying thought surfaced in her mind.
“Could this kid Gu Chengming be implying something?!”
“Does he have improper thoughts about me?!”
Yu Wenqiu bit her lip, both ashamed and angry.
She felt like grabbing Gu Chengming and asking him what his intentions were for writing such a scene.
But... just as she stood up, she dejectedly sat back down.
What if she was just overthinking it?
If she angrily ran over to question him, wouldn't that be incriminating myself without being pressed? Wouldn't that be admitting I'd put myself in the story?
How humiliating!
She wanted to curse, but also wanted to continue reading the next part; she wanted to question him, but also feared losing face.
If Gu Chengming knew, he would probably just say, “This is the ugly state of a galgame fanatic!”
Rate on N.U.
