The room was filled with an unsettling sense of trepidation and seriousness. Fang Huan and Gu Yue Bo exchanged curious yet fearful glances, both bewildered by how their daughter seemed to know so much despite having lived her entire life as a one-year-old baby. The context surrounding this was unnerving and strange.
**[Fang Shung's Mansion]**
Inside her mansion, Fang Shung wore a black robe. Her beautiful face was illuminated only by two rows of dim candles and the soft glow of the moonlight. She had been left alone.
*Using attitude could be an option to fool them,* she pondered, considering the excuses she would need to make her situation believable. Yet, deep down, she just wanted a manipulation Gu—not just to alter her attitude, but to manipulate others as well.
Manipulate... Manipulate... Manipulate.
The word echoed in her mind, sparking inspiration.
**Manipulation Gu!**
She contemplated the idea, and although her Nascent Soul, now marked with Harmful Soul Path Dao marks, had slowed her thinking, she was fortunate not to have lost her memories or intelligence.
Turning her head, she noticed the creaking door. Shen Cui entered the room.
*They don't waste time,* Fang Shung thought. This heartless girl, who skillfully hid her true self, had finally arrived.
Shen Cui greeted her with a warm and friendly demeanor. Her expression was innocent and charming, complemented by her above-average looks and carefully chosen clothing. She carried a basket covered by a thin layer of fabric.
Fang Shung merely gave Shen Cui a knowing glance, prompting her to pick up the new robes, hairpin, earrings, and necklace she had received from Elder Fang. For privacy, Fang Shung wore a veil that concealed her body, while Shen Cui donned a white robe. She fastened a gentle, soft belt around her waist and delicately attached azure crescent-shaped earrings to her ears. A thin silver necklace was draped around her neck as she styled her hair. A beautiful dark blue crescent hairpin was attached to her hair.
Afterward, she left. Although she tried to maintain close contact with Fang Shung, the latter's cold demeanor pushed her away; nevertheless, Shen Cui kept a smile on her face the entire time.
Fang Shung contemplated Manipulation Gu. The concept was appealing, especially since not many possessed it in the current timeline. Most only had altered versions, such as Warm Heart Manipulation Gu, Wisdom Thought Manipulation Gu, and Dark Truth Manipulation Gu.
She took a moment to assess her own body, checking how much Chaos Essence she had accumulated over the past 16 years. The amount was substantial—enough to refine a Rank 6 Gu with an 80% success probability. However, she only desired to create a Rank 5 version, as it would require significantly less essence.
She had the recipe, though the materials were incomplete; this was not a concern for her. The Chaos Essence could fill in the missing fragments of Dao needed for the Gu. Rather than simply gathering materials and hoping for success, completing the missing Dao with the help of Chaos Essence would greatly increase the likelihood of success.
She required only a few hours to masterfully refine the Rank 5 Manipulation Gu. Although her current attainment level was less than stellar, she was confident that by pouring in bulk amounts of Chaos Essence, the Gu could still be successfully refined. Her expertise spanned across various paths, boasting a Master level Attainment in each one. This included not just the Dream path, but also painting, alongside numerous others in the vast cosmos of Gu refinement.
However, the ticking clock became her greatest adversary. Time was a luxury she couldn't afford, particularly with individuals like Gu Yue Bo and her family potentially poised to knock on her door at any moment. She was acutely aware that her recent, suspicious activities had likely raised their alarms. In this precarious situation, she recognized that Manipulation Gu would serve as a crucial lifeline, equipping her with the means to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.
Even if she didn't needed it, having it was a massive boost in her manipulation. Mixed in with Attitude Gu, it would be almost impossible for any Rank 5 or below Gu Master to escape her clutchs.
The nourishment required for Manipulation Gu consisted of the brains of astute individuals or anything capable of influencing others in a notably elevated manner. The refinement process was intricate, involving more than nine distinct steps; each subsequent step grew increasingly difficult and complex compared to the last. The ingredients necessary for this meticulous procedure included: Autumn Worm's Silk, Purple Star Soil, Thought Gu, Rank 4 Manipulation Gu, and substantial quantities of Sharp Mind Gu. Additionally, she needed Silver Cleanse Water, Mind Soothing Herb, the Wise Turtle's Head—an esteemed Myriad Beast King—and the Golden Crow Beak, another Myriad Beast King, among numerous smaller materials.
Fortunately, she had amassed a sizable stock of these crucial components, remnants from her intense battles against Heaven's Will. She recalled vividly the many materials she had collected specifically for the Manipulation Gu, especially during her previous refinements of several Rank 5 Heavenly Essence Treasure King Lotuses.
Understanding the urgency of her situation, she signaled to the servant stationed outside her chamber, instructing him to prevent any interruptions throughout the night. "Yes, I shall abide by your order," he replied with a deep bow before resuming his patrol, ensuring the sanctity of her workspace remained undisturbed.
With a burst of energy, Fang Shung unleashed her Chaos Essence, its pitch-black surface shimmering ominously as she began to pour in the precious materials one by one. A swirling vortex formed as they mixed, twisting into a mesmerizing concoction.
The moment the majestic Golden Crow's Beak was introduced, radiant golden light erupted, illuminating the space with an otherworldly glow. As the Wise Turtle's Head followed, the mixture transformed further, becoming a dazzling spectacle of refinement.
Martial Art------ Chaos To Dao!
First Technique------- Filling Dao And Order!!
The Refinement shined as the missing fragments of Dao needed to refine the Gu, were filled up.
[Two Hours Later]
Sweat dripped down her brow, her body electrified with anticipation as she neared the final stage of the process. Her eyes darkened and glistened, reflecting the intensity of her concentration. At last, with a blinding flash, the refinement reached its climax!
Emerging from the radiant swirl was a breathtaking Gu—a creature unlike any she had ever seen. Its centipede-like body shimmered with pure white scales, and eight sleek rows of legs, dark as night, danced with energy. The air crackled black lightening for a bit before dying out.
She finally had time to relax.
*With Manipulation and Attitude Gu... I can practically control the entire Gu Yue clan, hehe,* she laughed delightfully and insidiously. But her amusement was abruptly interrupted when two figures entered the room. *They grew impatient, huh?* she thought to herself. The inevitable outcome had finally arrived, and she was both prepared and excited.
"Father..." a soft voice filled with confusion and longing came from her, masking the cold demon within.
"Daughter... I—" Fang Huan was cut off as Gu Yue Bo stepped forward, meeting her with a sharp glare.
"Speak! Who are you?" his voice was authoritative and cold.
"M-me? ... Father, what is this?" She turned her innocent eyes to her father, who felt a sense of bitterness rising in his heart. Longing and guilt overwhelmed him for having caused this to her, but the truth was undeniable.
"Daughter... Are you... my daughter?" His voice was broken and pitiful; he was practically obsessed with her. For 16 years, he had watched his daughter remain unaging, and now, on the night she finally became normal, it had to be a more troubling day for him.
Fang Shung, harnessing her Rank 9 Attitude Gu, meticulously masked her emotions, making them more convincing to the unsuspecting Rank 3 and Rank 4 Gu Masters.
The manipulation Gu within her glowed faintly as she infused a minute measure of her potent Chaos Essence.
In a deceptively soothing tone, she declared, "Come on now, I am your daughter."
An inexplicable shiver coursed through Fang Huan's being, his mind jolting as his thoughts and perception underwent a profound transformation. His perspective altered, his attitude shifting instantaneously.
The insidious power of the Rank 9 Attitude Gu, coupled with the infusion of Chaos Essence, wove a subtle enchantment on Fang Huan. In its clutches, his mind and understanding were altered, his reaction to her words completely swayed.
Even the surrounding environment seemed to ripple and shiver with the weight of her manipulation, as the eerie sense of unease heightened.
It was as if the very essence of reality itself was reshaped by the rank 9 Attitude Gu, effortlessly bending the minds and wills of mortal Gu Masters.
Fang Huan, a victim of this insidious manipulation, was trapped in the web of enchantment. His thoughts and emotions were twisted, and his perceptions and beliefs were altered to fit the narrative crafted by Fang Shung's dark arts.
Clan Leader Gu Yue Bo, with his years of experience warning him of impending danger, gazed at Fang Shung with a mixture of disbelief and unease.
Activating his Gu Worms, he attempted to counteract her malevolent power, but the relentless might of her Rank 9 Attitude Gu and the manipulative prowess of Rank 5 Manipulation Gu stood as indestructible barriers, rendering his efforts futile.
As a mere mortal Rank 4 Gu Master, he stood no chance against the insidious forces at play. Succumbing to the enchantment, his willpower crumbled, and a deep shudder rippled through his being.
Fang Shung stood there, relishing the sense of domination and control. A sinister laughter escaped her lips, the epitome of a demonic entity, as excitement coursed through her veins. The Clan Leader, once a formidable figure of authority, now knelt before her, a puppet to her twisted designs.
Outside, Fang Zheng, Fang Shung's twin brother, stood frozen in terror, witnessing the horrifying scene unfolding before him.
He came here as he saw his father and Clan Leader heading out to her mansion with weird faces. Out of curiosity, he followed quietly only to see this.
Confusion and shock rippled through his being, his body trembling uncontrollably as he desperately sought to make sense of the bizarre and frightening display.
And then it happened—Fang Shung's gaze briefly flitted towards her fleeing brother. A chilling glance, laced with an ominous intent, locked with his own, leaving him utterly terror-stricken.
Unable to utter a coherent word, Fang Zheng fled with all his might, tears streaming down his face, a picture of sheer horror and helplessness.
The sight of her beloved brother fleeing in terror added to Fang Shung's twisted sense of satisfaction and power. She reveled in the fear she had inflicted upon him, knowing that the memory of this moment would haunt him for the rest of his life.
She felt extra satisfied as she wrote poetry about that and said it clearly,
"Run, brother, to the world's end,
Escape like a terrorized child,
Darting through the inky black night,
A helpless ant against my might.
For your impending fate, you know,
No escape from the shadows' woe,
Run as you might, it's in vain,
Your terror, my wicked game~".