In the East Pavilion, within the inner courtyard of the Gu clan's main residence in Gubei City.
Gu Xuanyi grinned smugly, "With the residue of the ten deadliest poisons from the clan, a trivial clan like theirs will fall with ease."
Gu Xuanyi's storage ring was brimming with war preparations, from poisons and traps to a special mask and cloak to conceal his identity.
If someone as weak as Gu Xuanyi drew too much attention by appearing overly strong, everything would collapse before his plans even began.
"With these dozens of magical artifacts, I'll annihilate all those ants," Gu Xuanyi declared with fervor.
Sensing a presence approaching the East Pavilion, Gu Xuanyi frowned in confusion. "Wasn't this void space before? How can I sense people nearby?"
Recalling stories of Xianxia and Xuanhuan he had once read, realization dawned on him. "Is this Spiritual Awareness? I can detect these people so easily. I can't even gauge their cultivation levels."
A wicked idea crossed his mind as he recalled the cruelty described in tales of the Heavenly Demon. A wide, sinister grin spread across Gu Xuanyi's face.
"Yuhan," Gu Xuanyi called softly, his voice calm yet resonating as if amplified by a loudspeaker.
"What do you need, young master?" responded Gu Yuhan, rushing in from the East Pavilion's kitchen.
"There are three strangers outside. Did you send them, or did Father?" Gu Xuanyi inquired meticulously.
Gu Yuhan shook his head. "I only know of one senior guarding the East Pavilion."
"In that case, don't go outside. I'll take care of them," Gu Xuanyi ordered coldly, his oppressive aura causing Gu Yuhan to tremble.
"Understood, young master," Gu Yuhan replied politely, bowing before leaving. His expression was puzzled. "Is he truly the young master I know?" He couldn't explain his growing suspicion.
With cunning steps, Gu Xuanyi exhaled the venomous breath stored within him. Utilizing Qi, he enveloped the entire East Pavilion in a toxic mist.
Unlike visible fog, the combination of the Gu clan's ten deadly poisons and two spiritual plants created this effect. Reflecting his character, Gu Xuanyi added Snow Root, Blood Willow Fibers, and Black Grass as intermediaries for the Deadly Ten.
"Gu Xuanyi, I'm truly grateful for this experience," he muttered with gratitude.
This also allowed him to test the effectiveness of his newfound abilities.
Using a small dagger, he cut his palm and wrote a spell in the empty air. The characters quickly spread, forming a massive magical array that fused with the void.
"Soul-Binding Mantra—perfect for vermin like them," Gu Xuanyi remarked with satisfaction. With his preparations complete, he only needed to lure the trio into his trap.
Casually, he entered the dining room, waiting for Gu Yuhan to arrive with his meal.
"Young master, the food is ready!" Gu Yuhan's cheerful voice rang out as he swiftly served the dishes, his expression radiating joy.
"Yuhan, what realm are you in now?" Gu Xuanyi asked casually.
Startled, Gu Yuhan dropped a porcelain cup, freezing in place. Gu Xuanyi's sudden change in demeanor left him bewildered and cautious, fearing any misstep.
"I'm in the fifth layer of the Tempering Body realm, young master. Have I done something wrong?" Gu Yuhan replied hesitantly, worried for his life.
"What type of Gu do you use in your cultivation method?" Gu Xuanyi asked curiously. The sight of a white, fuzzy caterpillar-shaped Gu within Gu Yuhan intrigued him deeply.
"I cultivate using the Curiosity Desire technique with a Binding Gu," Gu Yuhan explained, his voice trembling with uncertainty.
Gu Xuanyi devoured his meal with a beaming face. "This taste—I haven't felt it in my throat for ages." He ate ravenously, showing no decorum, consuming everything with haste.
He abruptly stopped eating when Gu Yuhan fell silent, realizing their conversation had been entirely one-sided.
Gu Xuanyi then asked warmly, "Is it similar to an Obsession Gu?"
"No, young master. The Binding Gu is used to target the souls of individuals or groups, allowing their souls to be tracked and memories read," Gu Yuhan quickly clarified.
"So, can you bind the three souls of those who have been lurking outside?" Gu Xuanyi inquired curiously.
Gu Yuhan nodded. "I can, young master. Should I kill them?"
Gu Xuanyi shook his head. "I just need them to enter the East Pavilion out of carelessness."
"That's simple, young master. As you can see, the three also cultivate with Gu insects. With your Origin Gu, luring their Gu types will be highly effective," Gu Yuhan explained, bowing deferentially.
Gu Xuanyi nodded. "I'll need a bit of your help to extract information from them."
"I will do anything you ask, young master," Gu Yuhan pledged obediently.
Gu Xuanyi smirked faintly, though he had already prepared a magical array as a precaution. His mind raced, "Then let the show begin."
After briefly closing his eyes, his pupils transformed—deep crimson with flashes of glowing gold. The Qi within his body merged with Demonic Qi.
Outside the East Pavilion, the trio felt uneasy.
"What's happening? Why does it feel like I'm meeting someone I know?" thought one of them, Guo Lin.
Guo Lin sensed the powerful Demonic Qi, his body growing heavy and suffocating. Glancing at his two companions, his face turned pale. "Have I provoked the wrong person?"
Guo He shivered, his entire body tense. "We should check inside. It'll be dangerous if we've targeted the wrong person," he ordered the other two.
Guo Binchang stood silent, feeling the oppressive weight of powerful Demonic Qi suppressing his abilities. "If we enter, will we survive? No, clearly not. Look at the Qi inside—it's like a blazing fire, stronger than the three of us combined," he thought, conflicted. Just as he decided to turn and flee, an intense pain gripped his heart, as though it were being crushed.
Cold sweat dripping, Guo Binchang charged into the Eastern Pavilion. The moment he stepped inside, the pain in his chest subsided.
Seeing Guo Binchang rush into the Eastern Pavilion, Guo He and Guo Lin followed without hesitation.
Inside, Guo Binchang's eyes widened as he saw a swarm of yellow centipedes. He shouted, "Skin-Eating Gu! Run!"
But his voice barely emerged, reduced to a raspy croak. His face paled. "Ungh! Ohh! Unghh!" he struggled to warn Guo He and Guo Lin, who had ventured further ahead.
It was too late. The yellow centipedes had already swarmed his legs, devouring the skin as though it was their primary sustenance.
Guo Binchang's face turned ashen as he crawled on the floor, trying to escape the swarm. Suddenly, Gu Xuanyi appeared before him. The sight of the young man—handsome yet fierce, with a sinister gaze—only heightened his fear.
Bowing slightly, Gu Xuanyi said coldly, "Elder, I will deal with them myself. You needn't intervene like this."
The swarm of centipedes vanished as though swallowed by the shadows.
A thin smirk spread across Gu Xuanyi's face. Drawing upon his knowledge of mid-level Gu techniques, he easily identified the Gu being cultivated by the figure before him.
"Charm Gu," he muttered nonchalantly, observing the insect within the body of his trembling target.
"You!" Guo Binchang snarled, his voice returning at last.
Gu Xuanyi laughed shrilly, scratching his head absentmindedly before speaking mockingly, "A mere servant dares to insult me? The young master of the clan?"
From Gu Xuanyi's left palm emerged a small larva, another mid-tier Gu insect. Through his innate understanding of Gu cultivation and mastery over the clan's deadliest poisons and the Origin Gu, Gu Xuanyi could birth various Gu insects from his body.
Without hesitation, he struck Guo Binchang's mouth, forcing the larva inside.
"As an outer disciple of the Gu Clan, you must be familiar with the Heart Gu," Gu Xuanyi explained casually. His tone, once fiery, turned cold and wise.
Guo Binchang's eyes widened in terror as he tried to expel the larva. "Ughhhkk!" His efforts were futile; the larva had already bonded to him.
"If you resist further, you'll become my puppet," Gu Xuanyi whispered, peering beneath Guo Binchang's hood and veil.
Revealed was a stunning woman, her soft features framed by skin as fair as porcelain and eyes a striking shade of blue. She looked like a celebrated actress often seen on television.
"You're the only woman accompanying those two fools, aren't you? I'll be sure to entertain you," Gu Xuanyi teased before vanishing, leaving Guo Binchang frozen in place.
As her body regained mobility, Guo Binchang's first instinct was to escape. But her legs refused to move, as though turned to stone. Dark blotches began spreading across her skin.
"What is this? Poison? How did I not notice?" Guo Binchang muttered in confusion.
As an outer courtyard disciple under Guo Ren, one of the outer elders, she was bewildered by her inability to detect the poison.
Watching from the shadows, Gu Yuhan chuckled. "Do you now understand the difference between outer courtyard geniuses and inner family elites? As a branch family member, you're nothing compared to those born into the main family. The Gu Clan will never stoop so low," she mocked disdainfully.
Reality dawned upon Guo Binchang, choking her spirit. Born into a branch family, she was nothing more than a laborer compared to the main family's favored elites, blessed with superior resources and opportunities.
Collapsing in despair, she turned to Gu Yuhan, prostrating herself. "Young lady, please forgive me! Spare my life!" she pleaded, repeatedly bowing her head to the ground.
Gu Yuhan waved dismissively, her face devoid of pity. "Your life isn't even worth consideration to the young master. Why would I forgive you?"
*"I'm finished!"* Guo Binchang thought hopelessly.
A sudden explosion startled them as Guo He and Guo Lin were thrown into the room like lifeless sacks of flesh, bloodied and bruised.
"Their bodies are so weak," Gu Xuanyi sneered. "Just a few low-powered strikes, and they're already out cold. They're utterly useless." His gaze shifted to the still-bowing Guo Binchang.
"Yuhan, can these two idiots be healed?" Gu Xuanyi asked curiously.
"Though they're on the brink of death, the Essence of Life Spiritual Pill can heal them. But isn't it too precious, young master?" Yuhan hesitated, concerned they might turn on Gu Xuanyi once healed.
"Everything will be fine. I've already implanted Blood Gu in their bodies. Just retrieve the pills," Gu Xuanyi instructed calmly.
"Yes, young master!" Yuhan replied, quickly heading to the storage room.
Unlike the Heart Gu, which killed its host without warning, the Blood Gu turned its host into a breeding ground, slowly draining their life force and blood. With even a hint of pressure from the Origin Gu, the Blood Gu would act according to Gu Xuanyi's will.
"Now, tell me who sent you," Gu Xuanyi demanded, his tone icy and commanding.
"I only follow my master's orders, young master. I know nothing more. Please, spare my life!" Guo Binchang stammered, her voice trembling.
"Is your life truly worth sparing?" Gu Xuanyi asked, his tone dripping with indifference. "How many lives have perished by your hands? So why should I forgive yours?"
Guo Binchang had no retort. His words struck true, like an undeniable accusation.
Beneath his cold demeanor, Gu Xuanyi was already scheming. *"How could I kill you all? Clearly, you'll make fine new playthings."*
When Yuhan returned with the Essence of Life Spiritual Pills, she administered them to the three Guo disciples. Guo He and Guo Lin regained consciousness, their wounds healed. A faint smirk played on Gu Xuanyi's lips.
Guo He looked confused, recalling his last memory of fighting the seemingly useless young master before him. *"What happened? Did I lose? Did I pass out?"*
Guo Lin, too, stood in stunned silence, trying to piece together the situation.
Raising his left index finger, Gu Xuanyi channeled Qi into it, his eyes turning crimson once more.
Guo Lin's head throbbed as though pierced by a thousand needles. "Arghhh!" he screamed, writhing in pain.
Guo He gasped for air, his chest feeling as though it were being crushed.
As for Guo Binchang, her left arm darkened entirely, covered in blackened, blistering skin that crawled like mold. Her arm moved on its own, slapping her face hard.
"What's happening? Why can't I control my arm?" Her brow furrowed, her mind racing. *"Am I being controlled by the young master of the Gu Clan?"*
Gu Xuanyi suppressed a chuckle, maintaining an air of elegance. Clearing his throat, he calmly declared, "I know everything now. Even who gave the orders. Your lives are in my hands. Will you swear loyalty or become my puppets?"