Xue Laohu, racing down the mountain, felt his pulse quicken as the alert chimed in his mind. His steps slowed for a moment, pleasantly surprised that it was his NPC who had completed the assignment first. A satisfied smirk tugged at his lips. The countdown for the rendezvous continued, but the Gong ML had yet to meet the Shou MC, heightening the tension.
Far below, near the mouth of a secluded cave, the sealed vase lay abandoned. Its once-guarded presence now forgotten. Xue Tuzi, who had been trailing Shudu and Xiao Zongzi, had somehow lost sight of them during their chaotic retreat. The winding forest had swallowed their tracks, leaving Xue Tuzi alone in the clearing. His eyes scanned the area warily, and when he was sure no one was around, his gaze fell upon the vase.
The small vessel immediately piqued his curiosity. It wasn't particularly large—no bigger than his forearm—but it was intricately decorated. Delicate blue patterns swirled elegantly along its surface, and a faint energy seemed to pulse from within. Xue Tuzi crouched beside it, his fingers gingerly tracing the designs. His heart raced, not from excitement but from the instinctive fear gnawing at his gut. What kind of monster or magic is sealed inside this thing?he wondered, lips twitching nervously as he murmured, "It's like a little vase…"
Just as his fingers reached for the lid, footsteps echoed from within the cave. Two distinct voices—raised in heated argument—grew louder. Xue Tuzi's breath hitched as Shudu's towering form emerged from the darkness, sunlight spilling over his sharp features. His expression hardened, his dark eyes zeroing in on the scene before him.
"Hey, you—don't open it!" Shudu's voice boomed across the clearing, his eyes flashing with urgency. But it was too late.
In that brief moment of hesitation, Xue Tuzi had already pulled the lid free. A quiet pop sounded as the seal was broken, and from within, something large and wriggling began to emerge. Xue Tuzi froze, eyes widening in horror as he realized what he had unleashed.
Out of the vase slithered a demonic Gu worm, its body a grotesque contrast of soft, pale flesh, blotched with hues of pink and blue. The creature was the size of a forearm, its form rippling as it crawled free of its confinement. It had six pairs of tiny, fleshy nubs for feet, each one wiggling as it propelled its silky body forward. Its head was fat and bulbous, with disturbingly large, bulging eyes that blinked at Xue Tuzi with a chilling innocence. Two long whiskers dangled from either side of its thick, worm-like mouth.
For a second, Xue Tuzi's mind went blank. His body stiffened with pure revulsion. He hated bugs. Despised them with every fiber of his being. Bugs were disgusting, vile, and unnatural creatures that crawled through filth and decay. And now, this—this monstrous thing—was heading straight for him.
The Gu worm moved with surprising speed, its bug eyes now crinkling into crescent moon shapes, as if smiling. Before Xue Tuzi could react, the creature lunged forward and latched itself onto his chest, its soft body pressing against him like a leech. Its whiskers tickled his skin, and with a high-pitched squeal, the worm cried out gleefully, "Mama!"
Xue Tuzi's scream caught in his throat. His body trembled as he stumbled backward, desperately trying to pry the thing off him, but the Gu worm clung tighter, wriggling with contentment. From the cave entrance, Shudu sighed, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "I warned you," he muttered, shaking his head.
Xue Tuzi, however, was too horrified to care. His eyes darted wildly as he continued to struggle with the creature now nestled comfortably on his chest, its fat head resting just below his chin.
Mama? How revolting, Xue Tuzi thought as a surge of disgust rippled through him. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he flung the Gu worm off his chest, its slimy form tumbling through the air. The creature's cry of pain echoed in the clearing, high-pitched and piercing. Before it hit the ground, Shudu lunged forward, his arms outstretched. He caught the larva with practiced ease, cradling it protectively against his broad chest. His eyes darkened with fury, his teeth clenching as he glared at Xue Tuzi.
"You!" Shudu's voice was thick with anger, his sharp canines glinting as he bared his teeth. The air around him seemed to crackle with rising tension, and even the trees seemed to lean away from his towering presence.
"Master! It's him!" Xiao Zongzi stammered from behind, her voice shaky with surprise as she pointed toward Xue Tuzi.
"Yeah, that's the bastard who's been tailing us," Shudu growled, tightening his grip on the squirming worm.
"No! I mean, that's the beauty I saw bathing earlier," Xiao Zongzi corrected, her voice dripping with disbelief.
"Huh?" Shudu froze, blinking in confusion as he finally took a good look at Xue Tuzi. His eyes roved up and down, assessing the figure before him. A gust of wind swept through the forest, lifting Xue Tuzi's dark brown hair into his face. Irritated, Xue Tuzi swiftly pulled the strands aside, revealing the sharp contours of his round lips and the seductive mole that clung to the corner of his lips. His brows furrowed in frustration, his face flushed with anger, but the effect was undeniably... captivating.
Shudu's expression shifted, a slow grin spreading across his face as he raised an eyebrow. "I guess it's true what they say about spiders," he muttered, a low chuckle escaping him. His voice was laced with amusement "You really can't see for shit, can you?"he mocked, as he patted down the Gu worm as if it were a newborn infant, cooing softly to calm its distress.
Xiao Zongzi's eyes widened in disbelief before she collapsed into a fit of exasperation, rolling her eyes dramatically. She climbed up into the safety of a nearby tree, clearly done with the conversation.
Shudu, however, wasn't done. His grin widened, the mischievous glint in his eyes returning as he looked at Xue Tuzi. "Though, I have to admit, I can see how you could make such a mistake," he teased, his voice smooth and predatory. His sharp canine teeth protruded menacingly as he set the Gu worm down gently on the ground. The creature let out a contented gurgle, nestling itself in the grass.
Without warning, Shudu's body tensed, and in one fluid motion, he launched himself toward Xue Tuzi, his speed blurring as he closed the distance. His playful grin was gone, replaced by a fierce determination, his eyes locking onto Xue Tuzi with deadly intent.
A ring chimed in Yi Ming's mind, a notification from the system flashing to life with an congratulatory tone.
CONGRATULATIONS USER! SHOU MC HAS MET GONG MC!
The message was punctuated by a burst of celebration emojis—a confetti cannon, a party popper, and a popping champagne bottle. Yi Ming grinned, anticipation building as he awaited the reward he believed was coming. But then, the system's tone shifted, cutting through his excitement.
ALERT! ALERT! SHOU MC SUSTAINED DAMAGE -10 LIFE POINTS.
What the hell? Yi Ming thought in confusion, his heart sinking as he navigated his way to the mouth of the cave. He pushed aside the notification and hurried inside, where he found Li Zhameng seated comfortably, enjoying tea with the horse demon and his wife, their laughter floating through the air like soft music.
"Shizun!" Li Zhameng called, waving his hand energetically, his smile wide. However, he noticed that Xue Laohu seemed less than pleased. Li Zhameng looked up, his expression brightening as he set his teacup down, bowing in respect.
"Shizun, I have completed the assignment!" Li Zhameng declared, his voice filled with excitement. "If it is not to Shizun's liking, this disciple requests a punishment."
Xue Laohu let out a deep, resigned breath, smacking his fan against his forehead in an attempt to quell the rising alarm in his head, but it proved futile. "No, you did great. I'm proud of you," he said, his voice steady despite his earlier irritation.
Li Zhameng's eyes sparkled with joy at the praise, but Xue Laohu's gaze shifted uneasily to the horse demon's rather large bulge before darting his eyes away to a more neutral spot. He cleared his throat, a hint of discomfort creeping into his demeanor.
"Shizun, this is Ma Gongzi and his wife," Li Zhameng continued, gesturing to the couple. "He's the demon I stalked. Initially, I thought he had enslaved her, but it turns out they've been happily married for 15 years!" His enthusiasm was evident, his eyes gleaming as he shared the revelation, oblivious to the subtle tension in the room.
The horse demon smiled warmly, his presence regal and imposing, while his wife's gaze remained soft and affectionate as she looked at her husband. Yet, Xue Laohu's focus lingered for just a moment too long on a particular area of the horse demon's form before he quickly averted his eyes, a slight flush creeping onto his cheeks.
"You have a very honest and intelligent disciple," the horse demon remarked, his deep voice resonating as he stood, unintentionally making a certain area of his physique much more noticeable. Xue Laohu felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead, his heart racing as he fanned himself nervously. Without a second thought, he pulled Li Zhameng closer to him, his movements slightly frantic.
"Thank you so much for showing mercy to my disciple. We must go now," Xue Laohu said quickly, bowing deeply to the horse demon while still clutching Li Zhameng's arm. The urgency in his tone made it clear that he wanted to distance himself from the discomfort of the situation.
As they stepped away from the cave, Xue Laohu whispered fervently behind his fan, his voice barely containing his panic. "Did you see that thing? It was HUGE!" He wiped the sweat from his brow, his fan flapping furiously as he tried to cool down both his body and his embarrassment.
"Shizun, it was longer than my arm!" Li Zhameng exclaimed, excitedly pointing at his own arm for emphasis, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and shock.
"Horse girls are crazy, I tell you!" Xue Laohu replied, shaking his head in disbelief, still flustered by the encounter.
Yi Ming pressed his fingers into his temples, frustration mounting as he attempted to reach the system. The alerts continued to blare, notifying him that the Shou MC had sustained a total of 96 damage points. Grumbling under his breath, he ground his teeth in irritation. "Yo, system! Where is he?" he called out, hoping for some clarity amidst the chaos unfolding around him. The stress of the moment was obvious, and he could feel the weight of his frustration heavy on his shoulders as he awaited a response.
FOR 25 LIFE POINTS, USER MAY OBTAIN THE LOCATION OF THE SHOU AND GONG ML.
Fuck! Fine, take them! Yi Ming thought with a mix of exasperation and resignation as he watched his life points dwindle away, the coordinates of the Shou and Gong ML appearing in his mind's eye like a flashing beacon.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the forest, Xue Tuzi and Shudu were locked in a fierce battle, exchanging over a hundred blows-kicks and punches flying with relentless ferocity. Each strike resonated with power, and they were nearly evenly matched, the air crackling with energy as they fought. The Gu worm, witnessing the chaos and confusion, was in a panic, convinced that his mama was in grave danger. In a burst of determination, he lunged toward the action, his tiny body propelled by instinct. With an unsteady flap of his minuscule form, he spat out silky strands of web, ensnaring Shudu's punches in a sticky trap.
"What the hell!" Shudu groaned, frustration etched on his face as he struggled to free his hands from the shimmering threads that clung to him. The Gu worm, proud of his makeshift rescue, crawled up to Xue Tuzi's leg, nuzzling his big round head affectionately against him before being kicked off with a swift motion.
"Disgusting vermin!" Xue Tuzi spat, his face twisted in revulsion as he shook off his leg, trying to rid himself of the creature's presence. The sight of the Gu worm made his stomach churn.
Shudu, meanwhile, scooped up the crying Gu worm from the ground, his expression hardening with frustration. Grinding his teeth, he looked up at Xiao Zongzi. "Here," he said, tossing the Gu worm over to her with a mix of urgency and annoyance. The little creature wailed for his mama, his large, round eyes shimmering with tears that cascaded down his cheeks in a heartbreaking stream.
Xue Tuzi couldn't suppress the sickening feeling rising within him; the thought of that insect calling him mama revolted him to his core. The sheer horror of the moment overwhelmed him, and he felt bile rise in his throat, leading him to expel a small stream of blood mixed with vomit onto the ground.
Before he could fully collect himself, he looked up to find Shudu grasping him by the collar, an intense glare in his eyes. With a swift, punishing scratch to Xue Tuzi's face, Shudu hissed in anger, the battle far from over, tension crackling like electricity in the air between them.
"I bet no one has hurt that pretty face of yours," Shudu mocked, a laugh escaping his lips. However, his amusement was short-lived when Xue Tuzi retaliated by spitting a thick spray of blood directly into his face. The crimson droplets splattered across Shudu's skin, momentarily blinding him and fueling his anger.
Wiping the blood from his eyes, Shudu barely had time to react as Xue Tuzi seized the moment, kicking him off with surprising force. In one fluid motion, he pulled a razor-sharp thread needle from his hair, brandishing it like a weapon. The needle gleamed ominously as Xue Tuzi lunged forward, slashing it through the air with deadly precision. Each strike found its mark, slicing deep, stinging gashes into Shudu's skin, who struggled to keep pace with the sudden onslaught.
The adrenaline coursing through Xue Tuzi was quickly overshadowed by a relentless burning sensation radiating from his cheek. He could feel the poison from the earlier encounter beginning to seep in, dulling his senses and clouding his vision. Shadows flickered at the edges of his sight, a disorienting haze settling over him as he fought to maintain focus.
"Master, be careful! He has multiple needle threads woven throughout his hair!" Xiao Zongzi called out, her voice a mix of urgency and concern as she watched the brutal exchange unfold from her perch in the trees.
Despite the warning, Shudu's confidence only grew. A wicked smirk spread across his face as he seized Xue Tuzi's hair with a brutal grip, yanking him closer. With a swift motion, he unleashed a series of ruthless kicks, each one landing with bone-jarring force. The impact echoed through the forest, a vicious reminder of Shudu's strength, as Xue Tuzi fought to maintain his footing, pain radiating through his body.
That's right, Xue Tuzi thought to himself, teetering on the edge of consciousness as Shudu's relentless kicks rained down on him. Each blow sent shockwaves of pain through his body, and he struggled to focus, the world around him blurring in and out of view. In his mind, he recalled the conversation he'd had with Xue Laohu back on Mount Dingbu, a flicker of clarity amidst the chaos.
"I was thinking about your hair. It might be better tied up in a bun," Xue Laohu had suggested, his tone casual yet thoughtful as he observed Xue Tuzi's long hair cascading down his back.
"Does Shizun prefer hair tied up in a bun?" Xue Tuzi had asked coyly, gathering his hair to one side, his gaze lingering on the handsome young man before him. He had wanted to impress him, to show that he was capable and willing to listen.
"Huh? I just meant that if you tie it up, it won't get in your eyes when you're fighting. Plus, the enemy won't be able to grab it during a fight. Doesn't it annoy you, fluttering around all over the place?" Xue Laohu clarified, gesturing animatedly with his fingers, his expression earnest.
Irritated, Xue Tuzi had let out a frustrated "Hmph" before walking away, dismissing the advice at the time. But now, as he lay on the ground, half- beaten and vulnerable, he couldn't help but curse his own stubbornness. Shizun was right; he should have gathered his hair in a bun.
Just then, Shudu seized him by the collar, a wicked grin spreading across his face as his sharp canines gleamed menacingly in the sunlight. His hands cracked ominously as he prepared to launch a brutal slash into Xue Tuzi's chest.
Ultra Super Blah Blah Blah
All characters have been properly introduced. Without further ado here's a quick character guide.
About the crew:
Yi Ming/Xue Laohu
Birthday May 5th year of the Tiger
Is a 19 year old boy who was transmigrated into the body of an immortal elder by the name of Xue Laohu who is roughly 1,567 years old. He only wears a wig when tending to council meetings or gatherings with other grandmasters. He loves his short hair in the modern world he had a bowl cut because his mom thought a wolf cut made him look like a delinquent. His bangs are always messy specially after dealing with the system.
Xue Tuzi
Birthday January 26th year of the Rabbit
He's a 20 year old beauty raised in an orphanage. He has always aspired to become a grandmaster in the martial arts. He learned sewing skills at the orphanage mending and fixing the tattered rags that were given to him and the other younger children. He has an undeniable sweet tooth mainly because he had never been afforded the luxury of eating sweets growing up.
Li Zhameng
Birthday June 16th year of the Dog
Li Zhameng is a 25 year old who fell in debt after attempting to save his mother from a deadly illness. Unable to pay his debt he was sold of to the human traffickers at the auction his mother sadly passed away.
Shudu
Birthday August 21st year of the Rat
He just turned 1,002 years old he's brash crude and a bit of a ladies man. He loves to drink wine and dual cultivate with both human and demonic women a complete and total bad boy.
Xiao Zongzi
Age Unknown maybe several hundreds.
She is a spider demon with the head of a twisted woman agonizing in pain. Shudu found her as a hatchling on a tree completely debilitated after fighting off stronger demons. He nursed her back to health and ever since she has never left his side.
Gu Worm Jiao Jiao
Age 300
Jiao Jiao is Shudu's prized possession he cultivated for 300 years attempting to birth a Gu larva that was strong hearty and vicious. Shudu planned to cultivate the Gu larva for another 200 years but unfortunately Xue Tuzi disturbed its slumber. Since Xue Tuzi was the first person he saw he calls him Mama.