Chapter 1: The Demon’s guardian: Bai Ning Bing

Stacks of papers littered the desk, surrounding a man typing furiously on his computer. 

His face was unremarkable, hovering below average in attractiveness, but his sculpted physique balanced his appearance. 

He was a famous man, known for his remarkable novels that inspired many.

Now, he was venturing into uncharted territory, a fanfiction of the infamous novel Reverend Insanity.

For days, he had consumed the novel's contents, dissected its themes, memorized the Gu worms and characters, and even reached out to the original author for clarifications. But now, staring at the blank document on his screen, his creativity hit a wall.  

He had everything needed to make the fan fiction, except what the fan fiction would be about.

"Should it be about Spectral Soul's Dao Guardian?" he muttered. "No, that's been done already. Damn it!"  

He scratched his head in frustration. "What about someone from Earth becoming Fang Yuan, while having an AI chip to help him?" A quick search confirmed his suspicions—it, too, had been written.  

Letting out a heavy sigh, he leaned back in his chair. "Haaa, great minds think alike. I'll check that one out later."  

But then, pain stabbed through his chest. His hands clutched at his shirt, his breath caught in his throat, and his vision darkened. He fell from his chair, lifeless. Or so it seemed.  

———

Space lost meaning as he felt himself hurtling through it, his soul traveling faster than light yet somehow stationary. Before he could comprehend the sensation, something gripped him. 

A presence, vast and terrifying, while being  majestic at the same time, held him in its grasp.  

He looked up to see her: a woman in white, blood staining her robes. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her cold, pale blue eyes bore the weight of an emperor. Twin red dragon horns that were almost torn off protruded from her forehead, their regal appearance adding to her awe-inspiring visage.  

She was wounded, blood trickling from her lips, but her presence was overwhelming. 

Despite his terror, he couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. The realization hit him like a thunderbolt—this was Bai Ning Bing, but more radiant and imposing than the one the novel Reverend Insanity described.  

"There's no need for introductions," she said, her voice a chilling melody that demanded attention, if not for his state, he would have been lost in her voice. 

"You know who I am, and you will know why you're here. You must go to the past and change everything."  

He tried to speak, but his body failed him, he felt his mouth, but he was too weak to use it.

He didn't know it, but he was now just a mere one man soul.

She continued, her words like ice slicing through his confusion. "Fang Yuan has gone mad. He discovered that eternal life requires being a venerable with a Dao guardian chosen by Fate Gu itself. But since he destroyed Fate Gu, his new goal is to annihilate everyone to re-refine it."  

The man's soul reeled at the revelation. He couldn't process what she was saying, but Bai Ning Bing showed no mercy, she just continued.

"You will merge with my past self in Shang City," she explained. "Using a killer move I inherited from sir Red Lotus that needs an otherworldly demon with time path Dao marks, before he was killed by Fang Yuan." She looked a little sad saying that, but she quickly returned to normal, "You will take control of my body three times before it becomes completely yours. Do as I instruct, or you will die."  

Then, she took out a Gu, pressing it into his soul, the searing pain making him writhe. His soul cultivation surged, knowledge flooding his consciousness.  

"I can't give you any more help than this, or you will be found by heaven's will, dying immediately."

With that, his soul grew increasingly stronger, and now, he could mutter some words.

"W-Why.. Do T-this.. To me.. I.."

Before he could protest, she smiled—a wild, childlike grin. "Why? Because it's exciting!"  

With that, she activated a killer move, sending his soul hurtling into the River of Time.  

Then suddenly, she felt the earth shaking.

As her surroundings crumbled, the mountain she hid in was obliterated. Fang Yuan descended, his gaze piercing and unyielding. His hand reached out, and Bai Ning Bing was pulled toward him.  

He grabbed her by the throat, effortlessly refining her Dao marks and Gu. Her body disintegrated into sand, leaving behind only Heaven Path Dao fragments.  

Despite the agony, she smiled faintly.

Fang Yuan smiled back, understanding her better than anyone. "Farewell, friend."

Her body disintegrated into dust, leaving behind fragments of Heaven Path Dao marks.

But just then, the killer move was prepared.  

A soul began traveling through the River of Time, tearing through its currents with a strange, unrelenting force. The very fabric of Spectral Heaven started to crack, its grand structure shattering like fragile glass as darkness descended upon the world.  

Fang Yuan, standing amidst the chaos, realized the situation instantly. His mind raced.  

"This is just like when Ying Wu Xie used the Spring Autumn Cicada!"  

Without hesitation, he attempted to teleport to the River of Time, his hand already reaching for a Time Path Gu to aid him. But just as he prepared his move, a shadow loomed over him—Spectral Soul Demon Venerable.  

Spectral Soul, having merged with the collapsing heavens, descended upon Fang Yuan like an unstoppable force, his only desire to stop Fang Yuan. The two clashed, their confrontation so intense it shook the entirety of the realm. Though Fang Yuan fought back with his unrivaled ingenuity, he was momentarily restrained, forced to retreat from the crumbling Spectral Heaven.  

Meanwhile, the soul continued its journey.  

It plunged deeper into the chaotic waves of the River of Time, enduring the turbulent currents that sought to tear it apart. Yet, against all odds, it pushed upwards, an unyielding force driving it toward its destined moment.  

———

The soul stirred as if awakened from a deep, endless slumber. A light flooded its vision, not blinding but gentle, like the first rays of dawn. 

It became aware of its surroundings: a pristine nursing room. The faint scent of herbs and ointments filled the air.  

In front of the soul's vision stood a woman, tall and slim, exuding an air of professionalism and grace. She wore a pristine white shirt and skirt that perfectly matched her demeanor. A delicate veil concealed her face, adding an air of mystery to her beauty. Yet her voice was warm, brimming with relief and happiness.  

"It worked!" she exclaimed, her tone triumphant but tempered with compassion. "The poison is out of your system! You are now free of Poison Vow Gu's restraint."  

Her words carried weight, like a gentle bell tolling freedom.  

The soul focused on her, and a faint recognition sparked in its memories. This was Doctor Su Shou, one of the Four Great Doctors of Southern Border, renowned for her unparalleled skills in healing.  

He, or perhaps she, now in the body of Bai Ning Bing, blinked, uncertain of her identity yet feeling a surge of gratitude. Then, a voice, calm and steady, emerged from the soul's vessel.  

"Could I ask for another favor?"  

Doctor Su Shou tilted her head slightly, her veil shifting just enough to reveal her glimmering eyes. Her lips curved into a soft smile that could be felt even through the fabric concealing her features.  

"Yes, of course! What do you want?" she replied, her voice gentle yet curious.  

Without hesitation, the soul spoke. "I want four top-quality wines."  

The room grew silent for a moment, the request hanging in the air. Then, Doctor Su Shou let out a quiet laugh, her amusement unmistakable. "Is that all?"  

The soul did not respond further. Its awareness began to wane, sinking back into the depths of dormancy.  

Doctor Su Shou watched the figure before her with a mixture of intrigue and compassion. "Rest now," she murmured softly. "You will need your strength for what lies ahead."  

As the room dimmed in the soul's fading consciousness, only one thought lingered:  

A promise of freedom, a fleeting taste of wine, and the echo of a Gu master's laughter.

The story of the soul was far from over. For now, it slumbered, but the journey ahead would be shaped by this brief encounter in the sterile tranquility of the nursing room.

———

Bai Ning Bing's eyes snapped open, and the first thing she saw was the towering canopy of a dense forest. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the ground.  

She didn't pause to gather her thoughts. Instinct propelled her forward. With a flick of her will, she activated her Movement Gu, her form blurring into motion. 

She dashed through the forest at a reckless pace, her feet barely touching the ground. The moment drained her essence rapidly, but she paid no mind.  

Deeper into the wilderness, she came upon a cave hidden behind a thicket of vines. Without hesitation, she used a Gu to carve a passage into its rocky walls. The vibrations echoed through the silent cavern, but she pressed on, undeterred.  

At the end of the tunnel, she discovered a capsule resting on a stone pedestal. The capsule gleamed faintly, its surface adorned with intricate carvings. Beside it lay a folded letter and a small, unlit candle.  

The moment she stepped closer, the candle ignited on its own. Flames danced, then twisted and contorted, transforming into the shape of a tiny pig.  

The pig blinked up at her, its fiery body casting warm light across the cavern. It studied her intently, as though measuring her worth. Then, in a voice clear and crisp, it spoke.  

"Only a jade beauty shall claim my inheritance. If someone else had found this, the Gu would have been destroyed. But since you meet the terms, it's yours."  

The pig's fiery form flickered as it delivered its judgment, and then the flame extinguished. The cavern fell silent once more, the little pig vanishing into thin air.  

Bai Ning Bing stared at the capsule, her expression unreadable. The words echoed in her mind. She knew the truth: normally, a normal looking girl would have found this inheritance, getting nothing out of it, but she was different.

Reaching out, she opened the capsule. Inside were two Rank 5 Gu, their weak yet distinct auras revealing their immense potential. She wasted no time. Sitting cross-legged, she began the refinement process, her focus sharp and unyielding.  

The Gu's aura pulsed faintly as they accepted her as their new master. When the process was complete, she opened her eyes, her expression calm but triumphant.  

In her hands lay two treasures, the inheritance claimed, and fate altered. She stood, her gaze sharp as ever, and walked out of the cave.  

For Bai Ning Bing, beauty was not merely a gift, it was a weapon. And today, it had proven its worth once again.

———

The soul stirred once more, finding itself in control of a body already in motion. Bai Ning Bing opened her eyes, her sharp gaze immediately taking in the surroundings. 

The faint hum of the dim cave filled the air, and the warmth of another's presence pressed against her back.  

Fang Yuan sat behind her, their backs touching, both deeply immersed in cultivation. 

The Unity Flesh Gu buzzed faintly between them, facilitating the seamless exchange of energy. 

Bai Ning Bing's expression was calm, but her thoughts churned with intent. She reached into her storage space, retrieving the Fixed Star Gu, as she delicately inserted it into Fang Yuan's shoulder.  

This will be essential in refining the Fixed Travel Immortal Gu. 

The Gu melded with his body effortlessly, its purpose fulfilled. But her hand didn't withdraw. From within her sleeve, she took one of the Gu from her recent inheritance.  

She pressed it into his back with precise control, her movements seamless and undetectable.  

The inherited Gu slipped into place, blending into his essence without a trace. Its effects were dormant, designed to activate later when the time was right.  

A faint smirk tugged at Bai Ning Bing's lips, though her expression quickly returned to neutrality, laying dormant for one last time.

Fang Yuan remained oblivious, his focus entirely on cultivation. To him, Bai Ning Bing was a useful ally, a partner whose goals temporarily aligned with his. But in the ever-shifting game of Gu Masters, even alliances carried unseen threads of manipulation.  

The cave was silent, save for the rhythmic hum of essence flowing between them. Yet within that quiet, a subtle move had been made—one that could shift the balance of their precarious partnership.  

———

When Bai Ning Bing opened her eyes again, she felt... whole. The divide between her soul and body was gone, replaced by a seamless fusion of memories, emotions, and purpose. 

Her identity was no longer split, the soul and Bai Ning Bing had merged.  

Her icy blue eyes gleamed with clarity and determination. Without hesitation, she retrieved four wines from her storage Gu. The rich aroma filled the air as she drank them all in quick succession, her throat burning with their potency. 

With that, the Divine Travel Gu was refined.  

As the last drop disappeared, her focus shifted. In the distance, she spotted Fang Yuan. He stood in the middle of the sky, his figure bathed in golden light as he refined the Fixed Travel Immortal Gu.

Something primal surged within her, it was a mix of anger, determination, and an unyielding bond. She ran toward him, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade.  

"FANG YUAN!"  

But he didn't turn. His attention remained on the land spirit, a figure whose voice echoed with calm authority.  

"Picture where you want to go, master," it said, its tone serene.  

Fang Yuan's mind sharpened, focusing on the land spirit's instructions. But before he could act, a faint ripple passed through the air.  

The Brotherhood Gu, the Gu from the inheritance Bai Ning Bing had secretly implanted earlier had activated. 

Its power wove an invisible thread, binding them as sworn siblings. Fang Yuan felt the shift, his expression darkening, but there was no time to counteract it.  

Bai Ning Bing reached him, her eyes blazing, grabbing his leg. 

Without hesitation, she activated the second Gu she inherited: the Unwanted Gift Gu.

Its power surged, targeting Fang Yuan's aperture. 

In an instant, three random Gu were wrenched from his possession, their faint auras vanishing into Bai Ning Bing's own aperture.  

Fang Yuan's gaze snapped to her, his usual calm shattered by a rare flicker of warmth. But before either could act further, the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu activated.  

A blinding light enveloped them both, and they disappeared.  

The bond forged by the Brotherhood Gu was irreversible, tying their fates together. 

She had stolen from him, yet their connection made her more than an enemy she was now his sworn sibling, his equal in some twisted sense.  

Thus began the tale of the most powerful Demon Venerable and his Dao guardian, their destinies intertwined by a fateful bond, both allies and rivals in the pursuit of ultimate power: eternal life.