The vast Eastern Sea, waves churning.
Wind and waves crashed against a nameless small island in the distance. It was not yet evening, but the sky had already grown dark.
The female Gu Immortal, Tong Hua, flew swiftly through the air, glancing upward to see dark clouds gathering overhead — a clear sign that a violent storm was imminent.
Her heart was vexed, but her face remained calm and composed. Before long, she arrived above the nameless island and spotted a figure standing on its highest peak, gazing out at the sea and sky.
"Immortal Ren, forgive me for making you wait so long." Tong Hua landed behind the Gu Immortal and offered a slight bow.
The mysterious Gu Immortal slowly turned around, revealing his features.
He was an elderly man — high nose, narrow eyes — a faint smile playing on his face as he spoke with composure: "Think nothing of it. I should actually congratulate Fairy Tong Hua. I hear that the stockpile of Illuminating Fungus you had been unable to clear in Bao Huang Tian has been entirely purchased."
This old Gu Immortal was none other than Ren Xiuping — a Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal of the Eastern Sea, a follower of the Slave Path.
Fairy Tong Hua nodded and handed over a large batch of Immortal Yuan Stones.
After counting them, Ren Xiuping deliberately hesitated: "Fairy, unless I've miscounted, the sum is still a touch short."
Fairy Tong Hua's expression darkened slightly. She nodded: "I'll return the bulk now. The small remainder, I'm afraid, will have to wait."
Ren Xiuping made a sound of assent: "This is wise of you, Fairy. According to our agreement, the less you owe, the less the interest. It seems the day you can clear your debts is not far off."
Fairy Tong Hua snorted coldly: "Naturally."
Some time ago, she had survived a tribulation, and rebuilding her immortal aperture had cost a fortune, forcing her to borrow from all quarters. Ren Xiuping was one of her creditors, and the one who had lent her the most Immortal Yuan Stones.
However, the loan agreement between her and Ren Xiuping was also the most punishing, with exorbitant interest.
Fairy Tong Hua's situation had originally been on the verge of collapse, but she never expected that Fang Yuan would purchase all of her Illuminating Fungus stockpile, allowing her capital to flow back in.
Now, having repaid the majority of the debt, her original crisis was greatly relieved.
The remaining balance of Immortal Yuan Stones no longer posed a significant burden.
Once the exchange was complete, Fairy Tong Hua had no wish to linger and was about to take her leave when Ren Xiuping spoke: "A moment, if you please, Fairy."
"Is there something else, Immortal Ren? If you're looking to lend me more Immortal Yuan Stones — I must be frank — I will not borrow again." Fairy Tong Hua's brows furrowed slightly, her tone turning cold.
Ren Xiuping chuckled: "Rest assured, Fairy, it is not that. I happen to possess an incomplete True Inheritance originating from a former great power of the Wood Path. You are attempting to modify the Illuminating Fungus, are you not? I believe the contents of this inheritance would be of considerable help to you."
Fairy Tong Hua's eyes widened in surprise: "How did you know I've been trying to improve the Illuminating Fungus?"
Ren Xiuping laughed lightly: "You haven't exactly kept it a secret, Fairy. A few inquiries were all it took."
Fairy Tong Hua's face darkened, mirroring the sky outside.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
A great wind swept in, whipping up countless waves that pounded against the shores of the nameless island, sending spray soaring into the air.
Ren Xiuping was right. Tong Hua had indeed been pouring vast resources into her attempts to improve the Illuminating Fungus, and that investment had bankrupted her, forcing her to borrow from everywhere just to hold on.
Otherwise, her original resources would have been sufficient to support the rebuilding of her immortal aperture.
After a period of silence, Fairy Tong Hua spoke again: "This great power of the Wood Path — who exactly was he?"
Ren Xiuping smiled: "The Wood Path Gu Immortal known as Kui Wu Zi. Has Fairy heard of him?"
Fairy Tong Hua was mildly startled: "He is indeed a great power of the Wood Path, with Eighth Transformation cultivation. But historically, he was known for his combat prowess. His skill in managing an immortal aperture was rather unremarkable, was it not?"
Ren Xiuping shook his head slightly, then said with absolute conviction: "You are mistaken, Fairy. The reason you have that impression is simply because Kui Wu Zi's combat strength was so dazzling it overshadowed everything else. In truth, his management was not poor at all. Without a well-developed immortal aperture, even the most fearsome combat strength is nothing but morning dew — gone in an instant. Moreover, even if his management skills were somewhat lacking, he was still an Eighth Transformation figure and a Wood Path Gu Immortal. The benefit he could offer you would be substantial. Of that, there is no doubt."
Fairy Tong Hua was deeply tempted, thinking to herself: "My previous attempts to improve the Illuminating Fungus always hit a wall. The reason wasn't a deficiency in my Light Path understanding — it was my shallow attainment in the Wood Path. If I could obtain this incomplete True Inheritance, it might provide the breakthrough I need, and perhaps the improvement of the Illuminating Fungus could finally succeed!"
At this thought, Fairy Tong Hua hesitated briefly, then asked: "What is the price for Kui Wu Zi's True Inheritance?"
Ren Xiuping thought to himself, "The fish has taken the bait," while outwardly saying: "Not high, not high."
After a round of bargaining, Fairy Tong Hua purchased Kui Wu Zi's True Inheritance from Ren Xiuping and departed the nameless island.
The moment she left, a torrential downpour began.
Sea and sky merged into one, all shrouded in darkness.
Crack.
A deafening peal of thunder, and lightning like a colossal serpent flared between heaven and earth.
In that instant, the flash illuminated Ren Xiuping's face.
It was wreathed in smiles — the smile of a scheme that had succeeded perfectly.