Chapter 12: Greedy

Yu Xiu was a true all-rounder.

In her past life, Bu Xiwei had witnessed firsthand that, on the path of cultivation, Yu Xiu had absolutely no weaknesses.
Whether it was cultivation or strategy, swordsmanship or the use of other weapons, pills, talismans, formations—even the more niche skills of medical cultivators, zither cultivators, and Buddhist cultivators—Yu Xiu, if not an expert, was at least familiar with them all.

It was no exaggeration to describe Yu Xiu as a walking encyclopedia.

The idea that she could teach Yu Xiu something had been beyond Bu Xiwei’s wildest imagination.
But now… it could actually come true.

Bu Xiwei was both expectant and overjoyed.

However, Yu Xiu simply smiled and replied warmly,
“Thank you for your kind offer, Your Excellency. There’s no need to trouble you.”

In the library of the Five Elements Sect, Yu Xiu had long since seen the jade slip that recorded the Soul-Searching Technique.
So long as it wasn’t abused, it was a practical and efficient method. Most high-level cultivators had access to a copy.

The Five Elements Sect had a clear rule: any disciple who formed a Golden Core could purchase the Soul-Searching Technique jade slip from the library at a very low price.
Disciples below the Golden Core stage could only browse the surface-level introduction.

Forming a Golden Core would take Yu Xiu no more than a couple of years. She didn’t like to owe others—especially not for something she could acquire herself.

Hearing her refusal, Bu Xiwei felt slightly disappointed, but not particularly surprised.

She knew Yu Xiu too well. Gentleness and coldness were two sides of the same coin, intertwined within her like meridians—inseparable.

Bu Xiwei never believed Yu Xiu valued her just because she treated her a bit more kindly.

In her past life, it had taken her countless trials to finally earn Yu Xiu’s trust. She couldn’t expect anything different after knowing her for such a short time in this life.

The logic was sound, and Bu Xiwei understood it well.
But recalling the sensation of Yu Xiu’s hand gently brushing her hair just moments ago, she couldn’t help but pout.

So what if she was greedy and insatiable? What of it?

The results of the soul-searching came quickly. Bu Xiwei summarized the information and relayed it to Yu Xiu.

The Han family member who had planted the Gu worms was quite skilled.
The two evil cultivators knew nothing that could implicate their master—many crucial clues had been forcibly severed by the Gu worms’ self-destruction mechanisms.

However, the cultivator who had planted them was weak.
In Bu Xiwei’s eyes, utterly insignificant.
It took her less than a breath to reassemble the severed threads of information.

There were four other dens besides the one in Qingshui Village. Bu Xiwei listed their locations and manpower details for Yu Xiu.

After sincerely thanking her, Yu Xiu took out a paper crane from her storage silver hairpin—an item clearly not ordinary.
She recorded the information concisely and, with a wave of her hand, released the crane into the air.

This paper crane could instantly deliver messages across vast distances to a designated location.

Yu Xiu had chosen the Disciple Affairs Hall of Tianshuang Peak.

She reported the matter to the sect at the fastest possible speed, ensuring they could dispatch appropriate personnel to help resolve the threat.

Though the two evil cultivators had “confessed” to four dens, Yu Xiu was only one person—and had not yet cultivated the art of creating clones.
To eliminate these dens swiftly and prevent further casualties, she naturally needed collaborators.

Bu Xiwei had also deduced, from the traces left by the Gu worms, that the so-called “Venerable One” had a cultivation level between mid- and late-stage Golden Core.

An evil cultivator of that level targeting low-level disciples was something the Five Elements Sect couldn’t afford to ignore.
They would surely send powerful cultivators to deal with it.

After releasing the paper crane, Yu Xiu had no intention of resting. She immediately prepared to move toward the nearest den.

Acting quickly might save more lives.

Besides Qingshui Village, the remaining four dens were located beyond the Five Elements Sect’s sphere of influence, and each was farther away than the last.

There was much to do—so Yu Xiu did not travel by sword.
Instead, she summoned a spirit boat from her storage silver hairpin to conserve energy and recover during transit.

Watching Yu Xiu’s swift, decisive actions, Bu Xiwei crossed her arms and let out a soft hmph.

This person is just like that. She loves all living beings in the world, but never takes care of herself.

Bu Xiwei followed her onto the spirit boat, acting as if it were her own. Without hesitation, she plopped down in the center.

This spirit boat was clearly custom-made for Yu Xiu.
Not large, with simple furnishings: a front and rear deck flanking a small cabin, and inside the cabin—only a single jade bed.

Bu Xiwei glanced around lazily. So very Yu Xiu.

Truthfully, Bu Xiwei wanted to summon her own transportation treasures.
She had no shortage—boats, carriages, even palaces in her storage bag—each one more luxurious than the last, and any of them would offer Yu Xiu far more comfort.

But she knew Yu Xiu would never agree to ride them.

It wasn’t that Yu Xiu rejected luxury—but those items belonged to Bu Xiwei.
And Yu Xiu wouldn’t feel at ease surrounded by her things.

Although, given the current disparity in their cultivation, if Bu Xiwei really intended harm, she could act directly and Yu Xiu wouldn’t be able to resist.
But that wasn’t what Bu Xiwei wanted.

She just wanted to stay by Yu Xiu’s side, protect her, and let her live a happy, peaceful life.

So from beginning to end, Bu Xiwei had never forced anything on Yu Xiu.

True, as a venerable figure of the demon world for centuries—still undefeated by countless leeches and traitors—Bu Xiwei possessed countless rare treasures.
Any one of them could greatly benefit Yu Xiu.

But since Yu Xiu had no intention of accepting them, Bu Xiwei restrained herself, no matter how much she wanted to give them.

Even when they first met in this life—when her heart had been in the most chaotic state—she had only used her spiritual energy to heal Yu Xiu.
She hadn’t poured a mountain of top-grade pills into her arms.

Of course, no matter how valuable those pills were, none were as pure and effective as Bu Xiwei’s spiritual energy.

Yu Xiu felt a little helpless.

Normally, she would meditate on the jade bed while piloting the spirit boat.
But now that it was occupied, she naturally wouldn’t share it—and even if she were willing, the jade bed was far too small for two adults.

Although both she and Bu Xiwei were slender, they were also tall—not petite.

When she had the jade bed installed, it hadn’t been meant for lying down like a mortal, but for seated meditation.
It was small, more like an oversized chair—only fit for one.

Seeing Bu Xiwei treating herself like she belonged there, Yu Xiu said nothing.
She quietly sat on the other side of the cabin, closed her eyes, and began circulating her spiritual energy.

Bu Xiwei wasn’t surprised. She’d seen this countless times in her past life—Yu Xiu’s tireless pursuit of strength.

In the righteous path, Yu Xiu had been known as the number one “involution king”—able to out-compete anyone into the grave.

Bu Xiwei’s gaze lingered on her.

She stared, long and hard, as if counting every strand of Yu Xiu’s hair. Her eyes shone with a seriousness that held no disguise.

Yu Xiu is really alive… Alive and well, right in front of her, body and soul intact. She can move. She can talk. She can treat her with that cold, guarded attitude… and she can still stroke her head to comfort her…

This is great… this is really great…

Deep within Bu Xiwei’s eyes, a vortex surged—spinning madly, threatening to erupt from the bottom of the sea.
But she suppressed it.

Letting it remain at the depths.

Unable to stir up any waves.