Fei Qingsu returned to his cave dwelling.
He needed to review the current situation. The plot involving Li Xirui, the third male lead, and Elder Xu, a cannon-fodder supporting character, had already been altered by Fei Qingsu; consequently, the female protagonist halo had been weakened to seventy-five percent.
"What is the current Plot Deviation Value?"
"The Plot Deviation Value is ten percent," the System reported in a monotonous tone.
After all, the male and female leads had not yet met; the story was still in its early stages. Their first encounter was scheduled for the secret realm trial in three days. The Xuantian Sect liked to hold a secret realm trial two days before the grand sect competition.
With only three days left, would Gu Tiantian even be able to make it in time?
That blood-red whip of Elder Xu’s was specially crafted by the Xuantian Sect to punish disciples who broke the rules. Wounds inflicted by it could not be healed with ordinary spiritual medicine; they had to recover through the body's own natural functions.
Fei Qingsu planned to use these three days to build momentum.
"System, broadcast this recording."
"Understood."
Fei Qingsu had long since instructed the System to record the entire incident.
...
A woman with an oval face, dressed in yellow, stood under a tree, whispering to the woman beside her.
"Hey, Senior Sister, have you heard? An inner sect disciple stole a magical artifact belonging to the Sect Leader's disciple. Rumor has it it's worth tens of thousands."
"Who would be so bold? The Sect Leader's disciple is Jiang Wu, isn't he? Who is gutsy enough to mess with the Eldest Senior Brother?"
"I think her name is Gu... Gu Tiantian."
"Gu Tiantian?! How could it be her? You must have heard wrong. She has such a sweet personality."
"It's definitely Gu Tiantian! So many people were hiding in the trees watching Elder Xu punish her at the time!"
"Ah? Gu Tiantian really isn't what she seems..."
...
"Junior Sister Feng, I adore you." A handsome man in blue looked at the woman in flowing white robes before him with deep affection.
The woman’s brows knitted slightly, a flash of resolution in her eyes. "Senior Brother, I apologize. I intend to cultivate the Dao to attain immortality; I will not fall into the trap of romance." Her voice was crisp and firm.
Upon hearing this, disappointment clouded the man’s face, but he did not give up. He continued, "Junior Sister Feng, the path of immortality is long and arduous. Why not walk it together with me? We can support each other and pursue the path to longevity."
The woman shook her head gently, her gaze fixed on the distance. "Senior Brother, I have only the Great Dao in my heart. Everything else can be discarded. To me, love would only be a shackle." With that, she turned and left, leaving the man standing alone, steeped in sorrow.
As the man watched her departing back, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"Yo, Senior Brother, why aren't you chasing Gu Tiantian anymore? Why the change of target? Senior Sister Feng is known for being cold as ice."
"Don't even mention her." The man wore a look of disgust at the mere thought of Gu Tiantian. He must have been blind before; how could he have ever taken a shine to her?
It was simply inexplicable.
Discussions like this were taking place everywhere in the Xuantian Sect.
"The Plot Deviation Value has become twelve percent."
Fei Qingsu curled the corners of his mouth upon hearing this.
"In the original plot, the female lead was the lively and spirited Junior Sister that everyone in the Xuantian Sect loved. What the host has done is gradually changing this situation. The host is exceptionally capable."
An exquisite paper spirit bird flew over, its wings fluttering.
"Come in."
Fei Qingsu opened the restriction and let it enter.
"Eldest Senior Brother, it is your turn to lead the team for this secret realm trial. Please select your team members." The paper bird stood quietly on the table, emitting a gentle male voice.
Fei Qingsu pondered the list. Even though he had stirred up public opinion, the existence of the female protagonist halo meant that a portion of "brain-dead fans" would still loyally defend her. As long as the bad things she did didn't directly affect them, they would continue to wave her banner.
In that case...
He would group them with her, so they could experience the destructive power of the female lead firsthand.
Fei Qingsu pointed to several people on the list, his fingertips glowing with white light as he linked them together.
...
Hundreds of disciples in white stood in neat rows on the jade plaza, their expressions solemn, their eyes focused on the front. At the very forefront of these disciples stood a man of graceful bearing, standing with pride. He wore long, white robes that drifted in the breeze, as if an immortal had descended to the mortal realm. His posture was upright, and a long sword circled him, emitting rhythmic, resonant hums.
"Eldest Senior Brother Jiang Wu is so handsome!"
"He really is so handsome!"
Some of the female disciples, their eyes turning into hearts, whispered among themselves as they stared intently at the man at the front. It was well known that the Eldest Senior Brother, Jiang Wu, was the standout of the younger generation of the Xuantian Sect—not only was he exceptionally gifted, but he was also strikingly handsome.
The female cultivators who had adored him before had been heartbroken when they heard he was obsessed with Gu Tiantian. But now that he was no longer interested in her, they felt a flicker of hope again.
At this moment, everyone was gathered on the sect plaza, waiting to enter the secret realm trial. For this trial, the Xuantian Sect had dispatched twelve exceptionally talented disciples to serve as team leaders.
"The 385th Xuantian Sect secret realm trial officially begins! For this trial, our sect has specially arranged for twelve talented disciples to lead the teams. Please follow the instructions of your team leaders, and do not kill one another. This trial is intended to enhance your strength; I hope everyone will give it your all! I look forward to seeing your new faces when the trial concludes!"
The Sect Leader’s voice boomed like a giant bell, resounding across the entire plaza. As he finished speaking, a powerful aura radiated from him, aweing everyone present. Then, the Sect Leader waved his hand, signaling the team leaders to lead their members into the secret realm.
Fei Qingsu stood at the very front of his team, watching the entrance to the secret realm with a calm gaze.
"Disciple, stay safe." The Sect Leader moved with great speed, as if folding space to arrive before Fei Qingsu in an instant.
Fei Qingsu nodded.
Behind him, in the team, Gu Tiantian secretly clenched her fists.
Why was Jiang Wu so incredibly glorious?
He was clearly just a dog to Gu Tiantian! A dog to be summoned and dismissed at will.
The more Gu Tiantian thought about it, the angrier she became. Where exactly had she gone wrong?
The wounds on her body from the whipping had not yet fully healed. She hadn't even wanted to attend the trial, but in the depths of her mind, a frantic thought had taken hold: if she didn't attend this trial, she would have nothing left. Thus, she had forced herself to come.
If Gu Tiantian knew the plot, she would realize just how important this scene of the male and female leads meeting was.
Gu Tiantian had expected the other senior brothers and sisters to dote on her, but instead, she had been met with eye-rolls and ridicule from many people along the way.
What had she done wrong?
"Junior Sister, your complexion is poor. Do you need to rest?" a bootlicker asked solicitously; he had never shown such patience even when serving his own master.
As soon as the first bootlicker spoke, several others hurried over to surround Gu Tiantian, asking after her health. This made Gu Tiantian feel much better. Hmph, at least there were still people with sense!
"Enter the secret realm." Fei Qingsu gave the order.
As they stepped into the realm, a mysterious power engulfed them. A wave of intense dizziness washed over them.
Gu Tiantian’s face turned deathly pale, and her original wounds flared up, causing her body to tremble.
"Junior Sister!"
"Junior Sister, don't be afraid, I’m here."
"Junior Sister!!"
The bootlickers vied to treat Gu Tiantian, some pulling out magical artifacts, others producing precious spiritual medicine.
Gu Tiantian quickly recovered. Looking at the many bootlickers surrounding her, her heart began to float even higher. Anyone who didn't love her deserved to die!
"Junior Sister, do you feel better?" the first bootlicker asked gently, tapping her shoulder with concern.
"Yes, much better... thank you for your concern, Senior Brother." Gu Tiantian pretended to be weak, nodding with a grateful smile.
Seeing Gu Tiantian’s pale face and frail body, the second bootlicker frowned with heartache. "How about I carry you, Junior Sister? That might be more comfortable for you." As he spoke, he cautiously reached out to scoop her up.
Just then, the third bootlicker loudly interrupted, "Let go of the Junior Sister, let me do it!"
"Don't trouble yourselves, Senior Brothers, I can walk myself." Gu Tiantian pretended to struggle, acting as if she were embarrassed, but the bootlickers refused to let go.
Eventually, Gu Tiantian was scooped into the arms of one of the bootlickers, feeling his warm chest and the steady thumping of his heart.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Gu Tiantian whispered, a blush rising to her cheeks.
"Think nothing of it, Junior Sister. As long as you get better soon, that's all that matters."
"You must be tired from carrying her; it's my turn to carry the Junior Sister."
"Me too!"
Gu Tiantian was flying high, the corners of her mouth curling up uncontrollably.
She was meant to be pampered like this.
Everyone had to love her!
Suddenly,
"SMACK!"
A loud slap landed squarely on Gu Tiantian’s face.