Killing Cockroaches In Xianxia For Self-Preservation

(Bu Cai POV)

As I opened my eyes after enlightenment, a system notification appeared in front of me that said,

[Congratualtions, Host has entered the Swordmaster Realm ]

As I looked at the notification, I felt extremely delighted with myself! 

At sixteen years old, I've reached the Swordmaster realm?

Wasn't I a fucking prodigy?!

I got up, stretched for a bit, since I felt stiff, and then decided to go out and share the good news.

But just as I opened the door, I was surprised to see that three people were standing there already.

The three being, Chen Long, Chen Fei and Sun Qiu.

The moment I caught sight of Sun Qiu, I knew why she was there.

She was definitely getting impatient and wanted me to heal her master as soon as possible.

Honestly, it was quite humouring seeing her standing there with an arrogant expression whilst knowing full well that she had no right to do this. 

Just what else could she rely on other than her status as the Spear God's disciple to barge into the Chen Clan like this?

If I decided to spill the beans and expose that her backing was currently deteriorating, I wonder what expression she would make?

It was honestly very tempting to do just that, and see the prideful expression she always wears drain from her face.

But it wasn't worth it.

My goal here was to heal the Spear God and get a favour from him.

I needed that favour badly, as I wasn't sure whether or not that immortal master of Long Tian's was still about. If he was, then I could get the Spear God to help fend him off, if he wasn't then I could get him to help me kill Long Tian.

It was a golden opportunity and I couldn't afford to miss it, no matter what.

Plus, if I've helped heal her master then wouldn't that also mean that Sun Qiu also owes me one?

Although very irritating, it was an undeniable fact that she would be a strong asset to have when going against Long Tian's miles thick plot armour.

Hehehe, just thinking about all the gains I'd be making with this move got me excited.

My excitement was interrupted, though, as Sun Qiu's cold voice rang out and she said to me,

"Bu Cai, didn't we have some serious business to discuss between us?"

Both Chen Fei and Chen Long were stone-faced whilst staring at me, however, their eyes reflected huge interest as they eagerly awaited my reply.

I decided to have a bit of fun and playfully replied,

"Ahhhhh, you're 100% right Elder Sister Sun!

We did, indeed, have some 'very serious' business with each other.

I apologise for pushing it back so much, but who could've guessed that I'd suddenly gain some insights into the sword Dao?

Life truly is unpredictable sometimes!"

Both Chen Long and Chen Fei behind Sun Qiu relaxed a bit after hearing that I wasn't in trouble, and Chen Long said,

"If that's the case then we will leave you two to yourselves, as it does involve Sir Spear God."

Chen Long seemed to have caught onto the atmosphere- as expected from an experienced Clan Leader- and left together with Chen Fei.

I understood why he was being this respectful to Sun Qiu as the Spear God wasn't someone anyone, even a person of Chen Long's status, would dare to offend.

I mean, wasn't this a world where might meant right?

Naturally, he wasn't willing to slight the disciple of someone who could bring about a calamity.

Then it was just her and I left.

She said to me with a nicer tone, that wasn't as cold as before,

"Come with me."

Then she started walking away.

I didn't follow and said in an amused tone,

"Not so fast.

Aren't you missing the magic word?"

She looked at me blankly and said,

"What magic word?

Just hurry up and follow me!"

I realised she wouldn't understand what the 'magic word' was, so I elaborated,

"When you request someone do something, isn't it polite to say 'please' first?!

Haven't you learned any manners?!"

She now realised that I was messing about with her, and looked at me with annoyance and said,

"Stop this nons-"

"Do you want your master to get better?"

I knew it was difficult for an arrogant girl like her, who was always given great respect no matter where she went, to swallow her pride and be polite to me.

But I didn't care.

Wasn't she the one who almost killed me a while ago?

So why wouldn't I irritate her a little for a laugh?

She grit her teeth, but reluctantly said,

"Could you follow me... Please?"

After hearing that my smirk widened and I said,

"See it wasn't that difficult, now, was it?

You can hurry up and lead the way then, I've not got all day!"

She glared at me for a bit then continued to walk towards the exit of the mansion, and before we left I made sure to shout,

"I'm going to be leaving for a while with Qiu'er for a while!

Take care, everyone!"

She did not look one bit happy about being called so affectionately but, once again, what should I care?

It was not like she was going to do anything to me anyway.

Plus, I thought it'd be quite funny to brag about it directly to Chen Fei's face when I got back.

Hahaha, I wonder how mad he'd be about the fact that I called a beauty like her so familiarly?

Anyways, we soon got to a secluded area and Sun Qiu took off a normal-looking bracelet that was on her wrist and injected her spear Qi into it in a certain way.

Soon, the thing was thrown to the ground and started to enlarge and expand.

My eyes widened as I looked at it get bigger and bigger until it stopped at around the size of a human hamster wheel (Don't question the comparison).

The large area in between the bracelet wasn't the floor anymore, but rather looked to be a whole new terrain!

My mouth was wide open and I couldn't believe what I'd just witnessed.

Was this a teleportation device?

I looked at Sun Qiu, who wasn't surprised as probably as she had done this multiple times before, and she seemed to have a small smile on her face for some reason.

Before I could even ask anything, she abruptly grabbed me and threw me into the teleporter whilst saying,

"Have a fun trip!"

I couldn't resist her at all, and went straight in while screaming,

"NOOOOOO!"

I then felt like I was rapidly free-falling and spinning around for ages until it all suddenly came to a halt.

Once the falling stopped, I started rolling on the ground frantically and clutching my stomach due to an aching pain that assaulted me. I couldn't even think straight for a while.

After a bit, the pain died down and I laid on the ground completely still with my eyes shut and mouth gasping for air.

After regaining my senses, I started to notice that the place I was in was far colder and it was much harder for me to breathe than before.

I was curious to find out where I was, therefore I forced myself to open my eyes and get up.

As I had gotten a glimpse of my surroundings, I became dumbfounded.

The reason I was stunned was that...I was on top of a huge mountain.

To be exact, I was on the peak of a gigantic mountain that soared above the clouds.

It then made sense to me why I had such a hard time breathing- I was thousands of meters above the ground!

What was peculiar about this peak was that it was a spacious flat area that had some grass covering it- It looked as if the mountain had been levelled manually by having been slashed.

The reason I could tell it was the peak of a mountain was that when I looked past the edge there was nothing but a blue sky!

I moved my attention from the sides to see what was actually on this mountain.

What I saw, about a hundred metres away at the very centre, was a simple wooden shack that had a small farm area beside it.

From all the novels I read previously, I instantly knew that a place like this was a prime spot for hidden old experts. They all loved their secrecy and stuff, therefore usually became minimalists in secluded areas to chill because they were supposedly above secular things.

What place was more secret than the top of this huge mountain?

What was more minimalistic than an unremarkable wooden shack with a small farm outside?

Needless to say, it was a certainty that in that shack would be the legendary Spear God that everyone in their mother feared.

Soon I heard Sun Qiu's voice next to me, who was sitting on the ground, say coldly,

"Get up and let's go see master. 

I'm warning you, though, if you try to do anything stupid...

...I'll cut you down instantly!

Do you understand?"

You bitch!

I don't need you to tell me that since I need your master as well!

I begrudgingly nodded and got up since I couldn't be bothered to argue with her, and we made our way over to the shack.

As she opened the creaky wooden door, I got a full view into the inside of the shack.

It was, unsurprisingly, relatively empty with a table and two chairs in the middle, alongside a wooden box with tools overflowing from it in one of the corners.

The walls were just wooden logs stacked above one another, and I would've even believed it was a shed if not for a rusty long spear hanging on the wall above a single bed that was located in the corner.

As I paid more attention to the bed, I unexpectedly felt my mind go into chaos. My body was shivering with goosebumps, and all my hairs stood up on my body.

All my senses were going ballistic telling me to run, to escape, from the seemingly fragile old man laying on that bed.

I felt vulnerable and puny in front of this person as if I was facing a superior being!

It was insanity!

This old man on the bed, who was covered up in a woolly blanket, looked like he was about to wither away at any moment!

His state was simply horrifying.

He had a bony face which was covered by a thin layer of wrinkly pale skin, and his breathing patterns were weak and irregular.

His hands by his sides were veiny, and his skinny pale fingers were akin to twigs.

His eyes were sunken and bloodshot, and thick veins, like worms, protruded from his bald head.

I had a hard time believing this guy was still alive in all honesty!

Sun Qiu bowed and said as soon as we entered and said,

"Greetings master!

This unworthy disciple has returned again!"

I didn't have a direct master myself, so this was in fact one of the first times I'd seen a formal Xianxia disciple-master interaction!

I also bowed after seeing Sun Qiu do it, as I knew that this old guy was someone I had to pay respect to regardless of whether he was listening or not!

I stopped bowing after a while and started to approach the bed to inspect this guy more closely. However, a deep and ancient voice suddenly rang in my head and said,

"Welcome back my disciple, I see that you have brought back a young man as well.

For what reason?"

I almost jumped in fright after hearing that voice and frantically looked around to see if there was someone hiding.

Sun Qiu responded whilst I was still processing what was happening by saying,

"Master, today I've brought this kid here to find a way to heal you!

He had approached me a while ago and said he knew about your condition and could help you. I was reluctant to believe it at first, but after he proved himself by healing my younger brother's constitution, I decided to trust him!"

Realising now that this voice was actually the half-dead fossil on the bed, I was very creeped out. However, I should have kinda expected someone to be able to telepathically communicate as a half corpse, as this was Xianxia after all!

I then heard the same voice say,

"Hmmm, he's a talented one. Swordmaster Realm at sixteen is not commonly seen at all.

I was never one to discriminate based on age, and I'm clearly not in the position to complain, therefore I'll trust in the judgement of my disciple.

But I'll ask you directly, can you do it, boy?"

I knew this was my queue to talk, so I said as respectfully as I could,

"I'll try my best Sir Spear God, however, I cannot guarantee anything!

Please excuse my impudence, but I'll now be approaching you to analyse your condition more."

I resolutely stepped forwards and approached him, then pretended as if I was examining him whilst, in reality, I was telling the System to activate my free [Absolute Analyse]*.

Then I began to read through the sea of information that appeared on the translucent screen in front of me,

============================

{Absolute Analyse}

[Name: Tian Xu]

[Titles: Spear God, Tian Clan's Leader, Heartless Spearmaster.] 

[Age: 14,907]

[Cultivation: Pinnacle of Martial Emperor Realm]

[Intent(s): Killing Intent(Absolute), Spear Intent**]

[Dao(s): Spear Dao, Space Dao, Fire Dao]

[Skills: Spear Arts(Grandmaster), Footwork(Master), Martial Arts(Master), Farming(Expert), Stealth(Expert)... ]

[Inherent Talent: Superior Comprehension, Rock-Solid Dao Heart ]

[Cultivation Technique:

Extreme Spear Circulation Art (Self-made)-

Absorption and refinement of Qi are three hundred times faster than that of a basic cultivation art, and using this will also change their bone structure over time to one that suits the spear more.

Can be used artificial Dao Physique.

...

[Mystical Techniques:

Rhythmic Pierce (Exceeded Mastery)-

Allows the user to use the spear rhythmically allowing each consequent slash to get stronger.

Spear God's Final Slash(Self-made)-

Imbues everything the user has into one final move including, concentration, spear Qi, stamina, strength..., and amplifies it with Qi in the surroundings.

Space Spear(Self-made)-

Made with a combination of insights from the Dao of time and the Dao of the spear, it can allow the user to stab from one location to another location without any loss in power. Distance depends on how far the attack travels.

...]

[Background Story]

Tian Xu was born and raised in an average family, however, he always desired to be something more than average. He eventually made it into a high-grade sect which focused on the Fire Dao at the age of 9.

After awakening his Sovereign grade spirit roots, he decided to wholeheartedly cultivate for a hundred years in the sect under the tutelage of a renowned cultivator and only took missions and risks when necessary.

Eventually, though, he realised that the Fire Dao didn't suit him and changed to the Spear Dao...

...

...Currently, he is on the verge of death due to the Ancient Life-Devouring Leech dwelling in his heart. This leech originated from a scheme thousands of years ago yet due to Tian Xu's Cultivation rapidly improving it had never noticeably affected him until recently as he has now stagnated in one realm for years and made little improvement.

Fate: A few years later, Long Tian comes along under the request of Sun Qiu and recognises the Ancient Life-Devouring Leech as he has seen it before. The way he does this is by using the leech's natural predator's bone marrow- The Seven Coloured Crow's bone marrow.

Due to helping him, Tian Xu promises not to interfere with his conflict with the royal family and promises to help him anytime he needs it. 

Tian Xu ends up repaying the favour by protecting him from being ambushed during his ascension. 

[Importance in Plot: C (If he interfered and helped the royal family when Long Tian was fighting the Wu Clan's ancestor, then Long Tian wouldn't have been able to win unless he sacrificed a lot) ]

================================

I was mindblown by all the detailed information given to me, as it literally listed me all his mystical techniques, previous and current cultivation techniques, his intents... absolutely everything!

I've even got the old man's life story in the bag!

It scared me, quite a bit, how much information I'd gotten through the system, as I for sure wouldn't want some random person to know I tried eating fire to reach enlightenment! 

The old man even tried eating a fucking spearhead!

Surprise, surprise, it turned out he had the most diabolical toilet session of his 14,907 years of life!

I couldn't help but take a quick glance at the spear hanging on the wall and wonder if it really was just... Rusty.

...

By the time I'd skimmed through everything given to me, I was no longer shaking from fear of this man but, rather, shaking due to me trying to hold back from bursting out in laughter!

How horrendous would it be if I laughed in this old man's face whilst I was supposed to be finding a way to save his life?

Seeing me shake a bit, Sun Qiu behind me asked nervously,

"I-Is everything alright with master, can he be saved?!"

She seemed to have lost all her previous arrogance and appeared to be quite panicked. I mustered myself to put on a serious expression and said dramatically,

"It's certainly bad...

...But not unfixable!"

The surprised voice that I heard next didn't come from Sun Qiu, but rather her master,

"Boy...Are you being serious?"

I replied confidently,

"I promise this on my name!

I just need a couple of herbs and materials and you'll be as good as new!"

Sun Qiu seemed to be unable to hold back her excitement as she hurriedly said,

"Well then what are we waiting for?!

List what you need, and then you can begin!" 

...Hehehe.

Did I ever mention that the Dao of Bullshitting was the one I'm most proficient in?

"Of course!

So to start with actually diagnosing the issue at hand, the reason Sir Spear God is deteriorating is because of an ancient species of leech called the Life-Devouring Leech!

This type of leech is vicious and merciless and will drain the host of its life slowly but surely!"

I started by saying the truth, as every good lie needed to contain some truth!

Sun Qiu gasped and said immediately,

"Impossible!

How could something like that even get into my master's body without him noticing?!"

I calmly responded to her,

"Clearly, because this ancient species can only be recognised if one knows its characteristics and what it looks like!

I've read some ancient texts on it, and by looking at your master I'm certain it's that!"

Sun Qiu stayed silent meaning she was waiting for me to continue.

A small smile crept up on my face as I said,

"This leech has definitely been in there for a while, as otherwise someone on the Spear God's level wouldn't be affected, therefore it may have caused some inflammation. In order to combat this, I'll have to use some high tier ice or water Dao herbs to efficiently remove it!

It also has probably gotten into the body quite deeply, therefore I'll need a lot of concentration and energy to find and remove it without accidentally harming Sir Spear God's mitochondria!

So for reference, I'd need something like a Nine-Nine Snowy Willow, and a True Essence Boosting Herb!"

Sun Qiu's expression fell as she clearly had never heard of these herbs before and said hesitantly,

"I-I've never heard of these befo-"

"I've also forgotten about the possibility of there being some elemental discharge from the leech, therefore I'd also need some ground up Seven Coloured Crow's bone marrow that is of at least high earth grade quality!"

Her face fell even more, and the voice of the Spear God appeared again and said,

"This old man has some of the Seven Coloured Crow's bone marrow, however, I've never heard of the other two.

I've got a storage ring hidden under the table that contains many herbs and materials, if you find any that can help with treatment and can be used as a replacement to those other two items, then feel free to take it."

I damn hope you haven't heard of the two herbs, as I pulled those names out of my ass!

Anyways, this was exactly what I was aiming for.

The Spear God's storage ring!

Just imagine how much wealth this guy has hoarded.

Think about all the herbs he has collected that aren't suitable for his spear Dao, therefore, has to keep them hidden away never to see daylight again.

It would be a disservice if I didn't grab some for myself!

Soon enough, Sun Qiu had her arm stretched out with the spirit ring on her palm as she said to me in a desperate tone, that was devoid of any of her usual haughtiness,

"P-Please save master!

If you do then I'll forever remember your help!"

HAHAHA, what a good disciple she is!

Handing over her master's herbs to me, and even imploring me to take them!

Could this day get any better?

...

-----------------------------------------------

Author's notes:

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

(* I decided to name the System reward, [Absolute Analyse] as it analyses everything.)

(** Spear Intent doesn't have a level as it comes from reaching a certain realm in a Dao- So the strength of it is determined by his level of insight into that Dao.)