Martial Saint

Her gaze subconsciously fell upon the token in Gu Chengming's hand, which was still emitting a faint glow.

Oh.

She remembered.

That was her private token, possessing the highest authority to bypass the formations of her Cave Abode.

She reacted with lightning speed, adjusting her state almost instantly.

She hurriedly smoothed out her hair, then sat up straight, assuming her usual cold and indifferent expression.

With a swift, blur-like wave of her right hand, the storybook that had flown away vanished instantly, tucked away into her Storage Ring.

Then, she gave a light cough and said in as steady a voice as she could manage:

"How did you find your way here?"

Although she appeared calm on the surface, Yu Wenqiu was so annoyed inside that she wanted to bang her head against a wall.

She had finally found an excuse to skip work and hide at home to enjoy some wonderful slacking-off time, only to forget about the token and get caught right in her own home!

While reading a storybook wasn't exactly shameful, it wouldn't sound very good if word got out.

Besides... what she had been reading was one of those popular, widely circulated tales about the grievances and romances of scholars and beauties, which even contained some scenes unsuitable for children.

If this were discovered, could she even keep her position as an Elder?!

Gu Chengming pretended not to have seen her flustered state just a moment ago. He raised the token in his hand and said with a smile:

"This disciple has finished exchanging for a cultivation technique, so I came specifically to return the token and thank the Elder."

Yu Wenqiu breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, he was just here to return the token.

She took the token and asked, feigning composure: "Hmm, since you're here, I might as well ask—what technique did you choose?"

Gu Chengming answered honestly: "Reporting to the Elder, this disciple chose a copy of Hundred Bones Resonance."

"Hundred Bones Resonance?"

Yu Wenqiu was stunned for a moment, feeling a bit puzzled. Why choose such an obscure Body Refining Technique?

That thing was notoriously masochistic; most people couldn't stick with it at all.

But her mind was currently filled with how to get him to leave as quickly as possible, so she didn't think much of it and simply nodded:

"Hmm, although body refining is arduous, it is beneficial for one's Foundation. Since you have chosen it, you must cultivate it diligently and not give up halfway."

Having said that, she picked up a non-existent teacup, signaling that it was time for him to leave.

The two exchanged a few more polite pleasantries. Seeing Yu Wenqiu's gaze drifting, it was clear she had no interest in continuing the conversation and was solely focused on returning to her book.

Gu Chengming suddenly spoke up:

"By the way, when Ited presumptuously interrupted you just now, I saw that Elder Yu was quite engrossed... May I ask what genre of storybook you were reading?"

"!!"

The non-existent teacup in Yu Wenqiu's hand nearly dropped to the floor. She straightened up instantly, her eyes flickering as she stammered a denial:

"You must have seen wrong, right? I was just practicing a special cultivation technique!"

This explanation, which was as transparent as saying "there is no silver buried here," was something even she didn't believe.

Gu Chengming seemed to have anticipated her reaction. He didn't expose her, but instead smiled and played along:

"I see. It was my own lack of discernment. However..."

He paused, then shifted the topic:

"Regarding the matter from last time, I must thank Elder Yu for your righteous assistance. If not for your generosity, I fear I would not have been able to obtain this cultivation technique."

"If Elder Yu ever wishes to change your mood and read some storybooks for entertainment during your downtime from cultivation... I happen to have some unique copies in my possession that cannot be bought on the market. I could bring them over for you to peruse."

"Unique copies?!"

Upon hearing those words, Yu Wenqiu's eyes lit up instantly.

You see, while these mortal storybooks were easy enough to buy in the Mortal World outside the Wenjian Sect, the problem was that as a sect elder, she had no reason to head down the mountain. Furthermore, she was too embarrassed to ask her disciples to buy them for her; it would be far too damaging to her image.

In the past, every time she wanted to "restock," she had to sneakily disguise herself as a common Loose Cultivator and slip down the mountain.

Not only was it a hassle, but she also had to constantly be on guard against being recognized.

Now, hearing that Gu Chengming actually had "private stock"—and "unique copies" at that, which couldn't be found on the market—she immediately became interested, and the slight embarrassment she felt was cast to the back of her mind.

However, she quickly realized her lack of composure.

"Ahem!"

Yu Wenqiu coughed loudly, attempting to salvage a shred of her dignity as an elder.

"Hmm... well, the cultivation technique I have been practicing lately has indeed reached a bottleneck. It requires me to enter the mortal world and experience the Mortal Tribulation. Having lived deep in the mountains for so long, I have long forgotten the Aura of the Mortal World. I hadn't expected that these mortal storybooks would contain such profound truths of the mortal world, enough to help me catch a glimpse of it."

She glanced at Gu Chengming, pretending to be nonchalant as she said:

"...If you really do have some in your possession, you can indeed bring them to me. I will reluctantly help you vet them."

Gu Chengming watched her, seeing how she clearly wanted it yet was desperately trying to find excuses to cover it up.

This Elder Yu was unexpectedly easy to read.

He cupped his hands in a salute and replied:

"Yes, this disciple understands."

With that, he tactfully took his leave, no longer disturbing the Elder's "Cultivation."

As he walked out of the courtyard, a faint sigh of relief drifted from behind him, immediately followed by the sound of a heavy object dropping back onto a hammock.

Chapter 17: Chapter 16 Self-made GALGAME

To be honest, Gu Chengming didn't actually have even half a "story script" in his hands right now.

However, things like story scripts were really no challenge for Gu Chengming.

After all, the world he lived in during his previous life had a highly developed cultural industry. Novels, comics, games, and movies of all kinds blossomed in a hundred ways, full of wild and imaginative ideas.

Compared to the relatively monotonous and formulaic story scripts of this world, the stories in his mind were simply a dimensional strike.

He had always been a person who clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudges.

Since the other party had extended a helping hand when he was down on his luck, even if it was just a casual gesture, he had to acknowledge the favor and naturally had to repay it in some way.

And...

Gu Chengming rubbed his chin as an interesting thought suddenly popped into his mind.

Since she liked reading story scripts so much, perhaps she would also like a GALGAME?

Thinking about it carefully, weren't these so-called traditional story scripts just low-end versions of GALGAMEs that lacked options, couldn't be interacted with, and only allowed for a single-line viewing of the plot?

If he could create an "Interactive Storybook" with branching options and multiple endings, he might even gain a fellow enthusiast.

Thinking of this, Gu Chengming immediately became interested.

Conceiving a story that fit the preferences of this world while incorporating GALGAME elements was not difficult for him.

With this in mind, Gu Chengming returned to his room, spread out paper and pen, and began to brainstorm.

He decided to start by writing a relatively safe story that could still demonstrate "interactivity."

The protagonist of the story was set as a Servant Disciple from a humble background who accidentally obtained a mysterious Ancient Ring, inside which lived the Remnant Soul of a powerful expert who had lost their Physical Body.

As the plot unfolded, the protagonist would face various choices. For example, when encountering Sect Bullying, would he choose to endure and retreat, or choose to use the power of the Remnant Soul to fight back? When exploring a secret realm, would he choose to save an injured Junior Sister, or choose to hoard the treasure for himself?

Every choice leads to a different branching plot, even influencing the final ending.

Gu Chengming wrote with a flurry of his pen, as vivid characters and turbulent plotlines flowed from his fingertips.

However, just as he wrote the moment the protagonist faced their first major choice—

"Whether to accept the Remnant Soul's deal, trading ten years of Lifespan for a burst of power"—the Clear Heart Art, which had been silent within his body, suddenly stirred.

[The Clear Heart Art is silently watching you conceive your story.]

[It originally only took a bored glance, but was unexpectedly drawn in by the story under your pen.]

[It is quite interested in the setting of that tsundere Remnant Soul, feeling it shares a bit of the same aura.]

[You suddenly feel your mind clear, as if a cool, sweet spring has flowed through your heart. Your previously chaotic thoughts instantly become orderly, and your mind reaches an unprecedented state of tranquility.]

[The Clear Heart Art has automatically completed one cycle.]

[Clear Heart Art Favorability +2]

"Huh?"

Gu Chengming stopped his pen, feeling the changes within his body with surprise.

There's a benefit like this?

He truly hadn't expected that this casual story, written merely to repay a favor, could actually help him win over the perpetually aloof Clear Heart Art.

As the Clear Heart Art operated on its own, Gu Chengming felt his thoughts become incredibly clear.

The parts where he had previously been stuck were now like having his meridians cleared; inspiration gushed forth like a fountain.

It felt as if someone were casting an "Inspiration Buff" on him from the sidelines. Writing became effortless, as if guided by a divine hand, and he simply couldn't stop.

The next few days were exceptionally fulfilling for Gu Chengming.

During the day, he went to the Training Ground to practice the Huiyuan Sword Art as usual, and at night, he would light his lamp and stay up late to write his story.

Although his schedule was packed, he didn't feel the slightest bit of fatigue; on the contrary, he was full of energy.

This was all thanks to the Clear Heart Art.

Whenever Gu Chengming wrote a brilliant scene or conceived a clever plot twist, the Clear Heart Art would act like a fan eagerly awaiting the next chapter, excitedly cycling on its own.

Those streams of cool energy circulating through his body not only instantly erased his fatigue but also kept him in the most alert and sharp state at all times.

He experienced none of the mental exhaustion or dizziness that usually comes with staying up late to write.

Precisely because of this, the completion quality of the first part of his story was extremely high.

In just a few short days, Gu Chengming completed the first draft of the first volume.

The content of this volume covered the protagonist obtaining his Golden Finger, showing his initial brilliance, and encountering his first Life and Death Crisis.

Of course, to capture the essence of a GALGAME, he set up three different branching options at key turning points.

Although limited by the paper medium, he could only write these three branches in separate booklets, creating what could be called a "Single-Path GAL." However, in this world, this was already an extremely novel format.

After writing the final word, Gu Chengming let out a long sigh of relief and put down his pen.

Just then, a notification popped up in his mind:

[Clear Heart Art has finished reading the entire content of the first volume.]

[It thinks your story is truly fascinating, especially the design that allows readers to choose their own destiny; it is simply a stroke of genius.]

[It is still craving more and cannot wait to know what kind of fate the protagonist will face after making that choice.]

[Clear Heart Art urges you to write the sequel quickly and not leave the story on a cliffhanger.]

[Clear Heart Art Favorability +5]

Gu Chengming glanced at the panel.

With the completion of the first part of the storybook, the favorability of Clear Heart Art had unknowingly risen to 20 points.

Although it still needed another 10 points to reach the "Friendly" status.

However, before starting the creation of the second part, he still had to send the finished product of this first part to that true "client"—Elder Yu Wenqiu—for her appraisal.

After all, that was his original intention for writing this storybook.

As for Clear Heart Art...

It had no objections to this.

After all, it was the first to finish reading the draft and had enjoyed the privilege of a premiere reading.

Right now, it just wanted to see the second part as soon as possible; it didn't care at all about the trivial matter of Gu Chengming showing the book to someone else.