Mending Heaven, Mending the Innate Deficiencies

The reason the Chaos Heaven-Mending Art was called evil was very simple: although this cultivation method perfectly fulfilled the requirements Bai Shu had put forward and possessed the ability to grow, the way it grew was cruel beyond imagination.

It did not require any heavenly treasures, nor did it rely on high-quality energy. The only way to make it advance was to use it to refine other people's special physiques or high-quality bloodlines alive and turn them into his own!

But the effect of this cultivation method was terrifyingly powerful. Just as its name suggested—mending the heavens—it took acquired essence to make up for innate deficiencies.

Every time the cultivation method advanced, what improved was far more than just the total amount and quality of his Soul Power. It would also feed back into his body, improving his foundation and talent, and even subtly enhancing his comprehension.

"A demonic art... no, this should be called a divine art!"

Bai Shu spent tremendous effort before finally fully digesting the information on this cultivation method. After understanding its true essence, the corners of his mouth rose uncontrollably, and his eyes glittered with excitement and ambition.

Evil? Tyrannical? In this world where the strong were respected, only power was the one true principle! So-called evil was, more often than not, merely the way the strong defined the weak. How many powerful Spirit Masters did not have hands stained with blood?

Although Douluo Continent had no concept of special physiques, as everyone knew, a Spirit Soul was the manifestation of bloodline. In other words, those who possessed powerful Spirit Souls should likewise meet the refining conditions of the Chaos Heaven-Mending Art.

Just as Bai Shu was envisioning the future, the system that should have fallen silent suddenly appeared again.

[Ding, detected that the host has completed three missions. The novice stage has been passed. New function is being activated.]

"A new function?" Bai Shu's heart stirred. This really was an unexpected delight. The function to edit missions and rewards alone was already heaven-defying, but he had not expected that this still was not the system's complete form.

He immediately asked inwardly, "System, what is the new function? How do I use it?"

The system did not immediately give Bai Shu an answer. Instead, it flickered for a moment like an electrical appliance short-circuiting, then a new system screen appeared.

The layout of the new screen had not changed much, but at the very top, there was now a blank, long rectangular border, like a search bar.

Directly below the border was an additional line of new data:

[Luck Value: 15270]

[Ding, new function: Search, loading complete.]

[Tip 1: The Search function can search for all people, events, and objects in the plane where the host is located, better helping the host complete missions and perceive opportunities in advance.]

[Tip 2: Searching for different targets will consume different amounts of Luck Value. Host, please use it at your discretion.]

"Luck Value?" Bai Shu's gaze fell on that string of numbers. "System, how do I obtain this thing?"

[Ding, when the host forms any connection with a person of deep fortune, whether friendly or hostile, as long as the host successfully affects their original trajectory of fate, Luck Value will be obtained.]

Unexpectedly, the system actually gave Bai Shu a clear answer this time. It seemed that aside from activating a new function, the system had also been upgraded somewhat.

"Then what is the value of this Luck Value? There should at least be some standard of measurement."

[Ding, host, please explore on your own.]

"..."

Bai Shu took back what he had just said. The system was still the familiar flavor. It had become smarter, but not by much.

"Heh, explore on my own, then." Bai Shu's eyes shifted, and an idea formed in his mind. "System, search for all detailed information on the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm at the current stage. How much Luck Value would that cost?"

[Ding, target locked: Sky Dream Ice Silkworm (million-year Spirit Beast). Searching this target will consume 10,000 Luck Value. Confirm?]

"No."

With just one test, Bai Shu now had a rough sense of how much the Luck Value he possessed was worth.

The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm could be considered one of the existences on Douluo Continent closest to a god, yet even searching for him "only" required 10,000 Luck Value. As long as Bai Shu did not get bored and go searching for existences in the God Realm, this amount of Luck Value was quite ample.

"But I can't just sit back and exhaust my reserves either. It seems I'll have to interact more with people from the original work in the future." Several familiar figures surfaced in Bai Shu's mind.

"And Tang San... The reason my Luck Value is so high is probably mostly thanks to him. Most likely, killing Tang Hao and Ah Yin had a relatively large impact on Tang San."

After figuring all this out, Bai Shu slowly stood up, and the aura around him withdrew as well. He waved toward the statue-like figure atop the high wall.

"Young Master, you're finished?" Seeing Bai Shu wave, Xie Biyan immediately flew over.

"Mm, it's handled. There's no need to keep watch anymore."

Bai Shu nodded, then changed the subject.

"By the way, over the next few days, aside from guiding Yue Guan and Gui mei in the Soul Core method, pay more attention to Dai Hua as well. I'm worried that once his injuries heal, he may not truly be willing to submit."

Hearing this, Xie Biyan chuckled.

"Young Master, rest assured. This subordinate already left a Poison Seal inside Dai Hua's body earlier. This poison is colorless and odorless, and has merged with his Soul Power. As long as he dares harbor even the slightest disloyalty, there will be no need for you to act. With a single thought, this subordinate can turn him into a puddle of pus."

Bai Shu looked at Xie Biyan in some surprise. So this was a poison master who had come from the Chu Yun Empire? Ruthless indeed. He had been beside him the whole time, yet Xie Biyan had actually managed to poison Dai Hua without anyone noticing. He really was a talent!

But Bai Shu had no dissatisfaction whatsoever. Instead, he revealed an approving smile.

Taking the initiative to do such a thing precisely reflected Xie Biyan's loyalty and ability.

Compared with beasts of burden who needed instructions for everything, he preferred subordinates like this, who had initiative.

"Very good." Bai Shu patted him on the shoulder.

"Since you have a way to deal with him, you can loosen the restrictions on him appropriately afterward. If he performs well, you may also teach him the Soul Core method. A level ninety-four enforcer, if used well, will also be a great help."

"This subordinate understands!" Xie Biyan replied respectfully.

"All right, if there's nothing else, you should go rest too. You've been busy all day, so you must be tired." As Bai Shu spoke, he walked out of the garden.

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master." Xie Biyan bowed slightly toward Bai Shu's departing back, then his figure merged into the shadows of dusk and vanished.

Bai Shu did not return directly to his bedroom. Instead, he first went to the front hall.

The moment he stepped into the hall, a figure rushed over in a gust of fragrant air and crashed straight into his arms.

"Bai Shu!"

It wasn't the spoiled, demanding interrogation he had expected. Xiao Wu's voice trembled faintly in his embrace, and her hands clutched his arm tightly, as if she had grabbed hold of her only lifeline.

Bai Shu froze for a moment, then looked down to see Xiao Wu with her head buried low, what seemed like tiny crystalline beads still clinging to her long lashes. He had meant to tease her a little, but the words changed as they reached his lips. "What's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

"N-no..." Xiao Wu's muffled voice came from his arms. She lifted her head, her eyes faintly red, yet she stubbornly puffed out her cheeks. "There were so many Title Douluo auras just now... I... I got a little scared."

In the end, she was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, with an instinctive fear of the aura of the powerful—especially that icy killing intent born from life-and-death battle, which almost awakened the most painful memories buried deep in her bloodline.

But she didn't want to show weakness in front of Dugu Yan, so she had forced herself to hold on the whole time. Only when she saw Bai Shu did her taut nerves finally find an outlet.

Bai Shu's heart softened. He raised a hand and gently patted her back, saying in a tender voice, "It's all right now. I'm here. I won't let you fall into this kind of danger again. You and Dugu Yan were able to come out safe and sound—who do you think was protecting you from the shadows?"

Hearing this, Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't argue anymore. She only hugged his arm even tighter, pressing her little face against it as she felt the warmth and aura that put her at ease.

Off to the side, Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan saw this scene and smiled knowingly, without disturbing the two of them.