Dual Cultivation God Returns

Chapter 710  Adapting is the way of survival

"Fen Baihu, I realise that I've been troubling you a lot", Wu Long, who remained with Fen Baihu spoke in a more solemn tone when they were left alone, while still facing the direction in which those seeking out the 'natural treasure' were active.

But while he obviously paid attention to them, his eyes were not truly looking there, rather, his gaze becoming a bit distant, lost in thought. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

'It seems even living as long as I did, doesn't change the human nature in me…', he inwardly chuckled with a bit of bitterness, since he realized that while he initially did not intend to depend on her abilities too much, as time passed he got more accustomed to the convenience and great benefits that her powers brought. To the point that he started almost unconsciously rely on it more and more, 'haha, I yet again confirm that a human's ability to adapt to comfort and benefits to the point of taking them for granted is scary'

After all, being able to hide away an entire Sect with its affiliate organizations in a separate realm that could be accessed anywhere and thus move around covertly and securely, with such ease, was a benefit the value of which was nearly impossible to overstate. Not just from a strategic viewpoint but purely from how absurd the very concept of it was. Especially since it was an ability so unique and obscure, to the point they hardly had to worry about anyone even remotely suspecting it was used.

The eyebrows of the Celestial Fox went up as she stared speechless at him for a moment, and then a playful smile once more appeared on her face.

"Oh my, to think you were worried about that…", she chuckled, since he was always so nonchalant about it, that she didn't think he cared, "...so the infamous God of Pleasure does have a conscience after all…"

"You thought I didn't? Who do you take me for?"

"A shameless man who has so many gorgeous beauties but is still greedy for more?"

"...", Wu Long froze for a moment in silence, "I don't have much room to argue if you say something so true…", and then grumbled as the look in her eyes grew more and more amused.

"Much room? I'm afraid you have none", Fen Baihu giggled as she looked at him taking a surrendering pose.

But while being pleasantly surprised and having the impulse to tease him more on the topic, she then paused and shook her head as her smile turned a bit more calm, even somewhat melancholic, "you don't have to worry about it, it barely registers as hard work to move people in and out of my world"

"Very generous of you to say that", Wu Long commented while turning his gaze to her, sensing the change in mood.

"It's true. Rather, to an extent, I am even glad you are using it. It used to be something that just sat there without being of much use, collecting dust. At least now it has a purpose…"

"Those words are awfully dismissive of your Core World… aren't you being too harsh?", Wu Long asked with a bit of surprise.

"Hmm~ perhaps…", Fen Baihu sighed and turned her gaze to the side, a look that was hard to read appearing in her eyes, "...but it's true that I never really had any real use for it. It may be a manifestation of my powers and all that, but its not like there was ever any practical way to use it. It just was there all this time…"

'Hmm, if you think about it that way it certainly is true…', Wu Long pondered on her words, '...unlike the other Dream Realms, her Core World could be even called an appendix of her power, or rather her existence. There is no explicit benefit or use in having it for her personally, and it has little to do with the other manifestations of her abilities. It might serve a purpose, or not, neither she nor anyone else seem to know. It is just kind of… there… and that's it'

But while Wu Long had those thoughts, Fen Baihu continued, "Perhaps… I just wished that I had come to use it this way earlier… then perhaps my clan…"

"The Mystic Fox Clan ruled over many Spiritual Beast Clans", Wu Long's sudden words caused her to slightly widen her eyes as her fox ears twitched, and her gaze turned back to him, while he returned his eyes to the distant cultivators on the plateau, "They wouldn't have followed those whose main base of operations was always hidden, and whose future was not bound with the rest of the clans. So the chances of your clan actually relying on you in this way were always nonexistent. Unlike me and my Eternal Duality Valley, they had to always stand and operate openly. You know this as well"

After a slight pause to let his words sink in, he continued, "And if you speak of the war itself… the fact you said that the Beast God Sovereign set you up also means that you were likely not even in the position to assist your clan. After all, he knew how crucial your presence would be in paving a route of survival for your clan, so there is no way he executed any plan while not considering that. If my guess is correct you were likely at his palace at the time, clashing with him directly, and after sustaining your injury, busy staying out of his reach as he and those he sent after you relentlessly pursued you"

He was speaking in a calm manner with an almost indifferent tone, as if simply stating facts and analyzing what little he knew and could infer about the topic. He then turned to her, and made his conclusion looking into her eyes, "If you really think you could have done anything in that situation, you wouldn't be a Mythical Beast, but some kind of omnipotent higher being"

She listened while staring at him in a mild shock, and then her expression softened again, as she inwardly chuckled, 'Such a cold and rational speech… not even a hint of it being said out of consideration or try to make me feel better… but it strangely feels comforting… I wonder if this feeling is what those girls are always squealing and making a fuss about…'

The image of Wu Long's ladies chatting about him when he wasn't around fluttered through her mind for a moment.

'Hah, I guess stress has been taking a toll on me as well, what weird thoughts…', she smirked as her eyes once more lit up with that lively playfulness.

"Hmm, but this is a bit problematic, I don't think I can use the talismans we made with Madam Liang", he shifted topics after seeing that change in her, turning to look away again.

"Hm? You mean…", she raised her eyebrows as she suddenly had a sneaking suspicion of what he meant.

"Yeah, I am not completely done with sorting it out, or checking it completely, but if my prediction is correct, your bloodline's powers in my blood will almost certainly clash with illusory powers in the talisman the way it is now…", he chuckled, as she looked at his nonchalant expression with narrowed eyes.

'Ugh… why is he so easygoing about it…?', she thought as his smile somehow felt slightly irritating for her, who was feeling responsible for his condition currently being somewhat questionable. After all, he just went through a pretty serious ordeal just dealing with the transformation brought by the Celestial Fox bloodline, but now it seems there is also fallout and consequences that linger after the fact that hinder his movements, or could potentially pose problems for him later.

And yet here he stood with a look that did not have any care in the world, free of worries or doubts.

"Welp, guess there's no way around it. I'll just have to put this plain wooden mask and play it off as a decent disguise", Wu Long's words made her want to facepalm as she looked at him waving a simple wooden mask in his hands.

It was true that with the way the mask was made with inscriptions and arrays it would be impossible to see his face, and he could change his voice with the Sound Rune, a trick he learned not that long ago, but that was basically it. "Haha, don't worry, it's alright. It's not like I planned to never directly doing anything anyway. More than that, I just thought of a perfect disguise for me, though I suppose I would have to ask you for a favor once again", Wu Long grinned with a both amused and somehow conspirator-like look.

'Ah… I give up… why bother worrying about anything seriously when being around him?', Fen Baihu's expression suddenly became resigned, 'Haa~, truly… I guess you can adapt to anything…'