Chapter 79: THE POISONOUS GU BUGS

Anyu waited until Li Yan’s breathing had completely settled before leaving Fu Hanzheng’s room. He quietly closed the door behind him and headed toward the exit of the manor, already understanding why his master had specifically ordered him to retrieve the Nightmare Gu alive.

If they killed the creature immediately, they would lose the easiest means of tracing it back to whoever had sent it.

The sect had strict rules regarding Gu insects, especially those used to harm another cultivator. Such creatures were not ordinary spiritual beasts that could be casually raised and released. Malicious Gu were cultivated through forbidden methods, and using one against another disciple was considered a serious offense. If the culprit were discovered, they would have to answer directly to the sect.

Anyu therefore did not dare delay.

By the time he reached Li Yan’s residence, the surrounding area remained quiet beneath the night sky. He pushed open the entrance and stepped inside, immediately beginning to inspect the residence with his spiritual sense. The lingering traces of the Nightmare Gu were faint, but they had not completely disappeared.

Anyu followed the remaining aura toward the bedroom and carefully searched the room before lowering his gaze toward the bed. The creature had deliberately concealed itself beneath it, where the ordinary spiritual sense of a cultivator would have difficulty detecting it.

He crouched down and reached beneath the bed.

A tiny black creature suddenly shifted in the darkness, attempting to burrow deeper into the shadows. Anyu reacted quickly and trapped it inside a small jade container before it could escape. The creature continued writhing inside, its poisonous aura pressing against the container walls, but the jade was specially designed to suppress Gu energy.

Anyu examined it carefully before returning to the manor.

Fu Hanzheng was still sitting beside the sleeping Li Yan when Anyu entered the room. His expression immediately became cold when he saw the container in Anyu’s hand.

"Is that it?"

"Yes, Master. I found it beneath his bed."

Fu Hanzheng took the container and stared at the Nightmare Gu inside. His expression darkened further as he considered what had happened to his disciple. Someone had deliberately placed a malicious Gu inside Li Yan’s residence and allowed it to torment him every time he slept.

Whoever had done this had intended to make Li Yan suffer.

"Who did Yanyan offend for someone to use such a vicious method against him?"

Anyu shook his head. "I do not know yet. But it must be someone powerful."

Fu Hanzheng did not answer immediately. He carefully examined the Gu without damaging it, searching for the spiritual traces left by the person who had controlled it. The Nightmare Gu had been deliberately kept alive, which meant its connection to its master had not been completely severed.

Fu Hanzheng immediately began investigating that connection.

The process took some time, but eventually, a familiar spiritual signature emerged from the Gu’s remaining aura. Fu Hanzheng’s expression changed the instant he recognized it.

"Shen Hebai."

His voice was quiet, but the anger beneath it was unmistakable.

Anyu’s expression also changed when he heard the name. Elder Shen had already caused trouble with Li Yan earlier that day, but using a Nightmare Gu against a disciple was on an entirely different level. This was not an argument between elders anymore. It was a direct violation of the sect’s rules.

Fu Hanzheng closed his fingers around the jade container without harming the creature inside.

"Keep this safe."

Anyu immediately understood the reason. The Nightmare Gu was evidence, and until the sect master dealt with the matter, nobody could afford to destroy it.

Fu Hanzheng then turned his attention toward Li Yan, who remained peacefully asleep on the bed. His expression softened slightly when he saw his disciple’s relaxed face.

The Nightmare Gu had left behind traces of its malicious aura, and even though the creature itself had been removed, Fu Hanzheng did not intend to leave anything behind that could affect Li Yan again. He carefully cleansed the remaining Gu aura from Li Yan’s body and checked his spiritual channels afterward to ensure that there was no lingering contamination.

"Afterward, go back to Yanyan’s residence and cleanse the entire place. Search every corner and make sure there is nothing else left behind."

"Yes, Master."

Anyu immediately left to carry out the order.

By morning, Li Yan finally opened his eyes.

He remained still for a moment, expecting the familiar sense of dread that had accompanied every attempt at sleep during the previous night. Instead, he felt surprisingly refreshed. There was no lingering terror, no disturbing image of Hu Bai, and no memory of being tortured.

He had slept peacefully.

When Li Yan turned his head, he saw Fu Hanzheng sitting nearby.

"Good morning, Master."

"How are you feeling?"

Li Yan sat up and stretched before giving his master a small smile.

"I am fine. I slept really well. I did not have any nightmares."

Fu Hanzheng’s expression relaxed slightly after hearing that answer, although the anger he had been suppressing since the previous night had not disappeared completely.

"That is because the thing tormenting you has already been removed."

Li Yan’s expression became confused.

"What thing?"

Fu Hanzheng explained that the creature attached to him had been a Nightmare Gu, a malicious Gu insect capable of forcing its victim into terrifying dreams. Unlike an ordinary nightmare, the Gu could repeatedly influence the victim’s mind while secretly draining their vitality. If it remained attached for too long, the victim’s physical and spiritual condition would gradually deteriorate.

Li Yan’s expression changed as he listened.

"So that was why I kept dreaming about being tortured?"

"Yes."

Fu Hanzheng’s gaze became cold as he revealed what he had discovered after tracing the Nightmare Gu’s spiritual aura.

"This malicious thing was sent by Elder Shen..."

Li Yan stared at him in disbelief before his expression hardened. He had expected Elder Shen to be angry after their confrontation, but he had not expected the elder to retaliate by using something so vicious.

Fu Hanzheng noticed his reaction and reached over to pat his head.

"Do not worry about it anymore. I have already kept the Nightmare Gu as evidence, and the sect rules are very clear about this matter."

His voice became colder as he continued.

"I will take this matter to the sect master myself."

Li Yan looked at his master, and the anger that had been building in his chest gradually eased. He knew Fu Hanzheng would not let this matter go, especially after seeing how badly the Nightmare Gu had tormented him.

Fu Hanzheng’s eyes narrowed as he thought about Elder Shen.

"Since he dared to use Gu against my disciple, I will make sure he pays for it."