In an ancient realm, woven with magic and mystique, where spirits dance and the line between the immortal and demonic is but a whisper, one would expect exalted cultivators to stand as bulwarks against malevolence, carving out sanctuaries for the mortal souls. Alas, in this realm, the cosmic order is topsy-turvy: demons reign unbridled and mortals are but fleeting shadows, living in perpetual peril.

Enter the tranquil hamlet of Blessed Village, where at this juncture, a grand festivity unfolds.

In the village's heart, a grandiose stage stands, heralding the arrival of the newest champion, a paragon of handsomeness in this peculiar world. As he strides, the very earth beneath groans under his majesty. With a vast stature, his cherubic face seems almost lost atop his voluminous frame. Here, in this realm, weight is the yardstick of allure and might; the heavier one's presence, the loftier their station.

Yet, amidst this sea of opulence, a singular figure emerges, as striking as a raven in a snow-clad meadow: Gu XiaoXing. Slender as a willow, his alabaster skin is marred only by a curious prominence on his brow. An outlier in this world of abundance, he casts covetous glances upon the champion, having once dreamt of such reverence himself.

But the tapestry of fate is intricate. A serendipitous event sees a celestial beetle descend, choosing him as its sanctuary. Thenceforth, his existence becomes a lament; Regardless of how much he consumes, he only grows thinner.

Haunted by the specter of becoming a mere wraith, Gu XiaoXing, with resolute spirit, embarks on a pilgrimage. He seeks the fabled immortals, yearning for their wisdom to restore his essence.

But as Gu XiaoXing's steps take him farther from the familiar, whispers of a forgotten prophecy begin to echo through the winds of time. A prophecy that speaks of a slender soul, chosen by the heavens, destined to shift the balance between light and shadow. As destinies intertwine and ancient powers awaken, will Gu XiaoXing be the beacon of hope in this crumbling world, or will he unwittingly unleash forces beyond any mortal's reckoning?

C681 The Sword and the Shell