After that one strike, everyone present was stunned. They’d heard rumors of a distinguished guest from the Zixiao Sect, but this was the first time seeing him in action—and no wonder he was said to have defeated Third Elder himself. Yu Chun was one of the best in the Beast-Taming Manor, yet his full-force attack had been effortlessly blocked—without the slightest movement.
Yu Chun’s face stiffened as he sheathed his sword. Seeing Mo Xuanli standing protectively in front of Junhua, he forced a smile. “Brother Xuanli, is this what they call saving the beauty?”
“Not quite,” Mo Xuanli said.
Junhua, who was busy tugging her once-again-tormented hair back into place, froze when she heard that.
What does he mean, “not quite”? she thought irritably. Either you are or you’re not—don’t start talking nonsense. Does he mean I’m not beautiful enough to be saved?
Yu Chun suppressed his temper. “And what does Brother Xuanli mean by that?”
Gu Baiqing stepped forward, his tone unhurried. “Since Young Master Yu wasn’t actually trying to harm anyone, how could my junior’s intervention be considered a heroic rescue? He merely saw that Miss Junhua’s spiritual power was depleted and that she might not withstand your final trial strike, so he stepped in—to prevent any misunderstanding. Otherwise, if word spread that Young Master Yu’s good intentions in sparring ended up injuring a fellow disciple, others might think you lacked control over your power.”
Gu Baiqing smiled faintly. “Of course, I believe Young Master Yu simply didn’t see clearly just now.”
Yu Chun looked toward Gu Baiqing, then finally curved his lips into a smile. “Brother Mo is right—it was my oversight. Thanks to Brother Xuanli just now, otherwise I might have ended up hurting a promising talent.”
As he spoke, he tossed a token toward Junhua. “Take my token and report to the inner sect. Even though you didn’t withstand all three of my strikes, your strength is clear for all to see. I look forward to seeing your future accomplishments.”
Junhua caught the token, let out a cold snort without a trace of politeness, and then said faintly, “Many thanks for your instruction, Senior Brother.”
With that, her demeanor shifted completely—she turned to Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli with a bright, lively smile. “Didn’t expect that we’d just meet by chance, and you’ve both saved me twice already. I won’t forget this—I’ll repay you someday.”
“No need for thanks,” Gu Baiqing said.
Junhua raised a brow at him. “Actually, this time it was you who told him to save me, wasn’t it?”
Both Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli froze.
Junhua’s lips curved into a knowing smile. What, did they think I was stupid? Mo Xuanli had given her the cold shoulder earlier—she remembered that well. There was no way he suddenly saved her out of kindness. Between the two of them, she trusted the softer-hearted one.
“Don’t worry,” Junhua said cheerfully. “I’ll remember both of your kindnesses.”
Just then, Yu Chun called out to them from the side.
Junhua gave them a quick glance. “What, you’re going out with them?”
The two nodded, preparing to take their leave.
Junhua looked a little displeased but said, “Fine then.”
But as they passed her, they suddenly heard her say softly, “I’ll come find you tonight.”
Both of them froze, then saw Junhua skip away as if nothing had happened, token in hand, practically bouncing off.
“She’s coming to find you?” Mo Xuanli asked immediately, turning to Gu Baiqing.
“She said us. Maybe she has something to talk about,” Gu Baiqing replied.
“She’s not simple.”
As they walked, Mo Xuanli leaned closer and murmured.
“Oh? What makes you say that?”
“When I saved her just now, I could feel a surge of power about to burst from her body—it was a strong, overwhelming force. The aura had already appeared, but I interrupted it.”
“Oh?” Gu Baiqing resisted the urge to spoil the plot.
“Could it be… something related to the demon clan?”
Gu Baiqing nearly tripped. Well, after the last two missions, Mo Xuanli had become overly wary of demons.
“So weak and you think she’s a demon? She’s no puppet master,” Gu Baiqing said.
“That’s true… It was a strange aura, but not demonic,” Mo Xuanli agreed, still puzzled.
“I think it feels familiar,” said Three Bean, who was curled up in Gu Baiqing’s arms. “But I can’t remember from where.”
Of course it’s familiar, Gu Baiqing thought. But it’s been altered by an artifact—no one could recognize it now. It’s not time yet.
“Junhua really is something though—such a temper,” Yu Qing remarked as the two approached. “My cousin might just like her and wanted to get closer, but she reacted as if he were some villain bullying women.”
Gu Baiqing glanced at Yu Qing and felt his dislike for her deepen.
Seeing her gaze linger on him, Mo Xuanli said bluntly, “Plenty of people got close to Junhua. But only one got beaten for it. Speaking up for a man who bullies women… isn’t very wise.”
As soon as Mo Xuanli finished, Yu Qing’s face turned pale—as though she’d been slapped several times in public. She looked utterly aggrieved and nearly fled, if not for Yu Chun quickly catching her arm.
Mo Xuanli’s expression didn’t change. Gu Baiqing, however, was baffled—From Yu Chun’s perspective, shouldn’t he want his sister to leave? After all, they’re both interested in the same person.
But Yu Chun shamelessly changed the subject instead, steering the conversation away from the unpleasant moment.
Once they left the mountain gate, they boarded a spacious carriage.
Master and disciple sat side by side on one side; Yu Chun sat in the main seat, and Yu Qing across from them. At first, she couldn’t bring herself to face Mo Xuanli, staring forlornly out the window. Usually in such situations, someone would offer a comforting word—but the two men across from her acted as if she didn’t exist.
Eventually, when they began discussing spirit beasts, Yu Qing couldn’t resist turning back to join the conversation.
“Like Brother Xuanli, I don’t have a contracted beast yet,” Yu Chun said.
“The eldest Miss of the Yu family has a rare high-grade spirit beast. With your status, Young Master Yu, how come you haven’t contracted one yet?” Mo Xuanli asked.
“To be honest,” Yu Chun said with a faint smile, “I originally set my sights on the Sky-Thunder Serpent deep in the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest. But it’s too fast, too hard to capture. I could’ve caught it with enough time, but then I heard there was a black dragon in the nearby sea, so I shifted my focus. In the end, I caught neither.”
“The elders already advised you, didn’t they? Catching a black dragon is impossible. I think you’d better go for the Sky-Thunder Serpent, Brother—it’s the strongest thunder-type beast, the perfect match for you,” Yu Qing said earnestly.
“Who doesn’t want the strongest?” Yu Chun chuckled.
“If you still don’t have a contracted beast, I’m afraid you won’t be able to win against the eldest Miss Yu at the grand ceremony,” Mo Xuanli said matter-of-factly.
“Yes, I’ll need to capture that Sky-Thunder Serpent soon,” Yu Chun replied calmly.
“Does that mean you’ve found its trail? Planning to enter the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest?” Mo Xuanli asked.
Yu Chun smiled mysteriously. “You’ll find out soon enough. Since you two are guests of the Beast-Taming Manor, you’ll see for yourselves.”
At that, Yu Chun noticed Gu Baiqing had been silent the whole time and decided to ask about Three Bean.
In his opinion, taming a tri-colored illusion cat was no easier than capturing a Sky-Thunder Serpent.
“It? Oh, it came to me on its own,” Gu Baiqing said simply.
Three Bean immediately extended a paw and swiped at him. “Don’t make it sound like I’m cheap!”
Clearly, Gu Baiqing didn’t want to elaborate, and Yu Chun didn’t press further. Instead, the conversation shifted toward spiritual artifacts—since immortal-grade items were extremely rare, the Yu siblings’ curiosity was plain to see.
Mo Xuanli raised his wrist and briefly introduced God Nine Transformations.
“Pure luck,” Mo Xuanli said lightly. “An accidental success.”
God Nine Transformations seemed dissatisfied with that comment and spun a few circles of protest in his palm.
“To be born with a weapon spirit—quite extraordinary, even among immortal-grade artifacts.” Yu Chun restrained his envy as he remarked, “When crafted personally, a spirit tool can unleash its full potential. This God Nine Transformations must rank among the very top of weapon lists.”
“Who knows,” Mo Xuanli replied with a hint of probing. “Isn’t there also that rumored Godslaying Sword?”
“Hah? That’s just a legend. It doesn’t actually exist.” Yu Chun laughed heartily, clearly unaware of anything more, not even believing such a thing could be real.
That reaction was, of course, exactly what Mo Xuanli expected.
Meanwhile, Yu Qing was staring curiously at the lively God Nine Transformations. The red cord coiled around it flicked playfully with every motion, stirring her curiosity until she finally reached out to tug at it.
“So cute,” she said.
But the instant her fingers brushed one of the red strands, God Nine Transformations seemed jolted—as if offended—and shot out a flash of light that slammed Yu Qing against the carriage wall with a burst of spiritual energy.
“Ah!” she cried out, more from shock and pain than injury, and turned tearful eyes toward Mo Xuanli. “Young Master Mo, I was just curious! Do you hate me so much that I can’t even touch it?”
Mo Xuanli, frowning, held down the agitated God Nine Transformations.
“Sister, it’s a misunderstanding,” Yu Chun said quickly, helping Yu Qing to her feet. “Immortal artifacts have tempers. They don’t allow anyone but their master to touch them.”
Yu Qing froze, realizing she had broken a taboo. God Nine Transformations was still quivering in Mo Xuanli’s grasp, clearly angered and barely restrained. She was about to apologize when it suddenly burst free, shooting into the air. Startled, Yu Qing leapt back, afraid it might attack.
“God Nine Transformations!” Gu Baiqing called out.
This thing—how could it have such a bad temper? It’s just a touch! But then again… no one had ever touched it before.
Mo Xuanli’s patience was wearing thin. He was about to forcibly summon it back when God Nine Transformations began vibrating rapidly in midair, then suddenly darted straight toward Gu Baiqing.
Like a frightened child running to its parent to cry about being wronged, it dove straight into Gu Baiqing’s collar.
But its master was standing right there.
Everyone was stunned. Mo Xuanli reached out instinctively, but once he got close, he froze—because God Nine Transformations had gone under Gu Baiqing’s inner robe.
Gu Baiqing covered his collar, shuddering as the cold metal slid against a sensitive spot, making him let out a soft involuntary hum. His body tensed.
The sound made Mo Xuanli stop dead. Across from him, Yu Chun also stiffened.
Only Yu Qing blurted out, “Did it hurt you?”
Gu Baiqing’s expression turned awkward. He pressed a hand to his chest, holding the mischievous thing down, though he could still feel God Nine Transformations trembling—clearly still sulking.
“God Nine Transformations, come out!” Mo Xuanli barked, genuine anger in his voice.
The weapon stilled against Gu Baiqing’s chest but continued to tremble faintly, like a child sobbing through hiccups.
Was that really necessary? Gu Baiqing didn’t understand—but before he could react, a flash of blue light streaked into his collar.
The Yu siblings hadn’t seen what it was, but both Mo Xuanli and Gu Baiqing knew—Morning Snow.
As expected, the two spirit swords immediately tried to fight, and Gu Baiqing had to clamp both hands over his chest to restrain them.
If they started brawling in there, his clothes would explode on the spot.
Mo Xuanli was anxious but couldn’t very well reach in, so he could only shout furiously, “God Nine Transformations!” This time his voice carried a strong summoning spell.
God Nine Transformations reluctantly wriggled out from Gu Baiqing’s collar, just barely, before Mo Xuanli snatched it out by force.
But in the process, his cold fingers brushed against Gu Baiqing’s warm neck. The stark contrast made Gu Baiqing flinch subtly.
When God Nine Transformations came free, its red cord was tangled with Morning Snow—the two of them pulling at each other like children yanking hair.
Mo Xuanli untangled Morning Snow and respectfully returned it, then grabbed God Nine Transformations with enough force that it looked like he might crush the bracelet in his palm.
Who wouldn’t be angry? He could feel the lingering warmth the weapon had absorbed from his master’s body—cold metal turned warm and smooth like jade—and even a faint trace of winter plum fragrance clung to the red cord.
“Forget it. Don’t take it to heart,” Gu Baiqing said, straightening his collar.
Sensing God Nine Transformations’s wordless plea for forgiveness, Mo Xuanli’s expression softened slightly. He put it back on, but no sooner had he done so than the little thing stretched out a strand of red cord to wrap around Gu Baiqing’s wrist, as if apologizing and seeking affection. Their hands brushed together, and this time, Mo Xuanli didn’t pull away.
Gu Baiqing didn’t scold it either, letting it be. When he turned back, he noticed the Yu siblings staring at him, dazed.
Yu Qing aside, Yu Chun’s gaze lingered so intently that Gu Baiqing felt uncomfortable.
Yu Qing looked at the red cord linking their wrists and said curiously, “It doesn’t seem like it wanted to hurt you… maybe it was trying to get close? But I thought immortal artifacts only let their masters touch them?”
How was he supposed to answer that? Should he say that inside God Nine Transformations was a fragment of a Pure Immortal Sprout he had once picked—and which had since become a twin to his own? Absolutely not. The thought alone made him feel oddly embarrassed.
“Brothers, that’s all,” Gu Baiqing said awkwardly. “Whenever Xuanli scolds it, I’m usually the one stepping in.”
“A newborn immortal artifact acting like a child—how amusing,” Yu Chun laughed. “That hairpin just now, was it yours…?”
“My spirit sword,” Gu Baiqing answered curtly, not wanting to say more for fear of revealing too much.
Mo Xuanli immediately picked up on the shift and said, “Are we getting close to the Grand Market?”
Sure enough, lively voices could already be heard from outside.
The four of them got out of the carriage and continued on foot.
The moment they entered the market, they were enveloped by its lively atmosphere. Crowds thronged in every direction, and some shops were so popular that people surrounded them in layers, leaving no space to squeeze through.
Most of the stalls sold things related to spirit beasts—beast eggs, small beasts, pet beasts, feed, and all kinds of tools used for taming and raising them.
Even Three Bean picked out a kind of cat food it fancied and made Xuanli buy it.
They also bought some elixirs, talismans, and other supplies…
After a whole day of strolling and eating delicious food, it truly was an enjoyable experience—if only they could have changed their companions, it would have been even better.
In the original story, this was the part where master and disciple secretly went on a date. The demonized Mo Xuanli, of course, couldn’t care less about propriety—he shoved Yu Chun off to other senior brothers and ran away with his master.
Though that night was quite enjoyable for Mo Xuanli, when the others returned later, they all teased him mysteriously, saying he’d missed the best thing of the trip.
Mo Xuanli didn’t take it to heart. What could be better than the man currently lying naked on his bed? Still, he couldn’t help feeling he’d missed out on something—so he decided to make up for it by “enjoying” his master a few more times.
“Right, let’s not go to a tavern tonight,” Yu Chun said as they walked. “I’ll take you somewhere special to taste a true delicacy of Longan Port—and there’s also a real market there, one that sells rare treasures.”
His tone and smile suggested he really did know a secret place. Even Yu Qing chimed in, “I’m not a fan myself, but since it’s your first time here, you really should try it. It’s quite something. That market also sells spiritual materials harvested from large spirit beasts—you might find something you like.”
Mo Xuanli couldn’t help but grow curious. If it was food, he wanted to study it—so he could make it for his master later.
Gu Baiqing, however, recalled the part in the original novel and began to wonder—what exactly had the two of them missed?
He didn’t realize it until they arrived at the liveliest place in town that evening—the Auction Hall.
Thanks to the Yu family’s status, they were seated in one of the best private rooms. A full table of food was served at once, and the centerpiece looked like a platter of raw fish.
But when the waiter began enthusiastically introducing the dish, both Gu Baiqing and Mo Xuanli’s faces darkened instantly.
Merfolk meat. Said to enhance vitality and prolong life, with effects rivaling those of divine elixirs. Beneficial to both cultivators and mortals alike.
